General Chat

Hi everyone, Its a lovely sunny day here after all the rain we have had this last couple of days. We sorted the the ornaments etc that we were taking with us from the garden over the weekend and then Monday, we received the bad news that the buyer wasn't signing the contract after all. He had had his hours reduced at work and didn't think he could afford to buy. We ere absolutely devastated, if the contract had arrived when it was first sent we would have been moving this Friday or Monday. As yet we haven't made any firm decisions what the next step is. I will keep you informed. I'm sure you must all be fed up of hearing of my house move (or lack of it) Thank goodness, I have had a lot of info to add to my tree, I think I would have gone mad without something to take my mind off the subject. Yesterday my car decided to pack up too, I couldn't get any gears, the mechanic has been out to it this morning so hopefully it should be ok now. Well thats enough of my woes, I hope you all have a good day. June xx

Sorry to hear of your bad news June,i would say at a rough guess that you have some recourse to get in touch with the ombudsman with a complaint against your soliciter,and i would certainly sack him ,and find yourself a more reliable agent. I have been so busy these past few days that i don't know whether i'm coming ,or going,but i have just come back from Jedburgh [scotland] where the son and i went this morning to pick up a more powerful car to tow the trailer and boat. I couldn't fault the trip up ,or down ,and the scenery still takes my breath away,we are [since moving] within an hour of Scotland ,and the lowland hills and valleys,my only complaint is ,i was chivvied this morning and forgot my camera ,so i can't load my computer and see where i went today.Never mind,i now have an excuse for going back up again. we had a lovely scots breakfast on the way up too,fried egg ,bacon,sausage[lorne], tomato, beans ,haggis,fried bread,toast ,marmalade,and two cups of tea,only trouble is ,i hav'nt room for tea,neither has the wife,so we will be having mushrooms on toast for tea. must go now,my mouth is dry and it's time for a cuppa.Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.

Hello Everyone,,sorry I have been absent again,but have had problems getting on here with my son hogging it and then not being able to get on this thread as it was so slow. June I am so sorry about the house sale,will it stop you buying the other one? We will have to have an extra good time on Saturday. Sylvia my mam made lovelly pea soup,but these days it upsets mystomach,too many pulses . Fred your trip sounded great,so did the brekki. Mavis and the fire works are getting less here as well,thank good ness,even the heavy rain we have been having did not stop them. Have ironing half way up the wall so Had better see about getting it down,somehow !!! See you all soon,brenda

Hi everybody, Oh am I glad to see some of you back on here. It was very lonely indeed without you. Your breakfast Fred sounded more like dinner to me. Where on earth do you put it - don't tell me any lies now! Well another lovely day here today and I scooted to the physiotherapist, and the shops on the way back. I met the neighbour who bought up all my Xmas cards and she wants me to make a card for a niece of hers who is temporarily in a psychiatric hospital to cheer her up. I had to scoot to the craft shop to get more bits and bobs. We had the pea soup tonight for dinner with French bread. It was really delicious. It always tastes better the day after it is made. I've 8 portions frozen in, or was it 7, cannot remember any more. June, of course we're not fed up with hearing about your move. We are all here to support you and lend an ear. I do hope somebody buys your house soon and you can move. It is so unsettling isn't it. Now have a nice evening everybody. Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone, It's a very damp day here today, its that drizzly sort of rain that goes on for ever. I was hoping I could dress up for my day in Manchester on Saturday but looking out now, I think it will be my parka again, lol We haven't given up on the house move entirely, both sets of estate agents are working together to see what can be done. So fingers crossed! Fred, It sounds a lovely spot where you live and within such easy reach of Scotland too. We found out that it wasn't my solicitor that was at fault, it was my buyer's solicitor. someone in his office and given the wrong courier number to my solicitor. Brenda, the owners of the house we are buying haven't taken any decision at the moment, so I hope it gets resolved soon, for all our sakes, especially with Christmas looming. Sylvia v O, Well done with your cards, we were going to have a go this year but with most things in storage, we haven't managed it. I definitely am going to have a try when I get settled again. Well I suppose I had better get the potatoes peeled for dinner, I hate peeling them so I get them out of the way as soon as possible. Speak tomorrow. June xx

Seeing as you hate peeling tatties June ,why not try them the irish way,scrubbed and cooked with the skins on,mashed with butter,milk,salt,and pepper,beutiful, and easy, you can even put a little grated cheddar in for a change,a meal in itsself. We are having an old favourite for our tea tonight,hot dogs from a tin,finger buns with mustard and onions , the onions cooked in a saucepan with a bovril cube added in the last few minutes.yummy. well ,short and sweet today,i must get on with the cuttings before the missus belts me with her stick again,lol,i have thirty white ones done ,but have the red and salmon ones to do yet so we are going to be stowed out with geraniums next spring. hope everyone is having a good day.See ya later people.Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.

Hi Everyone Thought it about time I put an appearance in again. It is the middle of the night here 1.05am and I cant sleep for noisy roadwork outside our place. I gather your weather is starting to turn cool. it is starting to warm up here nicely. I havent read back on everyones messages yet but I am about to do that now. But I did notice June that you dont like peeling potatoes. David always peels them for me so I am lucky. He comes home from work and does the spuds and I do the rest. Well Im going to read up on all the happenings in your part of the world. See you after.

Hi Everyone,another wet ,windy and cold day today,winter has certainly arrived.Hope it stays dry on Saturday when we have our meet. Don't fancy walking round the city centre looking at the flower stalls etc in the rain.I suppose we could sit in the pub for the afternoon,if we really had too.!!!! Been trying to book tickets for a show via the internet but can not get on their site.Will have to go down and book myself tomorrow. See you soon,Brenda

Hi all, Well have been at home all day today, changed the beds, washed and ironed the bedding and finished off the extra Xmas cards I had started. I also finished off the card I made for the neighbour. It is for her niece who is temporarily in a psychiatric institution. I used a CD - putting it in the microwave to 'burst' it first - and then building up a picture of a frog on a large green leaf and a flamingo in tranquil surroundings. I was quite impressed myself with the result. Another satisfied customer. Tomorrow going to the market on my own as Annemie is working. The weather has not been too bad here, just a shower now and again. Thinking of you June and keeping my fingers crossed. Fred, I didn't know that you also ate junk food - shame on you! Have a nice evening everybody. Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone. Not much to report today! Lovely and sunny and very warm and little wind for a change. Pip went to the Dentist today - had toothache last week but it has eased up now. He is on Warfarin to thin his blood so if the tooth has to be extracted he will have to come off the Warfarin for 5 days. We hope it will settle down. Had my son in law and two of the grandchildren for tea today. Roast Lamb, roast potatoes, roast pumpkin, roast kumera, carrots, peas and gravy. Followed by Apple Crumble and cream and then the boys had strawberries! My daughter has been living/sleeping in a childrens home for a week. The House Mother is in Australia for a rest! There are 7 children from 6 months to 10 years. They are lovely kids. Tomorrow is gardening day again. Lawns to be be cut - again! More Petunias to plant. The Begonias I planted (last years corms) are not looking too good. Some are fine but the others look very sad. Hope they will pick up. Sunday yet another BBQ. Our friends brother has been in NZ for 6 months on holiday - he returns to Wolverhampton UK on Tuesday. He visits every other year. He is mid 70's and is a widower - really enjoys his holidays in NZ. Thats it for now folks. Mavis NZ

Hi everyone, Well its not raining at the moment but it looks as though the heavens could open any minute. Still no news about the house I'm afraid, we are again looking at the possibility of extending here. I have to go and have my hair done today, mustn't have Brenda showing me up at the Meet tomorrow,lol Fred, I love potatoes cooked that way although I usually have them baked in the oven, its the peeling of them for others. My son in law is a lovely person but very traditional about food, he likes a good English roast, no pasta, Chinese or whatever, so the potatoes are mainly for him. He does a lot for me so I dont mind really. Sue, Please send David over to me, actually my son in law would do them himself but I dont think its fair when he has been working all day. By the way its nice to see you again. Sylvia v O, I am intrigued with the CD you put in the microwave, you will have to explain to me when you have time. Mavis, I am envying you with the summer ahead of you, I am not looking forward to the winter at all. I had better start tidying up now. I may not get on tomorrow but I will try. June xx

nudge

Well ,hello everyone,here we are ,weekend well underway and where has everyone gone? I had an amazing evening yesterday,after a good afternoon,had tea as usual,sat down and watched t/v for a while ,and decided to check on here to see what the crack was,i had no sooner stared at around 7.45 when the phone rang and it all started. My son said to me,dad ,the freezer has packed up,so i said ,well, come and get me in the morning and i will go with you to find a new one,to which he replied no good dad ,the freezer has been off for some time and the red light is on,the feezer[16.5 cu,ft] is full to the top and the contents are going to be no good if i wait till morning. At this point Freds heart sinks,not only have most places closed by eight,but how in hell does one get a freezer that size into a car ,unlless your name is Paul Daniels,the answer is of course ,you don't. Fred has a think and has a little brainwave,son brings the car to my house we put the trailer tent on the tow bar ,and bog off to Comet,[open till nine] open the trailer up put the jacks down,go buy a new freezer and load it into the bed of the trailer[simple] not. We got up to Comet okay ,dropped the jacks to hold the trailer steady and started to open it up,and at this point ,the manager comes out of the store,along with his security wallah who by the way would have put king kong to shame [apart from the fact that king kong spoke better english],and demanded to know what the hell we thought we were doing[he said later that he thought we were travellers setting up for the night] but once we had explained what we were doing ,they fell about laughing,and even gave us a hand to load the freezer which i was glad of because it weighed a ton. anyway we got it back to the sons just as a police car came round the corner,so we had to explain what we were doing unzipping a trailer tent at nine at night,more hilarity from the fuzz,but they did give us a hand to get the ruddy freezer in doors [thanks guys ,much appreciated],and then set off back to my house to put the trailer away,so as someone said this morning ,we could have started a new comedy show on t/v,with the name Fred & Son lol. I was of course late up this morning and feeling a bit stiff ,so i have worked it off turning the rest of the veggie patch ,and doing the salmoncoloured geraniums to put in the greenhouse,Liz has now 70 geraniums for the spring,and i still have the red ones to do. We are expecting a heavy frost tonight ,so i reckon i will have the Dahlia to start in a week ,as soon as the frost works it's way down to the stocks.. i enjoyed my tea anyway ,all the fresh air today,and i have dissconnected the phone for the evening ,just in case lol. I'm off for a swan around the boards,so enjoy your weekend all,catch you later.Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.

Hi Fred, What a nightmare your son must have had with his freezer. I was lucky/unlucky that my freezer broke down when I was on holiday once and my daughter and son in law came in the house to find a freezer full of stinking meat and vegetables. Actually this has happened already twice to me, but we are insured and received insurance for what we lost. Where is everybody? This afternoon popped along to see my grandson playing football. And I never knew he could run so fast. He always looks as though he could do with a kick in the pants when I see him, but not today on the football field. He was another lad. The weather was very nice, sun, a bit chilly but dry. I made a butter cake today as I knew my daughter and her partner were coming by after seeing Jan playing football. I hope somebody else contributes to this thread tomorrow. Come on guys where are you? Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone. Wow Fred you could certainly have made a comedy film with regard to the freezer episode!! Hope you do not have any more disasters for a while. Had a good time at the BBQ yesterday - lots of food - again! Before we left home we had a puncture. Took it to the tyre place - it had three nails in it. Too bad to repair!! The tyre was quite new which was a blow. So we ended up with two new tyres so as to keep the balance good. Raining here today but nice and warm. No need to water the runner beans today! The plants have really taken off. It has been so warm and wet at times. Pip has gone to indoor bowls this afternoon. I usually go but have had a few 'bladder problems' of late! It is such a joy top be getting older lol Tonight is our ladies group (7 of us) night out. We go to a different restaurant each month. Good job we have loads in Mount Maunganui and Papamoa. Pip takes us and collects us and usually has coffee with us all before we leave for home. I think he enjoys being with a lot of ladies - they all spoil him! We are going to an Indian cafe this time. All for now Goodnight/gooday everyone Mavis NZ

Hi everyone, Its that awful drizzle rain here today, why doesn't it get on with it and then dry up. I really enjoyed the Manchester Meet on Saturday, we laughed so much, my face was still aching on Sunday. Well we have had 3 lots of viewers round this weekend, I hate having to be so tidy especially as we have packing cases around, and no matter how much we dust hoover etc, it doesn't look at its best. Fred, I would have loved to have my camcorder there when you were loading that freezer. You certainly have an interesring life. Sylvia v O, You certainly see your grandchildren in a different light when you see them doing what they really love. They make me think that they are like a coiled spring waiting to be released Mavis, Its good having a group to go out for meals with. I go out with one friend that I worked with in the 70s and another two groups that I worked with just before retiring. Then I go out with some other friends that I socialised with before I moved over here. I also have the friends that I have met since I moved here. Then of course there are the Meetups from Genes, I have made some lovely friends from there. Enjoy your Indian. well I had better have another quick dust around in case I have more viewers. June xx

Hi everyone, Its that awful drizzle rain here today, why doesn't it get on with it and then dry up. I really enjoyed the Manchester Meet on Saturday, we laughed so much, my face was still aching on Sunday. Well we have had 3 lots of viewers round this weekend, I hate having to be so tidy especially as we have packing cases around, and no matter how much we dust hoover etc, it doesn't look at its best. Fred, I would have loved to have my camcorder there when you were loading that freezer. You certainly have an interesring life. Sylvia v O, You certainly see your grandchildren in a different light when you see them doing what they really love. They make me think that they are like a coiled spring waiting to be released Mavis, Its good having a group to go out for meals with. I go out with one friend that I worked with in the 70s and another two groups that I worked with just before retiring. Then I go out with some other friends that I socialised with before I moved over here. I also have the friends that I have met since I moved here. Then of course there are the Meetups from Genes, I have made some lovely friends from there. Enjoy your Indian. well I had better have another quick dust around in case I have more viewers. June xx

Hi all, Surely one of the three will be buying your house June - maybe all three want it! Lovely day here today again but cold. I have just been asked to make 3 cards for somebody with different pictures, two sportive cards and one for somebody who travels a lot. This is for the lady who bought up all my extra Xmas cards and the last one for a sick niece. Think I'll start doing these cards tonight as I have a pedicure tomorrow morning and in the afternoon want to pop out to the shops. Wednesday I have to go to the cardiologist, so that's how the week goes. Mavis I too have bladder problems at the moment, makes me wonder what I'll get next. Yes, the glory of getting older! Everything is wearing out I suppose and things need renewing. Have to order some spare parts for my body next. Now have a nice evening everybody. Sylvia xxx

Hi all, What nobody at home? Wet and windy day here although I managed to scoot to the shops and back without getting wet, the sun even came out. I had my pedicure today but not done too much otherwise. Have tried to buy some pictures of bicycles for a card I want to make, but our craft shop doesn't have any. Have to wait until Friday now and see if they have one on the market. Anybody had their first Xmas card yet? Well see you all tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

I know I wrote a message yesterday ,even if it was short and sweet.Things did go haywire when I clicked add.so hope this one makes it.Had a good time at the meet but could not stop long. Have not been on here till last night and could not find any messages as to what they got up to when I left.!!! Hope to be able to write mor next time,as my work shifts have changed this week and I am all at 6& 7. Brenda