What are you all up to
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Dull day today here in the West Midlands.... we'll go and collect the caravan about midday, and head off to Conkers. This is one of those silly breaks, when we are so close to home, we spend most of our time going backwards and forward..... normal regular activities will carry on as normal.... and our daughter is staying in our hose whilst we are 'up the road'... 😀
Weather says sunny intervals and light winds..... still awaiting the sunny intervals - but there's time, I guess.. .
David
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Nice day here again. We got our bales of bark dotted around areas that need a top up, glad we had a sack barrow though, they aren’t half heavy. I have two roses, small climbers waiting to go in, but need building work completing first on terrace. Then trying to find space and the right position for five more herbaceous plants that need to come out of pots now, and into ground. It’s plant swop time on our street here at the moment, everyone digging, splitting, sharing. I was reading that imported plants are going to be one of the things affected by the new import checks coming into place, with prices expected to rise even further, so I shall be upping the seed and cuttings regime. I might even do some to sell outside the gate cheaply. Off to Torne Valley Farmers for some other gardening supplies as well, posts and wire for espaliering.
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We had a morning off. We were told in no uncertain terms to go and enjoy ourselves for a few hours so we went to our local RSPB reserve at Burton on the Wirral. We had a glorious Spring morning for it as well, plenty of not too hot sunshine and light winds.
It was fantastic, no other description could apply. Got home at lunch to find MiL quite happy watching Bargain Hunt. She apparently shocked herself by walking unaided, purely by reflex not thought, to answer a phone call (contrary to instructions) but as she was so proud of herself we couldn't really burst her balloon.
She's had weekly visits, both in hospital and at home, by a friend in the village so we decided to reward both of them and drove them to the local Gastropub which has wonderful views of the Clwydian Range of hills, and bought them tea and ice cream whilst we drove into town to the market to buy a few things. Came back 30 minutes later and they were having such a good time that we bought them a round of drinks. It was lovely sitting in the sun outside the pub.
So all in all a busy but satisfying day.
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Busy week so far, appointment with the physio about my back, I have been doing all the correct things and now have some exercises to do, he did say it could take several months to improve.
Also visited our neighbour in her new care home, bit sad as she although she seems to have accepted it isn't safe to go home, it's where she prefer to be, but living on her own and with no family it isn't now an option. The home and the staff are lovely and there are lots of activities too. The staff said we can arrange a tea party for her birthday later in the year.
Collected my new glasses this morning, really pleased with them, everything is now much clearer. 🙂
Meeting up with some ex work colleagues tomorrow, so looking forward to a good catch up.
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Lovely day here, temperature got up to 19C. After visiting brother got busy in the garden.
Heard today Brother is going to move down to Hampshire to be closer to his children. We have had to cancel his pacemaker operation as he wouldn’t have had enough recovery time. Fortunately there has been really good liaison and he has been prioritised for Southampton to carry out the surgery. Looks as though we will be spending a fair amount of time in the caravan in Hampshire
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Hope all goes well with the transfer and that Irving too long before your brother's operation, OP.
Sounds like a good day all round WN, glad that your MIL appears to be steadily getting better.
Have a good meet up, Helen. Good to hear that you are pleased with your new glasses .
Enjoy your time away at Conkers, David.
We are now set up at Bogroy after an easy, if bumpy at times, drive. We did have a rather delicate situation just outside of Kenmore where we met a lorry with a large digger on it's trailer at one of the narrower part of the road. We only just managed to drive/crawl by, but it required me folding in the wing mirrors and even then there was barely an inch between our van and the wall on one side and the loaded trailer on the other, not the most enjoyable few minutes of the journey!! Still thankfully no damage done and we have had no rain today either so all had been well.
Kjell, the reason for the closures was a family matter, and the site is now being looked after by the mother of the land owner.
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I had mine done 2 days before the move , consultant insisted as he was worried that I would get lost in the transfer, they also insisted I went back to them after 6 weeks for the check up, 100 miles. All went well and I have already heard from the local hospital for a check up next month. Of course I couldn't do much regarding the move, but like your brother the move was to be closer to my son so he did most of what needed doing.
Good to hear things are going okay for your brother, I wish him well.
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I think we are having the best of the weather here this week, we have had several sunny days, today is very sunny and warm, but quite windy.
We had our Covid vaccinations this morning, Moderna, same as last Autumn, feeling fine so far. All done very efficiently and much quicker than previous times. Straight in even though we were a bit early, no waiting at all.
OH and DD went to Lidl for a big shop to use DD’s 10% off. We will need to use the store near DD in future as our small local one has closed down. A pity as it was very handy, but we still have our Farmfoods store so will be OK for milk when required.While they were out I fixed DD’s car boot lock, meantime anyway, may not last, and put air in all her tyres. Trying to persuade her that is really is time to replace her 22 year old car.
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We have spent the day at a new, to us, NT property Shugborough Hall, the ancestral home of the late Queen's cousin, the photographer Patrick Lichfield. Far too nice a day to spend indoors, will have to go back for that. But some spectacular views including the house itself, the Temple of the Winds, a 16th century packhorse bridge over the River Trent and, at the entrance to the estate farm, this sign which made me chuckle!
It's our last night at the hotel, off to Little Longstone tomorrow, planning on lunch at The Packhorse and a pint (or 3) of Jaipur.
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Best wishes for your brother’s transfer and op Oneputt. A worrying time for your family.
Moulesy, have a great time at the Setter Rescue event. We visited Shugborough a few years ago, and it’s an interesting place. In truth, I can’t recall much about it, other than the railway line that runs along one edge of the Estate. I think we might have been on a tour to Lichfield Cathedral at the time, so it’s quite a while ago.
Weather has been so much nicer here last few days, sunny and warm. About time really. OH is working like a beaver on MG resto, I am getting into garden more when home from Mum’s, and last night completed my piggy bank!0 -
Thanks Nellie. Our visit to Conkers is always a bit bizarre. Last night I did my usual Brewood Singers practice. Carol has gone to see her mother today. In a moment I'm off to take Tamworth U3A Choir practice, and tonight as the Abbey Choir practice as usual (although it will be shorter this evening). Sunday morning service at the Abbey as usual!!.... so things go on pretty well as usual.
We hope to have our mass BBQ on Saturday, hope fully a meal out on Sunday evening (if we can find anywhere to accommodate around 20 of us, and we'll be getting together in the evenings with our friends....
You seem to be having a great trip 'up north', Nellie. Great to hear how you are getting on, and also to read how everyone else is doing....
David
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Have a good B/H weekend folks.
We have been in the cottage near Malvern for a week and another to go, weather has been mixed but it has been better here than home where there has been awful storms and local flooding near the river Lot, not seen many outfits as both clubs sites only a short distance up the road.
Hanley Swan has it open gardens this weekend but will have to see what the weather is like as gardens are my thing but not OH's so may go to Croome as there is a exhibition he would like to see all to do with RAF Defford from the second world war and as he did radar for his apprenticeship at Malvern many years ago, also we can get into Croome with the 2 for 1 vouchers from Gardeners World as we do not belong to the NT anymore.
Went to Ripple to see the church as my mum was born there and a meal at a local pub recommended by some folks we met on the way through France did take some photos but will put some on here when we get home.
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Well it’s rained all day here, always sounds worse on the caravan roof, cold as well. Keeping an eye on the river. Next door have gone home, she said she can never sleep when it rains here because of the river. Treated ourselves to a hot chocolate, complete with whipped topping at the Hotel Chocolat cafe, not cheap but worth it. Then a bit of food shopping.
Yesterday we met up with eldest grandson at Leamington Spa, he’s doing his finals at Warwick uni in Astrophysics, he said the quantum exam was difficult, I didn’t even understand the concept let alone take an exam in it! We went for lunch at Wetherspoons, total disaster, busy, noisy and very understaffed. The youngsters were doing their very best to manage but after over an hours wait and then stone cold food I did complain, we were then brought more hot food but we won’t be going back. We then went to the cafe in the lovely Park for coffee, which was lovely, and so nice to catch up with our grandson.
New neighbours when we get home as our previous neighbours moved out today, we will miss them and their lovely polite children. Seems new neighbours have grown up family still living at home, hope they are nice.
Meeting up with friends visiting us tomorrow, then home. Just need to squeeze all the plants I have bought into the car.
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Two beautifully sunny days here in the Cairngorms. Yesterday we drove down to Loch Inch for a walk and to see the Ospreys, which nest near the church by the Loch close to Kincairg. On to Feshiebridge Forestry carpark for our picnic lunch then a walk by the river. Two of the waymarked paths were close due to fallen trees following the high winds that they had up here earlier in the year.
Today we drove to Loch Garten and did the Two Lochs walk. Got talking to a lady birdwatcher, and by coincidence it turned out that she was born in our home town!! Then the couple in the next caravan on the CL turned up, so more chatting before we set off on our walk, and just as we were finishing our lunch by Loch Mallachie we got into conversation with a couple from Pennsylvania who had just come down from a stay on Shetland, where they went after watching the Anne Cleeves series over in The States!!
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We are now settled in our cottage at Little Longstone, arrived just in time for lunch at "you-know-where" yesterday. Never tire of either of these views!
We had a difficult morning yesterday, having decided to "pop in" to Sainsbury at Stafford for a few supplies. Well the centre of Stafford appears to be one huge building site with roads closed all over the place and several diversions. Then, to make matters more complicated the car park, owned by Stafford council, has one of those ticket machines where you could really do with a degree in computer science to get the damn thing to work!
Card payment only and, wait, you have to get a second ticket to take into the shop to get your fee refunded. So a bit stressful, but had calmed down after a couple of pints of Jaipur which, luckily, there seems to be no shortage of at the pub.Overcast this morning but it promises to brighten up later on. Just a couple of short walks with Ralph today, then off to Matlock tomorrow for the sponsored walk.
Hope everyone has a good Bank Holiday weekend.
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Hope the weather stays nice for you M. There’s a nice stroll along the Cromford Canal side not far from Matlock Bath, with a World Heritage Mill across the road from the nice Cafe. We have Crich in our to do plans shortly, another interesting place.
https://www.cromfordmills.org.uk/
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We left home around 3 yesterday afternoon and spent the night at our usual CL in Longtown then made our way across here to the North East today easy 2 hour tow to the site the A66 was running free today so a pleasant and scenic journey. Site very busy but we have managed to get a good pitch put the awning up first time we’ve used it since we were at Broadway last summer nice to have the extra space especially when away for a few days. Weather is looking promising for the week ahead so hopefully that’s accurate. Once we set up we went off to get supplies now just sitting in the van watching the snooker and having a few drinks.
Hope everyone else is having a nice weekend
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Hope all of those that are away have a good weekend or more.
It has been another dry day but not as sunny as recently. We had a walk today from the site through some of the woods in the neighbourhood. The village is very quiet with few visitors about, and although the site was full last night, all caravans, there are only 3 on tonight.
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Quite a nice day here in MK and warmer. Managed to pot up some hanging baskets and some wall hanging baskets. Margaret keeps on at me about getting a proper potting bench but given the amount of potting I do I just turn the dustbin lid upside down and use that.
Margaret had an appointment today at a private medical facility that deals with knee and hip problems, paid for by the NHS I should add. The purpose of the visit was to have a steroid injection to ease the pain in her hip. I was waiting in the car and was surprised that she re-emerged about 10 minutes after her appointment time. Apparently she was told that the injection wouldn't work and she needs a hip replacement. At least now we know. She has already had a scan but they want an X-Ray to confirm and before being put on the list. I have been waiting nearly four weeks for an appointment to X-Ray my knees so goodness knows when it will all be sorted?
David
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Just catching up, good to read everyone's enjoying their breaks away.
Sorry to read about long NHS waits David, our son also lives in MK and although his wife got her gall bladder op done fairly quickly they often comment on nhs long waits.
Lovely pics Moulesy, I love that view too. We were also in the peaks yesterday but in Tideswell for the food festival, and we called in at the Anglers on the way back. We haven't visited the Packhorse for a while, must get back there soon! Hope the setter walk goes well.
I had a lovely catch up with some ex work colleagues last week. So much to catch up on Don't get to all meet up very often.
It's a sunny morning, have a few jobs to catch up on and then we can load the caravan as we are also off tomorrow into Wales for a few days and then back into Gloucestershire.
Hope everyone's got a bit of sunshine ☀ enjoy the rest of the weekend.
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Unfortunately I was correct, the boot lock fix did not last, needs some new parts. Either that or a new car. DD and the boys have been out looking at the options.
She still has the flat in Glasgow that she stayed in while a student, plus a few years afterwards, but is now thinking to sell it, or at least rent it out for a lot more than she has been charging, so some of that will pay for a new car, and some will pay off a chunk of their own mortgage.
The tenants have just left, with very little notice, so this is a good time to get things sorted out. They were there 9 years, so there is a fair bit to do, which will cost her a bit, but it has to be done. We went there on Monday to get the keys and check things out.
Disappointingly, as the place was always very clean previously, they have left it in a very poor state, no cleaning done at all, so most of their deposit will go to pay for that and some damage. Once clean she can get in a painter to paint the whole place, and a joiner to fit a new window which mysteriously broke ( not the glass, the frame ), and I can lay some new flooring and fix various things, then she will decide whether to sell it.
Selling is probably best as she has plenty to do now with their own house, and the children, without having another property to look after.
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We've had the most perfect day for the Setter Walk. Sunny, dry and cool through the woods, nice and warm for the tea & cakes (humans) and biscuits & chews (dogs) on our return. A good turn out too, about 30 Irish along with a few English & Gordon Setters plus a few "honorary " Setters. Should have raised about £1500 for the charity, so a good day all round. 🐕🦺 🐕🦺
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Glad the walk went well M looks like a good day. Hope you have a nice trip away Helen
We’ve had a good day today we had a relaxing morning in the van then in the afternoon took a drive down to Saltburn by the sea one of our favourite towns weather was good so it was very busy but we managed to get a table in The Ship Inn so had a pint and a lovely meal. Then had a walk along the pier and got an ice cream from the ice cream van. Now back at the van not much planned tonight just stay in and watch the snooker
.Hope everyone else is having a god bank holiday
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Helen, thanks. We will have to see. Whilst the private company does do hip replacements, they have a small hospital in MK, they might not be willing to do Margaret's as she has had a Heart Bypass Operation simply because they don't have the emergency equipment to cope if something goes wrong! Given that hips are usually done by epidural rather than general anesthetic perhaps that might not be a problem? If they can do it the wait might just be a matter of a few months but if she has to have it done at MK Hospital I expect it will be much longer.
Kj, one of my son's rented out his flat in Northampton when he got a job in London. Not something he would repeat I expect. It caused far too much hassle compared to the benefit received. It was unfortunate timing as he purchased at the top of the market and by the time the job came up we were at the start of the world wide financial crash so selling wasn't really and option and the so his hand was forced.
David
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Been away 10 days, for a lot of that time I wore a winter coat and scarf. Yesterday it was warm, today, very warm, typical. We did sit out and have cup of tea in the sun once we had packed the car, just to make the most of it. We drove through Stratford on the way home and I’ve never seen it so crowded, Bank holiday and sun had brought everyone out. Home and unpacked now, some washing done. The slugs have had a field day with all the wet here while we were away, I’ve been out in the garden for an hour disposing of a great many.
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Looks like a good turnout, M, glad that the weather was kind for the walk.
Francis, my last experience of Saltburn was nowhere as enjoyable as yours today as I managed to slip and fracture my wrist, which meant time spent in the A&E at Stockton Hospital, and an early finish to our stay at Teeside Caravan Site, as I was not allowed to drive and had to arrange for SIL to come up and drive car and caravan back home.
David, hope that it isn't too long a wait for your wife's X-ray and that she isn't too long on the waiting list for her hip replacement.
Today had been cloudy but warm and dry, at least up to 5:30 this evening when rain set in and we had a very heavy downpour. We had another walk through the local woods this morning before driving up to Lochindorb after lunch to try and, successfully, see the Black Throated Divers which nest there.
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We had a nice day out yesterday, in the MH. Thoresby Hall, a few miles from Clumber. The house is a big gothic pile, now a Warners Hotel, the estate is nice though, with a Courtyard retail and crafts area, and there is a military museum as well. But we went for a big Classic Car Show, good weather, warm sunny and dry, so plenty of exhibits from very old to “really, that’s a Classic?” Spotted lots of vehicle types we have owned down the years, some lovely camper vans as well. Car of the show for both of us was a fabulous Stingray Corvette, but we saw many many loved vehicles. Took a photo of the only car (type) we ever bought from new, an MG Metro Turbo, exactly same as photo. We only had it a couple of years, then decided to sell it and get……a horse! 🤣 we had him 22 years, vintage by the time he passed away. A good time though, and nice to be out in the sunshine. Pooch was a crowd pleaser in his chariot, he had a great day being cooed and petted. Lots of dogs there.
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Well we have just got back from Croome Court OH enjoyed the museum about radar etc and then we had an early lunch there but when we saw how many folks were coming in and car parks were jammed full we decided than it was not for us I do not cope with crowds anymore so had a leisurely drive back around a few old haunts then back to cottage and it appears there is a large fire just up the road not sure whether a large bonfire or not as we have seen a few bonfires alight from here not used to that as we are not allowed them at home.
Glad you enjoyed classic car show Ttda a long time since we have been to one of those and have done a few French ones but all cars are French of course but we have had a few French cars in the past.
Weather was great yesterday then some rain last night but a lot of cloud about today although some sunny spells as well and at home there was 31mm of rain yesterday it looks like we have had better weather here not so much rain thankfully.
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