Woke up late yesterday, head like a badger in a tumble dryer. Rushed around like a lunatic, getting ready to drive down to Kingston Lacy House in Dorset, to meet up with the Omlet forum pals.
Luckily Jase drove in the 4x4 as Mortimer the Mini would not have coped with the flash floods and lakes through Salisbury! I've only ever seen rain like it in Thailand (monsoon season).
We arrived late and raced to the entrance as had to pee! £10 later and bladders empty (we had to pay to get into the grounds), we saw a group of soggy people huddled under a nearby tree. After saying hello, the heavens opened and we made a dash for the car. All headed back to Mel's house nearby! It was really nice putting faces to names and wish I could have stayed longer.
Was up at 5am this morning, squeezed into my freshly dry cleaned uniform and headed for work. The flight to Prague was uneventful and i'm sat in my room with peanut butter rolls, a book on chickens and a mug of hot chocolate. What more do I need? Will be in Oslo tomorrow night, just 14 hours (which is enough if you ask me).
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
A Garden Update
I had my last physio appointment today, no comments about my two-tone arms, and was sent away with exercises to strenghten my back muscles. Popped to the market in Andover on my way home and bought some bits and pieces. When I got back to the car park, a beaten up old transit van was parked next to me. The passenger smoking a dubiously long, hand rolled cigarette! The side door opened and 8 'New Age Summer Solstice supporters' (or hippies for the un-pc) fell out, followed by several empty beer cans and bottles!!! They were trying to scrape 60p together to pay for the car park. Bless 'em! I still had time left on my ticket, so I gave it to them, to which I received thanks and eternal peace!
Got home to find Jase in hyper-mode, hoovering the whole house. The spiders webs were everywhere and having a spider phobia, he probably wasn't the best person to do it! Needless to say the hoover bag ended up in the bin. Not too sure how many spiders he hoovered up!
Its been raining on and off for a few days but the garden is loving it! The beans are getting really tall and i have picked 4 bunches of sweetpeas already!
Still lots more to plant though (sorry, turn your head sideways)!!
Some of the rocket I planted had gone to seed, but the girls tucked in!
We visited Annie & Jonnie the other day, to visit their new ex-battery hens! They were pretty well feathered and all had fantastic character! Jase suggested we get an eglu cube! *faints in shock*
We have a long stretch of garden along the side of the house, on a bank with a few 'wild' shrubs. It is a bit of a wasted area, so we are thinking of levelling it and putting the cube and a greenhouse (yay)! there........just need to find someone to do it!
Poor Babs is sooo scruffy due to her moult, she looks a bit like a fluffy umbrella at the moment! Still no eggs from her, but she is well in herself and thats the main thing. If (when) we get more hens the pressure will be off the other girls and I might be able to sell some!
Just sorting out winter, (yes Winter!) leave for work, trying to organise time off for the summer too and Jase has booked the Eden Project in Cornwall!!!!! I have wanted to go there for years. 13th August for 2 days staying in a nearby hotel. Only a couple more weeks until we go to Portugal for a week. Our first proper holiday together. Hope we don't kill each other!!!!!!
Got home to find Jase in hyper-mode, hoovering the whole house. The spiders webs were everywhere and having a spider phobia, he probably wasn't the best person to do it! Needless to say the hoover bag ended up in the bin. Not too sure how many spiders he hoovered up!
Its been raining on and off for a few days but the garden is loving it! The beans are getting really tall and i have picked 4 bunches of sweetpeas already!
Still lots more to plant though (sorry, turn your head sideways)!!
Some of the rocket I planted had gone to seed, but the girls tucked in!
We visited Annie & Jonnie the other day, to visit their new ex-battery hens! They were pretty well feathered and all had fantastic character! Jase suggested we get an eglu cube! *faints in shock*
We have a long stretch of garden along the side of the house, on a bank with a few 'wild' shrubs. It is a bit of a wasted area, so we are thinking of levelling it and putting the cube and a greenhouse (yay)! there........just need to find someone to do it!
Poor Babs is sooo scruffy due to her moult, she looks a bit like a fluffy umbrella at the moment! Still no eggs from her, but she is well in herself and thats the main thing. If (when) we get more hens the pressure will be off the other girls and I might be able to sell some!
Just sorting out winter, (yes Winter!) leave for work, trying to organise time off for the summer too and Jase has booked the Eden Project in Cornwall!!!!! I have wanted to go there for years. 13th August for 2 days staying in a nearby hotel. Only a couple more weeks until we go to Portugal for a week. Our first proper holiday together. Hope we don't kill each other!!!!!!
Friday, June 15, 2007
Home again, but not for long!
Just back from a 3 day Duesseldorf/Vienna trip! Quite nice, just chilled out and read my new book c/o AnnieP!
Jase is away for 3 days now but we managed to see eachother briefly!
I got home at 11.30 this morning and went straight out (in the rain) to see the girls. Babs is looking really tatty, and has lost more feathers! They are everywhere but I can see new ones growing through already. Laverne and Shirley have been laying well, such a shame we can't eat Laverne's eggs for another few days (due to the antibiotics).
The sweetpeas and beans are huge, amazing what the rain has done for them. The rest is coming along nicely! Will post pics next week on my part time week.
They have given me a Moscow and back tomorrow! BOOOOOOOOO! I check in at 07.40 and finish at 19.15!!!!!! At least I am off for a week after that. 200 miserable russians, drinking their own vodka and trying to have a sneaky fag in the toilets! I can't wait.
Off to tuck the girls in bed now and then a M & S blueberry and blackberry fruity dessert with a cuppa!
*less than 1% fat, other desserts are available*
Night All!
Jase is away for 3 days now but we managed to see eachother briefly!
I got home at 11.30 this morning and went straight out (in the rain) to see the girls. Babs is looking really tatty, and has lost more feathers! They are everywhere but I can see new ones growing through already. Laverne and Shirley have been laying well, such a shame we can't eat Laverne's eggs for another few days (due to the antibiotics).
The sweetpeas and beans are huge, amazing what the rain has done for them. The rest is coming along nicely! Will post pics next week on my part time week.
They have given me a Moscow and back tomorrow! BOOOOOOOOO! I check in at 07.40 and finish at 19.15!!!!!! At least I am off for a week after that. 200 miserable russians, drinking their own vodka and trying to have a sneaky fag in the toilets! I can't wait.
Off to tuck the girls in bed now and then a M & S blueberry and blackberry fruity dessert with a cuppa!
*less than 1% fat, other desserts are available*
Night All!
Thursday, June 07, 2007
What a Week!
Been really worried about the two girls this week. The tablets are huge, so we decided to grind them down and sprinkle the 'dust' into their pellet mash. They now get 2 bowls a day instead of just one in the evening! They seem to be enjoying the extras! We have to separate Shirley so she doesn't get the antibiotics. She gets her own bowl. Spoilt chickens. They are both doing really well and BIG NEWS, Laverne has laid TWO proper eggs, even though the vet said she would probably never lay again and Babs is back to her old self again :0)
On Tuesday night we decided to have a chinese as it was easy and it had been a long day. About 8pm Jase said he felt really bloated and sick. By 9pm he was lying in the lounge, really in pain. I called NHS direct and they advised me to call an ambulance! I rallied the neighbours round to wait at the bottom of the lane, as we are quite remote here. The paramedics eventually turned up and we were whisked away to hospital.
After several jabs of morphine he felt so much better and the Doctor advised that he has damaged his stomach lining with the new tablets he has to take. He was discharged and we got a taxi home about 1.30 in the morning. The taxi driver thought he was Jensen Button and i'm sure he fell asleep a couple of times! We made it home in one piece.
I was so worried about him. He never takes tablets for a headache so I knew this was bad! I really felt for him.
On a positive note, we ate the first lettuce, well first anything, from the veg garden today!!! :0)
I never thought lettuce could taste so good!
I had another physio appointment today. She commented on my 2 tone arms! Cheeky mare. Apparently I have a lot of tension in my neck. 'Are you suffering any stress at the moment'?? Err yes, You could say that! I left feeling better. Think the almond oil massage helped.
A difficult week but we are getting there slowly. 'Life is a jobby sandwich' as someone once said!
On Tuesday night we decided to have a chinese as it was easy and it had been a long day. About 8pm Jase said he felt really bloated and sick. By 9pm he was lying in the lounge, really in pain. I called NHS direct and they advised me to call an ambulance! I rallied the neighbours round to wait at the bottom of the lane, as we are quite remote here. The paramedics eventually turned up and we were whisked away to hospital.
After several jabs of morphine he felt so much better and the Doctor advised that he has damaged his stomach lining with the new tablets he has to take. He was discharged and we got a taxi home about 1.30 in the morning. The taxi driver thought he was Jensen Button and i'm sure he fell asleep a couple of times! We made it home in one piece.
I was so worried about him. He never takes tablets for a headache so I knew this was bad! I really felt for him.
On a positive note, we ate the first lettuce, well first anything, from the veg garden today!!! :0)
I never thought lettuce could taste so good!
I had another physio appointment today. She commented on my 2 tone arms! Cheeky mare. Apparently I have a lot of tension in my neck. 'Are you suffering any stress at the moment'?? Err yes, You could say that! I left feeling better. Think the almond oil massage helped.
A difficult week but we are getting there slowly. 'Life is a jobby sandwich' as someone once said!
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Poorly Chicken
I took Laverne and Babs to the avian vet today. Laverne has been laying her soft eggs for a while now and Babs was just not herself. He examined Babs and diagnosed egg peritonitis. He used a huge needle and syringe and extracted nearly 300ml of yellow gunk from her abdomen. The poor girl! It is a life threatening condition and she is really not a well hen. She has antibiotics to take for 10 days so fingers crossed she will be ok. She is looking really sorry for herself and took herself off to bed at 5pm. I am hoping that she will be perkier tomorrow.
Laverne has a possible cyst which he drained, but thinks it is unlikely she will ever lay again :o(
They are pets so the egg thing isn't so important, I just hope she will be okay too!
Shirley is as funny as ever, eating, dust bathing and laying like a trooper!!
Feeling really down today as life seems to be getting on top of me.
Tomorrow will be better.
Laverne has a possible cyst which he drained, but thinks it is unlikely she will ever lay again :o(
They are pets so the egg thing isn't so important, I just hope she will be okay too!
Shirley is as funny as ever, eating, dust bathing and laying like a trooper!!
Feeling really down today as life seems to be getting on top of me.
Tomorrow will be better.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Oslo
Here I am in Oslo, watching the clock. Pick up from the hotel is in 2 hours and I need to get ready. Can't muster up the energy. Clicked on new post on here and its all in Norweigen! Think i'm doing it right though. We'll find out when i click publish and it deletes my whole blog! Day five of a seven day block. tick tock. In Lyon tonight and home late tomorrow evening. Looking at myself in the mirror here and my hair is so big!!! Really need a hair cut. Its thin, but bushy if that makes sense?
Jase said we had a major storm the other night and the potato plants haven't faired well. Will have a look at the damage on Saturday. Girls are fine, still no eggs from Laverne or Babs. Bless them! I think Babs is moulting as she is looking really scruffy at the mo, she is the oldest of the 3, so it figures that she is the first to moult. She looks a little bit out on the town, morning after kind of look. Feather coat and no knickers!
Praying for warm weather as i'm sure i'm suffering from SAD. Just want a bit of sun!
All ready now, just wondering if my shirt needs ironing or if the creases will fall out when i put it on? They'll fall out! Really spotty at the moment. Probably hormonal. Its amazing how hotel bathroom mirrors make you look really brown, then you walk out back to albino land! 1 hour 20 to go. A 45 minute bus ride to the airport then a full flight back to London. Joy.
i've had 2 biscuits and a couple of diet cokes for breakfast. Heathly eating gone mad. Will wait til i get on the plane and savour the delights of aircraft catering me thinks.
Jase said we had a major storm the other night and the potato plants haven't faired well. Will have a look at the damage on Saturday. Girls are fine, still no eggs from Laverne or Babs. Bless them! I think Babs is moulting as she is looking really scruffy at the mo, she is the oldest of the 3, so it figures that she is the first to moult. She looks a little bit out on the town, morning after kind of look. Feather coat and no knickers!
Praying for warm weather as i'm sure i'm suffering from SAD. Just want a bit of sun!
All ready now, just wondering if my shirt needs ironing or if the creases will fall out when i put it on? They'll fall out! Really spotty at the moment. Probably hormonal. Its amazing how hotel bathroom mirrors make you look really brown, then you walk out back to albino land! 1 hour 20 to go. A 45 minute bus ride to the airport then a full flight back to London. Joy.
i've had 2 biscuits and a couple of diet cokes for breakfast. Heathly eating gone mad. Will wait til i get on the plane and savour the delights of aircraft catering me thinks.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
A day out with Omlet
Was up at the crack of dawn today, let the girls out and had a marlboro light and a cup of tea for brekkie!
Drove to Romsey for the Hampshire Show! Helping out at the Omlet Stand! Met the delightful Simon, see pics on www.omlet.co.uk>clothing>mens, thats his backside in the pants!!
I had a really good day! Got to talk to people all day about CHICKENS! Showed them my hen photo album (Simon laughed) but I sold an eglu!!!! He didn't! hehe
He put his 'Indiana Jones' hat on after a while as he said he was getting sun burnt! Cloudy day, i thought i was fine, until I got home. Red face, neck and flashing red nose. I look like i've been downing meths for years! I'm gonna ache tomorrow.
Back to work tomorrow, 7 days on again! Brussels tomorrow night then Oslo for a night, back home then off on another 3 day trip.
Taking laverne to an avian vet on Sunday 3rd, to see if he can work out her 'soft egg' problems. Hopefully a lie down on the couch and talking things through will help her. If she never lays another proper egg it doesn't matter. Wouldn't be without her! Shirley is still laying like a trooper and Babs is just Babs.
Off to bed now, up reasonably early to pack and get things sorted. Hoping days off will come round quickly.
night!
Drove to Romsey for the Hampshire Show! Helping out at the Omlet Stand! Met the delightful Simon, see pics on www.omlet.co.uk>clothing>mens, thats his backside in the pants!!
I had a really good day! Got to talk to people all day about CHICKENS! Showed them my hen photo album (Simon laughed) but I sold an eglu!!!! He didn't! hehe
He put his 'Indiana Jones' hat on after a while as he said he was getting sun burnt! Cloudy day, i thought i was fine, until I got home. Red face, neck and flashing red nose. I look like i've been downing meths for years! I'm gonna ache tomorrow.
Back to work tomorrow, 7 days on again! Brussels tomorrow night then Oslo for a night, back home then off on another 3 day trip.
Taking laverne to an avian vet on Sunday 3rd, to see if he can work out her 'soft egg' problems. Hopefully a lie down on the couch and talking things through will help her. If she never lays another proper egg it doesn't matter. Wouldn't be without her! Shirley is still laying like a trooper and Babs is just Babs.
Off to bed now, up reasonably early to pack and get things sorted. Hoping days off will come round quickly.
night!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Why?
Why is it that when I want something done, I can't wait a while to think things through?? The builder/gardener eventually sent me a text to explain that he was having a life crisis. I text back to say thats ok, call me when you get a chance. He did. He promised that he would give me a revised quote, as I had built the raised beds myself. 'I promise I will call you tomorrow' he said. That was last Saturday.
Today I decided that I could build the path linking the house to the garage and compost bins. How deluded am I? What qualifications do i have? Apart from owning a rather fine pair of Caterpiller boots, none! So it began. Got the trusty, heavy, mattock from the shed ( a kind of flat pick axe) and started hacking away at the earth. 1 1/2 hours later I had unearthed a 30cm patch. 5 more metres to go!
By the time I got to the cherry tree, I nearly passed out. Sweat dripping from my nose (not a good look) and black feet, as I was wearing my crocs. Thank God, 2 polish workers with tops off walked past the field next door. It gave me a chance to have a refreshing marlboro light and diet coke. To sit and watch the scenery.
After 4 hours of punishing-body-screaming-no, manual work, it is done! Well half of it. Covered in weed suppressing membrane it looks crap, but with a magical sprinkling of gravel it will do the job. Only the other half, fences to put up and a large flower bed to dig, and then i'm done! :0)
Think of the money i'm saving! I don't give a hoot about the money!! I have blisters on my hands, arms are killing me and my back is in spasm. I can hear the physio rubbing her hands together in glee. More money for her! The satisfaction of doing it myself, who cares! I'm aching!!!!! If I haven't lost 3 stone, then i'll be seriously hacked off.
A dinner of onion rings and hummous will do the trick. I always eat really badly when Jase is away. Delia Smith, One is fun, I think not.
Today I decided that I could build the path linking the house to the garage and compost bins. How deluded am I? What qualifications do i have? Apart from owning a rather fine pair of Caterpiller boots, none! So it began. Got the trusty, heavy, mattock from the shed ( a kind of flat pick axe) and started hacking away at the earth. 1 1/2 hours later I had unearthed a 30cm patch. 5 more metres to go!
By the time I got to the cherry tree, I nearly passed out. Sweat dripping from my nose (not a good look) and black feet, as I was wearing my crocs. Thank God, 2 polish workers with tops off walked past the field next door. It gave me a chance to have a refreshing marlboro light and diet coke. To sit and watch the scenery.
After 4 hours of punishing-body-screaming-no, manual work, it is done! Well half of it. Covered in weed suppressing membrane it looks crap, but with a magical sprinkling of gravel it will do the job. Only the other half, fences to put up and a large flower bed to dig, and then i'm done! :0)
Think of the money i'm saving! I don't give a hoot about the money!! I have blisters on my hands, arms are killing me and my back is in spasm. I can hear the physio rubbing her hands together in glee. More money for her! The satisfaction of doing it myself, who cares! I'm aching!!!!! If I haven't lost 3 stone, then i'll be seriously hacked off.
A dinner of onion rings and hummous will do the trick. I always eat really badly when Jase is away. Delia Smith, One is fun, I think not.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Rain, rain go away
The birthday celebration was a quiet one. Roaring fire and a chinese takeaway. Just the way I like it. I'm too old for all this party nonsense :0)
I got lots of pressies including an outside tap, (seriously)! dvds, wooden seed trays, candles, a jelly pan, lots of chicken things and an adopted battery chicken sponsership. We now sponser Corky and Lady! see www.BHWT.co.uk for further details!
Our next door neighbour, built me a table out of a huge cross section of wood, with a tree trunk as legs, he even carved our initials into it. It is soooo cool. Will have pride of place in the garden, when I muster up the energy to do it.
My family came over for a bar-b-q on Sunday and the weather was great! Jase fell asleep in front of the tv watching Shrek with my nephew. I raced around the kitchen, preparing salads, plates and drinks etc, muttering 'private catering' under my breath.
Everyone had a nice day, me included. Fell asleep at 10.30 and slept like a log!
Had to go to Guildford hospital for Jase's results. Good news, the 'Prof' is really pleased with his progress and blood tests! We celebrated by going into Southampton and did a bit of shopping. Had to visit John Lewis and have a healthy bowl of soup and sour dough bread! Ok, with 2 packs of butter!
Laverne is much better, Shirley is laying like a machine and Babs is just, well, free loading! No eggs from her for 2 weeks now. Think she might be moulting, or broody or just stubborn. They are still all my babies though!
Jase is back at work tomorrow for a 3 day trip, but I still have 5 days off. He is just packing and I have just caught him scraping chicken poo off his new shoes! Hehe. He loves them too!
I'm working at the Hampshire County Show in Romsey on Saturday, (the OMLET stand :0) ) so if you are passing, pop in and say hello. Until then. C x
I got lots of pressies including an outside tap, (seriously)! dvds, wooden seed trays, candles, a jelly pan, lots of chicken things and an adopted battery chicken sponsership. We now sponser Corky and Lady! see www.BHWT.co.uk for further details!
Our next door neighbour, built me a table out of a huge cross section of wood, with a tree trunk as legs, he even carved our initials into it. It is soooo cool. Will have pride of place in the garden, when I muster up the energy to do it.
My family came over for a bar-b-q on Sunday and the weather was great! Jase fell asleep in front of the tv watching Shrek with my nephew. I raced around the kitchen, preparing salads, plates and drinks etc, muttering 'private catering' under my breath.
Everyone had a nice day, me included. Fell asleep at 10.30 and slept like a log!
Had to go to Guildford hospital for Jase's results. Good news, the 'Prof' is really pleased with his progress and blood tests! We celebrated by going into Southampton and did a bit of shopping. Had to visit John Lewis and have a healthy bowl of soup and sour dough bread! Ok, with 2 packs of butter!
Laverne is much better, Shirley is laying like a machine and Babs is just, well, free loading! No eggs from her for 2 weeks now. Think she might be moulting, or broody or just stubborn. They are still all my babies though!
Jase is back at work tomorrow for a 3 day trip, but I still have 5 days off. He is just packing and I have just caught him scraping chicken poo off his new shoes! Hehe. He loves them too!
I'm working at the Hampshire County Show in Romsey on Saturday, (the OMLET stand :0) ) so if you are passing, pop in and say hello. Until then. C x
Friday, May 18, 2007
Ups and Downs!
Well its been a strange week really. Its my birthday tomorrow and I just feel like i'm running out of time to get things done.
Poor Laverne was all hunched up in the run today, a sure sign that all is not well. She has been laying soft shelled and no shelled eggs for a couple of weeks. She is normally 'hunched', lays a softie then returns to normal. After 6 hours of the 'hunching' I took her to the vet, who gave her an antibiotic injection and some tablets. She is now in a cat basket with a good book, horlicks and a hot water bottle, enjoying Gardeners World and the open fire!
The veggie garden is doing well. I'm really pleased. I took some spare brussel sprout plants to Annie's yesterday. She was having a new eglu 'cube' delivered! Its gorgeous and can house up to 10 chickens. Hmmmmm got me thinking now!
The 'Cube' in all its glory
Isn't it wonderful??!
Love the colour!
Look at my Tatties matron!
And the Sweet peas/runners beans!!
Jase is stacking my birthday presents on the dining table as I type!!! Bless him! I'm so excited! we are spending the day blocking the holes in the porch with chicken wire to stop the flying rats (starlings) nesting!!! They have already made one nest and the chicks left today. Lo and behold, the buggers have started building another one! The white 'pebble dashing' effect they have left behind on the brickwork isn't really my taste! Whats wrong with trees??? We live in the country for Gods sake! Damn birds!
Family are coming over on Sunday for a Bar-b-q, so will be preparing salads and the like. Jase will be in charge of cooking! You can't beat the taste of charred sausage with raw middle! The cleaning of the barbie is my favourite chore! Will savour that for next time we need it!
Good night All.
C x x x
Poor Laverne was all hunched up in the run today, a sure sign that all is not well. She has been laying soft shelled and no shelled eggs for a couple of weeks. She is normally 'hunched', lays a softie then returns to normal. After 6 hours of the 'hunching' I took her to the vet, who gave her an antibiotic injection and some tablets. She is now in a cat basket with a good book, horlicks and a hot water bottle, enjoying Gardeners World and the open fire!
The veggie garden is doing well. I'm really pleased. I took some spare brussel sprout plants to Annie's yesterday. She was having a new eglu 'cube' delivered! Its gorgeous and can house up to 10 chickens. Hmmmmm got me thinking now!
The 'Cube' in all its glory
Isn't it wonderful??!
Love the colour!
Look at my Tatties matron!
And the Sweet peas/runners beans!!
Jase is stacking my birthday presents on the dining table as I type!!! Bless him! I'm so excited! we are spending the day blocking the holes in the porch with chicken wire to stop the flying rats (starlings) nesting!!! They have already made one nest and the chicks left today. Lo and behold, the buggers have started building another one! The white 'pebble dashing' effect they have left behind on the brickwork isn't really my taste! Whats wrong with trees??? We live in the country for Gods sake! Damn birds!
Family are coming over on Sunday for a Bar-b-q, so will be preparing salads and the like. Jase will be in charge of cooking! You can't beat the taste of charred sausage with raw middle! The cleaning of the barbie is my favourite chore! Will savour that for next time we need it!
Good night All.
C x x x
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