Welcome to everyday Lets Talk

 Been the same here Lai this side of the hills. Really quite cool this morning with a wind, not used to this, but at least the forcast is for it to warm up again, bit of a shock after yesterday was so nice. Fingers X it turned out ok for your friends visit, it did brighten up bit around tea time here, but its gone overcast again now. Hope everyones else's weathers been decent this week end

WS

Good evening everyone  

Apologies for being AWOL for a while, a couple of bad weeks but hopefully moving on now. Loads to catch up with on here so will do my best over the next week but sorry if I happen to miss some posts.

However, with the Badger cull now in progress I have been trying to support that and like Lai I have been trying to support them on FB and following all the groups and signing the petitions, so I may have been quiet on here but I have still been trying to do my bit for our beloved Badgers.

We have been having some nice weather and they reckon this coming week could hit the 30's  looks like the fans will be out again!

GR, I see you mentioned the lemon bitters, the ones I found by Koppaberg are alcohol free, so no worries but I must admit the Pear flavoured one is my fav, you have got me hooked on them  

I hope everyone is well and I will do my best to catch up on this thread but for now I just wanted to hello and sorry for dropping off for so long.

littlewid-x-

Good morning everyone

Big   Littlewid, I hope you are feeling okay now and fingers crossed you can take it easy at work and not overdo it.  Don't worry about catching up, I think everyone's under a bit of pressure at the moment.

30 again, oooooooooooooh I hope it is not quite so hot, although yesterday was not the best day and so we only managed to have drinks outside and moved inside to eat, we did manage a game of croquet, very British and lots of cheating but a bit of fun.   Still overcast here today so I'm waiting for the  

Our 6 ducklings have all survived which is great news.  The 2 mothers flew off last week leaving them so they formed a group of 6.  4 tried their maiden flights last night, interesting landings   and this morning 3 have flown off so only 3 remaining.  We've really enjoyed watching them grow up and hope they'll return from time to time (and perhaps next year to have ducklings of their own)  

Oh and we have pheasant chicks, not sure how many but two days ago I noticed at least 6 and yesterday we still had 6 - today I have no idea and sadly we now have a heron who is always in our garden  We are really hoping they will survive as they are very  cute indeed.

Have a good week everyone.

Lai

Dont worry about catching up LW we all understand that it's so difficult when you've been off. As long as your OK that's all that matters.
The weather was the same here yesterday Lai really chilly although it did brighten and warm up a bit around teatime. Good news about the Ducklings and as you say hopefully they will return. Not so good about the Heron though hope you have'nt got any fish in the pond  . The croquet sounded fun never had a go at that, I'll have to pop in when we're passing Macc  

WS

  WS - you and Mrs S are always welcome, in fact everyone from WAA is always welcome to pop in, we've always got something going on with our extended family of dogs and wildlife  

Lai

 I'll have to remember to pack me mallet. Well looks from the weather forcast we've got a couple of more days of the extended summer to go, then all change Friday  . Signs of Autumn are around, the Gulls are massing on the beach's round here, and our swallows are lining up on the telephone wires waiting for the go to Africa sign. Hope everyone else is still having decent weather

WS

Not too bad just now WS, it starts cool and overcast and then by the evening is  - long may it last, the washing is on the line  

Our House martins are all ready to go too, last nest about to fledge .................

Lai.

    It's that time of the year again ................. Strictly Come Dancing is back  

I can't wait for tonight's show, can you believe this is series 11  

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006m8dq

A great 20 mins clip (Littlewid and PPH) Red Carpet exclusive


Meet our class of 2013
Duration: 04:28

We went behind-the-scenes of the Strictly trail to find out more about our line-up http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01g8nsk


Lai    

I'm off

WS  

Let's go out for some  buddy. I leave the dancing strictly to   

          

You won't stop me .......................... I just love it.   This year's line-up.  I love some of the contestants, Dave (hairy biker) and Deborah Meaden (Dragons Den) and Mark Benton.




Lai

Good afternoon everyone  

Nope not sneaking on from work, I am on holiday this week  must admit though that today I am trying to catch up on my housework, trying to go through the whole house and wipe the millions of shutter slats, boy shutters look nice but dusting and washing takes forever and Nero is not impressed because I am in the house he thinks we were going to have a day of cuddles, we have had some but not as many as he wants........he wants a constant cuddle  
Yesterday we had a real mixed bag of Autumn weather but today we have a nice sunny day which is grand as I have done loads of washing.

YAYYYYYYYYY Strictly is back, Lai I am as delighted as you and the boys are just going to have to put up with the chatter  I loved the show where they all met their partners and I think its going to bea great season. I know we need to wait until the live shows but for me I think Sophie Ellis Bexter is one to watch and also Natalie Gumhadi (if thats how she spells it) but a few more could surprise us I think. Can't wait for it to start properly  

Hows Tom enjoying his teaching course? Whats hegoing to be teaching Lai? I was reading back through this thread andthat poor little Greyhound, I hope his leg is improving, I bet you were tempted to adopt him  

I'm pleased all the ducklings survived as well and I imagine it was really nice to seethem making their maiden flights, so cute. Fingers crossed all the Pheasant chicks survive with the Heron around!

Doogs was Jason Donovan in Priscilla? I had heard that he was going back into the show but I might have heard wrong:oops: I am feeling better thanks, slowly but surely I will get there but I am much better than I was.

GR, thanksfor the links to the poetry, I am no poet but I do like reading all kinds of poetry so I will make sure I sit down and have a look at those links, so in advance of that, thanks for posting them. Hope the pooches are both fine. I saw some pics on FB of you sunbathing in the garden with them, was that your mums garden? All I can remember of yours is the washing line decorated with christmas decorations  

Right I suppose I had better get back to the wonderful housework  have a great day everyone and hope the sun is shinning where you are  

littlewid-x-

We were tempted to adopt him Littlewid, but we don't want a puppy and we always try now to take dogs who are 6 + and overlooked due to their age.

Tom is at Uni doing a course for teaching English as a foreign language, so he can travel and teach. The course he is doing for a month is practice with real students (I did laugh at that) before he goes back to Uni in October.

Lai

 Doogs I'm with you   . Glad you've had a bit of break you need it.  only 7 weeks wont be long now till your out there with all the animals we love. Well done Lai for sticking to the older Dogs there always the most difficult to rehome, and usualy the most needy. Have nice weekend Guys, and keep your heads down Sunday the forcasts  

WS

    7 weeks Doogs, you so deserve this safari  

Sorry I've been quiet this week, totally manic and yesterday BB went off again at home, it seems to be when the bad weather starts and heavy rain so I dread to think what will happen this winter!

I loved Lion King Doogs, the music is brilliant and the costumes are totally fantastic, lucky you and a brilliant idea to make a few days of it.

Pete & I are off to Highgrove on Monday (HRHs place) with a group, travelling by coach so dead easy and touring the farm, gardens, farm shop (can't wait for that bit) and a cream tea etc. Sadly no photography allowed or mobiles so I will have to buy a book instead but should be a great and very long day, we leave on the coach at 10am and return at 11pm and then have to drive home.

Have a great weekend everyone and enjoy the   it's lovely here just now.

Lai

I can't believe it's only 7 weeks till your safari holiday Doogs, that is going to go by in a flash and you so deserve a really good break, it will be lovely for you, in fact I am excited for you   the Lion King is spectacular, I saw it in London when it very first came out and I just had such an amazing evening and as Lai says the costumes are fabulous, have a great time when you go.

Lai I too think it's brilliant that you and Pete take the older dogs, the cute little puppies always get snaffled up but the oldies are just as lovely and really deserve a break. Wow I bet the visit to Highgrove will be fantastic although I do admit I am still a little wrangled by Prince Charles being pro the Badger cull but that is not why you are going there, I imagine it will be a fascinating day and like you I would love a trip round the farm shop, I would also love a tour of the gardens, I bet they are magnificent. Cant wait to hear all about it, sounds like a very long day but a very exciting one. Have a brilliant day both of you.

I have had a lovely week off, quite busy but really nice. Looks like the Zoo could be this coming Saturday, Tom has been inundated with work so its been difficult to get away but fingers crossed it will be this Saturday. I dont even care if it rains, we may not see as many animals but it will still be fun but I am hoping for a sunny day and dry, it doesnt have to be hot just a bit of sunshine and dry.

Oh yes WS, the weather is supposed to be dreadful on Sunday, lets hope it's not as bad as they predict, poopr old Nero had a haircut today so he will get chilly if its too bad  

Have agreat evening everyone and at least Doogs and WS have a reprieve from Strictly this week as its not on full time yet........but you can both have a   if you want.........kind aren't I  

littlewid-x-

I know Littlewid, it's a hard one and I know a lot of people and farmers who are pro the cull but I have to respect other peoples opinions (occasionally) and I will try not to think about it too much whilst we are there.

I hope you get to the zoo and that the weather is kind to you, it is just so changeable at the moment, it's impossible to plan anything, you just have to be prepared all the time for   and  

I hope Nero stays warm, do you have a coat for him?  We've got to sort out some coats for the greyhounds, Kip can have Penny's as she is the same size and it is a treasured coat and Rosie needs a waterproof one for the coming months.

We've got a couple of weeks to wait for Strictly I think Littlewid?  I know my mum and I are so excited despite a lot of bad comments about the new series (already and it hasn't started).

Have a great evening everyone.

Lai

Good morning everyone

So it's raining again!

Doogs I am so excited for you, only 6 weeks to go and by the time you get there we'll have had lots of updates from J & A et al so you should know exactly who is who and where they all are  

I thought you had seen the Lion King before in London, it will be lovely to see it again. Outlaw Tom is looking really handsome and fit in those pics Doogs so fingers crossed for a good season for him.  with the bingo.

Highgrove was a long long day we got home at 1.00am but the gardens are lovely, although a summer visit would be better and the shop is fabulous. We were about 100 people I think and had tea there and then supper in the Orchard room which was delicious whilst having the AGM. I am going to take my mum next year and do a garden tour as they have quite a lot of open days.

Our BB is on and off again at home, definitely a loose connection somewhere, whenever the weather gets bad and it rains heavily it goes off  

Have a good day everyone.

Lai

Good evening everyone  

Glad you had a good time at Highgrove Lai, even though it was a long day. I imagined the gardens would be lovely, just a shame no photos were allowed and I imagine a summer visit will be lovely. Did you get to see HRH at all?

Yes Nero does have a coat, he has a couple and he loves wearing them so no problem keeping him warm, hope you get your little brood sorted with their coats before it gets too cold.

Lovely pictures of Tom Doogs, he is so handsome and lets hope he stays injury free this season for you. Ah so you have your Sundowners money, thats good you got a good exchange rate. Its not going to be long now is it, you must all be so excited  

Not getting to the zoo this Saturday, we have postponed it till Oct 5th, Toms brother had brought him and Emma tickets for a comedy night which they didn't know about until they said we were off to the zoo, so makes sense for them not to miss out and ive had a wobbly week so best to also do it when I can walk the whole zoo so really their little surprise tickets were a godsend, so fingers crossed the weather wont be too bad at the beginning of october.

How can they start slating strictly Lai before its begun, I think its going to be a good season. I know there were reports about Brucie being a bit slow but that doesnt mean the actual series will be rubbish, I cant wait for it to start.

The weather has really changed here now, cold, wet and windy and I actually put my heating on on Monday evening, I think itis supposed to warm up again over the weekend though, September is usually nice so fingers crossed it will be a good weekend.

llittlewid-x-

Good morning all

  No we didn't Littlewid.  The gardens are open when they aren't around, so during the week and odd weekends.  I guess it is really their weekend home when duties permit.

I'm planning a spring visit with my mum and we'll try and stay locally in Tetbury and enjoy a tour of the garden and a cream tea (and of course a visit to the wonderful shop).

Sorry to hear about the zoo visit but at least you have another date fixed, don't forget to charge your battery before you go      

Have a good day everyone, the weather here is now wet and cold so autumn is really here.

Not long for Strictly now      

Lai

Good evening everyone  

That makes sense Lai as its their home, they would want some peace and privacy. I imagine your mum will love it. Did you buy anything from the shop?

It is a shame about the zoo this weekend but at least we have a date to go and I will definitely make sure the battery is charged, I will not be wanting to miss any shots, oh no.

We have had another wet day today, it really is more like winter than autumn but they say the weekend is going to be nice and thats nearly here   does anyone have any nice plans for the weekend? Im not sure what im up too but I will be out and about and also tidying up all the pots in the garden.
I am planning on buying some miniature and dwarf fruit trees, my aunty has some and they are great for growing in pots andshe sent me the brochure for where she gets heres from, I have been having a good browse, I just have to decide what ones I want but its hard choosing. My sister gave me some money for my birthday so that will buy one tree and it will be a lovely keep sake. I will let you know which ones I get.

Have a good day tomorrow everyone.........Friday  

littlewid-x-

Good morning everyone

  I surely did Littlewid.  I got seriously carried away, honey, jams, gin (for Pete) shortbread, fudge, tea towels, soap, hat for me and flat cap for Pete (selfie pic perhaps) notepad, book on the gardens .... that's all I can remember just now.  I have given my mum some of it and have given away a few bits and pieces and I have a £10 on-line discount voucher so will be spending that soon!

Sounds like a good weekend planned Littlewid, the weather forecast is supposed to be better so I hope you get some gardening in and find a lovely tree to buy.

My mum and I are off to Portsmouth this morning, a 3 day trip with the Daily Telegraph travel.  We're going to see the Mary Rose now it's restored.

The Mary Rose is a Tudor ship, built in 1510.
In service for 34 years. Sank in 1545. Discovered in 1971.
Raised in 1982. Now in the final stages of conservation,
she takes her place in a stunning and unique museum

We are also visiting other places whilst we are there so it should be fun and fascinating, although a bit exhausting for my mum.  We're staying an extra night on Sunday so she can relax after 2 hectic days and we'll be back Monday afternoon.  Here's hoping the weather stays fine.

Have a great weekend everyone and catch up next week.

Lai