General Chat

Hi all, Yes, I thought so Fred, your Totteridge is mine too. I used to cycle up the A40 to Fenny Stratford and stay in a youth hostel there. The street where I lived, and was born, was off the North Circular Road. Nice to see some new faces, keep it up as I am tired today. Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone,from a very wet ,windy ,and cold Manchester,(what a change from last month) hope it is better next weeknd for the meet, Jood so pleased your meet was good,are there any pictures ? its amazing how everyone gets on as thougth they have known wach other ages. Doothy there are normally a few good reports on the meet and some pictures, but i will definatley let you know what goes on. Its thundering and lightening now so i won't stay to long and then i have to go out to Heywood to pick my son up ,he is on a course from work.If the weather is ok and i am not too tired on saturday we will be going up to Bury Market,might treat John to a couple of black puddings.!!! Sylvia fancy you knowing where our Fred was from,just think you might have even passed him at some stage. Take care ,brenda

Hi Sylvia ,i don't think we are talking the same totteridge here ,there is another one justoff the A 40 on the outskirts of London.My totteridge is 29 miles from London ,and no matter which way you go to it ,there are very steep hills to go up and down. But ,No matter ,two hamlets or places of that name are better than non,hee hee.Ooops ,just had to jump up and get my camera out as a frog has just decided to squat on the patio out side the doors,i knew it was wet outside ,but not that wet lol. i will have to keep an eye on the back now because there may be more of them about . Sorry this is so short ,but i am waiting for the sparky to arrive,to see to the fuse box,which i think needs updated,it would appear that the earth trip is no longer strong enough for the loading and so has become far too sensitive [a bit like a sore tooth [sorry to all those at the dentists today]. See you all later.Fred.

hi brenda so you are off to bury market how I envy you, this week I had a lot of blinds installed in my new home, and the young man who arrived to do it (41) looked around my home ie bury football stuff on shelves and said were are you from luv, so I said bury well he was from burnley so we had a good natter as he did his work, I told him I had a friend coming over in sept from bury, so he asked if she might be talked into bring him something from bury market, three guesses what he was interested in, so I called her and she said she would , vacum packed and in the suitcase should be alright bye for now dorothy

Hi everybody, What a beautiful day it has been today - and they had forecast torrential rain and thunder etc.etc. I went to the market and had plenty of time as I had to go to my hairdresser this afternoon. I had a permanent and always go to her house for that as I don't like the smell hanging round in the flat. We have 3 new shops opening here next week and we are all excited about them. One is a sort of Marks and Spencers and the other a household shop and the third a drug store. Tomorrow we are going to my youngest daughter. It was her birthday last month but she doesn't like visitors on her birthday so we are going now. Have made a Schwarzwald Kirschen tart and some redcurrant jam, then have a bottle of Greek wine and a gift voucher for an exclusive perfume/toiletries shop. I don't like giving money and find it difficult every year to think of something different. She goes 2 or 3 times a year to Greece and speaks Greek, so that is why she is having Greek wine. Now have a nice evening. Sylvia xxx

Good evening eveyone,its still wet still cold and I think stil raining here,we have the curtains closeso early now as it is dark and miserable. Dorothy ,what a treat for you to have a Lancashire Lad installing your blinds.Hope your friend manages to get him his treat. Not sure what is happending tomorrow as they have something to replace in the kitchen and its finished,we are supposed to get a phone call between 9 and 10 in the morning to let us know. So Bury might be off for a week or Imight be going on my own unless my sister is available she lives in Whitefield,near the fire station and st Bernadattes church. Fred,I wish I could move this pc so i could see our garden and see some of the lovely sights you see from our window. How is your b.i.l.? sylvia,you thing of some really great gifts for your family and friends.Hope you enjoy your visit and the new shops as wellwhen they open. Going to have another go at sorting out these pics in this zipped file i was emailed. Brendaj

Morning Brenda,and everyone else,from a soggy Newcastle,with the sun peeping through the clouds ,and more rain forcast lol. Brenda love,where is your puter at the mo,is it in a room on a desk with wheels,and a decent window nearby?,if so all you need to do really ,is rearrange the room move your puter over near to a power point ,and buy a longer modem cable . My modem cable cable is run from the modem which is by the righthand side of the window ,next to the tele,and runs round two sides of the room under the carpet tight to the skirting board to the puter which is on the opposite side of the window ,the cable being five metres long,a much cheaper option to a wireless router. I can see out of both windows from the keyboard,the front room window to my left,and the patio doors to my right [ain't i spoilt lol. If i were to connect a small extension cable to the modem ,i could even move the puter to the patio ,but that's a bit o.t.t i reckon. I have sent a letter [e,mail] of complaint to the consumer customer complaints commision about nedl ,and the mains supply problem ,which is ongoing. The company tried to tell me it was a fault with my trip being too sensitive depite being told that the trip had worked for years and hadn't gone off once,and the problem only started after the cable broke,to no avail. So,I got an engineer out who checked the whole system and he reported it perfect,he then asked me what the problem was so i told him about the trip,and he phoned nedl and told them who he was ,what he had done ,and that the fault was in the street,and not with the house ,and they put the phone down,how arrogant ,and how rude,,i complaind to the commision saying what nedl had said ,and reporting their idea of costomer relations.I also intend going to the council on Monday and complaining to them as well,because they have compounded the issue by connecting their brand new street lights to a faulty mains cable ,which wasn't very sensible . I did phone the electric company who deal with all the street lighting ,after i noticed that all the work had come to a halt ,and there were holes in the path where the cables had been dug up,but was told the whole department was having an emergency meeting[i wonder why lol],seeing as the main cause of the problem, the main cable still hasn't been filled in ,so they arn't very confident in their repair three weeks on . Anyway enough already i will get there somehow,but the cheeky beggars said the fusebox should be updated with a bigger trip,cost £900 odd pounds ,where do two pensioners on benefit find that sort of money,besides the engineer said there was a power drain as the lights came on ,caused by a bad earth ,and if i up graded it would still happen while the fault remained No sign of my birds ,other than two faithfull spuggies,and one Magpie ,who keeps us amused by squeezing himself onto the bird table to nick the odd bit of bread ,and by finding a way to sit on the top of the peanut lantern while he eats a couple of nuts. No sign of the mouse or snuffles either ,i reckon the poor perishers are hiding from the rain lol. Sean is off to the match this afternoon to see his beloved Newcastle,i reckon it's about time they rewarded their fans by arranging a good season ,with a little silverware at the end of it ,instead of the medeocre performancies of the past few years ,too much money is being paid out to share holders ,and not nearly enough being paid out on young,decent players methinks. Well .i'm off for now ,but i may get back seeing as Sean is away ,and i don't go tou on patrol until 5 pm,and off all day tomorrow. See you all later take care all,and by the way peeps, Kath,is having a few prob's with genes as regards her subs which are too high for an old member [you listening G R?] £7-50 is the going rate.anyway ,she will be back in a few days lol,when she gets things sorted.Fred.

Hi all, Well I woke up a bit late again today - 9.30 am - so didn't have too much time to make up the cake for my daughter. It was a chocolate layer one with the first layer sprinkled with Kirsch liqueur, chocolate butter cream icing and then topped with Morello cherries, second layer whipped cream and then the whole lot covered in chocolate butter cream icing. Not for those on a diet, no way! I then had to go to the florists and choose some flowers. I started off with an old-rose coloured rose, then some light and dark mauve flowers and some branches of blackberries inbetween. I don't know whether you have these in England yet, but I first saw them last year here. The weather was really beautiful and we could sit outside in the sun by my daughter. I think since we have been home it has rained though, but it hasn't bothered us. Now, have a nice evening everyone. Sylvia xxx

Hello everyone,its a very soggy manchester tonight,hope we are getting rid of it before next saturday,when its the meet.It was raining hard once before when we tried to release some ballons,it was too cold for the ballons to rise as they had hellium in them !!! Glad yoyr cake turned out ok Sylvia,and you had a good day. Fred sounds like the electic board have really wound you up,they do think they can not do any wrong don't they. Had a very azy day did nothing at all apart from cooking breakfast and tea.Kitchen now finished apart from one small item that has to be replaced .John can now get on with his tiling and decorating. Have been having another go with my pictures and printing some ,but they don't half run away with the ink.Think I will be taking them all to Max Speimanns, Jessups or Asda when I have a lot its cheaper.Also want to put them on discs to store so as to keep the memory down, Going for a cuppa now,take care Brenda

Hi friends, The sunny weather continues here. We did have a rainy day recently, enough to top up the rain butts, but it didn't last for long. The garden is really keeping me busy. Haven't done any weeding for a while so that's my chore for today and a few more days to come, I think. I'm trying to get a jump on the Fall cleanup. I must pull out my pea plants to make room for my tiny leek plants, so we can have leeks ready for next spring. The kayak is on a temporary hold for the minute till they have the fibreglassing materials, but we should be launching in a couple of weeks time. In the meantime John is doing some more inventing, fitting a gadget to his saw so he can do several cuts at once-guess that's multi-tasking! Yesterday we decided to take Ross to the beach again, and John walked him out across the sand and back for an hour. We had one very tired doggie when we got home. We just took lemonade with us and our folding chairs and while he was out there, I sat and read my Catherine Cookson book and sipped lemonade, and it was so quiet and peaceful that I felt completely relaxed. Most of the people stake out their spots close to the concession stands so they can have a steady supply of drinks, hamburgers and hot dogs at hand. Others bring their barbecues with them . But you only have to walk a little further north from the parking lot and you have silence and privacy. Strangely the tide always seems to be out when we go down there, which is a pity as Ross loves the water, but there are sandspurs with pools between all the way across the bay so he still manages to splash around. Today we just took him down by the ferry causeway, and stopped off to pick 3 1/2 lbs of blackberries, which are now frozen and waiting for me to get more and then have a jam making session. There are pounds and pounds of them down there, and very few people nowadays make jam so many of them will be a great food source completely wasted. Bernie has moved all her furniture in upstairs, but she herself is only here for long weekends at present as she's helping out an elderly friend look after her even more elderly, (91), father. I also have large pots of plants scattered around the garden from her patio, as Steve doesn't want pots on his balcony, so I have to figure out a way to incorporate them into my watering system. Think I must go around and stab a few large holes into my sprinkler hoses and hope to direct the water up and over into the pots. Clever stuff, if it works. Otherwise I'll be carting about 10 cans of water all over the garden, or Bernie will! Did I mention already that Clay is now an apprentice plumber. With adding messages and writing emails, I can never remember to whom I said what, so forgive me if I duplicate news occasionally. Anyway, he's very happy in his new job, which has a future to it, and he has his evenings and weekends off now, so has more time for Jennean. As his current jobs are at the other side of town he spends his weeks at his Mums or at Jenneans and then they're both back here at weekends. You're all as busy as ever I see. Will you be able to let us see a picture of the wedding party Brenda? Hi Dorothy! Whereabouts are you in Canada? Sylvia, that cake has my mouth watering-wish you lived close by; I'd be over like a shot!! Hi Fred, hope you manage to get your electrics sorted soon- what a strange thing to have happen. Sue, I say!! Hi Kathleen, if you're looking in. Hope to see you back soon. I do so little family research now that I shall have to consider the renewal question in December. But I do enjoy being part of the 2 groups, so maybe that'll be my Christmas present to myself. Where is Jude now. I often wonder how Madoc is doing, and Jude too, of course. Typical dog lover aren't I; always put the animals first!!!? Must go. Love to you all. Di.xxx

Hello everyone,only time to say hello as i am just about to get ready and then go to work.Be back kater , Brenda

Hi everyone. We are back from our 9 days with the grandchildren. We did enjoy taking care of them. Everything went smoothly - almost anyway!! Tigger the cat got chased by a dog and ran across the road and up into a neighbours tree. Very high up! Andrew - grandson - climbed the tree grabbed tigger and then Nick - grandson - climbed up to take the cat from him and was just nearing the house when the dog came bounding up the road - Tigger tried to escape Nicks arms but failed fortunately - but badly scratched Nick's arm. All is well that ends well. I had forgotten how many pints of milk and packets of cereal teenagers get through! I had lots of excercise - offered to help Andrew deliver papers twice during the week. 2 hours of walking at 8 a.m. Fortunately the weather was fine although quite frosty. We are now back to some sort of normality. Today has been an interesting one - The Maori Queen passed away last week after reigning for 40 years. We watched the funeral on TV today - it was combined with the crowning of the new Maori King. There were 100 thousand spectators lining the streets etc. The main highway was closed to all through traffic all day. The casket was taken to a Waka (Canoe) and went down the Waikato River to the buriel area. The trip took 2 1/2 hours. The casket was covered in a canopy made from woven flax leaves - looked really effective. We were concerned that a guy was continually baling water out of the bottom of the Waka. There were 14 other Waka's on the water following the main one. When they got to the buriel area the casket had to be carried up the side of a very steep hill. The Queen was buried right at the top. They had 10 men carrying the casket but had ropes tied to the casket with many, many men pulling on the ropes to get the casket up the hill. There has been so much going on for the last five days. It is something we will probably never see again. We found it really interesting. Sylvia - wish you could send a slice of that delicious cake via email!!! lol Thanks for the updates on the Kayak Di. It hasn't taken too long. Fred I hope you soon get your electric problem sorted. Must go now and get to bed - need to do some jobs around the house tomorrow. Also the washing machine decided to leak - fortunately the laundry is in the garage. Hopefully the repair man will be here tomorrow. Goodnight to you all. Mavis NZ PS Wish we had enough people here in NZ to have a meet!! Come on Kiwi's where are you! Ho

Hi all, Well I had a terrible time trying to access this site yesterday so in the end left it. Mind you this evening it has taken me a long time too. Have any others problems? Did my usual Monday morning chores such as changing beds, cleaning bathroom and toilet and washing kitchen floor. Not that I really mean to keep it as a Monday job, but if I do it on a Monday then it is finished. Keep thinking I'll have a new help next time, but still no one yet. I've asked my granddaughter to come for an hour or so this week to do the vacuuming instead of Johan having to do it. Linda has just had a week in Rhodos and has another week free, so she has time. She said she will do other jobs too, but I don't want that as it is after all her holiday time. The weather has been beautiful all day, but this evening torrential rain, thunder and lightning. No change for the rest of the week. I was going into town with Johan tomorrow but have changed my mind. Annemie, my neighbour came down today and told me of a large shopping centre not far from here so I said we could go with a taxi and have a day out there. She was pleased I suggested it, so maybe next week the weather will be better. Now have to go as Annemie has asked me to make a special card for her. Sylvia xxx

I was just about to write my reply when my screen went funny and then said it wasn't available.it has been slow sylvia but not much else. Glad your visit was ok Mavis,there are a few 'older paper delivery people over here,they do the free advertising papre and leaflets etc,they have a shopping trolly sort of thing ,instead of carrying them in a bag.That funeral sounded really interesting ,didn't realise there was a Maouri queen . Feel like I am coming down with a cold or something everything is aching and my throat is sore and my eyes are as well. Think it will be a bath and early night for me.Take care Brenda

Hi everybody, I hope you are not going to be ill Brenda, Help, I need your support here. Anyway how are you now? Today Johan and I were up early to go for our 3 monthly blood pricking for diabetes. When we arrived at the surgery there was a notice to say that in the summer months the service is only Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Just our luck again. I was starving hungry too as I wasn't allowed to eat. So, back again tomorrow. I didn't go to town with Johan today as I didn't trust the weather and didn't fancy getting wet on my scootmobile. Annemie was very pleased with the card I made for her. I was also impressed myself! She tells me about the person for whom the card is and I have to make a card. Well this couple were keen on Egypt and ancient history. I found some Egyptian pictures and some old parchment with writing on, then they also liked pop music, so found a juke box. The woman was 45 years of age and they had been married 25 years. Altogether with silver stickers it was impressive. I spent part of today clearing my room a bit ready to start more Xmas cards. I did some ironing too. I had planned to do more, but Annemie came down this morning and this afternoon, and once she comes down I do nothing else. Hope to see some more faces tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

Well folks I'm back for another year, however I am not impressed by GR's two-tier charges. It seems if you pay by credit/debit card and opt for auto renewal the charge is £7.50 but if you don't opt for the auto renewal or pay by cheque the charge is £9.95. They apparently think this is a fair price to pay 'considering the many new services that have been added to the site'. I have paid by debit card, opted for auto renewal and will await with interest to see what I have been charged. It still said £9.95. I apologise if all of that sounds 'bad-tempered', not meant to be but feel it should be made much clearer by GR. Brenda I do hope you are feeling better, my g.daughter has been in hospital again with a bad throat and I know of a few people who have been suffering with tonsilitis. Perhaps it's the changeable weather we seem to be getting now. After the heat of July this month has been quite a disappointment, so wet and often quite chilly. Di, the kayak looks wonderful and John seems to have put it all together so quickly - and what a lovely tidy workshop. It's good to see that he is back to good health. What a great picture you describe of your walks with Ross - it sounds idyllic. Lovely pictures of your garden, your roses are doing well again this year. I now have only left, a climber by the front door called Blue Moon. Unfortunately all the others became very straggly and had too many suckers so they had to go. I am also clearing some of the shrubs that have outgrown their space. My bugbear is my neighbours privet hedge - I am allergic to the wretched thing and it intrudes into my garden so it has to be kept cut back, however it seems to grow so fast it is a constant battle to keep it under control. The neighbour on her other side has threatened to set fire to it - jokingly I hasten to add!! Sylvia, you always put a lot of thought into the cards you make no wonder they are in such demand. I wonder how you manage to fit everything into each day as you seem to be so busy all the time. Mavis, how intriguing to hear about the funeral of the Maori Queen, I didn't know they had a Royal Family. A long reign of 40 years, I wonder if the new King will reign as long, is he her son? Fred, I hope you get your electricity problem sorted soon. Some of these council bodies need to get their act together, they always try to pass the blame for their shortcomings. I hope you are not getting charged for keeping the street lights on. Or maybe ------but no they would soon put it right if you were using their electricity supply. Jude and Madoc seem to have disappeared completely, haven't seen anything of Jude for some time. Perhaps she has been too busy, am I remembering rightly that Jude was going to be working again? I know I have missed some people but my memory fails me at the mnoment and I can only remember John - and I don't think he has been around for a few weeks. For everyone have a good day. See you again soon. God bless Love Kathleen

Hello Folks,I am feeling ok again today,was really awfull the other night,but dosed myself up with flu caps or rather Beechams one a day flu capsuales. they seem to have worked.This damp weather is also making my bones aches not sure if it is arthritis or what,will be glad to get on my holidays for some sunshine again. Have three days off now but will be working on Sunday ,not done a Sunday before so wish me luck ,hope its not as busy as the other days being bank holiday and all on Monday. Weather not looking good for our meeting on Saturday ,it was thunder and lightening earlier. Nice to hear from you again Kathleen,we have a Blue Moon rose as well but it s not a climber ,my friend bought it me when my mum died as mum was a City supporter and Blue Moon is a song the fans sing.Hope you get the rest of your garden sorted and I am so pleased Susan is doing ok,How is your grand daughter. Keeping busy and on the go as usual Sylvia,I have not even thought about christmas yet. Still have to have my holidays. John has made a brrew now ,see you all tomorrow.brenda

Morning Kathy,and everyone else,just a quicky because i am out to work shortly,but Sean goes back to camp today,so i have my puter back in the evenings ,so it will be back to normal. Sean has opted to wait till next year for his posting ,in the hope he can get Leeming ,which is only fifty miles down the road in Yorkshire ,which means he can get home on a standdown,and makes the journey home so much easier.it also means we can get to the catterick market for a day out ,and meet him there . Having had a close look at Johns Kayak,i see it's been made of strips of wood all melded together ,thats one clever method of construction ,but will need strength on the outside and a covering of grp for protection. I suppose John will use a fine matt,followed by a layer of tissue,and good luck says i ,i used to finish garage doors this way over wood ,and it takes an age ,even with a drostholm gun,and John will be doing it by hand . Please make sure that you have plenty of ventilation mate,you don't want a dose of styrene gas ,i had a dose of it when a blower failed when i was in a boat hull ,and it was a week before i was right . Looking forward to seeing it finished and in the water ,it's going to look a real treat. Must be off ,this was only to let everyone know that old Fred is still around ,see ya later.Fred.

Hi everyone. It is still cold and frosty at night but great suuny days. We are at the end of winter - 1st Sept. will be the first day of Spring. The shrubs and roses are all sprouting so a good sign. Kathleen - the Maori King is the late Queens son. We did not realise 'Royalty' were in NZ until we came to live 13 years ago!! We have learnt a lot. Very different to the English Royal Family. No big palaces etc. My daughter and son in law arrived back safely from their holiday in Raratonga - collected the little foster lad from another carer - he had been sick all week with sickness etc and high temperature. Sue spent Monday evening at the hospital with him - came home and he started vomiting again and then Sue started to vomit and our Grandson Andrew too. Dad and Nick were O.K. We have been 'banned' from the house - they are afraid Pip would pick up the virus. Felt so sorry for them - they had enjoyed their well earned holiday and after one day home it all went wrong for them. Sleyd, the foster boy, gets chest infections etc. His Mother was on drugs when she was pregnant and Sleyd now has very little resistance to infections. He looks big and strong but his organs have been affected. He is the 10th child!! The 11th to be born any day. Not sure how many fathers! Tomorrow is a quiet day so hope to go to Mount Maunganui for a look around and maybe have lunch. It is a lovely little seaside town. Only 15 minutes drive from here. Must go now and get some sleep. Regards Mavis NZ

good morning from canada my friend from bury will be here soon and I am so looking foreward to her visit, she called yesterday and said that she can not bring her lipstick on the plane so will arrive looking pale but interesting her words. and she will be bring the bury black pudding for my blinds installer. I hope that the gathering goes well I gather the weather has been a bit rainy it is also a little dull here but quite warm. On tuesday my daughter in law and the three children plus one friend of the oldest drove (2hrs) to niagra on the lake and niagra falls the children had not been before they enjoyed it greatly, plus a side trip to fort george Lindy worked there for three summers while at university in the cook house it is set up like it was in the 1800's then we took them across to the U.S.A for dinner what a palaver at the border they want photo id, we had all that was required but we had to have letters from my son and the other young man's parents to say we had permission to take them across. we went to lewiston for dinner and were back on canadian soil 2hrs later. I have been across the border many times but this is the first time I felt really glad to be back home so to speak again. plus the canadain border guard sort of summed it up when he said after all the questions welcome back home. to-day I am off out to stock up the freezer for when anne arrives, plus finish writing my xmas cards I know that sounds daft but she takes them back to bury with her and mails them for me I pay her the english postage but stamps here are 1-50 each and I can talk on the phone for 40 mins to england for the price of a stamp so will go and buy 10 pounds to pay her. bye for now dorothy ps brenda I hope that you are feeling better