Yawn Yawn Wakey Wakey 2025

Interesting observation, @Allotment Boy, OH has very high standards for any DIY job he undertakes. Away from home (hotels etc) I do often point out to him that the painting, edges, grouting etc are often dismally done, and so there is probably nothing to be ashamed of, if he drops his standards towards a ‘professional’ level!
I’ve come home with a red azalea from the gift shop at the Donkey sanctuary! Then stopped off at the supermarket and accidentally bought a pack of lily of the valley ?corms, and a tray of tete a tete plants. Didn’t get time to start planting them today, as I have done another hour of clearance work. OH came out and shredded a load of cuttings, very helpful as that is a really boring job. I’ll have to rest my back now, it is starting to complain.

 

@Allotment Boy Like you I don't want to be suspended over our stairwell to paint and the hall is a bit tricky too so I shall be doing the prep work and doors and then getting in a neighbour who is a painter decorator to do the walls. He comes highly recommended by our carpenter/cabinet maker neighbour and his work for them is very good. Both of those are handy neighbours to have and nice people too.

@Ergates we will be carefully avoiding the gardening section when we raid the SM tomorrow. OH has been outside strimming and edging but it's still too wet to mow. I have been sorting remnants and offcuts in my fabric stash and looking for another frock pattern suitable for dancing as well as normal wear.

@AuntyRach have a good sleep.

No yoga this evening as Possum was home too late and I didn't notice time passing. Still a healthy dinner tho as I have another week to go with the no sugar, no carbs detox.

 

We had lunch with our friends in the village pub but I just had soup. Tummy has been hurting a bit. It was good to see them and have a good chat.

I did the ironing pile this afternoon. It felt cold today and I didn't feel like gardening.

 

Good evening all. Had a good morning with my Bestie and helped her daughter write a scathing letter to Aviva regarding her pension whilst Bestie chatted with her builder who turned up out of the blue. He broke his leg shortly after finishing her wet room extension and had just started driving again. He is supposed to be coming back to finish off a job in her kitchen. It was lovely spending some time in her conservatory with the sun beaming down.
@Allotment Boy that is a huge number of doors that you have to paint. I do not envy you that task. I'm another one who now leaves the painting of the stairwell. Too scary going up ladders nowadays - not even sure I could carry the ladders in and set them up in place either. Sorry to read that your stomach was aching today @Busy-Lizzie. Hope you recover soon.

 

Yes @Ladybird4 that's why I'm getting them to do it. That said they had better make a decent job if the topcoat, judging by the undercoat I'm not that optimistic!.
I didn't say about our weekend, we went to my wife's twin sister in Somerset, for a couple of days then the four of us went on to Padstow in Cornwall. She had booked a special two nights with one meal at Rick Steins Bistro, and one at his fish restaurant. A great time was had.

 

@Allotment Boy that sounds an idyllic weekend. Glorious places to eat too.

 

@Obelix-Vendée I hope your new frock allows you more room to move than the capped sleeves on your last one. Signing out for today. Going to see what the apprentice monkeys are up to. See you all tomorrow. Good night all.

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A very good morning one and all. Woke up to freezing fog this morning - such a contrast to yesterday's sunny spells. Hoping to play Canasta later so fingers crossed it clears. I wish you all a pleasant last day of February.

 

Good morning all!!

Beautiful day so far - a few wispy clouds and a little breeze. Still quite cold evenings and mornings until about 11am.

Think you're right @AuntyRach we are coming out of hibernation and peering out the window!!
Hope your tum is ok @Busy-Lizzie and just a 24 hour turn!! Plants are on display in the supermarkets for summer - a wee bit early to start planting - the daffs I planted are coming up and I have spotted a few tulips around too. The proverbial geraniums are not out yet - there are pelargoniums but I like a bunchy geranium!!

Spent the morning waiting for a mammography yesterday. The mobile testing surgery was parked in the stadium car park and of course free for women between 50 and 74. It is free every 2 years. Although there was sun, 9am was early out and quite chilly. The council came with some plastic seats as there were about 30 odd women by 10am. Anyway, it's done for another 2 years. We get the photos of x-rays and results in the post. If there is an anomaly, you have to make an appointment at the hospital for further tests.

Market this morning for fresh eggs and I'll get some mussels from the shellfish lady to do Thai mussels tonight as my lovely friend is coming from Montpellier for the weekend. Lovely with a glass of chilled white and a salad. The mussels I mean!! Tidying up and cleaning around to do.

I bid you all a happy Friday and for some the last day of the working week.

 

Good morning @Tui34. I smiled at a vision of your lovely friend served with a glass of white wine and some salad so thank you for that lighthearted start to the day!

 

Our heron has just made his first Spring visit. I thought he would be appearing soon as I spotted frog spawn in the pond on Monday. I had the dubious privilege of watching him swallow a large frog. It’s quite a palaver (for both parties) and takes a lot of shaking and dipping the frog in water before the poor thing stops wriggling and is swallowed whole. You can see it slowly going down his very long throat

Our frogs are very shy and we rarely see them. I suppose it’s the shy ones that are more likely to avoid the aforementioned heron. If it’s a glorious sunny day, around now, you can see the water splashing and hear them frolicking around from 20 yards away. Try and get within 6 feet of the pond and it’s suddenly all quiet and empty. I’m sure they have a rota for look out duty. On Tuesday, from the bedroom window, I could see twenty or more little heads bobbing around and lots of splashing.

The only times we will see them, once the annual 2-3 day orgy is finished, is the odd young one whilst weeding. Usually accompanied by a large squeal from me, as they invariably shock me out of a weeding zen daydream.

Planning on a gardening day today. Sun is forecast all day, yippee. Tonight we are having supper with daughter, SiL and GD at a local carvery. It’s quieter than weekend lunchtimes and is a relaxed end to the week/start to the weekend. GD fell and bashed her chin earlier this week and is apparently eager to show us her now wobbly tooth, assuming it hasn’t gone to the tooth fairy overnight.

Hope everyone has a good day, lunches (hopefully not of a cannibal nature) are enjoyed and tummies and other ailments are better x

 

Some very graphic images planted in my mind this morning!
The council came with some plastic seats as there were about 30 odd women by 10am.

...takes a lot of shaking and dipping the frog in water before the poor thing stops wriggling and is swallowed whole.
Very envious of @Allotment Boy's weekend. I'd love to go to one of his restaurants!
However, we are going out tonight to the Tapas evening at the local and next door neighbours are coming with us. Should be a fun evening.
I hope we can take in the planetary alignment as we walk there.
But first, it's painting, then a trip to Lidl. Exciting stuff (not!)
Hope your day is kind to you.

 

Well the painters are finished, gone already, just need it all to dry now. The best thing I can say is they were quick. One of them is coming back in a day or two to lift the protective floor covering etc. Thankfully it's a sunny day so we have lots of windows open to ventilate.
Need to get into the garden now. Catch you all later.

 

I have been busy painting. It has demonstrated how old I've become! Years ago, I'd have finished the job; now I'm barely half way through. Also getting on/off the steps is tricky as I feel so wobbly. But, I've started, so I'll finish.
However, I'd hesitate before taking on any larger jobs, although the kitchen needs doing - but that's just one wall and the space is easier to work in.
Looking forward to my tapas tonight; good choice of dishes. Any 6 and a jug of sangria for £40 for 2. Last time it was with a bottle of wine. Bet they didn't make much of a profit.
Too cloudy at the moment to think of planet watching.

 

Afternoon all, very pleased to say that I survived my trip to the dentist this morning and am now the proud possessor of four new (crowned) front teeth and a beaming smile! I was even more pleased that I slept ok the night before and was quite calm this morning. I have to admit also it didn't hurt a bit, which I was quite surprised at. The anaesthetic is now wearing off and I've eaten a cake and a banana so far and drunk coffee through a straw. Decided on a lasagne for tonight as it's soft and sloppy as well as a large glass of wine to celebrate. My dentist also took before and after photos - talk about Dracula! and will email them to me after the permanent crowns are fitted in a fortnight's time.

We awoke to a very hard frost this morning so I do hope the newly denuded Gauras didn't take a hit. Went from 1.8c at 8 am to 13.3c by 4pm - quite a big change in temps.

Have a very good weekend all.