Weather forecast box on forum

[jane jackson]

My weather forecast box on the forum has got stuck on tuesday 10th August! Is this just on my screen or is it the same for us all? Not that it matters but I just wondered why.

[Gill Bilcliffe]

My weather forecast box on the forum has got stuck on tuesday 10th August! Is this just on my screen or is it the same for us all? Not that it matters but I just wondered why.

So it is Jane. Hadn't noticed the date each day since 10th just the temperature. Writing of which what a dull windy cool day we had here today felt autumnal when out for a walk this afternoon. September will be a dry warm month for your holiday here in "sunny" East Anglia Kath.

[Kath Mulligan]

I'd noticed that the weather icon for PZ had stuck too.

Sorry to hear that you have had autumnal weather yesterday, Gill. We've had that for several weeks now but I'm delighted to say that summer returned for us this weekend and Sunday and yesterday were glorious - hot and sunny. Back to normal today though with grey damp skies.

Elizabeth has a couple of days off work so we took the opportunity to have a day out yesterday at Trentham Gardens and Monkey Forest in Staffordshire. It was fabulous. Monkey Forest has 140 barbary macaques wandering freely in a vast area of woodland so that was huge fun, then we had a leisurely cruise up a mile long lake to the north end of Trentham Estate where there are some spectacular Italianate gardens with herbaceous borders that were looking at their best. We had planned to walk back to the car park alongside the lake but my back was giving me gyp by then so we hopped on the boat and cruised back again too - a very civilised way to spend a day! The only problem was that being August and in school holidays the place was heaving with families with over-excited screaming children. We shall go back again sometime out of high season and enjoy being able to wander in relative peace and quiet.

Kath

[Gill Bilcliffe]

We tend to go to out of the way places to avoid the families over the summer school holiday as not having grandchildren it is difficult being around noisy children and the crowds. We were horrified when we reached Sheringham on Saturday to see the amount of cars clogging up the streets and no room to walk along the pavement. Norwich is a nightmare for crowds at the moment but today we will brave the pandemonium as a trip is essential today. Roll on September!!

[Kath Mulligan]

The peak season holiday crowds are the only thing that would put me off the idea of living in Cornwall. I hate being pushed and jostled around, and other people's misbehaving children drive me insane! I could have happily clipped several of them around the ear yesterday - and that was just the parents who seemed to have no control over their offspring whatsoever! I fear that I should turn into a grumpy recluse in July and August, emerging to do essential shopping either first thing in the morning, or in the evening and staying at home the rest of the time. Oh dear, what a misery I am!!

Kath

[jane jackson]

We tend to avoid the seafront during the day at this time of year as there are so many cars and lots of people crossing the road which causes queues. The Bypass is usually ok. When we went to Porth Kidney beach yesterday there were very few folk there around 10 - 11am but as we were leaving quite a few people were then arriving. Wyevale GC was very quiet. The Bay is usually very busy with yachts which have blue and red sails as well as white, wind surfers, kayakers and small fishing boats so that looks great with quite a few folk enjoying the sun on Long Rock and Marazion beaches. We normally take the dogs to the beach by 8am so not too crowded then as visitors are still having breakfast.

[pauline]

Sorry to hear that you have had autumnal weather yesterday, Gill. We've had that for several weeks now but I'm delighted to say that summer returned for us this weekend and Sunday and yesterday were glorious - hot and sunny. Back to normal today though with grey damp skies.



Made a right old blooper last week. With Autumn not too far off (sorry) saw that a neighbour had taken delivery of a load of logs and you have to order reasonably early to get some which have been seasoned, so phoned to order. Well! what I didn't realise is that the neighbour had had a HALF load and when a lorry arrived and tipped them out, Well ! It took us about 3hrs to shift the blessed things, a good pile in the garage to dry them out and the rest are in a mountainous heap in the garden. The plus side is there are twice as many as last year and £20 cheaper and they look good, split and not too long, the minus side is the recrimination for ordering so many. Next time, probably in 3yrs, I'll know better. :oops!:

[gloria townsin]

Mullion is pleasantly in holiday mode it seemed today. A family on bicycles going through the village, children and parents choosing postcards in the Post Office and others looking in gift shop windows. As the village stores rely so much on summer trade I was glad to see them. But then I think the Lizard is a bit off the beaten track and although there are holiday makers here it doesn't have the razzmatazz of the bigger holiday places. Porthleven Harbour Day this weekend, I really cannot believe it is a year ago we went.......how that year has flown. Then it is Mullion Harbour Day and Scarecrow Festival the following weekend. Is August going as quickly for you as it is for me? Wonder why Jan and Feb don't go as fast............wish we didn't have to turn back the clocks that would make a huge difference to the winter.

[pauline]

Gloria, I seem to be loosing track where you are as I thought you had just arrived back home last week? I think you must alternate locations, a few weeks in Cornwall then back. How did the viewing go. The market seems very slow here.
Yes, the months are flying by, hence my previous post and have had the chimney swept and the boiler serviced.

When we lived in Sidmouth it was lovely except for peak holiday times. We couldn't grumble because holidaymakers are entitled to share the beautiful coast and enjoy themselves, but we were frustrated that we couldn't just pop into town because we couldn't park the car.

[jane jackson]

, Well ! It took us about 3hrs to shift the blessed things, a good pile in the garage to dry them out and the rest are in a mountainous heap in the garden.!:

That reminded me of us on Exmoor when we'd had a delivery of logs. They were tipped out of the trailer at the entrance to the yard as that was the closest place to the log store which was sited conveniently for nipping out of the bungalow to fill up the basket. I used to hurl them up the sloping path towards Bryan who stacked them in the lean to. Every so often we would get it wrong and he had to duck or shout! We now have a gas fire which is much easier but not so much fun. Mnd you it's definitely not fun at the moment as last winter it kept turning itself off and the engineer was baffled. In the end most of the innards were replaced and it was only installed new by us in August 2006. That was in May and of course it's been really hot so no need for a fire but we thought we ought to try it soon and lo and behold it's still turning itself off so back to the drawing board. For the last 2 evenings we've had the fire lit (for as long as it stayed on) with the outside door open!!!!

Gloria, assume you are now back at Bryher ~ enjoy all your local festivities.

[adesmith]

The peak season holiday crowds are the only thing that would put me off the idea of living in Cornwall.

I think I would find it frustrating as well. The people in Cornwall are always so much more friendly when we visit in February and October and I guess its because they arent so busy with the tourists. What we have found though and Jane alluded to it, is that you know where to go and where not to go. Having to holiday in the school holidays we are careful about what we plan to do. Eg this holiday we only popped into St Ives for a couple of hours and then left and Jane really helped us with Porth Kidney beach which is never busy. We also know the roads pretty well now and so will cut across country rather than staying on the main roads. The funny thing this year was that it didnt seem quite as busy as normal. We decided to visit the Mount and expected it to be heaving but it wasnt - it was busy than Oct or Feb when we have been but not nearly as bad as I have seen it.

Gill, I was in Gloucestershire today and a local weather man who has a reputation for being right was on the radio. The good news is that he confirmed what you said and September is going to be warm and sunny. The bad news is that he predicted another cold winter!!! I guess these things do often happen in cycles!

[Gill Bilcliffe]

That is good news Adrian a lovely sunny September. We will certainly need it if it is to be a long cold winter!! Oh dear winter woollies time again soon.

[gloria townsin]

La la la la la........I refuse to listen to bad winter weather reports........if I don't hear them, they might not happen............can't bear the thought so until it's winter I'm not going to think about it. I have had to remind myself a couple of times, however, that it is August!!

[adesmith]

Gloria, you know that you cant wait to dig out your scarf and gloves and get building your snowman again!

I have to admit that in previous years when I have heard a forecast of a severe winter, I have actually thought how nice. A real winter, snuggling up in front of the fire (even though its just an electric one), pretty winter landscapes and snow activities. But the past winter was such a shock, so prolonged and so chaotic that I actually dont feel the same this year! Still, we have autumn first and its my favourite time of the year. Beautiful trees, mist over the river, blackberry picking (and sloes!), wholesome foods (I am going to need a few weeks of diet when I get back to school though!) and of course halloween and bonfire night. Season of mist and mellow fruitfulness ...

[gloria townsin]

Yes I like Autumn too, but wish we could go from Autumn to Spring in one leap........miss Winter altogether, that would be perfect. The snow is o.k. until you have to travel or actually do anything other than look at it or play in it. The cold just makes me miserable and we seem to have heating on for longer and longer now, not good in so many ways. A seemingly miserable spell mid-day has turned into a more sunny late afternoon, though the wind is blowing. At one point around 1pm it really screamed round the bungalow, reminiscent of Derek's description.

[jane jackson]

It's much calmer over here then Gloria. No wind at all and has been sunny for most of the day. We expected showers but they didn't materialise.Bryan's been working in the garden all day. I've been freezing apples and making tomato and courgette soup also for freezing while we have so many tomatoes coming ripe.

We're hoping to go to St Michaels Mount tomorrow morning to look around the garden but it may well be raining by then.

[Kath Mulligan]

I like autumn too, I'm just not yet ready to let go of summer!

Kath

[gloria townsin]

I made a Spicy Red Tomato Chutney last week Jane, plus Cyder Apple Chutney, Onion Marmalade, and Blackcurrant, Blueberry, Strawberry, Plum, jams.........have gooseberry to make yet plus some mixed berries. I would like to say we grew the blueberries - well we did and then they got scorched off while we were last down here, then I went into Tesco late one Sunday and they had them reduced to 45p a punnet......I just couldn't resist, so I bought five punnet's and made four good size pots of jam. I've given some of each to Jeff and Nina and Matt also took some back to his flat. It will take us ages to eat what we have, plus I took some for sale to the allotment open day last Sat. The smell of the cooking chutney has clung rather I have to say.

[Kath Mulligan]

Crikey Gloria, you have been busy! I made some leek and potato soup yesterday, not as a concession to autumn but rather for my sister-in-law, Jane to take to her father. Jane's mum is in hospital in the final stages of cancer and not expected to last for much longer. Her dad is 87 and has always relied on his wife for all the domestic chores, cooking etc so he is feeling more than a bit lost and bewildered at the moment. Mum and I are helping out a bit with practical things like cooking easy meals for Peter to just be able to stick in a pan or the microwave when he comes back from the hospital. Jane has been doing as much as she can for him but she works full time and is visiting the hospital every evening and weekend, so she doesn't have much time for cooking. Today I have made some cottage pies and beef stew and put those in containers for him to put into the freezer, whilst Mum is making fruit pies for him. It seems to be the only way we can actually be of any use in the current sad situation.

Kath

[pauline]

You've certainly got variety with all your chutneys and jams, Gloria. I made plum and apple/lemon jams last year but a few went mouldy. When we have the village fetes around here the table is groaning with so many flavoured jams but I still see some of the women opening them to see if they are mouldy so am relieved that it can't just be mine. I love pickle but I think chutney - you love it or loathe it.

[pauline]

Crikey Gloria, you have been busy! I made some leek and potato soup yesterday, not as a concession to autumn but rather for my sister-in-law, Jane to take to her father. Jane's mum is in hospital in the final stages of cancer and not expected to last for much longer. Her dad is 87 and has always relied on his wife for all the domestic chores, cooking etc so he is feeling more than a bit lost and bewildered at the moment. Mum and I are helping out a bit with practical things like cooking easy meals for Peter to just be able to stick in a pan or the microwave when he comes back from the hospital. Jane has been doing as much as she can for him but she works full time and is visiting the hospital every evening and weekend, so she doesn't have much time for cooking. Today I have made some cottage pies and beef stew and put those in containers for him to put into the freezer, whilst Mum is making fruit pies for him. It seems to be the only way we can actually be of any use in the current sad situation.

Kath

What a kind person. There is an old boy who we have become friendly with and we often find a bag of something grown from his gardenon the doorstop.Recently it was rhubarb and runner beans. As there is no Mrs.. I like to give him a fruit pie or cake, sometimes a cottage pie as it's nice to give something back. Last year when we had a glut of tomatoes and courgettes quite a bit of bartering was going on amongst us.

[adesmith]

I love making chutney. The only trouble is that it takes so long for us to get through it - we are still eating last years! We dont make much and you always feel that you should put a few jars away, well of course those jars are still thyere a year later! Used a really good recipe last year for spicy plum chutney but this year I have spotted one called Spicy September Chutney in my Ambridge Cookbook. I really do it for the fun and we dont have a enough home grown ingredients to use so I end up buying some.

I would love to make some jam. We are going up to Gloucestershire again on Sunday for a picnic with my family. There were lots of roadside stalls selling various fruits so I may stop and buy some to make some jam.

[jane jackson]

You certainly have been busy Gloria but at least you have sons to help you eat it all. We used to make lots of strawberry jam as we grew the strawberries and used it for the B&B breakfasts. My friend gave me 2 perspex jars in a holder, they had domed lids with good imitation strawberries in one and oranges for the marmalade in the other which looked very attractive on the table. We tend to buy our jam and chutney nowadays as we take so long to use it up. Some of ours used to have mould on the top too Pauline, inevitable I think as you can't always get it airtight but it tastes just as good once you've removed the mould!

[jane jackson]

. Today I have made some cottage pies and beef stew and put those in containers for him to put into the freezer, whilst Mum is making fruit pies for him.
Kath

Your Mum is amazing Kath, good for her that she can still make the fruit pies when someone else needs a helping hand

[Kath Mulligan]

Your Mum is amazing Kath, good for her that she can still make the fruit pies when someone else needs a helping hand

Yes, it's not bad for someone who will be 94 years young in just three weeks time, is it?!

Kath

[gloria townsin]

She's Brill Kath and that's where you get it from. Such a sad situation when someone is so ill and the other is at a loss to fend for themselves, especially at such a time, the food you are making must be hugely appreciated and a comfort after a heart rending hospital visit. We've all experienced times when we need some extra support and it is wonderful to be able to be the supporter. I used to cook and take in to my Dad things he liked to eat, the hospital probably didn't like me doing it but he couldn't get on with hospital food, and he was someone who would eat more or less anything. Plus I took him in a duvet and extra pillows, he was so cold and they could offer nothing to keep him warm. I must have been a nightmare daughter for them to cope with. All I cared about was my Dad and trying to make things as good as possible for him. I would have argued uphill and downhill with them if they had tried to stop me.