Thursday 11 April 2019

Thursday

Not a lot warmer here but lovely sunny days - and dry too, although we could actually do with a good rain to green up the lawns.   After my usual hair appointment this morning, in a fit of enthusiasm I changed the bed - sheets, pillow cases and duvet cover.    Washing them all I took them outside to peg them on the washing line and looking along the line of back gardens I saw that almost every garden had a line of washing flapping in the breeze.   The difficult thing for me now is not stripping the bed but remaking it.  Sheets and pillow cases I can manage but the physical effort needed to put on a new duvet I find almost beyond me (and yes, I do know the trick of keeping hold of the corner until I reach the far corner).

It was only when I collapsed onto the sofa with a reviving cup of tea that I realised I should have driven to Bainbridge in Wensleydale to play at the Residential Home there, as we do once a month for the elderly residents.   So that is two of us missing this afternoon.

But there is something good about climbing into a completely clean bed on that first night after changing it.   Later on this evening I shall try to whip up the energy to iron the bedding and put it to air.   I don't wish to leave it until tomorrow -I find the longer one leaves the ironing the harder it is to do and Friday is a going out to lunch day.

Is anyone watching 'The Repair Shop' on BBC 1?
I am enthralled by the workmanship, the nimble fingers, the sharp eyes and the absolute perfect workmanship each evening.   If you haven't watched it, do catch up on iplayer.

Now at ten minutes to go before it starts - time to feed Tess, make a cup of tea and a sandwich and sit down in comfort - so until tomorrow -

 

23 comments:

Jules said...

I love to see a line of washing blowing in the breeze. My line is full today.
Sometimes it is easier to turn the duvet cover inside out then, holding the duvet at each corner with the top corners of the inside out cover, shake it down until it is covered. That said, it's exhausting however you do it. X

Dc said...

We love the repair shop. It has been on BBC2 until this series.

Traveller said...

I agree, I love The Repair shop, not only the enthusiasm of the repairers but also the reactions of the owners.

bjn said...

I agree with Jules method above, but while inside out I safety pin the corners be fore turning and pulling the cover over the duvet. When I get to the top I again safety pin inside the top corners to keep the duvet from slipping down.

Heather said...

I love The Repair Shop. Watching the experts transform the items brought in is fascinating. I also love getting into bed when I've put clean bedding on. Mind you, I love getting into bed any way! I tend to do the bottom sheet and pillow case first - I use a fitted sheet which is quite hard work on arthritic thumbs - and then do the duvet cover later in the day.
It's been another lovely day here though still chilly.

the veg artist said...

I can cope with duvet covers, but fitted sheets are beyond me. I no longer have enough grip in my hands to pull the final corners. Husband comes in handy - I don't know how I'd do this job without him. I love Repair Shop - I especially like the clock man - I get the impression he could fix anything!

Derek Faulkner said...

Blimey, how many cups of tea a day do you drink. I have one large one for breakfast and that's it, I drink nothing else all day.

Sue said...

Never miss an episode of the Repair Shop. Years ago we visited the place where it is filmed - Weald and Downland Museum in West Sussex. It is the most fascinating place to visit - living history and original buildings reconstructed in beautiful surroundings.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Derek - you are not drinking enough. Look it up on the internet - liquid intake is very important.
Veg artist - I can't cope with fitted sheets and havent been able to for years - they were never invented for arthritic hands. So it is hospital corners for me.
Glad so many of us like The Repair Shop. Very good tonight again.

All washing dry, ironed and on the airer. Good feeling even if I am tired out.

Thanks everyone.

Barbara Pearce said...

The repair shop is interesting very talented people, another nice programme is home is where the art is with Nick Knowles, as for changing a duvet try sewing tape to corners then even spaces along top and sides of the duvet cover match them up with tape by sewing tape to inside duvet cover tie together and turn it through, only need to sew them in place once so much easer.

busybusybeejay said...

Fresh bed linen dried outside is something special.But when Iwas doing our bed yesterday I had visitors --a spider and a ladybird!!!I did go to bed thinking are there more?Thankfully there were not.

Joanne Noragon said...

I too have trouble reassembling the whole affair. But yes, it smells wonderful!

Sue in Suffolk said...

I use bulldog clips to keep the duvet into the top corners of the cover before I pull it down to the bottom.

I like the repair shop too but missed it today

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

I've never seen The Repair Shop though I've always enjoyed watching other people working. Maybe they could do a programme about putting duvet covers on - I'm sure it would make splendid entertainment1

angryparsnip said...

There is nothing like clean sweet smelling sheets even if I do not iron them.

cheers, parsnip

Sue said...

One of my favorite things - climbing into fresh, clean sheets at night.

Margaret Butterworth said...

This is my lazy secret: I get my cleaner to change the bedding as her first job.

Cro Magnon said...

I've seen a couple of episodes of The Repair Shop. I would like to see more, but work usually wins. One thing I don't like is the silly sign outside that beautiful barn; it cheapens an otherwise excellent programme.

Derek Faulkner said...

Pat, I've been told I need to drink certain volumes of liquid most of my adult life and yet a full blood test last week came up with no problems at all. This obsession with drinking water regularly all day amuses me.

thelma said...

Well I shall certainly look out for the 'Repair shop', never heard of it before. Duvets are a nonsense, but then would we like to go back sheets and blankets?

Virginia said...

Pat, there is a MAGICALLY EASY way to change a duvet cover. I suspect you might be able to find a video of it on YouTube, but follow these instructions and you'll never have another problem. I don't understand the maths of it, but it works. (1) turn you cover inside out, and lay it on the bed. (2)lay the cover on top, and roll the two together, from the top til you get to the bottom. (Hint: I roll one side down a bit, place a pillow on it so it won't unwind, then go to the other side of the bed and roll that down) When you get to the bottom, (3) invert the cover like it is a pillowslip that needs turning. Button it closed. then (4) unreal from the bottom, and somehow, it is magically all the right way out. No more struggling with the corners!

WHy it's taken me all these years to find this trick I don't know. It really is wonderful.

Virginia said...

Pat, I've just looked up youtube and found a reasonable video showing how to do it .... I swear it's transformed washing day for me!


https://www.craneandcanopy.com/pages/101-how-to-put-on-a-duvet-cover

JayCee said...

I have had to stop drying my linen outside in the warmer months as the honey bees from our neighbours hives deposit indelible orange blobs all over it. I am also too lazy to iron it these days. It gets creased anyway after the first night sleeping on It!