General Chat

Judy, Fergie is the sulking boss of man ,united, hiding after both his main rivals beat his team in the cup race ,he was sooooo sure his team would get silver this year ,yeahhhhh ,well done Liverpool lol. well ,the rain is here too ,so i am going to take the day off ,and take liz along to see the roman village on the roman wall,and this will be the last day out until we go to see the tall ships race in shields and tynemouth .See you all later.Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.

good morning, everyone. Nice to see all you nice people on here. Pleased to read that David and Judith are still riding their motor bikes, John! 1st of June and it's cold! :-) Joy

Evening All,just finshed scanning some more of Johns family photos on to here,then putting them on a disc.Hopefully they will be kept better as his mother was going to cut them up and use in a picture collage thingy. Ist day of June and we have rain ,grey skys and it's cold.What happened to our lovelly sunshine !!! Jaqui I was born in 49 as well but am the eldest of the family. Bill,had another bacon barmcake at lunchtime,was out to lunch with a friend and it was her treat. She doesn't get over this side of town much and liked our new retail shopping park.It is built on the site where Pete Dudley used to work at the bowling alley. Missing Corrie ,so must go see you all tomorrow, Take care ,Brenda

Hi everyone, Thanks or the sympathy messages, my back isn't much better, but I am at the doc's next week for my sciatica treatment and I will ask him to do some on my back aswell. We are back on with renovation work. This time ut in the back . We have knocked down the old steps, or should i say Neville has. We will have 2 levels, with steps leading down. I am really looking forward to it being finished because it was started over 3 years ago, just prior to neville having to have his heart by-pass. Once it has been finished I will be able to redecorate inside and get all the old lino up and the floors polished. I am hoping it will all be done for next Christmas. It seems like I am not the only Queenslander, which is good news, Hi Donna, I hope that you got my e-mail. Well I must go now, I have to update my anti virus software, Bye for now Susan

Morning all,i logged on to here mention of bannocks and pancake mix. Ibought one of those american pancake makers last year,you know the sort ,just turn the pane over to finish cooking instead of landing up with pancake on the floor ,or ceiling. Liz uses it quite often when she is cooking ,as she can get a quick meal done before her energy runs out,she rolls them up with a filling inside ,i love them ,and they go well with cut up cooked new potato's drizzled in olive oil and roasted in the oven ,so much better than French fries.we even cook the beans in the oven at the same time with a little cayenne pepper to spice them up a bit. The weather seems to be improving a little so we may get to go to the roman wall on Monday next,to see the new parts that have been restored. I was talking to my uncle Ray last night and he bought up the subject of his racing bikes years ago ,so i will tell you of an amusing hapening from many yers ago when i was around 10 years old in high wycombe in Bucks where i grew up. If you can picture the senario which will more than likely be familiar with Susie Manterfield ,and Lenfrom bucks. Picture a hilltop [totteridge village] leading to totteridge hill ,an early racing bike with a fixed wheel nessesitating pedal clips so you can't get your feet off the pedals and get your heels smashed off fast moving pedals that are fixed [no free wheel].the hill is a one in eight[goes down a foot in every eight ].It starts with a sharp curve to the right ,then straightens up until halfway down when it curves gently to the left then goes down to the crossroad and up the other side which is as steep ,but only a couple of hundred yardsto a curve and junction to the right,the hills are so steep that the powers that be made them the main road through the crossroad,right ,thats the senario set.he he. I went out with uncle ray this morning he on hisbrand new racing bike and me on my raliegh town bike ,and off we went to totteridge hill where ray decided to go down the hill rather than turn left and go towards my nans house in Hatters Lane. we picked up a bit of speed in the first hundred yards ,wind in the hair and all that ,then Ray put on his back brake [the only one] and realised he had'nt adjusted it before his first trip ,horror,it did'nt even slow him down ,within half a minute we reached the curve halfway down ,and by this time he must have been doing around 45 mph . He could'nt get his feet out of the clips cause his legs were a blur on the peddles and you can't release from them at any speed ,and he shouted back as he dissapeared round the bend,see you attttttttttttt and then he was gone. Reaching the curve myself i saw him at the bottom ,on the crossroad at least half a mile away ,and boy ,he was really going olympic style.anyway ,to cut it short ,when i caught up with him he was still on the bike at the top[ of the other hill] ,astride the bike ,feet on the ground, white as a sheet ,hair on end,and his knees and legs trembling . It took him three minutes to get himself off the bike and in a fit of rage ,he heaved it over the hedge into someones garden ,needless to say ,he had to walk home and he never got on a bike after that ,he bought a car instead . I only hope he dos'nt see this or i will be in real bother.he he. Must be off now as the boss is waiting for her breakfast .Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.

Hi all, I liked your story Fred. It reminds me of my youthful days when I owned a boys racing bike - bought by myself with money earned helping the milkman, or rather milklady, bit by bit and assembled by me. I lived on a hill so whichever way I went I always had to go downhill. On more than one occasion I've had to crash into somebody's privet hedge because my brake cables have snapped. One day I slipped on some gravel and I've still got the scars to show for it. If a car had been coming at the T-crossing I wouldn't be here to write this today. I'm like a cat and have at least 9 lives! honest! If my children had done all the things I've done when I was younger I'd be a nervous wreck now. When I first assembled my bike I got on to the North Circular Road and cycled to Southend on Sea (from nw London). I had no map to go by but I did get there and back in one day. Another time I cycled with a friend and decided to sleep out in the open as it was nice weather. What a danger! I spent so much time talking to Annemie my neighbour today that we had to have a makeshift meal. This is a Dutch makeshift meal. Take two slices of bread, butter and add ham, then fry 2 eggs. Decorate with slices of tomatoe, augherkin and lettuce. Within 5 minutes a meal! Any easy meals going Fred; I need some standbys! Sylvia xxx

Hi Brenda & FNW Very cold here today,occasional sleety rain with a little snow falling higher up in the hills. Fred,thanks for answering my query re Fergie,shows how much I know about football.Loved your story about Uncle Ray,sounded like a scene from 'Last of the Summer Wine'. Brenda,glad to hear you are a follower of Coro St also,we are a couple of months behind the UK but there is a great following here in NZ as they found out when they tried to cut back on episodes ! Most folk here are getting ready for Queens Birthday Weekend,they go crazy trying to get away for a spell in the country or whatever,we prefer to stay home just hope the motorists drive carefully. Must say I am a little disappointed not to be mentioned in the honours list yet again:(((( Well must be off to search for some more rellies. Kind regards to All Judy

Hello all, Sylvia, pleased to hear you enjoyed your holiday, what lovely neighbours you have. So nice to come home to a welcome with flowers - and all your washing done. Jacqui, a young friend of mine went to Grenada to get married. It looked beautiful in the photographs and they stood under a lovely archway of flowers for the ceremony. Unfortunately 10 years on and they are now divorcing - so sad. It makes interesting reading to hear about the different parts of the world you all live. I hope I will soon remember all the names but for the moment I'm not going to risk getting it wrong!!! I've finally managed to track down some more of my Dad's family, they have been succesfully hiding from me for ages but in the past two days have found two of his aunties and their families. Brenda, what a good thing you rescued those photo's before they were cut up. I don't have many photo's but what I do have are being put on the computer and I am hoping to get some of them to a good enough standard to print copies. Had a few very nice frames as Christmas presents and also a 'Victorian' type album which will be ideal for holding them. Fred, I know that hill - it's scary even in a car!! Many years ago, when I was learning to drive I was a bit fearful of steep hills so my driving instructor took me there several times, at first I had nightmares about it but in the end it worked and I stopped being scared. When I lived in Preston, didn't have my own bike but borrowed my friends. We used to get up speed on the road then ride down the river bank and up again - you had to have plenty of speed or you and the bike would end up in the river. Frightens the life out of me now thinking of it and between us all we had many a narrow escape. Off to bed now. Have a good day down there in Upside down Land and sleep well everyone else. God bless Love Kathleen

Yes Kathleen its a lovely place to get married. Grand Anse beach is 2 miles long and said to be the best in the Caribbean. I usually swim at a smaller beach near me. We used to go every morning before sun up, it was being in the sea as the sun rises....beautiful. Sunsets are pretty cool to. Not such a bright day today....quite a bit of rain but still very hot and tonight it is very still (for a change) oooops spoke to soon...the wind seems to kick up quickly and then go...not so many trees now to break the wind force. Well June 1st was the official first day of hurricane season...oooh goody!!!! Went to a funeral today and got another one tomorrow - as it a small village and everyone knows everyone it seems most people go. speak to you lovely folks tomorrow. Love Jacquie xx

Hello everybody Have to agree with Judy its COLD and WET - the rain has been coming in all directions. Being Queen's Birthday weekend here people are being advised to avoid unnecessary travelling due to the weather. Judy - I am one that doesn't like Corrie St prefer our local Shorty St instead as does my wife. Each time I see my Mum she asks 'did you see Corrie St' - 'No Mum, you know we don't watch it'. Anway we got her watching Shortland St when she was staying with us and now she is hooked. John

Hi all Another cool day and frosty nights with no rain yet, they are predicting rain about Saturday night, we will wait and see. Fred I loved your story about your Uncle and the bikes, My Dad used to road race when he was young and after a few falls, some involving cars that moved over on him and made him run out of road space and ended up off his bike down an embankment or in blackberries or such, so He gave up racing. Sylvia, when you mentioned about we would be nervous wrecks if our kids did what we did. I often say the same and I find myself saying to the kids dont do that you may get hurt. This is coming from someone who used to ride a bike (until it became compulsary to wear a helmet) without hands, and I also remember, along with my cousins climbing inside tyres, and we would have a race down a hill on our Pops farm to see who could reach the bottom first OUCH!!! Sylvia in W.A I hope thing are well with you and Norman, Did you get your day of rest yesterday?

Hi everyone, I've done it again, written a long message and lost it, when will I learn! I think today we are going to have a nice sunny day, I like to have the washing up to date for weekend. I have a busy day today, after taking my granddaughter to work I have to take Gaynor's dog to the vet, then an appointment at 10.30, hairdressers at 1.30, pick Sam up at 6, another appointment at 6.30 and out for a meal at 7.30. I hope I turn up at the right place at the right times, lol Fred, you remind me of my father, always got a tale to tell, keep them coming, you are a great story teller. Sylvia, You sound as though you had a lovely holiday, your friend is one in a million. Yesterday I managed to sort my tree out, after all this time, I found out that I had my grandfather and his cousin mixed up. Why did they have so many children, all with the same names, I bet if they went to the door and called out Thomas, they would have around 20 children running to them! John, funnily enough, Beckham is a good goalie and he can keep a balloon in the air for a long time but of course I didn't know he would be able to do this when I named him. Its just me, mad on football and have been since I was a child. Sylvia and Norman, Congratulations, I hope you have a lovely 56th Wedding Anniversary on the 4th. I had better get moving now I have had my coffee, had a good day everyone. June xx

Fred, I tried to e-mail you but couldn't. My e-mail address is: [email protected] Sylvia xxx

Hello Eveyone,didn't realise i did not put a message here yesterday,time flies as they say. I have seen Shortland Street and enjoyed it, it was on day time tv for a while,but can't remember which Channel. I also watch Emmerdale and Neighbours. When I was in Oz 12 years ago in Melbourne my friend took us to the street they use to film it.The tv studio that makes Corrie are here in manchester and had a sort of tv land theme park it wasn't very big but you could go in the Rovers and have your photo taken etc.It was closed down a while back. Working tomorrow but at one of the smaller libraries,it has five pcs which are usually booked solid,as that area has a lot of Eastern European students who must be emailing home etc. Finally got a reply and sorted out on Ancestry,so off to search for some streets on 1861 census Fred loved the bike story,sorry to say I can not even now ride a two wheel bike,!!! Take care Brenda.

hi everyone, Branda, I was going to keep my mouth shut about riding a bike, Like you I have never mastered the art of bike riding. Unfortunately I have very bad balance. I even all off the causeway edge. Maybe that's why I am always falling and hurting my back. Not much happening here, it is still very dry and warm during the day. I start off with lots of clothes and gradually do a strip tease until I am down to shorts and t shirt, then back to trackies and a big cardy. I must say it's nice to climb into a nice warm bed. Anyone know where Mary is? Meggie, the terrier went for her teeth cleaning yesterday, and today she isn't talking to any one. She is even ignoring Sophie, the cat. We have all been sent to Coventry, but it is worth it because she now has nice breath Well, may get back leter Bye Susan

Hi Brenda & FNW Still very cold here but I must admit it's nice to get back into the Winter menus for a change,roast beef & york.pud tonight,steamed puddings etc. Brenda we watch Emmerdale also but John,I haven't been able to 'take'to Shortland St.although all the younger ones in our family enjoy it. Bill & Fred,it's a shame you don't get our docos, on Sundays we have a doco called 'Off the Rails' quite interesting for railway enthusiasts and history buffs. Sylvia & Norman,congratulations on your wedding anniversary, saw on TV news the other night that delightful couple who were celebrating their 80th. Kind regardsto All Judy.

Hello Everyone, I'm sorry I haven't been on here for a few days. I hope you are all well. Thank you all so much for asking about Norman and me and also for congratulating us on our Wedding Anniversary. Norman went out on the bus trip on Thursday, and I just had a day of rest for a change and didn't do anything. I didn't even go to the shops. Anyway, I feel so much better for it. I was really feeling tired. We have had a lot of rain here over the last couple of days and it is beginning to feel more like Winter now, although it's not really cold. Norman and I are not doing anything special for our Anniversary, in fact we probably won't even see anyone. The boys have sent cards, also my sister and a couple of friends. I think, if Simon, Debbie and the girls were living nearer, they would have to come to see us, but Broken Hill is a bit too far! They are still hoping to be living back in WA by the end of the year, so we are looking forward to that. Have a nice weekend everyone. Love from Sylvia in Perth WA XX

I thought i would add a few words while possible ,this site seems so slow again ,and i'm sick of hitting the refresh button every two seconds ,perhaps G.R. would consider making it automatic on every thread change lol.I am glad to hear that Norm' is getting on a little better ,and that sylvia is getting a bit of respite once in a while. I got your recepies away Sylvia ,hope you get them okay,i never thought to ask you if you had a printer [blushes and lowers head].I have the tea on ,nothing special tonight ,mince pies ,roast carrot courgette, parsnip and sweet potato ,duchess potato,roast new tatties ,and a nice beef gravy.that will be followed by a little ice cream ,carte dore later in the evening ,i'm off now to do a little dvd work ,but will pop back later in case our maz adds a new thread ,i was soooo pleased to hear she was okay .Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.

Hi everyone, {'m a bit late again today, we have had a couple of appointments re houses, so it breaks the day up quite a bit. Sylvia, I'm glad you decided to have a rest. it sounds like it did you good. I think I will go and have an early night too, so see you all tomorrow. June xx

Hello Everyone,not been to bad a day weather wise,was a bit overcast in the morning and picked up in the afternoon. It was really warm in the library,we can not open the windows and the new ceiling fans which were put in at the end of last summer have a faulty switch so we can not use them.We were doing a bit of a strip as well Susan but not down to shorts I am sorry to say,would be nice to wear vests and shorts but they are not allowed. We are lucky to have cable tv and have a good choice of Documentry programmes to watch,my other half loves them ,on all sort of subjects.He works early mornings and if he is not out on the golf course ,he is watching them,in the afternoon. Have just realised I did not turn the washer on when I put the washing in so need to go back down and put it on or John will not have a clean uniform for work on Monday.!! See you all tomorrow.take care Brenda