General Chat

sorry, not to have put much on in the last couple of days. Seem to spend most of my time making and writing Christmas cards. I have posted on one or two threads and I have to admit to 'watching' the panto unfold and found it quite clever and funny, There are some talented people on here, talent that is sometimes wasted. Other than that, i took myself off for a longish walk this morning to try and achieve the magical 10000 steps today. Total so far 9800 so quite good. yesterday we met friends for coffee and had a natter, not having seen them for several weeks with first us then them being away. Tomorrow i am going to a lecture on the bristol Slave Trade, I belong to the friends of Cheltenham art Gallery and Museum and we have lunch time lectures which are very good. I hope you have a wonderful time in manchester tomorrow. I shall think of you all. Jude, hope you are OK, Kathleen I hope that you get some sleep tonight or you will be totally exhausted, thinking of your daughter - positive thoughts. I will now send this back up to the top again. take care everyone Ann Glos

Hi all, Yes, it's me back safe and sound. This morning I was in France and now I'm back in the Netherlands. I had a call from my daughter on the way to Calais. I'm not used to the sound of our mobile telephone, and I couldn't find out where the sound was coming from. This happened 4 times, and, without me knowing, my husband had put the telephone in the pocket of his windjacket. How frustrating for me because I couldn't reach it. When he finally managed to drag his windjacket off the hook, I could talk to my daughter. She only wanted to say have a nice time. We had just reached Belgium when I had another call, this time from Linda, our granddaughter. She was on our computer and couldn't get it started. I said, yes, I'm the only one who knows! She had some essays to write - last minute of course and she is not allowed to use her computer during the day as her father's wife works from home and says that if Linda uses her pc then hers is too slow. A good thing grandmother has a pc! We arrived quite early in Calais and booked in at the hotel first and then went to the shopping centre. I was disappointed in Tescos and Sainsbury's, as they only had drinks. Well, drinks are not cheaper for us, only for the English. It was like being in England again in Tescos, all English with boxes and boxes of wine and other drink. Anyway, I had a good look around Carrefour supermarket. I used to use Carrefour in Spain, so quite liked that and also Auchan. I didn't buy too much, so will have to finish off my shopping here. Tuesday was such a lovely sunny day, blue sky and temperatures of 13 degrees. After looking round the shops in another shopping mall, we decided to look at the town itself. Today we woke to a grey, miserable day, so decided not to stop over in Belgium but to return home. My husband was quite tired - 80 in March - as he does all the driving. He also has made a ramp in our van for my scooter, which he has to get in and out for me. We also didn't sleep too well either. There's nothing like your own bed is there? My granddaughter was on the computer when I arrived home. She had first cleaned the place, then finished off her homework. Everybody sounds very busy now, making and writing Xmas cards. I had a Xmas present waiting for me when I arrived home. I won't open it until Xmas Day though. I also had my first Xmas card. Hi Di, June, Jude, Anne and uncle Tom Cobbly and all, sorry not to include you in the beginning. "See" you tomorrow. Love, Sylvia xxx

Hello everyone,only seem to have time to read all your lovelly messages and add a few lines of my own these days. June I might not look so glamarous after all tomorrow as the hair coulour I am using is one of those new streake effect ones and according to the instructions in the box it will tak about 2 hours altogether,so it will have to wait. See you all after our meeting tomorrow take care Brenda

Hi everyone Just a quick Good Morning before I get ready for Manchester. Dont take any notice of what Brenda has written about not being glamorous, she's always glamorous and beautifully dressed. I had better get ready now so hopefully see you all later. Kath I hope you had some sleep. Love June xx

George ,great news about your disc, Had a brilliant day at the meeting,everyone in top form,No rain but it was very cold. Three cheers for our June who went up on the Manchester eye ,didnot see this my self but she was brave. June what was that site you told me about for looking for the place in Cornwall? Have to sort out my shopping list for tomorrow,have dads christmas shopping to finsh (hopefully) and a few things of mine to get. Take care,Brenda

Evening all:o)))) Oh my word its just hit the below freezing mark on our thermo thingy!!!!! everything outside is frosted:o(((( Have'nt done much today apart from the usual houseworky things and supermarket shopping oh and BATHED MADOC!!! we ended up as wet as him, he went potty in the bathroom whenl got him out of bath, winding himself allround me up the walls etc, so excited,abit later on he was on the sofa lording it but still abit damp so l covered him with a warm towel off the radiator. He had 40 min walk today along the river bank,he was fine with the cattle and sheep (onlead) had a 5 min session off the lead, ended up in the river up to his belly, hence the bath - but came everytime he was called - yessssss apart from the one when he decided the river was more interesting:o(!! Kathleen - thank you:o) but Madoc is so so so gorgeous, the more l think about it, the more l realise how hard it must have been for his previous owners to have given him up:o((( Still loads of thoughts and hugs coming your way for your daughter. June - how brave,l hate heights. So pleased you all had a lovely time, can't go wrong if She has anything to do with it:o)) Sylvia - sounds like you had a really good time in Calais, you're always so busy:o) have a break this weekend! An - yes l'm fine thank you, how are you two?? You're involved in so many things,busy lady. The meeting with boss and boss went well, l was abit nervous before they arrived, infact for a few days but need'nt have - they were both very supportive. Hope next week or week after l will go in one morning for a few hours. Dr says he wants me to be signed off for another month and do this few hrs, see how it goes as if l am a volunteer. George - l bet you were relieved, you were lucky too.Keep us posted re interviews and good luck,don't give up:o) Elisabeth - hope you are ok, take care:o) Lou - how are you?? Anne in Belfast - give that Lady a big cuddle:o) Di - how are you? are you still feeling tired? You and l are alike when it comes to animals.How is ratty?? Anyone else that l may have missed, sorry. Take care:o) Love Jude sarf wales xx

Thanks for the latest on Madoc Jude ,he seems to be doing really well now and i'm soooo pleased for you.Sounds as though you have a good boss too ,so take it easy ,and give yourself time .,these things can't be rushed.Fred.ptfg.

Hi everyone Its a little dull here today but dry, yesterday we had some fog but it soon cleared it was mainly off the fields. Yesterday was a day to remember, the pub Brenda had found us was ideal, we had a room to ourselves, the food was very good, the malicious person that had cancelled our booking at the chineses restaurant had done us a favour. Carol and I travelled together and we had arranged to meet Joyce at the station, Keith met us there too, so we waited for Lou and then Keith took us all down to the pub. Keith is lovely, a real gent. When we got to the pub, Brenda, Bren Beverley and Brenda's sister were already there. Sheila and Paul's train was delayed but they weren't long after us. Young Andy from oop North came and Dilys Granny Long legs, then Malc from down South was on business in Manchester so he popped in. Afterwards we went around the German markets, Iwent on the Manchester Eye with Paul and Andy, I loved that you know how I love heights. She, Paul, Malc and Beverley went in one of THOSE SHOPS and Andy and me caught them on camera when they came out, lol. It was good harmless fun. I really enjoyed it. and guess what, the trains were on time!! Be back shortly. Love June xx

Hi all, My granddaughter has been monopolising my computer for a few days doing her homework for school. I don't mind, feels like she is living here sometimes. She stayed for dinner yesterday and went home 10.30 pm and was back this morning at 9 o'clock! She is like my daughter (her mother), everything must be done at the last minute. My daughter was always putting the finishing touches to Linda's birthday dress the night before her birthday. Last Xmas, I helped her shorten a pair of trousers for herself on Xmas Eve! We have a misty, murky evening here, but will clear over the weekend. I've started to decorate my room. I'm doing it in stages. Next week I want to buy my Xmas tree. My neighbour is going to Germany tomorrow for St Nicholas celebrations (6th December). The children here will be celebrating St Nicholas on Sunday when St Nicholas will bring them presents. Xmas is a more sobre, religious affair. In Spain the children receive their presents 6th January - 3 Kings Day! It does keep Xmas what Xmas should be. There are many these days that don't know the real meaning of Xmas and associate it with drink and presents. So Di, it looks like you've a new member to spend Xmas with you - Ratty. Not much more news, Sylvia xxx

hi everyone George I am so pleased for you that you have got your disc back. Jude, pleased that the maeeting went Ok, it is a ood idea to go back gradually and to go as a volunteer first, that take the feeling of responsibility away from you and should help. June, read all about the Manchester trip on the other thread. Pleased to hear that you all enjoyed it.Also pleased that the meal worked out well. How can somebody be so malicious as to cancel the meal booking? strange people around aren't there? Sylvia, pleased to hear that your trip went well, 8i am sure your husband was tired, driving is no fun these days. I thought that the Calais Sainsbury's had cheese etc? Nice that you get on so well with your grandaughter. Di there is a 'glitch' on the board tonight which shows that 'you are not allowed' message any time you try to correct a thread. Fred, so good to see you back on this thread. Brenda pleased to hear that you too enjoyed the Manchester trip. We had a trip up to Webbs of Wychebold today but I was very disappointed in their Christmas decorations. Instead of being up the far end and all in themed compartments etc, the decorations were just inside the door where everyone comes in and got very congested, they didn't look at all special, no different to ay other garden centre. Shame really as I look forward to going there at christmas. Came home and tony started to put up a few lights, a train with wheels that seem to move on one window and an angel on another and advent candles in the kitchen window, plus a F Christmas and a snowman (small ones) in the garden. I finished writing my cards and put stamps on them. That is me for tonight. Speak again tomorrow. Ann glos

Evening all:o)) Fred - wow your home and adding to the threads, welldone,can't believe it, you had major surgery less than 2 weeks ago or at the most just over 2 weeks ago!!! So how are you and your wife, she must be exhausted as well???? Hubby took Madoc round the boys school sports ground today and down to Lady's shingle beach - he loved it,went into the water upto his belly (twice in 2 days)and kept on at Vic to throw stones for him,but the vet said not to cause all his canine teeth (pointed ones) are flat from chewing stones (before we had him), so the cheeky monkey put his head into the water and picked them up himself - thats clever really is'nt it??:o)))) Di - the picture of the horse was taken in a field on a hill at the Kymins - its a land mark in Monmouth,spose thats what you'd call it. On the top of the hill is a round building rather like a very small castle where Lord Nelson took Lady Hamilton, we keep saying we will go in one day, it looks really quaint. There is a fabulous view from there right over Monmouth and you can also see The Sugar Loaf, a mountain in Abergerveney. So no sadly the horse is not mine, he is so regal though, his eyes are a pale bluey grey.l used to ride but not now, l can rise to the trot. Oh gawd just remembered the last time l rode - son and wife came and when we got back to the stables l had trouble getting OFF the horse, got me bloomin leg stuck - SON was recording all of this with video camera - did we laugh!!!!! the stable girls nearly wet their u no whats!!! lol lol June - who's busy then, another meeting.Did you say Malc was there, oh bless he's such a nice man.So pleased you had a nice time.Whats all this about someone cancelling the restaurant - what have l been missing??? Say hi to Gaynor. Ann - Guess what?????????? l went in to the charity shop this afternoon for 3 hrs - l walked there as well BUT l took a short cut and thought the park would still be frozen - derrrrr - l had mud about an inch thick all round my shoes, had to sit on a bench and clean them before going any further !! lol lol l have left a message with boss to say l'll be there on Wednesday a.m:o) Sylvia - you have obviously got a very good relationship with your granddaughter and your daughter, well it seems every one - you must be a very special person:o) Hello anyone else looking in - hope you're all well,look forward to hearing from you:o) Bill - not heard from you lately?? Nite nite Jude sarf wales xx

Oh gawd George - if you're forgetful now at your age, what on earth are you going to be like when you're MY AGE???? lol lol hope you find it:o) jude sarf wales

Hi Jude ,poor old liz has spent the last two weeks running round after me cause although i am getting thegentle exercise the doc told me to get ,i can't do anything heavy,and now she has caught the dreaded flu,so it;s me looking after her for a few days now. At least i can cook for her so hunger is'nt an option ,but apart from a bit dusting housework is a no no at present.Seems your dog has a mind of his own bless him.it might be an idea to buy him on of those hard rubber balls to chew on ,then maybe he will leave the pebbles alone. I managed to get my hair cut at long last,i tried to get it done before i went in to the freeman but the lass never turned up for workthat morningso i wen't in looking like the clown in the simpsons,still it did give us all a bit of light relief when i started talking in the same sort of voice,and caused a few chuckles.When i got up the stairs at the barbers this morning i caused a few more when i told the lass that it was a disgrace ,sending me to the hospital in this condition,and what was she going to do about it,the fella's burst out laughing and was her face red for a couple of minutes.,anyway it got me a free cup of coffee.cyal.Fred.ptfg.

Hi everyone, Its still dark here so I dont know what the weather will be like, I am hoping it will be dry so that I can drying some bedding. Yesterday Gaynor and Samantha came and lifted all my ceramic Christmas ornaments in so I have now to decide where they are all going and connect them to the electric supply. I really must stop painting them, I have far too many. Brenda, The photos you brought with you to the meet were very good, I meant to ask you to email some of them to me but we were enjoying ourselves so much, I forgot before you left. I would have loved to have caught you coming out of THAT SHOP. I wish now I had gone inside and taken some photos there, I believe it was quite interesting!! ( nothing obscene, just people's reactions, lol) Di, What's all this about "You are not allowed to do this" I haven't come across that message. Sylvia, It sounds as though your granddaughter has a lot of homework, sometimes I wonder if they are given too much these days. I think there is too much emphasis on exams. In my office I had a lad who had 2 degrees, but they weren't in common sense, thats for sure. Ann (Glos), Sorry your trip to Webbs was so disappointing, I think its finding something unusual that is the biggest problem. I have started putting out some decorations, I hope to get on with it today. George, Thank heavens the disc turned up, I hope you are as lucky with your scarf. You sound just like my granddaughter. Jude, Madoc is really enjoying himself, lucky dog! It certainly was a lucky day when he met you. Gaynor says Hi back, she has been in a lot of pain lately, the pills that helped with the pain have been taken off the market. Its depressing when you think how young she is. Fred, Pleased to see you back, I bet the hospital were pleased to see you, its helps them when they have a happy patient. I hope you had a photo taken with your "clown" hairstyle.lol I hope Liz is soon better, plenty of Lemsips/Beechams. Kathleen, I'm thinking of you and Susie. I hope everyone else is alright and busy shopping. I dont mention names, in case I leave someone out and I also dont want to put pressure on anyone, we all come on here when we want to. Love June xx

Hi everyone, I'm so intrigued and dying to know which shop that is that you didn't want to be photographed coming out of! Don't keep us all in suspense girls!!!! Good old Fred, he'll soon be inviting us all to dinner again, or at least offering us mouthwatering recipes, won't you Fred? Yes, I have a good relationship with my granddaughter and daughter. I do have two daughters, but the other one (youngest) doesn't, by choice, want children, so I guess grandchildren attract more. Actually the youngest daughter is nearer to me, but I don't see her so often. I'm getting chased up by my son. He is busy scanning photos for me and adding to our website and wants me to let him have more information. Oh, just when I have a lot to do with Xmas cards, party invitation still to be printed, etc. etc. Where do the hours go to? No, the shop in Calais has only drinks, as also Tesco. The weather is still damp and cold here. Tomorrow we're going out to drive the route to our party hall. We want to make sure that the information we give is correct. I am sending the invitations out with my Xmas cards - saving myself postage! Our postal service is also cheaper at Xmas. We are allowed to post for 29 cents instead of 39 cents. Special postage stamps are issued. We cannot use these stamps for letters going abroad, but it at least helps a little. If we have any over after Xmas, then we have to put an extra 10 cent stamp on. I wrapped up my presents for sending abroad today. Now, next week must take them to the post office. Have been looking through the threads and couldn't see anything worthwhile adding to, just like a kindergarten. Maybe it's me! Will close for now, love Sylvia xxx

goodmorning everyone,sorry I have not been on for a few days,Had a lot of shopping to do Friday and was working yesterday.I also had two evening outs in a row,need a few days to get over them!! I was at my friends house on friday night and we had hotpot supper and mince pies andplayed the newtrivia game.It is upposed to have questions about things which happened within the past 20 years ,but we still could not answer them all.But we did have a laugth.Last night was the library christmas do,at a big hotel intown,the meal was fantastic.But i came home instead of going to the disco,as it was so hot and crowded. June Iwill scanne the photos and email them to you but need your addy please. Slyvia,we have a home work club in the library and the kids use the pcs for up to 2 hours a time to help with home work. Di ,hope you can get rid of your visitor soon,must be a bit un nerving to find bits of turnip eaten etc. Fred so pleased you are on the mend,hope the mrs is well soon. Jude ,really pleased your meeting went well and hope the return to work goes ok as well. Ann,I was wanting to visit one of the two garden centres we visit but don't think we will have time,they get so crowded at weekends and John works till lunch time in the week,then the roads to one of them have road works so it is slow. My apologies to anyone not mentioned. Going for a cuppa before I start the washing and ironing,see you all soon,take care brenda

Morning people ,,Did someone mention cooking ,you really aught to keep your voices down you know cause i think Liz must have heard you yesterday. Stinking cold or not ,she went shopping yesterday and came home with a whole leg of pork,a huge breast of turkey a full gammon joint ,and a beutiful piece of silverside,so i know what I will be doing over Christmas lol. Apart from that ,i will have to get mobile in the next week cause i hav'nt started my Christmas shopping yet.and hav'nt a clue as to who is getting what. The tree is up as are the decorations so i reckon our first festive season in our new pad is going to go with a swing [a gentle one]If you don't want your snow Di send it over here ,i would love to see a real white Christmas again,seeing as the last three proper ones we've had i was in the middle east and missed out. I hope Gaynor is feeling a bit better today ,she has more than enough on her plate without tablet companies playing silly buggers and removing supplies willy nilly. Well ,i hear the lady of the house moving around so i think i had better shoot off and get her her morning fix,she is a right grouch until she has had three cups of tea,.Apologies to all who i have missed,be back later.Fred.ptfg.

Hi everyone Well we have another dry day, yesterday we had sunshine as well so the washing dried very nicely. I still have my tree to put up but Samantha is coming around today to do that, she loves doing it and has been doing it a few years now. She is artistic like her mum. I have written most of my cards, its just the presents to wrap now, I cant wait to get everything finished and then sit back and wait. Fred, What a Christmas you are going to have with all that meat, Like you I would like to see snow. Last year we had a few flakes on New Year's Eve, I think we made about a dozen snowballs before it melted and that was our lot for the year. Dont go overdoing it with the shopping, I ended up getting a couple of presents off the internet, I was tired of trailing around. Brenda, I will send my email addie thanks. you are a popular lady with all these social activities. Thats the one thing I miss about moving over here, my friends in Cleveleys, I have to meet at lunch times because I dont fancy driving back here at night. Di, Thanks for explaining about the messages that kept appearing, these days there is always something changing. I only add to a few messages, I have added to the one about the Victorian Grassington Fair, because I have very happy memories of that. I do hope the turnip does the trick with Mr Ratty, he's definitely oustayed his welcome now. Sylvia, The shop was Ann Summers, I just wish I had gone downstairs and taken some photos too. (thats if they would have allowed it of course), It was just harmless fun. Previous to that, they had gone in M & S for their little chocolate bunnies off Father Christmas, It was a good atmosphere, everyone was in a happy (and mad!) mood. I can hear stirring upstairs now so I had better get dressed and get on with the rest of the decorations. Love June xx

Hi all, Writing from a foggy, foggy night here. This morning Johan and I went out to check our instructions for the route to our party address. Hoorah, all finished. I took my cutters with me and managed to "pinch" some nice red berried branches for making some decorations. I'm sure the council won't mind me pruning their shrubs for them, or would they!!! Our invitation is looking nice. I've headed it "Invitation" and a wedding photo at the top with the Dutch flag and Union Jack at an angle aside the photo. Looks good. We have run out of ink for the colour printer, so must go into town on Tuesday and get a new cartridge. We have planned to buy our Xmas tree on Tuesday too, as well as getting some last Xmas presents. I'm getting some gift vouchers to go with the presents I already have. I cannot believe that I'm so behind with everything. My ex son in law came round this afternoon for a cup of coffee. His wife was out jogging. He often accompanies her on his bike, but said it was too cold today. Anyway, always nice to see him. Our computer is running quite wierd, it takes me ages to get it going now, so it will definitely be a new one soon. Just need some time in sorting one out. So Di you have an extra "eater" for Xmas - little ratty. No sign of Mrs Ratty yet, or little ratties? Nice to see you back Fred. You're not going to eat all that food over Xmas are you? Thanks June for the name of the shop. Who else have I forgotten, what a memory! Till tomorrow, Sylvia xxx

No ,i won't be eating much at all Sylvia ,iv'e managed to lose half a stone since i came home and could do with loosing a good bit more.I'm just over the moon that i'm going to be well enough to carry on the tradition of cooking the christmas and new year fare,i have only missed two years due to ill health since1965.which is a pretty good record i reckon,besides ,if i go on strike there will be a family revolt. It looks as though most of you are well into the swing of things ,it's nice to hear how other people get ready ,and the things they do,if only the world could be more like this all the time.I have a couple of Iranian friends who are heartbroken because they had to flee their homes ,are seperated from their families and dar'nt go home ,they have been invited to share our table ,but it's not a lot of consolation.Both of them are running their own firms now so hopefully they will find partners before long ,and have their own kids to tend.Time i was'nt here,i am due my first walk of the day.have a nice day all.Fred.ptfg.