General Chat

Afternoon peeps,well the rain has eased off a lot now and the supposed wind never arrived ,but i couldn't chance taking Liz out in heavy rain in her condition,so it's a case of waiting until later in the year when it's warm enough for her to walk in the sunshine when she has less trouble breathing.
I think the best way to do this is go for a hotel room closer to Bury ,or perhaps Near preston,where it would be easier to get to the market,stop in a hotel ,spend the next day in Bury back to the hotel ,and go home the following afternoon.
It might be an ideas to stop in Southport for a few days with an outing to Bury on top,hmmmmm,i quite fancy Southport,i have heard that it is a lovely town,a bit like Llandudno, building wise ,all built in the Victorian era for the gentry to enjoy their holidays in.
I will soon find out however because we are off there tomorrow to have as look around.the sis' in law says it's a nice place ,plenty of shops ,and very well cooked food of all sorts ,and very nicely priced.
Hope everyone is having a good week,catch you all later,Fred,in sunny Fleetwood ,not ,lol.

hi from a cold but sunny barrie in fact it is 7 degree's above freezing nice for a change could spring be on the way no they are calling for snow flurries on the week-end, nice to see john back and hear all his news glad that his son and girlfriend are safe and sound, I have a niece by marriage who was born deaf she went to regular school and coped well married a younr man from portugal who was deaf from birth, they flew off to portugal for the honey moon raised , 3 boys who all are not deaf and grew up to be police men, michelle was a very determined young woman signed in both french and english, some of this being done in the late 60,s and early 70,s her parents decided to send her to regular school along with her 4 sisters as the school for the deaf at that time was miles away from the family. it sounds like brenda that you are not meeting fred to-day that is a shame maybe another time, yes anne had a nice birthday yesterday and did enjoy the visit to nutters but said she would rather have had a lunch than afternoon tea, having a great time with the tennis and also have spent some time with the grandchildren this week , going for a haircut to-day and then picking up the grandaughter at noon as she is on half days at school this week, studying at home in the afternoon this week for exams, or should I say supposed to be studying. well time to go bye for now dorothy

Morning all,nice to see John with us again,hope all the people who moved near you settle ok.
Weather is miserable again today not very spring like and we have cancelled our outing to Bury with Fred and Liz,they will be back again to have a meeting.
Have decided to alter the net curtains I got ages ago and will put them up with my new curtains at weekend.
At the hairdressers this afternoon for a colour cut and blow dry,Usually put colours on at home with a bit of help from John,but having a treat this week.
Better get on with this sewing doing it by hand as my machine is at the back of the wardrobe and its too much trouble getting it out for one thing,Take care
Brenda

Hi again, As we live in the North Island the earthquake in the South Island didn't affect us. Some people in the disaster area did move to the North Island for a few weeks and few have decided not to go back. When the quake struck dialysis patients were moved around the country one came to New Plymouth and is on the same treatment days as Gayle. He said he wasn't going back to Christchurch moved his family to New Plymouth and bought a house after being paid out for his damaged home.
The past few months for natural disasters have been terrible - flooding in Australia following a cyclone, earthquakes in China, New Zealand and Japan causing death.
Charging cameras from the mains great idea that's if one remembers to do so - I took my camera somewhere and didn't check to see if it was still charged, end result no photos.
Take care one and all, John

Afternoon all and hello John great to hear from you and that you are all safe.
My fathers side of the family are partially deaf and his mother was completley deaf,she could lip read and even talk because she was not born deaf.
No one in this generation appears to have inherited it,but I am always abit careful with my ears.Hope your son and his partner are recovered from the accident and happy in their new jobs and home.HOw is your wife?
Fred have emailed you that number,shame about tomorrow have a few things to get from Bury so will have to go either tomorrow or Saturday.Glad you are settled in the van and it sounds great.
Going out to the library now ,then have to go over to my brothers and callat the docs to drop a repeat prescription off for Johnlastly need to call at Tesco to get some credit for my phone!!
Hope Dororthy is enjoying the tennis.
Take care everyone.
Speak to you all soo.Brenda.

Morning John,very nice to hear from you again,and nice to know you and yours are safe after the Christchurch quakes which caused a bit of a panic until i heard from my cousin ,and learned that he ,and family at least were safe.
Things in Japan seem to be going from bad to worse with the reactors,a lot worse than the company that runs the plant let on,and it looks like there could well be another big one in the region with dosn,t bode well ,there being lots more reactors in that country.
I will be phoning you today Brenda as soon as i get get sorted out after breakfast,and need to ask you for you know whos,e number again,as it seems to have gone walkabout on this puter ,grrrrrrr,but anyway ,no terrible rush for that as i will leave that until later in the week when the weather will stop us getting out.
This van is beutiful,and i will take a few pics of it later on .
Two bedrooms in this one ,both huge ,the master having it's own toilet and shower,and tons of room round the bed.
The twin bunk bedroom also being roomy,makes for a very comfortable holiday for anyone.
Brought a new camera yesterday,a beutiful Sony digital ,with a built in 4 gig memory,and lithium ion battery which means no more buying batteries which cost a bomb,this camera will charge from a computer ,or direct from the mains.
I had to buy a new one after the wife's camera went to the big camera god ,in the sky three months ago and i gave her mine to keep her happy,lol
He he ,i was right wasn't i Brenda ,who said you would be even busier when you retired A? A?,good fun though ain't it?.
Have to go ,we are off to the supermarket shortly to get the weeks supplies in ,then it's a lazy day for us ,catch you all later ,Fred

Hi everyone - yes it me from distant shores and realise I hadn't been to GR since January this year. And many things have happened the earthquake in Christchurch, China and Japan. Here in New Zealand after the Christchurch quake out tv's beamed news about the disaster and other world events when on the backburner. It was very sad looking at a city where we spent part of our honeymoon.
Our son moved back to New Plymouth on 5 February with his partner but their journey down end in Craig's car being written off after an accident. Craig drove a van down with the furniture and his partner drove his car down. He was some distant behind the car when it began smoking which startled his partner and she drove into a bank fortunately she wasn't injured but was taken by chopper to Hamilton hospital for a check up as the airspace in New Plymouth was closed due to fog. The pair arrived down early Sunday morning much to our relief. We were told the car had been bought to New Plymouth but learnt from the insurance company that it had remained at the accident site where it was vandalised. We saw the car a day or so later and it was sad, the windows had been smashed, radio ripped out, reg and number plates taken. As the car was deregistered the last two items are useless.
Craig and Gemma said they would stay with until they found jobs and then move to a flat. The jobs were found quite quickly as both are cleaning supermarkets in town. Flat hunting is daunting at the best of times but rents was more than the two earned so they stayed with us until a flat attached to Gemma's parents home became available. They moved in at the weekend.
As mentioned a while ago Craig is profoundly deaf but can talk, his girlfriend is also deaf but her speech isn't good and uses sign language.

Afternoon all.was a bit busy yesterday doing a few errands so was in and out of the house a few times.By evening I was a little tired so just did nothing .We watched a film on the cable as there was nothing on tve till Casualty which can sometimes be very predicable!!
Had to come on hee to sort something out for my friend then got two phones calls which took up about 40 mins so thought I would say Hi now rather than later.Have washing to put out as its a great day again.
Hope the line does not snap like it did the other day.
Hope you enjoy the tennis Dorothy and Anne has a good birthday.If I am right Nutter is on Deansgate Manchester near where the old rEgister office was on Jacksons Row???Think its a bit posh as he is a tv chef!!
Well done Fred as busy as ever.Looking forward to Wednesday.Will text you .
Bye for now Brenda

goodmorning from a sunny but cold barrie they have the nerve to call for snow to-day but I think they may be wrong as the sky is high and as I said it is sunny, our federal government fell yesterday so we are in for the fourth federal election in 7yrs at the expected cost of 300 million dollars totally daft so it will be held on may 2nd which means the prime minister will not be able to attend the royal wedding, I do not like the man or his idea's so will have this election in may and the provincal election in oct. a total waste of money I have no idea why these things cost so much. thats my beef for the day. hope the weather will be good for you fred and liz. brenda hope you had a good birthday did you do something special? tennis is on the tele starting at 11am and on all week from miami so I guess you know what I will be doing this week what fun so bye for now have a good weekend oh yes I harvested the herbs yesterday and took them over to andrew's one to prove that I did use the gift and second to prove that I did not kill them he was going use some of them in the dinner he was preparing for the family he worked from home yesterday so when that happens he usually cooks the evening meal oh I had a bit of a pause as anne just phoned from england it is her birthday on tuesday and brenda her 2 daughters are taking her out to lunch shortly to nutters not sure I was there on the last trip home anne says I was but I have forgotten anyway I shall call her on tuesday and sing happy birthday too her she said the weather was nice so they should have a nice time bye for now dorothy

Morning all you peoples who have actually gotten up this morning ,lol,to all others i say ,it's time to get your butts out of the bedroom ,the sun is burning your eyes out [not].
The missus is sat here filling out the cencus form which is 50% a nose job by the government,who are using the form for snooping on the general public,up to and including how many times you fart in a day.
Me i opted out, telling her ,you fill in the ruddy form while i see to the dinner ,he he.
We have visitors today and tomorrow ,one grandson ,and one grand daughter,and so am doing mixed veggies ,roast tatties,and parsnips ,some Asparagus spears,and a nice roast chicken which i have prepared my usual way ,apart from the fact that i forgot to take some streaky bacon out of the freezer [bu***r] so i have oiled the skin lightly ,salted and peppered it,and crumbled a chicken stock cube over the top.
I always salt and pepper the cavity and then stuff a largish onion up it's rear end ,he he,to ,A [keep the breast from sagging ] and B [to give a tad of extra flavour.
Just had a thought [this is where i get my ear clipped ,good style.lol]
Just wonder if i used this method on the missus it would Stop HER sagging? ,he he ,ouch ,told you.
I have put a few cans of water around the edgings of the lawn this morning because it hasn't rained ,to start pushing the weed/feed in,but i will have to wait until what i have done dries before i can walk on that to do the rest.
The weed killer for the paths and patio's we brought from Wilkinsons i can recommend,having put it on ,Monday ,and notice the grass weed is now going yellow,and once it dries when put on ,it won't harm pets,or wild life.
The car is cleaned ,and ready to go ,and the packing is started,it being done a little at a time,to save any hassle.
I think i had better go and switch the oven on ,and kied.ck the dinner off ,be back later hopefully,Fred

Evening all,and thank you for the birthday greetings and emails,it is much appreciated.
I had a good day yesterday and it was not too bad today,weather has been brilliant hope it stays like this for a few weeks we have a family wedding in two weeks.
Sorry the news about your grandson isn't that good Dorothy and hope it is covered by the insurance.
Well Fred you are all set and ready to go,hope you have a safe journeyand look forward to seeing you next week,,
Have a couple of errands tomorrow and a trip to the library planned might go to the local market and see what the plant stall has on offer.
Take care ,Brenda

Morning all ,just in from the garden for a drink and a natter before i go back out to pick a hoe up to finish out back.
I used a trowel along the back border to prevent damage to the emerging bulbs ,but from the end ,to the patio ,it's all bushes ,so i can use the hoe without damage to anything but the weeds.
Both computers are up to date ,and in the carry bag along with all the stuff to run them,and i have put the new phone in too ,ready to load up once we get to Fleetwood,where i will also see if i can get onto the internet while out and about.
Well , i hope the weather next week will be something like this one has been,sunny out there again this morning,so we are doing well up here in the frozen north ,he he.
Looks like the Japanese are in queer street proper this time ,as it looks as though one of the reactors has breached,and is leaking badly.dosn't look good for them.
Well time to go out back again ,catch you all later.Fred.

hi its thursday evening and we will be 5hrs behind you guys when you change the time so fred it would be lovely to speak to you if you call anytime say about 1pm your time it will be 8 am my time hope you have a great holiday best to liz, well the news re bryans knee was not good he has a complete tear of the A.C.L and will have ot have it surgical repaired at the end of the summer it seems he will still be able to go for the summer as a counsellar in training (not sure I spelled that right) but will find out this week-end lindys is taking him to kitchener for a meeting . he has to get this new brace so andrew who arrived home this late afternoon is calling to see how much his medical plan will cover it may be all of it or half of it but he has too have it, I was over there to-day helping out with 2 of the kids and ironed 21 shirts a record for me I told the 2 boys I am going to teach them how to do it themselves luckily my family call me an ironing freak plus all my friends say the same I just like it. I am going to have an early night hope you all have a great next few days and brenda I am not sure did you have a birthday to-day or is it to-morrow either way HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND MANY MORE. take care bye dorothy

Afternoon all.I have had another good day today but seeing as its my birthday ,it should be good.Had some great cards and lovelly presenta and went out for lunch with John.which was really good.Don't think we need any tea!!
Dorothy is six hours behind us at the moment .but as we change the clocks at weekend I think she will be 7 behind as we go one forward!!!.
Know what you mean about putting extras in things and saying they are the same.!!!
But glad you enjoyed it.
Hope Dorothy had good news about her grandson.
Better get going as David still wants his tea and we are expecting a couple of visitors shortly,friends with cards etc.
Take Care Brenda

Good afternoon all,we had to go out this morning ,and have only been back an hour,and we got in just as the sun got out from behind the clouds,so the cat is making noises for me to go out on the patio yet again ,he he ,she will haveto wait an hour.
Yep Brenda,the mobile number is unchanged ,and i will give you 'tother when we meet up at the market next week ,this one has all the numbers in too ,and i will activate it when i load it to call Dorothy next week while on holiday.
This new phone will be very handy ,giving me internet coverage even when out in Blackpool,to make sure i don't miss owt.lol.
We had out sausage egg ,bacon ,and plum tomatoes for dinner today,but Liz wasn't too amused ,be buying her Lincolnshire sausages ,morrisons own ,only to find they had garlic in them ,but no matter ,she liked the cumberland ones ,so i did her a swop because i like both.
this is beside the point however ,Lincoln sausages are not supposed to have garlic in as it's a change to the recipie, so i will be complaining when i go back next time,tis a little like putting peas in Lancashire black pudding ,it just isn't done.
Perhaps you can tell me what the time difference is between Dorothy's home county and ours Brenda ,he he ,i won't be popular if i phone her to find they are in the middle of breakfast ,or worse still,still in the land of nod,oooooops.
The wait for my bro'in law wasn't too bad yesterday considering they were cauterising the blood vessels in both eyes to stop them bleeding internally, caused by advanced Diabeties,so take note all ,and keep those sugar levels way down to prevent a lot of extra grief,later in life.
I am going to have my coffee outside with her highness now ,before packing my computers into the case ready for monday ,and going back onto the big h p laptop,catch you later all ,Fred.

HI every one,had a busy couple of days again,but mainly enjoyable.
Tuesday was busy while I moved the oranaments over to the new cabinet,and re arranged them,.Then cleaned the kitchen cabinet doors down as the sunshine was making them look really tatty.
Today I had a couple of errands and then met some friends in town ,did not have time to stay with them for lunch,just had a cup of tea,Then went looking for a present for a friend,got her a charm for a braclet she has.Got some really nice looking fruit from the market in town,hope it stays good ,I have been getting some fruit that has gone off really quickly from the supermarket.
Hope it was good news Dorothy about your grandson,and hope the weather improves soon. We are having some great spring weather like Fred says.Just hope it lasts.John is doing well in sorting out the garden.We need a new plastic cover for the "greenhouse" since the other blew off in the high winds in winter.
We will need some new plastic tubs as some ofthe old ones have perished. John made some wooden ones a few years ago which were great,but really heavy,so we gave them away!!
Fred you sound really industrious and you will soon be telling us of the loveely meals you have made including your home grown veggies.
Please let me know what your plans are about going to Bury Market next week,my mobile number is still the same.,is yours?
Take care Brenda

goodmorning well mother nature is not finished with winter yet it is blowing snow all over the place I can hardly see outside it is supposed to stop this afternoon so we will see lots of accidents allready on the roads into toronto glad I don't have to go out to-day. expect to hear from Bryan and Lindy after the appointment hope they got there ok but lindy is a great winter weather driver. fred you certainly worked hard in the garden yesterday I am sure it looks great be in touch later bye for now dorothy

Afternoon,to all,been a lovely day today,i got that back lawn done this morning for the first time ,i was going to do it yesterday ,but by the time i had done the other bits out there ,and done some work indoors ,i had had enough ,so ,left it
got it done early anyway ,so had my cup of coffee and decided to trim the edges,before going out the front to trim the big lawn as well.
I have also put feeder on the hedging ,the hydrainger ,and Rhodidendron ,,and trimmed all the dead wood off all the fushia and other plants on the patio.
My Orange tree is now back in the greenhouse where it will stay until June before sitting out in the garden until early October,so things are on track again.
Having just put the two dongles back into both small laptops i am now ready for the trip on Monday next ,having found a new laptop carrier that will hold both of them ,both stands and all the other gubbins i will be needing,such as cables,usb multiport,external hard drive ,both mices lol.and the other bits and bobs ,he he.
The missus made a lovely cheese pudding for the dinner ,and we had the new pot's left from yesterday ,and some asparugus spears ,rubbed with butter which was spot on.
Hope the aches are just a spot of overdoing it Brenda,and not the start of the dreaded Lurgy,you can do without that.
I only hope this weather will linger into next week ,i could do with at least one day with my portable B B Q on the caravan patio ,Cumberland Sausage,that yummy black pudding ,some nice pork burgers stuffed with blue cheese,and some nice bread rolls ,oooooo ,that does sound good ,lol.
I have to take the bro' in law to the R V i tomorrow morning ,he has to have both eyes lasered and so ,won't be able to drive himself.
Time to go all ,this perishing cat has decided it's tea time and is all over the keyboard,making a pest of herself.
Catch you all tomorrow,Fred.

Afternoon,to all,been a lovely day today,i got that back lawn done this morning for the first time ,i was going to do it yesterday ,but by the time i had done the other bits out there ,and done some work indoors ,i had had enough ,so ,left it
got it done early anyway ,so had my cup of coffee and decided to trim the edges,before going out the front to trim the big lawn as well.
I have also put feeder on the hedging ,the hydrainger ,and Rhodidendron ,,and trimmed all the dead wood off all the fushia and other plants on the patio.
My Orange tree is now back in the greenhouse where it will stay until June before sitting out in the garden until early October,so things are on track again.
Having just put the two dongles back into both small laptops i am now ready for the trip on Monday next ,having found a new laptop carrier that will hold both of them ,both stands and all the other gubbins i will be needing,such as cables,usb multiport,external hard drive ,both mices lol.and the other bits and bobs ,he he.
The missus made a lovely cheese pudding for the dinner ,and we had the new pot's left from yesterday ,and some asparugus spears ,rubbed with butter which was spot on.
Hope the aches are just a spot of overdoing it Brenda,and not the start of the dreaded Lurgy,you can do without that.
I only hope this weather will linger into next week ,i could do with at least one day with my portable B B Q on the caravan patio ,cumberlandS

hi everyone well you all sound very busy especially fred in the garden dare I say that the three herbs in the areogarden are doing well and growing fast and the bambo plant is still alive way too cold to think about getting the pots ready on the balcony not sure what I will attempt to grown this year but will have a wiander around the nursery soon. brenda it sounds like you and your friend had a good day at the market . bryans appointment is at 9am to-morrow so I hope to hear by lunchtime the results lindy has taken the day off as andrew is out of the province till thursday. I shall pop out to the library this morning and have a wander around the shops no rain or snow in the forcast and a high of 3 above freezing still need boots and parka though. take care bye dorothy