General Chat

Good morning everyone, I hope that you all have a great weekend.

Keith enjoy the fishing trip and i hope that the car is OK.

I see that someone has deleted a thread...I wonder why? I read a thread on here yesterday about a lady who lives in very cramped conditions and some said that they wished they could help her. Well i did say that I would send a pm but now I can't do this....so if whoever it was sends a pm to me I will simply discuss an idea I had about how maybe we could help....so I await a message.

Had a naughty day yesterday...went out for lunch, ate to much, wnet back to friends house and indulged in the wine whilst sitting in the sunshine,,, came home and watched Wigan play and win so had another couple of glasses of the vino ..... outcome slept well and woke late!!! Oh well maybe it doesn't hurt to do this occassionally...

Had a couple of mugs of coffee before I came on here today so no hangover thank goodness.

My closest friend and her husband arrive tomorrow.I will really enjoy seeing her we both share a passion for family research, scrabble and read a lot of books so we get on just fine.

OH decided yesterday to invite 4 other couples so that they can watch a foottball match together...and then said" Bridget will do a meal for us all so no need to bring anything" so guess where I am off to later this morning. I have decided to have a variety of salads, meats, fish, cheese, lovely fresh bread, and fruit etc and keep it all simple. Any suggestions for anything else or fav foods please let me know.



Not a lot of time today but I may be back later and then I hope to see messages from you all.



Take care everyone, I am sorry this is so short today,,,,,,may be a relief to some I suppose


Bridget

Good morning everyone
just reading this thread and i need to say i think we all rather fancy the sound of where Val lives and you all must remember that i asked Val 1st lol
Anyway i cant do no more to my tree till Monday as a mate who helps me is away for a few days
So today i will get the car sorted and see the Grand kids i hope
i may even take the grandson fishing that should make his day
bfn

Morning Bridget and everyone,
I rather fancy the sound of where Val lives, perhaps we should all go for a visit, we could hire a charabanc!! lol
Weather once again hot and sunny, forecast to be 36+ over the weekend, lovely!
Enjoy your day wherever you are
Frances

Goodmorning and thank you for the welcome.

After yesterday's lashing rain and terrible wind to-day looks as if it will be lovely, the sun is shining and there is a slight breeze blowing.

I live in Jeffreys Bay, known as JBay or Jeffreys to locals. It is a lovely seaside town on the warm Indian Ocean at the southern tip of SA., east of the Garden Route which is the route between Port Elizabeth( now called Nelson Mandela Metro) and Cape Town. It is best known for it's surfing spots and the "Home of the Perfect Wave". Also known for the beautiful shells which can be found here. We have a Shell Museum with over 600 shells from all over the world. In the 1960's and 70's it was known as a hippie hangout. To-day most of the residents are pensioners.

It's a popular holiday spot for families , we have miles of beautiful
beaches. The summers are extremely hot and the winters are not really very cold although in July the temperature can go down to 8 degrees C in the night.

From our lounge window we look across the sea with mountains in the background. We have a lovely garden with a few citrus trees.

My husband is recovering well and may be home to-morrow.
I will be off in a while to visit him again.

Have a lovely day everyone.



Val in SA.

Good mormning everyone,
Having a great start to my day
I was looking for somebody whos name is in my family tree
Well it looks like someone off here is helping me Which is very kind of them
I will update you all if we are lucky
Another member has lots of info for me and is putting it in to print so i can put it all together
It should look good if i put a little story about any of the family next to there names
well i mush plot on to see what else i can find

Hello and good mormning everyone, I hope that you all have a good day.

Mummo
Delighted to hear that everything went well re your OHs visit to hospital and what good news it is that now he has only to visit the GP. I am sure that stopping smoking will in a few months begin to show what a good move that was, I expect he found it very difficult at first. re the bruising, unfortunately bruising easily is a side affest of medication and he will have to be careful about bumping ito furniture etc and sometimes simply playing with the grandchildren can also have an effect. However I am sure that all precautions are in place.

His cholesterol level sounds very good so you must be looking after him very well.!!!

When we lived in the UK I used to have a paddling pool for the grandchildren but often went "paddling" myself just to cool the feet down. However now I know what feeling hot really means, I don't know how people live near to deserts etc, unless of course they were born there and grew up with it. I hope the sun keeps shining for you.

KingKeith,
now that is a good idea, putting your tree into book format and perhaps writing about the ancestors you knew or where you have found out what they did and how they lived I am seriously thinking about doing an on line course re ancestry as I really would like to be able to learn more about the social history of the times.

Let us all know how you progress.

Ginny.

Oh dear! The idea is not to cause depression, what can I say!!!! Well I live in what was a very tiny fisdhing village until some years ago a famous film, El Cid was filmed here. After that the place became more popular with both the Spanish and the English and gradually it grew into a small town.
During most of the year the population is now around 10.000 mostly Spanish and spread across quite a wide area. The English population is fairly stable at around 100 people, but again this is spread around a large area which comes within the jurisdiction of Peniscola. In the summer the population swells with Brits, French, Diuch, Germans, a few Italians and a lot of Spanish. Quite a few Spanish people who live in Barcelona have second homes here and come at weekends and festive times.
We are more or less midway between Barcelona and Valencia.
This year the visiting populataion is considrerably lower than normal due the the recession across Europe and the rest of the world.
Spain has the worst record with Ireland a close second. The worrying thing is that many of the locals have invested heavily in the last four years, improving facilities for holiday makers and now we can see some going out of business...I guess the same is happening in many palces.
However from the perspective of simply living here it is a beautiful place to be and very calming. Then there are also some wonderful places in the UK..but here we usually have fantastic weather as well. I must also say that it is far removed from most Holiday places in Spain, no drunken louts of any nationality, a few merry people yes, but nothing serious, whilst English is spoken by many locals they do expect everyone to try and understand and use some Spanish.

So you want to come and have a swim...you are welcome, just drop by.....enjoy your day

I echo your thoughts about the TV programme you watched and my mind is twirling with ideas...I will send you a message...maybe, just maybe we could start something here.

Valerie,
welcome to my thread and I hope that you visit most days. I know a few people who have been to SA and they have all extolled the virtues of the country, where do you live? Can you write a little piece descibing your area to us.

How was your husband, I hope that he is improving and will add him to my quiet thought time,. I hope that you come back to this thread today and look forward to seeing your next message

JennyX

You sound as if you are enjoying your grandsons stay and your daughters visit. I look forward to reading all about the Regatta, it should be great especially if the weather stays good.

Hazel, lovely to hear from you, hope the workmen fitted the new hot water sytsem OK, and it must have been delightful to see your new grandson. We had another photo yesterday of our newest grandaughter who lives in Holland, she has an amazing head of hair and looks very bonny.

Well having sat and writen all these mesages it is time for a coffe!! I will then sit as usual and have my special 10 minutes, which I think may need to be expanded to a 15 minute break, but I do find that the morning is the best time for peace and tranquility. I have described many mornings on here so today it is time for a change. having said good morning to everyone I will be back this afternoon to describe what is happening in my part of the world. We are going out to lunch today, in town and opposite the beach, maybe I will find some inspiration there.


have good day everyone

Bridget

Had a great day yesday with new grandson. Took lots of photos with him with grand daugther.

Today went to doctors for letter to get new disable bus pass,

Paid bills yuk,

Then home for workmen to come fits my hot water timer..

Then next 3 days are going to be pjs days.

Have great day all of you.

Hazelx

Good morning All
Late as usually .... Still have Grandson and now Granddaughter has come up for the day .....so its dinner and off to the beach ..... thank God its fine lol
New Quay Regatta on for the next 3 days so lots of activities going on
Hopfully I will have more time next week so see you all then
Jenxx

Hello Bridget, although I haven't posted on this thread before, I have been reading it every day. I must say you have a way with words and sound so calm I really enjoy your writing.

I live in a seaside town in South Africa where the summers are very hot and the winters mild, for me anyway. To-day is a blustery day with rain on and off and the sea is quite rough and grey, I think the fishing boats will be taking shelter in the bay to-day.

Later I will be going to visit my husband who is in hospital after a knee replacement. This is a 45 minute journey as the hospital is in the next town.

I hope every has a good day.


Val in SA.

Morning Bridget and all


Just having for looking at my family tree and adding bits to it
Had a bit of a shock when i saw how much stuff i havent added to my tree ,But i think you where right about some kind of book Bridget,
So what i have been doing is putting it in the right order like a book and maybe get it ready to pass on to my kids
Well i must plot on with it BFN

Good morning everyone

and so another day dawns. As I walked down the stairs today to come into the study/siiting room on the ground floor, I thought about how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place, where the atmosphere has not been polluted, where there is calm and tranquilty, where I could look out onto the horizon which seems never ending and the sky is a hue of many colours and peace reigns. And so my thoughts for the day started and I walked around the garden and then sat beside the pool and thought about life. Life in general and my life. I was born in 1946, unsure exactly which of two people is my father. But I was lucky for they both claimed paternity....However my mother divorced and remarried and I was borught up in a poor but loving home with a father who could not have loved me any more than he did. He never knew his parents, and his two daughters, I have a younger sisiter were the focus of his life.

We lived in the east end of London and I must have been about 11 before I realised that we were poor....
I went on to become a nurse, met a my first husband whilst working on Saturdays in a market and we were both ambitious and held the same principals. We were 16 when we met and married when we were 24. We had by then saved for and bought our first home in Upton Park, not far from West Ham Football Club. We moved to Buckhurst Hill and our house backed onto Epping Forest . As we became more successful in our work we moved several more times and became the proud parents of four wonderful children including a set of identical twins. Sadly for us both our marriage ended afte 23 years,. I was fortunate enough to meet someone else whom I had known since he was 14 and he had been divorced for many years and our children new each other and so 16 years ago we married and life is good.
So why am I telling everyone this? Well I know what it feels like when ths sky is dark even though it my have a wonderful sun shining, I know what it is like to go shopping in the supermarket and not have enough money to pay for what is in the trolley, I know the pain which divorce causes, I know how cruel life can be, and to think that life isn't worth living anymore, and walking down those stairs this morning reminded me that we all need support, that we all need to be the supporter, we can all learn to apprecaite what we have and not simply think about what we no longer have.

As I sat by the pool and thought about all those who feel that their heart is breaking, those people who are caring for family and friends in very troubled circumstances, for those who have lost loved ones and wonder if they could have done more, for those peole who are considering if life is really worth while. I hope that my prayers and positive thoughts help in some small way and that the pain and concern being experienced has a moment of relief each day. We can move on, life does improve but sometimes you have to realise that you cannot be all things to all peole, including yourself.


Now I have done it again have't I? IRambling on My OH calls it....so I hope no one is offended, I know life is both wonderful and hard, so please just write back and tell me what you think.

The day is already warming up, it is 25c outside, and the temp is due to be around 31c with a real feel of 35c, so very warm.

What is happening in your part of the world, what are you all doing today, , the sky has a range of colours from pale bleue to pale pink and a very pale yellow tinge. The sea is calm and this moring I was still asleep when the fishing boats went out.

I will come back later today in the hope that someone has visited and left messages.

Bye for now everyone and take care of youselves


Bridget

Hi Bridget, OH got on fine, they were really pleased with his progress and happy that he has stopped smoking. He has to see his own GP now to have some blood tests to see if they need to increase or decrease his tablets, couple of things l was worried about but she put my mind at rest, 1. why he kept bruising so easily (keeps telling everyone l beat him up lol) but she explained that it was because the blood now is so thin a little knock will result in a bruise.
2. When he had his heart attack l was worrried that his cholesterol level was to high but it was 3.2 so was pleased about that.

Its been very close here today, sun has been shining but so uncomfortable even slept with the fan on all night, must get a pool in the garden, (paddling pool, lol.) well l can dream.
Thanks again for posting love reading this thread, take care, bye, x

HAzel, how lovely to be looking after your new member of the family, I find it exhausting when I look after the grandchildren We have six altogether and we haven, seen the newest arrival yet. She is in Amsterdam so we will visit in October by which time she will be 4 months old. The others range from 12 to 2 yeras. I shall feel old when the first one reaches 13!!

Lorna, where are you haven't heard from yo in a while.

Well my day has been very lazy, tidied the house , did some washing which was dry before I could say shall we have a swim....OH said thats a laugh you can't swim!! he is right ! I wish I had overcome this fear before, I slipped in the pool when my siter was visiting a few weeks ago and she said " I have never seen you look so terrified, now I know what a challenge it is for you. Thinking of having some Hypnotherapy when I go to UK next. Anyone ever been to a hypnotist?

The day turned out to be very hot and the sun was shining across the sea, it looked like diamonds sparkling, and the Castle was covered in sunlight. The fishing boats did not go out today and my neighbour told me that they have had there fishing quota reduced again....it must be very difficult for them to make a living now.

It is noticable in town that the holiday makers are down this year and the local cafes and restaurants are really suffering. The beaches are not as crowded as usual and at lunch time most people go back to the hotels for lunch...this is because they are all offering all meals inclusive....So I do understand, but the small cafes etc are closing fast....

Mummo, how did your husband get on at the hospital_


Nundah, you are missing, come and tell us what you have been doing, including your crafts....

JennyX and Lorna please come out of hiding we need to hear from everyone to keep this going

OOOPS now you know why I called myself Bossyboots....

Take care everyone, have a good time wherever you are, and if life is difficult share it with us and we will support you


Bye for now because I need to walk around the garden and think a few things through


bridget

Hi everyone,

Today i am looking after my 9 wk old grandson for the first time for few hours.
I have got letter from doctor so can get my new bus pass.
I also looking after my grand daugther until monday.

Have fun everyone

Hazelx

This has to be a quick reply as using OHs comp.....Anne how do I save this thread, I would hate to loose it

I will be back later today when OH looks at my comp.

Bridget

Good morning Bridget,
I am so pleased that you continue to enjoy your retirement, I have loved mine since the moment i retired in 2000.

We love the firework displays when we go to Northern Tenerife, don't seem to see so many in Southern Tenerife or Lanzarote our other holiday haunts.
It is a grey day here, yesterday was beautiful, blue skies and sunshine, tomorrow we want to go out somewhere for my birthday but the weather look unsettled so not sure where to go. We like to try and make birthdays and anniversaries special in some way.

I am enjoying your diary Bridget. I hope you are keeping a copy of it as threads have disappeared for no reason in the past. We lost a scrapbooking thread that way. Please keep it going.

Ann
Glos

Good morning Bridget,
Well we had the rain..we were sitting outside last night catching up with our returning neighbours when the rain which had haunted them in the UK finally caught up with them...it was about 10.30 and it continued all night. It has just about stopped now and we are awaiting the sun to dry up everything. Never mind 'it will have done the gardens good'.
I am sure there is lots happening in our part of the world but most of it seems to pass us by...of course it is fiesta time in the various villages and as you say the fireworks are spectacular, apparently the firework displays go a long way towards the mayors being re-elected....
We don't do much in the summer months as everywhere is so busy. I don't begrudge the holidaymakers their holidays but oh it is sooooooo good when they leave, we're very boring, we do so like a quiet life.
I was going to do some hard pruning today but the plants etc are too wet so will do genealogy instead.
Take care,
Frances

Hi Bridget,
No, I wasn't really in hiding - just sitting back waiting to see what I truly expected to see. You seemed quite 'down' at that time and from experience, I know that the decision to retire is a big one to make. I'm glad to know that my little bit of support helped.

Looks like you are living in a lovely place and enjoying it. Just what I felt sure we would see!

good morning all

wasnt a good night
lots to do today ,need to fix the car
I gtot some great stuff to add to my tree and have been putting it i to so sort of order
i must be busy as i havent been fishibg fro about a week now thats not me
i dont miss my fishing for any thing
hope you all have a great day
keith

A very good morning to you all and I hope to have lots of messages this morning.

I started my day somewhat latefor me as I slept until 06.30...now that is unusual. I am one of those aggrevating people who really does not need very much sleep and generally feel lethargic if I wake late. So that can be my excuse today for not doing very much and remember instead the words " What is this world if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare" so I am going to stand, well sit really and occassionally walk around, and stare.

The sky is looking ominous, very dark blueish black, the palm trees are swaying and I cannot hear any of the birds. and some of the local dogs have been barking so am wondering if we are at last going to have some rain......and when it rains here IT REALLY RAINS,. Jet and Joe my much loved Cocker Spaniels hate thunder storms and hide under our bed, does anyone else have a dog who is really afraid of thunder and lightening.

Last night we had an amazing display of fireworks again. We have lived here for six years and am still amazed by the fire works and the number of displays that take place, many such as last night are not advertised so we do not have any for warning or know why they are taking place, Anyway once Jet and joe were safely under said bed we sat and watched them whilst sipping a glass or two of wine....do remember that the fireworks do not start before midnight!! It was a great display and afterwards we could here people in the town cheering and clapping,.

Catchthecat
what is happening in your part of Spain, I have friends who have a holiday home somewhere near Denia, They come out each year around October November and stay for the winter. On the way down they always stop with us for a week or two. We chose this area because it isn't to far from Barcelona where nos.1 son lives and also OH would not be able to manage the very hot weather, although he has grown used to the high temps we have had here for the last two or three years.

Berona,
I have looked back on my previous thread where you and others were so kind, thoughtful and helpfull without being at all condescending. I have never posted such thoughts before but I believe that because it was almost anonymous I felt able to express my concerns and fears. The help and understanding expressed by so many people including yourself was a lifeline in a lesson on how not to be afraid of the future and to accept that it was my time to let go of work...so a very big Thank YOU. You will also see on this thread that somehow I have added a piece to th end of your message....I haven't a clue how I did that!!


Nundah, I am really looking forward to you description of your part of the world and to learn something about you...


I have just glanced out of the window and the sky is now a pale blue and the trees are still.....so it looks as if there is no rain for us todasy.


If I have not mentioned you in this rambling message please do not be offended and I hope to see lots more messages later.


I am now going to have my quiet time which has grown in length recently so will make a cup of coffee and go and sit in the garden


bye for now everyone have a good day


Bridget