No T Words mentioned at all - a fresh start

[Deleted User]

I did a mega pick of everything today and have sent it all home with Nell, some for her and some to share out with her friends and colleagues who love to mop up our surpluses for her, bless them.

Barcelona was very different as an experience to holiday in, not at all what I'd expected, not unpleasant just very different in feeling to anywhere we've ever been before. We did some lovely things, our hotel was everything we needed without being luxurious and the hotel staff were so lovely, we never ever felt though that we'd found the real Barcelona! I guess the times of day we were out and about in were only populated by other tourists and when the city came out and got busy in the evenings we were back in the hotel and tired out from our days. The heat and humidity were quite hard work and although we had aclimatised a little by the end of our time there walking around was a chore. I don't think we'd be tempted back again, not because we didn't like the place but because there re other places, particularly in scandinavian countries where we feel much more at home.

I've heard from Fuddle who has had to go north again to sort a few things out but she says she's fine, just very busy and hasn't had time to post.

Ruthie and her DH have pulled out of their first house purchase as they discovered that all the houses around the one they were buyig were student houses for the university and there are constant noise issues. They are still looking at other properties and hopeful of finding something to suit them fairly quickly.

Nell has the workmen coming tomorrow to re install her wood burner and then is spending the rest of the holidays writing the new A level history sylabus as there are many changes to be incorporated into it this year.

Hope you are all well and happy, Lyn xxx.

candlelight_2013

I had noticed Fuddle hadn't posted for a while, I hope she manages to sort things out. It must be lovely to have the children on school holidays in the wonderful county of Dorset.

Hurry back Fuddle

Candlelightx

hoglet121

Hello everyone,

MLW - that's very interesting about Barcelona. I've never been, my parents have and enjoyed walking around in the evening, I don't suppose we're likely to go now! I've seen lots of Eurpoe but never mainland Spain and I wihs I had.

Candlelight - sorry to hear about DD's fall. Lovely to have the Gs together.

Busy weekend here - yesterday it was the food show which is one of the highlights of my year. Came home with about 50 packets of pre-cooked vacuum-sealed beetroot which were being handed out for free by the box load at the end of the show. I've brought some into work to give to colleagues and I'll pickle some, make some relish etc. There's about 13kg in all. Also got DH some fresh beer and some bratwurst. I got some local cheese and found a huge salami for $3 - that's about 1 pound 20 or so at the moment. I didn't go mad but did get some nice things for what I thought were reasonable prices - or free!

Saturday I got the garden finally tidied up for winter. We only have a month or so left! It looks much better. Also got 3 thai curries in the freezer, and did some much needed cleaning.

Right, must dash,

love to you all,

Hoglet x

scottishminnie

Well, Sunday again. How did that happen. it comes round so quickly - a sure sign of getting older!

My friend is struggling a bit. Her pain relief has been increased which had made her a bit confused today. Her mind is sharp but her mouth won't cooperate to make the correct words and she was very frustrated. It wasn't good for either of us so I cut the visit short and will go back tomorrow night. She can't move to the hospice until a bed is free which makes her so sad as we know what that means:( I just need to keep a face on it for her and do what she needs.

The party went well -60 cupcakes. Mint chocolate chip, red velvet, toffee caramel and toblerone. I also lost the plot a bit when making the ganache for the toblerone ones. Instead of pouring the heated cream over the broken chocolate I melted it over boiling water before I noticed. So I ended up with a bowl of melted chocolate which I needed to use quickly. Thankfully I had a huge bag of marshmallows in the cupboard so I made "top hats" with a chocolate base, marshmallow set in and topped win a smartie. They disappeared at great speed at the party! Was a good night but definitely glad it is over.

More blackcurrant jam made Less solid this time as I used less pectin. I also made gooseberry jam so the store cupboard is looking much more healthy.

Well, it's been a long wet week. I'm now off to enjoy a large glass of merlot and hope for some sunshine this week, we must be due some soon:)

[Deleted User]

OK it's Sunday again, again! Hope you are all enjoying the summer, we certainly have had some lovely weather here in the south but no rain still, we're having to water every evening outside as well as in the hothouses, I've even been watering the apple trees and finally the fruit is beginning to swell and I have some hopes of a useable harvest. The wild harvest looks like being a good one this year, I'm keeping my eyes carefully on the hazel nuts on the footpaths. One year only can I remember them being quite so prolific and I went from being the only forager to one of many with carrier bags full of nuts, that was a good year.

It's chutney season Chez Lurcherwalkers and today will be Ripe Tomato Chutney day as they're ripening so quickly in the greenhouse I pick something approaching a kilo every day at the moment. Too many to use fresh for just the two of us anyway.

DD2 continues to search for houses, they have found one that was previously two flats and is in need of much TLC including new electrics and plumbing everywhere and have put in an offer but not heard back in over a week so that doesn't feel very hopeful. DD1 is continuing to write the new A level syllabus needed for next year and has so much backed up work left over from last term that she will spend the rest of the 'holidays' doing nothing but that, and they say teachers get 'all those holidays and only work from 9 until 3.30 every day' RIGHT!!! if only they could see the reality of the situation.

SM hope your friend is continuing to be kept comfortable and as pain free as possible, hope you've been able to in some way come to terms with what IS and are feeling more level and able to cope, hard times lovey.

CANDLELIGHT hope your lovely DGD has now settled in to life with you and OH and that you are all enjoying the changes in life indoors.

Have yourselves a lovely Sunday whatever you're doing, Lyn xxx.

candlelight_2013

Good morning all,

A lovely day here again, no washing to speak of, I did it all yesterday.

Himself has been so busy in the garden over the last 3 days. We have an arch about a third of the way down our garden, with a conifer either side and ivy and clematis inter twining. This badly needed pruning and thining out so he has worked really hard. Needless to say he had to get the saw and loppers out to do the job. It looks so much better now, and even the kitchen seems lighter because there isn't so much green outside.

I have done lots of housework and de-cluttering and found some more things to take to the charity shop. I find that very satisfying.

Lyn, DDs both sound busy, does Ruthie really want all the work that might entail, she is so busy with work and the Zebra boy?

DGD1 is settled, she is making her room her own. Hopefully next weekend we are going to Dunelm to see if there is a new duvet cover she fancies. We love her so much, she is like a breath of fresh air. She is like all young people, if she has had a bad day at work she might come in a bit grumpy, but that is soon gone and a cuddle from Flora makes everything fine. She is away this weekend with friends and she always texts me when she is on her way home. Himself still asks her what time is she coming home, and she is very patient with him. He really does it to wind her up.

You sound to have been really busy all week with chutney making and freezing produce. Just think of those long winter nights when you are having supper and some of your lovely chutney. We are going to Norfolk for a few days at the beginning of September and hoping to bring back some apples. We usually buy some from the Sandringham Estate but it might be a bit early this year.

I have a busy week coming up, on Tuesday I have, what I hope, is the last appointment with my Oncologist. As you know I never take anything for granted, so just hoping for the all clear.

I have a nail appointment on Wednesday (I am a high maintenance chick:):)) and then Thursday evening off out to Wether*poons to celebrate another friend's birthday.

Hoglet I hope you are all OK, and settled in for winter now. Flora sends purrrrrrrrrrrs to the cats.

SM I hope you are coping OK and that your friend is as comfy as possible.

AOT are you OK? I hope you are feeling OK in this hot weather, as I don't actually like it too hot. I think I function better when it is a little cooler

Have a good week all

Much love

Caandlelightx

[Deleted User]

Hi CANDLELIGHT that's exactly the question we've both asked DD2! they took on the flat in a not unliveable condition but it had been a second home and not used that often so was very 'tired' and dated but there were just two of them then and my Zebra child adds a new dimension. They are aware that their buyer wanted to be in at the end of August though and feel they should not be tardy in finding the house they need. This one is a beautiful old stone windowed property that has been two flats for a mother and single lady daughter for many years and consequently is very 'unmodernised' and needs updating. They are getting estimates for the work needed to be done, I think it will perhaps prove too costly after the purchase price which is eye watering but then everything IS where they live and hope very much that something with less work needed comes on to the market VERY soon.

Glad that DGD has settled and that you are all enjoying having her in your lives, many cuddles for Flora (presumably for both of you too) can only be a thing to be enjoyed! Have a lovely Sunday, Lyn xxx.

hoglet121

Hello everyone,

MLW - I'm so jealous of those tomatoes! We're eating our way through the chutneys I made in the summer a the moment and the favourite one is onion marmalade. I have lots of fig ones that we've not really got started on yet too.

Candlelight - hope everything goes well with the oncologist. The cats send lots of purrrrrrs back to Flora. Izzy was so funny last night, he loves to be wrapped up in a blanket and DH's woolly poncho was bundled up on the sofa. Iz slunk his way in and wrapped himslef up inside, as only cats can, and all I could hear was him purring and the blanket moving around as he breathed. I made him an air hole on the top before I went to bed, but twice in the night he came under the duvet and snuggled up with me.

Saturday we had a lovely time with friends in the country, with lots of food and wine, and Sunday I was doing some work and got some horse manure for the garden. What a mixture!

There's a chance I'll be flying back to the UK with work in October. I've never really wanted to go back since we've been here but now I've got a sniff of it, I'm really excited. I should find out today whether it's on. I haven't told my folks yet as they'd be so disappointed if it didn't happen, but I've got a small plan in my head of how I'd get round to see my family, DH's fmaily, and a friend in France as I'd be working both weekends. It will be so lovely to see everyone again.

Right better look diligent, don't need anything to jeopardise the trip!

Love to you all,

Hoglet x

[Deleted User]

Have heard from Fuddle who texted me from her phone en route to a holiday in Devon, she's fine and I shall be going to meet her at a garden centre close to where she lives when she contacts me on her return home after the holiday, lovely to hear from her, even more lovely to hear she is OK!

candlelight_2013

That is good news Lyn, I hope they have a lovely time, and hopefully she has been able to sort everything out up north.

Candlelightx