General Chat

I am sorry everyone you may think that this is not necessarily what this forum is all about...
here I am trying to have a sleep befor I go back to work and all I can hink about is my youngest son, one of the twins...he has been promoted to a captain in the Army and it has been a fast track for him......My heart is bursting with pride and I know that may be rather silly but we are all allowed to be proud sometimes I am sure.

good night, happy dreams

Val
Thank you for writing such an interesting piece about the areas around you. I have never been to South Africa or indeed any part of Africa, my husband does not really like flying and has no interest in exploring the world.
Therefore I treasure learning about places where other people have been born or where they have lived.

I know what Leopards, Buffalo and Zebras look like but please can you tell me what is a Kudu??

You have inspired me again so I will next write about some of the places around Peniscola as they are also very interesting. I will most likely do that during the night or some time tomorrow as I shall be working the second half of a night shift. I employed someone and spent a considerable amount of time giving her a full induction, paid all the Criminal Records Checks and yesterday she telephoned us about 6pm to say she had changed her mind and would not be coming back to work tonight
It is so difficult to get staff to cover this shift at such short notice however another person is going to work from 7pm to midnight and then I take over until 7am..


I am going to try to have a couple of hours sleep noe , so will look on here again later this evening.
bye everyone.

Bridget

NUDGE

Hello from a rather cool JBay this morning.
I did write about JBay earlier on here but if you would like me to do so again, I will be happy to do that. Meantime here is something about places close by.

THE GAMTOOS RIVER VALLEY.

The name “Gamtoos” is a very guttural word , typical of the Afrikaans language.. Probably originated from Dutch although some people say it means “the roaring lion” referring to the sound of the Gamtoos river in flood.

There are three little villages in the Gamtoos Valley, namely Patensie, Hankey and Loerie.. There is a mix of citrus, potato and tobacco farming, citrus being the main form of export. It is regarded as the gateway to the Baviaans Kloof Wilderness area with beautiful scenery . Loerie hosts the Naartjie(Tangerine) Festival annually in September, this festival is always a resounding success. Hankey is the oldest town in the valley and claims to have the largest sun dial in the southern hemisphere. It is about 50 kilometers (I think) from JBay and the Hankey Hotel serves a really good Sunday Buffet Lunch – there is a vast choice of starters, meat, vegetables and of course desserts. Well worth a visit. We go out there occasionally.
Saartjie (the diminutive form of Sara) Baartman is buried here.

SAARTJIE BAARTMAN: was born in 1789 in the Gamtoos Valley to a Khoisan family. In 1810 she was sold to a British doctor, William Dunlop, who promised her a fortune if she exhibited herself in London and Europe. Little did she know what awaited her. She was paraded around in circuses and museums. She died in Paris impoverished and lonely. Her remains were finally returned to South Africa in 2002 after former President Nelson Mandela had requested this. She is buried on a hill outside Hankey and her grave is now a National Monument.


BAVIAANSKLOOF WILDERNESS AREA.
This is a World Heritage Site.
The Baviaanskloof(Valley of Baboons) lies about 50 kilometers North-West of Jeffreys Bay. It winds its way through pristine conservation areas and is comprised of unspoiled, rugged mountainous terrain. It is one of the largest wilderness areas in the country and is managed by the Eastern Cape Parks. For the more adventurous it offers a unique wilderness experience, it offers rock and mountain climbing, bird watching, scenic drives and camping. It is a memorable travelling experience with landscapes of a type found only in the Eastern Cape. More than 1000 different plant species can be found here which include the Erica and Protea family. Visitors may see Leopard, Kudu. Cape Buffalo and the Cape Mountain Zebra. While some people are brave enough to attempt the roads with an ordinary vehicle the use of a 4x4 vehicle is best. As I am not the adventurous type this is not for me!!! I don’t like mountain passes.

Taking us back to the 1950s and 1960s a Roadhouse has opened up here. I can remember going to the Roadhouse at the beachfront when we lived in East London. We also used to go to the Drive-In on a Saturday night and take our supper with us, make a bed in the back of our stationwagon for our daughter and when she was tired she would just go to sleep. Those were the days!! Anyway we have decided to give the new Roadhouse a try at lunch time to-day.

To quote Bugs Bunny - that's all folks!


Val.

mary, there was a restaurant in Birmingham (near the Post and Mail Building) called Fanny's. I don't know who ran it though.
I think that the lady in question was Rustie Lee. She was on "Loose Women" a lunch time t.v. programme a few months ago .. I don't know what else she is doing at the moment though.

I am a new comer to Birmingham .. moved here in January 1961.

At first I found the streets dark and dismal. Of course, it was winter, so very short hours of daylight. Plus it was rather smokey, as no central heating in those days, it was all coal fires. A lot of smokey chimneys from industry too, as well as the smell from the gas thingies (can't remember whnat those large round things were called). We still had steam trains too.
No nice clear blue skies, like I had been used to in the tropics, and it was so cold. It really did take lot of adjustment to get used to everything.

Then we discovered one of the "lungs of the city" our local park .. a place of beauty and wonder!

More about that tomorrow.

I would love to hear about your early memories of Birmingham, Mary.

Tess

Now Mary your memory is not that bad as you identified that the lady concerned was definetly Rustie,,,well done. I wonder wht happend to the reastaurant and Rusty her self ???

No one is boring Mary we all have little every day thoughts and experiences and that is what I feel about this thread.
Please DO write about Oliva and also the Birmingham you recall. Also hope you now have hot water.
Val, please do write about where you live, what might seem mundane and ordinary to you will no doubt be very interesting to those of us who have never been where you live nor are some of ever be likley to do so, for example I would love to travel to other parts of the world but my OH is simply not interested in doing so. He is one of the content and as he has supported me in so many ways I respect his feelings.
bye for now
bridget

Morning all
That restuarant Bridget - was it called Fanny's. I am a Brummie - bord and bred in Birmingham. I must admit the name of the lady evades me - wait a minute - it was not Fanny's but Rustie's !!! The memory can play tricks can't it ?

Like Val I always read this thread even though I do not add all the time - sometimes I think I am boring as I cannot think of anything interesting to tell you all.

I will add later something about Oliva - even might add something about Birmingham as well being as I spent 53 years there.

At the moment I am waiting for a man to come and fit a new water heater - had no hot water since Friday night - it is the little things we take for granted - turn the hot water tap on and expect HOT water.

Take care all and have a good day

Love Mary xx

Tess, I must try tha Head and Shoulder massage sounds as if it is just what I need.
How nice to have your son cook a meal, I wish my children where nearby, feeling a little lonely with OH now back home, He calls me every evening so I must not complain.
I went to Birminghima two or three times many years ago when a friend and I owned a Nanny Agency, We used to go to a Job Centre near the Bull Ring and they let us use one of their offices to interview people. I recall the was a famous restaurant not far away owned by a rather large lack lady who had become famous as a singer and she was also a fabulous cook and in the end she was more well known for this restaurant, the name of both the lady and the restaurant are on the tip of my tongue but there it stays,,,,

I look forward to reading you piece

As for the Chilean miners what can one say,,,, the determination to survive is amazing

114 days left

Have a good day

I am here, I am here! I might not always write, but I always read.

I think anything you haven't cooked yourself is always nice.

I watched most of the rescue of the Chilean miners on Sky News. Absolutely amazing and truly wonderful that they were all rescued and that all the rescue team returned safely. Whayt a President, to stay there all the time until the last one was safely up. Qujite emotional when he addressed the last miner up and then the National Anthem was sung. I guess it will be quite an adjustment for them all now getting back to sometjhing of normality.

I will write about this area Bridget, but as we say here "Don't rush me I'm a local"!! I just need some time to get the words together - I'm not that good at writing, my essays at school were not my strong point!

It started raining during the night and at the moment, it is 7.30 am., it is pouring down. I sure hope it lasts and that this awful drought can be broken. We do take thongs for granted like switching on the electricity and turning on a tap.

I don't know what happened to my first effort, obviously did something I shouldn't have and it was all garbled so had to start again.

Take care of yourselves.


Val.

Bridget, had my head and shoulder massage, bliss! Felt really relaxed afterwards so had a lie down (okay I went to sleep), this afternoon.

Son cooked tea for me this evening ... his version of chilli, using pork mince (half-price from A--a, and baked beans instead of kidney beans. It was really lovely, especially as I didn't have to cook it.

Will try to write a little about Birmingham by Saturday, perhaps two or three "little efforts" as my concentration doesn't seem to last very long.

Great news about the miners in Chillie, it must seem an extra long wait though, for those at the back of the queue.

I am amazed that they kept going for seventeen days, before contact was made with the outside world. They must have been very determined with a strong will ti live.

Might be too busy to come on here tomorrow, but will be back on Friday.

Tess

OH how disappointing no one else sent any mesages today.

I was going to write a piece but if no one is reading what is the point?

Mary
I really enjoyed reading abut Columbus Day, I did not know very much about it. Will you join me in writing some more sunjects form your part of spain, people do appear to like this information.?
Maybe we could encourage everyone on here to write a piece about where they live??
I will start by asking
"Please will everyone write some description or something special about where you live? What may seem mundain and unteresting may be very interesting to those of us who do not know your area."
Tess, a neck and shoulder massage, I could do with one of those.
Valerie. How about writing a piece about your part of SA?

Only 114 days before I finish work and then a few days latter I shall return home....

Good night and God bless you all and if you are not a believer do not worry I include you anyway!!
I am begining to understand why my nickname was BossyBoots!!
Do you all have nicknames??

Hi everyone, am enjoying reading Peniscola Bridget. Also about Columbus Day Mary, so keep it up.

Had a good day on Saturday, met my sis-in-law and we went to a meeting of The Birmingham and Midland Society for Genealogy and Heraldry.
It was a course about researching British records before 1837. Very helpful, now all I have to do is remember what they said!

I had hoped to come on here again on Sunday for a chat. Unfortunately, had a row with my neighbour (again), so not in the mood for chatting!
Feeling ok today, neighbour is not worth wasting my time on.

Tomorrow I am off for (another) head and shoulder massage. This should help to put me in a relaxed mood.

Next week I hope to meet two old school friends for lunch. We all have our free bus passes, (don't know for how much longer) and really try to take advantage of them.

Will be back again soon,
take care everyone and thanks for your good wishes,

Tess

Good morning all
Well today in Spain is a Fiesta - Columbus Day
Since 1987, Spain has celebrated the anniversary of Columbus's arrival in the Americas as its Fiesta Nacional or "National Day".[8] Before that, since 1957, Spain had celebrated the day as Día de la Hispanidad, emphasizing Spain's ties with the Hispanidad or international Hispanic community.[8] Before 1957, the celebration had been called "Dia de la Raza" along with most of the other Latin American celebrations. In 1981 a royal decree established the Día de la Hispanidad as a national holiday.[8] However, in 1987 the name was changed to Fiesta Nacional, and October 12 became one of two national celebrations, along with Constitution Day on December 6.[9] Spain's "national day" had moved around several times during the various regime changes of the 20th century; establishing it on the day of the international Columbus celebration was part of a compromise between conservatives, who wanted to emphasize the status of the monarchy and Spain's history, and Republicans, who wanted to commemorate Spain's burgeoning democracy with an official holiday.[9] Since 2000, October 12 has also been Spain's Day of the Armed Forces, celebrated each year with a military parade in Madrid.[9] Other than this, however, the holiday is not widely or enthusiastically celebrated in Spain; there are no other large-scale patriotic parades, marches, or other events, and the observation is generally overshadowed by the feast day of Our Lady of the Pillar.[9]
And as I type the church bells are ringing.
Our weather is not 'holiday weather' today - before going to bed last night it was thundering and lightening and around 4 am was still doing the same. The sky is very heavy looking like more rain.
As if that is not bad enough we have had no hot water since Friday - the water heater tripped the electricity off and as Saturday was also a fiesta day could only get someone to look at it yesterday - so hopefully tomorrow the heater will be replaced by a new one and I will have HOT water - well fingers crossed.
It wont be long before you go back home for a holiday Bridget and then the time to return for good will be even less. How many days left ?
Well must go hubby said there is a band coming down our strreet
Take care all
Love Mary xx
ps Bridget please write some more about Peniscola

Good morning,

Oh, Bridget do continue writing I for one really enjoy what you write. It is good to know that you will be home for New Year, a wonderful two weeks!

Apart from a back problem from an old rugby injury which he just has to live with, to quote the doctor "an old b******ed back", Jimmy is well and his knee after the surgery is fine. Thanks for asking.

We don't celebrate Halloween here, although there might be the odd one who does.

Nothing new about our weather to-day - wind!! Such strong winds at this time of the year is not usual.

Tess, I do hope you are feeling better.

We have a pet sensor for our burglar alarm in the garage as the cat spends the night in the garage, we don't like her to be out at night in case she is run over. Now for some reason this alarm has gone off 3 times in the past week - twice last night!! Of course always in the early hours of the morning. We had the technician here this morning to have a look at it but he doesn't seem to know why all of a sudden this should be happening. - so here goes to a peaceful night to-night.

Have decided to make meatballs for lunch to-day so I will be off now to make a start.

Have a lovely day and take care.



Val.

Valerie
I keep forgetting to ask you, How is your husband these days"

My night shift went well and most of the residents slept all night and lo and behiold I did nt stay and work through the day as well....so even I can learn something. Bye 10am I was in bed and fell asleep quite quickly and only woke when the telephone rang and it was OH from Spain...

He is being so good at keepingin touch with me twice a day and it os amazing what a difference it makes.

We are looking forward to new year when I shall be home for two weeks....

Has anyone read about Peniscola yet only I cannot see any point in writing any other tales or descriptions if they are not really interesting anyone.

I am finding it very strange to buy food and cook for just one person day after day..and eating alone does not seem easy,any tips.

The weather today has been beautiful with warm sunshine and no wind I am not sure how long it is expected to last but hope it is for at least a week or so.

Another thoght does anyone else celebrate Halloween? what do you do> we are thinking of haveing a halloween party at the home...is of course the residents permit it!!!!

Perhaps some of you will have special memeories or even some recipies.

I do hope that someone replies on here soon.

NN

I am back to work in just over an hour as the night shifthas proved to be buit of a problem so I am left to do the second half. This is why I am adding a little note now as tomorrow morning I shall, hopefully be asleep.
Had a nice long chat with OH a while ago and he has been telling me all that has happened whilst we were away. He is delighted that I shall be home forthe new year and insists that we go out to the local English/Spanish bar to celebrates as he doesn't want me working all the time I am there,Also of course it will help the couple who run the bar who also looked after our house.
When I get back home tomorrow morning it will only be 117 days left before I go home for good!!

God bless and sleep tight if you are in the same hemisphere if not then I guess it must be Good Morning!