During the Covid 19 lockdown I am ...

[Onelife]

Sitting in garden so peaceful and then the flying ants emerge grrrr - anyone else been invaded - apparently July is the month they leave the nest to “mate”

Our flying ants took to the wing about two days ago much to our daughters delight.....she has a MSc in entomology and is always telling me interesting facts about insects.
We have some peppers in the potting shed which had got infested with green fly....anyway to cut a long story shorter, she said not to spray them as she had spotted paracitic wasps which lay their eggs inside greenfly. Well l couldn't see what l percived to be wasps until she pointed out that the wasps she was referring to were no more than 2mm in length. Within a few days the greenfly were still on the leaves but all with the life sucked out of them.

She also told me that some Queen ants have a life span of over twenty years....We didn't know that did we Jan?

[Jan Rosser]

Sitting in garden so peaceful and then the flying ants emerge grrrr - anyone else been invaded - apparently July is the month they leave the nest to “mate”

She also told me that some Queen ants have a life span of over twenty years....We didn't know that did we Jan?

No we didn't know that Keefy - I've got a clever daughter in law - "Dr. Rosser" - she did her doctorate in genetics - studied under Sir Alec Jeffries at Leicester University - she is a bright girl spouting facts and you think "well I never". I've always been a fan of those American CSI shows and she always poo pooed the speed they analysed DNA tests - spoiled the programme for me She is teaching science now and runs a STEM club at the school - actually won best teacher in the whole country for doing this

[Stephen]

Our lockdown has been re-imposed, no more family get togethers, indoor or outdoor. Seems a bit harsh on Kirklees which had a lower infection rate and was reducing on the last stats issued up to 20th July, but unfortunately its our close proximity to those silly Lancastrians, who haven't been careful enough, that has probably necessitated our inclusion.

Too dumb to follow the rules first time round so no chance this time. Your doomed John

[towny44]

Our lockdown has been re-imposed, no more family get togethers, indoor or outdoor. Seems a bit harsh on Kirklees which had a lower infection rate and was reducing on the last stats issued up to 20th July, but unfortunately its our close proximity to those silly Lancastrians, who haven't been careful enough, that has probably necessitated our inclusion.

Too dumb to follow the rules first time round so no chance this time. Your doomed John

It appears to be multi generational households where the spikes are occurring,and the worst areas are in the Dewsbury and Batley parts of Kirklees and these have been a noose round Huddersfields neck ever since Kirklees was invented back in the 74.

[Onelife]

Sitting in garden so peaceful and then the flying ants emerge grrrr - anyone else been invaded - apparently July is the month they leave the nest to “mate”

She also told me that some Queen ants have a life span of over twenty years....We didn't know that did we Jan?

No we didn't know that Keefy - I've got a clever daughter in law - "Dr. Rosser" - she did her doctorate in genetics - studied under Sir Alec Jeffries at Leicester University - she is a bright girl spouting facts and you think "well I never". I've always been a fan of those American CSI shows and she always poo pooed the speed they analysed DNA tests - spoiled the programme for me She is teaching science now and runs a STEM club at the school - actually won best teacher in the whole country for doing this

Hi Jan.....The greatest gift of all is knowledge and being in a position to pass that knowledge on to others takes dedication ...It sounds like Mrs Rosser has both.


.

[Stephen]

Our lockdown has been re-imposed, no more family get togethers, indoor or outdoor. Seems a bit harsh on Kirklees which had a lower infection rate and was reducing on the last stats issued up to 20th July, but unfortunately its our close proximity to those silly Lancastrians, who haven't been careful enough, that has probably necessitated our inclusion.

Too dumb to follow the rules first time round so no chance this time. Your doomed John

It appears to be multi generational households where the spikes are occurring,and the worst areas are in the Dewsbury and Batley parts of Kirklees and these have been a noose round Huddersfields neck ever since Kirklees was invented back in the 74.

Don't worry John, I'm sure there will be plenty of idiots at the coast down South today ruining it for everyone. It is only a matter of time.

[Manoverboard]

If it's too hot to sit in our our garden under the umbrella in the shade with a breeze and an ice cold beer then it'll deffo be too hot for them to sit out in the open on the sand .... hopefully

[Stephen]

If it's too hot to sit in our our garden under the umbrella in the shade with a breeze and an ice cold beer then it'll deffo be too hot for them to sit out in the open on the sand .... hopefully

Yoof don't worry about little things like that Moby. The same as people don't know their left from their right. We were in Chelmsford this morning walking through the precinct which clearly displayed signs 'Keep to your left', but of course there is always the thick'o who thinks it doesn't apply to them. A couple of times I reminded people but got the usual dim witted look. Thick as sh......

[barney]

Too dumb to follow the rules first time round so no chance this time. Your doomed John

It appears to be multi generational households where the spikes are occurring,and the worst areas are in the Dewsbury and Batley parts of Kirklees and these have been a noose round Huddersfields neck ever since Kirklees was invented back in the 74.

Don't worry John, I'm sure there will be plenty of idiots at the coast down South today ruining it for everyone. It is only a matter of time.

My kitchen fitter went surfing at Saunton Sands at 6.15 this morning and said that when he came out at half eight, the car park was totally full.
Woolacombe and Croyde the same

[Manoverboard]

My kitchen fitter went surfing at Saunton Sands at 6.15 this morning and said that when he came out at half eight, the car park was totally full.
Woolacombe and Croyde the same

Isn't that the norm, we haven't stayed in Croyde but we have stayed in Saunton Sands and Woolacombe Hotels ?

There are reports that Bournemouth, Poole and Sandbanks are congested but hey, what's new, when we go to Rick Steins for a seafood lunch at this time of the year we have to go by taxi from one's chums address in Poole cos there's no parking to be found anywhere at all.

[Whynd1]

I had to go along Mumbles road to my fathers today, absolutely bumper to bumper with cars going down to the beaches.

[barney]

My kitchen fitter went surfing at Saunton Sands at 6.15 this morning and said that when he came out at half eight, the car park was totally full.
Woolacombe and Croyde the same

Isn't that the norm, we haven't stayed in Croyde but we have stayed in Saunton Sands and Woolacombe Hotels ?

There are reports that Bournemouth, Poole and Sandbanks are congested but hey, what's new, when we go to Rick Steins for a seafood lunch at this time of the year we have to go by taxi from one's chums address in Poole cos there's no parking to be found anywhere at all.

Beautiful beaches expect to be busy on a warm sunny day but totally full at eight thirty in the morning means folk have gone stir crazy.
Having said that, it was marvellous to see all of the little boats out on the Torridge estuary while supping a pint of cider in the early evening (all local)

[Manoverboard]

Having said that, it was marvellous to see all of the little boats out on the Torridge estuary while supping a pint of cider in the early evening (all local)

I can picture it all, dry cider I hope, it's a lovely part of the world for sure

[CaroleF]

We ate out at a pub for the first time since Lockdown began. We went to the Bell and Crown, a pub in Zeals in Wiltshire - well only just in Wiltshire, a few yards further on and it would be in Dorset. They had tables outside under a sort of stretch covering - have seen several of these around. I think they can be altered to the area available, not like a marquee which is one size, if you see what I mean. The pub has had new owners and a complete make over since we were there. We didn't go inside so can't comment on what it's like although our neighbours say it's much improved. We had fish and chips and then Tarte Tartin which was good. It was so lovely having a meal that I hadn't had to cook. Staff wore masks and the tables were well spaced. I wouldn't say it was a memorable food as far as the food was concerned but for me it was just lovely to feel we'd gone out to eat! Our favourite place to eat in the same area is The Beckford Arms at Fonthill Bishop but it only re-opened on Thursday and there wasn't a hope of getting a table there - very popular place and does lovely food in our opinion.

[barney]

Well done Carole
We haven’t eaten out yet but have had a few drinks and it’s seemed to be ok.
Both the Boathouse and Instow Arms have good outside space and they are currently allowing you to take your drink across the road to sit on the beach wall.
Stunning sunsets over Appledore.

[Manoverboard]

We ate out at a pub for the first time since Lockdown began. We went to the Bell and Crown, a pub in Zeals in Wiltshire - well only just in Wiltshire, a few yards further on and it would be in Dorset. They had tables outside under a sort of stretch covering - have seen several of these around. I think they can be altered to the area available, not like a marquee which is one size, if you see what I mean. The pub has had new owners and a complete make over since we were there. We didn't go inside so can't comment on what it's like although our neighbours say it's much improved. We had fish and chips and then Tarte Tartin which was good. It was so lovely having a meal that I hadn't had to cook. Staff wore masks and the tables were well spaced. I wouldn't say it was a memorable food as far as the food was concerned but for me it was just lovely to feel we'd gone out to eat! Our favourite place to eat in the same area is The Beckford Arms at Fonthill Bishop but it only re-opened on Thursday and there wasn't a hope of getting a table there - very popular place and does lovely food in our opinion.

We are still warming up to the idea of having an outside lunch time, rather than evening time, meal at a pub. Were you able to pay contactless with a single transaction ?

The Beckford Arms rings a bell if it's more or less opposite an entrance to an ' Estate ' ( Manor House not Wimpy ), because we stayed there for several nights in 1998> when looking at properties in that area. The food wa also very good at the time of our visit albeit we didn't return.
.

[CaroleF]

Moby, we couldn't pay Contactless as our bill was over the limit for that so used our card in the normal way. There was Sanitiser on the table we could use - but I had taken our own Anti-Viral foam so used that after paying. As I said we didn't go inside and the food was fine, the Tarte Tartin for dessert was rather good! Yes the Beckford Arms is just adjacent to a large estate. It's a lovely pub, now has very smart rooms if people want to stay. It's in the same ownership as The Talbot Inn at Mells, which is one of our favourites too. There are much better pubs in the Dorset/Somerset area than there are in Hampshire where we live. Of course the Beckford Arms - their fish and chips is the best I've tasted outside of Grimsby where I fondly remember the ones I had as a child visiting relatives. Also their Sunday lunch is a joy to behold. The staff are young and very efficient, dogs allowed in the garden, water bowls supplied! Bookings are essential there, they get full very quickly.

[Manoverboard]

Moby, we couldn't pay Contactless as our bill was over the limit for that so used our card in the normal way. There was Sanitiser on the table we could use - but I had taken our own Anti-Viral foam so used that after paying. As I said we didn't go inside and the food was fine, the Tarte Tartin for dessert was rather good! Yes the Beckford Arms is just adjacent to a large estate. It's a lovely pub, now has very smart rooms if people want to stay. It's in the same ownership as The Talbot Inn at Mells, which is one of our favourites too. There are much better pubs in the Dorset/Somerset area than there are in Hampshire where we live. Of course the Beckford Arms - their fish and chips is the best I've tasted outside of Grimsby where I fondly remember the ones I had as a child visiting relatives. Also their Sunday lunch is a joy to behold. The staff are young and very efficient, dogs allowed in the garden, water bowls supplied! Bookings are essential there, they get full very quickly.

Interesting, maybe I will see if we can split our bill when we go

Thanks for confirming our Beckford Arms of old is the same one as yours

We have enjoyed the The Lamb at Hindon albeit inside the Inn, have you tried it ?

[Stephen]

Moby, we couldn't pay Contactless as our bill was over the limit for that so used our card in the normal way. There was Sanitiser on the table we could use - but I had taken our own Anti-Viral foam so used that after paying. As I said we didn't go inside and the food was fine, the Tarte Tartin for dessert was rather good! Yes the Beckford Arms is just adjacent to a large estate. It's a lovely pub, now has very smart rooms if people want to stay. It's in the same ownership as The Talbot Inn at Mells, which is one of our favourites too. There are much better pubs in the Dorset/Somerset area than there are in Hampshire where we live. Of course the Beckford Arms - their fish and chips is the best I've tasted outside of Grimsby where I fondly remember the ones I had as a child visiting relatives. Also their Sunday lunch is a joy to behold. The staff are young and very efficient, dogs allowed in the garden, water bowls supplied! Bookings are essential there, they get full very quickly.

Interesting, maybe I will see if we can split our bill when we go

Thanks for confirming our Beckford Arms of old is the same one as yours

We have enjoyed the The Lamb at Hindon albeit inside the Inn, have you tried it ?

Looks nice

[CaroleF]

Yes we have been to The Lamb at Hindon a few times over the last few years - not this year. The very first time we visited which was probably in 2011 it was excellent. However, since then we've probably been about 5 times. Once, maybe two years ago we went with friends one evening and it was really good. Then I think it may have changed hands as we went there one Friday evening and after waiting nearly an hour to be served we left. Since then, last year we booked for Sunday lunch and it was not good at all. The pub on the opposite side, can't remember what it was called, is now called The Grosvenor is apparently owned by the same people as The Bell and Crown in Zeals. According to our waitress last Thursday in Zeals they are getting a large amount of customers there. She said the staff were really rushed off their feet. We passed it on our way home on Friday afternoon and there were certainly a lot of people sitting outside.

[Manoverboard]

Yes we have been to The Lamb at Hindon a few times over the last few years ....

Oh dear, that's the problem with suggesting things ... it was because of it's close proximity to the Beckford

The same thing happened to the Seymour Arms at East Knowl and the Angel at Upton Scudamore, we used to meet the family at a more or less half way point for Sunday Lunches but finally settled for the canal side Barge Inn at Seend.