Chitchat thread #24

[Containergardener]

Got the washing out here too and attempting another load. It's brighter than it was. Just had a kitkat should stop buying those, although I've just put some hazelnut ones in my box in the fridge but they're the 4finger ones

[Nicos]

Mornin n’alln’all

I didn’t get back to sleep after all, so trying to cope on a total of three hours…maybe a siesta later.

Paperwork for me today, but not feeling very productive. So much so I’m thinking of lighting the fire and snuggling down on the sofa instead
…glad you got yours done Snoop!…phew indeed!

Both my mom and MIL struggled with fluids more than snacks….it caused them so many problems , they just ‘forgot’ to drink as they didn’t ever seem to be thirsty.
Those of you struggling with non- eaters/ drinkers very much have my sympathy x

Right…I best crack on with more paperwork so at least I won’t feel so guilty when I stop!

Enjoy your day peeps..and remember to share those smiles

[Containergardener]

Both my inlaws were constantly dehydrated, didn't help having wine either

OH has had me on paperwork but I'm off outside now. Its got up windy again, worse at the weekend

[greenishfing]

Good morning all.

I did not want to get out of bed this morning, I think due to a combination of tiredness, lethargy, and general idleness, but I eventually succumbed to the temptation of coffee.

The postie has collected my parcels. I've ventured into the kitchen and set some ragù off in the slow cooker. My recipe has not really changed since the 1970s when a boyfriend used to cook it for me. I've never written it down. There seems to be rather a lot so I'm going to bag the spare up in portions yonight and freeze the bags as flat as possible so that they will defrost quickly when needed.

Bramble, my brother in law, his cleaner and I wracked our brains together for ages last Friday to think of tempting snacks, but he instantly rebuffed most of our suggestions. Of the few that he approved of, the only one he seems to have enjoyed is the cup a soup. I think I'll make a couple of banana loaves tomorrow and take him one.

[mothhawk]

Afternoon all. Too late for pinch, punch, I guess.

Did a grory hop earlier and could not get over how many Easter eggs there were, solid packed shelves and shelves of the things, many already reduced to half price, and nobody showing any interest in them. I guess consumers have finally realised manufacturers are taking them for a ride and baulking at the extortionate prices. No doubt there will be a frenzied grab-fest in the stores when prices bottom out on Saturday evening.

Glad you got important paperwork done, Snoop, and well done everyone else who is getting it all up to date. It is a satisfying feeling when it's all done and dusted.

I need to get some nematodes for my raised beds. The flour/sugar/yeast pots are catching a lot, but I think they've still snaffled my carrot seeds before I've even seen them, so something that will work underground where they lurk is needed I think, before I risk planting out any plugs.

[Andraste]

Glad I'm not the only one who hasn't grown out of 'pinch punch' MH. OH got me this morning (I blame the hour change - I hadn't woken up enough to remember) with a gentle tap. I got him last month though & must admit I'm more inclined to be less delicate

There was a bit on the breakfast news the other day about the rising price but reduced weight of easter eggs so I imaging more people have wised up to it more this year. I'm not a huge chocolate fan but I convinced OH he's better off with a big bar instead of an egg. I'd have been disappointed with that idea as a child though - eggs were a special thing then & chocolate was more of an occasional luxury item anyway in our house then.

[Bren In Pots]

Afternoon, the rain hasn’t happened yet so most of the days. It’s council green bin collection tomorrow and we had a fair bit of Ivy to get rid of, then next door offered their bin so a day well spent.

[Andraste]

Our council has started charging for green waste bags now although collection is still free. They don't leave the emptied bags behind either. Is that a normal thing elsewhere - to charge?

[Containergardener]

I've never had bags Andraste, we have green bins. They used to empty 2 if you had them but now charge to empty a second one charging £40 per year.. We don't bother , we just use one. Everywhere seems different.

[Containergardener]

Morning
it's a frosty start here and set to be sunny, had a rubbish sleep again as being up and down in the night anyway then my brain starts thinking.....
Need to do some bedding washing, search for some paperwork for OH , nip for some bits of shopping and then hopefully get outside.

Time for a large tea first.

[mothhawk]

Morning all.

Not quite a frost here, but definitely a chill in the air.

My council charges £33 for a 140-litre green waste bin, and £48 for a 240-litre bin per year, and the bins are only emptied once a fortnight, so anything I can't/don't want to compost I bag up and take to the recycling centre where they take green waste for free.

[Snoop Puss]

Morning all.

No garden waste collection here. But I've just been sent our household rubbish bill, 100% increase! 164 euros for the year which, considering our rates are low, could be worse. It'll be a shock for some of the elderly people in the village, though. Minimum pensions aren't good and for women who never worked, it'll be a struggle to pay.

Very dull day. And Jack is constantly in and out, letting lots of cold air in. He learned how to open the doors after watching one of the cats do it. He's now worked out that the key is essential for stopping the door from opening and he's started watching me turn it. That will obviously be beyond him, but I wouldn't put it past him to find a way to get hold of the key and deliberately lose it.

Busy day today. Floor tiling will start tomorrow and we need to finish clearing away stuff. Plus I have errands in the village again. Plus all the usual stuff. Better get a move on, then.

Have a great day everyone.

[Bren In Pots]

Morning

Washings out on the line still a bit chilly out though.

We have a black landfill bin, Burgundy one for glass, plastic and papers, Green one for garden waste then from this week a brown food bin. All are paid through our council Tax.

Grory hop today not sure what else.

Enjoy your day.

[Andraste]

Dry but chilly here this morning - got the washing on though (fingers crossed).

The bags for garden waste did used to be free here & collected free every week all year round. The bags are only £2.20 each but half the size at least and only collected fortnightly now from 30 March (although our first collection isn't scheduled until 06 April) and our last pick-up is 02 November - no more winter or early spring collections. Any replacement bags have to be paid for too - which I wouldn't mind so much if they ever gave them back after emptying as they're supposed to but that never seems to happen.

We have a really good waste/recycling pick up otherwise: 'big bin' (wheeley) for general waste every 3 weeks, weekly recycling (glass, metal, plastic, card, paper & food - batteries too). They supposedly take textiles but I've never put any out (I prefer to donate to the charity shops). What we have to put stuff in changes at least once/twice a year on the whim of whoever is in charge of the Council recycling budget. The latest being a shower-cap type 'lids' in assorted colours to match the colour of the glass/metal/plastic boxes instead of solid lids - they look really pretty floating down the street in the wind .

[Florence Fennel]

Good Morning All Sunny here but still very cold. Waiting for Grory Hop delivery which has lots of 12p veg in it!
Our green bins are £67 this year, but instead of March to October every 3 weeks, it's all year round fortnightly. When I grew veg it was always full, but now it's mainly grass cuttings and is not full that often.
Have a good day