General Chat

Good evening everyone. Just a quickie - the days fly past. Beautiful weather during the day here in North Island but very cold at night. The birds are eating the food as fast as I put it out these days. South Island have had very heavy snow. Our friends in Ashburton had 14 inches in their garden last week. It still hasn't thawed. Still without power in lots of areas. Our Grandson, Chris. who is in the Army is stationed in the South Island and we had a text from him tonight to say the Army are going to help out with clearing roads, delivering food etc. He is really excited to be able to help. His first 'job' with the public. He said it is very, very cold at the moment. No doubt he will warm up tomorrow if he is shovelling snow!! About 2 k's from here we have a new shopping centre started. The first part has just opened - called Fashion Island. 21 fashion shops. Looks to me as though they are catering for the younger people. Very attractive centre though. A new Library has just been built down the road - Pip will be visiting often I expect - he is a great reader. Papamoa used to be a sleepy seaside village but not any longer. Large houses on the beach front are being sold for 1 and 2 million dollars. Hope all the 'sick people' are feeling better. Regards to all. Mavis NZ

Evening all,just a short message tonight,was on the 12.30-8pm shift tonight and even thougth it was fairly slow,we had some admin jobs to do so we were busy,this shift leaves me bvery tired somehow,so i am writing this then off to bed,have an early appointment at the doctors for results of blood tests. Hope ou and John are ok Di,and he can be persaded to see the doctor. Sylvia,I know how you must be feeling on two seperate ocasions oin the past I have had men sitting close to me in the cinema ,when i was with girl friends as well,we shouted at one man and when the usherette came over he went away.The second man was talking to himself and we got up an dmoved away ,he got up too but we told the man at the door and he asked him to leave . It is very unnerving . fred tou have done yourself proud treating your good lady like that,sounds like a very interesting place where you are. Hi Kathleen,we all seem to have found grren fingers ,must be something in the water!!!LOL. glad you are ok . Off to bed now,Brenda

Hi all,and yes Di,keep on at John cause something ain't right there,a year on he should be full of beans and rarin'to go if his heart is now healthy. There cound be other things causing Him to be tired all the time too but it's important he gets an mot as soon as possible Liz and i went for our little trip yesterday,which i had to plan pretty carefully seeing as she is under the weather still,but her breathing is easier now and she dosn't rattle when she coughs so that's an improvement. Anyhow ,i took her to the metro station by car,took her to shields where we had a treat,a maccie d's for dinner ,a cheese bacon burger fries and an apple turnover plus coffee.Stepped outside and got a bus to the seafront,where we sat for an hour in the watery sun wathing ships going upriver,and out to sea,then got another bus along the coast to Sunderland and the metro home again,not a lot of walking for her ,but a bit of fresh air and exercise. Liz has said that when she is okay she want's to do it again but with a walk along the front at seaburn where the beach is lovely and clean,and is nice and sandy,not like the beaches further south that tend to be all pebbles. The old garden is doing fine now,and has reached the stage that i only need a hoe on it now to keep a few weeds down,and i'm just waiting for the roses to come out,all of them are heavy with bud ,and i have one of them waiting toi be pinned to the fence because it's a climber and is getting rather tall I drew back the blinds this morning at six to find a couple of new arrivals that made my day,a couple of greenfinches ,havn't seen any in years,so i am chuffed to bits and hope they will come back Talking about birds ,i have a row of them sitting on the back fence waiting for breakfast ,so i think i had better go do it before they start creating 'cause i am ignoring them. Be back later.Fred.

Good morning all, We have had some much needed rain after the very hot spell. Still fairly warm but it rained on and off for most of the day and has been raining all night, now it seems to be easing as it gets lighter. I think the forecast was for it to clear and the much warmer weather to come back by the weekend. Not had much opportunity to use the computer recently, my sons have been busy and we had a little glitch which has now been sorted. I have been sorting out a few things in the garden - at last some of it has been cleared so that I can replant. Old rose bushes, way past their prime, have gone and been replaced by clematis and a few annuals for this year. Making use of some of the stones from my little rock garden that I dismantled a couple of years ago, I discovered that the lovely bigger one was too heavy for me to lift - I was so cross with myself but eventually had to admit defeat and ask for help. Getting old(er) is no fun at all. Still I have much to be thankful for as healthwise I don't seem to have too many problems. I think I will have another go at getting a couple of hours sleep, the rain seems to have stopped for now. Hope everything goes well with your op Sylvia. Di, I hope you manage to persuade John to visit the doctor, men can be so stubborn about looking after their health. To everyone, have a good day God bless Love Kathleen

Hi boys and girls!! So Sylvia, you've been going around flirting with young men, have you? Seriously though, if a young man winked at me, I'd think he needed glasses, or maybe had a tic!! However, I think you were right to be a little perturbed about it and return to the car pdq; there are some strange people around nowadays. The hand on the knee is another matter; that, being physical contact, would probably be classified as an assault, certainly an invasion of your space, and I think I'd have spoken to the manager! I hope everything is going well for both you and Johan at the doctors, or the hospital. We're trying to persuade John to pay a visit to the doctor and tell him how weak and tired he is all the time, because I'm sure he should be feeling better than this a year after the heart attack and surgery. The stubborn man says 'I'll see!', but now Steve is getting on to him too,and also bernie so hope he'll take notice> I've been very busy the past 4 or 5 days, picking, shucking and freezing broad beans, pulling out all the plants, digging and fertilising the beds, and then sowing beds of peas, carrots, leeks,scarlet runners and bush beans, mesclun salad mix and assorted lettuce. The weather was forecast to be rainy today and the next four days or so and I was looking forward to a day indoors catching up with some chores, but it's been a lovely, mostly sunny day, so I've been outside most of the time. Woke up this morning after a night of vivid dreams with my hair stuck out all over, looking like Shirley Temple, with wrinkles that is! So dashed off and got a haircut,lovely and short, easy care and cool! Hi to Brenda, Mavis, June, John, Fred and friends everywhere. Teatime coming up, so must say bye for now, and love to all. Di.xxx

Hi all, Nice to see you all again. Thanks for the photos Fred, it's nice to put a face to words so to speak. We still have that tropical heat, but it is bearable. Johan and I had to go to Utrecht again today and we found out that I could have been having help 4 hours a week paid for, but we were told 3 hours. They all contradict one another, and one can never rely on their replies. Anyway, this office in Utrecht is the head office and they have been trying to sort out our papers. I went into a supermarket in the shopping centre and was looking at the tomatoes when a friendly??? young man winked at me. I took it that he thought I knew what I was buying. Anyway, a little further around the supermarket I met him again and he said 'doing a little shopping' and I said 'yes'. I then realised that he was following me around and I got scared. Every time I looked up I saw him. I so wished Johan had been with me, but I'd left him sitting down outside as he was tired. These things always happen to me. In the house where I used to live I went out one evening on a late-night shopping night and a car drew up and asked me where the high street was and I said 'over there' and the man asked if I'd like to join him. Now, I'm no Spring chicken, nor am I a beauty. Why me? When I was in the hospital I had a room for myself and if I wanted company then I could go to the television room, which I did once and had a man come and sit next to me and put his hand on my knee. Needless to say that was the only time I left my room. When I was younger I left the 3 children with Johan and went to the cinema and the same again, a man came and sat next to me and put his hand on my knee. Why, oh why? I get so scared, like today I got into the car and quickly locked the door because Johan had to go to the machine to pay for the parking ticket. This man's face now haunts me. I think he was a Moroccon. You men, you don't know how lucky you are to be able to go to the cinema on your own and not be molested. If I was young and beautiful maybe it would be different, but I am not, so who has the answer? Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone,weather is a lot cooler today and not so sunny,but still very nice. Have been busy sorting out some paper work and sending cheque off to pay holiday balance (12 weeks to go) Also been making phone calls about the fitting of the kitchen,which is supposed to be 24/7 ,which is 4 weeks later than hoped for John is glad in one way as it is giving him more time to do some odd jobs he need to do before hand.. Fred,must have been very nostalgic to do that walk,all my manchester relatives lived about a ten minute drive away,you can see the streets in some places but not where the houses where,and in others the streets have gone altogether and have been replaced by very exspensive apartment blocks.Wonder what the new occupiers would think if they knew how bad conditions used to be down there.!!! At the chiropodist later,hopefully ,he had forgotten his keys last week and could not get into the place. Have still got sone ironing to do and get the tea ready to put on later, Hope every one is ok. Brenda

Hi peeps,time to report in again before going for an early night. I got to go through the tyne predestrian tunnel as planned today,and felt a bit ashamed of myself. The tunnel leads to Jarrow ,over the river where my family, dad included were born and raised and the last time i went over was eight years ago,how shameful is that.? Still it was a good day,and i enjoyed it although the place has changed so much in a few years,lots of new shops,and lots of old ones gone. The tunnel itself still has the oldest and longest wooden escalater in the world.and i noticed that all the stairs were numbered cause they can only fit in the slot where they were built for,and can't be interchanged,no mass production in those days,and with three hundred odd stairs in each of the four stairways ,they must have kept a few carpenters busy for a long time lol. It took me and Liz a long time to walk through the tunnel and back and we were both tired by the time we got to the sons house,the cup of tea was most welcome. Have to go now ,and put the phgoto's on the puter ready for the morning when i will be posting them out. Take care all,and have a nice night.Fred.

There was a lot of thunder and rain during the night and early this morning but it was needed to clear the air,working later and have a lot of ironing todo before i go, Have a nice day ,brenda

Afternoon all,glad to see you ,and read your messages,i do start to worry ,like Sylvia says and think things have happened to you when you are not seen for a day or two ,weather still brilliant and likely to remain so for a fewmore days . John and David are watching the football ,don't know who is playing,I have tried sitting outside but next door have the family round and the men are in doors watching the football and the women and children are outside having a bbq.It's good to hear them have a good time but I am still a bit tired ,did get to sleep last night as i had the little electri fan on the bedside table.It was great it cooled me down and I slept for a bout 4 hours. I am going to take it down stairs later and use it when I do some ironing. Sylvia what bad news your family have had this week ,will keep you all in my prayers .They can do so much on these things now. Fred,Hope your other half is getting better,I did the same with my batteries last week and have only just rememebered to put them on charge,!!!! I have been having some of my photos printed at the big supermarket near us they have those machines,but when i got there yesterday both were out of order,Will try one that is on the way to my sisters tomorrow. see you all soon,Brenda

Hi everyone. Sylvia - you are having a bad time with the families illnesses. Our thoughts will be with you and trust all will be well. John - Hope Gayle enjoyed the Rugby! I will be watching again on Saturday. Watched the Netball today - great match. Hope David is doing O.K. Fred - your garden sounds wonderful with all the vegies. I am about to plant Strawberry plants - our son in law gave us lots of runners. They are a very sweet variety although the fruit is quite small. Our weather is still good although the nights are frosty. We hope to go to indoor bowls tomorrow - depends how Pip feels. Not much to report at this time. Regards to all Mavis NZ

Hi all, I see it is 5 days since I came on this site, so before you all put me in the obituary column thought I'd better make an appearance. Yes, my operation on the right hand will take place on Thursday. I have had it done on this hand before but it didn't help, so they are going to do it again. If that is ok then I'll have the left one done. Johan has to go into hospital tomorrow week. I've just had bad news about my daughter's new partner Henk. He has prostrate cancer and at the moment we don't know what treatment he will have to have. A bitter blow. Janet his partner, my daughter, has to have an operation on Thursday for her haemorrhoids. They asked her whether there is bowel cancer in the family and she had forgotten that her grandfather, my father, died of this. Another doubtful op!!! Yes, the weather here is also fantastic at the moment - 30 degrees, but because we have water nearby we always have a little breeze so doesn't affect us too much. Like you Fred I am up early these mornings to water the plants, do the ironing etc. This afternoon Nederland are playing football. Secretly hoping they will lose as I am sick of all this hype. I did watch England play yesterday and was pleased they won, but thought they could have done better. Now everybody enjoy the sunshine while it lasts. I hope Brenda you will be able to sleep through this heat now. Sylvia xxx

Well .i managed it so here we go. I have been pretty busy for a few days getting the workload sorted out to give me plenty of time to be a lazy beggar ,and think i have it sorted. I am up at six and spend the first hour of the day watering the borders front and back using watering cans ,to keep me fit,and to make sure the water goes where it's needed,i only get the hose out if i need to dampen the lawns. I can spend haff an hour taking out the odd spare weed,and doing a little deadheading,along with seeing to the greenhouse. this leaves me a couple of hours to do the housework and trim the hedges and lawns when needed. This has left me with the whole afternoon and evening to do what i want ,and laze around ,great stuff eh? The plants in the greenhouse and veggie garden are doing great,toms'have two trusses on so far,the cucumber have fruit starting ,the peppers are doing well.the broad bean and runners are well away ,and i even have a couple of apples on my two little trees. I was sorry to hear about your Bro John.and once he has got over this infection he is going to have to alter his lifestyle ,and slow down one heck of a lot,my uncle was diagnosed the same fifteen years ago,and he is managing to poddle along ,so hopefully your bro' will be with you for a long time yet. Hope you are resting up Brenda,you sound as though you are overdoing it again,you can't be working like that in these conditions ,not and stay well anyway. Liz isn't too good at the moment,a chest infection again,but this time it is being stubborn,and she is on antibiotics ,so strong that she can't go out in strong sunshine so ,seeing as she is determined to go out to the coast this afternoon,i will have to take the car instead of the metro,and take the beach tent to give her some shade. . I am a little miffed with myself over the bairns party yesterday,seeing as i picked up the wrong barreries the flat ones instead of the recharged ones grrrrrr,and so got no photos at all ,and so many rellies and kids together for the first time since christmas[only six months]but not to worry i will get them all together again before long,and make sure i have the right batteries this time lol. The eldest son was crawling the floor with Lewis.and playing with a gyroscpic top which the little one thought was great,and by heck ,he moves pretty fast on his hunkers ,and does well on his two feet now,i reckon i am going to have to keep weilding these watering cans to keep me fit till next year and the beach.lol. The grand son ,and the lass who i met yesterday seem to get on together and it would seem my first gt grandchild is due at Christmas ,a nice present ,and more so if it is really close to the 25th,i'm even more pleased because the lass seems to be giving my grandson and the pending arrival some sence of resonsebility,and he has discarded his yobbish image ,and has even found a job as a trainee brickie [wahey]. Hi to all i havn't mentioned ,see you soon,as i have to get Liz mobile and organize a little picnic Fred.

Here we go again folks ,going to send this now before i get booted offline again lol,if i don't come back straight away you know the fault is terminal.Fred.

Doesn't look like i will get much sleep tonight either,the weather is brilliant but not good for sleeping and I was hoping I would get tosleep as i didnot get much last night.Hope everyone is well andmaking the mosyt of the weather,Brenda

Hi John,what a shame about your brother ,and to pick up something in the hospital as well!,I do hope they will be able to do something for him.At least you can see hin like you said, Mavis you have such an interesting social life,I can't keep up with you.I seem to be getting a bit of a stick in the mud,just lately. Have been woken by a 'noise' from outside and can't get back to sleep,luckily i am not working on Saturday so have come on here for half anhour,then will either get up properly or go back to bed ,its about 4.30am here. Hopefully I will be back 'later',Brenda

Hi David was flown back to New Plymouth hospital on Thursday afternoon and put in isolation as got a hospital bug. Then on Friday afternoon he was sent home with medication and asked to come back on Monday. Still not good news but a least we will be able to see him. Mavis you mentioned the rugby - Gayle will be be watching the game on Sky and cheering on the AB's as for me I might do some computer work.

Good evening all, Weather still great here during the day - but very frosty and cold at night. Fred - The wax eyes are very hungry now that the weather is colder. We hang the banana up whole. Just peel one strip of skin off and then thread string through the middle (via a skewer!) and hang up on a branch or whatever. Looks like a canoe! The birds love to sit on it as they eat. Brenda - bet you can't wait for your new kitchen to be up and running. Di - Your wooden floors sound great - no vacuuming!!! You have had a busy time. Great when the weather is good - makes you want to get the jobs done. Sylvia - Good luck with your op this time. I had mine done about 20 odd years ago. No trouble since. John - So sorry about David. Do hope things get better for him. We have spent a lot of time in Hamilton Hospital. We have been lucky - success each time. Went out for dinner tonight with our indoor bowling friends from our Probus club. Fun time. Saturday evening we will be with friends to watch the Ireland v All Blacks play Rugby! We do not have Sky TV but various friends always invite us to join them! Lots of nibbles and drinks! Must go now and get some beauty sleep lol Regards Mavis NZ

Hi everyone Things are not good for David, my brother didn't have the angioplasty as expected as the doctors found that he has a diseased heart. We are still in a state of shock and we are waiting to hear what the next action plan will be. We are expecting him to return to hospital in New Plymouth. Slight change of subject - the old PC has been quite sluggish recently so in came the heavy mob (a computer whizz) now its operating like did when I got in. Moral is not to have too many program operating in the background. John

Good afternoon all.have taken ten mins from my lunch to send an email so thought I'd say a quick hello. Well the weather is brilliant again .but we are working till 5 pm so can not take advantage. Off tomorrow so hope its nice then . Di hope you enjoyed your rest in the garden and the coffe and cookies. Syliva I'm sure this op will be ok this time,but can understand your reservations Have to go now .lunch time over and the pc will time out soon. Brenda