General Chat

Good morning everyone,from a chilly Newcastle ,where we have a nice coating of frost over the garden.,That Madoc is a real character isn't he ,i am glad to see jude back ,i get to hear bits and pieces about my second favourite place [ wales ] where i have had some fantastic times,and was suprised to see how many families i am connected to over there from way back,Jones,Williams,Evans,Powditch and qiute a few others,and as a holiday place ,Scotland and wales can't be bettered. It would seem that the u/k is due a couple of rough nighrts again starting on Wednesday ,but we won't be nearl;y as bad as the states and canada that are beeing hit bad,ice storms winds close to 100 miles an hour and freezing winds to boot,like being in a blast freezer i would imagine,so you stay indoors sylvia and keep your self warm ,until the worst blows over. I didn't get down the town yesterday seeing as the eldest son captured me ,and we spent nearly all day looking for a radiator for his rickman ranger which he burst taking the boat down to Hartlepool last week,we did find one but the fittings were slighty out and the intake hose was squashed by the battery,not very good,but we filled the rad' uip and started the car ,and there are no leaks ,so ,having found a proper rad' on ebay last night we have bought it and will put the other one up for sale,i think this way we will make enough to cover all our costs and also pay for the other one lol. The Astra is def' our new motor,we have looked at all of the options ,and it will tow our caravan okay,it has six forwasrd gears ,an idea from saab,and driven the way i do it could return as much as 75 to the gallon lol,now ,that's nice man,very very nice man hee hee. If it sticks to the road as well as my last Astra i will be well happy i do know,the almeira although being a good motor is pretty skittish in ice ,and although i am used to driving in very bad conditions ,Liz gets very nervous,and tends to squash the hand rails a lot lol. I am sitting here watching two pidgeons in the birdbath .one has actally squatted down in it hee hee,i would have thouight it was a bit cold on the bum,but i suppose it's all to do with tastee and what you are used to. I have to go ,i need the big centre parting trimmed before i go to the town and the metro centre,so i will see you all later,have a nice day all,and when you scrape your windscreens tomorrow,throw all the ice on Sylvias drive to teach her not to take the mickey out of you workers lol.Fred

Afternoon everybody,I don't have too long as i am n work at 4 til 8pm today. Have done a bit of a tidy up in this room ,just need to clean the floor,will be getting some of those wet wipes to do that as its not a big room and bringing the mop and bucket up takes to much time. Glad your blood count is going up Sylvia,and what a good cleaner you have now. fred i agree with you that Judes tales are really something mind you your not so bad yourself. Jude,I really can see all madacs escapades when you write ,and was on that bus with you!! have to get a few emails done then get ready for work,see you tomorrow no doubt,take care brenda

Well I phoned the doctors' surgery today and the results of my urine are fine. No more cystitis. Another step forward. I wish I didn't have so much pain though. Think I'll phone tomorrow over that. The weather has been dull with some rain. Johan has been hovering around doing odd jobs which makes me uneasy and I cannot get on with anything myself. Not much news, so will say ta ta for now. Sylvia xxx

Well I phoned the doctors' surgery today and the results of my urine are fine. No more cystitis. Another step forward. I wish I didn't have so much pain though. Think I'll phone tomorrow over that. The weather has been dull with some rain. Johan has been hovering around doing odd jobs which makes me uneasy and I cannot get on with anything myself. Not much news, so will say ta ta for now. Sylvia xxx

Hi all:o) Sylvia - l do hope your doctor can help with your pain, pleased the urine test were ok:o)) Take it easy. l know what you mean about the men hovering around doing odds and whats it jobs, getting under your feet - they always start to do something when and where you need to be and when the dinner is about to be dished up - dowwwwwwww!!!! Just thought l tell you this, Vic and myself could'nt stop laughing earlier:- The car has been in for m o t and service all day so like the good healthy bods that we are we walked into town to the gym, met a friend on the way - fine no problem there, it all went well. Then at about 5 pm we both walked to the garage to collect the car - that was the plan anyway. We left late and it was getting dark by then so we climbed over a metal corrigated type fence onto a steps leading down to a path (a short cut), on climbing over l realised it was higher than l thought so sat on the top so l could sort of jump off - well take off did'nt happen l slid off and scratched and bruised me backside - ouch - l was'nt laughing at this point as you can imagine!!! Off't we go over an old metal bridge and then down a slope, l slipped and slid about but no problem, then into a field where l tripped over a bloomin mole hill, we are laughing now, we felt abit daft really there on the edge of the river Wye almost pitch black, but it was comical - anyway we carried on to the end and had to climb up a slope, this time still giggling like mad l slipped back down in the mud nearly pushing us both into the river - my hands are now covered in mud and it had started to rain. This is all in the space of about 20 mins and time is marching on and we're late.Once we were on the main road and back with civilisation l told Vic to go on before the garage shut - gawd that would have been awful it they had been shut. It goes to show though what can happen in such a short time, we were lucky and we found it very amusing but it could have been quite the opposite!! Bed time now - nite nite, think l've had enough exercise for a week!!! Take care. jude sarf wales xx

Have been to bed again and had to get up as I have a terrific headache,might be something to do with finshing off the chocie biscuits ???anyway came on here til the headache pills woork and Jude i have really been chuckleing to myself,I really expected you to say you had ripped your pants orlost your shoe etc,and then the garage was shut,I trust all was well with the car after all the exititment ? hope you get the pains sorted soon Sylvia, Have a full day in work tomorrrow,See you tomorrow night brenda

Its me again:o))) Thought l'd let you all know of my escerpades (spelling?) this morning!!!!! Left home this morning 8.30 with Vic and Madoc, he walks so nicely now, ooo l could eat him:o))) We walked past that nasty nasty fence!! lol (its actually a crash barrier) and climbed down the bank, well Vic and Madoc did, l decided it was toooo steep and carried on walking along the pavement (please note it is fairly busy now, its a main road!!), as l turned round to go back cause it was'nt any better to get down l saw Madoc running towards me on the path - Vic had let him off the lead thinking l was following him, but Madoc decided to follow me!!!!! oh my god!!!! l called 'come Madoc' and he came straight to me!!!!!! l grabbed his collar and gave him a treat and praised him - l'm sure he would'nt have been so obedient if he had'nt had any training. Talk about stomach in the mouth. Off't we go again, then l had to stop and fiddle with me socks, they'd slipped off me feet!! Madoc was about 60 yds infront at a 'T' junction, Vic says he always waits there for a signal as to which way to go, oh bless him:o)))) Once we'd sorted me socks l put left arm up pointing to the left and off't the clever little so and so went <|:o)) Next obsticle were tree's across path (on river bank), not too much bother there though, infact there were 2 of those.THEN Madoc decided to go for a drink - he jumped off a wall with a shear drop and calmly paddled and drank - then he could'nt get back up - but fortunately with his training skills now getting full marks from us he came to where we asked and Vic was able to grab his collar - by now though l'm grizzling and muttering 'l'm never coming along these paths again' blub blub blub!!!! but l know l will<};O) Ok l'm off now to do the ironing. Take care everyone:o) jude sarfwales xx

Thank you Jude for sharing your experiences with us. Does make us laugh on such a dull day. Well we were going to Eindhoven tomorrow, but there is going to be a severe storm with gale force winds and people have been advised not to travel, so we are taking the advice and staying at home. I just phoned my granddaughter and she is of course disappointed. I told her she has no experience driving in storms. She said last week she did, but let's not tempt fate a second time then. I am disappointed myself, but that's life! I think Johan has at last managed to sort out our new DVD player and I can record my favourite programmes. Why are these machines so complicated, or am I so stupid? The next thing to master is my new digital camera. I let Johan sort these machines out and learn from him. I decided to make a rhubarb tart today to use up the rhubarb in the freezer. I had to add ginger to the rhubarb. See you tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

Hiya every one,Jude was smiling to myself again reading your message,hope you enjoy the antics as much as we do.Yes Sylvia they do brighten such miserable days up.Sorry your trip is doubtfull,due to the weather. My day off tomorrow,but having my hair cut in the afternoon then going to see a show tomorrow night,MAMA MIA,it has brilliant revues. Rather tired tonight as I was upmost of last night with a headache,will be having an early night tonight. Speak to you all soon,Brenda

hi brenda and all sorry to hear about the headache could have been the chocolate biscuits, and the antics of madoc are really frun, it seems that fred has made up his mind re the new car,well no snow to-day just bitter cold -20 overnight and 08 in the daytime but no wind so it actually was almost pleasent going out. change of plans with the grandchildren after swimming lessons on thursday I am bringing them back to my home as friday is a day of school teacher developemnet day and lindy is in class at the university, I suppose you al have read about those two boys being found in the states well this week we have had two incidents in the area on monday a 16yr old girl was sexually assulated in the washroom at her school and yesterday a 11yr old boys was almost abducted outside his school but he managed to break away, they are not near the grandchildrens school but they have been told only to go to the washroom in pairs, now this school does have good security, if I am going there for a function ie school play you have to go to the office and sign in and only one door is open for you to enter. crazy world well I am off to make my supper the tennis is not on till 11pm our time to-night not sure I will still be awake bye for now dorothy

Hi everyone. Just nudging tonight. Will write more tomorrow. Mavis NZ

Afternoon all,Fred is a bit peed off at the minute since i had a phone call from the son Stephen this morning to say the landlord has pulled out of the deal and leaves him homeless at the end of the month so i don't know what to do for the best. He has been down to the council and has to go back to see the council homeless department on the 30 th. I have suggested he goes to see the newcastle council too as they may have more luck over here. My insurance company is sending out an agent on Monday to assess the damage to the roof,.so things should be sorted out before long.as long as the wind dosn't come up in the meantime and do any more damage lol. I have spent nearly all day shopping with the missus and daughter ,cor i am now cream crackered and am going to cheer myself up by doing egg and chips for tea,with a slice or two of bread and butter,something i havn't had in at least two years,but i need somethiong after the horrible week i seem to be heading for,i don't think i will sleep too well tonight. Hey Jude you seem to be having a great time with Your Pets lol,,and your walks ,i wish i could be a fly on the wall ,along with a video camera,the old programme Candid camera springs to mind.. Oooooops ,there's the phone again,the son no doubt ,so i will sign off for now and catch you later.Fred.

Well what a storm. We had a storm last Thursday too but not as bad as this one. There are no trains running at all in the Netherlands. Unique, in all the years I have lived here I have never known this happen. Needless to say, Johan and I cancelled our trip to Eindhoven. I phoned my granddaughter last night when I heard the weather forecast and she said 'I've driven in a storm before'. I said that she didn't have enough experience. Anyway, I phoned her tonight and she said I was right to cancel it and was quite happy when she saw the carnage on televisiom of traffic queues, lorries blown off the road, old trees falling on cars, etc.etc. Tonight we are in for flood alerts. Frightening when you think that we live on reclaimed land. Only 30 years ago we are now living on what once was the sea! My daughter has had her attic window blown away and lots of roof tiles blown off. This is the part of the attic which is used as a spare bedroom. Fortunately nobody will be sleeping there tonight. Sylvia xxx

Hope you are still okay after last night Sylvia,it must be a heck of a worry for you as regards flooding,one of the things we have to worry about with our holiday cottage in Norfolk,and we worry despite having the boat tied up next door. I have at last heard from our Bill,he is out of hospital at last ,back glued back together again after the accident,and has confounded the surgeons by walking again where they said he wouldn't. He has his tower computer packed and has his lap top too but has no internet connectionand has to rely on the library in Bairnsdale where he is stuck at the minute awaiting a flight back to New Zealand. He says life isn't too comfortable at the minute because the air is thick with smoke off the bushfiresand everyone has trouble breathing ,it's so bad.It would appear that the firefighters have come in from all over ,including Canada and the statesd ,so it must be very bad,coupled with the worst drought in living memory. I hope to remain in touch with him now at least .if not longer,until he gets home,so , if you peeps don't mind ,i think some positive thoughts for Bill,and the rest of the people ,and the firefighters out there wouldn't come amiss. Well ,old Fred is going nowhere today,it's cold as a witches t*t out side ,it looks like snow and i'm nice and warm si i is stayin' put lol. Poor Jude ,having to take Madoc out for walkies in the weather they are suffering in Wales,it's alright for madoc,he has a nice fur coat to keep him warm,four legs to keep his feet ,AND he is much closer to the ground,and so won't get blown about so much,lol,and to cap it all ,he has someone to dry him off when he gets indoors ,real spoilt he is . I had the last of my beetroot for tea yesterday,with my egg and chips ,yum yum,a bit unusual i know but i love my home grown veggies. I am planning this years veggie patch now and have already decided to put in extra sweet corn behind the broad bean. . I'm off for a swan about now,but will be back later seeing as i'm stayin' in the warm lol.,have a nice day all .Fred.

Just popped on for a minute on my tea break,had a wonderful night at the show last night,but getting there was a nightmare,will tell you more tonight. Fred,my mouth is now watering at the thought of egg and chips ,which we all love but have very occasionally,Brenda

Thinking of you all during the dreadful weather Fred, thanks for teh update on Bill, had been wondering what was happening Take care all. pat for madoc Jude JA

nudge today

Morning peeps from a veeeeeeery windy ,but sunny Newcastle,where Fred is looking out of the patio window watching his little feathered freinds fighting to stay on the patio and not get blown into the fences. Poor little perishers are fighting to land and feed ,but are getting blown along the ground by an icy blast of wind on their bums which has caused one or two to bend their beaks on colliding with the greenhouse at the end of the runway,lol.they look really peeved hee hee. My blackbird ,who some of you may remember liking to sit on the floor in the greenhouse to sun himself out of the wind ,is sulking in the corner because i hav'nt left the door open for him this morning,heck,i ain't even been out back this morning to open it ,and have no intention of opening the door to lose half the glass ,so sorry little chum ,sulk away he he. He is that peed off he saw me getting the camera out to take a piccie of him in the sulks ,and has hopped round the back lol,i think i'm in the bad books. The wheelie bin has shot across the front patio and has embedded itself in the hedgeand will have to stay there for now. To cap it all ,the wife comes downstairs stating her intentions of doing the washing because the sun is out and it's a nice drying day,yeah whatever,if any of you guys see a portly [ouch] lady fly past the window clutching a sheet ,please get in touch ,and i will come over and collect her lol. Any guys out there ,? how is it we fellas always get told it's US that always lose the plot and the lasses are ALWAYS the sensible ones deeeeeeer,maybe i should tie a cord to Liz's ankle, tie the other end to the line and let her get on with it ,getting the camera ready to watch the fun hee hee. It would take a fair wind to lift her up i know ,[ouch again]but it is strong out there ,but luckily ,no more roof damage ,so i reckon the roof is still sound ,and that the wind last thursday was exeptional. The son has got his new radiator and iv'e told him i will give him a hand to fit it ,but to leave it till the wind dies down because only a twerp would consider losing a bonnet in this wind rather than wait a few more hours. We have scored for one of these mini holidays but don't know where yet,could be wales [lovely] scotland ,lovely again,yorkshire [mint] or linc's which would give me the chance to visit my sister again ,and Louth ,My beutiful Louth,a little town that seems to be stuck in a bygone era old fashioned beutiful buildings and genuine friendly folk whom i admire very much,down to earth ,no nonsense people ,the salt of the earth. I may even get the chance to go fishing down there if bro in law will let me borrow a fork ,the native way to get some very large flatties for the table yum yum,filleted and put on a B B Q. Hope everyone has a nice weekend,i'm off to do some research now ,looking for the info to order a birth certificate,found most of the info i need but have still to find a site to obtain the page and volume no' i need to order from the gro records office ,so ,i'm in for some fun lol. Take care all ,Fred.

just a nudge really as i am off to watch casualty,still looking for that holiday ,getting nearer but had to change dates. brenda

hi brenda ,fred and sylvie, I do hope that you are all coping with the bad weather it sounds rather grim, brenda was it a stage show of mama mia or a film, I saw the stage show a couple of years ago in toronto and it was wonderful. this morning it was sunny and cold -16 but I figured I would pop over to the gym, but forgot to check the amount of snow that had fallen in the night, well 20minutes later after clearing off two feet of snow of the car i felt I needent go to the gym that was a work out but I went anyway, plus on return my parking space was only halfway ploughed, the car behind me has not moved in 4 months, ? away. sick, I am not sure so the plough cannot clear right through, so I parked in the half covered visitor parking lot quite a no no really but maybe to-morrow morning they will clear my spot properly, no complaints about me being there too cold for people to visit I guess. the grandchildren and I had a great day yesterday lots of games and they had homework to do, then we went to the libary they have projects to do so needed some research, some of the projects are quite complicated I do not remember that we had to do such things, mind you that was quite a few years ago since I attended elton sec. moderen on walshaw road a brand new school at the time. well off to watch the tennis on the tele bye for now dorothy