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General => The Stay Safe Board => Topic started by: Roobarb on Saturday 03 April 21 00:07 BST (UK)
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Another unremarkable day. Went down the narrow path in the woods again, I wanted to have another look at the trees in all the splendour of their blossom, and there they were. (See below :) )
I took a photo on my plant finder app and it identified them as Sloe. That made sense, I remember when my friend and I walked along there some months ago and she commented on all the Sloe berries that were growing there.
After lunch I did some admin then went out in the garden, it was cold and the sun hadn't managed to come through. Did some bits of this and that, am wondering how my seedlings will fare if it gets as cold as the forecast says. Have put them near the house where it's sheltered, not sure what else to do.
Came inside and did some cleaning and ironing, oh joy. Am not very pleased with Tesco, they will no longer be using tray liners from about the 19th. I completely understand that they want to cut down on plastics but it's going to be such a mess about at the doorstep transferring everything into my own bags, not to mention having to bend or crouch down to do it all. No doubt it will delay deliveries too. I do reuse the liners, I cut them open and use them to protect the table when doing my artwork or when I'm doing something on the garden table so they're not wasted in my house.
Fish for tea of course, made some Cajun salmon. Got my appetite back today and even had a couple of glasses of wine.
Hope everyone has had a good day.
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Roobarb, you must have read my mind. I was going to ask for photos of the trees in bloom. They are beautiful.
Good Friday is always a bit of a funny day I think, despite it being much the same as any other day for many people, except that the shops are shut.
Decided to visit my father as he wouldn’t have been out to see anyone during our little lockdown. I needn’t have bothered as he had been out for morning tea and my brother was visiting in the afternoon.
Watched “Safe House”. Not too bad.
Dog was naughty on her walk. Barked at a nice lady who wanted to say hello to her, barked at Jack the Jack Russell (understandable - I feel like barking at him too), and barked at a border collie and little white dog walking on the other side of the road. :-\ What an embarrassment. ;D
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Lovely blossom, Roobarb.
Aside from frantically knitting to complete 2 more baby jackets (just started last sleeve), which need to be ready by Sunday when I am going to meet my niece, I haven't done much else of late. Aside, that is, from my final visit to dentist - 4 bottom teeth out and a new plate which I am slowly breaking in.
Tomorrow supposed to go to my sisters for a garden visit with nephew and family but not looking forward to doing so in the cold. Weather has been such a tease - some gloriously sunny and warm days then come a Bank Holiday and it's back to the cold again!
Dull and overcast all day here - a foray to deposit bags of rubbish in the bins at the rear of the car park was enough to show how cold it had got since yesterday. Quite a brisk chilly wind too.
My Asda order arrived early - I have it delivered in bags because I then have to carry it upstairs. I re-use the bags for items I take to the charity shop as they only accept items that are bagged.
Think I'd better wrap up warmly tomorrow as meeting family in garden. At least it's not supposed to rain.
Happy Easter, everyone and continue to stay safe.
Annette
By the way, Roobarb - you need to amend title - it is indeed Good Friday but is 2nd April!
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Roobarb - that’s a stunning photo of the blossom on the blackthorn trees...I can now see why you were so enamoured with them!
I was wondering about my sweet peas too... they’re in the shed on the bench by the window so hope they’ll be ok in the cold...
Shame Tesco are changing their methods... initially Waitrose put everything in bags and we had loads of them now it’s just in the crates.... pity when you find the liners useful! I was going to give Tesco a go next week...
Ruskie - glad to hear your all out and about again now.... Shame you dog barks at others... has he always done that?
Annette- nice to hear from you and hope your visit goes well with the family... wrap up warm and perhaps take a rug to keep warm...
I’m sure you’ll be on the go for some time with double knitting..
My day
Up quite early, a dull and chilly start as expected! Felt excited to be seeing the family...
After breakfast got picnic ready... OH made sandwiches whilst I showered and washed my hair...wanted to put it up but thought it would be too cold ...hate my ears cold but hate wearing hats! Compromise half up rest down!
Got all ingredients for a beef casserole ready, had some nice gravy from a previous one I’d put in the freezer... put all into the slow cooker so it would be ready when we got home...
Just got in the car when daughter messaged to say they were just leaving... takes them longer than us, so we just had a slower drive... got there before them so waited in the car as it was quite chilly to be just standing around... they soon arrived and piled out of the car! Boys very excited... my how they’ve grown! Exchanged Easter eggs and then set off... there were certainly lots of people but it’s a huge place with lots of areas to go...
We had a coffee and our lunch first as there were very few picnic tables and one was free! The boys are always hungry anyway so seemed like a good idea...
All the spring flowers were out and it looked so beautiful full of colour... lots of varieties of daffs, snowdrops still out, primroses, hellebores... the boys are interested in wanting to know the names of everything so between us we managed to tell them!
We walked to the folly which is right out on the extremities of the estate and had a good view of the surrounding area...
we all sat on a log and had our hot x buns... tasty if a little dense! Think that was J helping a little heavy handed in final shaping so air got knocked out too much! They’d also made chocolate Easter nests with choc eggs ontop... needed strong teeth to bite into it!
By 5pm we decided we’d walked enough and it was time to leave... the boys fitbits told us we’d done over 20,000 steps... no wonder we felt tired!
A lovely day and it wasn’t too cold, the sun came out on odd occasions.. no rain though and light winds..
It was sad to say goodbye but we had waist hugs from the boys...a lovely day out..
We were glad to get home for a nice cuppa... so glad I’d put a meal in the slow cooker as definitely didn’t want any more standing up!
Relaxed and watched tv but had an early night...
Hope the rest of Easter is enjoyable for everyone..
Caroline
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Your day sounds lovely Caroline. Whereabouts did you meet up with the family? The flowers must have been wonderful to see.
It sounds like a good effort with the bun making. They can be extremely difficult to get right. I think it’s wonderful that the boys are cooking and appreciating nature.
Annette, I’m sure your knitting efforts will be much appreciated especially knowing how much love has gone into making them. Sorry to hear about your dentist appointments. It all sounds very invasive and painful. I hope you heal quickly.
Added: Caroline. Yes, dog barks at some people and some dogs but not others. She is a bit nervous and I think that is one reason for barking, other times she is excited and wants to play. Various reasons for this. All annoying. ;D
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We met at a NT place called Wimpole Estate... just south of Cambridge.... lots open spaces just perfect for two very energetic boys and to tire out your grandparents 😂😂.
Can imagine that your dogs behaviour is annoying especially when you’re not sure which way she’s going to behave!
Caroline
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So lovely for you Caroline. :D
Have a fab time tomorrow Annette, you might be up all night finishing the new cardis.
Gorgeous photo Roobarb, thank you.
Ruskie I saw a dog this morning, the lead comprised just a strap around the muzzle, (not an actual cage type,) which might be a good compromise?
I was very lucky to get a second Morris session yesterday, someone else had to drop out. What a joy, blue sky, sunshine and the east wind dropped. Saw people I haven't seen in almost a whole year.
Tried Oz again, but no response.... as you say Ruskie, either out or my son is ignoring me, or both!! Haven't spoken to the children in over a month. :'(
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Wimpole Estate looks very impressive Caroline. I’m ashamed to say I’ve never heard of it. It may be one to add to the bucket list I think. ;D
MH, I think those leads are called “gentle leader”. We had one for a previous dog and she hated it. It’s mainly used to stop dogs pulling on the lead. It pulls across their nose if they pull. Very effective I believe. Unfortunately I think they can still snaffle food off the footpath though. ::)
It seems like your spirits have lifted thanks to being able to get out and catch up with friends in the nice weather. I would say that your son is more likely to be away for the weekend than ignoring you.
I don’t think there are any restrictions on movement anywhere at present, though masks are a requirement in some areas.
Weather is currently nice here, though probably not for anyone camping, which many do over Easter. Cooler, 25 degrees during the day, with some grey clouds and drizzle. Just how I like it. We are a big country though so other areas will have different conditions.
:)
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Yess Roobarb, I have big shopping bags ready but as you say bending etc,
I have replied somewhere else, ::) but I know not where.
I came on again because just on the radio news,an 80+ person has died from injuries sustained after two dogs escaped through a hole in the fence of the owner’s garden.
Breed not yet established.
How absolutely awful!
Hope the owner if they nuisance dogs we have heard about has been properly responsible .What a worry.
My screen has split again .a narrow area only ,will have to fiddle with it!
Hope everyone is well. Viktoria,thanks for your kind comments everyone.
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So marvellous you had some time with FH Viktoria, and another visit to look forward to. :D
Wonderful.
Nice to know the children are flourishing, both you and Caroline comment about "how they have grown!!"
Ruskie: The strap on the dog lead looked to me like it went around the jaw to stop it opening.... called a "halter lead" it seems, but looking at images it might not stop the jaw from opening, although the Alsatian dog I saw this morning definitely did look like it would..... if you follow me.
It might be that my son and family are at Phillip Island, where phone signal is difficult. :-\
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Thanks for the description MH. I think my dog needs a full snout covering. ;D Ooo, Phillip Island would be lovely at this time of year. Phone coverage in many areas can be a bit hit and miss.
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Well, doorbell rang “ Ah ha “I thought,Tesco!
But no,a young man who used to pass with a magnificent dog,the one I said looks like a Leonberger but is a cross between an Alsatian and Mastiff.The lad walked it every afternoon after school.
We got friendly and I always enquired about his further studies .
I knew his parents when they were children at school ,going back a good while now?
He said he just though5 he would bring me an Easter egg,
a Terry’s chocolate orange one!
I haven’t seen him in a while and he has got so big I hardly recognised him .
How nice,
His Mum had a new baby on a Sunday,but left hospital to bring her littlest child to school the next day ,the Monday ,as she had promised she would!It was the little girl’s first day at school.
I have never forgotten that!
Hope everyone has a lovely day tomorrow.
Cheerio.Viktoria.
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Can just imagine your naughty dog Ruskie, perhaps she just wanted to exercise her voice. :D
Thank you for the heads up on the title Annette, duly amended. That's twice I've done that in a matter of days, must be losing my marbles!
You might be lucky with the weather tomorrow, here on the north east coast the forecast is showing 15 degrees and wall to wall sunshine. Take plenty of layers and unpeel as appropriate!
Caroline - pleased to hear you had a lovely day with your family, a good move to put your meal in the slow cooker.
Great to get together again for your dancing MH, hope you hear from your loved ones soon.
Viktoria, what a lovely surprise for you, I was quite touched to read about the young man bringing you an Easter egg, so thoughtful.
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How lovely Viktoria an unexpected gift... nice to be thought of on these occasions too... my you’ve a wonderful memory... having said that my OH remembers kids from his teaching days... not always their names straight away but always the face and then in conversation he works out who it is!
MH - you too had an unexpected pleasure joining in with your Morris dancers.. in the sunshine too lucky you... lifts the spirits no end...
Wimpole is a lovely estate, they have a farm there which of course wasn’t open... the house is pleasant to go round too... even the adventure playground was closed... but they found plenty of other places to have fun in!
Ruskie... your cool 25C sounds wonderful... think we’d all settle for that here... perhaps without the rain though..
Caroline
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I got a “Halti” lead for my Irish Setter, she was not a “ puller “but she was so big her normal stride was so long ,I needed her to slow down a little .
Roger Mugford’s theory was a dog always pants as it walks so if it pulls it can’t pant because the Halti closes its mouth so the dog soon learns to walk slower so it can have its mouth open.
However people thought it was a muzzle and thought she was vicious ,which was so far from the truth.
Well calamity, Tesco order came and not an Easter egg in it!
Unavailable!
The annoying thing was I could have got what I wanted when I just dropped in to Tesco’s after my vaccination ,but having ordered online did not think I would not have any!
A kind neighbour was going to town to get a few things and asked did I want anything ,so I asked if she would get eggs for her two little girls and one for FH.
I get them something for Birthdays,Christmas and Easter.
So I have a larger version of. Kinder egg for FH and she kindly just got two Peppa Pig ones .
The Kinder one was £5, there were none at all in the supermarkets so she went to the petrol station , do you know they were only £2-99 last week.Never mind ,but pretty decent of her to get cheap ones for her two,from me ,so I am making a lemon drizzle cake tomorrow for them.
Well no really bad side effects from vaccine,arm better already but must say legs and hips stiff and aching ,maybe just a coincidence .I do feel very tired too.
Spoke with friend who was so ill a while back, the one I lived with in Shropshire.
She is marvellous.
Hope everyone is alright , we are to have some quite wintry weather coming back it seems.
Such lovely walks you take , and interesting things to see.
Roobarb, look out for sloe berries in Autumn, prick each berry and put in a bottle of gin ,not sure of the quantities though.
We used to make Rumtopf ,a large jar like a sweet jar,put in a layer of sift fruit like strawberries ,cover with sugar and white rum.
Add fruit as it comes in season,but only soft fruit,not apples or pears.Make sure fruit is always covered with rum which must have a high alcoholic content.
Don’t drive after a portion of this!
FH comes again tomorrow, weather permitting we will have a walk then they make their way back to Suffolk.I have three books for him I had forgotten about ,The wolf and the tree bears( they make cakes).The tiger who came to tea ,and Funnybones ,the characters are skeletons but not scary .
That lights up in the dark.Well sort of fluorescent .
Daughter phones tomorrow evening , so a long chat.
Apple tree buds getting fat,hope the cold spell we are to have does’t blight them.
Fish still lethargic ,but I am wondering if they prefer the previous sort of food ,I just ordered fish food the Aquarian brand ,what came was for tropical fish but practically the same as goldfish food .They ate it but I got some for goldfish on the next order .
Tomorrow I will see if they eat the tropical one.
Well bed calls and up early tomorrow as no idea when FH comes .
Goodnight Viktoria.
Very alcoholic, used instead of Christmas pudding on the continent especially Germany.
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How kind of your neighbour to save the day with the Easter eggs Viktoria, I think the petrol stations tend to be more expensive generally as you pay for the convenience.
I like the sound of the Rumtopf, lovely fruit and a nice drop of rum,what's not to like?!! ;D
I hope your aches and tiredness are gone tomorrow.
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Thanks Roobarb, not a worry really and a small price to pay if from vaccination.Goodnight, hope you get a good rest .
Viktoria.
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That makes sense about the halti style dog lead Viktoria. I thought that when the dog pulled, the strap would tighten on their nose and feel uncomfortable, causing them to stop pulling. As long as it works I suppose is the main thing. :)
Good that you are seeing FH again. I’m sure he will love the books. I used to love Funnybones - I think my children did too. :) It used to be an animated cartoon too didn’t it? FH would probably like it.
I hope you are hale and hearty again soon Viktoria.
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Many thanks, we have a thin layer of snow here!Already melting in the bright sunshine.
A cuppa and then it was to be cake making ——
Perhaps ,
,but now am wondering if it is alright to do it at all!
They are too young yet to have had their vaccinations- the parents - ooer,
perhaps not yet!
So a whizz round with my little electric carpet sweeper ,straighten cushions ,
dust and job done.I only straightened the cushions before bed last night ,you know in case I pop off off in the night!
It is not as if they will be coming in is it! ::)
Cheerio,” speak “to you later .
Viktoria.