Good morning Jules,

Hope you are keeping well and have fully recovered from your fall. Does shake you up though as I know to my cost.  It must be nice to see your family again. Its okay talking to them over the phone ect but its not the same as meeting them face to face is it. Bet retirement feels nice now that you dont have to go to work but I expect you miss seeing your collegues

There is now no  longer any waiting to get into Tescos so we are back to our usual times.

Early this morning I heard a woodpecker tapping away at our cheery tree He stayed for about five minutes and came back later for a second time.  It occaisionally comes during the day but it is very shy bird and I have not yet managed to get a photo of it. It is very camera shy. 

My garden peas are very tasty and Mrs B's sweet peas should soon be in flower. I have also bought some everlasting sweet pea seeds and nearly all of them have taken. 

I sopke to my sister in Canada and she told me they have had lots of rain over there and several places have been flooded. 

My son tells me he has to start back to work in August. He has been working from home  during most of the lockdown.

We have had a remote control floor standing fan come for Mrs B and the isrtuctions wernt very good. Somehow I assembled it with the fan blades facing the wrong way so had to take it all apart again to put it right. I wont repeat what I called myself ha ha. 

I have finished another short story and have come up with an idea for another one. 

Take care Jules and am sending kind thoughts to you and your family, Brain

Hi Brian,

Hope all is good with you, Mrs B and the family.  I am not sure where the time is going at the moment.  The weather is beautiful and have been out most days for various walks locally as well as getting back to the gym three times a week now that they have re-opened with all the necessary guidelines in place.  Keeping on the move is helping with my hip issues and I soon recovered from the fall (just felt a real idiot when I went down ha ha). Over the counter painkillers from time to time make it easier and I have bought a support for my hip/thigh which enables me to keep up the exercise but too warm to wear when we have the hotter temperatures.

I have to say that I really do not miss work at all and a couple of the girls I worked with are good friends so we see each other socially anyway (currently mainly on socially distanced walks or in back gardens).  Will catch up again with them fairly soon.

Love that you have a woodpecker visiting.  It is very rare for me to get one in my garden but my son sees them from time to time and had a parent and baby on his feeders a few weeks ago.

I have everlasting sweet peas and they do very well and are easily spread. Lovely colours but not much perfume unlike the other variety.

I am waiting for some pondside plants (plugs) to be delivered this week which hopefully will enhance my mini pond area as they grow (bright purple and attract the bees).

My son bought me an early birthday present so I can now film night-time activity with the trail camera, moving it round the garden from night to night.  Love playing it back in the morning and sharing sightings with friends/family and on my social media page.  I have been having a fox passing through the garden for several weeks now and it has also bought it's cub along a couple of times.  Sometimes I am lucky and they come through in the early evening and are very cheeky, looking through my patio doors!!  I am not feeding them but it is a pleasure to see them.

Had a sleepover at my sons last week but will miss out this week and next as have other things on.  I will still see my son on Wednesday evening as he has to administer antibiotics to his pet reptile following surgery and I am happy to hold him to make it easier (his wife not so keen ha ha though is okay when it is in it's vivarium!!).  The grandchildren will visit for some playtime on Thursday a.m. and have lunch here so will catch up them.  They do not expect to return to their respective workplaces on Campus until early September.    My daughter works in a school so is on holiday with the boys and my son in law has been back at work for some time having initially been furloughed. Not at all easy for the small businesses at the moment.

Back to the gym tomorrow so there is some air of normality about  and am really enjoying the garden whilst the weather remains good.  Take good care of yourselves and am keeping you all in my thoughts.  Jules 

Hi Brian,

Hope this reply finds you and Mrs B well.  I am sure the new glasses will help a bit but hope you do not have to wait too long to get the cataracts sorted so that you can get back to the hobbies you enjoy.  In the meantime it sounds like you have plenty to be keeping you busy.

Apart from wearing masks when shopping life is pretty much 'normal' now.  Spent a lovely weekend with my daughter and family last weekend and then she, the boys and dog came home with me and are staying till tomorrow.  My son and family joined us for my birthday on Sunday so was thoroughly spoiled.  Life much better for family time.

I have been doing bits and bobs in the garden and eagerly awaiting harvesting some tomatoes (if they ever get big enough  ha ha) which a friend of mine gave me to 'nurture'.  Birthday presents included a trail camera so can now capture the visiting foxes during the night.  I also have a lovely new pedestal bird bath and some vouchers to spend as well as local jams/biscuits and home made Welsh cakes from my bestie.

Next week will be busy with three gym sessions, two coffee mornings and a day out visiting a local nature reserve.  I went to the London Wetland Centre just over a week ago and was a real pleasure to be out and about in London again.  Social distancing just normal now.

I can understand why the Woodclub has postponed its meetings for now considering all the guidelines that have to be met. It must be hard giving up those little things you enjoy so much.

Hope the new building development has not been too invasive on your local space though no doubt you preferred the previous view!

Had my 're-booked' Italy holiday cancelled again due to lack of numbers to run the tour so I  have now rearranged for June 2021 and fingers crossed for third time lucky.  Will  have to make do with day trips this year.

Stay safe and well and send regards to you and the family.  Jules 

Hi Jules,

Where has this month gone?  Hope you are keeping well. Life has begun a new normal these days hasnt it?  One thing I notice is that as soonas people come out of the shops, the majority whip their face masks off as quickly as possible. 

I have some good news, My psa test was lower than it was six months ago so am very pleased with the results. New glasses are making life easier for driving although we do go far at the moment.

It will soon be October and thats when the chestnuts start appearing on thSo are her rosese shelve or rather in our shopping trolley ha ha. Looking forward to eating some rather lots of them ha ha. 

Have upgraded my ineternet speed instead of about ten I am now acheiving 37 so a lot quicker to do a download now. Mrs B's carnations are still flowering and she has had a lot of them this year.  So are her roses which have also been good this year.  

Have still not done any woodturning as my eyes are good enough to see the detail until I have them done and dont know yet when that will be. 

With regards to the building site opposite us, they brought a huge pile of dirt  which took about a week to build up then they virtually cleared it but then brought a lot of it back. Now they are clearing it again. We are begining to wonder if they know what they are doing!!!!!!!!  They also have a large roller which I believe has a vibration mode on it and the sound goues right through your head after a while and I was very glad when they packed up last night

Had our first China rose radish today and nice it was allthough it was not yet fully grown but it was one I had to take out for thinning purposes. 

Have been busy writing and have finnished several more short stories. I am about to set up a new account with Kindle publishing direct so hope to have some stries online before too lone Will notify you when I have done so.

The grass in our back garden is growing like mad at the moment so have to keep getting the mower out. 

Sending kind thoughts your way, Brian

Hi Brian,

Time really does seem to be moving rather fast (all in the mind of course!!).  I am one of those who cannot wait to remove my mask once back out in the open but usually wait until well away from the shop entrances.  I am still only going when I need essential food shopping and no longer go for a browse as much as I miss the spontaniety  of  an earlier life!!   As you say this is the new normal and looks like its here to stay for some while yet.

Upgrading the internet really makes such a difference(mine done earlier in the year plus cash back if it falls below a certain level now).  I look forward to seeing when you are available as a Kindle author and will be able to claim bragging rights that I know the writer (albeit virtually).  It is handy you can still do this whilst unable to return to your love of woodturning until the operation is able to be carried out (no doubt frustrating).

My daughter and two grandsons both sent home from their (3) schools as they had 'cold' symptons so another week lost.  They did home covid tests and two out of three results are back with negative outcome so just one more to get but pretty sure as he went down with cold last this will also be negative.  Schools wont let them back to work/class until all results back so fingers crossed by Monday.   My son and family are about to move into a rented property for a couple of weeks whilst they have major changes done to the ground floor (walls moved, plastering and new kitchen installed).  As their eldest is now going to full time school (how can she have grown up so quickly) they need to stay close by otherwise could have stayed with family for the duration.   

I am still getting out for plenty of walks whilst the weather is so good and the gym sessions are also still keeping things feeling a bit normal.  A couple of gym members are also interested in getting the walking habit so socially distanced planned meet ups to see us through Autumn/Winter; will feel a little strange as so used to walking alone.  I also now have a litter picker so can help the environment en route and clear up after the annoying people who like to drop stuff instead of take it home and get rid of it responsibly (just going to jump off my soapbox now).  

The garden continues to bring pleasure just like yours does for you and Mrs B.  I am harvesting mini tomatoes and still hoping the rest will ripen.  Today have planted anenome bulbs and begun the continuous sowing of wildflower seeds so fingers crossed for more colour next year.

Within the current guidelines am meeting friends for a walk/coffee/chat next Monday/Wednesday and Friday and not missing the thought of 'retail preparations for Christmas' which are already in full swing!

Shame about the dirt fiasco relating to the nearby building works and the noise pollution too. Ear plugs come to mind!!  Hopefully they can get this part of the work done before the rain returns to make an even muddier mess. 

Enjoy the fresh chestnut season (know you will). I am trying to ignore the fact that the 'goodies' are already beginning to hit the shelves as no at all essential ha ha.  Stay safe and well and good wishes sent back via this virtual meeting place to you both and the family.  Jules

Good morning Jules.

Hope you have been keeping well. Still doing the walks and gym sessions I expect. I hope the building work has gone well for your family and the grndchildren were able to get back to school

My youngest one with the trachy has still not been able to go back as there has been some problems withe the training of his classroon assistant. By son is far from happy about it and as grandparents we are finding it very frustrating.

I am a very happy chapie as on Tuesday when we visited Mr Tesco's shop. they had chesnuts in stock. Two bags mysteriosly levitated from a shelh near the floor into our trolley but unfortunately Mrs B caught me lifting the third and fourth bags so the mystery was solved ha ha. 

I am now the proud owner of a smart phone having got it yesterday afternoon. Managed to set most of it set up yesterday but still have a few more things to do today. I needed it as when I went to book into Kindle they need to send me a text. Need to get some strories on there as i have finnished another four stories in the past ten days. I now have about 75 short stories completed. As soon as I have got the first one on Kindle I will let you know.

Our woodclub has recently been given a load of tools and timber as one of the founding members is having to go into a nursing home. Which is very sad as he used to do some lovely carvings. We are to sell all the items and 50% will go to wood club funds while the other 50% is ti to go to alziemers society, a worth while cause. 

Arnt the mornings staying dark later and the nights really are drawing in. Winter is coming .We have about ten Rhoededendron blooms out at the moment. Since we were given it many years ago it has always bloomed twices a year. We also have our first primrose out according to Mrs B

Take care Jules and am sending kind thoughts your way, Brian

Hi Brian,

Hope all is well with your, Mrs B and the family.

Indeed the walks continue and I am loving the Autumnal colours.  I do try and get out every day whilst I can and though the hip does give some discomfort am managing to 'walk through it'.  For the coming wet months have found a free local track where I can walk without having to take on the mud as well ha ha.  It's just a mile or so from home so that's the exercise plan sorted.  Also still doing the gym 2/3 times a week and managing my free time now quite well.  

What a shame that your youngest grandson cannot return to school and can understand how frustrating it is for all concerned.  Do hope they can sort something out really soon as he must miss his friends too.  Luckily all four of mine have had not problems.  Eldest two have been in school throughout as my daughter is a school cleaner and now on full time duties.  My son's two (4+ and 2+) are also back with my grand-daughter thoroughly enjoying her new full time school and the youngest going to nursery three times a week which helps as my son and daughter in law continue to work from home.  

Not such good news for me as during the last spell of heavy rain the roof leaked and so now awaiting the roofers to hopefully begin work next week (though the forecast does not look helpful!!).  Also having some other outside work done to make everything ready for the colder months and hopefully in a week's time this hassle will be behind me.  Just the boiler to have it's service.  There is always something to see to!!

Glad your fresh chestnut season is bring pleasure and I am sure you can conceal a few more packs from prying eyes!!  Makes you realise that the so called festive season is getting ever nearer.  Think it will be somewhat strange this  year.

Saw my son and family last weekend and guidelines permitting will see my daughter and family soon.

Currently enjoying reviewing the trail camera footage each morning as have three foxes that choose to play in the garden once daylight hours are over.  Often have a foxy face at the back window which cheers me up.

Glad you got yourself sorted with a new phone and know you will find your way around it in no time as you are far more techno savvy than me!!

The garden still not looking too bad for the time of year. Have fuschia, nerine bowdenii and crysanths all giving late colour  as well as still some blooms hanging on on the buddliea and the lawn looks lush after all the rain (but not a chance at mowing the last couple of weeks).  It will be a shock when we get the first frost but so far so good.

Stay safe and well and sending best regards to you all.  Jules 

Hi Jules, 

Glad to hear you are still okay and enjoying life as best you can in these difficult times.

I have got my new phone up and running and am amazed at the things it has on it. It has microsoft office which includes word, exel and power point which I use for my club slide shows. The phone seemed to link with my computer as it has downloaded all my family phone numbers, my wood club members phone number, my slideshows, my stories and a whole lot more. Needless to say I am very pleased with it. When and if we have a committee meeing in the future I can show them a mini size version of any of the slide shows I have on my phone which will be very handy.

Have sent my first text to my son but need a lot more practise on that side of things. 

I have sent you a pm listing the books I now have on Kindle. The worst part is deciding which catergories some of my stories go under as they dont seem to fit in with the amazon listings

A few more bags of chestnuts appeared in our trolley this week ha ha.

The company diiging up the field opposite us are still shifting it frome one place to another. I believe the company are a group who deal with polluted soil and that is why it keeps moving it around. I think it must have been worse than they thought for they keep bringing in more plant and machienery, Will be so glad when its all done and they can start building.

Well take care and am sending best wishes to you, Brian

Hi Brian,

Hope you, Mrs B and the family are all doing okay.  With London going 'up a tier' no household mixing unless in the 'bubble' again for now.  Thankfully so far the gym has remained open and I am getting out most days.  

Currently have the roofers in replacing the flat roof on the loft, kitchen and porch plus some guttering and chimney work so the house will be Winter ready.  Looks as though Christmas shopping will be done mainly from the armchair this  year which is a shame but needs must.

Saw the family (as part of my bubble) last weekend which was lovely and another visit planned for next month.

Enjoy chestnut season and hope the builders across the way soon sling their hook and the works can be finalised though you will always miss the view.  Take care and stay safe. Kind regards to you all. Jules