General Chat

Hi Everyone :-) :-) <3

Well, I had a very enjoyable Wednesday! :-)

It was a beautiful day here, so YES! I went home again! :-D

First, I stopped off in the little town of my Mother's childhood, that I have to drive through to get home.
There was a sale on in "The Factory Shop" there.
I bought my very first pair of skinny jeans! Well they are more like leggings really and very comfortable!


It was absolutely beautiful in my village.
The tide was full in. There were speed boats, motor boats, canoeists, waterskiers, yachts, etc all out on the water. One yacht had red sails, and I started singing to myself "Red sails in the sunset, way out on the sea...." :-D :-D
A mother and her children were angling nearby and people walking their dogs too.

I took more photos. :-D
Here's a selection for you to see

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/keepsafe/asset/details/17672871

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/keepsafe/asset/details/17672928

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/keepsafe/asset/details/17673164

The beach car parking area was full, so I had to drive onto the dunes to park. This was good as there were only a few people on the beach in this area. It's directly opposite my old house, but the railway line and then the woods are hiding it from view.

This is where I would swim when I was a teenager.
Swimming is not recommended there now, as there are no lifeguards and there can be currents which are dangerous if you do not know where and when it is safe and when it's not.

I only had a small walk, as it was quite late afternoon before I got there. I sat in a deckchair on the beach with a sandwich and tea and a yummy double chocolate chip muffin:-D :-D

I went for 2 paddles. The water was very clear and I did some filming on my camera while I paddled, trying quietly to do a commentary :-D as there were a few people around, and I felt really silly!!! :-D :-D :-D

I spent more time relaxing in my chair with a cuppa and a crossword book when about 7.30ish there was trouble in paradise .... YES KANDJ .... FLYING ANTS!!! :-| :-D :-D

Reluctantly I headed back!



:-)KANDJ
Well done on your gardening blitz!... doing a "Jem" made me laugh! :-D :-D :-D
I am not much of a gardener, needs must only really and an occasionally splurge! :-D

I googled your Welsh Poppies! I've never heard of them before. They are pretty and unusual. I hope they do grow eventually. :-) :-)
I will have to think up some Welsh phrases for you Kandj, so you can "encourage" them! ;-) ;-) :-D

My 4 £1 Dahlia bargains are small but all blooming very well. I hope they do survive the winter and grow to nice shrub sizes. :-)

Yes, I had a little bit of rugby to sort out for posting today, and about 2 and a half hours of ironing!


:-) PAT
903 COUSINS! Are you going to contact them all? :-D :-D
What a coincidence that you had already made contact with your new cousin's daughter!
It's great that you can share information. Very exciting :-)

I also googled the hibiscus. I had heard of that, but wasn't sure what it looked like. It is very pretty. Your hedge must look lovely when it's in bloom :-)


Well, with one thing and another, it's very late! :-0 :-0
So I'd better get to bed- my routine has gone to pot since Grandson 1 left school!

I hope you are both ok :-) :-) :-)

Love Jem <3

Hello All

Rain here for most of today but nothing like the storms that were predicted. It will do the gardens good as everywhere is so dry just lately. I had planned to carry on with the front borders but "rain stopped play" today. I think the weekend is meant to be dry.

Pat, are you in or out tonight? You are sure to be enjoying yourself whatever it is.

There is to be a day of celebrations in London tomorrow to commemorate VJ Day.
We will be watching TV coverage of all the events and look forward to the fly past of modern and historic aircraft which is to include a Swordfish, Dakota and Hurricane, together with a current RAF Typhoon and display by the popular Red Arrows Team.

Jem, How lovely for you to go back to your childhood village and find such a peaceful spot. Thank you for the links. Flying ants are a real nuisance for us all.

The Welsh Poppy Seeds are two varieties. One is an orange colour and looks similar to French Marigolds (Meconopsis Aurantiaca). Another is the usual type of open poppy but in a lovely yellow colour (Meconopsis Cambrico). I'm not holding my breath on either of them producing any real show of colour to be honest, as my second setting is still very slow in germinating........ watch this space.

Bedtime now for us, so Goodnight All.

Morning all, :-)

We were out the last 2 evenings. Not out this evening but should be tomorrow. Have just started doing the washing, 2 loads again. 1 minute the dirty clothes bin is empty the next it's full. :-( Add the towels and hey presto 2 loads.

Had e-mail from son. 2 sentences :-S He's going to visit friends of the family next weekend. Well at least he told me.

Daughter - you get a tome. We ladies communicate, men well !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

27 C at the moment and it says a high of 37 C today which is 6 C higher than all the week. It's already very breezy so think whoever did todays temps was a bit optimistic. Breeze is developing into quite a strong wind and it's just started to turn to a slightly different direction with gusts that are now coming into the house/#. Did this 2 days ago and we'd both got paperwork on the coffee table, oh boy was there a mess and had to move an armchair to retrieve some. Large painting shot of the wall, luckily it just dropped onto the settee in front of it. It's still off the wall as it's been windy ever since.

Have Radio Newcastle on at the moment and there's complaints about the rain. Will be listening to Radio York soon as they do a treasure hunt on a Saturday morning.

Looks like you'll have the garden watered again Kandj. I love flypasts, then again I was a WRAF and OH was only a few weeks off 25 yrs in the RAF.

Didn't go to many flying camp though. Did meet the pilots of the Red Arrows once. I wore a white dress and was with a co working when we saw the pilots in a group walking towards us as they made their way to the Officers' Mess for lunch. As we went past we saluted them and 1 fell to the ground clutching his stomach. We looked at each other and I said sorry we're dental you need a medic. The pilot sat up and clutched his jaw complaining of tooth ache. We both laughed at him and friend told him what time dental sick parade was that afternoon :-D.

The Red Arrows were detached to us for a few days as there was to be a big display in front of the queen at our sister camp RAF Abingdon to commemorate 50 years of the RAF. Not all plane/staff could be accommodated at Abingdon so we (RAF Benson) took the overspill.

I won't mention that on 1st April 2018 the RAF will be 100 years old ;-)

Will however mention than in less than a month the queen becomes the longest reigning British monarch :-)

Tell you tomorrow what happened when we had 2 thank you displays for having them by some of the planes/pilots in the 50th anniversary display team as both were very memorable for different reasons.

Jem you had another lovely day. It's great to have a place to escape to when you feel like time out. The shooting stars can be very clear here as there's far less light pollution.

Off to put out the first load, it's not the washing that bothers me, it's how much ironing I'll have in a couple of hours time :-S

All have a good day and a peaceful night. :-) <3

Hello Roll Call

Much better day today and another similar day is on the cards for us tomorrow.
That will be something to look forward to because th high a heat temp leaves hubby (and me) just drained of what little bit of energy we already have. I have no idea how PatinCyprus compes with temps in the mid 30's...... just wouldn't do us any good at all.

Most of our today has been glued to the TV coverage of the VJ 70th year celebrations held in London throughout most of today. It was emotional and humbling to see all the veterans (average age over 90) and listen to them shairng personal memories of spent in Burma fighting for the freedom of our counrty

I felt the afternoon flypast was very disappointing when just two aircraft namely the Hurriican and Dekota flew past. No red arrows as advertised and no old plane either (this one planes name that had been withdrawn) The clear weather conditions looked ideal and so I'm nit sure exactly why the fly pas was reduced to just 2 airplanes today. It was still extremely emotional and humbling to see the veterans together with their carers and clearly enjoying such an amazing day today.

Pat, you are sure to have very many tales to tel fom your WRAF days and your OH too will know of happy/funny stories that he's seen over so many years in the RAF

Jem, I have noticed that you have been busy on Radio Jem commnentating for the Ireland v Scotland warm up rugby match earlier. Well done Jem. you will be tired

Love and blessings to all who read this thread tonight..
.

Hello Roll Call

Much better day today and another similar day is on the cards for us tomorrow.
That will be something to look forward to because high heat temp leaves hubby (and me) just drained of what little bit of energy we already have. I have no idea how PatinCyprus copes with temps in the mid 30's...... just wouldn't do us any good at all. We both would be fit for nothing and it would leave us two drained completely.

Most of our today has been glued to the TV coverage of the VJ 70th year celebrations held in London throughout most of today. It was emotional and humbling to see all the veterans (average age over 90) and listen to them sharing personal memories of times spent in Burma fighting for the freedom of our country

I felt the afternoon flypast was very disappointing when just two aircraft namely the Hurriican and Dekota flew past. No red arrows as advertised and no old plane either (this one planes name that had been withdrawn) The clear weather conditions looked ideal and so I'm not sure exactly why the fly past was reduced to just 2 airplanes today. It was still extremely emotional and humbling to see the veterans together with their carers and clearly enjoying such an amazing day today.

Pat, you are sure to have very many tales to tel from your WRAF days and your OH too will know of happy/funny stories that he's seen over so many years in the RAF

Jem, I have noticed that you have been busy on Radio Jem commentating for the Ireland v Scotland warm up rugby match earlier. Well done Jem. you will be tired

Love and blessings to all who read this thread tonight..
.

Morning All :-),

Taking refuge on my settee as I've just swept and moped though out downstairs. Kandj the temperature suddenly went up mid afternoon out here. The wind stopped and then when it next started up it was from a different direction and felt like someone had opened the oven door. The temperature on our back patio (all in the shade) was 41 C at 4pm. This morning I got up and it was already 35 C. Kandj it's not the heat of UK that's so humid and it usually gets warmer very gently from March to August so you don't notice it so much. This year has been very odd though. You do things when you can. I've done the floor and I'll have breakfast soon. I'll listen to Classic FM until midday then to a treasure hunt from Radio Sheffield so no great exertions. Have some ironing to do but as we're going out this evening, I'll do it just before I get in the shower. :-)

The 2 displays to say thank you when RAF Benson took the overspill are very memorable. Today you get the first one.

Before the Battle of Britain Flight was formed the odd old plane flew individually and we had a Spitfire arrive at Benson. I used to baby sit for one of the doctors at Benson, he was a great friend of my boss (a dentist) and was often in our surgery. One day they were talking about the coming display and the doc mentioned that there was a Spitfire coming. I was asked if I knew anything about them being so young. I trotted of some details of where they were built during the war which shook them, then I let them into why I knew all about it. My father worked on them from 1937/38 until 1946/7, am not quite sure of start and finish dates.

When the Spitfire arrived the doc, who was fascinated with them, asked the pilot if he could get a close up. The lovely doc put his head into the surgery and asked me if I wanted to go with him and took me to see the pilot and we got an external tour of the plane. The pilot was impressed that my father worked on them during wartime. I was shocked at how small they were and the fact it looked like a big model and so flimsy compared to the big transport planes at Benson.

The display done by this pilot will live with me forever. It was the day before the big 50th anniversary display and the tannoy announcement told us what time our display was. The medical centre was opposite the end of the airfield so our road led straight to the peritrack (the small road that goes around the airfield) in case of emergencies on the airfield. The beauty of this was from the side road where the medical centre was we had a great view of the top half of the airfield. Up went the Spitfire and all of the medical centre staff watched from the road as the pilot put it through it's manoeuvers. The ambulances and the doctor's land rover were ready to roll just in case as always when there was flying. Well about halfway through the display we heard the engine cough then silence. Now to educate you in the workings of the Spitfire - if your engine cuts out you put it into a sharp dive and hope you can restart the engine before you hit the deck. The pilot put the Spitfire into a dive aimed at the airfield. Near help but also least dangerous for casualties on the ground.

The Spitfire kept falling and no sound, suddenly the doc who'd taken me to see it was shouting Go! Go! Go! as he ran for the land rover and a driver and a couple of medics ran to an ambulance, off they went towards the peritrack, our alarm bell in the medical centre started off and the other doc and medics were running towards the medical centre. Cough, cough, cough, then the engine started and the pilot managed to get the plane to start to ascend again. He wasn't very high at this point, I'd lost him behind airfield buildings. He then completed his display. :-S I couldn't believe what had happened, the pilot must have had nerves of steel, and no he wasn't from the wartime era but someone in his mid to late 20s so born during wartime. I never want to see anything like that again.

Always hated that alarm bell going off. It was mainly for a simulation exercise but we didn't know it until we got the stand down. Our medical centre was on standby for Heathrow accidents north of the airport and railway disasters in the Reading/Oxford area as well as ours and nearby airfields. Our decontamination area (a tunnel off the medical centre was a back up mortuary for any of these eventualities. The entrance to the decontamination area was from the dental waiting room!!!!!!!! I was classed as medical for these emergencies for walking wounded as only had general first aid during dental training. I do however know not to touch a certain area on a plane as it controls the ejector seat.:-D Bet you're all impressed with that. ;-)

Tomorrow the antics of the Red Arrows didn't stop at the stomach - tooth ache incident. :-D

Jem take it easy today you did so well with such fast games yesterday.

A happy and peaceful day to you all. :-) <3

Good Evening Roll Callers :-) :-) <3

It's been an ironing and more washing catch up day for me today.
I seem to have to wash and iron most days, however :-\ :-D


Nothing of huge interest to report today, unlike you Pat! :-)
Your stories are fascinating!
My mother was in the WRAF as I mentioned before. When you talked about Abingdon it seemed to be familiar, so I dug up a copy of a photo of her corps (is that the right word?)
There is nothing that identifies the camp on it though :-(

I laughed at your story about the Red Devils trying to impress you!
It reminded me of a story my mother once told me about her covertly dating an officer and then having to salute him the next day :-D

How terrifying it must have been to watch the Spitfire pilot in danger, particularly as you had met him prior to his display! Thankfully he survived and carried on the display! Amazing!

Well done on you sweeping out and mopping! How did you find the needed energy after all your pompom twirling routines yesterday ;-) ;-) :-D

Thank you Pat! I thoroughly enjoyed your company during the rugby yesterday, and it did help me, to have back up! <3
It was great we had Fly and Emms too! It was fun!

Of course Shaun has too much on his plate to join in the rugby now. Between his own terrible health, and caring for his OH and his mum being very poorly in hospital, it's very hard for him.
Tecwyn also used to enjoy reading our rugby thread, but he has been too ill to even go on line recently :-(

If you are out tonight Pat, I hope you are both having a good time, and that OH's back is not too sore.


:-)Kandj
Like you, I would find the kind of heat Pat has in Cyprus hard to deal with!!
She does say that it is a different kind of heat to what we have here though, and I have heard others say the same.
In Britain, an added factor is that we don't get time to acclimatise to one kind of weather, before it completely changes to another type of weather altogether!

What a shame you didn't get to see the Flyover display that was promised! :-(
That must have been a disappointment, Kandj!


Good Night Both <3 <3

~~~~~~~~~~ to all looking in on Dizzi's Roll Call :-) :-) :-)

PRICKLES <3

Hello All

Had a lazy sort of day today. Started one job and moved on to another, and another and another....... not completing very much at all really. Going round in circles and getting nowhere. Hey ho, doesn't happen very often but it did today.

Pat, that is a scary tale. I'm not surprised that you can remember it so clearly.
Yes, I am very impressed with your knowledge of the Spitfire controls. Good job that you knew not to press the eject button!!

I look forward to your next story tomorrow. I was disappointed that the Red Arrows didn't feature in the fly-past for the VJ Day celebrations in London with the veterans.
Perhaps I had dreamt that?? Senior moment maybe??

Jem,
Are you off to your quiet peaceful village again? It looks blissful. Can I come please?

Afternoon all :-)

Oh dear Jem, no corps in the RAF it's a flight or squadron and sometimes like I was you are in a branch. The chances are it's you're mother at basic training camp. We had a photo taken just prior to our POP (passing out parade). I don't know when she joined but for a long time it was RAF Spitalgate near Grantham Lincs. It was where you had your basic history of the RAF, learnt to march and issued with your uniform. You also had a barrage of injections. Hope all well with your daughter. Have your fingers recovered from Radio Jem?

By the way Jem it's the Red Arrows not Devils, they are the army paratroop team. Why someone wants to leave a serviceable plane that high up is beyond me. :-D

Kandj there aren't any ejector seats on a Spitfire it's the jets that have them, sorry to mislead you. It's easy really, it's a sign over the area you mustn't touch, easy to see to avoid it. :-)

Back to the Red Arrows in the anniversary display. They stayed until the day after the big display and did our display prior to flying off either home or onto another display.

Once again the tannoy announced the time. The senior doc decided to open up the roof to all of us so we could see right across the airfield. I believe it was the tallest building in that area. There was 2 of us in white dresses, my boss had a white top, the 2 docs and 2 medics (from the treatment room and the dispensary) were wearing white coats. The rest of the medics and drivers were in their blues (normal working uniform).

We watched the whole display having a wonderful view, they roared all over the place. In those days they ended with the bomb burst so the planes go off quite low in several directions. Well 1 of the pilots saw us on the roof (maybe due to standing out in white ;-)) and roared over us, we all ducked he seemed so close, but he couldn't have been that close :-S

Next morning I arrived in the medical centre, started up the dental centre and went to the kitchen to make 2 coffees, 1 for my boss who couldn't start without a cup of coffee and I couldn't be bothered to make a tea for me so joined him in a coffee. The duty driver and medic from the previous night were in the kitchen having a drink and toast before going off duty. Both were moaning about having no TV the night before as the TV was on the blink.

One of the technicians was sent for to check out the TV, if it was broken then it would have to be replaced. It's handy having such people about. In he came and looked at the set. Said TV seemed to be working OK but reception was dreadful. Technician decided to have a look at the aerial on the roof. It had twisted round so was pointing in the wrong direction. None of us had gone near the back of the roof, we came up the stairs and all walked to the area nearest the airfield, then returned downstairs straight after the display. The technician said it needed something strong to move it to that position. He unscrewed it and managed to erect it so it worked. On his report he put - aerial moved due to being caught in the slipstream of an aircraft.

He couldn't have been that low surely :-S yes he was and took the aerial part way with him. :-S :-S :-S :-S :-S

Never trust a jockey (RAF pilot) they're mad ;-)

You see we had 2 very eventful days. I didn't have a very exciting WRAF career but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Had great fun, imagine a village of mainly single people aged 18 - 30. :-D ;-) Usually us WRAFs were greatly outnumbered by the guys.

Another hot day today, we went out last night but staying in tonight. Have a bit of chicken left so it's chicken salad for dinner. May go mad and have a diet ginger beer with my meal. Hope it doesn't go to my head. :-D

Have a lovely evening and a peaceful night :-) <3

Hello All

A bit late in the day now but I was curious and wanted to catch the second episode from Pat about the Red Arrows team display.

Thanks Pat for sharing your memories....... all very interesting.
When does the book come out?? You are sure to have many other stories.

Jem, apologies for yesterday. I wasn't ignoring you, I didn't see your posting. Seems like we posted at almost the same time........ great minds think alike ha ha.

We haven't had very good nights here lately. Fingers crossed for a decent night sleep. Hoping all who look in will also have a good nights sleep tonight.

Hello All

Very wet and dark all day. Not at all as the month of August should be.

A tidy up day today and a few bits and bobs to take to the village charity shop again.

Shopping yesterday and I bought some fresh flowers as my usual treat but remembered not to leave them in the car boot overnight like last time. They never recovered really and I will blame that forgetful episode on a Senior Moment!!

Pat, the Red Arrow pilots must have come down really low to affect the TV ariel. Good job there were no wigs being worn that day.

I hope you enjoyed your ginger beer and it didn't make your head spin ha ha.

Jem, you have lots of enthusiasm for the Welsh rugby. I have no idea of the rules but will try to pop in and shout up for the Land of my Father's team. I'm still trying to practice the phonetic way but the words don't seem to fit in with the tune (silly me!!).
I will just have to practice more and try harder.

Sorry to read Tecwyn isnt feeling very well. I remember Shaun posted on General Chat and many sent hugs to Tec a while back. Sending (((hugs))) again right now.

Sending Goodnight wishes to all who are reading this on Roll Call now.

Hi Pat and Kandj :-) :-) <3 <3

Sorry I've not posted, I'm dealing with a few problems right now.

I'll try to pop in tomorrow :-)

Kandj, I didn't think for one minute you were ignoring me, so don't worry <3

Hello All Roll Call

A little better day than yesterday but its still cloudy and cool for the month of August.

I need to post a birthday card. Hubby will come along with his rollator to lean on. It has a seat so he is able to sit when he is breathless or weary. One post box in our village has been completely removed and others have only one daily collection now either in the morning or in the afternoon. No wonder this is referred to as Snail Mail.

Pat, I hope all is still sunny in Cyprus for you. Are your DNA results all with you yet?

Jem, sorry you have worries right now. I hope everything sorts itself out before long.

I hope everyone will enjoy the rest of the day today.

Evening all :-)

A 33 C day today, Kandj we'll have hot sunny days until at least the end of October. May rain in October, may not. I'll let you know when it rains.

I think I've got all my results but nothing in the medical section like the daughter's don't know why. Perhaps it's holiday time in America :-)

We only get 1 collection each day for post, all the post boxes say 6 am, well they all can't be emptied at the same time. No mail collection on Saturdays and Sundays, public hols or religious days. Wonder we get any collections. 1 religious day last week.

Jem hope all is OK now.

I've just noticed it's raining in Nottinghamshire so it's a wet evening for some in UK tonight.

Listening to Radio Sheffield this morning and Barnsley are selling excess council stuff on e-bay. In a couple of weeks they are putting on anything for sale from their gardeners, so if you want anything ladies it's the Barnsley page of e-bay.

Not out tonight but should be out tomorrow. Hope you get some sleep Jem.

Have a peaceful night, night and bless all :-) <3

Hi Everyone :-) :-) <3

Just to let you all know that Grandson 1 has had his place, that was provisionally kept for him, on the Health and Social Care Course at the Tertiary College.

He has passed all his GCSEs with 8 Grade Cs and above. :-) <3

Granddaughter 1 <3 has done very well in her Year 10 GCSEs too, but I am waiting to hear the details about that.


~~~~~~~~~~ to Pat, Kandj all friends :-) :-) :-) <3<3

Will chat soon, Love Jem xxx

Afternoon all :-)

Well done Jem's grandson.

Do you want to see what 8 GCSE C and above lead to. Our daughter got onto a calendar as Miss February after getting her's. This is her photo, her job is very good she's East Midlands manager. http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/keepsafe/asset/details/17885295

She did a bit more than GCSEs but you have to start somewhere. She also a schools ambassador. :-)

Another warm day, been putting off the ironing until it's almost time to go out. I'll do the ironing then straight into the shower. :-D

Out up the club tonight, a meal and then fun at the karaoke. We do not sing as we're both too cowardly and I have an awful voice, I can't keep in tune. Pity because I love music.

OH's back doesn't seem too bad so we should have a good night.

Kandj going on Nottinghamshire's weather you should have had a better day today. I do hope so. I don't know how far you are from Notts/Lincs area but the rain you talked about coincided with their's.

Heard Paul O'Grady's speech at Cilla's funeral, he's so funny. What fun they had, glad it lightened the funeral. I believe a funeral should be about celebrating the person who's died. I know it's difficult but I don't believe anyone I know(n) would want lots of sadness.

Hope you all have a lovely evening and a peaceful night. :-) <3

Hello All

Jem, well done to Grandson 1, they are excellent results. Congratulations to your Granddaughter she also has done well.
I hope that your less worried and will sleep better now.

Pat, Your daughter looks to have an interesting job. Is that piece of equipment
a theodolite used by surveyors?
I hope you and OH enjoy your meal out and karaoke at the club tonight.

We watched extracts from Cilla Blacks funeral. A beautiful Mass a mixture tears and laughter and memories from family and close friends. Her sons did her proud.

Good wishes to all who look in to Roll Call

Thankyou Both for your congratulations to my Grandchildren :-) :-) <3


We went out for a pub meal last night, it was packed and the usual chef just back from a holiday and stressed. Now I think I have either eaten something dodgy or I have a bug.

Sitting here with a bucket! :-( :-D

Hope I'll be ok for the rugby tomorrow night, or I'll be off the air ;-) ;-) :-D :-D :-D


Pat, great photo of your daughter, and as Kandj said, what an interesting job she has!:-)
Hope you and OH are ok and that his back's not too bad at the moment.

Kandj:-)
I hope you and your OH are both ok and coping with health issues.
I watched most of Cilla's funeral too. Very Moving. I have recorded the end part.


~~~~~~~~~~ to Everyone <3

Hello All

Jem, sorry you aren't well, I hope it's just a 24 hour bug so you will soon feel better.
Love your Avatar...... shame this young man had to retire from the rugby though.

Pat, I hope that all is good for you and OH in sunny Cyprus right now. We are in Yorkshire and it is dry but cloudy so far but with rain forecast for later on today and then hot and humid weather over the weekend (not looking forward to that).

Friday and weekend is just around the corner yet again. Someone once told me that time only goes faster as you get older, well, I am older and can't argue with that!

I hope everyone reading Roll Call will enjoy today and the weekend too.

Morning all :-)

Hope you're feeling much better Jem and hope you'll be on Radio Jem. Shame about Ryan Jones but having seen some sportsmen, years after they retire, having problems moving you understand why it's best to go before it gets too bad.

Daughter is a civil engineer. She works for a firm who send them out to other people who want a specific job doing and don't want to employ a full time civil engineer. She was seconded to a firm who was building a new perimeter fence for Humberside Airport. The photo is of her checking the area so she could peg out the new perimeter then the fencing would be in the correct place. The photo was taken in February by the firm she was seconded to, they later asked if she would let them use this photo on their following year's calendar that they give out. This is Miss February's photo. :-D

The people who run the scheme that's she's an ambassador for want people in engineering to go into schools to talk to the senior school pupils, GCSE or A level ages about careers in engineering. They really wanted her as she's 5ft 3ins and size 8 so the majority of girls will be much bigger than she is, so knowing she can do the job they know they should physically cope with it.

Daughter's out in all weather, climbs in ditches etc., she's in her element. Part of it may be telling great big burly men what to do. :-D She actually gets on well with them and has never had any problems being accepted as the 1 telling them what to do. At the moment she's working for someone who does lots of roads and motorways. They sent her off to Northants the other day to do a tender as an area was flooding and requires new drainage. Don't know how long she'll be with them but she'll do all the jobs they've got then either her firm or she'll tender for another job elsewhere. She was working at Nottingham council prior this job helping them revamp the ring road. She loves the job and as she's being seconded all the time she's doing lots of different aspects and hasn't got time to be bored. She's also in charge of looking after the people working for her parent firm who work in her area.

Jem it's very well paid and there's a shortage of civil engineers, youngsters can get a degree or may be able to do what she did. She got a job at Mansfield Council and they sent her on day release so she was qualifying but also learning on the job. She did ONC and HNC, it took 4 years. She now earns over twice as much as the average wage for the area. Wherever there's a shortage there's money. :-)

By the way she does scrub up well away from work without her big boots, jacket and hard hat. :-D

Hope all well with you Kandj, looks like it's warming up in UK today, already 19 C in North Notts. It's 10 C higher here and feels quite humid today.

Went out last night and had a lovely meal, only the 2 of us, OH's back was not too good but he wanted a Chinese. We went to a Chinese buffet, we were able to eat straight away and came away quite quickly so we were only out a couple of hours. We then caught up on some of the TV like bake off and pointless. We have WDYTYA and the Timothy West/Pru Scales series on a narrowboat yet to see. We don't watch much TV but we like to keep up with some programmes. Of course there's the sport but that's more me that follows that.

Hope to see you both on Radio Jem later today.

Have a good day all :-) <3