Yawn Yawn Wakey Wakey 2024

Poor Rob and you too @Goldenlily26. Our pair - Labrador and terrier - never hid food or other goodies but they did have plenty of toys and treats. A few years ago we looked after a young cocker spaniel who collected all his toys and theirs in his sleeping/travel cage and got very cross when I took ours back. He also loved running thru our pond which meant swimming for most of it and then coming in covered in duckweed. Didn't like baths or showers.

I've been out potting up autumn daffodils and a rose I dug up to rescue it from being swamped by an exhuberant Complicata which I shall now peg to control it a bit. OH has been clearing weeds from the bed at the back of the barn where there are 3 very feeble grapes and a kiwi. The soil is poor and stoney so I shall improve it then plant it up with a wall shrub that needs full sun and shelter - another gifted cutting so no idea except that it's in the pea family and has glorious red flowers. Then some bulbs and a load of chipped wood.

I need some manure and compost but the shops are closed so it'll have to wait till tomorrow.

 

Just back from a trip to the seaside. Had delicious pastries and really good coffee for breakfast, while people watching from the cafe window. Then quickly popped into a couple of shops (looked in the Works for a 2025 diary, nothing in yet that I liked, but came out with the latest Jack Reacher at half price!) Followed that up with a walk along the riverbank, didn’t see any otters today but got to meet and greet some friendly dogs. Then a walk along the length of the seafront and back. There was an enormous rockfall along the beach last week, more warning signs up for unsuspecting tourists. Worryingly, it’s on the side of town where the cliff face has been relatively stable. The beach at the other end has been closed off for years as there are frequent falls there, not just rocks but the gardens above and their contents.
Sorry to hear of Robs eye socket infection. Our dogs didn’t tend to steal items, but did chew through the lower bars on all our wooden kitchen chairs. We didn’t leave them alone in the car again after finding tooth prints on the steering wheel!
Love all the poppy pictures, @RowlandsCastle.

 

Grey and quite chilly here today, probably not helped by all the fireworks going on till we'll after midnight last night.
After a long session at the plots yesterday, it's the gardens turn we've both been out there most of the day. After this late lunch, will have to get back out to tidy up!

 

Good afternoon ladies & gentlemen.

Goodbye Lunasa, hello Samhain and Happy New Year!

Bought two dozen large selection packs of Hallo-we'en themed sweets to hand out to trick-or-treaters last night, but I only had five come. However that is still a massive improvement on last year, when I had none at all. Two of the kids I had expected to come (and also their Mother) have some seasonal cough/cold type of thing unfortunately, which explains their no-show.

Last night brought numerous back garden firework displays all over the village. I didn't have one, or indeed decorate the house - due to living alone.

I spent this morning distributing the unclaimed sweets to worthy families around this part of the village.

The dry, calm weather continues. Colder today due to no sunny spells, but yesterday was utterly magnificent.

My chrysanthemums are putting on a much more impressive show than I deserve.

Best wishes to all recovering from colds, falls and waiting for scan results (and not forgetting four-legged friends as well).

 

Afternoon folks, very pleased with myself this morning - I've reached my goal weight of 10 stone! I've lost 11lbs since 17.6.24 on the 5-2 Diet (Michael Mosley's) so am going to keep going so I can lose more weight by Christmas to give myself a bit of leeway. OH has also lost 11 lbs so he's a happy man as well.

We lost the sunshine today which is a shame but it's still quite warm. I took another bucketful of native primroses and planted them in the Community Orchard so I hope they will take. One had surprised me with a flower in bloom already. Then more leaf clearing at home.

That was a kind thought @Badly_Maintained . We don't usually have any callers and I only had the stick of rock I bought back from Weston-Super-Mare last week to offer them anyway. Glad your chrysanthemums are doing well and giving you cheer. You mustn't denigrate your gardening efforts though, I'm sure you're much better at gardening than you think.

No late night fireworks here fortunately, hope that doesn't become another fad.

Sorry, can't contribute to the funny dog stories, never had one, much prefer cats.

Have a good weekend all.

 

@Obelix-Vendée and @lizzie27 and I have had a little support group going since June, for losing weight. Without them, I wouldn't have kept going.
Like @lizzie27 (congratulations there) I've reached my interim goal weight and have lost 14lbs. Another 5lbs to go by Christmas. Thank you both for your support and commitment.
We have had a lovely day; 3 friends came for lunch. The starter (mushroom vol au vents) was done by one friend and the dessert (a fruit pavlova) was done by another. It was the kind of informal, relaxed meal that you can have with 'old' friends.
The partner of one of them is not a dog person, so we had to keep the fiends in the den.
I should sleep well tonight!
Hub is going to a leaving do for an old work colleague tonight, so I can catch up on Bake off.

 

I am in bits.
R.I.P. granddog.
Slipped his lead and got hit.
Beautiful boy. I loved him to bits. I cannot believe it.
He was an escape artist extraordinaire.
Kids are in bits as you'd expect.
They'd had him a year. Other grandparents, experienced dog owners, dog sitting.
Love your pets tonight.

 

That is so sad @Penny_Forthem . Thinking of you and your family x

 

A glorious picture of the lych gate @RowlandsCastle. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I typed the above ages ago and forgot to click Post Reply. Had a lovely meet up and lunch with the quizzers. We are already booked for our next meet on December 6th. There were only 6 of us today - full group is nine. Two are in France and 1 is in Trearddur Bay.
I received a letter yesterday from Cadent - remember all the fuss I had when they were working in my lane and they kept obstructing my driveway - informing me the the week beginning November 4th they are starting works on the gas mains. This work will last 5 weeks. They are installing several sets of temporary traffic lights and advise us to plan our journeys carefully. Hello but what the heck did they do the last time they had the road up to work on the gas mains? Deep joy not!
Well done to all the 5-2 dieters. That does take such determination. @Allotment Boy, I have not as yet heard any fireworks around me but I'm conscious that this will be Cricket's first bonfire night with me and I'm hoping it will not be too traumatic for him. At least he knows he is safe in the house. I am signing out for this evening. Thinking about @Penny_Forthem and family and sending big hugs. I was gutted to read your news of Granddog @Penny_Forthem - so very sorry.

​

 

That is so sad @Penny_Forthem. Heartbreaking for you all.

Loads more Halloween stuff on sale here in recent years but no trick or treating here but the village in Belgium did organise a fancy dress party at the primary school and had a list of addresses where you could call once it was dark. Some people went to extraordinary lengths to decorate the homes, gardens, garages and have sound and visual effects and masses of sweets and chocs. Possum grew out of it at about 10 tho.

Nor fireworks either except for NY and Bastille Day and some organised events. We keep our pets indoors, tho the two cats don't appreciate it at the time, especially Minstrel who can be an independent madame. cosmos is easy - just light the fire and he sprawls in fornt of it without a care in the world.

 

Just popping in and so sad to hear about the beautiful dog @Penny_Forthem - must be devastating for all the family.

Take care everyone.

 

So sorry to hear about your grand dog, @Penny_Forthem.

 

​

It is also All Souls Day today and probably many other 'special' days around the world. I did notice it is also Devilled Egg day today but as I'm not exactly sure what devilled eggs are I am going to do some research. and that could be my new knowledge for today. Got a gammon joint in the slow cooker and I'm going to play out the day as it emerges. I do hope everyone has a lovely day and those troubled - for whatever reason - find some solace.

 

Good morning everyone!!

Yes, All Soul's Day today. One more crossing the rainbow bridge @Penny_Forthem My thoughts are with you when I walk Fizz this morning. How devastating - how sudden!!

Congratulations are in order for @Obelix-Vendée and @lizzie27 For amazing discipline. I couldn't do it!!! Bravissimo!!

Sunny and still here. Good day for sweeping up leaves and black olives.

 

Morning folks.

Devilled eggs is a blast from the past! My grandmother used to make them for buffet parties - boiled egg halves with the inside mixed with a mayo and curry and paprika type seasoning I think. My grandma used to do an amazing buffet - all homemade little treats both sweet and savoury. I have a recipe folder that she typed herself with her favourite cakes and party foods - I treasure that.

Have a good day everyone.