🦞🦂 *What are we up to?*🦂🦞

Oh eek. I can't have lodgers as we don't have a tea strainer*😂 *DF has a fancy contraption from Lakeland that looks like one of those things at fairs that grab ( or never do) a teddy bear. You put the teabag in it dunk and swirl and then pull up at bit and it squeezes the tea out of it and then you push another bit and deposit the teabag on a teabag plate. I couldn't be bothered to tell the truth and used a spoon when she wasn't looking.

Once on a posh Christmas break away ( with posh friends) we stayed at a swish cottage with every conceivable thing you could wish for....but in the guest comments book someone had written how disappointed they were that there was no Turkey Baster...some people really do need to get out more. I was so tempted to write underneath....do what the rest of us do and use a spoon.

Just as I'm writing that I'm thinking....what if some lobstars have turkey basters!!!!Oh well I'll just climb back into the cheap seats where I belong 😂

Doodle ... I'm so glad you had a happy day...and hope that more follow

Grammaretto....grrrrrrr as my DGS would say. Absolute little ( probably not though) buggers. Let's hope the move comes soon and you can a little safe sanctuary

DH realised a dream today, well sort of, he's always wanted me to be on the back of a motorbike with him, he used to ride one but after 2 accidents that were not his fault he gave up in a case a third one was.... Anyway today one of his friends came over on his 1200cc bike and his dream came true...I got on behind him, needless to say we didn't go anywhere just had photos taken of us on it. Bless him his vision of my pert little bottom perched on the rear seat was blown out of the water as one picture showed very clearly....think rear of a hippo and you've pictured it perfectly.

We are at Brancaster Staithe watching the tide come in. Its a gloriously sunny day and quite quiet which is very unusual here. A few boats around but not as many as usual as you can see. In a bit we will go to the Crab Hut where we will either have a huge roll packed with crab meat or maybe a crayfish roll! Cant follow with an ice cream as the ice cream man is annoyingly not around!
Gramaretto so sorry to hear about the vandalism and hope there isnt anymore.
Hope everyone is enjoying a sunny day as we are in Norfolk.

Grammaretto the serious case of the tea strainer 🤣
Glad you had a nice time Hope you don’t get any more trouble with vandalism.
I’ve had another nice day at a garden centre. Just as well I don’t have a garden or I’d be spending so much money

Your day sounds perfect Doodle. Sitting by the river and chatting with good friends. What could be better.

I enjoyed the art exhibition and even bought a painting. I must remember to have plenty of wall space in my next home.

Afterwards my friend drove us to buy fish and chips and sit on the prom. But by the time we reached the coast the haar had descended so it was freezing. We sat and ate our food in the car. It tasted good though.

My Df is coming over this evening to sleepover here while his lodger has a party!

My lodger texted me yesterday to ask me a question.
I told him to go ahead but was a bit anxious to know what the problem was.
All they wanted was a tea strainer!

Wouldn't it be nice if all our problems were as easy to solve as that!.

Thanks for your sympathy about the vandalism. I think it's local youths. They have no school on Friday afternoons and are left to fend for themselves. They go off exploring and my garden is nearby, mostly woodland so they make dens and ford the pond. I don't mind that really, apart from the litter but smashing windows or setting fire to things makes me murderous. I doubt even Jeeves' knitted boxing gloves could defend me but he's most welcome ofcourse 😂

Oh Grammaretto what a pointless thing to do. I’m so sorry. Hope they keep away now. Did they do damage elsewhere? Your garden photos are beautiful.
I’m glad Sparky is still around and your kiln is working again.
Ixion i thought you said you were knitting Jeeves out. I did think knitted boxing gloves might not be too good. Dyslexia or eyesight I’m not too sure 🤣
Eyes have been ok thanks though I still have a headache so am off to bed now,
I’ve had a beautiful day by the river. Sitting for ages with friends for coffee and then lunch with another. Such a lovely day.

Oh Grammaretto, how heart breaking and mindless.
I hope that doesn't mean the safety of your personal spaces is being compromised.

If it's OK with you, NS, I am kitting Jeeves out with 🥊🥊 to protect Grammaretto.

Hello Jan🙋🏼‍♀️. Hope your bad luck has turned a corner now!
And that Theo is back on an even keel, poor boy🐈‍⬛.

That is so sad Grammaretto. I am really sorry about that. How stupid
Did you report it? Are they local I wonder? What a mess. So unnecessary.
Sending Jeeves with something soothing and warming

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202604/medium-cxgoib-1000022783.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202604/medium-b8zb2j-1000022784.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202604/medium-ft5cda-1000022780.jpg

The recent helpers who had arranged to come about now, called off at the last minute. Disappointing. I don't think I have anyone booked until later in the summer.

I'm on my way to see a friend's art exhibition. It's so warm and sunny, I didn't know what to wear. Then I remembered it is Scotland and still April and I will probably have to get a bus home. So I'm well wrapped up.

Sparky was here very late last night to fix my kiln. He left at midnight but at least it's working again.

I have a smart meter Ixion. I've turned the screen to the wall so I don't have to watch the dial spinning around.

I was upset today when I discovered that my little house in the garden had been vandalised. I saw some teenagers running away and shouted after them but I m too old for this.

I really hope your eye problem is resolved Doodle

Here by are a few garden photos.
Bluebells. Vandalised wee house and a rhododendron which cheers me

Poor Doodle - sounds like a migraine's precursor to me. I get them quite often, sitting in a darkened room or with something to cover my eyes tends to see them, and the headache, off in around 30 minutes. Glare, bright (sun)light, an over bright screen, raised BP are my prompts.

, Grammaretto, has your helper chap arrived yet? Has your house been photographed for the sale yet? I'd dread it! Lovely to see washing blowing in the breeze.

We were forced to had new smart meters installed yesterday. Now Mr.I is transfixed by the range of display and ever-changing prices. I expect there will be a lot more blowing in the breeze here too, shortly.

I suppose it could have been triggered by too much screen time Doodle but I can't believe you are a really heavy user.
I do hope it goes as fast as it came.

At last a sunny day all day but I volunteered to work at the community store so missed most of it. I got the washing out at least.

Now I must make my bed. 😂

Sorry all I had a very strange occurrence last night. I had a circle of prisms in my vision on both eyes. Wherever I looked it was there. It seems it was a precursor to migraine which I don’t suffer from. It wore off but left me with a headache today. I’m keeping iPad use low at the moment. It frightened me a bit and made me think of you Kaimoana and all you put up with, I’m a bit of a wimp, You are so brave.
Take care all

Oh dear Doodle - please don't put your eyes on a path - better or otherwise!
😬

Ooh that sounds sore Doodle....I hope they feel better today.

Oh dear, get well soon Doodle - I hope lots of sleep will put your not so well eyes on a better path.
🤞

Sorry all. I’m ok but eye problem post tomorrow x

Goodnight!

Evening all. I’ve been out very late and am tired now. Hope all are ok. Back in tomorrow. Sleep well

Hello friends. All things bumble along here. Sadly spent all day yesterday on paperwork.
😠
More today...

I seem to have put on a lot of weight whilst I've been doing paperwork too. I think that's a sort of double punishment - and feel pretty fed up (and cross with myself) about it.

I want to call my mother-in-law's solicitor to understand something... but I know she will charge the estate for half an hour so I spent four hours yesterday trying to unravel it myself.
Thank goodness she hasn't made partner just yet - and is only a "Senior"!!!

Don't ever appoint a solicitor as executor. Grrr

We have had an offer in for the house (not even with an estate agent as yet).
The solicitor says by email to wait until probate is actually granted. They are cash buyers who have already shown it yo a builder. Very keen. Living in rented accommodation after selling theirs. I think we may lose them

The offer is more that 5 of the 6 estate agents said was the price they "hoped for".
I confess I'm actually relieved as we can't afford it at the price it seems able to go for. Had it been what we originally assumed it would have been quite good for us. As I said at the time - just can't clear and sell our own house anywhere as easily! We are stuffed to the gunnels here!

What is she worried about?

I think I will have to waste a lot of money and speak with her
🙄

Yesterday I found three moths in my weaving room. I have loads of wool and silk in there... I thought it was all safely bagged and protected... I went in there (before the paperwork explosion) with the hope of getting ready to do some weaving, but now...
Another big job
Sigh

Anyway I ate my lunch two days ago in my mother-in-law's pretty garden - the blossom is out and it was full of joy.
Next time I'm there I may paint the bench with something to protect it.

we must find happiness where we can
Wishing you all have a day with at least some sunny thoughts - even if it's raining!
🌻🌸🌹🌼🏵🌷🥀

I'm also tired just reading about your busy life NN.
I always meant to visit Knole when we lived in Kent but never got around to it.
Perhaps I still will.

I eventually spoke to DSiL yesterday and felt her intense shock and grief.
Her DS has flown home to be with her and her DD is nearby but I am the only widow she knows!

This widow is feeling pretty miserable today and after pottering in the garden yesterday I've been bitten by something. Surely it's early for biting creatures? I have also been anxious about the probable Japanese knotweed at the bottom of my steep woodland garden. Apparently you can be fined for not declaring it if you try to sell your house.

There are floods in Wellington, where DS is, but luckily they're atop a hill. It's along the seafront which has been worst hit.

Jan I'm glad the reflux has settled down now. I take that same medicine daily for hiatus hernia. Lots of nice food sets mine off.
Woe is us!!

I'm so glad you made time for your drawing Doodle. I must make some pots.

So glad you had some quality time with DS Kaimoana

How is your house business going NotSpaghetti?

Sending my love to all Lobstars 🦞

NN I’m exhausted just reading about all you’ve been doing. I’ve been pottering today doing odd household jobs. Bit of everything but allowed myself some time for drawing. It takes my mind off things.
Oh dear Jan I do sympathise. I had a bout of terrible acid reflux. Day after day no matter what I ate. Gp prescribed some Omeprazole and I’ve been fine ever since.
Grammaretto what have you been up to today? Hope you had a sunny day. It’s been glorious here.

So pleased you had such a nice time Kaimoana . It is a distance but not nearly as far as the Uk. Glad he’s home now.

Morning All. Not a good day. Got up after a very bad night but my own fault for eating chocolate at 9pm. Result - dreadful acid reflux. Poor DH thought I was dying I was gasping for breath and Theo was terrified!
Got up decided I could make chicken casserole. Dropped luckily almost empty coffee cup, couldn’t cut raw chicken up as it just slipped out of my useless hand, and so its gone on. Have friends coming round this afternoon but the idea of chatting all afternoon is not appealing! Maybe a glass of wine will help.
Hope you all have a lovely day and its as sunny wherever you are as it is in good old Norfolk! Sorry for miserable post!

What a busy week Naughtyneine!
Not sure how you are going to be getting along at the gym after all that!
🏋‍♂️🤸‍♂️🏋‍♀️🤸‍♀️

Hello Lobstars.... It's been a full on week and I'm glad of a little calm today.

Grammaretto I am so very sorry for the shock you've had, sometimes it's easier to write than try and talk to people when they've been bereaved. Could you get a beautiful card for your DSiL in the first instance maybe. May he rest in peace. ♥️

Kaimoana how lovely that you had a happy time with your son and family
Methinks that you didn't talk about your situation which is understandable when you were enjoying being with him. 40 miles isn't too far if he's got one of those smart cars. Is it a hybrid or all electric one? They are really economical.

I've just read that the. North island has been badly affected by floods so I'm hoping you are ok.

Notspag I suppose if there
is no church or village hall it makes sense to utilise the church space and assume they charge for it being used so raise capital that goes towards the upkeep which is probably vital if congregations are dwindling.
I don't think the Catholic church are at that stage yet and thing that happens in our church is religious based.

Last week I was up in Surrey supposedly for work but as it was postponed again I decided to still go as the car was booked for a service at DH previous place of work (18 years) before we moved to Somerset.

It meant I could stay with DF who is struggling still. It's not a happy house to stay in... The marriage was over a long time ago and the tensions seem to be bubbling under the surface constantly.

Hence we were out and about every day. We went to Knole House in. Sevenoaks on Monday. ( 6 of the oaks blew down in the storm of 1987 ) but seven more have been planted now but I don't think there are any plans to rename the area Eightoaks.
* Tuesday was a trip to Bluewater*... Thankfully it was fairly quiet as the schools had gone back as I'm not too good in crowds. I've always had a problem with the flooring there, it's unforgiving and my back has always hurt after a really short while and it was the same this time.
They have put in lots more places to sit since my last visit pre COVID so maybe I'm not alone in suffering. We made good use of them.

Wednesday as gluttons for punishment we went to the Ideal Home Show. I had free tickets. It's changed a lot, no show houses apart from one lodge and there were very few freebies too.
We both agreed that there really was nothing that we needed at our stage of life. Having survived this long without a garlic grater dish or a product that removes every stain known to man we would probably be ok if we didn't buy them.

My only purchases were another tub of the leather cleaner that lasts me at least 5 years and a set of collapsible food containers for the Moho, oh and a cross body bag that is just big enough to hold a passport, phone, debit card and some notes which will be useful when flying especially Easy Jet. I resent having my handbag classed as my cabin bag.

Thursday I travelled home and stopped at Solstice Services (purportedly to stretch my legs/hips) but in truth it's because there is an enormous Home Bargains with a garden area. I was doing ok until an assistant showed me how I could get more plants in the trolley. Oops. Guess what I will be doing this week!!!!.
To finish off the week we went to Wells to meet friends on Saturday and to Dunster Beach yesterday with Maevemouse and the dogs. I cooked us venison burgers which DH demolished but I had to share mine with 3 very attentive 'children'. Spoilt pups indeed.

I'm off to the gym now to try and lose a few pounds. It won't happen but I'll feel virtuous.

I suppose Ixion,I said "40 years ago" because that was the first time I'd come upon a multi-use church.
These days so many have closed and been converted into houses or just left empty it seems to me to be one way to keep them alive - and a part of the community.

The church we went to for the family birthday had 3 beautiful new stained glass panels - I don't know if they were part of the £750,000 raised to keep it going or not - but apart from the chairs - when you are facing the altar, it is quite clearly a place of worship.

It would be my preference to have these "extra" activities somewhere else - a church hall or community centre but as Grammaretto says, it keeps them alive and serving the community.