General Chat

Greetings to you all Took awhile to find this board and noted that its been a month since I visited. Last time I was here Craig was with us for Mother's Day. On 2nd June, which was Queen's Birthday in NZ, we got an email plus photo of Craig and his girlfriend, Amanda, announcing their engagement, don't know when the wedding will be. Amanda has son from a previous relationship said 'Neat - I've got two Dads now!' The weather in NZ is awful WET AND COLD! The mountain has a great covering of snow making it really cold. I think I will be wrapping myself up next time I go outside. A few weeks ago we had water coming in the garage caused by a massive cloud burst which caused a lot of damage throughout the district - a pet boarding place was flooded meant the cats and dogs had to be moved to higher ground; in another place one family losted a BMW which was swept away and ended up in the sea, another car and tractor were also severely damaged meaning all were written off. Houses in that area had major damage with items being sent to the dump. We consider the bit of water we got quite minor. That's my lot for now - hopefully I'll check back a bit more often. John

Morning John,glad to hear you are safe,morning folks ,Fred is in the garden putting his veggies in ,cabbage ,calabrese,kale,and cauli',back later.Fred.

Hi again,I am now finished in the garden for the day having p[ut in 2 rows of cabbage,2 rows of calabrese,2 rows of kale,and find i still have room for 4 rows,so one row of calie goes in on Tuesday[dok elgon,an oz variety]. I will then put in seed trays 1 row of caulie,another oz variety[barrier reef] and 2 rows of a winter cabbage,which gives us plenty of fresh veggies for summer and winter. The caulie all comes from oz,the best caulie stock in the world,all the gardeners on two allotements i know grow these varieties for size ,hardiness and for show and i reckon they can't be beaten by any other sort. I am now ,having had dinner [stir frfy] am chilling out waiting for the son to arrive to work on the van,to get it ready for next weekend and it's first trip out. We are going up to Sandy bat [northumberland] for the weekend to see how it handles.. Getting the ground ready for planting this morning ,i took out the few tatties thar were left from last year,and found quite a few small ,new tatties on the haulms,they have been cooked already ,and are as sweet as a nut,just the right size to go with tonights salad. We won't be taking the van down to Cornwall next year ,too far to tow a van when there are some very nice vans to hire already on site,so we have already booked to go for two weeks. Liz wanted the daughter to come too with her family but didn't know how to persuade her ,huh women ,so i said ,leave it to me Liz ,i will have it sorted by tonight for you,you have to be cunning and devious lol. All i did was drop a word in Johns hearing and left the rest to him hee hee. The word ,or should i say words?,easy ,fishing ,tope and sharks lol,job sorted hee hee,we are now booking another van for the week.lol. Well,that's it for now folks ,the son has just rolled up with Chris in tow ,so i would have beeb booted off the puter anyway lol,so ,see you Tuesday,take care all .Fred.

Hello everyone,Nice to see you John,seems like you and dorothy have had a couplwe of bad waether patches.we have had a glorious weekend,went to see Johns mum yesterday,they have a caravan and we went there it was loveley ,took some bread to feed the swans,geese .ducks and other feathery things at the mere near there, Had a nice meal cooked by his mum,then later had a walk to the site club had a few drinks in the leisure bar,which could have been ruined by karaoke,don't mind it normally but even the music was awful,then someone else took charge re arrange the machine .then it wasn't that bad.Called to see a friend in Lytham on the way home she nmoved there last S ept,she has really got it nice. Dorothy i did now about the common law wife 'rules' over here,as they applty to John and myself,fortunately everything is in my name from my divorce,so should anything happen i shouldn't have any problems. Going for a bath and then an early night,.sleeping in a small single bed (at the caravan)is not that good for someone my size and age!!!. Take care brenda

hi it is sunday 4pm and I have had a good week-end my youngest grandson arrived to spend the night with me it was a last minute thing, I watched the tennis this am till I could bear it no longer (roger was loosing) and Ian and I went to the garden centre now I can no way compete with fred and his garden but I now have a tomato plant on the balcony and three gerenium planters I was going to get more tomato plants but Ian said grandma you will just kill them so go with this one it is a sturdy plant and already has some small tomatoes onit, the family are taking bets on how long it will last I do have a black thumb not a green one the weather was wonderful to-day quite hot but no storms. brenda I have to say that the family law in england is very outdated but good news to-day the person I was talking about has put an offer in on a house and it has been accepted it is a semi with a nice garden and two bedrooms in the whitefield area and is in good shape no work needed doing at the moment. she di d have some savings off her own in the halifax, plus I think that her family are helping out. . I think that she will have moved in by the time I get over. I bought anne a solar light for her garden it is a bunch of dragon flies and they flicker at night I have one on the balcony and it is really pretty, the box folds down quite well so it should pack ok and then I can put it all to-gether whne I arrive. well thats enough from me bye for now dorothy

Sorry the tennis wasn't what you wanted Dorothy.Did see bits on the news.Used to love watching tennis ,then went right off it all together,just watch some games now and again,but don't know half the players ,they change so quickly. Hope everyone else is ok,its been really hot here.But its not going to last I am afraid. We have another wedding at weekend ,so hope its ok then, Just washed my hair and put a semi permanent colour on ,so must go and dry it now, Brenda

hello yes I was disapointed with the tennis as roger lost I did see the last set after Ian and I returned from the market garden. hope that you enjoy the wedding and that the weather is kind to you we are in for a hot week in the 90's. I took Ian to his baseball game last night and the first thing he wanted to know was if my tomato plant was still alive he has little to none confidence in my gardening skills(with good reason). but I was glad to report it had survived the night. it seems like a lot of people on this site are away or very busy we have not seen jude and the animals in a while. I have a friend driving up to-day for a visit so that will be nice. other wise I shal just enjoy the nice weather bye for now dorothy

Hi troops,just to let you know that Liz and i got back okay late last night ,and all went well. Had a very busy day today ,so we are off to bed. Back to normal in the morning everyone,nite nite.Fred.

Hello everyone,Dorothy I have been looking for Jude for a few days now and haven't seen hermall her contacts have gone from my lists .so i wonder if she has deleted and left ?? Any one know anything? Good luck with the tomato plant,dad grew three plants in a grow bagin a plastic mini gren house ,they florished but when he looked at the cost of them ,they worked out expensive.He still grows a couple each year but sees it has a hobbie not as a supply for tomatos. take care brenda

Good morning everyone,from a veeeeeery wet Newcastle ,fred is beggining to wonder if he is working on the wrong holiday transport and should have started working on the boat instead lol,boy ,am i glad i got those veggies in last week,at least i don't have to water them in,nature is doing it for me. The funeral went very well,sis is no doubt pleased with the turn out ,and even my uncle Ray despite ill health and a severe walking disability ,came all the way from Westbury ,in Shropshire to see her off [bless him]. I hadn't seen him for twelve years ,so we had a good chinwag before we both left to come home. Turns out Brenda,that he is the same age as richard,and armed with this info ,i spent a while last night looking for info using the new b,m,d, index on ancestry .com,and have found him,born Amersham 1935 ,plus his mothers surname [Murdock],so i think it's all coming together at last. Everyone went back to Jo's from the crem' for some light refreshments before coming home,and i got to meet a few more of Mal's friends that she had made since moving to Linc's all those years ago,cor ,she did well peeps,if half the number turn up for mine when the time comes ,i will be well sorted.hee hee. Jerry is going to be okay,i think ,his daughters have been [and still are ] bricks and will keep him busy,and this man is thinking ahead. His son in law is a builder and has made arrangements with him,to see that the bungalow is raized to the ground when he leaves,as he dosn't want anyone moving into a very happy house and despoiling it,which i can see the sense in it in a way. They only paid £30,000 for it forty years ago ,and it's in prime development country,four and a half acres sold off is going to make his children a very nice legacy. In the meantime ,he is putting a memorial garden in their orchard where they both spent many hours planting trees ,and shrubs ,so i can visit every time i go down. In the meantime ,i spent a few minutes yesterday morning ,putting the Hollyoak into it's new home ,and it does look good in the on the little patio out front along with a hollybush ,and another shrub which Liz put in ,in the third square.they are all young ,and can grow together. Everything is back to normal now and i spent a lot of time yesterday on the caravan getting it ready for the weekend . Talking to ray on Monday taught me a little more about him,and why he came all that way to see sis,for the last time,it seems he was there when she was born in wales all those years ago,and was at the raf station where my dad was stationed [lichfield] quite a few times visiting during the war. He also let slip that whilst playing with my sister in Twickinham a few years later ,he tied her to the table leg ,to keep her away from his toys lol,sounds like Ray all right lol. I loved Twickers myself too ,and spent many happy hours with my grandad and Ray ,Ray ,who nearly blew the kitchen door off the old victorian house with a home made firework ,and got a cuff round the ear from his mum,hee hee,you did NOT mess my grandma about ,no sir. His other claim to fame was the stinkbomb he set off in the garden shed ,pheeeeew,it did honk,we couldn't go down the garden for days afterward,it seemed to cling to everything,cor,a skunk would have been proud of that smell,it's about that time that grandpa and i escaped to the allotement for a week. The new navigation system worked so well too,the one i got from the insurance company as a freebie,for taking out a life insurance policy to save Liz any financial worrys after death,so i put the old pda on the ebay site for more pennies to spend on the caravan. This new one can also be updated by connecting it to the puter,but dosn't need it at the minute as i noticed that the new road at the junction of the A 1 and M 62 is already on it .brill. Well folks ,have to go out ,rain and all ,as i have to take Liz to the bank,but i will catch up to you later,have a nice day all.Fred.

goodmorning fred good to see you back and that your sisters funeral went well it sounds like she had a great family and a good life and that is all we can ever hope for. sorry that your weather is not good but it will be good for the garden. to-day is going to be a hot one it is only 8-30 am and allreaddy it is 30 degree's to-day the daughter in law has the official graduation from university it is being held outdoors in a large marque she called last night and said she had obtained an extra ticket would I like to join them all but the thought of about 3hrs in a marque in 32 degree temperatures did not tempt me so I declined. I will look at the video the son will take, the children are going but she said that they are more excited about having the day off school then watching mom get the diploma. if you have been reading the site you will have learned that jude is gone of gr. anyway glad to see you back bye for now dorothy

Just aquick hello as I am hoping to go and visit a friend tonight and will not have time to come on here.See you tomorrow Brenda.

hi brenda a fast hello to you I am melting it is 32 with a humidity of 36, went over and let the dog out while the family are at the graduation glad I am not there under canvas with crowds etc. I guess we have learned that jude is really gone I have sent her a message through the lady called ann who appears to be friends with her, off to get a cold shower and makes some tea bye for now dorothy

Hello everyone,Been wet and windy again here,and it looks like its here for a few days. we have another wedding on Saturday so i hope its at least dry for the pictures etc. Have not decided properly what to wear really does depend on the weather. Dorothy i have been intouch with ann about Jude myself and she has left,Ann sent me Judes email and i have sent her one. will let you know how she is. Time for bed ,might have to dig out my long pjs as it feels very chilly tonight. Hope Fred,Sylvia,John and the others are ok Brenda

Morning everyone,and what a morning ,cool ,and piddling down again. I was loading up the van last evening in the pouring rain ,when Liz called me over to where the car is parked and one has a good view of the front borders,Liz pointed over to the border directly behind the shedand there ,in all it's glory was a dark blue rose,eeeehh,i srared for qa good minute ,not believing what i was seeing ,and then the penny dropped. Late spring last year ,i planted half a dozen new roses that i found in a shop in town,cheap,20p each because all the labels had come off and no one knew what variety they were. Wow ,what a bonus hee hee,it isn't R A F or blue moon because i have them already ,and the colours are wrong for it to be one of those,and it isn't the other one that i know of because that variety is a floribunda,and this is an ht. I aint going to ttraips over the lawn at present because after all this rain there may be some of those giant slugs or leaches in there waiting to pounce lol,but as soon as it dries out ,i will get the camera out there. I'm now wondering if there are any more suprises with the other five ,when they bloom. I will be trying to get some off cuts later in the year ,a few if i can,mainly because i would like more roses of the same breed to spread around the front and back gardens,and ,if Fred is veeeeeery lucky,it may turn out to be a sport,a natural abberation that will stay true, colour wise to the parent plant. I have a load of clearing up in the kitchen this morning before i get my ear bent good style hee hee,the son and i had to use it last night to finish off the table for the van,and there are wood shavings and sawdust everywhere lol See you later on perhaps,if not,have a good weekend folks,and be good.Fred.

HI EVERYBODY. YES, IT'S LITTLE 'OL ME BACK FROM THE SOUTH. HAVEN'T SEEN THE WELCOME SIGNS OUT, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT. Now, back to normal. Johan and I went to Eindhoven last Sunday to our daughter's house. The weather was very hot, but we have air conditioning in our car so it was bearable. On Monday we went to visit Johan's sister who is 83 years of age and cannot walk and has lost part of her memory through an attack. On Tuesday we decided we didn't want to do too much because of the warm humid weather so visited the local shopping centre. On Wednesday we went into Germany, about 2 hour's drive away. On Thursday took it easy and just did some local shopping and bought some flowers to brighten up my daughter's house. We are not used to stairs any more and in my daughter's house had to use the stairs for the bedroom and for the washing machine another flight of stairs. My poor legs and knees are suffering. Anyway, it is good to get some exercise in. The trouble is it was so hot. Did try sitting out in the garden there but the sun was too scorching. We came come today and had some torrential rain on the way. We were fortunate that the roads were not too busy. I see that Fred has been doing a lot of writing on this thread, so have Brenda and Joanne and so it was not too difficult to find this thread. We have Father's Day on Sunday and I think it is in the uk also. I have already bought some tarts from Eindhoven, so am prepared. See you all tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

HI EVERYBODY. YES, IT'S LITTLE 'OL ME BACK FROM THE SOUTH. HAVEN'T SEEN THE WELCOME SIGNS OUT, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT. Now, back to normal. Johan and I went to Eindhoven last Sunday to our daughter's house. The weather was very hot, but we have air conditioning in our car so it was bearable. On Monday we went to visit Johan's sister who is 83 years of age and cannot walk and has lost part of her memory through an attack. On Tuesday we decided we didn't want to do too much because of the warm humid weather so visited the local shopping centre. On Wednesday we went into Germany, about 2 hour's drive away. On Thursday took it easy and just did some local shopping and bought some flowers to brighten up my daughter's house. We are not used to stairs any more and in my daughter's house had to use the stairs for the bedroom and for the washing machine another flight of stairs. My poor legs and knees are suffering. Anyway, it is good to get some exercise in. The trouble is it was so hot. Did try sitting out in the garden there but the sun was too scorching. We came come today and had some torrential rain on the way. We were fortunate that the roads were not too busy. I see that Fred has been doing a lot of writing on this thread, so have Brenda and Joanne and so it was not too difficult to find this thread. We have Father's Day on Sunday and I think it is in the uk also. I have already bought some tarts from Eindhoven, so am prepared. See you all tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

hi brenda it is 11pm and hot as hades I am sweltering but have not turned the air conditioning on as I don'e like it on all night, glad you spoke to ann re jude I am glad to hear that she is allright. I spoke to anne this morning she said that she had a bad rain storm last night but it was sunny when I spoke to her about 3pm your time, I was asking her re some more items she might want bringing over, ie. french's onions in the can they are dried and you can dress up casseroles with the, and the tim hortons french vanilla cappcinio coffe time hortons is a coffe chain and food cafe over here very popular. so you can see why it is important that I bring two large suitcases. also was in the dollar store to pick out different gift bags that she likes. going to have a quiet week-end the us open golf tournement is on and it is six years to the day that while watching it I had a heart attack out of the clear blue, very grateful for allthis extra time and do feel well, so I guess I will try and get some sleep hope the weather improves for you bye dorothy

welcome back sylvia,glad you had a good visit, It is fathers day here as well and i am off to my dads sortly. The wedding we went to turn out really nice the weather dried out and even the sun shined when they came out of church, Had some sad news abouta lady I worked with years ago,and have been asked to phone some others for more information about her family as the person they phoned did not get a phone number and we would like to attend the funeral but haven't any info. Dorothy,John has been watching the golf,he has been enjoying it,He hasn't been out much this week as the club has had tournements on ll week.He got out early monday as it did not start till 10.00 that day. Have to go going to see Dad Brenda

Good morning peeps[,waves to Dorothy,Brenda,and Sylvia],back from our first weekend outing with the new toy ,and a little bit of a disaster in a way. We had a good weekend ,the van is very comfortable .dry ,and stable while being towed which is a bonus ,as some vans are a pig once you connect them to a towbar. The brakes on the van are not working at all however ,so it is confined to the drive till we find out what the problem is. The river and the site itself are fantastic for the bairns ,rabbits everywhere you go ,including around ,and under the vans,all over the tent fields ,and along the river bank. The river holds fish of many sorts,trout [brown] rainbow,chubb flounder, dace, salmon,perch ,and many other species,which you can fish for ,there are kingfisher ,cormorants ,ducks swans ,moorhen,tern,and lots of other birds,which the bairns can feed.and two great big parks for the bairns to play in. Liz loves the park ,and Saterday we walked two miles along the banks of the river [Wansbeck],which took Liz a long time ,stopping every couple of minutes to get her breathe back,but there are lots of seats dotting the banks on both sides for peepps to sit on,so there was no problem. I tried to get a couple of pics ' of the kingfishers but i might as well have tried to take photos of a lightning bolt so fast where they lol,the fish stand no chance at all. I did get some shots of the site,the river and the weir upstream,and the houses up there ,[cor] tudor style ,real ones ,some with thatched roofs,massive back gardens leading down to the river bank ,and your own fishing spot [some folk have all the luck] hee hee,one family even had two hazel nut bushes at the bottom of their garden with a bench between them,no doubt for the kids to fish from . The old car goes back this afternoon so after i finish here i will have to go and get all my gear removed ,and then clean it out.,can't be returning a scruffy car can i? The garden has done well in the two days we have been away,but with all this rain we have had ,i will need a mower on stilts to cope with the grass lol. See ya later people ,hope you all had a good weekend.Fred.