What are you all up to

Sorry to hear that WN - hope you are both soon fully recovered.  We had our Covid jabs last week and - although I have never had a reaction to it in the 7 times (I think) I have had it before - I have this time - big time.  Won't go into details but I've been spending an awful lot of time in the bathroom lately. Apparently, it's a common reaction - but considering the vaccine is called "Spikevax", I'm wondering if it's a new Mickey Mouse version that Del Boy's selling. Take care.

Wherenext wishing you a speedy recovery. Like you we've dodged it so far 🤞. And similar to you discovered OH not on the vunerable list any more, he was!

With regard to meds,I try not to read the contraindications ...... I do hope that you're OK with them in view of the kidney comments. 

RichardandRos sorry to hear you've had a reaction to the Covid jab. I generally get some reaction to both flu and Covid jabs, luckily paracetamol keeps it OK for a day or 2. Not had the reaction you've had, but glad of the heads up as that's OH "s vunerable spot 😱.

It's wet here, for a change! Got very damp on dog walking and we've had more since. That very fine, very heavy rain that makes everything wet...... Sun is trying, but I'm not expecting miracles

Oh bless you all WN. 😱 Hope things go well with the drugs. All I can say is it is different for everyone, and this new strain is rampant, like you we were hardly seeing anyone when I tested positive back in July. Mum’s GP told us that it didn’t seem to spread in households quite as much as the early version, (Mum and Sis, didn’t get it, nor did my OH) but that because few are now testing, most folks don’t know if they have it or not. Your GP needs a rocket for you not being classed as vulnerable. You should be able to get a small pack of test units free with their help. I am super wary of anyone with a cough or sneeze when out and about.

OH and I had our Flu and COVID vacc last week. Luckily no reactions whatsoever for us. My OH is on High Vulnerability list. 

I wage the same war🤣 I watched one trying to kick the lid off our feeder, but this one is on tight. They used to just lift the lid off and tip out seed on our old one. We do have one feeder for them though, OH is far too soft. 

Went for our Covid vaccinations at the OU today. All very well organised, plenty of parking and we both got in almost as soon as we arrived, so back sitting in the before our actual time! Just hope I don't get a reaction to it like last time. Mind you having had three vaccinations in the last week it might be difficult to work out which one caused any reaction?

As far as squirrels are concerned I have conceded defeat and removed all my bird feeders. Not just because of squirrels but suddenly a lot less birds around for some unknown reason. We don't have grass so a lot of the seeds used to germinate in the gravel and on the adjacent border. Looking at the price of bird seed, particularly in Garden Centres its not a cheap hobby now!

David

If you’re going to stop feeding then this is the time of year to do so, David. There’s plenty of natural food out there what with Autumn’s abundant pantry full at the moment. Incidentally, this is why many of us see a decline in the number of birds visiting our gardens at this time of year. They will only return if you once again put food out in the future but it may take time to tempt them back. Those greys are a pesky intruder I know but recently reds are appearing in new areas around the country with a little help from some rewilding projects.

Sorry to hear some folks have Covid and hope you will soon feel better.

We went shopping today in Villefranche and noticed a lot more folk mostly older folk are wearing masks again as the recent Covid variant is going around the country and will soon be half term here again and a lot of folks on the move due to all Saints day 1st November a lot of Chrysanthemums are for sale and the plastic ones as well which I not keen on, some of the local nurseries are full of pots of plants ready for that day.

On the way today we stopped at a small town as OH could not get one of his meds yesterday so tried the Pharmacy and yes they had stock every month the same now know of at least 4 different pharmacies now.

Agree with bird food prices got some more today gone up again but only doing sunflowers seeds at the moment with a tray full on the window sill and thankfully no grey squirrels here only red but they do not come to any bird feeders.

Did notice that Lidl's have got their xmas stuff coming in so did get some chocolates as they were on special offer will have to hide them from OH as not sugar free ones ha ha.

Hope to get our flu jab next week at Pharmacy we went to this morning as they do flu and Covid there but our Covid jabs due later in the year.

WN I am so sorry to hear that you and Mrs WN have Covid and I do hope that it is not too bad and that you soon make a full recovery. Best of luck with your new meds. I am like bakers in that I try not to read all the contraindications when getting a new prescription but OH insists on reading all the small print.

We went for our covid jabs (the Moderna) at the pharmacy this morning. They couldn't do the flu jab as well without an appointment so we will keep our appointment for those at the GP's in 10 days time. Lidl is right opposite the pharmacy so we did our shopping there on our way home. It is raining again here but luckily so far it is not as heavy as last night when it absolutely hammered it down and the roads were flooded again (blocked drains!)

As to bird feeders, we put ours away a few months ago as they were only attracting the squirrel (only 1), the pigeons and the magpies. No little birds at all this year which is a great shame.

We bought an air fryer last year, a two drawer Ninja, and wouldn't be without it. We use it most nights as we couldn't see the point of pre heating and using our big oven for just the two of us.

Next door's roofers are still here. OH has now barricaded our front drive with our wheelie bins so they can't use it to park their vans and equipment on it as they had been doing. OH and our opposite neighbour (who used to be a builder at some point) have decided that they are a load of 'cowboys'. I feel so sorry for the ladies living next door and we feel they are being ripped off. 

Thank you and yes brutal is certainly the word, I can normally tolerate pain quite well but this was something else, it only lasted a few minutes but wow.  

It's wonderful today being able to walk around again without any pain. It's a little sore but not that horrible stabbing, piercing pain that went with every step.

Sorry you are unwell WNext hope it clears up soon.

Living right alongside a 2 mile thick wood we get lots of birds and a huge variety and I spend quite a while watching them. I remove the feeders in summer but they are back now, it took a few days for the birds to find them again but they are back now. The tits, tree creeper and nuthatch are fine with the new caged feeders but the bigger birds, including a family of Jays and the little robins need the bird table. We haven’t moved it yet as it’s too wet and it’s pegged down. I don’t feel sorry for the squirrels as the large wood holds plenty of food for them at this time of year. Interesting to hear that the red squirrels don’t visit the bird feeders. Blooming idiot that brought these grey ones here.

Millie, if your neighbours do find they have future problems with the work done they shouldn’t hesitate to contact your local Trading Standards. Hopefully though everything will be ok for them.