Morning all. It's a lovely sunny day so I might finally get around to cutting down the cornus shrubs. Getting a bit late now but I'm sure they'll be fine.
I'm another who rather likes to see a full line of washing flapping in the sun and breeze. Don't mind ironing either if there's something a bit mindless to watch on the box - find it all rather relaxing.
Speaking of washing lines... had 2 lots of washing out yesterday [ 😇 ] - no problems. I have a rotary line which automatically folds back into its own cover when you close it. Went out this morning to hang out OH's racing kit and, when I opened the line, was showered with lots of dead grass and little twigs.
Something had obviously started to build a nest in the top of the cover where there's just a tiny gap. Almost certainly a robin. Think I'll have to put a bag or something over the top when I close it this evening. Don't want to open it in a week's time and have eggs or baby birds falling out or to have the washing line out of action for several weeks.
All the shrubs, hedges, pots and other hidey holes they could choose from!
@Chivetalking - sorry you're having issues with your sat box. I know you've probably already done it, but unplugging the box from the mains (as opposed to just turning the box and / or plug off) for 15 mins can often reset it - had to do mine a few weeks ago. While it's unplugged you may as well take out every cable and reconnect them just in case one has worked loose.
You can also Google to see if there are any known outages of satellite feeds in your area.
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
Busy start to the week yesterday. Had more raaf duties in the evening after a full day trying to get ahead. 2 bank holidays is all well and good until you realise that you have to do the same amount of work in 80% of the time Could be a late one tonight...
On the plus side, I will probably be completely work-free on Good Friday. Just need it to stay dry for outdoor projects.
I finally got my monthly energy statement. From being £580 in credit on December 1st 2021, we're £277 in credit on 1st April 2022. If I didn't know that prices were about to rocket, I'd have been kicking off a long time ago. The heating could well be off for the best part of the next 6 months so our usage will plummet. The reality is that I've loaned the energy company hundreds of pounds (interest-free) for a couple of years, which will provide a buffer when the prices go through the roof. I hope that they're grateful
Afternoon all - I'm doing a happy dance! We just sold our motorhome - yay!
OH drove it down to Southampton this morning to the dealer we bought it from originally. OH said it drove beautifully which means the mouse induced problems with the engine have definitely been fixed - it's a shame we have lost confidence in the vehicle.
The dealer is so desperate for stock that he gave us almost what we paid for it 3 years ago and has 3 people lined up who probably want to buy it. The first one was viewing at 2pm this afternoon so it may already be sold!
Hope it goes to a nice family - it's a lovely comfortable home from home🙂
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
Afternoon all. Back from having a good catch up with my friend. We spent a while nattering and then waiting for names of favourite places to come round on the carousels our minds have been reduced to but got there in the end!
Ruby, did your perennials arrive for you? You will be busy.
T'Bird, I am so glad that you spotted the nest. As you said, of all the places to choose for a nest site! Congratulations on the sale of the motor home, though I'm sure there was a slight pang as you saw it leaving. Will you be getting another one?
Chive, I hope that you get the satellite situation sorted soon. I had a chat with VM the other day - looking at ways to save money and by making slight adjustments I have been able to reduce my monthly bill by just under £40. This begs the question, how do the justify their price hikes if they can reduce a bill by so much?
Biglad - I hate to say it but don't hold your breath when it comes to energy companies.
Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
Glad you've sold the motorhome @Topbird ... I know what you mean about losing confidence in a vehicle ... I was the same after the convertible stopped at the exit from the Dartford Tunnel ... no electris so no hazard lights, no way to charge the mobile and no hard shoulder and the only way to exit the vehicle was to get out of the driver's door into the continual stream of oncoming traffic ... we were stranded there for over half an hour ... I never ever want to be that scared again!!!
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks LB. We're are going to buy another camping vehicle but there is absolutely no point buying another largeish m/home which sits unused for weeks in the same spot as the previous 2 vehicles. They both had visitations from the local mouse population (engine compartment only thank goodness!) and there is no reason to think we wouldn't have the same problem again.
As you know, we are lucky enough to also have a small camper van which we can use for now. It's a pop top and only the size of a small van so handy for getting around in - but it's not that comfortable for extended use. The plan is to eventually sell that van as well and buy something a bit bigger than the camper van but much smaller than the m/home was. Small enough that OH can just about use it as an everyday runabout (about the size of a trade van) but tall enough to stand up in without having to pop the roof, better insulated for cold weather use and just more comfortable.
We figure that if the vehicle is being used several times a week and is parked where there's plenty of footfall rather than tucked away there's less risk of a problem.
The main problem now is that nobody has any stock of anything (everyone went mad for camper vans during Covid). We have chosen what we would like and will place an order very soon. Delivery wait is likely to be 15 - 18 months 😬 so we're very grateful we still have something to get away in for this summer (and maybe next!)
Your experience sounds very scary Dove. We had similar on the M3 but at least we were able to pull onto the hard shoulder and it happened at a wide point on the motorway. I know that exit from the tunnel only too well - horribly busy and nowhere to get away from the traffic.
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
Just spent some time venting on the Politics thread and sending a stinging email to my so called MP. I have been so upset today regarding mum, the guilt is awful and everytime I see one of them pleading ignorance and saying a sorry that they don't mean I just get even angrier and more upset. Sorry to rant on here.
Quite understandable @Yviestevie ((huge hugs)) ... I feel the same, although it has different resonances for me. Angry emails are being fired off all over the country I have no doubt ... makes you long for the old days when postmen had to carry sacks full of angry letters to Downing Street and the photographers were there to witness it. 😡
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Chive pleased to hear you have someone coming Thursday. I hope all sorted then. Yvie I’m sorry you’ve been through that experience since Covid. Dove that does sound scary. I stayed home all day and did some pottering and also had a catch up on lost sleep. Topbird quite a wait for a camper van once ordered but a great way to travel. LB I’m glad you’ve enjoyed time chatting today. I can relate to the carousels. Big lad I had my heater on today instead of the boiler so hoping the two hour slot was cost effective.
Posts
I'm another who rather likes to see a full line of washing flapping in the sun and breeze. Don't mind ironing either if there's something a bit mindless to watch on the box - find it all rather relaxing.
Speaking of washing lines... had 2 lots of washing out yesterday [ 😇 ] - no problems. I have a rotary line which automatically folds back into its own cover when you close it. Went out this morning to hang out OH's racing kit and, when I opened the line, was showered with lots of dead grass and little twigs.
Something had obviously started to build a nest in the top of the cover where there's just a tiny gap. Almost certainly a robin. Think I'll have to put a bag or something over the top when I close it this evening. Don't want to open it in a week's time and have eggs or baby birds falling out or to have the washing line out of action for several weeks.
All the shrubs, hedges, pots and other hidey holes they could choose from!
@Chivetalking - sorry you're having issues with your sat box. I know you've probably already done it, but unplugging the box from the mains (as opposed to just turning the box and / or plug off) for 15 mins can often reset it - had to do mine a few weeks ago. While it's unplugged you may as well take out every cable and reconnect them just in case one has worked loose.
You can also Google to see if there are any known outages of satellite feeds in your area.
Busy start to the week yesterday. Had more raaf duties in the evening after a full day trying to get ahead. 2 bank holidays is all well and good until you realise that you have to do the same amount of work in 80% of the time
On the plus side, I will probably be completely work-free on Good Friday. Just need it to stay dry for outdoor projects.
I finally got my monthly energy statement. From being £580 in credit on December 1st 2021, we're £277 in credit on 1st April 2022. If I didn't know that prices were about to rocket, I'd have been kicking off a long time ago. The heating could well be off for the best part of the next 6 months so our usage will plummet. The reality is that I've loaned the energy company hundreds of pounds (interest-free) for a couple of years, which will provide a buffer when the prices go through the roof. I hope that they're grateful
OH drove it down to Southampton this morning to the dealer we bought it from originally. OH said it drove beautifully which means the mouse induced problems with the engine have definitely been fixed - it's a shame we have lost confidence in the vehicle.
The dealer is so desperate for stock that he gave us almost what we paid for it 3 years ago and has 3 people lined up who probably want to buy it. The first one was viewing at 2pm this afternoon so it may already be sold!
Hope it goes to a nice family - it's a lovely comfortable home from home🙂
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
As you know, we are lucky enough to also have a small camper van which we can use for now. It's a pop top and only the size of a small van so handy for getting around in - but it's not that comfortable for extended use. The plan is to eventually sell that van as well and buy something a bit bigger than the camper van but much smaller than the m/home was. Small enough that OH can just about use it as an everyday runabout (about the size of a trade van) but tall enough to stand up in without having to pop the roof, better insulated for cold weather use and just more comfortable.
We figure that if the vehicle is being used several times a week and is parked where there's plenty of footfall rather than tucked away there's less risk of a problem.
The main problem now is that nobody has any stock of anything (everyone went mad for camper vans during Covid). We have chosen what we would like and will place an order very soon. Delivery wait is likely to be 15 - 18 months 😬 so we're very grateful we still have something to get away in for this summer (and maybe next!)
Your experience sounds very scary Dove. We had similar on the M3 but at least we were able to pull onto the hard shoulder and it happened at a wide point on the motorway. I know that exit from the tunnel only too well - horribly busy and nowhere to get away from the traffic.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.