Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey), 24 September 2017

Good Afternoon, all.

Returned from Italy last evening. It was a good break.

I ate rather more than usual. I think most of us do on holiday, and, as Heather says most people seem to like Italian food. I don't often eat pasta, but it is different  in Italy. There was a good variety of fish dishes, which I enjoyed. I don't eat meat, anyway.

I do not normally eat puddings, either, but I did make the exception of a fruit flan every evening. The last few days, I could not resist trying other things as well. There was a rather good chocolate concoction and  an apple cake. I don't know the proper names of them, but they tasted nice! Diet back to normal now. Diabetic with OH.

I am glad you have now experienced the 'Garden Centre', Annette. I think we all love visiting them. There is a good one near here, which sells knitting yarn as well, so I like going there. (Also for garden related things as well, of course).

Sorry to learn about your labyrinthitis, Lynette. Not nice. Hope you feel better soon.

I hope Lindy is enjoying her cruise (and has enough shoes)

Good evening all, to those away from home I do hope you are all having great time! We have had fantastic weather here in Suffolk for the past few days. We were on the beach in T-shirts yesterday.

Re Garden Centres, I had friends staying and yesterday I took them to Darsham Nurseries, who as well as having great plants and trees have an outstanding Cafe. They do lots of sharing dishes - we had 8 for 3 of us and it was plenty. See sample menu  link here - not things you would find usually. We had some of the dishes on the sample as there was a new menu for this week.

https://www.darshamnurseries.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Lunch-Menu-20170130A.pdf

ANNETTE - good to see you have been sampling the garden centres of Britain, and glad you found some tools for Miss D - I remember you wanting to find them before!  

ROSY - welcome home!  Glad you had a good holiday.

HARELADY - good to see you have also been indulging in Garden Centre cuisine!  We are out for meals the next two evenings - woops!

Tomorrow I have to visit the physio at midday.  In the evening we are all going to a concert (blues); we booked a supper at the theatre, but they have cancelled (just the food, not the music) so we have booked to eat at a nearby hotel - and I know what I am likely to choose as they do a lovely pork dish, with local ingredients!

OG as my girls as so far away and both work early planning is required. Lundy books up in advance so we are looking to March 2019 and booking opens in a week. My friend up here and the girls are keen to go so I will be on the case. It's the last couple of weeks that you can go by 6 min helicopter ride after that it's a  2 hour boat I have travelled on and hate.

Sunny day here so good walks.

Garden centres in Scotland are great as they have to diversify as we have a short growing time:-)

I’ve made a dozen pasties for tea and freezer – must keep an eye on oven and not forget the last tray. Yesterday’s nanny duty was fine as MissL was napping til 4.30 pm and woke happy. We played outside, as I’d done most of chores by then under MissJ’s “I watch you”. School holidays begin this weekend, so Dau & Trio will visit us for a change. Sorry I have not had time yet to collect thoughts to report on recent escapes. I washed my car this morn, removing country grime & splattered insects. Our garden is a riot of blooming spring bulbs.

WENDY - I so agree about Scottish garden centres - both chains and independents!  One of our locals is a prizewinner.

AQ - pleased it was an easy Nanny Day!  Lucky you, entering Spring!  We are in Autumn drear at the mo!

Hello all

LYNETTE - I hope that your meds are helping, the dizziness and nausea certainly do make one feel awful.

AQ - Pasties plus Spring flowers :-) Lucky you.

ANNETTE - I love those little gardening sets. Isla is always ready to use hers! When are you returning home? You may have said but I can't remember.

OG - enjoy your concert and the pork dish!

It is a beautiful day here - I'm about to dead head some roses. They really are past their best. I'm planning to prune them really severely this Winter as I was too gentle last time - they are very leggy. Waiting to hear from the tree surgeon. The thought of losing the trees is still upsetting - but in my heart I know that they have to go. I expect you will think I'm stupid but I seemed to hear OH's voice yesterday, saying 'It is your garden, now'.

WENDY - I agree, also, about our garden centres. There is a super one at Banchory.

HEATHER - Actually became a beautiful day here too since I wrote earlier!  Warm with it.  Also back to warm nights so having to use the bigger fan again!  Saw Physio - had a good discussion - she says I am right in beginning to accept how I am - got to remember it is great that I am walking, with whatever support I need, which varies according to how I am.  She said I am clever enough to listen to my body and then do what it tells me, because of the variability of the arthritis.  She suggested I try using a good quality trolley around the kitchen to help me (not technically for support), and might realise one day that I don't need any support any more.  Looking forward to this evening - and J has arrived home form work, so haven't got to worry about him getting here in time to set out!  Re your trees, hold onto that thought: IT IS YOUR GARDEN NOW!

Welcome home, ROSY! So glad that you enjoyed your holiday - and the puddings.

HARELADY- Agree about garden centres. I'm going to look yours up in a minute. I forgot to do it, earlier today.

OG- Sheana was supplied with a trolley, it was very useful when she needed to fetch and carry things. So pleased that the physio was happy with you.

OG so pleased chat with physio went wel  it's good when people take time to chat.

I think all garden centres say they are the best.. Simpsons in Inverness always says it is :-))

Super sunny day here Daisy met a very old boxer on her walk..

She preferred fuss from human attached and Rosie 11 years old plodded along

with her stick:-)

Home for her then to sunbathe..

Harvesting just started here very late due to rain and not sure what quality it will be.