General Chat

Hi Gill, Hope the ankle soon heals, so you can get out.

My dear wife is all wrapped up and working in the garden. Like a good boy that I am. I took myself off for an half hour walk around the village. It's very cold out (it is to me) I was glad I had by big coat scarf and gloves on.

Since I have been back I have prepared the casserole. Just the potato's to do a bit later. Two lovely joints of Chicken, with all that veg etc ,will warm us through tonight.

I saw Tony through the Conservatory window yesterday. That's the first time since we went away on the 20th December. So we can't be classed as NOSEY NEIGHBOURS. I didn't go out to speak to him as it was hissing with rain !!!

Ros called round to se how Val was yesterday, but there was no reply. We know Tony was out at art class. I bet Val was asleep in the armchair without her hearing aids in and didn't hear Ros knocking (they don't have a bell.)

I hope you are all well and keeping away from these horrible colds that are going around. Touch wood we are fine up to now !!!

I must just tell you all that are interested in wonderful events around the world. You must go to BBC 2 catch up and watch "SUPERSIZE WORLD" It is so fascinating, that I am sure Liz, Ian and many more will want to watch it when theres nothing else worth watching.

I have just put the casserole on low, so it will be ready about 6.00 pm. I have just called Ros in from the Garden (she's not in yet) I have boiled the kettle ready for a nice Cuppa with a piece of cake, or a biscuit. The heating is on, so the place will feel warm when she comes in <3 <3 <3

Thanks Frank, I've not had an accident for my ankle to hurt , it just goes every now and then on the tendon at the back of my left foot and it hurts so much I can't put any weight on it, I have to hop around until it stops hurting. I have found that if I put a hot water bottle under my foot then after a while the pain eases enough for me to hobble around, but it takes a few days before I can walk any distance on it. It just used to click, have a bit of pain, then click again and be alright, but over the last few years it's just pain. I don't even have to do anything for it to happen. Yesterday I just stood up off the sofa. The problem is after the initial pain eases I tend to get cramp in my leg for a day or two. It's just unfortunate that it happened yesterday so we can't go out today for our Anniversary.

OH nipped out before and came back with a bouquet of flowers for me, they are lovely with all different colours in it. He's so thoughtful. I feel a bit bad as I couldn't get to the shops to buy him anything. I shall have to make it up to him as soon as I can get out and about again.

So Ros has been busy in the garden too, she sounds like me always finding something to do, although I could only sort out the greenhouse today, the other pots in the garden will have to wait a while until my ankle feels better then I can get round to doing them.
If we get enough snow everyone's garden looks the same anyway, so there no rush LOL. ;-) :-D

Happy birthday to James for yesterday Jane, What a nice surprise him coming home earlier than you expected. That was a good idea to put the tea light on the cake. How is James and Chris feeling now, have the dreaded coughs gone yet?

Pleased to hear Paul's scan came back clear Anne, it must of been a worry for you both, at least the swelling is coming down so that's good.

Thanks for the idea of bottle tops for the snowman's eyes Mandy. I've got one put away safe I just need another one now. Sandra will end up with a snowman with blue eyes LOL If anyone else makes a snowman Sandra's asked if she can have a picture to see please. I'm hoping to take a picture of hers as I've been reading her new camcorder paperwork and I think I've worked out how to get the pictures onto my laptop. Now all I have to do is work out how to put them into an email and I can start sending you all pictures without having to ask other people to do it for me..........finally. :-) ;-)

Yes Frank, we'll look out for that programme, it certainly sounds the sort of thing we enjoy. How's your poor seized up knee? hopefully feeling bit easier this evening. It's a been a long painful haul for you so let's hope it feels properly better soon.
Busy day here today, OH's check up first thing then Waitrose, then various other jobs, but at least it's cold meat and salad for supper, so nice and easy!

Afternoon All

Happy Anniversary Gill <3 <3.. I bet your flowers look gorgeous from OH.I always think a nice colourful vase of flowers brightens up the place when it is winter time.


Frank,you probably need to make sure you have a walk around the block everyday.Ros may well be right about your knee ceasing up .
Fitz was told he needs to get walking to strenghten up the back muscles .But trying to get Fitz to walk anywhere is just impossible. He says he does his exercises though most days.So that is something I suppose lol

I seem to have been in the kitchen most of the day making this dish for tonight.James asked for it.It is this Rice and Lentil dish called Kosheri.I have also made a spicy tomato sauce to go with it(it is all making my face sweat ).Then I have a Chicken Crown with an aromatic herb rub on .

Poor old Chris is suffering today with his painful shoulder.He is funny when he is in pain.He never says anything ,but is just very quiet and non communatitve .I have noticed that he has been at the painkillers.

I had to fry a load of onions to go in this dish and I now 'PONG'. I know I shouldn't have bothered washing my hair this morning :-S... It is hair cut for me in the morning and I don't really want to wash it again before then ,so i all have to apologise for it reeking of onions.

Ann,James and his friend Jake just book a court for Badminton .They don't manage to go every week so just book up when they know they will both be free.

Did you see on the news about the Lorry that spilled its load of Jam on the M1 !!!!!!!!!
Bit of a sticky situation there I think !!!!!!....Also some poor chap was found dead on the M1 he had been hit /run over by several vehicles :-( :-(

I watched the first episode of Halcyon this morning ,and thought it was pretty good so I will have to watch last nights episode now. Silent Witness was good too.
Did anyone see The Hidden Cities of Italy? The first one Naples was fascinating .I am looking forward to Venice and Florence now :-D

FRANK, I did see Holly this morning saying January is the best month for Baby Making LOL... ...I think my reaction if Chris had suggested anything, would have been just like Ros :-D :-D.Mind you with his painful shoulder I don't think he would be up to anything like that LOL

I hope your Ankle soon gets better Gill. It soulds like you have a weakness there if it keep happening.Hobbling about is no fun and not easy.

Afternoon All,

My mind was just boggling at what a cake with 31 tea lights on it would look like!!! lol :-) I can remember just paying to play Badminton at lunchtime at the leisure centre opposite where I worked years ago, where you just took it in turn to make 4s up with anyone as games finished and courts became free. I have hired courts like James too. I used to play about 4 times a week once and loved it. :-)

That was nice to get a bunch of flowers Gill. :-) I hope your ankle soon improves, it does sound painful. :-0 I was always going over on the same ankle when OH and I got together. All of a sudden down I would go and then be hobbling for a while. It happened whatever shoes I wore, even with trainers. Then it stopped and hardly ever happens now, so I wondered if it was to do with my age at the time and joints being affected. I've made a start on the bracelet for Sandra!!

Good idea to try and do a bit of walking Frank. You may find that even if it aggravates it a bit, after a few days it may start to improve. It would help if it improved ready for your cruise if you go on one this year. :-)

I'm watching Halcyon again, but have given up on Taboo as well as Sherlock now. Those progs Jane and Frank mentioned both sound good!

It looks like the talk by Gerry McCann I was going to at the hospital next month may not take place now as they have removed it from the list and put 'to be confirmed'. :-S

OH's replacement turntable is waiting to be collected at a shop on the retail park so we are popping there now the traffic should have eased. I think I shall need earplugs then as he'll be playing all his old records (NOT MY TASTE!!!!lol.) ;-)

Just the one Tea light on the cake Ann LOL.It almost covered the top of the tiny cake :-D

So what records does OH have to blast out? I bet he has them all ready now for when you pick up the turntable :-D :-D
What a pity Gerry Mc Cann 's talk has been cancelled.Do you know why ? I am sure it would have been really interesting .That poor family ,still not knowing what happened to their lovely little Maddie :-( :-(

Evening all,

It's been quite a nice day here ,lots of sunshine and blue sky but a bit chilly.

Happy Anniversary to you both Gill <3 <3 ,that was nice to get the flowers from OH, like Jane i think a nice vase of flowers brightens up the place this time of year .
So the snow man will have blues eyes will he ,i hope you can find another blue bottle top to use , he would look strange with different coloured eyes LOL
Hope the ankle soon feels better so you can be out and about again , it does sound painful for you when it happens .

That's good you've managed a walk today Frank ,get out while you can by the end of the week you might need a pair of ski's !!

Oh yes Jane i read about that poor chap on the M1 ,how awful to think he had been run over by so many vehicles .
I didn't see about the Jam !! that will take some clearing up , but i bet it smells good.
I remember years ago a lorry turned over just up the road from us and people were going up there to pick up the tins that were split from the lorry ,the police were happy to let people do it to help clear the road , i think it was tins of fruit .

It's only me agin. Conrad skipped us from his office a short while ago. He is taking everything in his stride, He is using bottles of WHITE VINEGAR and boxes of VANISH GOLD TOP. He is putting all the soiled cloths in a mixture of both in a bath overnight. In the morning they are a clean as new.

He tells us that the locals have never seen rain like it in their lifetime. THREE DAYS AND NIGHTS of continues rain and thunder and lightning. There was a hurricane out at sea, nd it appears this how it started. He said that CARS AND LORRIES were seen floating down the streets. The very posh shopping centre was also devastated by the floods, and most stores lost their stock. He also had an attempted brake in. They couldn't get in the door because it was so swollen by the floods. But they cut through the chain that secured his BIKE to the railings on his porch. How low can some of these BAST@@@S GET, their hands should fall off. or if caught by me CHOP THEM OFF !!!!

I was going down the pub tonight, but decided after such a big meal, I wouldn't be able to face a few pints. So I will stay in with me dear wife and watch ITV from 8,00 pm till 10.00 pm with a trip to Australia and that celebs. thing where they try to live without sugar for two weeks. It will be light hearted. Then I will be off to bed.

Jane I, and the bungalow stunk of ONIONS also this afternoon. Hope James enjoys his meal.

It's not this year that I am looking for a cruise. If it happens it will be next year our 40th Anniversary.

Frank ,before I forget the name..... Look up' Repostioning Cruises'. These are the good value ones to go on if you aren't too bothered about getting off ship too often .
This is what Janice and Larry are doing in March.

He's decided to leave setting it up till tomorrow Jane. He has a very wide taste in music but I seem to recall a lot of Country and Western ballad type things and he has a lot of John Stewart cds, so probably has his records too. I do like Johnny Cash so will have to see if he'll play some of his!! lol. I saw about the man on the M1. What a horrid end to his life to be run over by several vehicles. It doesn't say Gerry McCann is cancelled but I suspect it may be the case. It just says to be confirmed. Maybe he has some other engagement at that time. I wondered if there might be too much interest with him being so well known now. How did your meal turn out? James likes his spicy things doesn't he.

According to our evening paper there is a problem with groups gathering at night to sniff laughing gas after inflating balloons with it!! It showed pictures of dozens of empty canisters on an industrial estate. Apart from damaging health, there is concern as some are driving while under the influence. Whatever next!!

Hope your OH's checkup went well Liz. We had jacket potatoes with salad and coleslaw today. The salad made a nice change I must say.

Just saw your post Frank. It sounds like a terrible storm for the locals to say that about it. You just can't believe the thieves that are lurking to strike can you!! I read tonight that an Air Ambulance charity shop a few miles away from here has had a 7th break in in 20 months. How disgusting!

Morning all,

We have a bright and sunny morning here but the dowon side is there is a very strong wind too.

Gosh you have been busy posting yesterday while I was out and too tired in the evening to do a catch up on the posts. Its taken me ages this morning jus tto red them all.

I had'nt heard about the lorry full of jam or the poor chap that was run over several times on the road. I shall have to have a google.

Into a new project at the mo. Something gave me the idea on the web but it may not turn out so I am not saying anything more just yet. If it works you will know as I shall send a pic.

Hope the ankle feels better today Gill. I get that sometimes with my knee. It will just go at the slightest turn or even if I just get up and be so painfull for a week or so and then its fine again. Talking about it being an age thing don't forget the body dos'nt renew itself so well once you have turned 50.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me FIRST ;-) ;-) ;-) Good morning to all my friends and evening to our Kim,

Not the brightest of starts to the day, very cloudy and it looks like the wind is getting up.

We both seemed to enjoy Martin Clunes on his venture around the Australian Islands. They say you learn something every day, well I did. I didn't know there are over 3,000 islands around Australia. Will certainly tune in next week.

Nothing planned for today. I will try to get a walk before the rain comes along. It's threatening every minute. So it might be later in the day when I go out.

We both had a good night. This new Mattress seems to be suiting us. I was up at 7.45 for my tea (three cups.) Then Ros got me toast and marmalade and another cuppa when she got her breakfast. I had better stay close to the loo. :-D :-D :-D

I hope you are all well, what are you up to today ???

Oh Mel I see you beat me by ONE MINUTE !!!

Morning all

Very very windy here today, so much so one of my big pots was blown over when I got up this morning. I had to wake Sandra up to help me pick it up as OH is back in work today. I've moved another pot next to it in the hope it doesn't fall over again and give it a good watering to weight it down a bit.

I saw the weather forecast this morning and it doesn't look like Sandra is going to get her snow. There is lots in London on Thursday and then towards the Midlands and of course Scotland will have snow too, but nothing where we are. I'm so disappointed for Sandra and now I'm hoping she might get some snow on Friday. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Poor Conrad Frank, it seems to be going from bad to worse with what's happened to his bike now. Some people are awful aren't they? On a positive though, Conrad wasn't there when that horrible storm hit so he was safe. Personal effects can be replaced but people can't, so in a way he's quite lucky, if you know what I mean.
Glad to hear you had a good nights sleep, you can't beat your own bed can you?
Hope the weather stays dry for your walk, we've just had a massive downpour and now the sun is out again, still very very windy though. Yes, I noticed Mel beat you by one minute, better luck tomorrow LOL.

I've let Sandra know that you've started her bracelet Ann and she's looking forward to it. Are you sure you don't want anything for it? Pleased to hear your OH has his turntable now, he'll enjoy using it listening to all his music. I've noticed that vinyl records are making a comeback. I couldn't believe it when I saw them in the shop at Christmas......what fun I had trying to explain them to Sandra. I'll have to get my records out one day and put them on my record player so she can see what I meant ;-) ;-) With the talk saying to be confirmed it sounds like it'll still go ahead at a later date, just keep an eye out for the confirmation date.

If we do get the snow Mandy, I'll use the bottle top off the milk we are using if it's not quite finished and put the milk in a jug in the fridge then we'll have two to match. I'm just hoping she gets her snow now as it's not looking good for our area. At the moment the sun is out, although the wind is so strong another big pot has just blown over so I've had to pick that one up. I'm just going to have to keep an eye on my garden today by the looks of it. I've also noticed the fence has come loose again, luckily OH is off work tomorrow so if the weather isn't to bad that'll need fixing again. It's only at the top so we might have to use a bit of wood and attach it to the fence behind as they overlap a bit........all fun and games LOL ;-)
I read on the Internet yesterday that parts of the country could get Thundersnow, Apparently it's what happens if it's really windy and snowing at the same time, you get thunder and lightning.

Oh, that poor man Jane, being run over by all those cars. I wonder what he was doing on the M1. Yes, what a sticky situation with the jam being spilt ;-) that would take some cleaning up. Hope Chris's shoulder is feeling a bit better today.

Good luck with your new project Mel, looking forward to seeing a pic if it works out the way you want it to.
My ankle is feeling much better today and the cramp in my leg has finally stopped, so all's back to normal now I think :-)

Going to cut out the pattern for the pocket sewing kit then make a start making one for Sandra with the pink material she picked yesterday. We're going to watch some films together that I recorded ages ago, it's far to cold and windy to go out anywhere today, so we'll stay in the warmth instead.

Just lost a post !!! Good afternoon all, from a dark horrible day in the Midlands. The sun is just showing through some very snow looking clouds that are coming from the North.

Haven't been for my walk yet today, but I have been on my little bike thingy. I might go down the pub tonight to see Liverpool V Southampton. So that will give me a bit more exercise.

Roast Shoulder of lamb is in the over on 100 degrees. It will cook for three hours. I have put a load of root veg in the roasting tin, with a lid on. It will make a good base for the gravy. We will have the usual roasts and various veg with it.

There are a few things we need from Tesco, so Ros has gone to get them in case we do get the snow tomorrow. I hope you will Gill for Sandra's sake. I'm sure the rest of us can do without it ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

Have just watched that programme on BBC 2 how very interesting it is. The places and things this guy does are incredible. Not for the faint hearted.

Off for a cuppa, see you later.

Afternoon All

Oh Gill ,I was sure you would be getting snow.What a shame if you don't. But the weather man said it is very difficult still yet to predict exactly whaere it is all going to be.
I reckon Mandy will be sure to get some and even we might here.Looks like it could be tomorrow afternoon. Chris is going to Cambridge in the morning ,so I said to make sure he leaves Cambridge not too late.The wind is picking up again .Frank are you walking to the Pub tonight? If you are take care and don't get blown away.
I won't be going anywhere tomorrow as I still don't have my car.It will be a good opportunity to do a bit of the dreaded housework
:-P

Just spotted a BIG male Pheasant down the bottom of the garden.Thomas was out but I don't think he saw it.One screech from that bird and I think Thomas would run for his life LOL.
Chris is watching the West Wing .I have never seen it. I do think the President in the programme has a bit of a look of Trump !!!!!! :-S.......

Hair cut this morning .It feels so much better now.Nigel was shocked to see how much it had grown.I bought a product called a Mask.It is like an intensive moisturiser for the scalp ..It cost a bomb .£30 :-0 :-0.... I need something as I have such dry skin on my scalp (not dandruff).It is like a snowstorm sometimes and just horrible.So this stuff better do some good.

James is out to eat tonight.He is meeting Johnny's Mum and Boycey,and old school pal who lives in Leicester now.Boycey is a lovely person. We took him with us on holiday a few times to France when we did Eurocamp when the boys were at school.
He was a bit of a lad and he and James would go off in the evenings and have a few too many beers with other lads they met on the campsite.Thankfully came to no harm.
He is one of the nicest and kindest people,and reminds me a little bit of my Nephew Matthew.

Baked Potatoes for Chris and I tonight. I said I would do this lovely recipe for a filling.Chris held his head in his hands and asked if he could not just have his favourite of Baked Beans and tiny sausages !! :-D.. So that is what he will have.
Mine will be Avocado,Spring Onion,Sour Cream,Crispy Bacon Bits and Grated Cheese. I think mine sounds far more interesting :-D :-D I will leave out the chilli though. I had enough spicy stuff last night.

The window cleaners came this morning(8 am!!! ).. I was downstairs in my nightie,James was in the bathroom and Chris in bed. I went haring up the stairs to make sure James had the blind down and curtains drawn in his bedroom ,and to tell Chris to stay where he was.As I came back down the stairs one of the cleaners was at the big window,and just gave me a wave !!!!!!!. My nightie is not one that goes right up to my neck !!!,so he might have well had a bit of an eyefull :-S :-S... I do think that when they come so early that they should ring the doorbell to at least warn us. I keep meaning to say it to them ,but always forget.

There seems to be some dark clouds building up here now.It was clear just now.

Frank what happened to Conrads Bike? I must have missed that.

Evening all,

We've had some lovely blue sky and sunshine today but it's getting very windy now , i'm not sure they know if we'll get the snow yet they are getting the flood barriers ready for the high tides expected on the coast ,i hope we get a little snow as i'm longing to see what Max will think of it , Lewis wants to build a no man LOL he miss's the S off .

We both had our dental check ups this morning ,all was ok for both of us and we go again in six months so that was good.

Frank do be careful tonight if your walking to the pub that wind is quite strong we had to hold onto the car door this morning in case it bashed on the car parked next to us .

Gill what is the pocket sewing kit ? i have a picture of a pocket in my mind now but it's not that is it ? is it a small sewing project that you could do any where ,thats why it's called the pocket kit ?
I do hope you get snow poor Sandra has waited so long now for some to fall.

Oh goodness Jane that was a price for the mask !! lets hope it does the trick at that price .
Now your jacket spud i could eat but not the one with the beans and sausages , we had home made mushroom soup for lunch and felt so full that we only had a bacon roll for our tea .
I think you really need to say some thing to the window cleaners , they should really ring the bell to let you know they are about .

Well Ann have you heard enough country and western for today on the new turntable :-D is there a socket on it for head phones ? :-D
I can just see you both enrolling for the old Line Dancing next LOL

Oh i see we are in for some snow !!

Mandy .I love Mushrooms ,but have never made a soup. Do you have a nice recipe?
I will let you know what my Baked Potato and filling is like.It was from a recipe in the Sainsbury Magazine.They have some brilliant recipes in their Mag.

My Nephew and FIANCEE ,are suposed to be on the way home now.But have a 5 hour delay in Cape Town ,and then a possible 8 hour delay in Istanbul (where they change flights)..Not a very good end to their trip.
:-S

https://boutiquehaberdashery.co.uk/products/cath-kidston-sewing-book

This is the book I got for Christmas, the picture on the front is the pocket sewing kit Mandy. It opens out and has further pockets inside, but looks like a bag when closed. All the pattern pieces are already cut so all I have to do is sewing it all together. The instructions are in the book, along with lots of other sewing thngs I could buy the material for and make. I love Cath Kidston and have had another one of her books before with a similar pattern and material inside.

I've made a copy of the pattern, but then found a little bag I'd made a while ago which will do the trick for Sandra to put all her small pieces of material in she got for Christmas, I'm just putting a bit of Velcro on so it will close, as I hadn't got round to putting any fastenings on it.

Sorry to hear your nephew and fiancée have so many delays Jane, they are going to be so tired when they finally get home. Like you said not a very good end to their trip.

Take care if you go to the pub tonight Frank, the wind is really bad.