General Chat

Goodmorning Bridget, how very nice to see you posting here again.
I'm sure it will be wonderful to be back home and your spaniels will be so glad to have you back. Time goes so quickly that it will be October before you know it!!

We have had about 10mm of rain since yesterday although it is not enough to break the drought it is very welcome, it is still raining softly at the moment. I hope it will continue. It is actually very cold here to-day but I am not complaining as I love the cold weather.

The soccer is in full swing here at the moment, but oh dear, those awful things called vuvuzelas, (which by the way is not "culture" for all of us here as some people think) are so noisy they are actually unbearable! Many people here think they should be banned and I couldn't agree more. They kill the atmosphere.

My sister-in-law had another stroke last week and was in a priviate hospital opposite a "Fan Park" the noise from the vuvuzelas was terrible. She was transferred to a rehab centre yesterday where she will spend about two weeks. She is doing remarkably well, her speech is quite clear and she is walking with the aid of a walker. I am going with my brother to Port Elizabeth again every day to visit her.

That I think is enough for now.


Take care.

Val in SA.

Great to see this back on page 1 - I have missed reading it.

Well we had a weekend away at Peniscola abd had a fab time. The weather was lovely apart from coming home yesterday when we had a few showers of rain and today is cloudy and looking like more rain - so the washing will have to wait.

Pleased to hear you will be back home in October Bridget - and reunited with your dogs.

Val - hope your sister in law's health continues to improve

Take care all
Mary xx

Good old Bridget...weather here could be better, we had lots of rain during the night and today the cloud is very low on the mountains opposite. Shame really as we have been having some fabulous weather, very hot at times. Hope it picks up as we are away to Portugal soon being joined by 'our boys', so looking forward to some fun time.
Enjoying the football, it is about the only time we really watch any and we pick and choose our matches, England, Spain and Germany are the ones we make a point of watching...like everybody else though I think the noise is horrendous, OH thought it was insects the first time he heard it.
Take care everyone and enjoy the day.

Frances.

Just dropped in to say Hi!
I am in UK and like a lot of you have been watching the football. However, I don't mind the 'horny things' Hope that hat doesn't put me beyond the pale!

I have never been to Spain, whenever anyone mentions it I always think of the Barceelona Olympics, and the wonderful blue sky you could see during the diving (high board) competition.

Tess

TheresaakaBridget the Fidget...you should visit Spain. It is a beautiful country and Barcelona is a wonderful city, but then so is Madrid and Valencia...every part of Spain has something for everyone from the beaches of the Costas to the Picos mountains in the north...I could go on forever but the best thing to do is to come and see for yourself..and yes the view from the Barcelona Olympics was fantastic. We went to see the stadium some 12 years or so ago and it seemed so tiny but it was built inside an existing old building and the atmosphere was something else and this was when there were very few people inside it...during the actual events it must have been phenomenal.

To everyone who has welcomed me back to this thread and who have helped to keep this thread alive THANK YOU.

This evening the sun is shining and the green leaves on the trees that I can see from our tiny living room are sparkling and swaying softly with the light breeze. Out of the small bedroom I can look across the local countryside to the sea..the sea is not as blue as at home but I feel lucky simply to be abe to see it.

The place we live in was built in the mid 1880s and the archetecture is interesting with various patterens in the brick work. Most of the windows are small and this, I think, is because it was built as a convent,again a reason why the rooms are so small. I sometimes wonder if I will see a ghostly sign of one of the nuns but nothig yet..maybe the lift puts them off!! It is also strange to be back in a place I was living in when I had my fourth birthday..Life is very puzzling at times.
Does anyone eklse recall strange encounters or experiences.
well time to make a coffe and eat some home made ginger and chocolate biscuits as a treat, husband gave blood today so he deserves a treat as well
Take care everyone

Brid

Goodmorning from a very wet JBay. The rain is coming down in buckets this morning, just hope it is doing the same in the catchment area. The sky is v ery dark and the sea is not pretty to-day, we also have quite a strong wind blowing. I just love curry in the cold weather so that is what is on the menu for lunch.

Spain sounds really beautiful, I must admit that I have never travelled abroad, but when I win the Lotto..........................!

Have a good day everyone.

Take care.


Val in SA.

Morning all...beautiful first thing but now it is clouding over, hope it holds off until the towels are dry. Hoping Portugal will be better next week. It is great to get the rain but NOT at this time of year, we should be having long, hot days after all it is the longest day on Monday.
Will watch the footy this afternoon as Spain are playing their first match, hopefully will still be watching them on 11th. July (have probably put the mokkers on that then).
Take care and enjoy the day.

Frances

It's a sunny day here in the West Midlsnds U.K.

Have been to the GP to get the latest results of my Blood Test (Cholesterol) it has fallen from 6.8 to 3.8 So I am quite pleased. Also managed to walk both ways, about two miles in total, does that mean I can eat a little extra now?

The chemist near the GP sels tins of Barley Sugar sweets yum, yum.

Will probably have a curry this evening, (either home made if I am in the mood, or using a jar of curry sauce, if I can't be bothered). I have got some diced turkey so not too fattening.

Will also be watching the football on the telly (if I can stay awake). Will cheer for Spain on your behalf, Frances.
I saw Spain playing in the 1966 World Cup at Villa Park, however on that occassion I was cheering for Germany!

Bye for now,
Tess

It is a challenge to write about where I am living at the moment so I am cheating a little and pasting some information. For those of you who do not know the area I hope that you will enjoy the read and for those who do know the area I think it will still give some pleasure.

East Sussex
Hastings.
A county in South East England that is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex.


East Sussex is part of the ancient kingdom of the South Saxons who established themselves during the 5th Century AD after the departure of the Romans. The area had been populated for many thousands of years before then. There is an abundance of archaeological remains, especially in the upland areas. The area's position on the coast has also meant that there were a number of invaders, those of which included the Romans and later the Normans.


From a geological point of view East Sussex is part of the southern anticline of the Weald. The South Downs, a range of moderate chalk hills which run across the southern part of the county from west to east and which are mirrored in Kent by the North Downs. To the north lie parallel valleys and ridges, the highest of which is the Weald itself.

Over a thousand years of history have formed the county of East Sussex with its green fields having been the sites of many great battles. East Sussex is studded with castles. Hastings Castle was built in 1066 straight after the invasion on top of the cliff that now overlooks Hastings Old Town. It was rebuilt in stone in 1070 as the first permanent Norman castle in the country. Pevensey Castle is four miles north-east of Eastbourne. William the Conqueror seized the Roman fort at Pevensey after beating the English at the Battle of Hastings. Bodium Castle north of Hastings, was built in the 14th century, one of the few examples of a castle built for a private citizen. Incapable of being defended against cannon fire, it surrendered when attacked. The Parliamentarians were ordered to dismantle it, so it remained a ruin until partially restored in the 19th century. In 1917 Lord Curzon purchased and restored the castle. It is now owned by the National Trust.


Earlier industries have included fishing, iron-making, and the wool trade, all of which have since fell into decline. Today, with the main towns being popular seaside resorts, East Sussex's main industry is the tourist trade

There are wide open spaces from the beaches and cliff tops of the coast to the chalk hills and meadows of the South Downs. There are narrow cobbled alleyways and elegant Regency squares, along with medieval cottages and fairytale castles. The mixture of glorious gardens, picturesque old villages, stylish bars and restaurants and fun nightlife are what makes East Sussex such a special place. It is here where you can relive a Norman battle, visit an Indian-style royal palace, go llama trekking, find a 69m long chalk man on a hillside and dine on a 1920's Golden Arrow steam train, and all in the space of a day.

I hope you enjoy the read.

The skies are grey and have been since aroound 05.00hrs when the birds woke me this morning. I am not the best person to be able to tell you all exactly what bird are singing so early in the morning BUT they are certainly louder and a larger number of birds than those at home. I will see if I can find out what they all are.
The sky as I said is very grey and does not look promising so i expect we will have rain again today, not that we had any yesterday but we have had our fair share this year.

I am surprised by the neighbours all of whom seem to be late risers so I cannot even tell you funny little stories about them!!

All the blinds are still down in the four houses I can see clearly and the dogs are still in the house and cars waiting on the drives. It is all so uniform that in a strange way I find it interetsing.
Whilst I live in a mid 1880s former convent here I am in what must be suburbia and I have never lived in such a place before. I have no intent inoffending anyone so please do not think that I am being awkward.

Of course another difference here to home is that I am working so have very little connection with the neighbours.

I fear I have said enough so am going to post this now before I become concerned that I say too much and end up deleting so have a great day everyone and i look forward to reading your news

Bset wishes

Bridget

n

Good morning all
Well we have blue sky and sun this morning - and guess who has to do the ironing. It is going to be a boring day today as I have to defrost the fridge and go food shopping that is adter I have tackled the ironing.

Hopefully tonight we will have a bbq - nothing exotic just an assortment of sausages, salad and crusty bread - oh and how could I forget - the bottle of wine.

Thanks for putting the info about Hastings Bridget - I know it well as our friends used to run the post office at Fairlight - have you been there - it is at the bottom of Battery Hill- Had many a walk on the fire hills too.

Well that pile of ironing is calling - enjoy your day all and stay happy
Love Mary xx

Hello, better late than never as the saying goes!

Thanks Bridget, fascinating reading. The UK is steeped in history.

My daughter's 9 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback pup was left alone in the front garden this morning while everyone was out, so he dug a hole under the gate and when she returned to her workshop he was in the back yard! He is quite big so I really don't know how he managed to squirm his way under the gate.

It was a sunny day here to-day, in fact it wa quite warm.
The lawn looks quite green again after the rain, there is nothing like rain for the garden, the town water, when we are allowed to use it, is full of chemicals.

You have ironing to-day Mary, I have a pile of washing for to-morrow. Enjoy your BBQ and definitely don't forget the wine!!


Val in SA.

Hi people...late today as have been out all day. Shopping and coffee this morning and a girlie afternoon with a couple of friends.
Weather seems to have sorted itself out so am happy now.
Told you I would put the 'mokkers' on Spain! Better luck next match.

Frances

anyone watching the France Mexico match. I pulled out Mexico in our local pub so will be pleased if they win

Bridget

You must be really pleased then, Bridget, as Mexico beat France today.

Spain didn't do so well for you, Frances, but at least they have got two more games to try to score some goals and get some points.

My energy levels are quite low again, so I keep falling asleep.
Another sunny day again, here in the West Midlands UK.
But haven't done much today, even thinking about it makes me tired. Did manage to do boiled bacon, cabbage and potatoes for dinner though. So did the most important thing!

Off to bed, to read a good book. Just hope that I am refreshed in the morning.

Good morning from a grey sky here on the Ridge at Hastings!! It looks very damp but not actually raining,the temperature has dropped and al in all it is a grey day.

Thank you for your kind comments about the Hastings posting, we are very fortunate here in the UK for wherever you wander it is steeped in history.

At work we are expecting what is called an "unannounced inspection " which means that the local branch of the Care Quality Commission who are the regulatory body for nursing,Residential, Learning difficulties etc Homes can call at any time and have to be allowed to Inspect all documentattion , speak to staff, residents, visitors and audit all finances, care plans etc. It is always an anxious time for no matter how much things have improved there is always something that they find...also I have to tell my boss that I have made the final decision to retire and go home.

I know he will try to persuade me to stay but I must be strong because I do believe it is the right thing to do. I get very tired these days and OH becomes concerned. However without a doubt the extra money has been very useful!!

I now look forward to all the mundane things that one does when at home and maybe that sounds silly as well...I am sure that you will let me know.

I am going to buy the outfit for my sons, civil marriage,so will look forward to doing some shopping. I am not going over the top as in May there is a very big Church wedding but never the less I want to do my best. This is when I wish I was about 4 stone lighter in weight but ha ho I am healthy and that is the main thing so watch out shops here comes size 20 Bridget!!

Off to shower have some coffee and toast and then a 4 minute drive to work so have a great day everyone and I will llook on here tonight to see what you have all been upto.

Bridget

Well another sunny moning here on the Costa Blanca. Not much planned today - just got to put clean towels and bed linen on bed and a trip to the local newsagent for the English paper.
Enjoyed the bbq last night but tonight having spag bolls - something quck and easy so we can sit and watch the England game. Such a shame Spain lost their match.
Well enjoy your day whatever you will be doing
Love Mary xx

Hello all,

Well done Bridget, Mexico won the soccer last night, I did watch but turned off the sound and listened to the radio commentary there seemed to be less noise somehow. It seems SA will be the first host nation not to make it into the second round.

Have a successful shopping outing. Over here I find that the larger sizes are totally unsuitable for senior citizens and the fuller figure (being one!), with frills, very low necklines and stripes going horizantally instead of vertically.

To-day is sunny, there is a chilly wind blowing although not too many white horses on the water. The schools here are having 5 weeks holidiay instead of the usual 3 weeks they have at this time of the year because of the soccer, so there are a lot of visitors in town.

Hope you are feeling better to-day Theresa.

Have a lovely day.


Val in SA.

Thanks Val, I'm not too bad. Went tp the ;aoca shop for some milk at half-time in the Germany v Serbia match. One of the advantages of living in an innercity area, is that I have got almost) everything on my door step.

It rained later on, so I was lucky and missed the rain too.

I even have a bird sanctuary a couple of miles or so away. And a lovely park less than a mile away.

Have managed to write to a friend and hope to get to town tomorrow.
Just have to take each day as it comes.

Got to get ready for this evenings match now,

tess