Chitchat thread #24

[greenishfing]

Morning, I was awake well before dawn too. I struggled to fall asleep last night as well. I think I probably dozed for about 4 hours all told. I've no idea why. I was warm and cosy, just not sleepy. In the end the thought of coffee was better than laying in the dark.

Hairdresser today and I have actually refrained from hacking at my overgrown fringe.

[Snoop Puss]

Morning all.

Good luck at the hairdresser and well done on resisting the fringe hack, GF.

Dark here too when the alarm clock went off (7.30 am), Jay. Half thought of staying in bed a bit longer but resisted the urge. Never enough hours in the day as it is without me using one up on a lie-in, especially at the moment.

Busy, busy again but manageable. Loads of work, got to visit the neighbours down the valley, as they have done a bit of shopping for me (dried apricots - I love them and they know a shop that sells really good ones). Also got bread to bake for them and friend up the valley, plus for us. Will go for a rerun on the buttermilk and rye, see if the last ones were just beginner's luck.

My new phone isn't quite as intimidating as I expected, but must get to grips with that. A bit scary how Google knows what all my previous apps were...

Not sure when the smiles left but doubtless they'll be doing the usual rounds. They probably departed when I realised I'd have to make the mincemeat before Mr Snoop makes too many inroads into the cheap rum I bought for it!

Have a great day everyone.

[mothhawk]

Morning all.

For some reason the last two days I've woken up an hour later than usual, in spite of going to bed at the regular time. I think my body wants the clocks to change early!

The wind has moved round to the east, so not expecting any wet today, though no doubt it's cooler outside. No plans today, except I need to wait in for a parcel delivery and as it's royal mail it could be any time between now and midday. Or it might get left till tomorrow as it's a big package. Now I've become used to tracking on a parcel, when there isn't any it seems a letdown.

Time for another cuppa methinks

[Bren In Pots]

Morning

Good story Nicos, it must have been a funny site anyway who doesn't love oranges

[greenishfing]

A wasted day really. The hairdresser (mobile) was due at 12, when she hadn't arrived by 12.30 I texted her. She'd booked us for tomorrow on her calendar despite sending me a text saying today. I still have a fringe approaching my chin.. Ah well fortunately tomorrow works for us.

I ended up doing the grory hop this afternoon so at least we have a full fridge again.

[Nicos]

Evenin n’alln’all

Just got back home having had a really lovely couple of days away. We parked up next to a small river/ stream which had picnic tables but nobody at all was around until this afternoon when a guy turned up with a small boat and went fishing for pike in it. It hit 23C this afternoon so we spent the day reading, chatting and I went for a paddle in the shallow section. It was surprisingly warm too!

Its definitely a go to place again - several times. There were some berries I thought might have been sloe or tiny tiny bullace. I’m thinking the latter as they were juicy and the leaves were much bigger. Being careful, I left them. I know where other sloes are if I decide to make sloe gin this year.

My new phone cover arrived today so I’m much happier handling it. Why are they made so slippy? Yeh…to get us to buy covers for it!
I’m playing around ŵith my new phone too. I’ve a whole pile of silly emojis which have suddenly appeared as frequently used. No they’re not. And I’ve no idea how to get rid of them.
Also I somehow managed to set up a verbal announcement when the phone rings. I actually intended to do that whilst fiddling around. OH asked how to do it…..nope…absolutely no idea!
We used to joke about my mom struggling with TV, video, DVD and sky zappers, even confusing her mobile phone with them….and I’m now starting to feel the same way!( but don’t mention that to my children yet will ya?)

Lots of unpacking etc to sort out…ready for the next intrepid expedition. No idea when, but a good explorer should always be prepared

Theres also a huuuuge pile of windfalls needing attention…..

Our flu vaccines are ready tomorrow so I’m hoping we can get an appointment.

Nice to be back home though.
Enjoy your evening peeps.

[Nicos]

Mornin n’alln’all

A very wet and blustery start to the day - but it’s all calm and sunny now. Some other poor soul must have it now then.

Home made muesli for breakfast. I forgot to make the yog last night but it’s on the go now for tomorrow.
Going to do a quick grory hop whilst out having our flu jabs. Don’t need much but I have noticed that there aren’t lots of fresh veg in the shops at the moment. Still plenty, but not as much of a selection as usual.
The refinery workers are still on strike so there is a shortage of petrol, so I imagine that must be affecting delivery trucks.
Thankfully we filled up yesterday. Might take the car today and see if we can fill that up too as it’s pretty empty No worries if not.

Enjoy your day peeps….

[Bren In Pots]

Morning

Grory hop first with the amount of rain it'll be the car today instead of taking a stroll with my trolley.

Nicos you can reset your frequently used emojis, but it deletes words you've added to you dictionary so i left mine alone,

here's a link that explains how ;-
Reset iPhone's Frequently Used Emoji's in Emoji keyboard - Ask Different (stackexchange.com)

if you want to remove memoji and those animal head sticker that's in 'general' under keyboard. scroll to the very bottom and flick the green tab.

hope this helps.

[greenishfing]

Good morning. I think I heard the local weatherman mutter something about significant rain last night. He was not wrong. It is pouring, practically bouncing. It just hasn't got properly light yet today. Mr GF got up first this morning and I just cracked an eye open and thought how can it be time to get up.....it's still dark.

Hopefully today will be fourth time lucky with the hairdresser. 1st attempt I cancelled (Mr GF was ill), 2nd she cancelled (she was ill), 3rd a mix up on days. Today....touch wood.

Nothing else urgent today and unless the weather improves we won't be going far.

Tomorrow I'm taking an elderly relative for a covid booster. As the clinic is only a short distance from his sister's care home maybe I'll try and coax him into visiting her while we're out.

I need more coffee now.

[lottie dolly]

Good morning everyone,well we have rain so far,last 2 days have been great,i am pleased with what i have done,ref putting in new plants for winter colour,with a sweep up of relevent areas,Nicos it sounds like you chose the right days to go out,Snoop take it a bit slower,you make me feel dizzy hehehe,today am doing some cake,and laundry,if everything goes as planned,i am meeting my new person this weekend ,so feel in a very good place,them smiles sure do an excellent job,we have been chatting for a few weeks ,we both feel very happy so far,see what time brings,i might be 79 but my brain is a teenager,anyhow on that note,must get myself in the kitchen and start cooking

[Nicos]

Ooo Lottie!…..that’s really put a massive grin on my face!

Gf…..did you actually get your hair cut in the end?…fingers crossed!

I’m just sitting quietly with my achy arm. The flu jab didn’t hurt much at all but it’s started aching already…. Got loads of paperwork to catch up with so it’s worked out well.
Actually - I’m sat here without a brew not at all like me * tootles off to make a brew for everyone…..

[mothhawk]

Afternoon all.
It's been raining in a drizzly way all day, but mild with it so not complaining really. did a grory hop this morning and added cider vinegar and a small cauli to the list as I intend to turn my green toms into piccalilli using the river cottage recipe - Hugh's recipes never fail for me so I trust them to be always good. Everything else I need I have in the cupboards. The veg are chopped and salting for 24 hours, so I'll cook it all tomorrow. I've used green and a few almost red toms, courgette, cauli, red pepper and cucumber.

I didn't have a problem with my 'flu jab, Nicos, but my mum's arm still aches and as she says "feels heavy", over a week later. She had an inflamed red patch that stretched 3" down and across her arm which thankfully now has almost faded away.

[greenishfing]

Evening all.

I have eventually got my haircut ...to my delight. Mr GF is still muttering about poor old Samson losing his strength but he was looking very Einstein-ish before he got sheared.

I hope your flu jab settles down, Nicos. Mine annoyed me for one night whenever I tried turning over in bed but settled down then.

I hope the Piccalilli works out well Mothawk. Nothing nicer than a good Piccalilli.

Lottie, just be careful and take things slowly. We all know about these teenagers and their raging hormones!!! But I really hope things work out well for you.

[Nicos]

Evening!
I too make HFW’s picallilli amd never had a failure. I have one jar left from last year so I really should make some more. I actually bought a cauli today and already have some mustard seed . Hmm… nice prompt there - thanks.

Ouchy arm there for your mom MH. Shouldn’t be like that really should it?
My nurse friend suggested that any part of you having a jab, be it arm or leg , is best left ‘dangling’ with no weight going through it so the muscles are flaccid. It supposed to reduce the chance of redness etc afterwards.
My first Covid jab however massively reacted like your mom’s so that theory has personally been semi disproved!

Early night for me tonight. The chimney sweep is arriving at 8.15. But it’s still pretty dark around then and he goes on the roof too. That should be interesting.

Sleep well n’alln’all- achy arms or not.

[Nicos]

Mornin n’alln’all

Near enough a pain free arm night , so I guess I’ve been lucky! Darn….ironing day it is then

First a brew of course. I do miss sharing my daily brew first thing with Flo (with her wee nip on a cold morning) . Hope she’s ok.

Speaking of which..what’s that Rary up to? He can’t hide from that Hoover much longer……

Hope everyone has a great day - clocks go back next weekend.
I never get used to these dark mornings over here. Being one hour ahead of the uk is great in the evening but it’s really not nice first thing in the winter mornings. I’ve seen children walking the country lanes in the pitch black with no street lights (armed with a torch ) around now heading off to catch the school bus.

Right - I best get that kettle on! and let Hibou out…she’s already brought me a a crispy dry leaf and is sat here inspecting what I’m typing. Yes dear…come on then……