General Chat

Berona, 17 is positively balmy to us. Quite a bit cooler than that at the moment as we still have a cold wind.

Hope all went well for Bridget and family yesterday.
GF OH is currently out in the garden huddled into a fleece preparing a few more hanging baskets for me to fill with plants in the week. I am hoping for at least one warmish day. :-) :-) ;-)

Yes Annin Glos the weather has got colder today, its a bit of a culture shock after all the lovely weather we have had, still if you have had rain too it will help the plants. I am sure Bridgets sons blessing went well, and she was probably a blubbing mess, I know I will be when our daughter gets married in about 10 weeks

5.55pm Norfolk

Caught up reading all the posts again.
Was rather tired last Monday and Tuesday. In fact I didn't go shopping as planned on Tuesday as too drained of energy.
Have been busy since then though!

Wedneday a G.P appointment, just my annual one for a medicine review.
Then into The Central Library in town to get books for Ann's readers group.
Thursday Into town again in the morning, for a pedicure and to have my eyebrows shaped at the college.
In the evening, went to my sisters for tea, and then to the Ladies Group of the Warley Male Choir.
Had a talk about Arthritis ... did you know that there are around three hundred different types.

There is an advice centre in central library. So will be paying a visit soon.

Friday 13th My Aunty (by marriage) was 101.
Sis and I went to see her. She lives in her own home, with her son. Is able to cook for herself. Still going great guns.
We saw a few members of the family, it was good to catch up and have a chat.

Saturday morning, I had to go shopping, as food supplies were running low (due to not going on tuesday).
Special bus came just after 8 am, so I had to be up early.

Have been rather tired again since then.

Have got some good news ... at last I have had some birds (blue-tits) eating from the bird feeder! They have been coming for a few days. Eaten all of one feeder ball, part of another and some seeds.
Have just put some more balls out and some fresh water.
Tomorrow, the fence man should be coming. It will be great to have my back garden fence and gate in place. Looking forward to it.

Bridget, I hope everything went well for you and the family at the blessing.

An, Berona, Val and Greenfingers you all seem to have been very busy, especially in the garden.
I am a complete novice so might be back asking for advice.

Now thinking of growing carrots instead of potatoes. Haven't been happy with carrots bought locally for some time. They are often wet!!!

All for now,

T

Tess for a couple of years and trying again this year I have grown baby carrots in a trough (like a window box - plastic. They have been quite successful and easy to grow.

Wll probably try that Ann. Less bending and I can keep it near the house.

Thanks for letting me know.

No problem, they are small carrots of course and sometimes I pick them really tiny and gently steam them.

Hi All - I am back after ages. Since coming back from UK end of March I have not been very sociable - sorry. I have been and still am worried about my mom. In the last couple of weeks she has had a chest xray which showed a shadow behind her heart . she then had a scan which showed gall stones and a collapsed lung. She is now waiting to go and see a specialist. Bless her she was 88 on Friday and my sister took her out for lunch - she told me she had steak, chips, peas and a little salad and then they shared a pavlova. Still got her appetite.
Then a week ago our youngest son came out for a week - his bomb shell was on the Thursday before he came out he was taken into hospital - his heart was racing and he was kept in over night and he too is waiting to see a specialist. He was ok while he was here so just hoping nothing much to worry about. During his week's stay he did pass a couple of compliments - the first was he did not know how I coped working full time and looking after the family and the house. The second was he thought that me and his dad looked good !! Aw bless.
Anyway, today I have cleaned downstairs thoroughly as it did not get done last week. Washing machine doing load number 3 and the rest on the line drying for ironing tomorrow.
Before I forget had our first dip in the sea this year on Sunday and boy was it cold someone forgot to put the water heater on !! Still it was very refreshing.
Had a couple of bbq's last week and a couple of meals out which was very enjoyable.
Hope you are all keeping well
Take care
Love Mary xx

Hi everybody,

haven't we all been a busy lot. Took my friend out to lunch and then on to the hotel where daughter is getting married. Pam is doing the flowers for the table etc and feels more confident now having seen the rooms. She is doing it as their wedding present which is lovely of her...daughter calles her Nanny Pam which she loves. We had lovely soup at the restaurant stilton and broccoli nearly as good as mine !!! Also made two bakewell tarts in long trays, one to cut up for our churchs fete and the other for a Benefice meal at the end of this month, my contribution. My bad hip has played up today roll on June 6th when I go in for a replacement..

Mole back in garden, haven't seen one for ages, but Arnie is back, they are all called Arnie, blessed things, just in the lawn after OH cut it !!

Will try the carrot idea

see you all tommorrow

5.00pm Norfolk

Welcome back to the thread Mary. I am sorry to hear about your Mum, that will be a great worry for you. Although the gallstones don't seem to be doing her much harm if she can still eat well like that. Good luck to her with the specialist. And also to your son, hopefully that was just a blip, still more worry for you though. Brrrr I am sure the sea was cold, it is still early.

GF soup sounds nice and what alovely present for your daughter of the table flowers.

I have planted up three baskets today and also put the three hostas I bought at the garden show in tubs, they can stand on the slate of the hosta bed instead of putting them in the ground, the snails are easier to control then. I also planted up the three basils in my herb pots, plus planting on some young basil plants I have. Then I organised OH as to where he had to put bedding begonias, large begonias and three Heuchera, he planted the clematis we bought yesterday and also this afternoon he planted four fuchsias in tubs and an ostiospernum

A very quick not just to let you all to know that we are home, tired, still in awe of the amazing blessing of Marriage and what a setting.
A very big THANK YOU to everyone who has kept this going whilst I have been away.
Back to UK in June for nephews wedding in Bath on the 3rd June and then I think that I will be ready to simply sit by the pool!
Well eyes are drooping so night, night


13.07 hrs Spain

I have just received this from my son so thought that some of you may like this
Bridget

logo
The Hospital of St Cross

Registered Charity No 202751
Home
History
The Church
The Brothers
Visiting St Cross
The Gardens
Opening Times
Contact Information
How to find us
How you can help
Events and Notices

England's oldest and most perfect almshouse - quote from England's Thousand best Churches, by Simon Jenkins
Welcome to the Hospital of St Cross & Almshouse of Noble Poverty
Nestled in the water meadows alongside the River Itchen, in the shadow of St Catherine's Hill and only 20 minutes walk from the centre of Winchester, lies the unique Hospital of St Cross. Take a step back in history as you wander around the ancient medieval buildings that have provided food and shelter for hundreds of years. Rest for a while in the unique and peaceful Master's Garden. Visit the 12th century church and wonder at the decision to build such a large and beautiful building for just a handful of lowly residents. With luck during your visit you may even meet one of the resident Brothers, in his black or red gown and trencher hat, on his way to Matins or weekly Pay Parade - traditions that go back hundreds of years.
An important piece of medieval and religious history, this impressive masterpiece is a significant part of the tapestry of modern day tourism. It offers the discerning visitor a calm and contemplative insight into an erstwhile tradition of communal care, customs and hospitality - and exemplifies the peaceful co-existence of church and secular life in bygone days.
The Hospital, which is England's oldest continuing almshouse, comprises a group of grade I listed medieval and Tudor buildings, including a medieval hall and tower, Tudor cloister, Norman church and gardens reflecting a seventeenth century connection with North America. The term "Hospital", in this context, has the same origin as "hospitality" and for over 850 years St Cross has provided food and shelter to people in need. It has been home to the Master and Brethren of St Cross since medieval times and today visitors can still receive the Wayfarer's Dole (a small beaker of beer and a morsel of bread). During summer months, further refreshments are obtainable from the tearooms, situated in the "Hundred Mens Hall", built on the site where, in ages past, up to a hundred poor men received a daily ration of food.

The church of St Cross from the lake
The Beaufort tower and Brethren's Hall
Website created by letshaveabreak.com

If you would like to see more just google the name of the church.

Maybe we could start another thread about wonderful old buildings or something similar

21.27 Spain

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.