[Kevin67]

Thank you enormously, Mrs Bee.

I haven't yet trawled through this very large forum yet - but I'll be making a Bee-line for your recipe!

I'll do it this weekend and post some pics.

By the way, I'm afraid I'm tight/frugal - my jars come from coffee, etc! I'm amazed that shops dare sell empty jars for more than the same size jars with stuff in 'em!

[snowdrops]

Tosca a tough decision but I agree with Springy. You would soon be having every waif & stray left at your door. This used to happen to my sister, it got very expensive, often the poor animal was very ill & needed a vet or to be put to sleep. People can be very cruel.

[devonbarmygardener]

Super stressful morning. Went out to go to the market and found a box by the car. We knew what would be in it before we looked, and sure enough, there were two tiny kittens huddled in the corner, at a guess under two weeks old. The box hadn't been there long and the kittens were asleep so not cold, so we made a snap decision to leave them there as we would be gone only a short time. Our neighbour was watching from her gate and with builders opposite they would be quite safe. Off we went, first stop vet to see if he had baby kitten milk, fat chance. Give them raw cow milk he says, like this one has....little kitten in the shop.

Returning home, neighbour still there, box gone. Phew. Next worry...where? On questioning neighbour it seems someone came and took the box away. Strange how she knows everyone in the village but not who took the box! We have enough with the rescue kitten we already have, and if we ever had to return to the UK we would have trouble enough finding a rental with two dogs as well. And the last thing we need is a name for taking in all waifs and strays that no-one wants or will prevent! Obviously everyone knows we took Splash in when he rolled up at a few weeks old. Consolation is that they cared enough to take them away again instead of leaving them for village dogs, cold or pine marten to take them.

Feeling drained!

Even I would have made the same decision - very very difficult, but people just can't have hundreds of animals without too much expense and hygiene standards slipping.
The 4 cats I have (especially Lotty and her random stress peeing) are enough to keep on top of housework/hygiene-wise believe me!!

[tosca100]

If they had still been there when we came back we would, of course, have raised them, and the little tortie was soooo cute (but of course I don't like cats!!!!) but by the twinkle in Venka's eye she was possibly in the know and certainly knows who put them there. But we have let her know that we do not want any more animals.

And to be honest, we can't afford any more. Things are pretty tight around here!

[devonbarmygardener]

That's the problem! They do cost a lot. Best put your foot down early and say you're not having any more

[Paul Plots]

@tosca100 - lucky you!

I don't work either... no paid job anyway. Retired 3 years early four years ago. I leave home many times a day to cross a quiet road - on the otherside another garden, my aviary and my mum.

The late-night cats and skulking foxes and I are well aquainted.

Last night 6 whole hours sleep in one go! Tonight I'm hoping all goes well and I can sleep at home again.... followed by just one early morning.

[tosca100]

Hope you slept well Paul.

We may not go out to work but we do masses here, the difference being we enjoy the graft here!

Morning all.

[Ma Lowe]

Well I been awake since 4am which turned out to be 3am and just can't get back to sleep. Been catching up on posts in the hope that it will tire me out but here I am 2 hours later still awake. You watch though come the time to get up all I will want to do is sleep 

[Steveharford]

Likewise Ma. Good morning. On my second cuppa now. I find it easier to give up trying to go back to sleep. As its Sunday I will hopefully grab an hour this afternoon to catch up.

[Madame Cholet]

Morning all oh forgot to change the clock so I was woken up at 5 instead og 6 and he went back to sleep typical. !

[Ma Lowe]

I managed to get a few more hours sleep but feel worse for it somehow. Maybe I will get a better nights sleep in our caravan tonight who knows. A relaxing week ahead of us which we so need.
Rachel if it weren't for the iPhones and iPads automatically updating I would forget to turn my clocks back too. 

[devonbarmygardener]

Morning all oh forgot to change the clock so I was woken up at 5 instead og 6 and he went back to sleep typical. !

Now I wish I'd just left my clock and got up early anyway 
That way it wouldn't have gone back 2 hours and made me late for work

[Madame Cholet]

I hate changing the clocks my systems all out of kilter

[snowdrops]

I agree MC,messes me up too

[Springlands]

Me too - I always seem tired for days after.