General Chat

Quiet day also today, joined friends reunited last week and am in touch with someone i went to primary and secondary school with she now lives in British Columbia, sadly lost her husband in 2007. its been really nice to be in touch with her. But I still cherish all my friends here and those that have supported me through good and bad times... like Spanish Eyes I feel blessed in that way.

Isn't it lovely to get surprise visits tho

Regards all

Jan

5.33 pm Norfolk UK

Cloudy to-day but warm. Lots of weavers twittering around the bird-feexder to-day, yesterday I gave the bird bath a face-lift, looks rather good now.

I am a bit like that myself Berona, don't go out a lot but don't mind bein g at home, there is always something to do and then of course there is the computer! My Sunday paper was not delivered to-day so no crosswords, I have it delivered because taking out an annual subscription means the paper costs about half of what it does if bought at the supermarket.

Bridget, it is so good to hear that you are back to your old self and enjoying life. You do seem to lead a busy life.

I thought it was only here that pot plants are taken by those who help themselves!

Take care.

Val.

14.03.

Good morning to you all.
Well retirement is certainly suiting me very well, I was afraid that I would be bored, however now I wonder how I had the time to to work!

For example, yesterday we thought we would have a quiet day, with each of us having a few things to do around the house. Fortunately I had just finished the upstairs tidying etc, this is our main living area, when the door buzzer went of and I let in a husband and wife we net here some years ago and have become good friends. They spend 50% of the year here and the remainder near Bath in the UK.
They said it was a quick visit and they would not be able to stay for very long.
3 hours latter they left, having had several coffees and home made biscuits
brought by the lady the day before, and the chaps had a couple of beers. We have arranged to join a small club they belong to and will be going on a couple of trips somewhere, place still to be agreed and next week we shall
be playing boules with the group.
As they were living another couple arrived! we have been friends with this pair almost since the day we first arrived seven years ago. More coffe and then Wine...... I buy the Good house keeping mag whenever I can and my friend had brought back the most recent one I had.

Another couple of hrs passed by, the temp was going up and up and eventually we dipped our toes in the pool!! First time this year. Just as they were leaving I heard myself say, " do you fancy coming to lunch tomorrow" and they replied " yes please" .

OH then asked me, so what have we got for lunch.......thankfully I found a lovely piece of lamb in the freezer...we are using all our food so we can leave the freezer and fridge open whilst away in UK for the other wedding, and








then start again.



It is a glorious day here, it is peaceful and I can hear the birds singing the sun is shining and the sea is really a fantastic blue. Everywhere feels so calm..Jet and Joe have been for a walk with OH, and are now looking out of the balcony, oh is downstairs in the study and I am sitting writing this and looking across to the castle. Right now all is well with my world, the church bells have just started the peals....I so enjoy listening to the ringing of bells.








So I take this opportunity to once more to thank you all in helping me over the last 9 months, your kind thoughts, you genuine interest in helping my and your good advice will always be treasured, I feel a bond even though we have never met.....

Enjoy your day,
You are all in my positive thoughts and quiet time.....and I am so delighted to be back to enjoying and laughing, who knows what might have happened without such support from family and distant friends.


09.17hrs Spain :-) <3

Not a lot for me to report - how can I when I don't go out much? I'm happy being a stay-at-home. In fact, I would like to sell my car and stop my license (had it for 50 years) but worry about keeping appointments with docs, chemist, etc. My family say "we'll take you, Mum" but they all seem to be constantly occupied and I'm sure I would need transport just when they can't make it. It's something I will have to put more thinking into.

Ann - I wasn't sure if I would like 'Water for Elephants' myself - but have thoroughly enjoyed it. Circus dramas in the prohibition/depression years and I loved the up-to-date chapters about the old people's home. I don't know if I want to see the film - Hollywood so often makes a mess of the story taken from a book.

Our temperatures were coming down slowly, ready for the start of Winter next week, but this week they've gone back up again and we've had some beautiful days up to 23C - unusual for us in Sydney, although the snowfields further south have caused the tourists to flock there earlier than usual. The weather is all upside down!

Have been reading about all the planting you have been doing with interest.

I am a "new" gardener or perhaps more correctly "a gardener to be"
Have only recently sorted my back garden, (I have been in the house for over twenty years) Previously I have just had the weeds cut down every now and then. But remember - "one man's weed is another man'swild flower" So my back garden was full of wild flowers where the fairies lived!

Anyway because of, no time, no energy, no tools or equipment, no shed and no money I have just never got round to sorting it out.

Then ill health reared it's ugly head. That set me back in all sorts of ways.

Now I have got a shed, a lawn mower, a lawn and a washing line. As well as a few tools.

The garden is now enclosed, so I feel more inclined to put out pots etc. in the knowledge that if someone wants to steal anything, they have to climb over the fence.

I need to but a long handled shears. So that I can cut the edges of the lawn.
Will possibly dig up little areas, e.g. close to the shed, so that I can plant something.
Have put a bamboo plant outside. It is still in a pot, but if it seems to grow ok where I have put it, I will be planting it in the ground. (To hide the wall of next doors extention.

It will be a matter of taking it very easy, so as not to over tire myself.
But now I will be looking at plants etc and checking out gardening books.

Have been able to sit in the garden today to lap up the sun (I have a paved area by the house).
Have also dried washing today and yesterday on the washing line. It just smells and looks a lot better, when it is dried outside.

Bridget, The Blessing sounds really special. it felt moving just reading your words, so it must have been 100 times more so if you were there and actually knew the people involved.

Will be having my hair done (at the usual college) on Monday. So will be back to report on the outcome afterwards.

All for now,
hope that everyone is well,
Tess 22.50 UK time

We get out glasses at Tescos, it was cheaper to have new frames BOGOF's then have my old ones re-glazed ! I also had both pairs photochronic so that they change colour when its sunny. Worth thinking about when you come home again for any time..

Been out in the garden again, it was lovely.. When I lived in Scotland it was the custom where I was to take a cake or some such, so how nice that you got biscuits.

1.55pm Norfolk

Good evening everyone.
Ann I have acknowledged and read your review and added one myself! Thank you for reading it for me.
Val, I willsend you a personal message about Blessing ceremonies, I hope that you all had an enjoyable time.

Greenfingers, I also need to have an eye test and new specs...they are so expensive so I hope to be able to use my existing frames, one pair I have hardly ever used.

This morning a lady and her daughter who I met last night at the quiz night came along for coffee and brought some homemade biscuits, which I thought was a charming gesture. We got along so easily that they stayed for three hours and we never stopped chatting...on Monday, weather permitting we are going to have a BBQ and they are coming along.

I was reading some items about Ireland this afternoon and of course we are full of such fun!!! Did you all know that a large part of the worlds population believe that tomorrow is Dooms Day! I found it quite interesting.

However I am still planning what to cook tomorrow and to write emails to all those I promised to write to when in the UK.

Well that is about all my news for now, so look after yourselves and tthose close to you.

19.55hrs Spain

Morning all

Just adjusting to wearing new glasses, gosh is everything much clearer now !!

amazing what going up one prescription can do !!
Weather better today, bought some carrot seeds so will be trying out the trough idea tommorrow

Bridget, I have never been to a Blessing and I must say it sounds really, really lovely. I love the choice of Hymns, wonderful memories for you all.

We are taking a friend out to lunch to-day, it was his birthday a couple of weeks ago but as he had visitors from America at the time we were unable to arrange the lunch then.

My friends are back from their visit to Australia, by all accounts they had a fabulous time although they had quite a lot of rain while they were.



Val.

8.06a.m.

Thank you Ann I will have a look tomorrow morning, have just come home from Quiz night.

23.55 hrs Spain

Bridget, if you are interested I have reviewed John Grishom's The Last Juror on the last Greaders review thread.

What a wonderful occasion Bridget with some truly great hymns. Love Divine was sung at our wedding, and my parents, and both children (although daughter is divorced from that husband). Can you pin point for me where in the High street the church is? I don't think I have seen it and it sounds lovely. Is it near the Cathedral?

Yes, lots of good friends on this thread GF. Although I have to say I go on a few more where I have made good friends from all countries. (Daff's thread, My thread 'Has the heart gone out of the boards?' and Mo's thread re Jean. We can all chat 'til the cows come home.

Your wedding sounds lovely, lots of memories to think about and store forever.

I shall be in a similar state when our daughter gets married. They are having it in an Hotel, its a lovely Georgian House in a great location, in the middle of the countryside. It must have been lovely when it was just a private house..

Yes we have all been busy keeping the threads going...Phew what hard work !!!!!! No seriously I am so glad I joined this thread, I feel that I have gained some new friends, from all over the place, and its a lovely feeling.

2.10pm Norfolk

Good Morning Everyone, So delighted to see the messages flying around! You have all been very busy!!

So where shall I start ?
The Blessing of a Marriage for Thomas and Nicola
The approach to the church is through a magnificent gateway on the High Street in Winchester, with gardens which are immaculately attended and one day I shall go back just to walk around, and relax in a truly quiet awe inspiring setting.

Once all the families and Friends had arrived and were sitting in the right place the Priest arrived and briefly explained the history of the church and the music which would be played throughout the service. This lasted for about 10 minutes and then the the huge doors opened, the Processional started and the music was Te Deum Prelude by Charpentier.

Hymm, number one was then sung with such gusto it could have raised the roof of the church, Of course we were entranced by the Army Uniforms worn by some chaps who had trained at Sandhurst with my son and others he has become friends with whilst serving. (Men in uniforms always look so attractive)

Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory of The Lord was the first hymn and so the service commenced. Never having been to a Blessing before I was struck by how similar it was to a normal wedding service, I wonder if anyone else on here has been to such an occasions.

Readings were Genesis 1:26-31 read by my first husband and then
1Corinthians 13 by the brides father... both of whom were very emotional.
Then the Hymn Love Divine All Love Excelling and this made tears stream down my face as this was played when my former husband and I were married.

The main part of the blessing was then completed with great resolve and yet tenderness by the Vicar.

After the main part of the wedding the Hymn Give me Joy in my Heat was sung and again my eyes were filled with tears of joy and memories. Finally the final prayer took place and the Recessional Crown Imperial, very apt I thought for someone from the Army, was played whilst we all walked out into brilliant sunshine and the cameras flashing friends and visitors to the site started clapping and the world stood still for just a moment whilst we all were at one and in peace.

The children ranging from a few months to the early teens were so well behaved and that several people who were merely viewing the area commented on how good they were.
My only Grandaughter aged 11 was beside herself with pride because she has been invited to be a Bridesmaid three times and each marriage never took place. My daughter in Law had many members of her family there all from Northern Island and my grandaughter and another girl of similar age suddenly became best friend and Emily developed a Northern Irish Voice

OH now wants his breakfast so will be back soon

10.24 hrs Spain

It is pouring with rain at the moment and has been for the past couple of hours, wish we had more rain-water tanks.

Ordered some certificates from GRO and was surprised to see they now cost £9.25 each, I will have to curb my ordering as I am now paying about ZARl00 each, too much for a pensioner!

We didn't get the change in those running our municiplity as many had hoped for, a great pity.



Val.

9.17a.m.

Haven't got much to say today, as have been very busy, phone keeps going and 3 visitors !! It never ceases to amaze me that some days you would really welcome some distraction, and you don't get one, whereas on other days when all you want to do is get on, you get one after another phone calls, or people at the door !! Never satisified !!!!!!


4.50pm Norfolk

Don't know what happened to my post, I obviously pressed a wrong key!

Well voting over, we stood in the queue for 45 minutes in the chilly wind. Am now sporting a black mark on my left thumb, this takes a couple of months to disappear - done to stop us trying to vote again!

Tried my hand at making rusks yesterday, the end product tastes good but I did struggle with the dough which ws very sticky and difficult to roll into balls, I think perhaps I didn;t mix it for long enough, will do better next time.


Val.

16.32

Welcome back Bridget, I intnd googling the church, England is so full of history, very interesting.

Nice to see you back Mary, sorry to hear about your Mum and son.

Amazing what a hair-do can do for one Greenfingers. I need to have a hair cut but am looking for a new hairdresser. I don't like the way my present one lets the assistants do the blow-drying and not all them can.

Planted a beautiful pink geranium in a pot to-day and am about to order some cinerarias from someone from our church who is selling them. I really need a bit of colour in the garden, I know we are going into winter and shouldn't expect it to look it's best. Our gardener will trim the hedges when he comes this week.


Val.
18.00

GF it must be very painful for you, I'm sorry for you. I had my feet done this morning, not something I enjoy but is necessary with my horrible toe nails. Done now for another 8 weeks and it is more comfortable for walking.

Afternoon everyone

Had my hair done this morning, and feel like a new woman !!!
Weather gone back to dull,dull,dull. Hip really painful at the moment,3 weeks to go. I am feeling very tearful and the slightest movement is agony, I cried over my friend yesterday, and my hairdresser today...Ohhhhhhh I am in a state.Keep taking the tablets !! Ha Ha :D :D