You're lucky if you've some got cool, Billy. All we seem to have is melt.  Sure Bella isn't just trying to be super good to make sure you don't cut back on those treats again? Only you said couple of days ago she made a fuss until you gave her the extra one she was used to.

Carol – I hate having a smart meter, never wanted one, never got a say. The fancy gimmick that they give you to monitor appliance usage soon stopped working and all it now does is make it easier for the electricity company. The meter itself has several lights which seems to flash every few seconds and which I personally find annoying. I am now trying to use as little electricity as possible to get back at the electricity company. We are currently significantly in credit – direct debit seems to have been same for ages (hopefully they will put it down not up!). We hardly use any gas (have gas for hot water, heating and cooking). It is surprising how much money can be saved sometimes when making a point of principle. 

Christine – your life feels very busy compared to mine. I do get out for a swim regularly. But on the social side ought to do more. Not sure I'm ready to join any clubs or start travelling again. I'm very bad at social connectivity because I hate feeling obligated. I always had it in mind I might just go interrailing in retirement. That is a less thrilling option in a post-Covid world. I still have to replan my life.

The forecast looks unbearable next week...36, 35. Not everywhere is going to be as hot fortunately. Think we've got a short straw. Try and stay cool everyone!

Love Rose xx

Dear Billy, Christine and Rose (my grandma had three sisters, she was Daisy, Rose, Violet, can't remember the other one maybe petunia!) I wanted to name Lisa Daisy but was out voted which was good because she is nothing like a Daisy.  I've took Zippy out early doors, yesterday i was sent a text by Liz next door, saying dogs had been poisoned on the common, it was on the village community board, fortunately the dog walker works for the vets, not true she says, so I'm relaying this to Liz, oh but dogs ha e been attacked up there she says, had I seen the older lady walking with a small dog with a jacket with spikes on it, yes I had, well she says it's not a fashion statement (shame I thought he might be a punk rocker as they are like the spikey collars the girls wore). It turns out he was attacked by a big dog hence the metal wear.  So guess what I bumped into her this morning and chatted to her, she was so nice and said Teddy had been put on his back by this big dog, I must  admit he looks very much like a small fox so understandable, are you the Mum of the lady with the broken leg she asks, Yes!  Billy Zippy was like a cat on hot bricks last night I had to put in in his cage he barked at everything even a butterfly.  Maybe it's the heat doing them in.  Managed to get Eddie in, Elvie stayed out, Zippy slept under my bed and didn't bark once but I still woke up with him licking my feet!  Rose it's difficult getting back into a routine and like you I do not like being forced into doing things, I'll go at my own pace thank you. Everyone asks what are you going to do, I don't know as I've always had Norman with me and I can't think that far ahead.  Do you know what the lady with the punk dog said, you're husband would be proud of you, talking to strangers and smiling, wasn't that nice?  Carol xx

Dear Carol, Christine and Rose. I actually fell asleep early afternoon after a good night sleep, i feel more awake when it's hotter even though i struggle in heat .i woken up by phone, Brenda ward she's being moved to another ward to keep covid patients together (big shock that)i explained didn't know Brenda had covid, nurse apologised said she's had covid since 7th should be clear on 17th, she's not ill with it. 

Then she's going to another ward ready for care home while carers are sorted out for her coming home. 

So looks like when carers are sorted out she's home to stay, she's been away 5months on 17th at least I've got car and scooters sorted, still got bed upstairs to sort out that she wants. 

Think we're about back to what we were like before Brenda really got bad nearly 3 years ago, i imagine she'll want to go to boot sales before she's home long. 

Hope it's not too hot for you ladies where ever you are. 

Love Billy xxxx 

Dear Billy, well they did the same with Norman never told me he had covid, it's not good enough.  On the other hand I'm so pleased that they are working to getting her home, she has been there for some time, it's six months since Norman died and I still feel very near to tears when I hear things going wrong with others.  Well Zippy was very naughty last night barking in the garden, hiding in the bushes, eating the cat food I was so cross I smacked his rump when I finally caught him and put him in his cage, he came to bed with me as did both cats, so by 4am he was giving it rock all again, back in his cage he went, back to bed I went, 6.10 am Elvie started scratching the bedroom door from the landing, so up again, grabbed her big fat belly as she has been over fed by me to shut her up, put her in her cage, she's still there!  I'm being picked up to go out with a friend and her Mum for coffee, I was going into Haslemere on the bus yesterday, looked up the times, walked to the bus stop, it was boiling hot so I checked the time and route, that's weird I thought it only gives me Godalming as a choice, then a bus came round the corner, stopped on the other side of the road and then left, so I crossed the road to check where it was going, Haslemere!  I'd only been stood on the wrong side of the road, it was the get off stop not the get on stop, the next bus was an hour later, so I gave up, walked back to Lisa's and took the dog out instead, all dressed up!  So I'd better go and get a shower and tidy up, one more whole day until they come home and I can go home and sleep, I was so tired yesterday I fell asleep on the garden furniture.  Take care, Carol x 

I am going to miss this dog so much he has made me laugh every day.  He has stolen my eye mask each morning so today I hung it over the bannister, he can't get that I thought, but he's far cleverer than me, I could hear this pinging noise so I went into the hall, he had put his paw through the elastic loops and pushed down on them until they could go no farther so when he let go it flew up in the air, it's now safely between his teeth again! Lisa has booked him in for a grooming session at 12.30 me I've had to wash and style my own hair after traipsing through the woods at 8am as it's too hot to go out later.  So my train is booked for Monday but of course there is now a warning about travel so as I'm now elderly, according to my daughters, I should cancel it and go another day.  I remember the heatwave of 1976, Faye was three, we had no water and had to queue up for the standpipe in our village at certain times of the day, it was scorching but we all just used our common sense and survived, it's such a nanny state now, if you're sensible then you'll be alright.  I nearly had a heart attack last night.  I literally had no food for tea, so I locked the house up, made sure Zippy was safe and walked to the shop and back. When I arrived back Zippy was sat on the doorstep with a black poo bag in his mouth, he saw me and wagged his tail, how the Hell had he got out I thought, my stomach lurched at the fact that he could have gone looking for me and got lost or stolen, anyway, I'd left the front room window ajar for some air, he'd nudged it with his nose until it was wide enough to jump through, no one but you lot will ever hear that story, next time he's being caged, I had to have a double gin and tonic to calm down.  Well a disturbed night ahead as they land about 3am, they had booked the hotel room for a late departure but it hadn't translated well in the booking so they've been thrown out the room, Tugs went mad and suddenly a spare room has bee found, see nothing goes to plan in our lives, it's a good job we are all copers!! Carol x 

Dear Carol dogs are alot brainier than people think. Even when they are young. Our Bella was put in the kitchen first night with a 12 inch high divider to keep her in certain area with food water and bed,,before sleep i sneaked down stairs to check she was at bottom of stairs waiting for me everything in kitchen still in place. I better mention Bella was 2inches high then and about 4in long including her tail. I put her back behind panel and she just sat wagging her tail and looking innocent. She still looks innocent she's got that sparkle in her eyes what gets everyone. 

Never figured out how she got over that panel, second night i made it 16 in she still got over. Third night i put her in a big cage big enough for an alsatian, with food and water in dishes hooked over side rails in figer of 8 holder, heard noise in night and a yelp, Bella had got the dishes on floor and her body through the two loops luckily i had a pair of big bolt cutters as she was stuck fast though how she got there no idea. 

So Bella had run of downstairs and she was happy she's never gone upstairs if she wanted out just a quiet woof  .

She's still the boss 12 years later. 

Billy xxxx 

Hi all,

First of all, Billy, I do hope that you have not been disappointed by different news about Brenda, since being told she was being prepared to come home, and that she will be home, where she belongs, soon. I am keeping my fingers crossed that you do get her back.

Carol, I have howled with laughter, reading about your antics with the cats. I love the bit about its big fat belly from you overfeeding it to keep it quiet!  
I think I could join you in the "mother being taken for granted" stakes.  I had Bobbin, as usual, on Tuesday and Wednesday, and was looking forward to a couple of days free of him, only to have him deposited on Thursday afternoon, so my daughter could go to the osteopath. To give her her due, she did say she would leave him at home, alone, if I didn't want him! ( emotional blackmail methinks). I took the easy way out and took both dogs round to see my disabled neighbour. When they are there, apart from Bobbin lifting his leg against the door frame, they behave really well. Then on Friday, it was the first of daughter's leaving do's from work.  It was a dry do, in respect for some of her colleagues who are Muslim.  I was expecting to have Bobbin from seven o'clockish but no, she's being picked up early so the non Muslims could go for a drink before hand, and as she would like to shower and get glammed up with no disturbances from his nibs, would I collect him about 3pm.  It wasn't so bad, I took them for a long walk as it got cooler, which tired them out. As this was supposed to be a sleepover, I thought I would minimise the hell by staying up later than usual. I start getting ready about nine o'clock, usually, but I was still up and dressed at 9.40 when she FaceTimed me from home! Her lift was one of the Muslims so it was straight home after the meal.. I asked, innocently, if that meant she would like me to bring him to her, as it was still daylight.  I don't drive after dark but I could see it wouldn't be dark for a good half hour. Bobbin was delighted to be back with his mummy, Archie was happy to have an unexpected ride out and I had a peaceful night's sleep.  Yesterday was a planned day out, I might even have mentioned before.  One of my in law family holds a yearly music festival for charity on his land.  There are usually a couple of hundred people there, as it is invitation only, there are different acts playing from midday to 10pm, not well known, but very talented and happy to have a gig, even a free one. We just think of it as a family gathering. That side of the family are very close and it is a pleasure to meet up with them all and catch up.  Most noticeable, yesterday, was how many children there are these days as all the original guests marry and bring offspring into the world. There were 300 altogether yesterday and most of them are there for a happy day out. As one of our group pointed out, "The music is interrupting the conversations" We took the dogs with us, as we knew we would be gone at least eight hours.  It was like planning to take a baby out. I had bottles of water, feeding bowls, food, licky  mats peanut butter, poo bags. All that before even thinking what to take for ourselves.  I spoke to my daughter in the morning and asked what she was taking. She replied that she was taking her chair and her drinks.  Anything else was my department! Plus I had to drive because the driveway down to the field was rutty and bumpy and steep and she would not risk her flash sporty car on it. My car is a bit higher in the undercarriage, so I couldn't argue about that! The reason she gave for passing all responsibility to me was because she drove us alL at Christmas to her friend's for Christmas Day!  I did enjoy the day, the dogs were delightful, they were friendly and calm with all the other dogs and Archie actually allowed several small children to come and stroke him!

I did enjoy the day but it was a bit scary to realise that my friend and I and just one other person were the older generation. There used to be lots of us.  We had lost so many of our contempories in the few years this festival had been in existence.  My friend is 80 now, looks and acts years younger, but it was noticeable how frail she seemed, she left a lot earlier than usual, too, which was a bit worrying. I must visit her more often. 

Rose, you have confirmed what I thought about smart meters. Fortunately I'm allowed to opt out of having one so far. I can tell what I am using almost to the unit, so I don't need more electronics in the house.

Take care everyone, safe journey home, Carol. Let us know how it's going with Brenda coming home, Billy

Christine xx

Hi everyone, I'm still in Surrey as I can't get home!  Family landed 4am Sunday m so Zippy and I did our usual walk early doors, fed the cats and locked every one downstairs until they all surfaced.  A fabulous holiday was had by all three and we had a barbecue in the garden as the weather was lovely.  My trains have been canc so I've booked one for tomorrow, let's hope they're running. Dave who lives opposite me at home has texted that if I can get a lift to Watford Gap hell come and get me, that's about half way so it's ridiculous but he loves driving, I'm staying put until I can travel safely, the house is still standing, my Norman is still basking in the conservatory so not a lot to rush home for really.  Zippy is laid licking my feet, it's quite cooling when he does that.  Billy I do hope you're sorted soon, it's all been such a long time and so many obstacles in your way.  Christine, your daughters sound like mine, but a fabulous time was had by all, what a big garden it must be to acc all those people, are you married into a wealthy family? Only joking! Today is even Hotter and my clothes are akready soaking wet, I hate this weather jts too tiring and hot to do anything.  Stay safe, Carol x 

Hiya Carol,

Ha ha! No not wealthy, just very hard working and close, so they all helped each other.  Lovely family, 

The festival organiser bought his house, an old farmhouse by auction years ago when they were a young couple. The field was part of the deal.  It is about 3-4 acres, I guess.  Over the years all those kids did well on the housing market because their dad, my ex-husband's cousin, was a builder and was able to see the future value of the properties and refurbished them to a high standard. The"kids" are a few years older than mine, but the house ownership seemed to be in their genes, too. My daughter bought her first little terraced house when she was 21, on a private mortgage, Then a year or so later she bought the one next door. Had it modernised, moved in to it and let out her first one to a lovely group of young men, who used to insist on helping her with any heavy task.  When they moved on she sold it as she didn't think she would get such good tenants again. She sold the second house to a property developer in part exchange for a new build on a lovely estate.  After a few years she was hankering for a room with a view and she sold it to a man who wanted to complete the cash sale in three weeks!!!!  ( His live-in daughter was about to give birth and he didn't want a baby disturbing his peace.). She found her current house, and assisted in the purchase proceedings by driving between solicitors with signed documents. There was no chain, so she actually completed the sale in five weeks. She got her view as she lives surrounded by woodland and her frontage looks onto a fishing lake! My son moved "down south" so was on the rental market for several years, as he didn't want anything he could afford for a while,  but bought me my bungalow nine years ago, and then bought a Victorian semi about five years ago for him and his lovely partner, and now,  they are in the process of buying their forever home with river frontage. So the hard work and planning must definitely be a family trait, except for their father who decided drinking and gambling were more important than family. Such a shame, he has such a lovely family and is missing out on what is a wonderful life. I am very proud of my two for not inheriting his vices. My daughter is paying off her mortgage when her pension money comes through in September and my son is buying his new house sans mortgage!

I think it might be a bit cooler tomorrow, so travelling should be a bit more comfortable. Aren't  you thinking of bringing Zippy home with you for company? I would be sneaking him under my clothes!

Yesterday it was so hot, that even standing at the corner of the lane watching for my neighbour's hearse to pass us took it out of me. I was too hot to stand chatting so I just made an excuse and,came home. It was nice to see neighbours showing their respect.  Even our postman came, specially to see him off.

I won't be going up to see his wife today, as it is too hot, but I will take Archie and Bobbin up to see her tomorrow.  I am going to ask her to show me how to paint in water colours. She has done some lovely pieces and I struggle terribly with water colours.  I am quite versatile, I enjoy painting in oils, acrylics, soft pastel or oil pastel but water colours beat me. If she doesn't want to that's fine, but it might just alleviate her loneliness once everyone goes back to their own lives.

Billy, I'm still keeping those fingers crossed for Brenda to come home.. Don't overheat in this weather. I am sitting in front of a fan keeping me nice and cool, but I dread moving about. 

Take care, both. Carol good luck for a pleasant journey tomorrow.

Christine xx