General Chat

It is quite cool here to-day although the sujn is shining.

Hope you have your water back soon Tess, it is inconvenient when it is turned off without prior notiification, our Municipality also does that sort of thing.

Not sure what has happened to my birds, they haven't been around for the past couple of days, hope they re-appear soon.

Good to be re-united with your IPad Bridget:).


Val.

12.17.

Have just checked the tap... H2O has returned. Kettle is already on, Chai anyone?
:-) :-) :-) :-)

Did my usual shopping on Tuesday, with help from the Ring & Ride (Special bus service0.
I was planning on coming to chat yesterday, but had a rather low (in spirits) day, a lot of you will know how it is.
Well today I am more cheerful, or I should be. The trouble is my water has gorn!

HAd a phone call an hour ago from next door neighbour to ask if I still had my water supply, I checked and found that I didn't. Have now phoned the water company. Eventually got through on the first number to speak to a person.
She gave me another number to phone. (at least the second one was free.)
Phoned the second number, after listening to messages and pressing various numbers on the phone, was put through to an automated message.
"We have problems in your area, we are trying to fix it, message will be updated in two hours" (or words to that effect.)
My automatic reflex after making such phone calls is to put the kettle on! Oh well, I will just have to give that a miss at the moment.

I will check the tap every half hour or so, to try my luck. Will also be phoning the water message board number again at about noon to check for further information.
Luckily a have a little bottled water, so will not dehydrate.! (lol)

Tess
I don't know how large an area is affected, can't see any water vans outside.

Berona, I was just about to take a sip of my first coffee of the day wehn I read the story about your aunt, and i laughed so much that I spilt my coffee!! Never mind Joe, one oof my Cocker Spanials lapped it up for me.

This morning I am sitting on the terrace looking out across the sea which iis quite dark at the moment and everything is very still. The variety of birds have stopped trying to outdo each other with their early morning callm Jet and Joe have decided to go back to sleep and OH is still (snoring)but softley, The forecast for temps this week is in the high 20s which will be hat enough for my nearly ywo year old Grandaughter, and he Mum and Dad when they arrive on Friday. This time they are flyong from Amsterdam, Holland rather tha driving. It will be lovely to have her here for her second birthday, How quickly time flies...it seems only yesterday that we had the news she had jsut been born.

We are busy today, first with he BBQ at lunch time, just to make sure that all iis well and in good working order for the Sunday birthday party and then we are gooing to out in th evening with the friend who collected my iPad for me. I am looking forward to being able to give him a hug and thanks and have my last year "cheer up please" present from my OH, when I was so down and afraid that I would not recover. I expect some of you will recall those times. I can hardly believe that now I have improved so much.

Berona, which state do you live in? I wanted to go top Australia when I was young I even had the promise of a job in a Hospital as an RN, but unfortunately for family reasons it didn;t happen, I have a connection with people in Adelaide, Melbourne and another state which has just jumbed out of my head!!!

Take care everyone, enjoy your day,

07.09 hrs Spain

Good morning from me - good evening to you all. Wet and windy here in Oz - but it's the early part of our winter and I can't complain about the rain - we need it where I am. Further up-state, they have more than enough, but that's what this country is like. It is so big, we have floods, fire, drought or something else going on most of the time. At present, we have planes grounded because of volcanic ash floating over (from Chile - of all places!) causing problems at the airports.

Pleased to know that the op went OK and the trip to UK was so successful - even it you won't be satisfied until you recover your 'lost property'. I like the story about the lady who had the embarrassing moment. Good that she has a sense of humour!....Reminds me of my aunt, who lived quite a long walk from where she worked but walked to work for the exercise and only used the bus in inclement weather.

One morning, the elastic broke and she looked down to see her undies around her ankles. As she bent over to pull them up, her regular bus went past, and the conductor hung off the back platform and gave a whistle (the 'wolf' whistle!).
I believe that from that day on - she never used the bus again - regardless of the weather. Rain, hail, or shine - she walked!!

Greenfingers, your kind words and very obvious sympathy comes across loud and clear. Sometimes I wonder why it is that we, that is my family have had such tragedies and then I compose myself by remembering my father saying to me "God only gives us a cross we can manage".
Well not everyone has a belief but a tweak of what dad said my help them.

You most certainly have not made a mess of your message it we==is endearing and open, so a big Thank you.
Valerie, Great news today our friend has returned to Peniscola and we are meeting him tomorrowevening to collect my iPad....and treat him to a meal with is.....
Thank you for your kind words re my son and his Partner.

To everyone else I hope you are all well and look forward to reading your messages.

Today we had to buy a new top for our outdoor table, the one near to the poole. The glass one broke and so this time we bought a chipboard table covered in White melamine. It looks very smart and the chairs are basically white with the seat and the back in various colours of blue and green stripes. It looks rather smart.

Have thoruoghly cleaned the downstairs appartment today and done three loads of washing which was drying almost minutes after I had put it out to dry. Will finish ironing tomorrow morning. My OH tells me it is a waste fo time to iron sheet and I disaggree, so I wondered what most people do...Iron sheets or not.

I am now going to look through the recipies thread to see if there is a recipe for Guiness Cake...I seem to have lost mine.
So good night everyone

23.40 hrs Spain :-)

Will say a prayer for your son and wife and the life that they lost....but they still have each other, life can be so cruel, especially to those who do not deserve it, there are no mere words that can express what I feel for them both...I am making a mess of this, buts its an honest mess. I am a great belliever in fate.. love is a hug given by someone you do not know.....

Tess you seem to have been quite a busy little bee.

So glad you will get your IPad back Bridget, if that had been over here you would definitely have lost it for ever. Sorry to hear your son's news but trust that their hopes will be fulfilled in the future.

The technician has just been to set up our new television set which was given to us by my brother.

While I was hanging up the washing earlier there were so many birds twittering away in one of the trees at the corner of the yard.

Have a lovely day.



Val.12.12.

Bridget, i hope that you are soon reunited with your lap-top.

Sorry to hear about your eldest twin and his partner, and the loss of their baby. I hope that things work out for them in the future.

It has been raining here all day. Just as well I wasn't planning on going on a picnic, or doing any washing.
My mum would have been 91 today. She died in 2003 and is much missed.

As usual this last few weeks I have been either rather busy or rather tired.
Last week managed to go for eye test on Monday.
Do "big shop" on Tuesday.
Rest on Wednesday (plus cooking a dinner for my son and myself).
Thursday evening I went to Ladies Night at the choir. The speaker was from Birmingham Register Office, a very nice man. He told us some amusing stories.
My son went along too, as he wants to join the choir.

Friday I met my sister, chose frames for my new glasses, had lunch and shopped.
Today and yesterday, I have pottered around. Done some tidying and ironing etc plus joined the siesta crowd.

So it all starts again tomorrow.

The wedding sounds lovely. I'm pleased that you didn't get the rain.

Hello to everyone, I hope it is a little warmer where you are than it is here. (At least for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere).
It has been cold enough today to wear a cardigan indoors

Tess

Ann

Thank you for your kind words, and delighted to know that did get your lap top back.
so now for part three of my saga!

Part three of my last Trip to the UK.

Once it was determined that said iPad was nowhere in the house, (can anyone explain why we have to check the obvious so many times), I contacted the airport. A delightful lady explained to me that normally she is given all the lost items to tag and record not later than 01.00hrs BUT tonight of all nights she had not received anything, due to the "training", she sounded a kind but frutrated person and I suggested that I woul dphone back in an hour.
By now OH had gone to bed and for once I was somewhat pragmatic and decided to stay in the downstairs part of our house. Eventually after three calls to the Airport said yung ladye, was able to tell me that my iPad was safe in in her hands and had been logged in. Oh, the joy and relief. SO we went through the porocess of decining when it could be collected, should I fly over just for the day, was their a friend, family member etc whoo could help. Ann I was also told it would be kept for 5 full weeks.
By now i was tired and emotional and crept off to bed but simply tossed and turned for the rest of the night.
At 05.15 hrs I sent an email to my son in Barcelona to see if anyone he knew was going to that area, and a message to my sister. When OH finally woke, still rather grumpy he recalled that someone whom we know fairly well was in Bristol and so called him. The delight that followed was by then tangible. He was flying back on Tuesday, if I gave him all the reference numbers he would telephone to confirm that he would collect the lost iPad..... I called the airport gave his name and contact numbers and I now eagerly await having my Ipad back in my home.

Just in case anyone thinks that all I am interested in is tangible items that is not right. The Ipad is not only something which I use a lot but was also an unexpected gift from my husband when I was in a difficult dilemna and state of mind. He knows how much I enjoy writing etc and it came at just the right moment. in the UK. I have used it everyday since thin and I felt bereft without it.

Todaythe sun is shining and it is very peaceful with a few birds still singing, some music wafting its way up the mountain, but it is not loud, in fact it is rather soothing, the sea is blue and so is the sky. The weather forecast is quite good and we hope it stays that way as next Thursday my stepson number on and his partner are arriving along with ther daughter. Some of you may recall her being born and surprised to read how quickly time flies. Dear Roberta will be 2 years old on the 19th so we are having a BBQ party for her. I shall make a cake, we have bought an wrapped her present along with a few lttle items and I am sure we will have a good time.

Sad news though is that my eldest twin called to say that he was going to be a "Dad" and he was so excited and thrilled, then 48 hts later he called to say that his partner was in hospital having surgery as it was an ectopic surgery. I could have wept for him because his first wife only admitted after they were married that she could noit have children and now this. However his lady is home now and they are both looking forward and hoping that after the necessary recuperation period they will get her wish. Please if you do have a belief , say a little prayer for them both.
Army son is on manouveres, but cannot tell mw where???, daughter in law is doing well and so are the rest of my crew,
ell time for coffe so bye bye for now and I will be back later.
Going to make my Guiness cake.

10.00hrs Spain



:-) :-D

Just popped in to say good-night! Have read all today's posts. Will be back tomorrow.


Tess

Bridget, having left my laptop at security in Madrid airport 18 months ago I do know how you feel. Mine was made worse by the fact that nobody in customer services in Madrid admitted to speaking English. Fortunately through friends of friends I finally got it back but it had to be collected personally from the airport by our friends' friends.

Which airport have you left it at. If you don't claim it (Madrid had to be within a certain time), they sell it. You will probably have to identify it in some way so be prepared with something that you have saved on it. Luckily i had photos on my laptop. I hope you get it back. And tell your OH it is easily done in all the hassle.

Thank you for all your entries and pleased to read that on the whole we are all enjoying ourselves.

Part two of my Visit to the UK.

We, that is OH and I, really only wanted to fly back to the UK for a few days for the wedding, but as it was half term we could not pick and choose our dates as we had to take what was available.

What I had not realised is exactly how much time my sister spends each day looking after her grandchildren,,,,this is never a chore to her as she is just the same as our mother. In the presences of children under tha age of abot 7 yrs she is at her happiest. Now I do love my children very much and my Grandchildren BUT they are not the only people in my life.
However we did mange some girly time and went shopping, which I have written about in part one.

OH and I went shopping to see if there was anything that we needed. we bought an Egg Poacher, some dried herbs, birthday gift for our grandaughter who will be two on the 19th of this month, some cheddar cheese, a few personal birthday cards, and some Soda Bicarbonate for using in some home made cakes and Girly pink serviettes ,pink tablecloth, pink sweets and a pink present for our granddaughters 2nd birthday party. and nothing else.!!!

Our flight wasn't until 18.00hrs which again was not our choice as we prefer to leave early so we can get home unpack etc and relax for a while.

One of my nieces kindly took us to the airport and we had plenty of time BUT it was training day at the air[port so every was so much slower than usual. I expect you can imagine the situation in so far as all staff worked to the rule of the book and so everything took much longer than normal. The Trainers were stopping staff to ask them to explain to the trainees what they had to do, the whole process was being filmed, my ssssmall glass jar of Soda Bic was whisked waway to be tested for drugs!!! my lap top was Ipad was scrutinised and then we were filmed and asked to face the camera, at that point a box was plased on mine and whisked away ready for the next customer......

The flight was excellent despite being delayed for 15 minutes after we were all boarded. The first reason was that there was a one case in the hold that could not be identified as belonging to a passenger and just for a moment or so we all had the same thought!!!! However after several checks it was found to be on the wrong plane. Of course the second delay was that we had lost our slot BUT the pilot was excellent and as soon as we were given the OK he was hurtling down the aiwya and off we went. He made valiant efforts and we arrived at our destination just two or three minutes late.

It felt wonderful to be back Home and we were soon in th car and on aour way home were we arrived at just after 23.00hrs Spanish time.
As usual we unpacked immediatly and a few moment letter I said to OH " Have you got my Ipad" a long silence accompanied by one of those looks that you just dread. "No" was the reply " you had it and gave it to the security as we went through"......AHHHHH was my reply, " I will check again to see if I have left it in my case" however by now I was sure that I had left it behind....Can anyone imagine the turmoil, MY OH is not the most understanding of such events.

Next episode tommorrow as OH now wants some supper and I did promise him that I would have it ready,
So good night all


21.37 hrs Spain

Greenfingers I am pleased that the surgery went well and that you are now home. You will recover more quickly in your own home but don't go overdoing things.

Wehave just had very heavy rain which put a stop to plans to get out in the garden this afternoon.

Glad your surgery went well Greenfingers, have a good summer.

Does your pineapple plant bear fruit? We gave a friend a pineapple top to plant and he has had some lovely pineapples from it. I think it is so nice to be able to get vegtables from one's own garden.


Val.

15.30.

Hi everyone, had the op on Monday and got home yesterday, had to have a transfusion as my hemaglobin was low, but all seems to be ok other than that. My Local hosp has changed their way or operating and now have you out within 3-4 days. The care is miles better than last time, I had an epidural and was awake, I even spoke to my OH whilst being operated on !! very surreal. I now look forward to a pain free summer. Glad your time home went well Bridget, and thanks for the comments on my pots Tess. The picture isnet as good as I wanted it to be...the plants are pineapple plants, they give a lovely show (Euncomis I think thats how they are spelt.) The tops just do look like a pineapple, they last for ages, then die down and seed.

My veg seem to have come along in leaps and bounds in just five days, we have just picked out first courgetes.

Anyway lovely to be home

Goodmorning, after all the rain to-day is a little chilly and the sun is shining albeit very weak!. My seedlings survived the rain, I thought they might be washed away but fortnately they didn't.

Thanks Tess and Ann , I popped over to see my friend yesterday she is battling but stays positive and always has a smile.

Bridget the wedding sounds lovely glad everything went smoothly except for the Guinness and gthe beer :-). Your outfit sounds very smart too. Waiting for the next episode.

Have a good weekend everyone.


Val.

12.11.

Val I am sorry that nothing more can be done for your friend, I hope her faith continues to help her.
Hope you enjoyed the cutty.

Tess, as fast as we fill pots we find more in the shed so have to buy more plants etc etc etc.

Bridget, the wedding sounded very picturesque. I am glad you enjoyed it. Good that the weather was good too.

Good evening from damp Spain at 19.15 hrs.

My Trip to the UK.

Part one.
we left home about 30 minutes before my son, his girl friend and her son were due to arrive and arrived at the airport with time to spare. After going through all the usual procedures we went to the departure lounge and found that we were almost the last in the queue. Now I find it strange that people feel the need to wait in a long row for such a long time....the flight was smooth and fast arriving about 10 minutes early and dismebarking went smoothly as did the collection of the bags/ cases. We took a taxi from the airport to my sister and were very pleased to be safe and sound.

The next few days were busy but we had time to go shopping in Bath were the improvenments to the town a truly wonderful. Bath for those who may not know is one of the UKs most beautiful cities and the Baths were used by the Romans and are still in use, (If anyone is interested I could write about this seperately). all the new build are now complete and belend so well with the older buildings and is World Heritage Site, which is well deserved. On the Friday morning we wnet top the hairdresser and I had my hair cut short and and blow dried so that I could wear my hat without any worries.
All preperation went smoothly, I wore a creamy white linen dress with abstract flowers of Purple, purple shoes, a cream bag and my Pale Purple
hat. My sister who is 7 inches taller than me and a size 8 (not saying what I am!) looked every part the mother of the Groom and she wore Red and Cream. Her two daughters were very modern and looked stunning to say the least and the tiny grandchildren were all dressed in gorgous white dresses and the grand son aged 3 wore cream trousers with a short black jacket. the groom his father and best friends wore formal black
dress suits with long jackets.

The bride is a red head and she simply looked stunning in a tightlly fitted white dress with and her lovely long red hair had been dressed to one side.
The ceremony was fairly short as there was no communion etc and soon we were outside having the photos taken.
The reception was in a Restaurant on one of the many rivers in the centre of the beautiful country side and the sun shone all day.
This was a very different style of wedding to the more formal wedding and Blessing of my son and his wife but nevertheless it will remain in our memeories and hearts for its simplicity and the joy of seeing two people so happy.

As at all such occassions things go wrong and can normally be resolved quite quickly. I have known a groom to leave the wedding rings at Home, the Best man to arrive later tha expected but this one was as my OH said somwhat more important!!!! The Bar ran out of Guiness and another Beer, and this was not rectified for almost two hours, they also ran out of Ice!!!
Finally guests started to leave and we arrived home at around midnight, thoroughly exhausted, happy, and full of reminiscences, which took up another hour or so, then it was "up the wooden hill" as my father used to say, and we all slept very well.
The happy couple called the next moring to thank everyome for their gifts, before setting off for a three week Honeymoon in Bali, an extra Present from my sister and her husband......

Part two of my trip back to the UK tomorrow.


PS Thank you all for keeping this going, I have read the entries mposted whilst I have been away, will acknowledge them all tomorrow.

BB




:-D :-D

Maryinspain, good that your mum could laugh about her "misfortune" does she know that she has made a lot of other people laugh too?

Bridget, looking forward to hearing all about it. You sound upbeat, so hoping for cheerful news.

Val, I love your descriptions of the sky etc. Hope that you enjoyed the curry and rice. Sad though to hear about the flooding nearby and also your friend. Perhaps she feels a little better, now that she doesn't have the side effects of the chemo. I am hoping that her OH finds the strength to cope with the situation and that they can both enjoy each day as it comes.

Greenfingers, I am thinking of you. By the way, I love your avatar, it is encouraging me to get organised in the garden. I really MUST buy a couple of large pots to put on the paved area, outside the shed.

Has been raining her on and off over the last few days. But we have also had sunshine and blue skys. So something to suit everyone really.

Tess