Oh Jules forgive my post on my site to you .....I am so sorry not to have known of your hubbies departure.  You know from the support you have given me how well I understand your current situation and my heart goes out to you.  My site tells of my joirney through this uncharted place you find yourself in.  It is difficult but you will come through.

All my thoughts and a big virtual hug

Ian x

Hi Ian

Just lovely to see your name appear on my thread and suspect its just as hard for you to post but I really appreciate the message.  It was a long three years for hubby and I take much comfort in the fact that he is now free from the clutches of his disease which took his happiness away.  I am surrounded by the love of my family and friends (and the ongoing support of virtuality buddies) and now, like you, my life must be lived to the best of my ability. Early days still but so many memories to cherish and share with others - a few late nights of 'story-telling' along the way.

Sending hugs and best wishes and hope all is well with you and Julie in your new life.  Jules x

Good afternoon Jules,

Things getting back to near normal now son is back. Glad you enjoyed your family time at the weekend. Have made three gadgets for use re my woodturnig whic I will show you a photo of when I have recharged my camers battery. To buy one of these items which are used for sanding bowls ect cost over sixty pounds and I have made three for lees than £2.50.  They do give a much better finnish than sanding by hand so am very pleased with the result. I have now had two of my five injections and already I can feel the difference. I feel I have more energy and this morning I could see my computer keyboard clearly without my glasses. I guess as it had happened over a period of time I had not noticed the differnce before but I hope things contine to improve. I am making a few small changes to my diet so hope this will help too. I have tried several times over the years to eat meat and other things but I have to say I did not enjoy it at all. Poor Mrs B has to cook one meal for herslf and another one for me.

Mrs B's ankle is slowly improving but as she got her meat last week when she came shopping with me which tired her out, I am back to doing it again on my own this week. Bought her some flowers again which always cheers her up and also to hide the fact one or two extras has fallen into the trolly which just by chance were things I like.

How did your visit to your mum go yesterday? I loved the bit where you said you would probably have to have a bit of cake too. You sounded Just like me when I told Mrs B my appointment was right on dinner time today and I would ""very reluctantly"" have to buy myself some chips on my way home so as to save her cooking a late meal ha ha. Did enjoy them as I bet you did your cake.

We have another self seeded primrose growing in our garden and another one which is in bloom. Plants seem so confused and seem to bloom outside of the "normal" period the last few years. That makes three primrose plants we've gained curtesy of our garden birds, Both me and Mrs B love primroses and to get them free is a bonus.

Am off to see my grandson in a few moments to do my story telling dutyso will post again soon.

Wishing you peaceful thoughts, Brian.

Thanks George,

 No fresh fish on our BBQ but  enjoyed a mix of kebabs. sausages, chicken and burgers  with veggie skewers and haloumi cheese (adult children were in their element) and we were lucky with the weather so hope the same for you when you go to the van for your break.  I know you will be enjoying yourself.Take care, Jules x

Good morning Brian,

Wow great to read that your injections already bringing their rewards; am so pleased for you. I am sure any little change you can make in your diet will be an added help too.

It's a shame that Mrs  is still struggling with her foot but am sure she will appreciate all that you are doing with the shopping and getting flowers is worth the wait at home!

Look forward to seeing the 'shots' of your new turning efforts and it sounds as though you could have some very happy 'budget saving' buyers when you next display your wares so hope it all goes well for you and the Club members.

I managed to mow the lawn and tidy a little in the back garden on Tuesday afternoon and how glad am I as it poured with rain yesterday evening (still a bit damp just now).  I also put up my new butterfly box and positioned my new bird table (my birthday was very nature related and I know will get a lot of pleasure from them).

Quiet weekend planned and hoping for dry weather so I can weed the front garden.

Best wishes toyou and Mrs B and hope storytime went well with your grandson.  No doubt he was full of holiday news.  Take care Jules x 

Hi Jules, sorry to butt in on your conversation with Brian but just wanted to say how lovely to be given your new butterfly box and bird table, I am very jealous. I do have three hanging feeders though, specially caged for little birds, and know what you mean about getting such pleasure from watching them. My lot are so tame now that I had to shoo them away yesterday so I could add more food! My recent birthday present was to have my garden "blitzed" after months of neglect so if the weekend is nice (Saturday is loooking good at the moment) I hope to be sitting out with a good book and chatting to my feathered friends.. take care  Sue x

Hi Jules,

Here is the photo I promised of my new sanding gadget and a photo of the base of a round trinket box that I tried it out on. Will post more in a day or so

 Wishing you a peaceful weekend, hugs, Brian.[[]]

Hey susu

Love others joining in chat. Am very much into my wildlife (have  not pets!!) as are the kids/grandkids. Pleased to say new bird table cannot be 'breached' by the pigeons so now my little feathered friends will get a better look in.  It is just a couple of feet outside my patio doors (hanging feeding station is at end of garden) and the robins are very cheeky.  As and when the weather turns cooler (not yet please!) I will provide more variety but for now its just  general seed and niger seed (for goldfinches).  The butterfly box is a lovely addition (hubby had a toitoiseshell butterfly in his room just a few days before he passed away and this has been chosen as his 'emblem' as far as family and friends are concerned).

How wonderful to have your garden blitzed (I watch Alan Titchmarsh's makeovers with envy ha ha) and to hope you get a good weekend to make the most of the outside.  Today is very warm and apparently tomorrow could be hotter so fingers crossed for we can both get some reading done.  Have a good weekend, take care  Jules x

Well done Brian, seems as though you have found a good answer to your sanding needs - will you offer it for sale at your next show?  Love the little bowl (am a great fan of all things wooden) and often look things over at the market (we have a couple of regular 'woodsmen' selling their wares and  I love the craftsmanship involved).  I do have a very large bowl (keep pot pourri in it) which has a rugged finish but is looking a little tired - any recommendations as to whether I could treat it?

Hope you and Mrs B have a peaceful weekend.  Take care  Jules x

Hi Jules, well, that was a bonus.. the forecast had been for cloud but obviously the clouds didn't get the memo and it has been glorious, so I spent most of the day reading in the garden and tweeting (and no, I don't mean the social media thing!) Sadly, didn't see Mr.Titchmarsh but all the pesky weeds were cleared, the plants tamed and the paths cleaned so am very pleased with the result. Hope to be joining you in the sun again tomorrow, so to speak. Happy reading.  Sue x

Hi susu

Glad you are able to make the  most of this weekend's weather (next week looking very wet but the plants will benefit as will my arms - lugging the watering can to the planters is a bit of a chore!!).  Was out and about until mid-day yesterday and then, with garden having no shade, forced inside as too hot for me to sit out.  I was however sitting close to the patio doors and enjoyed our feathered friends comings and goings plus bees and butterflies - very peaceful.  I managed a bit of reading too but still find it hard to concentrate. I used to be able to sit for several hours reading outside (hubby was an inside guy and had fair skin so stayed out of the sun and found sitting in the garden 'boring') but hopefully time will come when this once much-loved past time will return. Not sure why this happens.

In mid afternoon I ventured into the front garden and got the weeding/tidying done - everywhere very quiet as a number of neighbours currently on their holidays with their kiddies so, like you, felt a bit pleased with myself.

This morning I am being rewarded as having re-filled the bird feeders last night I now have goldfinches, blue *** and the robin busy, Next door neighbours have a rather stagnant large pond (thankfully not smelly though ha ha) and two ducks just flew down. Had brekkie outside and am off to take my Sunday walk around 9. It takes about an hour to walk to our lovely local garden centre and I Have a gift to buy for my sister in law (have seen a windchime there before so hope they still have it!) and want to get some cyclamen for the area under the honesuckle (as apparently good for dry shady areas).  With a bit of luck will get them in prior to the forecast rain arriving.  Have a good day and take care.Jules x

Hi Jules, hope you had a lovely walk this morning and also managed to find the windchime you were after?Trust the plants you got were nice & light if you had to carry them for an hour on the way home! Like you, several of my neighbours are away so I am really enjoying the quiet. No kiddies but my immediate neighbour has a yappy dog which she shouts at very loudly, it then yaps even more and so it goes on..

Just starting to get cloudy here now after another beautiful morning and am looking forward to, and also dreading, the rain. Good because it will give the garden a soak but not so good because it may also give my kitchen one too! The roof started leaking after that dreadful rain we had the other week so they came on Wednesday and painted on some thick gooey stuff which sadly didn't work as was proved when it rained again that evening. They came back on Thursday though and had a more thorough go using cement to fill the cracks between the stone and also more sealent so fingers crossed I won't need the strategically placed towels!

Bought more goodies for the birds today so that should keep them happily chirping away for a bit.

Take care  Sue x

Hi Jules, hope you had a lovely walk this morning and also managed to find the windchime you were after?Trust the plants you got were nice & light if you had to carry them for an hour on the way home! Like you, several of my neighbours are away so I am really enjoying the quiet. No kiddies but my immediate neighbour has a yappy dog which she shouts at very loudly, it then yaps even more and so it goes on..

Just starting to get cloudy here now after another beautiful morning and am looking forward to, and also dreading, the rain. Good because it will give the garden a soak but not so good because it may also give my kitchen one too! The roof started leaking after that dreadful rain we had the other week so they came on Wednesday and painted on some thick gooey stuff which sadly didn't work as was proved when it rained again that evening. They came back on Thursday though and had a more thorough go using cement to fill the cracks between the stone and also more sealent so fingers crossed I won't need the strategically placed towels!

Bought more goodies for the birds today so that should keep them happily chirping away for a bit.

Take care  Sue x

Hi susu

Hope the kitchen stayed dry.  Had this problem a good few years ago when got up one morning to find the rain indoors!! Sadly too far gone to patch so we ended up with new flat roofing.

Good sunny walk and ended up being too early for the garden centre so sat on the seat and watched the world go by for 15mins (obviously walked too fast ha ha).  I bought four cyclamen plants, three bags of bulbs, two bags of bird seed, two potential Christmas gifts and the item I went for in the first place, the windchime. Had a coffee and then began the walk back.  About half way home it began to drizzle and the bags were a bit heavier than I planned.  I cheated and caught a bus.  Luckily that got me home before the heavens opened,  Once the rain shower passed I got outside and and put in the plants.  The bulbs I will 'stagger' putting in over the next month so hoping for 'pretty' Spring' flowering. Even found a newt whilst I was weeding (big pond next door).  Weather outlook this week probably means gardening on hold (I am definitely a fair weather gardener!!).

Brolly at the ready for commute today(and most of the week by the looks of it).

Hope you enjoyed the peace (we also have yapping dogs ( but more annoying at night when they appear to leave them out side for a couple of hours) - other side of the service road at the back). Drive's my next door neighbour mad as he does shift work.

Am currently eating breakfast whilst watching goldfinches having theirs together with a crafty pigeon sitting underneath the feeder waiting for  'fallout'!!  Take care and have a good day.Jules x

Morning Jules,

It's raining quite hard here in Sussex and I got quite wet just visiting my neighbour. Should have listened to the brainy one as Mrs B told me to put a coat on but we men think we know better.  Still at least I wont have to water the garden. Managed to mow the front lawn yesterday before it rained. We Have now found a fourth primrose that the birds are responsible for and three of them are in flower. Think our weather has confused our plants as much as it has me. Photo attached.

was give a large piece of Cedar of Lebbanon timber which I was going to turn a large bowl to enter into our annual exhibition next month. Unfortunatly when I inspected it, I found it had splits at the bottom and top. Thought I would try anyway to see if I could glue and fill them but they turned out to be bigger once I had started turning them so will now have to make something else out of them as I dont want to waste the timber. It has a lovely smell to it.

Incidentally, when I was working several years ago at a company that produced anything in oak, I had a job to quote for a building in Jeruselem. Most times you see film of the city you see a large building with a large gold coloured round roof  which is called The Dome of the Rock. It reminds me of the top of a flying saucer. The company wanted a load of large truss type beams made for the outer part that surounds the dome. They were all to be made in Cedar of Lebbannon and were to replace one made of aluminium which were all fracturing to to the heat. Unfortunately I couldnt source enough of the requested timber so were only able to offer  them in oak. A very interasting job to quote for but we didnt get the contract.

Glad you were able to get all you wanted at the garden centre yesterday. Bet they were getting a bit heavy. So now you have planted in your garden, four sickly-men, lit up by stacks of light bulbs and smoothered with bird seed complete with a wind chime for company. We get a lot of starlings visiting our bird table and it's not until you look at them closely, you realize what a pretty bird they are with the feathers showing all the differnt colours. When I did the weeding in the back garden the other day, which Mrs B was supervising, I had a robin watching to see if I turned up any juicy worms. He got quite close at one stage but when I went to get my camera he got all camera shy and flew away just as I was zooming in. We also have a large family of Magpies that are always around.

Hope you dont get wet on you journeys to work this week for as you say the forcast doesnt look to promising. Take care, sending best wishes to you and your family, Brian.

Hi Jules,

Was a little reluctant to go into the kitchen when I got home tonight in case a snorkel & flippers were needed (!) but was very pleasantly surprised to find everything nice & dry. Will reserve judgement until after tomorrows predicted rain and strong winds but it looks like the repair job has worked after all, thank goodness for that.

Glad you managed to get everything you wanted from the garden centre. Sounds like you had an enjoyable walk in and, with all your purchases, very sensible getting the bus some of the way back, not cheating at all in my book.. saved you a soaking, and sore arms to boot! There's nothing nicer than a garden full of colour in the spring (quite like Brian's idea of them being light bulbs!) Having planted them, it alway seems to take an age for them to burst into flower does't it but is certainly worth the wait when they do.

Take care  Sue x

Hi Brian

How lovely to have 'rogue' primroses in bloom; an added bonus that wildlife brings to the garden. Very soggy here after yesterday's showers but did manage the commute without getting wet and no need to water in new plants.  Love your wit as regards my plants and bulbs - how could you have known I also bought a new 'solar' light for the area so 'light bulbs' indeed ha ha. May have to wait a while for a solar glow though beautiful here this  morning, apparently another deluge on its way.  Will make sure to pack brolly in bag when I visit Mum this morning.

Mum not doing so well mentally just now and the GP has 'juggled' her medication again to see if it can make a difference. The staff have noticed more 'switching off' just recently and she is telling everyone that she wishes to 'shut down'.  It's not too easy putting on a bright face when I go along but the staff are very supportive and its a safe environment though depending on how she reacts will determine whether she will need to be hospitalised (just for now she is withdrawn and no threat to others but in the years gone by I have known a different side (as did my late Dad). Hoping for the best just now.

Such a shame about your piece of cedar but with your clever skills am sure you will manage to put it to good use in one form or another.  I was walking round our local cancer charity outlet the other day and was nearly tempted by a lovely piece of gnarled wood. Only left it in place as could not be sure where it would 'look right' and need to de-clutter rather than the opposite as hoping to have the downstairs (we are open plan) decorated/updated next year all being well.

Like you, when on my knees digging the robin is rarely far away and eagerly awaits any offering that turning the soil brings.  I also came to appreciate the colouring of starlings after seeing their 'cousins' in Singapore (even brighter) but they do make an awful noise when they gang up round the feeding station. Just have blue *** and goldfinches making the most of the sunshine to enjoy breakfast at the moment.

Well best get on with my 'mail' and housework before setting off to see Mum and then 'de-stressing' at the gym!  Very best wishes to you, Mrs B and the family. Jules x

Hi Sue

Hope your roof still doing a good job and no waders required!

I think Brian must be phsycic talking about 'light bulbs' as I had also placed a new solar light in my newly planted area -  mind you it may take a while to charge up with the amount of cloud and rain we are supposed to be getting late.  Early  morning sun here just now but not quite warm enough to have brekkie outside today. Birds queuing up on the clothes airer before 'hitting' the feeding station and dive bombing a hopeful pigeon ha ha.

Off to visit Mum in a bit so hopefully the rain will hold off (or I will swap half hour walk for bus again) as am going to the gym afterwards and would rather not arrive looking like a drowned rat!! (brolly going in bag too!!).

Have just heard on the news that the planned tube strikes have been cancelled - yippee - means I can stop worrying about the extra time getting the bus to work takes (I would have to leave home at 7 to make it for 8.30 start) on strike days.

Hope you doing okay and thanks for chatting. Best regards  Jules x

Hi Jules,

Sorry to see in your message to Brian that your Mum is not doing so well at the moment, will have my fingers crossed that the pill juggling helps both her and you.

Everything still dry here and it really did persist down this afternoon so might even risk putting the towels away tomorrow. I'm sure I can hear all the plants giggling with joy at having had such a good drink though!

I moved down to Kent five years ago from London and have to say I really do not miss the commuting at all. Even when the various unions weren't on strike it was still a slog so I am very glad for your sake that it has been called off this time. I now have a 30 minute drive down country lanes and the only hold up is when I get stuck behind a tractor! Part of the way is through some beautiful woods and I love seeing the trees change with the seasons. On one stretch they have grown across the lane so you drive through a tunnel of leaves and it is just lovely (hope you are reading this Brian, given your love of all things arborial?!)

Take care Sue   x

Hi Sue

Like you, glad I do not have to commute into London (many years of doing this pre children!!). Now I only have a ten minute walk plus 10 mins tube trip but if they are on strike (thankfully cancelled this time round) I have further to walk to the bus station and because of all the traffic it can take an hour (usually less when the schools are off). I do not drive so just as well I still live where I do.

Well garden certainly well watered with a few heavy showers yesterday.Lawn regrowth amazing so will need a mow during next dry spell (looking like it could be okay for weekend though will be working bank holiday Monday (the joys of retail!!).  Cheered myself up yesterday by booking a trip in September (end of) to the RHS Malvern Autumn Show - could be some dangerous retail therapy amongst the plants ha ha.

Spent some time with Mum yesterday and then destressed at the gym and got myself a manicure before getting rather damp on the walk home.  Lovely morning though so should not complain. Shame that with the nights drawing in, time spent outside will be more limited (makes the evening seem longer).  Have a good day. Off to work now.  Jules x

Morning Jules,

Picking up on your point about travelling to London, some years ago when I was working for an oak company, I had to travel up to north London and the route I had to take went through the midle of London. Used to take a min of an hour and a half and one day there was an accident and it took me three and a half hours then had problems finding somewhere to park near to the customers house. Only had to do this for a couple of weeks but hated it.

I have had my last injection of B12 today and must admit I am feeling a lot better. The nurse explained that lack of B12 means the red blood ceel get enlarged and dont carry enough oxygen round the body and this explains why I used to get out of breath just going up stairs. I dont have this problem now so thats a plus. Also had to see the vampire nurse for a blood test for my psa regarding my prostate cancer. At least I didnt have to make two journeys. My appiontments have all been at odd times so hopefully can now get back to normal.

I thought of you when I heard the tube strike had been suspended. Sorry to hear you have to work on bank holiday Monday but one conselation is the weather doesnt sound that good. Have just had someone contact me regarding a Yew tree that was cut down about two years ago. So one of our members and I will be going to have a look at it next week. He turns beautiful bowls from home grown timber and looking at the pictures of the timber it should be just right for him while the smaller parts should be just right for my small vases.

I know what you mean about the grass growing. It seems that grass and weeds seem to grow at double the speed of anything else. The nut bush out the front of our house is being visited by the squirell and he has been busy planting the nuts in out front lawn. I know another big squirell who may be visiting the bush and Jules there are no prizes for guessing who that is?????

Once my next craft fair is completed I shall have to get back to my story writting again. I can now use the mic thats built into my laptop with the voice recognition program and have a load of stories to finish and even more ideas for new ones ready to start. Will probably do another short story like I did last year to post on here for the Christmas period.

Take care, sending best wishes to you and your family, Brian.

Hi Brian

Pleased that the course of B12 injections have been successful. Bet you feel like a spring chicken. Funny how we just put up with things and then feel so much better when treated (even though we did not realise there was a problem!).  I am sure you will put your new found energy into the woodturning/craft show and eventually the story writing.  Your youngest grandson will be pleased to hear about the latter I am sure.  Fingers crossed that the latest blood tests for psa levels will bring good news too.

Visited Mum on Tuesday and her blood test results showed her diabetes is well under control but that she is a little aneamic (she is also needing more encouragement to eat and drink which could be half the problem as she normally loves her veggies). The GP has had a chat with her so will see how she goes.

Working in retail you get used to taking your 'turn' for bank holiday working and I will get a day off in lieu  so really do not lose out.  If we do not want to work it then we book it out as holiday.  I have a week's break towards the end of September and have booked a day trip to the RHS Malvern Autumn Show which will be something to look forward to. (will have to watch what I buy as will need to carry them home when 'dropped off' (just 15 mins walk from home). 

Lovely here now following a showery morning so best get the washing on the line. Chat soon and take care of yourself and regards to you, Mrs B and the family.

Hi Jules, hope you managed to plant some more of your "light" bulbs, good idea to stagger them so you get a longer show in the spring. I have a courtyard garden so no mowing involved but funnily enough I do actually miss doing it. I used to find it quite relaxing, wasn't so keen on doing all the edges though!

Sorry to hear you are working on Monday but, as you say, that's retail. When I tell people I work at a University they always assume that we have the whole summer off but it's only the students and some academics who get that luxury, the rest of us carry on regardless.

Our forcast is not looking so fine so suspect there won't be much in the way of garden reading but, if the sun does make an appearance, I'll be straight out there!

Your Malvern trip sounds good and so what if you happen to find a few plants to take home, most people bring back souveniers when they have been away, don't they? Go for it!

Know you what you mean about shorter days, it is a shame, although I am still very tired at the moment and do feel a bit silly closing the curtains at 7.30pm when it is so light outside!

Enjoy what weekend you do have and happy chatting to the birds and butterflies.  Take care  Sue xx