General Chat

hello everyone appears to have had a good easter, to-day the sun is shining and the snow is melting and it was a bit warmer. I was out to-day the car was making a funny noise so I went to see my mechanic nothing serious back on thursday for a tune up the car that is. if we have a few nice days I may even get it washed. I have a busy two weeks coming up my son is off to san fransico on busines so will be helping out with the children, also he is planning a surprise graduation party at the church for lindy as she finishes her teaching degree, it will be held on may 26th which is the oldest gransons birthday he will be 12. 2 days after my 65th. she really will be surprised it will be in the afternoon for about three hours. we are all very proud of her going back to university in her middle 30's plus having three children. she did graduate with honours when she was first at university with a double degree , but as she says going back this time she felt like her brain was not able to take it all in at times but she has been pulling straight A's hope you all will keep enjoying the nice weather that I think that you are getting bye for now dorothy

HI all,Fred have you seen Judes thread about her loo,seems like that time of year. I am using things from the freezer aswell but need pet food and fruit aswell as bread and milk. Having my lunch at the minute but will have to go and get a brew before we reopen.Might see you tonight.Take care Brnda

Good morning peeps,i didn't get on at all yesterday after the upstairs cistern sprung a leak overnight and i had a heck of a job doing a temporary repair to make the toilet usable. It turns out that the seal at the bottom of the syphon has perished and you can't get them any more ,so though i have replaced the seal ,it dosn't fit properly and is still weeping,so the search will start today for a blue replacement cistern,from B & Q. The only trouble is ,once Liz gets in there among the plants it will mean another load of flowers to put in the garden before i have even got the weeds out .oh joy.i do LOVE mixing jobs out there grrrrr. It looks as though the hawk has at last moved his hunting grounds because all of my birds have come back,from the dunnocks and spaerrows ,to the wren ,tits ,and thrushes,and i am back to filling the seed containers every couple of days. Has everyone enjoyed their holiday?ours was very quiet for a change ,and i was really good ,despite getting two eggs ,i have had no chocolate at all,i may even donate these two eggs to the grandchildren later this week,when they have finished their own lol. I do have to go shopping this morning ,we havn't been for days ,prefering to use the stuff out of the freezers so that we can get them defrosted,but we still need bits like kitchen rolls wahing powder potatoes and some other bits and pieces. Hope everyone is okay and fit and enjoying the milder weather. See you all later.fred.

Hi all, Just called in to say hallo and keep the thread going. Sylvia xxx

Morning folks ,its grey and cold here again,but they have promised sun again in the week,!! but i will be in work. Had a great time last night after finding something out for my friend I checked on some hot matches again and looked on a tree that had been opened for me,had rellies come from all over.will keep me busy for ages. Hi John ,had a good easter thank you .and guess what NO EASTER EGGS.have had lots to eat ,but not chocolat,which isn't that bad,i suppose.What a lovely idea about the tree,I have a couple of shrubs in the garden for my mam and uncle,but only since they died.Watching the tree and the child flourish would be great, Had a lovely roast dinner yesterday,roast leg of lamb,with all the trimmings.Think it was NZ.as well,having the rest of it cold with salad tonight and some New potatoes. Have loads of ironing to catch up on.and then search these new rellis,Speak to you soon ,love Brenda

Hi all Did you have a Happy Easter? Not too many chocolate eggs! We had Easter Sunday at my brother's place with some of the family where a tree was planted in her honour of our new great-niece who is nearly two months old. Our son and his girlfriend were with us for the weekend. Off for my afternoon coffee. John in NZ

Hi Every one back from visiting Johns mother ,weather really good.Need to sort out something for my friend for tomorrow so can't stay long.Have a nice day Brenda

Hi all, Well I got a bit of a shock when a dark-skinned male nurse came to wash and dress me this morning. Call me old-fashioned, as Dame Edna would say, but I prefer a female nurse. Anyway, take it or leave it, he will be here tomorrow morning too. Today Johan and I gave interviews to a journalist from one of the leading Dutch newspapers, who is writing a book over the Biafra war and we were there at the time. She is following up the story of a group of Biafran children who were sent to the Netherlands to fatten them up before going back to Nigeria. They spent six months here apparently. Not done anything else really, so see you tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

good morning glad to hear that everyone is enjoying the weather and the week-end, it has snowd all thursday friday and this morning it is puring down snow poor choice of words but that is what it looks like, no brenda I did not get to where I was going for a couple of days the highways were not great so did not chance it. all the family are supposed to go to my daughter in laws sister's home for easter dinner to-morrow, but the weather will not bother the son and his wife they are used to driving in whatever weather we get. I was going to go out to-day to get a hostess gift for jane but don't think I will now. I finally found the name and phone number of the car service I like to use when I come over, thanks for the offer brenda it is a big joke here and there that I cannot traval light ,but then again I bring lots of stuff for anne and her granchildren, it is looking like I shall arrive around the 9th of aug going back on the 12th of sept, as of the 3rd week of sept the flights back to toronto go man/ london/ then toronto and I don't want to hang around london for 3hrs the direct return is better for me. oh my I have nattered on good to hear about fred and the gardening bye for now dorothy

Morning everyone,firstly ,sorry i couldn't get on here yesterday,this was because ,A i was busy in the garden from 7 in the morning ,and B because when i came back in ,it was to find that Liz had hijacked the puter to play her games on,but never mine,at least she can't multitask on a puter[yet,but thinks oooooer what if later.........] It was so lovely to get out into the garden that i went a bit power mad i think,hee hee,i finished the digging in the veggie patch and applied the lime and horse poo,dried ,i might add. I then cut both lawns ,had another bout of seed sowing in the greenhouse,and finished off by putting up the boss's new bird bath which is now attached to a fence post.. By this time my back was rather sore ,and so were these old pins ,so today ,as soon as i finish here i will get out the kneeling stool and do some gentle work on the back borders ,taking my time in the sun ,getting a tan,and working more of the poo into the soil as i get some air round the roots of the plants,and remove a few weeds art the same time. You see ladies ,contrary to all the myths you put out ,men CAN multitask ,so there hee hee. Well have a nice easter all ,take it easy and relax a while.take care.Fred ,off into the wild blue yonder again,[the garden.]

Hi all, Well the nurse came so late this morning to dress my wound and help wash and dress me. It was 10.45 and I was still in my nightgown. I wanted to go to the market as I had not been there for 5 weeks and my hairdresser was coming at 12.00 and my daughter and granddaughter around 2.00 pm. How on earth could I fit everything in. Well I did. I had a quick shower and was dressed in a wink. As soon as the nurse went I was out of the flat and to the market. I just arrived home when my hairdresser arrived. I was relieved to see her. As a bonus my grandson also came round. Tomorrow Johan and I are giving an interview to our newspaper over our time in Nigeria during the Biafra war. The reporter is coming in the afternoon around 2.00 pm so this gives the nurse plenty of time to come and go and me to tidy up a bit. What wonderful weather we are having. I really feel so good when the sun shines but still have to have the central heating on in the evenings. See you tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

Good afternoon,from a sunny Manchester,it was cloudy first thing and brightenend up and is very warm in the sun,but if you are in the shade a few minutes you feel cold really quickly. Have put my first full washing machine full of clothes out to dry,so I hope its warm enougth for that to dry. Having a salmon en croute for tea , (its frozen) and was a bargain last week from the wholesalers.Had a free taster and it was lovelly.It was also on offer,which was even better. Going to Johns mothers tomorrow so won't be around unless we get back early Sunday. sylvia ,hope you get used to the scooter soon,not being able to move the trolleys/carts in a supermarket is bad enougth so not being able to do the same with a scooter must be madding,enjoy your visitors. Hope the snow doesn't hinder your plans Dorothy,would offer to pick you up when you are ere but the car won't hold a weeks shopping never mind suitcases.We go away three weeks today ,I need to sort out properly what i will be taking and try them on as i have not lost any of the weight i put on last year. Have a good weekend Brenda

Hi all, I like the way Dorothy says 'enjoying' the snow. Well that is not what I would say. I have known Easter holidays to have snow too, so keep your fingers crossed. This is the one Easter where we are going to get sunshine I think. Usually Easter is cold and the week after Easter it is fine. I went out again on my scootmobile. How I dislike my new scootmobile. I find it difficult to manoeuvre in a supermarket as it is so stiff and heavy. I must phone the council again and see what they can do for me. I am getting stronger by the hour. Even food tastes good again. I can now eat a whole slice of bread for breakfast, whereas in hospital I couldn't even take a nibble. Tomorrow I am going out again, after the nurse has been to wash and dress me and my wound. Yes, 'wound' as the other wounds have all healed. This time I am going to the local market and then when I come back my hairdresser will do my hair. My granddaughter, who will be 25 tomorrow, will be coming with her mother (my daughter) instead of Johan and I going to her. She isn't having other visitors until the evening. Now Fred, how is the garden? Sylvia xxx

hello and happy easter to all of you enjoying the good weather in england, I am enjoying!!!!!!! snow and cold woke up this morning to lots of snow flurries and streamers we are to get about 15 -25 cm and it is very cold. so I have spent the morning looking at prices for my hols in england I want a direct flight to and from manchester so I may have to change the dates around as returning after the 2nd week in sept I would have to change at london and hang around for 3 hrs and that does not appeal to me. then my friend who I usually travel with has thrown out the car service we usually use from the airport to bury and back, it was in rochdale i think she remembers the name mile's but that is all. they were a great company picked us up and tokkus to grange over sands and then from there to bury and then from bury to the airport when we heading back here, we used them on both trips over maybe her memory will kick in or can any one recommend one to me, this time I will be only going to bury from the airport. so pleased to watch the return of the 15 sailors they must be so pleased to get home well enjoy your easter eggs, brenda anne phone from bury this am and mentioned the wonderful weather she had been to the shops in just a light cardi bye for now dorothy ps. what is fred cooking for easter dinner?

Just on my tea break,and its a lovely sunny day here again.was foggy this morning but thats all gone now. Hope you all have a good weekend. Brenda

Evening folks,had a busy day at work but at least we did not have any trouble from the kids with it being school holidays.some think they can treat it like a waiting room. Fred usually end up giving half or sometimes more of our cake away to family ,,thats when I do make one.not keen on the pudding but John is. Sylvia nice to hear your getting about ,but take your time.Hope Johann has a good reunion. Might not get on here til Friday.Take care Brenda

Hi all, Yes, it is back to winter woollies again for me. Johan had also got his summer windjack out of the cupboard and been wearing, but I think he will have to revert to his winter one again. Good thing I haven't washed it yet or he wouldn't be able to have it. We have a journalist from one of our newspapers coming for an interview on Saturday. She wanted to come before but we had to put it off because of my operation, but I mailed her to say I was sufficiently recovered for her to come and interview us. She wants to write over the Biafra war in Nigeria and we were caught up in this. Not many Dutch people were there though. I didn't go out today but caught up with my backlog of washing and ironing. These nurses who come in every day to dress my wound, wash me etc. cause a lot of extra washing. I have 4 towels a day now, which includes a large bath size one. We have to get up early tomorrow as Johan is going to a reunion in Arnhem. He is going with the taxi. It is a forces reunion of soldiers from Indonesia. We used to go to a reunion but the numbers were getting low as old soldiers were dying off and now another group phoned Johan. I don't think Johan will know anybody, but he is going all the same. Maybe the first and last time! Sylvia xxx

The last time i looked at this thread and saw reference to Brenda's fab weather ,i had to wonderr if i was living on the same planet lol,but ,lo ,and behold,it arrived up here this morning. [Breaks into song ]Oooooh what a beeeutifuuuul moooorning.We have a beutiful blue sky and it promises to be nice and warm by this afternoon,and seeing as i will be at the sons,it looks like A mia walkies day. This is a lot more like it ,i can see myself getting the rest of the veggie patch dug over ,the borders cleared out and more seeds put in. I'm afraid our quick recipie christmas cake didn't last long at all Brenda,lol,i don't wonder the diabetic nurse hit the roof at my readings in Jan',so i must remember to behave myself next christmas but no way am i doing without my chrissy pud ,and cake altogether hee hee,i 'aint that daft[shurrup you lot ,i heard that] One of the song thrush has turned up this morning so it looks as though he may have settled in the area which will please Liz cause she loves the colour and song this little bird gives out. The birds are doing well at the minute and i am filling feeders left right and centre,and the little perishers are eating more bread than us lol. This new computer chair has me spoilt rotten,it's so comfy that i almost nodded off on it last night whilst playing one of these computor games [abe's odd world ] i may even get to the finish one of these days lol Have rto shoot off now and get on with some work. Hava a good day all .Fred.

Hi Bill,sorry about Mornington Pier have replied to your message.Fred i like to eat cakes but haven't made a decent one for ages!!! My christamas cake is till good. My passport is ok for afew more years,mind you the cost of them now ,will probably be more than the air fare. Got a bargain at Cosco last week with a lovelly salmon encroute for £4, enougth for 6they say? thats good friday tea sorted. Weather gone cold and grey again here,but they say it will be warm and sunny by weekend,do they know its a bank holiday?? Fred the info you want will be on its way shortly take care everyone Brenda

Morning all,afraid i'm a bit late this morning because i decided to clean Seans fish out [again] lol,i keep asking him to do it when he comes on leave but he forgets every time[i wonder why hee hee].Not to worry though because it's done now ,and the pumps will keep the tank clean for a couple of months before they need done again. Well ,i can supply the two tents and grub for brenda ,Liz ,and i bill ,but i no longer have a passport ,so that would pose a problem. From what i hear about your new home though ,eating shouldn't be too much of a problem, plenty of fish in your waters i reckon ,and shellfish are to be found. That ,and bread should suffice a good camp out lol,and both ,i Liz ,and you are a dab hand with the bread making if i remember rightly.,and i reckon Brenda will be able to make some nice cakes for afters. What a lousy day again ,it's more like back to winter than spring,which is about right ,all the kids off school ,in the house and driving the parents daft with all the noise and arguements lol,know about it ,been there ,done it.hee hee. Off now to look for marys kalgannon recipie so will be back later. Fred.