Yawn Yawn Wakey Wakey 2025

I did a bit of food prep this morning then
one couple rang to say they can't come to lunch tomorrow as they are ill so I rang another couple who are coming instead, they were next on the list.

This afternoon I pruned a shrub rose, cut down 4 group 3 clematis and some perennials. It felt quite chilly outside but at least it wasn't raining.

 

Been busy catching up on laundry today. The sun came out yesterday, so after cutting OH’s hair, we headed down to the seaside. Had a lovely walk on the prom, and enjoyed coffee and a pastry in town. I popped into the little independent department store to see if there was anything to tempt me. I can safely say that there are a couple of popular clothing chains that won’t be getting my custom this spring. All the colours they are selling do not suit me at all!

I’d planned to do an hours gardening in the afternoon, but a dear friend called on FaceTime so we had a lovely long chat instead. Dull and damp here today, so we stayed home. I was again planning to head out into the garden, but I’m not sure what happened. I did get a couple of loads into the washing machine, but suddenly it was late afternoon, and not much to show for the day.
OH is watching rugby, and I’m now sitting with my feet up after dinner, with a glass of Prosecco and at least two library books on the iPad to look forward to. Maybe I’ll get out tomorrow. Yet again, despite my best intentions, it is rapidly approaching Tuesday and both green bins are empty. Usual last minute panic then!

 

Evening everyone.

Another few hours in the (cold) garden pruning trees today. Just warming back up now and I have some nice sides to go with my Chinese chicken tonight - duck spring rolls and prawn toasts.

I don’t exactly having trouble dropping off to sleep, but I do seem to need to wind down with a programme or podcast. I can recommend trying podcasts if you want to take your mind off trying to fall asleep - the bedtime stories can be good, and some of the science ones are good as long as the voices are calming (I’m quite picky!). “Ologies” is one of my favourites.

Ok, this meal won’t make itself (unfortunately)… have a great evening folks.

 

Evening all. I have been watching the rugby too @Ergates. Enjoyed the first match - France v Wales - but not the second one - England v Ireland. Hmmm. Enough said on that! I have been busy today returning all the items I moved for yesterday's visit from the plumber. I found lots of clothes washing gels I had forgotten I had. They will keep hiding themselves away under the sink! At least I know now not to order anymore at the moment. I will say good night to you all now and catch up on all the new stuff tomorrow. @Busy-Lizzie I'm pleased that at least your friends gave you warning. You would not want to be catching any of their germs and you did have someone in reserve! I need to explore podcasts @AuntyRach.

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Good evening!

I'm striking while the iron is hot... well, while the internet connection is working, to post here. Yesterday nothing would open for me. I'm not sure how much is due to after-effects of the storm, and how much to our rubbish service provider.

We've been at a choral music festival for the past couple of days, in our county town (Ennis). It's the festival's first year, and in spite of a few things which need tweaking before they hold it again (like the lack of signage, so people not from the town got a bit lost), it went really well. Husband had 3 choirs competing, a youth choir, an adult female group which I sing in, and a community choir. The youth choir got the highest mark in the festival, and the community choir unexpectedly came second in their category. Our women's group came a respectable third in the "adult female" competition, though we weren't at our best. And we got to listen to a lot of lovely music.

The wind got up during the day, and when we got home the robin was sitting on his favourite branch looking very ruffled, telling me his dinner was late...

 

Yesterday evening we heard scratching above our heads, whilst relaxing in the lounge.
My wife's face fell. Time to get out the mousetraps. We thought we'd left that behind in a previous house, twenty years ago.

 

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Good morning everyone. Well the Night Nurse did its job last night but the cough is still there and I am just going to stay inside and get indoor sorting done. Good to see you @Liriodendron and the choral music festival sounds wonderful. Well done for coming third!
@Fourmerkland, I got mice invasions occasionally and since I have covered all my outside air bricks with a fine wire mesh that has gone down markedly.

 

We have some sunshine today after a couple of very dreary days. It really lifts the spirits. I keep meaning to find a new local choir @Liriodendron, needs to be within walking or an easy bus ride. I was part of a Choir which was a lots of fun but couldn’t continue when I had to stop driving last April. Although not far it’s two buses and three walks, not much fun especially in the dark.

Off shortly down south for the day to visit MIL. Hopefully being Sunday, traffic will be light or at least not as busy as during the week. Motorways look clear according to google maps at the moment.

You’ve all been so busy in the garden, I’m quite envious. Weather looks dry all next week so hoping I can get out and crack on soon.

Hope everyone has a good day and mices, aches and pains disappear

 

We had a beautiful sunrise, but it's all clouded over now.
The choral festival sounds wonderful @Liriodendron and well done to all - singers and arrangers.
Hope @Ante1 is enjoying sightseeing!
We're off to the hills with the dogs in a bit!

 

Oops - I slept in! George the cat was on my legs when I woke. He will sleep on my legs/feet/behind knees but never sits on my lap, probably because Charlie cat usually claims my lap in the evenings.

Groundhog Day today - so will he predict that Winter is ending, or there is another six weeks… ??? (see link on Weather thread).

Have a pleasant Sunday all.

 

Greetings all. We have freezing fog today so I've stayed in bed reading. I'm waiting for better light and temperatures before I start sowing or even planting out the garlic.

Congratulations to you and OH @Liriodendron. Sounds like lots of work and, more importantly, lots of fun.

I thought I was coming down with a cold yesterday @Ladybird4 - sneezing all day and runny nose - but it seems to have calmed down today. Fingers crossed we're both done now.

Enjoy your day everyone, whatever you're up to.

 

Good afternoon all,
Bright and sunny here today. Cold, but ok if wrapped up.
Went to church and then called at the SM on the way home for a few bits and pieces. It was fairly busy but not too bad.
Hope you get the mouse issue sorted out @Fourmerkland. We occasionally get them, but blocked up every entry point we could see with wire wool and stainless steel plating which does seem to have helped. The new garage door doesn’t have any gaps either, unlike the old wooden one had. We still leave traps down in a few strategic places just in case.

 

Chilly day.
Anyone use Facebook Market place to sell stuff. We list lots of things, doing decently. So much stuff, really don't need anymore. Sold a beautiful oil lamp yesterday for $70.00. Getting decent prices. I usually check on ebay to find same, find out what others asking and go with that. Or google, see if it comes up. As I am getting older, truly do not want my stuff to be dealt with later by who knows. take care.

 

My mood has been lifted by a good workout with the dogs. Just as we got there, the drizzle started, so I was glad of my w'proof overtrousers.
Won't hear anything from the dogs until their tea time!
Anyone heard from @Tui34?

 

Overcast here today. I was awake half the night, I seem to have finally caught OH’s affliction, he has been coughing for a week or two, mainly in the evenings. I have a mild cough, but was kept awake by a really runny nose. Ended up sitting up and finishing the book I was reading. I did drag myself out to the garden at 11am. Took the loppers and a long handled pruner and attacked the gaultheria shallon, with a plan to get access to the roots of some rhododendron ponticum.
All on a very steep slope. I was horrified to find that the ground level is at least two or three feet deeper than I realised. The slope was originally landscaped with decorative rocks on the slope, all hidden by the overgrowth. I made a start at cutting the gaultheria back, it’ll recover from even a severe pruning, and I managed to expose a couple of rocks. I reckon though, I have only done about 1% of the overall task! Mustn’t think about that, I don’t want to sink into despair!
Back in for a late lunch/ early dinner, and a well deserved sit down. Glass of wine and box of tissues in easy reach! Nothing on the tv, OH has resorted to watching Murder She Wrote! I have just had the latest Kate Atkinson arrive from the on line library, so I shall be a happy bunny for the rest of the evening.
Take care all. Hope @Ante1 has a smooth journey and an enjoyable trip. Haven’t been to London for years. Despite putting it on my to do list when I was still at school, and lived just outside London, I have yet to visit the Wallace Collection, I’d love to see the Laughing Cavalier in the ‘flesh’.