General Chat

What a lovely surprise to find over the last few days. I feel very relaxed and content, I only hope that it stays that way.

My Christmas cake proved not to be quite the disaster I thought it was! Thankfully it was just a small part which was as described the rest turned out as usual, not bad for a rather unpredictable oven...but the prices here are quite ridiculous....we manage it's foils quite well now.
We still have 12 night to celebrate, which means lots of noise from music, singing, yet another parade and so on! Then we go back to normal.

Today the sun is shining and compared to the UK it is quite warm.....however January to March is normaly our coldest weather.

I wonder if we should try to encourage an addition to this site? I was thinking about our likes & dislikes and why, what we would have done differently if we started our lives again. What are our hopes for the future, etc etc.......Funny things that happened to us and so on. What do you all think? Perhaps you have some ideas?

Trusting that you all have a good day, and I look forward to reading your ideas thoughts etc.


:-) :-)

Well at long last it is me back on this thread. Hope you all had a good Christmas and may I wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year.

Well December our son and daughter in law came out for 8 days - this coincided with Paul's birthday - the one he got paid for !!! We had a nice meal out and he enjoyed his birthday. Then after taking son and dil back to airport we were off to celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary. We had two nights in Granada followed by 1 night in Nerja. Everyone was telling me it would be cold so I packed jumpers etc and I was so hot it was unbelievable. Our last night in Nerja we ate our evening meal outside and I did not put my coat on until 9.30 pm - can you believe that !! Anyway we had a lovely relaxing time.

Came back home and the weekend before Christmas I came down with FF - no I am not swearing - it stands for festive flu !! Needless to say Paul came down with it too - but we still managed to enjoy our Christmas and eat lots of the usual Christmas fare.

Christmas morning I had arranged with my sister so when she was visiting mom in the home I managed to wish her a Happy Christmas - she actually heard me on my sister's mobile phone. This was the first time I had spoken to her since our visit in October.

The weather here has been amazing but today there seems to be a nip in the air - but as Bridget has said the next few months will be the coldest.

Well must go and sort my kitchen out and write my shopping list - the cupboards seem to be bare.

Take care everyone and I will be back !!!

Love Mary xx

Morning everyone Happy new year.

Well glad we are back normal again. I am off to the CAB to see if they can help me with someone to come to a tribunal to do with my appeal for my benefits and ATOS. The solictor i have only helps with letters and advice.

I am over looking after Caitlin and Arron the weekend. Only got Arron the Friday night, Caitlin until Sunday night. They go back to school next week :-D Arron on the 7th Caitlin the 8th.

Will pop in when i can. Havent read back Hope you are all well

Cold and cloudy here again today but not raining which is good.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~to you all

Hazelx

Not much activity on this thread. Is everyone still getting over Christmas?

Here in Oz, we are experiencing some of the hottest temperatures known and of course, it is January, our hottest month, and we have bushfires burning everywhere. Our most southern state, the island of Tasmania, has had temperatures up to and over 40c - not known there before, and fires have destroyed homes and there are still people not accounted for.Normally, we would not have to travel that far south to go snow skiing!
Our other eastern states have fires burning too. Here in NSW, we had 145 fires burning yesterday. That is now down to 99, with only 30 burning out of control. Whilst some can be allowed to burn, where there are no people or homes, the Rural Fire Service and volunteers have worked non-stop for a week now. The temperature here, was 42 yesterday, 25 to-day, and tomorrow is forecast for 40 again. Very mercurial and unusually high.
My thoughts are with the people who have lost their homes, pets and livestock. An estimated 20,000 sheep and cattle have perished in the fires....and our wildlife will suffer too. This is why most of us live in the cities - on or near the coast and also why most of us have air conditioning, or at least some way of keeping cool. I don't know how our ancestors survived. Most of them came from the UK and there was no way of cooling anything in those days!

Hi Berona, glad you are safe where you are, I was watching it on the news last night and it was very frightening. Makes our floods seem quite tame, although I suspect those caught in them wouldn't agree. It seems we are all experiencing extreme weather conditions. They showed the family from Tasmania who jumped into the sea to stay safe from the fire, luckily they all survived. They were saying on the news that lessons had been learnt from the previous year of bad fires when as many lives were lost in Victoria, this time people moved combustible things from their properties and evacuated when advised so have stayed safe. I hope the weather will soon cool down a bit for you and the fires will stay out.

I think I saw the same family as you did - in the water, under a jetty.... Unfortunately, there are still people unaccounted for in Tasmania. In other states, so far, no fatalities that we know of, but homes have been lost and livestock, pets and wildlife.

To-day's figures show 105 fires burning in this state alone, with 16 of them out of control and the forecast is for the wind to 'pick up', which is not good. And now, for the second time in a week, schoolboys have been responsible for lighting more fires which, thankfully, were extinguished. So much for school holidays!

The penalty for this type of arson is 14 years imprsonment. I don't know what will be done to kids. The Premier suggesedt that they should be made to assist in the euthanasia of the animals which have been hurt badly. I don't know about that. If they are thoughtless enough to light the fires, they may not have any feelings for anything. Their parents have obviously missed teaching them something, so that penalty may not have the desired effect.

I have seen reports of the fires that rage through, Tasmania, N.S.W and Victoria. it all looks terrifing.
I ahd wondered if any fires were started deliberately, as I know that this has happened in the past.

I don't know what the answer is for such behaviour, especially as the people responsible were schoolboys.

It has been rather wet in the UK, but recently it has been warm (for the time of yesar) too.
Today, it is a bit colder again, semms more like the January we know.


I ahve still been getting a lot of rest, but still doing more than I was previously been doing on "bad days" now my expectations of what I should be doing have raised considerably, which means that I am more easily disappointed!

Tonight I have been to my sisters for tea, and then we went to "Ladies Night at the Choir"
Brother-in-law is in a choir that reherses every thursday evening. The the ladies that are connected to the men in the choir have a get together on the second Thursday of every month.
We have a speaker, and then a cup of tea or coffee and a lot of chat.
A nice sociable evening.
This time my son came too. He rehersed with the men and said that they were singing some rather sad songs.

I should have started my exercise sessions again on tuesday (8th), but had other things to do.
I wil be going next tuesday and will be put through my paces.
Then I should be going to a football match in the evening (an F.A Cup 3rd round replay). Looking forward to it, but know that I will be rather nervous till the final whistle blows.

Hazel, I hope that everything went well with the CAB.

Mary, I am so pleased that you were able to wish your Mum a Happy Christmas on Christmas Day. Isn't modern technology great!
Mind you, I have bought myself a mobile phone, but have't got the hang of it. It lives in a drawer, out of sight and out of mind.


Bridget, so pleased that your Christmas turned out ok. All that worry for nothing. Don't put so much strain on yourself.

All for now,

Tess

What a terrible week.

Those fires in Australia look devastating

On Thursday on the way to my two hour in the evening job, I ricked my back getting off the bus whilst avoiding a passer-by. Could hardly walk by Friday morning, obviously exacerbated the problem by working for 2 1/2 hours. Had to go to the clinic for the AAA scan - my father died from Abdominal Aorta Aneurysm - got an all clear - if I don't have it now I won't get it - big sigh of relief. OH helped me on and off the bus, and I got home and went to bed to rest. On Sunday my team were beaten 2-0 at home and I think our other supported teams did not fare any better. Went to church to read the lesson and discovered that my name had been crossed off and someone else did the reading. Back to work this evening not quite 100% yet but getting there.

Love to all - prayers for those in need - keep warm in England (careful of the snow if you get some) - keep cool in Australia and anywhere else that is having good temperatures
Regards
Gerard
<3 <3 <3
:-) :-) :-)

We mostly have some way of keeping cool, Gerard. I don't know how our ancestors managed as they were all from the U.K. There was no refrigeration of any kind in their time.

Fires are still raging here. About 125 in this state alone. Whilst many have been extinguished, new ones start. Yesterday, 33 homes were lost in one fire, which is still burning, and still threatening more properties.

So far, only two incidents where schoolboys have been caught lighting fires. However, there was one other incident that brought a smile to my face when I heard about it.
It seems that a father and son had built a shed in the bushland to house their equipment for manufacturing the drug 'ice', and they were doing well hidden out there, for a few years. Apparently, they received a tip-off that the Drug Squad was on to them, so they decided to get rid of the evidence - by burning the shed down!
A spark from their fire ignited the dry leaves around them and a bush fire started raging towards where homes were - so the Rural Fire Service was called to that one - and thankfully, managed to extinguish it before it got to the homes - although it came very close!.....The fire fighters found the remains of the equipment and called the police - who are now enjoying themselves making a list of the charges - whilst the two men are keeping cool - in gaol!

OH MY GOODNESS........I had not realised that it was a while since I had been on here! Thank you everyone for staying in touch. We have had such problems with our computers and it has caused a lot of annoyance, angry at times because we did not know what to do to put things right and knowing that the wonderful man who used to help us is now living in Holland!
My computer is working now but I find it difficult to remember new names etc which doesn't help!
OH has the biggest problem ..........the comp he uses for his music etc simply collapsed and then his main comp did the same......he worked so hard trying to get them both working but ........

We went to the next town, Bencarlo and was told that he needed a new drive etc....got home with 380€s worth of equipment and ........IT STILL DID NOT WORK....
Back to shop who once more were trying to be helpful...they tried everything and had the same result as us. Then they tried the 3 others they had in stock and.......none worked! All were faulty, they gave us a ful refund and we went to a shop we know and are hoping that the chap there will give us good news. Meanwhile OH found a very old comp in the shed and he worked for hours on there..finally it worked for about a day and then.........yes you have guessed right.....

So I am just hoping that today gives us good news.

Berona, my thoughts and prayers go out to all the families, firemen, police, hospitals etc during the dreadful time in Tasmania.....it must be so frightening and worrying, as for the youngsters you mention words fail me.

Gerard, what can I say that you have not already said.....I hope that you are feeling better each day :-)

Berona, words fail me and that does not happen very often. I hope that the people involved are given a long long sentence.

To everyone, take care of yourselves and your family and friends, where ever you live, but especially those who are in Tasmania.

Bridget
<3 :-) <3 :-) <3 :-)

Berona - just thinking of your ancestors - lots of pink sweaty bodies!!

My dad emigrated to Australia when he was 18 under the £10 scheme, but came back after three years.

I am smiling too about the shed couple
Regards
Gerard :-D

Just looking in for a few minutes. It is rather cold but we have a clear blue sky at the moment.
I am hoping that it stays dry as I'm going to watch my football team, WBA plat QPR at the Hawthornes this evening.
I am told that the Hawthornes is the highest ground (above sea level) in the English Football League.

Gerald, I hope that you recover soon, what a nasty thing to happen, but at least you now have the "all clear" for AAA.
You are right, our football teams didn't do well at the weekend, please keep your fingers crossed that mine does better tonight.

Bridget, I meant to say that all went well with your Christmas CAKE! Must have missed that word because I've been avoiding calories! (can you see my nose growing?).
I hope that you and OH get your coputers sorted out oon. Strange to think isn't it that twenty years ago we probably didn't have a computer at home. They were just used for work.
How times have changed.

Berona, I know what you mean about the Ancestors, things must have been very difficult for them, a lot different from now. Plus no quick way to contact friends and family "back home" What brave people they must have been. Or were their circumstances at home so bad that it was worth the risk of going all that way into the unknown.

Hazel, I hope that everythig went well at the CAB and someone there was able to accompany you to your appeal.

Will have to go now as I'm off to my exercises this afternoon. I haven't been since before Christmas, so need to get back into the swing.

Keep well everyone.

What a nuisance Bridget having both computers go down. When they are working ok we take them for granted but when they dont work we feel like our right arm has been cut off.
Hope you get them sorted soon at not too much cost.

Berona my thoughts go out to you all in Australia - hope you all stay safe.

Gerrard hope your back gets better soon - there is nothing worse than back ache.

Well the weather here on Costa Blanca is dry, cold and oh so very windy. Hubby actually put his long wool coat on yesterday when he went to work. Oh and a scarf !!

My sister took mom out yesterday for a lunch and then on to Bodmin hospital to get her new hearing aid which seem to be working better. Tomorrow there is a meeting with social workers who still seem to think she can go into a warden controlled flat. Words fail both my sister and myself - mom is almost blind, deaf and cannot walk with sticks anymore she yses her walking frame . it makes my blood boil - sorry do not mean to upset any social workers out there - but the home plus my sister and myself feel so strongly that mom is in the best place being looked after. They seem to think all decisions are down to mom and no one else. Oh well rant over - sorry !!

Hope you all have a good day and take care

Love Mary xx

Most of our ancestors were young and adventurous - and out of work.
One set of my gr/gr/grandparents were in their early twenties and had three little boys. They emigrated in 1836/7 - the ship taking four months and because of an outbreak of measles, 48 passengers died (including the two youngest boys) and were buried at sea

I often think of how they must have felt, arriving here without the children. They couldn't turn around and go back home because they might have lost the other one, or each other. They arrived in January, 1837 and if that January was anything like this January is - I don't know how they survived.

Contact with 'home' was only by mail, which took four months to get there. So different from these days, when we can talk to each other by phone and email (as we do here!).

Interesting reading about your great,greatgrandparents, Berona.

Things at both their old home and their new one musthave been difficult.

I hope that things improved for them and that they lived long enough to know that they made the right decision.

At this time a lot of people could neither read or write. The "penny post" hadn't started (as far as I know).
Postage used to be paid by the person recieving the letter (or package).

Getting letters and messages from one side of the world to the other must have been difficult, and sometimes impossible.

So much could have happened to the family "back home" before the ones in Australia got settled enough to write.


Anyway, in the West Midlands we, like a lot of the UK have got snow.

Very quiet on the roads, not many people in the shops either, when I went to the supermarket on Saturday morning.

Since I last wrote, I went to the football match (we lost :-( ).

On thursday afternoon I went to the theaaaatre to see "Wind in the Willows" really loved it :-).

The audience consisted of schoo;childern (and their teachers) and a load of pensioners!

Hoping to go to my exercise group on Tuesday (weather permitting) and to a new group for Relaxation, on Friday.

With all this gadding about, I haven't had time to go to the hairdressers (at the college), so my hair is now rather long. Still it s helping to keep my neck warm.

Hope that everyone else is okay. :-)

Tess - I can see you appreciate what the ancestors went through. No work available at home, so no income. I can imagine they didn't have a lot of choice, but to try the new 'promised land'.
I can remember the days of no refrigeration and that's bad enough. Ice was being used when I was a child. I still don't know how the ice was made, but I suppose the method was the forerunner of refrigeration.
These days, as happened a few days ago when we had our hottest day on record - I can switch on the air conditioner and set it at the temp I want - and forget about what the weather is like outside. I don't have to go out because I have my fridge and freezer well stocked. I don't know if my gr/gr/grandmother thought it was such a good idea to come here at the time, but they worked hard and did prosper. I wish they could see us now!

Gerard, so sorry to read about your back, I hope it is recovered now.
Mary it will be so much better for your mum to have an efficient hearing aid. She won't feel so cut off.
Whenever I read about the people who emigrated to Australia in the 19th century I am full of admiration for their bravery. Interesting to read about your Gt Grandparents Berona. Four months and a horrendous journey and heartbreaking to lose their little ones.

Hello. To everyone......at last we have our Internet back.........how lost we felt without it, to me it felt as if I had been one of those who left UK all those years ago, some to Australia, others to India, America, and others, most did not return.

Pleased to read that those who have been unwell.....are now improving.....long may it stay that way.

Bridget

Hi Bridget and all

CAB cant help with someone coming to tribunal with me, but i have been given a number to call from someone else that someone who can. Havent got a date yet. But solictor is starting sending letters to doctor asking him for a letter to put in with my appeal.

I had a fall on Saturday, took Caitlin and Arron just round the corner from where Arron lives as there is a field out there so they can have a play in the snow,dont know how it happen but i did go down with a bang, Hurt all down left side, But didnt break anything that wa main worry. Cariltin handle it very well, I manage to get up, But next day it hit me, Not too bad now.

I came home by bus Sunday night been in since. Bit worried about going out again on my own. Plus i have to go over a bridge that goes over cannal i have to go into the road as its to icey for me to walk. But got to go pick Caitlin up from schooll Thursday just got to get over that way by bus then some one is taking me to school by car to get her.

Its driving me mad staying but been helping someone on FB with they brick wall. Have knocked it down abit for her. Just trying to get be more info for her,

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~to everyone Hope you are all keeping warm and safe,

Hazelx

23rd of January and my latest granddaughter is One Year Old. When I think that she was rather early and worried us all I can hardly believe that she is now an walking, happy, healthy and has such energy. She was born on the same date 23rd January as my mother and I am amazed at the likeness, not in her looks but in her determination to do everything she wants to do, her laughter, and the looks she can give to anyone, from happy etc to 'the How Dare You Touch That, or NO'.

The weather here is confusing.......from high winds to rain and the sun shine all within the hour I have been sitting at the desk!

Last night we went to the English Bar for the darts night and....my husband came first out of the twelve who were playing....lots of fun and good chats. This evening we are out again with some friends to the other Quiz where we play and only won a few times.......Quizes can be so very different wherever you go.

Well time to do some work etc so bye bye for now,

Bridget :-) :-)