General Chat

Hi all, Well i had a very nice Fathers Day, which ended up with eldest daughter, her partner and my granddaughter staying for dinner. Made it easy though as we phoned the Chinese restaurant and my daughter went and picked up the food. I always think it is cosier eating at home Been trying to get through my ironing today. I also finished off the guest towel I was cross stitching for my daughter. It really has turned out lovely with cats running through the initials JANET. I made a card for my neighbour whose niece has just had a baby boy. I also went to the hospital today and they were going to bind up my left leg but when I produced an elastic stocking I had in the drawer at home - should have been wearing elastic stockings all the time! - they put on the stocking and said I must go back next Monday and be measured for some new stockings. The growth on my left leg looks like a miniature mount Etna with an eruption. They are scared of cutting out this growth for fear that I will be left with an open leg because of my diabetes. If the fluid is out of my leg then they will cut away the growth. May take some time though they say. I also have to see the urologist next week and he will carry out a cystocopie which means putting a tube in my bladder and seeing if there are any strange things there. I do hope all these hospital visits will end soon. I want to book a week in England but want to be sure I don't have to go into hospital before I book. Now have a nice evening everybody. Sylvia xxx

Hi all, Well i had a very nice Fathers Day, which ended up with eldest daughter, her partner and my granddaughter staying for dinner. Made it easy though as we phoned the Chinese restaurant and my daughter went and picked up the food. I always think it is cosier eating at home Been trying to get through my ironing today. I also finished off the guest towel I was cross stitching for my daughter. It really has turned out lovely with cats running through the initials JANET. I made a card for my neighbour whose niece has just had a baby boy. I also went to the hospital today and they were going to bind up my left leg but when I produced an elastic stocking I had in the drawer at home - should have been wearing elastic stockings all the time! - they put on the stocking and said I must go back next Monday and be measured for some new stockings. The growth on my left leg looks like a miniature mount Etna with an eruption. They are scared of cutting out this growth for fear that I will be left with an open leg because of my diabetes. If the fluid is out of my leg then they will cut away the growth. May take some time though they say. I also have to see the urologist next week and he will carry out a cystocopie which means putting a tube in my bladder and seeing if there are any strange things there. I do hope all these hospital visits will end soon. I want to book a week in England but want to be sure I don't have to go into hospital before I book. Now have a nice evening everybody. Sylvia xxx

hi one and all sylvia it sounds like you had a good fathers day and I hope that they can fix up your leg as soon as possible you will have to try wearing the stockings more. Fred your week-end sound realy grand and of course as usual after reading your discription of everything I felt that I was there with you nad the missus, what a lot of nature you saw. nothing much new here the weather is incredible hot but better than snow though we get thunderstorms to-morrow. the big highway(motorway) that goes by my town was closed on saturday for 17hrs both ways due to two cars racing and causing a 11 car pile up, some bad injuries and arrests of the racers, then to-day it is closed again due to another accident a truckdriver was cut off by two speeding cars hit the guard rail went through to the other lane and hit the ditch on pupose he was killed but he saved many lives by the choice he made still close as I write this at 7-30pm maybe midnight before it opens. why the young want to speed race I have no idea. I will be going to brampton at the end of the month I think that I shall use the slower side highway and avoid the 400. going to watch the american interview with the princes this evening I think that it is on for an hour. bye for now dorothy

Hiya,glad to see youall had good weekends,sylvia,you really sound like you are going through it chuck,hope it all comes right inthe end for you . Dorothy what are the 'Boyracers' thinking about,seems nothing really to them,they have probably stolem the cars so there is no insurance to cover anything.The poor victims are left clearing their mess. The weather was good to day not much rain,but there is plenty forcast for the rest of the week. Fred,sounds like you are still as busy even after wekend away. Sounds like thunder outside!!! so that rain might be here sooner than we thought, John has put my new cupboard up and everything is heaped in the middle of the floor,so I have been trying to tidy up will take a while to see what goes where.but should help a lot . Take care Brenda

Morning peoples ,from a very wet Newcastle,but hey,the sun has just come out ,so here's hoping. My son and i finally got away to go down to Kettering at two oclock,towing the shell of the caravan ,having stripped out all the gubbins for use on the new vsan ,or sale of on ebay ,if not needed. This new van is a foot shorter than the older one ,which is handy as it goes in and out of the gate a lot easier,and is 120 kilos lighter which means it's easier to tow. We had a good look at the photo's of it before we decided and it turns out ,we made the right decision,as will be revealled shortly. We made a bit of a mistake with the sattelite navigation though lol,applying the shortest route instead of the fastest resulting in us towing this shell up Blaydon bank 1 in 8 gradient and half a mile long [i thought i was going to have to get out and push] lol. Mind you ,we went through some lovely villages ,which broke the monotany somewhat Having dropped the shell off in Bishop aukland ,we departed for Kettering at three oclock,forgetting to change the navigation aid ,resulting in going through many towns on the way down,plus a lovelly drive through the remains of Sherwood forestand through a load of 16 century villages and towns ,loads of village ponds to be seen ,and thatched roofs ,many of which come down to within feet of the path ,and Fred,,huh,forgot his camera so ,no piccies [hears sigh of relief from Mary and a few others lol] Anyway,the heavens opened as we reached the storage park where the van was parked up,thunder forked lightening ,the works,with raindrops so hard that they bounced a foot into the air. We had a quick look inside the van,and all seemed okay,so the sale went ahead,and then started home. The car did very well ,going at a steady 60 all the way home ,and the van was a delight to tow,stable [working brakes] lol,and all the lights working [saves a lot of work],the storms followed us all the way home ,until we got to the top end of durham city,rain lashing all the way and ,then as we got it parked up ,we had a quick look inside and found rthsat dedspite all the water ,it was bone dry inside [yippee] so all that's needed is a good sealing to be on the safe side[Fred used sealants for years on his work ,so ,has a gun already] So ,thats it folks,we made the right decision,a nice little tourer at a giveaway price,and the money from the sale of the pieces from the other van ,will pay for it's disposal. So ,that's it for now,who is off to start work hee hee Fred.

Afternoon folks,just a quick hello as I am in work and on a tea break. John put my shelves up in the spare room where the pcis nd now i have to sort it out and clean up.did a bit last night and will finsh it tonight.also have to find my cousins grandparents which is taking ages.!!! take care Brenda

hello as usual fred I felt that I was on the journey with you it sounded great going through all those villages glad your new van is all that you want it to be. brenda glad you got your shelves up today it is a little cooler with a nice breeze I am meeting the family for dinner at 5pm at the maderian resturant a great chines buffet place it is to celbrate lindy finishing the extra cours she was taking in special education needs children. and then I believe she is going to take a long earned reat it has been a lon haul for everyons since last sept. so she now has a honours B>A in history a honours B.A in anthrapolpgy and her B.A in education so we are all very proud of her the first two degree's were of course earned when she was young at trent university were she and adrew met they will have been married 16yrs on friday. to-morrow I am having a new large front window installed and the best thing I do not have to pay for it the seal had gone on the other one. and it looked rather grubby so I am now off to get glammed up a bit take care bye dorothy

Afternoon folks, fred you sound like a kid with a new toy,all i want to say is ENJOY,you have earned it. Sylvia,hope you are ok, dorothy hope your meal went ok sounds lovelly.its funny but my friend told me two days ago that she has had to have some of her windows replaced as the seals had gone,She is mad with herself as she thought it was going last year and it would have been in the guarantee time but now its too late and she has had to pay again.!! Betr watch ours!! Had a walk round town today but it was cut short by the rain,might go to Bury tomorrow but again depands on the weather. Need to get the tea on,chicken breast ,new jersey royals and mixed vegatables,(cauli,broccali,sweetcon,green beans.) Take care.Brenda

hi oh brenda your tea sounded good made me quite hungry yes the new window went in this morning it only took them 45 minutes. when I moved in last year I knew the seal had gone but it took till this time off year to get it done you can't do these things in the winter over here, anyway it is great clear as a bell and I can really enjoy the wonderful view of the hills and tree's way into the distance everything is lovely and green of course in the fall the colours are magnificent. so you may go to bury to-morrw only 49 days till I fly over and then I will be in bury can hardly wait. the rate of exchange is good at the moment 211 dollars for a 100 pounds but I will watch it for a little longer to see if it goes down a bit more. 2yrs ago I paid about 240 for 100 pounds the more I save in the exchange the more I support the british economy when I am over. the dinner last night was great we all had a lovely meal. to-morrow andrew and lindy are celebrating the 16th wedding anniversery. the youngest told them at dinner I hope that does not mean you are going to be kissing and all that yucky stuff. his father asked him if he would like another brother or sister and the reply was don't even go there laura is taking sex education this term and Ian has been peeking at her books, it almost put him off his dessert. I tooka card over to-day and a bottle of wine for them after the year they have had she (lindy ) said she would like a quite evening in and watch some video's. andrew flies down east next week and will be away for the week well that is enough from me bye for now dorothy

Morning Dorothy,Brenda ,and anyone else that may tune in. What a day i had yesterday culminating in one very happy Fred,and a planned late Fathers day present ,the best one iv'e ever had. The wife has been going over to the sons everyday this last week ,to help i thought with the decorating,but she was also sitting with Sophies new pet kitten on her lap for hours [short haired,anyway ,there were no ill effects ,so ann ,and the missus went to see the lass who breds the kittens,and the result was ,mw being summoned there for tea yesterday ,and being given this little female cat that i have named Missy. I spent all evening with her with the result that by nine last night she had bonded with me ,and was following me all round rthe house mewing to be picked up. She won't as yet accept food off Liz ,but i reckon Missy will come round to that in a few days. A much better pet for me than a dog ,in that she won't be needing walkies in the middle of winter,and won't annoy the neighbours because i intend to bring her up as a house cat. I took a piccie of her this morning as she sat on the arm of the armchair next to the puter,the nearest she could get to me,as she hasn't yet got the hang of climbing up my trouser legs ,[ouch] I am really going to enjoy this coming winter now,a brand new combi boiler ,a real effect electric fire ,and my cat curled up on my knee as i used to do with my Iccy years ago lol. Have to go and feed her now,a weak mixture of porridge [some of MY breakfast ] lol,watered down with a little milk,catch you all later. Fred.

hi fred and all fred how wonderful that you have recieved missy as a gift I hope that you will have hours of love and friendship with her, and as you say in the winter she will be great company. I enjoy my boys so much even if they are very spoiled by now at the moment they both are curled up in the doorway waiting for me to finish so they can have their moning treats (tarter treats). I will be off to the shops to stock up for the next week or so for it is that time of the year tennis from wimbledon I shall be glued all week. I hope that the weather holds for them. my friend from brampton is coming up for a few days the 2nd week and she is as tennis mad so we fit everything in around the matches. we don't tape them and watch later for it does not seem the same. again fred enjoy your new kitten, and by the way my tomato plant has 8 tomatoes on it and Ian is surprised I have not killed it yet to quote the 8yr old' grandma you are improving' high praise indeed have a great week-end bye dorothy

Morning all from a very wet newcastle ,with the threat od a nasty thunderstorm in the offing,not that i am complaining mind .Oz ,Canada some parts of europe and even parts of britain have been hit hard by the weather ,and up north in fact ,we have been lucky till now. The Trailer is just about finished but is already fit to take on the road. We got the outside seals finished yesterday,and even got the underside done .floor and chassis] with stoneguard underseal,so this van should do at least ten years,and will serve to travel far and wide as well as locally at the odd weekend. We took the old alli poles off the bairns bunk and repaced them with two steel ones for extra strength,and then jammed a brush handle inside both pieces to make a lightweight areial pole for the fst telly,that will slide into the van for travelling and clamp to the side of the gas bottle box while parked up. We have a little dvd player ,and a freeview box for variety while parked up and it's raining. Missy is alrerady ganging up with Liz ,so that i have TWO bossy females in the house [sigh] she has already found out how to get on to the computer desk ,and onto the keyboard ,so i now have to wait for Liz to get up before i can log in to do anything lol. I shared my fish with Missy last night and found that she loves white fish,and i will be having a tuna salad tonight so will find out if she likes all fish.which will suit me ,i have fish at least three times a week in some form or other. She already has a carrier which doubles as her bed,then ,she shouldn't complain when we shut her in to go anywhere. The next thing to buy her is a collar so that we can slip a lead on while out with the van ,so that she can't get lost anywhere. Hope everone is having a good weekend ,catch you all later.Fred

Morning all from a very wet newcastle ,with the threat of a nasty thunderstorm in the offing,not that i am complaining mind .Oz ,Canada some parts of europe and even parts of britain have been hit hard by the weather ,and up north in fact ,we have been lucky till now. The Trailer is just about finished but is already fit to take on the road. We got the outside seals finished yesterday,and even got the underside done .[floor and chassis] with stoneguard underseal,so this van should do at least ten years,and will serve to travel far and wide as well as locally at the odd weekend. We took the old alli' poles off the bairns bunk and replaced them with two steel ones for extra strength,and then jammed a brush handle inside both pieces to make a lightweight aerial pole for the fst telly,that will slide into the van for travelling and clamp to the side of the gas bottle box while parked up. We have a little dvd player ,and a freeview box for variety while parked up and it's raining. Missy is alrerady ganging up with Liz ,so that i have TWO bossy females in the house [sigh] she has already found out how to get on to the computer desk ,and onto the keyboard ,so i now have to wait for Liz to get up before i can log in to do anything lol. I shared my fish with Missy last night and found that she loves white fish,and i will be having a tuna salad tonight so will find out if she likes all fish.which will suit me ,i have fish at least three times a week in some form or other. She already has a carrier which doubles as her bed,then ,she shouldn't complain when we shut her in to go anywhere. The next thing to buy her is a collar so that we can slip a lead on while out with the van ,so that she can't get lost anywhere. Hope everone is having a good weekend ,catch you all later.Fred

Morning everyone. Fred got yourself another woman eh! turn my back for a day or so and you latch on to someone else!! Hope you will be very happy.Let us know how she gets on. Weather very mixed yesterday did the weekly shop and was looking for birthday presents but couldn't find what i wanted, in work today weather cold but dry.Just had lunch so need to open again.see you tomorrow,Brenda

Dorothy forgot to say hello before,glad the window is sorted.and the meal went ok. Your daughter in law should be really proud of herself. I can imagine why you are getting evxited about your trip. Didn't get to Bury yesterday,hoping to get there next week. take care Brenda

goodmorning glad to hear that fred's van is coming to-gether and missy seems to be fitting in well. sorry the weather is bad fred it is grerat in this part of canada to-day is bright and sunny though we are in for another hot week starting on monday 30-32 degree;s but as I shall be in watching the tennis I amnot going to worry about it the heat is one thing but it is the humidity that causes the problems. my sister phoned from calgary yesterday they have bought another condo up in the mountains she says it is small but has fantastice views I guess they will use it as a get away place when theywant a change from city living. she seems to be settling in out there allright but I do miss her. to-day I am looking for a new tele the big one in the lounge is on the fritz but it is about 25yrs old. they have some good sales on at the moment so the son and hier is going to give me a hand looking for one, but as I have two samll ones in the bedrooms I will not miss one moment of the tennis. brenda anne called this morning she had just come back from shopping in bury and I see from the bury times that marks and sparks are staying in bury and going to be moving up the rock in the new developement some time in 2010 well that is it for me oh yes 10 tomatoes this morning the plant is doing well in spite of me bye dorothy

Hi Brenda, Yes, I am reasonably ok but have a lot of pain in my right hand due to Carpale Tunnel Syndrome. I have been operated on this hand twice but it hasn't helped. I want to see the neurologist again but am waiting until I have been to the urologist to see what is wrong there. I have been reading all your letters but not writing myself. Today I baked bread and for the first time my first bread turned out flat. I know why and that is because I put the wrong amount of water in. I always like to know why I failed and then can right things in future. I made mousse of two kilos of plums and have frozen a lot in. My right hand is as cold as ice so will keep this short for now. Sylvia xxx

Sorry to be on here so late,but just kept watching tv tonight ,ot that there was anything really good. Sylvia,pleasedyou dropped i ,sorry about your hand,my sister has had one hand operatred on due to the same thing ,she now has to wait for the other to get worse before they will do that ,and she is a nurse.that first op was ok by the way.But I know at least three people who have had it doen and it did no good and will not have it done again,they prefer it as it is ,a lady I worked with had it done and then again to correct the way her little finger was left sticking out almost sideways,but it was still left really crooked.Just pop inand let us know you are ok now and again. Are you ready for tomorrw dorothy/ weather doesn't look to good,hope you sort out the tv.Is Cananda goind digital and HD? Was watching the news about torandos in canada ,hope they are not near yoy. Off to bed now,speak to you soon,Brenda

hello brenda no the tornado's were not near me though the temperature reached 30 to-day the children were in the pool all day I was over for dinner and keeping an eye on them as lindy was playing ball hockey in full hockey gear in this heat she dived in thepool as soona sshe got home, yes I am ready for the tennis all the shopping done lots of cool drinks I hope that it does not rain over home. not sure anout digital etc I think thats what I have but not sure. I see that murray has pulled out all my scottish friends will be sad the next two days are going to be very hot 30-33 plus humidity so that will be near 40 but it is better than 40 below I am off to bed nye for now the alarm is set for 7 as the braodcast starts at 8am our time goodnight dorothy

hi what a day up early to watch tennis then a rain delay on and off I am exhausted the tim henman match ded me in it was the last one we say live what an up an down game I was walking the floor who knows what to-morrow will bring. it is also 31 degree's as i type this with a humidity of 36 rather hot to say the least I am now going to make some tea and relax hope that the weather is improving for all of you that are having it rather bad bye for now dorothy