MRS B

I spotted this today. It’s a bee fly which mimics bees. It is very clever and lays its eggs in solitary bees nests. The larvae when ready will then eat the bees eggs after it has gorged on the pollen which has been left in the bees nest for the potential little bees. It loves purple, pink and white flowers so I’m not surprised that it was in my garden as I have lots of pulmonaria to attract the real bees. How fascinating. If you Google bee fly you can find out lots more info.

Oz I agree, the simple things to change are easy, wall ovens are a pain in the neck and I can’t abide clocks of any sort being different to other clocks in the house. Maybe because working for an airline, the clocks had to be correct. Always mystified me though what happened between 2359 and 0001 because there never was a 0000 time in aviation. I watched a programme years ago about changing the clocks in the museum. There is a set way of doing it but it takes ages. Also, why do microwave clocks gain a minute every so often ?

Kev I’m like that most of the time, let alone when the clocks change. I spoke to the Sheelagh woman on your Midland leaving card at the allotment today and she can’t remember you but said that the print room used to be under the finance “umbrella” which makes sense as she worked in cashiers. Small world eh.

I’ve been busy all day, making use of the good weather. Washing out all day on the line and dry. Been at the allotment planting onions and mending the strawberry bed. Also watching a buzzard and a kite making use of the thermals above. What joy. No such weather now till at least Sunday so back to the charity knitting and housework I guess!

I’ve been on watch tonight but no sign of them. Have left some water out but not food it’s too bloomin wet for just in case. Will have to think of somewhere in the garden out of the rain to put it.

I have a few to remember. Etam, Biba, Bus Stop, C&A, Image, Fords, Cecil Gee, Paul Smith, Dolcis and Stead & Simpson shoes. I used to spend my Saturday job wages from Boots on the corner of Wheeler Gate and Friar Lane on shoes every week after I’d been to the Flying Horse at lunchtime.

Jill, that’s fantastic news, will have to keep an eye out if you’ve already got them. Bit chilly overnight for them I guess though now?

It’s so difficult to judge when the best time to sow and plant out tomatoes is. If you do them too early they bolt and it’s still too cold to plant out. If you do them later you’re then caught in the “will they ripen or not” scenario towards the end of the summer. I tend to do 2 sowings to account for either but am very lucky that I have a greenhouse and polytunnel at the allotment. All mine on my first sowing are now germinated within a week inside. Very interesting about the sweet peas Oz and the cooler months for both of us for starting them off. I won’t be putting mine outside in the g

Before my “fix it again Tony” I had the most amazing purple KA with cream leather upholstery and a 6 cd changer 06 reg which Mr B bought me when he came out of the Army brand new. I really loved that car which I part exed for my Fiat cos it got to the point where it was costing me an awful lot of money with bodywork repairs on a yearly basis. It is actually still running but took 3 times to pass its MOT last year with exactly the same problems I had with it. Structurally dangerous was the comment (as I had previously). I do really miss it though.

Putting the shoe on the other foot think how difficult it was for us females. History says it’s down to all the ladies employed in the lace industry. They must have had a plethora of female children as well between them.

Sorry for those who failed. I think there was only something on the house where I was born as my dad applied for planning permission to convert the roof space in 1969 and that is listed. It also says that the case is “open” so whether he actually got the permission or not I don’t know, he did it anyway! I did query the house next door which belonged to my grandad and it did say no results matching your criteria so it is a bit hit and miss. Interestingly the site does mention a certain Jim Lees who bought the property from us. I don’t know whether anyone has come across him but he was very inte

I’ve just found a really interesting website - nawcat.nottinghamshire.gov.uk where you can put in a house address (number or name on road) and search for information on history of properties. Very interesting if you want to search where you lived.

My son had his car serviced last week and wondered why he had quite a large oil leak afterwards. As it was a Sunday he called into Kwik Fit who said they didn’t have time to look at it but assumed the garage had fitted the wrong type of oil filter. He called the AA and they discovered this. The garage hadn’t taken this off the old oil filter before they fitted the new one!

I can always tell when it’s pigeon laying egg time. My little cat brings me eggs, sometimes completely whole so she knows where the nests are. Makes a change from mice I guess.

My Fiat 500 developed an intermittent warning light for some time when I started it up. A triangle with an exclamation mark in it. Sturgess Fiat in Leicester wanted £160.00 just to run a diagnostics check. I found that if I turned the car off and back on again it disappeared. The local garage couldn’t determine why it was happening either. Their only suggestion was that because I was doing low mileage there was something that wasn’t getting up to temp. Being totally non mechanical, I can’t remember what it was. I’ve actually not had it for about 6 months now and my driving habits haven’t chang

Beekay you have intrigued me with the truly fascinating story of Ma Barker (changed to Ma Baker for the Boney M song) Wikipedia describes her as a ruthless crime matriarch (that’s me !) I am the matriarch now of our McDonald family since my parents and brothers departed this life. Thankfully that is the only similarity apart from me shooting my brother that I have with Ma Baker (Barker) I must read up more on her story tomorrow. Bedtime calls.

I shot my brother in the leg once in the fields at the back of our house with an air rifle when my other brother stupidly gave it to me (for a try ?) Fortunately the pellet only skimmed the skin. We never revealed the misdemeanour to my mother until she was at least in her 70’s. Memories eh…..

I wasn’t actually being serious when I suggested an air rifle or a catapult folks!

Trogg, an air rifle or a catapult might solve the problem. Pigeons unfortunately will feast on anything young and sweet. So annoying.

Finally, I’ve just planted my first tomato seeds. 24 of three different varieties in individual pots with cling film over on my sunny windowsills for my passata making this year Have had the compost in a bucket inside for a week, warming up. Next job will be sweet peas, beetroot and turnip starting off.

So you won’t be attending the one in WB Phil? That’s not a million miles away. We’ll just accept you in your boilersuit or PJ’s.

Phil, no offence taken, my daughter says she wouldn’t mess with me either. Formidable is so much prettier and takes on a different meaning in French so I’ll let you off! Mrs B

Maybe you should ask the folks who attend the meetings whether they think I’m formidable. I don’t think I’ve ever been called that in my life. Trogg actually congratulated me on Wednesday for doing a good job and planning in advance.

Oz, I can only speak for the Tap and Run at Upper Broughton, amazing food and service, not cheap but lovely for a special occasion. Owned by Stuart Broad and Harry Gurney who also have the Griffin at Swithland which they are renovating. Bit nearer home for me but same food. Must try the Unicorn and the Martins Arms, my old stomping ground.

You’ll be in the area on the 12th though eh Beekay ? Presumed Tina would be coming too.