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General => The Shed => Topic started by: Mrs Ava on August 20, 2007, 23:49:53

Title: Dreary and dull
Post by: Mrs Ava on August 20, 2007, 23:49:53
What a lousy day here in Essex.  It has been dreary all day.  The breeze has been quite nippy, made me close all the windows.  Even the kids felt chilly, and they never feel the cold!  Tonight by 8, the conservatory was all locked up and it was raining and getting dark.  It is mid August.  Me and the old man should be sitting out in the garden sipping a G&T, enjoying the balmy evening air, before shoo-ing the children to bed!  Felt like mid November.  I am getting really bored of this horrid weather.  I know we have all been moaning about it, but now I am having a rant.
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: Carol on August 21, 2007, 00:00:26
Yes, think everyone will agree with you Emma.  I remember the lovely 4 days holiday we had up in Skye when the sun shone for 4 days and it was warm.  This was in early June.  I have never had my shorts on this year and the heating has been getting turned on sometimes briefly to take the chill off the rooms.  Summer is almost over and we haven't had any of it.  Hope this isnt a sign of things to come and 2007 has been a one off bad summer.

:-[
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: Melbourne12 on August 21, 2007, 00:40:09
Look on the bright side.  The forecast for the next two weeks looks pretty good; warm if not blazing hot.

Maybe we'll get a late summer in September. 
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: asbean on August 21, 2007, 01:10:42
We put the heating on this evening - it took me almost all day to warm up.  :(
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: isbister on August 21, 2007, 09:03:18
Well I quite like this inclement weather. For one thing it's greatly reduced the stench of barbecues round my way. What is it about sunshine that makes people want to go into their gardens and incinerate bits of meat?
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: Heldi on August 21, 2007, 09:47:08
Sunday was very wet here...we went to a museum at an old colliery. Really good. They've built a new very modern building where they hold exhibitions and have a permanent display of life in a mining community. There's an art gallery showing paintings done by miners in the 1950's.  There's a gallery of people's tattoos with the reasons why they have chosen them. There's a display of shoes and wigs...plastic bath hats supplied so we all had a try on! Loved the shoes...with the stories behind them. One pair of very spiky stilettos were worn by a lady when she dressed up as a nurse to go from her piercing shop to visit her male friend in his tattoo shop next door...they ended up married ;) She is actually featured in a huge photograph in the tattoo room..recognised the shoes! There's a pair of flowery Dr Martens bought by a lady for her tom boy daughter...they've been to weddings funerals and have been passed down the family...in danger now of being retired as the sole is coming off. I wondered if my holographic DM's would end up in a glass case one day...they are so worthy lol!They even had two pairs of Liberace's shoes donated from the Liberace museum in Las Vegas...imagine all those sequins in a colliery !!

The children made some Japanese puppets. Just gluing and sticking really but it kept them amused whilst it poured with rain outside.

You can also have a look inside some of the out buildings to see some of the workings. 

All for a £2 parking fee.  8) 

Yesterday it didn't rain but it was dull and windy. Took the old mutt down to the beach. We threw some pebbles,made a sandcastle and did a wee bit of rock pooling. Found two crabs and a tiny starfish.  Dog was sick of being wet and wanted to go home so we walked back for lunch. OH came home early so we went to a different beach. Made a HUGE sandcastle,flew a kite...but it was too windy and nearly broke it. Then he and my son took the boogie board into the waves...they obviously weren't cold enough already  ::)  ;D.  OH tried to sail in on the crest of a wave...but he just sunk and my son got a fright when the waves took him off his feet. He persevered and had a couple of proper goes but I think he had got too nervous by then so they came back to where Toot and I were sitting shivering under piles of clothes. Never seen anyone get dried and changed as quick...especially not my son...some sort of personal record he broke there

Not bad for such miserable weather eh?  Last night though I felt on a right downer. Same thoughts as EJ I guess. Looked out of the window and thought to myself...we've hardly sat out there at all  :(

Today dark,dull, damp. I really need to get out and do my front garden but it's so windy and the clouds are looking ominous. Might have another cuppa instead.  ;)
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: Mrs Ava on August 21, 2007, 10:51:42
Lovely outings Heldi!  Puts me to shame, but after spending all our money whilst on our hols, we are having at home entertainment so lots of cooking, painting, gluing and playing games. 

The sun is trying to come out here, so I am going to put my washing on the line...guarenteed to rain then.  :-\  I also need to weed the front garden but keep resisting the urge.  Oh well, tomorrows another day I suppose.
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: lorna on August 21, 2007, 11:06:56
Dreary and dull? Seems like we are all in the same boat. Raining here, so no gardening AGAIN, can't work up enough enthusiasm to do housework or start the decorating. My sister-in-law brought over 2 big boxes of books for Lorna to have in the Sue Ryder shop. I have pulled out several that appeal to me so maybe I will keep the dog company on the settee and have a day of reading ;D Not expecting visitors so the dust doesn't matter!!
Lorna.
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: Deb P on August 21, 2007, 11:33:35
Quote from: Heldi on August 21, 2007, 09:47:08

Yesterday it didn't rain but it was dull and windy. ....Took the old mutt down to the beach.  ..... so they came back to where Toot and I were sitting shivering under piles of clothes. Never seen anyone get dried and changed as quick...

This reminded me so much of us on holiday in Cornwall........we will go to the beach kids......advisable or not.....

I was absolutely FREEZING! Note I borrowed OH's hat, gloves etc..
(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l47/dlp133/2004-5051.jpg)

Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: saddad on August 21, 2007, 11:36:15
It has to be done Deb.. Alison has been paddling at Whitby, on New Year's Day before now!
:o
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: tricia on August 21, 2007, 14:37:24
I wish it had only stayed dreary and dull here yesterday  :(. It rained steadily all morning but at noon it suddenly became a torrential downpour. The b.........postman (not really, he is a nice guy) left my garden gate ajar and the water flooded in when the drains in the street couldn't cope. The sewage drain lid lifted too - can you imagine me standing on it in six inches of water trying to keep it down, a hopeless task?  I managed to get the gate shut, but the board along the base of the wrought iron gate is only eight inches high and the water was rushing over the top of it. By this time my walled garden was awash with six inches of water which could only escape over the low retaining wall into my neighbours garden!

I hope my blueberry bushes won't suffer for standing in mucky water for an hour before it soaked away. I was so worried about my fish pond being polluted too, but the fish seemed okay this morning when I fed them.

I now have a stinking mess stuck to the paving which will have to be pressure-washed clean. Luckily the weather forecast for the Southwest is good, so that is a job for tomorrow when my dear Gordon will be here to help me move all the heavy pots.

This is the third time in seven years I have experienced flash-flooding of my garden when the street drains couldn't cope with a sudden cloudburst.

Enough is enough - my fish pond will be made safe with a wall round it. Now I just have to find someone to do the work  ::).

Tricia
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: Trixiebelle on August 21, 2007, 15:31:05
I'm getting really depressed about it all  :( Summer is my time to get out all day at the allotment and this weather has really knocked me (and my crops) for six.

I just want to get everything out of the ground and winter dig ready for next year. How ridiculous is THAT in the middle of August 8)
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: Meg on August 21, 2007, 16:00:20
It is really so sad isn't it but still peeps there will always be next year.
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: theothermarg on August 21, 2007, 16:04:00
 forcing ours selves to go out on sunday we crossed the 1st severn bridge and visited chepstow market then folowed the wye up a bit so OH could suss out a fishing water(i knew there was a method in his madness)we managed to get some fresh air and it stayed dry :o. up allotment in the drizzle yesterday want some sun to ripen my corn. ??? woke up for work at 5-15it was so dark there has been a bit of dawn upuntil now  :'( feeling like it,s autumn already
marg
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: Trixiebelle on August 21, 2007, 16:50:33
I LOVE Autumn! But only because there are fair few crops in the lottie that I can harvest.

Not so this year  :'(

Apart from leeks. They're virtually indestructable. Good job too XX
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: cornykev on August 21, 2007, 17:27:28
Wet and windy all afternoon :(, put heating on last night just to take the edge off in the morning 5.30am. Looks better for the next three days, seeing is beleiving.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: Busby on August 21, 2007, 17:57:52
All I can say is that as a boy/young man in the 1950s as well as the 60s the weather was mostly as it is now. Most school summer holidays were grey and wet or cloudy and we spent our time with hobbies. Everyone had a raincoat and the city was full of umbrellas, even on a sunny morning because experience gained the upper hand. Only the summers of 1947 and the early summer 0f 1958 stay in my mind as being good, otherwise any heatwaves were short and sweet.

We've just been spoilt over the last decade or so.
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: Mrs Ava on August 21, 2007, 18:11:00
Heard on the news, it seems like Cornwall/Devon and North Wales were the places to be today for some sunshine!
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: shirlton on August 21, 2007, 18:16:20
Today has been great weather for digging and weeding. Had an early start this morning and worked through till 5 pm . We are both aching now but are looking forward to tomorrow when we can do it all again. Have just made some blackberry puree to have with our yoghurt. me hands are purple.
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: Trixiebelle on August 21, 2007, 18:19:16
OK!

Let's have a laugh  ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoNxEghODS4
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: manicscousers on August 21, 2007, 21:11:01
last august was freezing, we had the HEATING on..
I know this because we flew out to greece on the 27th august for my son's wedding, before we went, it was soooo cold..
when we came back on september 5th, it was lovely and stayed like that for much of september..we went to cornwall the same time as we are going this year, it was brilliant...so, hope the same thing happens for the next two weeks  ;D
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: SamLouise on August 22, 2007, 13:07:33
Quote from: Busby on August 21, 2007, 17:57:52

We've just been spoilt over the last decade or so.

This is true, Busby.  It just goes in cycles doesn't it?  When I was at school (I'm 40 now) summers were very tempremental - remember when the British summer was a long standing joke - famous for it's cloud and rain?  Winters were freezing - and they probably will be again (although I could do without that bit, lol) Isn't that the way it's supposed to work ?

It's really windy, grey and wet here in West Essex today.  I've put the heating on in my office (serves me right for coming to work in a t-shirt!)

On the plus side .... I see the weather is supposed to pick up nicely for everybody this coming weekend.  Best get all your summer activities ready to squeeze into 48hrs  ;D ;D 
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: norfolklass on August 22, 2007, 13:14:11
I was a kid in the 70s. without fail I used to have a nose bleed before a storm, and I remember having loads of them, so the summers must have been wet and stormy in the 70s too.
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: Doris_Pinks on August 22, 2007, 14:07:26
Cold n windy in East Sussex, even had to put a pair of socks on with my slippers! :o
Not been up the plot in what feels like weeks, just not inspired somehow.
Trixie..........thank you, put a right grin on my face! ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: gordonsveg on August 22, 2007, 14:09:05
 ;D ;D ;D 8) 8)   Loverly and sunny here in devon today(at least in plymouth)
been pottering in the garden and veg patch and even worked up a sweat. Hoping it stays that way so my toms ripen and everyone has a nice bank holiday w/e. Will keep my fingers crossed for the rest of the A4ALL FRIENDS.
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: Emm P on August 22, 2007, 15:30:14
Blowing a gale in the north. But at least the sun is out.
We had our heating on last night.
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: dandelion on August 22, 2007, 16:29:05
Quote from: Emm P on August 22, 2007, 15:30:14
Blowing a gale in the north. But at least the sun is out.

Sun  ??? ??? What's that?
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: theothermarg on August 22, 2007, 16:50:14
it is windy here near bristol but the sun :o is out and it,s quite warm fingers crossed for the weekend
marg
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: cornykev on August 22, 2007, 19:02:20
Rain and heavy winds all day, probably the worst day of the year here, I'm not as old as Savageblue but maybe its me but all through the school holidays I can always remember it being hot, all six weeks out on my bike in T shirt and shorts, never went abroad always IOW or Jersey and don't remember any bad weather.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: lorna on August 23, 2007, 23:10:54
Still no sun here in March. Was dry earlier so thought I would pick the runners, by the time I had finished picking I was soaked once again.
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: SamLouise on August 24, 2007, 10:52:26
Quote from: cornykev on August 22, 2007, 19:02:20
Rain and heavy winds all day, probably the worst day of the year here, I'm not as old as Savageblue but maybe its me but all through the school holidays I can always remember it being hot, all six weeks out on my bike in T shirt and shorts, never went abroad always IOW or Jersey and don't remember any bad weather.  ;D ;D ;D

Oiii!  I was 21 last birthday (+19)

Don't get me wrong, I do remember warm sunny days in the summer but Britain was never famous for it's good weather in peak times.  I remember the freak heatwave one year (1976?) which seemed like heaven at the time, LOL

It's still grey, wet and dull here but the forecast is looking promising for the weekend at least  ;D
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: Mrs Ava on August 24, 2007, 12:36:34
It is dry, overcast, but warm and dry, so the children and I have been out the front.  Weeded the borders and am going to move a couple of overcrowded plants around. I know it is the wrong time, but with all the rain, I don't suppose the plants will even notice.  On metcheck, Chelmsford has all smiley sunny faces all day tomorrow.  You never know, my tomatoes might start to ripen!
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: saddad on August 24, 2007, 13:01:32
Blazing hot Sun... blue skies... been out all morning, come in for some lunch to avoid the heat of the day and put some suncream on... no this is not a wind up!
;D
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: Barnowl on August 24, 2007, 14:41:23
City of London - overcast: grey skies not cold not warm
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: cornykev on August 24, 2007, 17:36:53
Dull and dreary here but no rain today, the first time since Sunday, off to the lottie now to look at the weeds.  ;D ;D ;D    P.S  I went to Savageblues 50th.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: lorna on August 24, 2007, 17:56:43
Hooray!! The sun finally came through this afternoon, is now a lovely evening. Pulled some carrots, pulled a few baby beet which are now cooking. Promises to be a good weekend. Joshua has been away at Scouts camp all week and it has rained every day, unless it has been different in Essex where the camp is. (Thriftwood Activity Centre)
Hopefully will have a blitz on the weeds at weekend and as Emma said the tomatoes may ripen, haven't had any ripe ones since last weekend.
Enjoy your weekend peeps.
Lorna.
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: Mrs Ava on August 24, 2007, 18:48:03
Ooo Lorna, I don't think that is far from me.  Well finally it looks like the sky is clearing.  Oh I hope so!
Title: Re: Dreary and dull
Post by: cornykev on August 24, 2007, 19:03:43
Hooray, 6.45pm and the suns come out, I've just come back from the lottie and picked the first lot of runners, (yes late I know), two small caulis, two small beetroots, a cabbage and some stored spuds, ooh and a handful of raspberry's. Also had first two tomato's out of the garden and yes E J they had actually ripened.  ;D ;D ;D