General Chat

Hi everyone,from a wet and miserable manchester,Had a ride down to the Lowry today to get out and about just got there before the crowds did ,M&S was really busy its an outlet place and you can get some real bargins but they did not have what we wanted,John wanted a shirt for golf and Iwanted a crew neck top with long sleeves.
Hope you enjoy your visit to your friends and that you enjoy the tennis ,you sound all ready for it with the snacks etc.!!
Hope fred and Liz are ok .
See you all soon,Brenda

Afternoon all ,sorry for the absence but i have had a few prob's with my eldest son being rather unwell,come the finish he landed up calling an ambulance because he couldn't get to his feet ,or walk,but it looks like he is improving a little ,and is awaiting a diagnosis from the hospital after tests.
I have used these few mild days before the return of the frosts and cold ,by stripping down the rest of the little windowsw upstairs and sealing them properly,and have finished the upstairs altogether ,yippee ,only one window ,and the back door downstairs now ,in the spring ,and that's the lot done.
I spent two hours yesterday picking up all the garden furniture after the gales late last week ,and the weekend ,but i notice that everything else stood up to the very high winds okay.
Also notice that [Fridays] the fish and chip shop next door to Morrison's that we go to once in a while for dinner whilst out is now doing take- away [deliveries] which is handy ,the meals they do are out of this world,and i can see us having fish suppers or something else off their menu on a Friday evening,which will save me cooking once in a while.
One of the grandsons turns 18 tomorrow and is looking at taking driving lessons with a view to buying a car ,but i am afraid he is going to get an awful shock when he looks at the insurance premiums,the companies are now ripping off new drivers,and need to be taken down a peg or two,all insurance prices are ridiculous and it's mainly down to greed ,not the economic climate.
Have to go now ,as i am getting stared out by Hissy who seems to think it's her tea time ,he he,if i leave it any longer ,it will be prods of the paw on my legs till i move my bum,lol.
Catch you all later Fred.

hi there first of all I do hope that your son is feeling better fred and that thye have a diagnosis soon it is very cold here to-day it started off at -26 and has improved to -17 but I am staying in as it is too cold for me to attempt to remove all the snow off the car as I can't catch my breath in this cold the rest of the week is not looking good weather wise, glad you had a good trip to the trafford centre brenda even if you could not find what you wanted better luck next time well it is time for me to get back to the tennis glad colin firth won last evening bye for now dorothy

goodmorning we have mixed weather this am rain and snow parts of toronto are shut down this morning for the funeral of a 35yr old poiceman who was killed last week trying to stop a stolen snow plow, this was stolen by a man with no shoes and apparent mental problems he crushed the policeman between the plow and the police car, the policeman leaves a wife and 2yrold son, they expect over 10,000 policeman from all over canada and the states to line the route and march behind the coffin. it will be the biggest police funeral held in toronto a very sad day his father is a retired policeman, sometimes we forget that when the leave their homes for work they may not come back as they protect us. hope you all are well will put off cleaning the car till to-morrow quite miserable outside bye dorothy

Hi all,had a busy day yesterday ,went to manchester to meet my friend we had a walk round the shops for a few different things,without success.
H ad a nice lunch and then a coffee later /
Finished off some jobs at home when i got home.
Today we started moving things from the living room so we can start to strip it to decorate,but want to get a plasterer in to get a quote to have it skimmed so we can then just paint it.We have been thinking about it for a while ,but need to see what it will cost.
what a shame about the policeman Dororthy,you see similar things over here ,not sure you would see that many at the funeral though and you are right about them putting their lives on the line as well as the people in the forces.
Hope the weather warms for you,will you still get to your friends next week. How is the tennis going.
fred hope your son is on the mend and you know what the problem is,you and Liz must be out of your minds.
I am out again tomorrow to have a coffe with my friends they are going on for lunch but I am not sure if i am going as i am trying to loose weight I have lost 10lbs up to now and dwant to loose at least another stone by april for a wedding .
better get to bed ,just noticed the time,
Take care Brenda

Hi all,we have a cold and frosty morning here ,no blue sky today,but its not raining (at the moment).
Hope you are all well.
Have a normal day today meaning not out shopping or lunching ,but I do have my spanish class this afternoon,mind you i went last week and it had been cancelled,
Going to start the washer now and do a bit of ironing.
Hoping to have a walk round Bury again tomorrow,but it depends on the weather,
Take care brenda x

hi from a very cold barrie I did watch the funeral brenda of the policeman about 14,000 turned out for it it was heartbreaking to watch especially when his wife and 2yr old boy came in to the big auditorium. yesterday I finally went out to clean off the car it had not moved since friday so it took me an hour to clean it off the big plough had been in the lot so I had quite a bit behind the car but the lady manager came out and dug around the car I think she had visions of me collasping under it anyway it is done still the next big snow fall and it ran like a charm, I shall go to isobelle's on sunday no matter what the weather is as andrew is driving and he has to go to the airport to pick up a couple of his emplyee's who are flying from the west for the week long meeting they are having the airport is only about a 30 min drive from isobelle's. the tennis is going well as usual I am not getting a lot of sleep as it is on from noon till 5pm then back on about 10pm till 3am as there is 16 hrs time differance for us but I don't stay awake till 3 long past that I used too but not any more, hope all is well with liz and fred , enjoy bury if you go bye for now dorothy

Hi ,well this is round two,round one is in cyber space,i pressed a button,not sure which and it took be back to the previous page !!.Anyway its bright and sunny but really cold again,hope its not going to snow again.
Glad you are enjoying the tennis dorothy,not going to Bury this week it will be next week now Have a good visit with your friend.
hope fred and Liz are ok ,Going to do the shopping now so will see you tomorrow.
Brenda.

seems like I had the same trouble as you did Brenda ,lol, i wrote on the thread yesterday ,but can find no trace of it today,now where have i heard that before? ,lol..
after a very cold night and a widespread frost ,what a nice day we have had so far,a nice blue sky and a lot of heat coming through the window from our yellow ball in the sky,even Hissy lay out on the patio for over an hour this morning ,looking through the window like she was expecting me to join her ,he he ,too soon pussy cat ,another month at least before i start to have a coffee out there with you.
We were in Tesco yesterday and i brouight a nice new mobile phone on the Tesco sim and email cards that they do,and also brought a card for international calling ,pay as you go ,on both,but although i had no bother setting up the intenational ,and getting online ,the domestic sim will not activate ,so back it goes in the morning,where THEY can sort it out or give me a full refund.
The wife has had a cooking baking session today ,giving me a rest ,yippee. she has made some lovely apple ,and rhubarb crumbles ,and two apple/rhubarb ones as well as doing a lovely little casserolle which we had for dinner ,my contribution was seeing to the veggiewhile she saw to the rest.
We had brussel tops instead of cabbage.calabrese ,and sliced carrot.all steamed ,and mashed potato ,with roasties and parsnips ,with roast red onion.
The rhubarb was on offer at Morrison's for 30 p a kilo which i took straight away ,forced rhubarb is the best sort to buy ,so sweet that it needs no sugar added ,ideal for us diabetics,and i also found some battered atlantic pollack which is every bit as good as cod,and will do me for my fish and chip tea tonight.
Everyone got their Haggis in foor the burns Supper next week [Tuesday] i have mine in the freezer ,and already have the turnip in to go with it ..
Looking forward to my first weeks holiday in blackpool ,in 11 weeks ,roll on ,it's been a hard winter ,and i need some sun on me legs to get me tan back ,he he
Talking about the sun ,has anyone else seen the blurb on the red giant sun in the Orion Nebula ? it seems it looks like going supernova in the next couple of years ,giving us the possibility of a second sun in the heavens for months ,possibly years,and giving us 24 hours of light for many weeks,could be quite interesting hmmmmm?
Hope the weather is nice for the first week in Blackpool, both the missus and i fancy a return to Bury market,for a better look around.
See you later all ,hope you have a nice weekend,Fred.

hi well the snow is pouring down as I type this but that is allright as I had no plans to go out to-day glad to see you back fred between you and liz and the cooking you had my mouth watering even at 9-30 am only 11 weeks to blackpool may the time go fast and of course I am happy you plan on going back to bury market while you are in the area my village walshaw is just up the road and my old house is 82 high street maybe you will pass by. to both you and brenda if I don't get back on on saturday I will be gone from this sunday till next sunday staying the week at isobell's in brampton where I lived for 38 yrs lots of tennis and old friends popping in for coffe isobelle will invite them all to come by so take care and keep well bye for now dorothy

hi its early saturday am just popping on for a few minutes it is perishing cold andsnowing again yesterday up the road from about a 20 minute drive there was a bad 40 car pile up as the snow was so bad the drivers could not see a young woman 22 got out of her car to check the damage and was hit and killed, the OPP.(the provincial police ) always tell you never to get out of your car on the highway in a storm as a driver can't see you, I seem only to have stories of doom and gloom in the last couple of day, and here's another on my sister and her husband on thursday went snow shoe-ing up in the mountains the snow blew in and they got off the trail by mistake wayne ended up in waist high snow and had a hard time getting out of the snow drift and both of them had forgot their phones or blackberries back at the car, anyway after some time they re traised their foorsteps and got back on the regular trail.also they had the little dog with them I told here she was daft they could have in quite a bit of danger she said they have hike this trail many time in many differant weather I ask you some people, anyway again I shall be back on line next sunday or monday so all of you take good care enjoy the week bye for now dorothy

Evening all,we have had a very cold day here again,this morning it was bright and sunny but it was a grey day in the afternoon when I went out.
Have been to the library and ordered some new books for me and John,had a chat with some of my friends there ,they are a bit worried about their jobs due to the council cuts.
Will be going to Bury on Wednesday with my sister.its her birthday and we will have lunch there ,she is going to a couple of posh weddings in March and April so needs one outfit at least,it will not be the same people at each wedding.
Those eleven weeks will fly by Fred,I could meet you again if you want if you tell me the dates. We have not booked any holidays yet but if we see a bargain we will be doing so. The baking Liz did had me drooling ,must go round the shops with my eyes closed I do not see bargains like the rhubarb which we like.
have a good visit Dorothy see you soon.
Love brenda

hi almost ready to go but braved the -24 temperature last night as lindy called and picked me up and we went to see the Kings speech I just loved it , still only -21 at the moment crisp and cold have fun in bury on wednesday brenda anne just phoned all is well in bury to-day talk to you all again at the end of the week bye dorothy

hello all,its been a dry day today ,was warmer this morning but has gone colder as the day went by.Been out to lunch with some friends had a lovelly lunch ,great company and good conversations.
Just getting the tea ready ,made some squash and pepper soup for my tea and John and David are having cod and chips ,They are frozen but I have not long been in.Hope everyone is ok,See you soon Take care.
Brenda

Morning all ,from a nice ,mild north east ,sounds strange when it is warmer here than it is down south ,funny daays indeed ,but i ain't complaining mind,as i spent a couple of hours out back ,getting the greenhouse cleaned out pots emptied ready to be fumigated ,and putting all the old compost in the growing bins and veggie buckets ready to dig in ,and recycle.
If the weather is kind in March Brenda ,i am up for a look round the market with you again,most certainly,we seem to haave Liz's condition under control thank goodness.
My new Tesco phone is working fine now and i will be moving all my numbers across onto it as soon as i work put how to use it ,lol.
It is also loaded with the international calls now ,and i can phone out to most countries for 2 p a minute to land lines or 2p to 10 p for mobiles ,not at all bad,once the 4p connection is paid.
I have the Haggis out for tonight ,a neep on hand ,and the potato's ready to boil and mash so my Burns supper is well in hand.yum yum..
Are you there in Fleetwood Hazel? bet you aint having any he he [tough] me and the eldest son and chris will scran it all .lol.
off out back to feed my feathered buddies ,the Robin ,and Wren ,plus my families of Tits are back,so it looks as though the sparrow Hawk has moved on ,so happy days are here again .
Catch you later peeps,Fred.

aaaafternoon all,had a nice fre hours wandering round Bury with my sister today ,she wanted a look in the new shops but could not see what she was looking for ,so we went to the older shops and market .It started to rain on the market so we went for lunch ,which everyone else did as well!!! managed to get in a place we have been to before ,but tried a jacket potato with cottage cheese,have had better ,but it was ok.Usually have a pannini or baggette when we do go there, so might go back to that next time.
Got a few things in the pound shop fred so Liz will be happy with me !!
Off to make the tea soon,some "good for you" cumberland sausage and mash,with baked beans as John and David did not want onion gravy.
Give me the dates you are in Fleetwood Fred and i will make a note in my diary that we have a date.You sound very busy with the garden again,we are about to start thedecorating when the plasterer tells us he can do the walls .John keeps having a tidy up in the garden but things still look a bit of a mess.
Hope dorothy is having a good visist.Take care Brenda

Morning Brenda,yep,we will be in Fleetwood from,28th March until 5 April so i hope the weather will be kind to us.
For tea last night i made some mini pizzas from oven bottom muffins [sliced down the middle] a nice thick layer of Tomato Puree,.upon which i sprinkle a few caramalised shards of onion [from a brought tub] a light grating of cheese.i usually use dutch ,or cheddar ,depending on the wife's mood ,[lol] onto which i add fine chopped Ham, either sprinkle fresh chopped Basil ,or Corriander ,followed by a little more cheese ,on top of black pepper from a grinding mill.
A nice light tea ,which i do with a few wedges from the freezer.
We have elected to do B&Q next Wednesday for the bomb and compost ,and this means i can kick off this season as soon as i fumigate the greenhouse ,by putting in the red, and white onion seeds,red Baron ,and Ailsia Craig ,both of which are bolt resistant so long as you keep the soil moist.
I will be going out back shortly while the rain holds off ,to harvest some parsnip for tonight's soup, yum which will go nicely with some fresh baked bread rolls.
Hissy is by the side of me ,he he ,she was upstairs asleep until i dropped her piece of frozen cod in boiling water ,and as soon as she smelled it she was downstairs rubbing herself against the chair leg mewing ,lol,no good lass ,you don't get owt but biscuit at lunchtime ,the meat and fish are for brekkie and tea ,lol,she knows that of course ,but the world loves a trier .
I see the better part of Africa is now under water as well as the other countries that have been suffering for months ,so in Britain ,apart from a few areas ,we are indeed most fortunate.
Hope everyone is looking forward to the weekend ,i am off now to transfer all my numbers from my old phone to the new ,which i have already coupled to the car's bluetooth,so i can use that while travelling as well.
Catch you all later ,Fred.

Evening all.hope you enjoyed the pizzas Fred ,sounds like a nice tea ,John loves oven bottoms so might try that some time.
Hope dorothy is enjoying her stay with her friend,and the tennis,
had a few errands to do to day so was out and about for a while and it was really cold again.
Just let me know if you want to go to the Market on the Wednesday or friday fred ,I have made a note in the diary and calender..
Made a cottage pie tonight and put a small amount of grated cheese on the top ,we have been trying to stay of cheese but I just fancied some tonight, I know what you mean about the cat knowing things fred.Ours sit by the oven when theres a chicken cooking ,and know when its time to get it out !!
Take care and have a nice weekend.
brenda

hi sunday evening 11-20 my time you all should be sleeping I have had a wonderful week with my friends we were up till about 2am most nights great coverage of the tennis catching a nap in the afternoon and it was great tennis that was played except for to-day andy played awful he was a real embarrasment to watch I was shocked and so was isobelle but he gets 1.2 million dollars for not winning so I guess he is not too worried. we caught up with all the news in brampton and had a meal out one day. andrew and bryan arrived safely in aruba bryan was on facebook to-day saying it was hot and he was going para sailing and his dad has arranged a half day deep sea fishing so it seems to be going well. it was very strange to come home and no cat to greet me, I see that you and fred brenda have been busy gadding about you in bury and fred in his garden and of course cooking up a storm. I shall rest up for a couple of days but it was good to get away so will be in touch again soon bye for now dorothy

Mornin' Dorothy,yeah ,seems that all of the Brit sportsmen ,even the foofballers are too well paid,they arn't hungry enough if you know what i mean.if .in finals ,no win ,no pay might well put some fire in their bellies.
I think Hissy knows that something is not right outside ,she has stopped going out now ,and seems to be turning back into a housecat ,which has pleased us in a way,at least we know what she is eating and where she is going ,so ,no worries and she is as loving as ever.
It is a lovely morning here and i am thinking of half an hour in the greenhouse ,before putting the dinner on ,one 2 person size cottage pie with a little veg from the garden ,before we decide what to do this afternoon.
I have found some very nice oatcake biscuits from Morrisons ,which i have put back on the menu ,he he ,i love them plain ,or with a touch of cheese ,but i had stopped buying them because they were made with the use of palm oil,which is detremental to the Orang Utan,whose habitate is being destroyed to grow the palms.
Such a shame because this beutiful animal will die out within 20 years if their remaining habitat is torn up .
The biscuits i have now found are cooked with olive oil ,which is far healthier in any case ,and harms no creature so far as i am aware.
As stated on the other thread ,my son ,daft bu***r that he is ,is slowly getting better ,an mri scan not needed after the doctors worked out that he was starving his body of nutrients by missing most of his meals ,and eating junk when he DID eat,what a pratt he is ,he he ,i feed him for 21 years on plenty of good food from my 2 allotments,good wholesome fish of many kinds ,and mostly white meats ,good home made bread with no junk in,and he lets his diet go to pot ,to conform with what his new partner eats.
I am relieved to find out that he will fully recover ,with time and good food and diet ,but all so unnesessary at the end of the day.
At least he is on his feet ,blurred eyesight gone and able to get about without a lot of pain ,lucky that he is okay after screwing up his whole system ,he could have been a lot worse before the doctors got out of him that he wasn't eating properly and trying to put himself right by taking unsubscribed tablets.
I can't help wondering if i am at fault in some way i may have missed signs that were there ,but i don't know.
Time to get the dinner ,cottage pie for two ,and some garden veggies,catch you all later ,Fred.