Safety is paramount

Oh dear, Tt....I hope you are not having too many problems with neighbours.That must be a real worry. You are obviously doing everything in your power to keep Truffle and Conker safe.
My goodness, how on earth did you manage all that yourself....you really have done brilliantly. Those storage heater stones are good to use in the garden, a bit different and a nice colour.I have used them ,twice, in the past in a couple of customers' gardens!
Glad you managed to give Sapphire a home.
Keep yourselves safe !

Hi TT, nice to see you are still alright - albeit rather tired after such a hard summer of DIY!

I couldn't find your email address, even though we have corresponded several times by email. So a few weeks ago I wrote a blog asking if anyone knew anything about you & was pleased to hear several GoYers continued in touch with you & that you were well & posting more on Facebook. I never did get around to opening Facebook where I believe you are amongst my friends. I rarely go on there.

Sorry to hear about your problems & I really hope you feel safer now than earlier. I'm also sorry to hear that Crocus has died! You had had him a long time. Our two budgies are still with us & are quite happy.

I was also pleased to see that your two "helpers" are also keeping well! I miss seeing the blogs of them "helping" you with your gardening tasks as well as the shows they often take part in.

Funny you should post a photo of Fuchsia 'Swingtime' as Hywel has posted some pictures of it & I was reminded a few days ago that I also used to grow it. I accidentally came across some photos on my computer of it from 2006! I also discovered I'd posted a photo in 2010 of it when I had it growing in a hanging basket on the balcony.

Looking forward to seeing more from you in the future. look after yourself & happy gardening.

Hi TT, nice to see you back. I'm so sorry you've lost Crocus :-( . Sapphire looks lovely, a boy a guess as blue? My Aunt always managed to teach her numerous budgies to speak. Very funny.
You've been so busy, such a lot of work undertaken and expense incurred. I hope the situation on the south side has now improved.

Nice to hear from you again Tt. I was wondering where you were, now we know what you've been doing all this time. I'm completely gobsmacked at you doing all that work yourself & I do hope that it has solved any problems you've been having. I was sorry to hear of the demise of Crocus but 11 yrs is a very good age for a little bird & I'm glad you have found Sapphire. You will always remember Crocus though & the pleasure he brought into your life.
Thanks for your blog & best wishes to you for the future.
Have a great Christmas if we don't hear from you before that.

First of all can I say how nice it is to see you back here Tt. I can only quess at the problems your having with your neighbours, by putting two and two together, from what you've said here. As Paul says, you're obviously doing all you can to keep Truffle and Conker safe, but what a shame you've had to resort to such measures. Sapphire looks a beautiful bird and I'm sure will soon be a much loved member of the family.

Its so nice to have you back Terra - you have been much missed. You are so courageous, applying yourself single handed to your horrible problem. I'm sure we are all rooting for you, and hoping your hard work will pay off with added security. It's sad that you've had to say goodbye to little Crocus, but you know he had the best life you could possibly give him and has left you with lots of happy memories and photos. Welcome to Sapphire.
What a lovely photo of the "boys" fast asleep - not a care in the world...

Nice to see you back on GoY TT :) Funny thing, Beryl was asking this afternoon if I'd heard from you lately. She likes to see your photos :)

Those sheds look very sturdy, and I hope they'll form an impenetrable barrier to any intruders.
You've also got more storage space :)

Nice to see the dogs too, they're beautiful ... and also a photo of Sapphire. She'll have a good home with you, I know.

Your plants look wonderful. I didn't remember I'd sent you that one. It's a Saxifrage. I've lost mine.

There's a B&M bargains near here - a great shop :) I must see if they've got a pair of those gloves !

Well done to you Tt...You really have had a hard working Summer....Great to have you back on GOY ..hope everything gets back to normal for you soon x

Oh Terra it so good to have you back on GOY. I missed your witty and funny blogs.
Sorry to hear about Crocus. ‘Sapphire’ is lovely too.
Keep well and hope to "see" you here more often now that all the outside chores are done. :-)XX

Terra its so good to hear from you, been wondering for a long time whether you were alright, I did try to reach you on FB, I am so sorry to read about Crocus, she was so much a part of you and appeared in so many blogs over the years, Conker and Truffle, I think are taking a rest on your behalf, reading of all your hard work I guess you could do with joining them, lol...Pleased to see you already have Sapphire, its lonely when you no longer have them to chat to, I have no doubt she will bring you much joy and entertainment, I will be looking out for some of the photographs.
I take it the dangers you mentioned are still coming from the NFH that you had problems with in the past, that's such a long time ago Terra, you hadn't mentioned them for ages so I assumed things had improved, its sad to think you are still putting up with their nonsense, (being polite there Terra) have you lost much of your garden by having to take these measures, don't know how you have managed to tackle all that work but boy they do look good..
So good to have you back Terra, I hope to see more from you and all your team...xxx

Hi TT! It's really good to see you on here today :o) I too have missed your blogs and chatter. I'm so sorry to read that you've been having some serious problems on the south side of your property... I'm sure you've done everything that you possibly can to keep yourself and the dogs completely safe and private. The new sheds look absolutely perfect to me - Lots of lovely storage!!! Perhaps it's good that you've plenty of jobs needing to be done indoors... Turn the radio on, and keep nice and warm! It's good that you feel able to return here now - Take care of yourself and of course Truffle, Conker and Sapphire! ;o) xxx

Hi Terra. I've missed you too, wondered where you were. What a fantastic job you've done single handedly, and how professional it all looks. All this hard work, unnecessary if your neighbours were different though I don't know the problems. Perhaps you'll enlighten us?

Anyway you deserve to be proud of yourself and despite the loss of Crocus you still have your lovely dogs and a now new friend. I know how it feels to lose a beloved pet so sympathise greatly.

Glad you're back.

WowTT you have worked hard and it looks lovely and your shed looks very strong,hope you are feeling safer now.Rotten feeling like that in your own garden,Best Wishes.

So great to see you back, not the same without your lovely blogs....I am amazed at the amount of hard work you have put in to making your garden secure, very sad that you have to in this day and age......
Please to see Sapphire has a new and happy home, look forward to seeing her on your blogs, when everything settles down, take care and hugs to allxx

so glad to see you back . I too asked about your whereabouts and was told you were safe etc.
lots of hard graft there and I hope things improve further.
the boys look so serene and I am sure sapphire will enjoy your friendship as much a crocus did. :o)

Well TT that is a great job you did there on your shed. Amazing! It is truly alarming that you had to do all that work to keep you, Truffle, Conker and your new arrival Sapphire safe. Hope it makes you feel better. Linda x

I'm exhausted just reading your blog TT but I am so glad to see you are still plowing on. Well done on all your construction work. It all looks very professional. Truffle and Conker look very happy and secure so your positive attitude to the NFH problem does not appear to have affected them, unless they are flaked out because you have been making them work overtime. I'm sure that is not the case. Sapphire is already immersed in TT Team work and doing a great job reminding us about the birds and animals who helped to win the war. I have not been on very much but had recently noticed that you were not posting so welcome back and I hope you will soon be more comfortable now you have those security measures in place.

Hi Terra, it's lovely to see you back on Goy. Everything in the garden looks terrific. All your hard work....well I hope it pays off. So sorry to hear that things have not improved at all. Lovely new bird....and two of my favourite doggies :) xxx

Wonderful to see you back Terra! I am sad to hear about Crocus... his legacy lives on, online...

Lots of love xx

So pleased go see you back on GOY TT but amazed at how much hard work you have managed this summer to keep your garden safe and secure and so sorry you had a problem. Lovely to see Conker and Truffle snug and safe and to meet Sapphire what a knowledgeable beauty she is, Best wishes to you in your new safe garden :o) xxx

Welcome back Terra! Now I have to figure out Scotsgran's acronym....NFH..hmm..OH YES!= ☠️neighbors.

Wow you have been busy TT...hope your new sheds help with the neighbours.... You have done an amazing job...love your path with the storage heater blocks...glad to see team TT has a new member I bet Saphire is very happy with her new home.

Loosestrife, how do you get neighbours from NFH? Where does the F come from?

I think I've missed all the reasons for you doing all this excellent work, Terra, but whatever they were you clearly found them very unpleasant to make you do all you have done.

An explanation for you ...
NFH stands for Neighbours From Hell

Terra you are not one to be defeated are you? You have made a wonderful job of the necessary changes to your garden and have been so determined to do the work required.
As for the people who caused you all this heartache and extra work , I am really sorry that they live so close to you.
It is so lovely to see you back on here.

Yes, I couldn't find a devil to symbolize NFH but I found a skull and crossbones to come across with the same meaning of sorts.....Toxic Neighbours. How many of us have moved into a new home with really lovely neighbors only to have them move out of their home in a year or two selling or renting to people who for all intents and purposes are case histories in abnormal psychology and there they stay forever?

Terra, you have worked really hard to get things changed in your garden.

I didn't know the meaning of NFH. For some reason Fox Hounds came into my mind as we used to have problems with them many years ago!

One of our neighbours is moving next year and her cottage is up for sale. We have seen so many come and go in that cottage and all have been good neighbours. Just hope the next ones are also! It seems incredible that one or two people can cause misery to others. It happens as the TV programmes proved.

Great the dogs and Sapphire are loyal friends.

Thanks for all the above encouraging comments. I've read carefully [ three times over ! ] everything you've written ... so many interesting thoughts .. thank you ...
Over the winter months I'll try very hard to get back into GoY. My eyes do struggle a bit ... especially in the evenings, but I'll do my best to get involved again, and once more, thank you for visiting my blog. I do appreciate it, perhaps more than you might realise.
x x x

You are more than welcome, Stera. Just stay in touch - please?

Terra not me Arbuthnot!

I'm sure I speak for everyone on GoY that we are glad to see you back & posting again & that we are looking forward to your great blogs - especially when your "helpers" are involved! Are Conker & truffles in good heath still? Are they good friends with Sapphire?

Thank you Balcony... that's very kind ..
Conker and Truffle are well thanks, but getting older, like all of us ...
except for Sapphire .. she is young and energetic !

Sorry, Stera, and you too, Terra. My brain isn't working properly these days. I knew who I meant but my fingers didn't!

Hi Arbuthnot ..
no need for apology .. these day my eyes and my fingers are not always coordinated ..
and yes, I'll try to visit GoY more to keep in touch.

Look forward to seeing you again.

Of course no need to apologise Arbuthnot - just felt I shouldn't be stealing Terra;]'s thunder... :))

Oh my goodness, Terra, what a terrible time you have had these last months. I do hope all your hard work gives you peace of mind.
Lovely to see Conker and Truffle having a snooze & not at all bothered by all the goings on, hope Sapphire will soon be just as at home in his new safe haven.
I'm not around that much myself these days, sometimes other things get in the way but it is so good to hear from you again.

Thanks J.... yes, as you say so wisely, the home and gardens should be a safe sanctuary ... a very true statement ... mentally and physically I'm still trying to get over so many months of work and stress ... but things are improving ...

Hi Greenfinger ... yes, we all have other activities in our lives in addition to GoY, but nice to return here when we have the energy and the time available !

Hi TT , you have most definitely been missed I'm shocked to hear you are still having trouble from the NFH ... what an awful summer for you I don't know how you've found the energy or strength to do so much work by yourself , I'm sorry to hear the sad news about Crocus and am hoping to see a photo of Sapphire soon ,Conker & Truffles look there usual handsome selves ,I assumed you were busy in the summer with charity shows instead you were building a fortress ,take care x

Hi Amy... thanks for visiting my blog ..
yes .. it was a VERY stressful 7 months ..

I love your word 'fortress' ... yes that is very apt !

You ask about pics of Sapphire. There is a more close-up photo on my 14th Nov. blog called Autumn Almanac.
Conker and Truffle send hugs. x

I'm off to have a look TT Thanks ...x

Terra, what an achievement, but so sorry you still have the neighbour problems. It must have taken all your strength, not to mention the hours spent on it, but I'm sure you are feeling happier now to have it in place.

Sapphire is so pretty and no doubt is being spoiled rotten by you! Conker and Truffle look as handsome as ever.

Take care, good to see you back on here. :o)x

Thanks, Shirley, for your thoughtful comments ..
yes, making the necessary 'fortress alterations' took all my time, effort, and energy, and so now I'm spending the winter trying to catch up with lots of indoor tasks which were put on hold because they were not priority ... safety definitely is paramount ...

Sending you a PM, Terra :o)