General Chat

Afternoon All

Oh Liz what a smart coat Cas has. She looks like she feels the bees knees :-D :-DI love the colour .It will be far easier to clean the coat rather than a very mucky and muddy girl :-D

FRank, I think Liz is right and you and Ros are passing the bugs back to each other.I hope it is not going to turn out to be another really bad dose.
My hair appointment was cancelled this afternoon as Nigel has now gone down with the flu or some lurgy :-S. So I have a new appointment for the 14th

My Physio went ok this morning and I have yet another exercise added to the other ones. She said that to keep doing them and when I have my appointment with the Rheumatologist on March 1st to let her know what he says and to make another appointment if its recommended. She thinks it is likely that I will have a scan done.

Your poor girls Mel more rain and mud for them !!. It cant be very nice for them plodding around in that wet ground. They will be wanting your new boots :-D

FRank that was an unfortunate BURP . Part dissolved tablets are awful,and take an age to clear from the mouth. Hopefully the mint has done the trick.

It is absolutly freezing now.The temperature seems to have tumbled.There is a bit of light drizzle too now . But the woodburner is doing its job and it is all nice and toasty here.

Anne, what fun you will have at the Boston Terrier Meet at the weekend :-D. Ruby will be so excited to see so many'new freinds' :-D. I hope you will be able to get some pics
Do you have any idea how many dogs will be there?
I am really sorry to hear of your Niece's diagnosis :-( She is very young still. I had no idea that people with Downs Syndrome are more susceptible to this.

James said the trip and meeting went very well yesterday . He was worn out by the time he got in .Had an early night and was up and off to work before 8 this morning. He says he might have another meeting to go to in Stuttgart at some point .
That was a trip you had then Frank . How long ago what that? It is amazing when you think that these days you can almost get anywhere in Europe just for a day and back home again the same day. I remember a year or so ago we were at an airport in Italy waiting to board the plane and I got chatting to a chap next to me in the line. He had just been for the day for a meeting and said he often did this a couple of times a week !!.

How is Sandra ? Fingers crossed she is not going be as ill as bothe you and OH were Gill. I know I am tempting fate by saying this but I cant believe Chris and I never went down with it after James . Just a fluke I think.

I am glad that you and OH Mandy seem to be well on the mend now. Just in time for your Birthday :-D

I just realised I have been sat in the dark so need to get some lamps on,and then start dinner.Chicken Schnitzel and my Potato,Fartichokes,Olive,Lemon, Sage and Tomato thing and Stringless Beans.

So Ros is going to chior tonight then Frank. Is her throat better now?

I have a very dry mouth and a bit of a sore throat today. It roar rather than sore. It might be the dust from the loft. I don't know.

Ecko is playing up and won't turn the table light on so I am typing in the dark.

We had some lovely sunshine this morning but the weather has got worse since then. O just looked out the window and its raining just as I need to go and do the chickens. :-(

Thanks for the Photo Liz, I m sure it will help in keeping Cas a bit warmer and Cleaner !!! Even though I expect she needs/loves a hot bath after her days work.

Not ever having holidays as a child, I promised myself that my children wouldn't go without. Over the years, we went to Scotland, Wales North and South. a few times, I.O. White, New Forest, and many seaside resorts. Mostly B & B or Caravan. But at least they went. In 1972/3 I drove them to just south of Barcelona for a MONTH Camping. We had a great time, and they got to know a bit of Spanish. I have also taken them to Holland on two occasions. Since marrying Ros 1978. Harvey and Conrad have been to Tunisia, Tennerife, and a lot of places in the U.K. With Conrad now living in Spain most of the year, we can go there when ever we want. Not that I am not keen on the FIVE HOURS it takes from Door to Door. That's why we didn't go last year. This year we will try to make the effort.

Also Mel, being Chairman of our local DEEP SEA FISHING CLUB yes in the middle of the Country (KETTERING) I travel to most of the fishing ports from Scotland to South West England with 50 like minded men, every few weeks throughout the years. I wouldn't like to guess how many mils I traveled in that time.

We have both been enjoying A Whale programme on Eden. What beautiful and friendly the GREY WHALE is. Coming up to the little boas o be stroked and fussed.

Shin of beef is in the oven for tonight with Mash, cabbage, carrots and boiled Parsnips. Ros is out tonight, so I can watch what I want on TELE.

Have sent you all (I hope) a pic of Cas in her coat!! It certainly helped to keep the mud off her so was worth all the hassle!!
Frank! You can't be going down with another cold!! Perhaps you are re infecting yourselves. I remember doing that one winter, and I had one cold after another, finally shaking it off when the warmer weather came.
Years ago OH and I were out and about much more than we are these days. We used to think nothing of sailing to France or the Channel Islands. I can remember one summer flying to Malta and then sailing in the Mediterranean! We had some lovely holidays like this, but then we were young with plenty of energy, which is sadly lacking these days!
Would you believe it I have a couple of shirts to iron! they got left in the washing machine by mistake and are VERY creased! Nothing else though!!
OH is sorting out our new recording arrangements as it is totally different to sky. It's taking a bit of working out, but we shall get there!!

In your younger days Frank you certainly got around.

Its stopped raining here at the moment and the sky is brightening a bit.

I have loads of ironing to do so think I will take a leaf out of Ros's book and go and do some of mine till I get fed up.

Good morning to you all,

Roa just went outside and she said it's BITTER COLD. So has stayed in and doing the ironing.

I did go out last night, but there were only six of us in there that included the Landlady and Michael behind the bar. At half time two went home, so it was very quiet to say the least. I rang Ros when I was ready and she came straight down to pick me up.

Foyle's War came on at 10.00 on ITV 3. As I had already seen it, I went to bed, leaving MADSM with her Jewellery programmes. I didn't feel her come to bed, so must have dropped off fairly quickly.

We have both woken up this morning with SORE THROATS and COUGHING. So it looks like it's going round again. It's the last thing we want. !! I don't know if Ros will go to choir practice tonight. We will see how she feels.

I have just had an horrible experience. I have just taken my TABLETS. I burped and they all came back in my mouth, some had melted the covering off. What a horrible taste Now sucking a MINT.

Nothing planned this end today, what are you all up to ??

Jane, Talking about travel. When ROVER lunch their new 200 series. It was done in the Loir Valley in France. I had to be at Luton Airport for 4.30 am Private plane to France with 150 passengers, Had a Presentation and breakfast. then went outside the hotel to find Lines and Lines of Rover 200s for us to test drive throughout the day. In the evening we had a fabulous meal at a Chatteu. (sp) before being flown back to Luton 11.00 pm. What a day. !!

Morning all,

ITS RAINING HERE and yes I did mean to shout. Blow blow blow just as the chicken run was starting to dry out a bit. It just never gives it a chance. Snow dos'nt seem to affect it but rain and the slightest rain does.

I keep thinking its Saturday today and don't know why. I must go down and get our scripts if they are ready. My car is disgustingly covered in mud and muck off the roads and I really should give it a wash down but oh has the trailer parked on the hosepipe and I need to give it a rinse first. I really need the pressure washer but can't ask him for that while he is doing the loft.

Yes I think he will Gill. He was'nt ging to do over our bedroom and his study which are on the west end of the bungalow. There are boards down there as thats where the two rooms were added on at some point before mum bought the bungalow. He thinks he has enough rock wool to do over the bedroom but I think he should do over his study at thats north facing and the bedroom has two windows in it, one to the west and the other to the south so it gets plenty of sunshine when it decides to shine that is. It also has a rad in the bedroom and the one in his study is on the wall that is the other side of our bedroom.

That's good news Frank, no stones. I bet you're relived. I hope OH has the same results as you, although he has a bit of a wait until he finds out.

Your marmalade sounds nice Liz. I used to make jam, but haven't made any for years. I've never made marmalade though. There used to be a lime marmalade I liked but I can't remember the name of it now or where I saw it. I quite fancy some now I've mentioned it. Might take a look in Tesco's next time I'm in there to see if they do it. I'm not keen on marmalade with peel in it and the lime one didn't have any, it was lovely on toast.

I hope the weather is nice on Sunday for you Anne when you go to the Boston Terrier meet. So Ruby is up to date with her jabs, I can't say I'd like something going up my nose either, so can't blame her for not liking the kennel cough one.
Sorry to hear about Sarah, that must of been a shock for the family.

Pleased to hear your hip isn't as bad today Jane. Let's hope the painkillers keep working so it's not to painful when you go to physio tomorrow. No I can't sit still for long, if a job needs doing I tend to get on with it.

Poor Sandra is starting with this bug now and has a sore throat and a tickly cough, so all three of us are ill, although OH is starting to feel a bit better now apart from this pain he has in his back and a slight cough that doesn't want to go away.

I was thinking of your birthday today Mel but thought it was a bit early to send your card. I'll send it in the next few days. Do you have anything planned for your birthday? Your OH is working well on the loft, I bet he'll be glad when it's all finished though?

Glad you all liked the snowman. His hat was the only one I could find quickly from my dolls house things. Somewhere I have a little black top hat but I could'nt find that one.

Gill what are you like? going out in the shed in this cold weather when you have a nasty throat. I bet the dust did'nt help that sweeping the shed out.

Mandy I make that tinned marmalade and add other things to half of it like chopped stem ginger or a bit of treacle which makes some nice and dark. Have you tried the Lemon one, thats good too. They also do jam ones but I think they are more expensive and I like to do my own Strawberry from fresh fruit.

I hope cleaning your windows has hurt your hip more Jane as I know how that feels on my hips. I must swing my hip whilst rubbing the windows or reaching up.

O I am so pleased you had good result Frank. At least your mind is at rest now you know you have the all clear.

I managed to clean out the chickens nest boxes today but it is so cold out there even thought the sun has been out most of the day.

Oh has cleared more of the loft out of the old lagging that was up there He said it was so dustyup there today. There was a lot of hoovering going on.

I think this is the first day for weeks we hav'nt had any rain.

Had my first birthday card arrive today and its sitting under the telly on the table not to be opened till the 14th.

That's good news about your scan Frank and you getting the approval to carrying on with you cans of beer.

Pleased to hear your sciatic pain is a little easier today Jane. James has had a busy day travelling to the work meeting .

That was a sweet little snowman you made Mel. No snow here today but a very heavy frost first thing but we have had sun again.

Ruby had her injections on Monday she was very good apart from the Kennel cough one which was given up her nostrils. Weather permitting we are going to Brighton on Sunday for a Boston Terrier meet up it is taking part in a local park..

We had some sad news about one of my nieces, Sarah who is the same age as Richard and has Downs Syndrome has been in hospital with suspected Alzheimer's
apparently this isn't that unusual with Downs although none of the family were aware of this. She is the eldest child of one of Peter's brothers.

That was good for Cas being up and enjoying running again so no lasting damage bless her

Evening All

I loved your tiny Snowman Mel :-D :-D Hat and all too :-D If you hadnt said how small it was I would have thought it was much bigger !!
So a fair bit of Snow in Norfolk Mandy. That sounded quite a lot. We had nothing here other than the flakes yesterday which didnt really settle much.
It is blooming freezing tonight . Lots of sun today (which has been showing up my dirty windows again) I think the window cleaners should be calling this week so I had a bit of a go on the insides of some of them today. Where does the filth come from???

My hip/sciatica has not been as bad today as yesterday But I have kept myself topped up with the painkillers. I have my Physio appointment tomorrow morning. But will have to bet truthfull and say I havent been able to do all the excercises as it is too painful.
I can relax in the afternoon when I go and have my hair cut :-D

Frank that is really good news that you have no stones . Belt and Braces to keep your trousers up and eat more :-D :-D

James is on his way home now from Italy. He has just got in his car at Cambridge so should be home within the hour. He said the meeting went well . He will be buzzing when he gets in after all this travel and meeting. I still find it really strange that you can fly from this country and go for a meeting in another country and be back the same day. How life has changed.

Gill you do need to take it easy while you are still feeling so poorly .I just think you can't sit and do nothing . I am good at doing that :-D

I saw today that a night shelter has opened in Kettering . It opened last night. So I took down the details and went to the Co-op where homeless Steve is. He wasnt there but all his belongings were so I just tucked the bit of paper with all the info as to how he can get a bed in the shelter in between his bags. He has to have a referral from the council to get a bed so he cant just turn up.I do hope he takes the opportunity of being able to have a night or two in a proper bed ,especially now it is so cold again.

I need to plug my lap top in to the mains as It is almost out of battery.

Had a quite lazy afternoon. Nat Geo. has been good, now turned over for local and world news. Then Ros has her soaps, and Girl Friends. I will put my big cot on and walk to the pub to watch Spurs play in a replay. There are bound to be some Spurs supporters to have a dig at. !!

Yes very pleased with the results from the hospital. Yes, it could be being that I am not eating as much, has given me the burps, and the loss of weight couldn't have helped.

Roa said my trousers look like I have an ELEPHANTS A@@E as they are hanging on me. She wants to throw out my trousers and buy me a small size. BUT what happens when I put the weight back on. ?? So I will keep her well away from my cloths.

That was a surprise o wake up o this morning Mandy. Our Black Poodle "PENNY" loved the snow and being curly it would stick to her. she would come in like a snow man. I would put her in the bath and melt the snow. A good rub down and she was fine. I bet max really enjoyed himself. They are funny trying to eat the snow. !!!

Liz, I hope Ian gets the same results as me, also Gill's Glynn. That Marmalade will be smashing, it's so much nicer when you can say "I MADE THAT" You get the flavour YOU WANT as well by adding or reducing the sugar etc.

I must say those tins of Tesco's Marmalade do taste nice. But I do like a good strong DUNDEE. with nice thick peel.

Still no Jane today, I do hope she is alright, and her back and hips are not too bad. xx
Is it today that James went on his business rip. Hope everything goes well for him.

Stay warm everyone. I might see you when I return from he pub. xx

Evening all,

We woke this morning to a good two inches of snow ,it was really coming down when we went to bed ,Max has been out in it trying to eat it LOL and chucking it up in the air he's so funny to watch .most of it has gone now but it's turned really cold out now .

We went shopping today ,the first time we've been out for just over two weeks ,son had got us some bits last week and we always have a stocked cupboard and freezer so we've been managing to find some thing to eat .

Frank that's good there's no stones you must be so pleased ,i expect all the burbing might have been because your empty in the stomach as you haven't been eating that much lately .
How's Ros's sore throat today ?

I buy those tins of Marmalade concentrate from Tesco's you only have to add the sugar and boil it up ,it's quite tasty .

Gill your naughty going out in the shed when your not feeling well ,you should be taking it easy when your feeling rough like that .

Mel i like your little mini snowman or should i say woman with the fancy hat on :-D

Frank, that's a brilliant result, a real relief for you, and I feel very pleased.
OH makes the marmalade; he does it in the pressure cooker, then in the liquidiser, then in a big pan to simmer and thicken. Some we put in jars, the rest we put in the freezer to finish of in the summer as we run out. It is a bit of a fiddle but delicious!!!
It's seville oranges and lemons Gill.
Well we're up and running with freeview and so far so good. It's going to take a bit of getting used to but we should get there!!
Time to get Merlin in! :-)

Afternoon all.

Do you need a back wash Gill ?? lol lol.

Been for my ultra scan. ALL CLEAR. No sign of anything either in my kidneys or gall bladder. She checked the other side too, and that's fine. She said whatever you are doing with your life. "CONTINUE" you must be doing something right. ;-) ;-) I said I eat well and have a few beers each night. She replied CARRY ON DOING IT.

The Hospital is undergoing a major refit. Everywhere you go, there is no parking. We managed to find one disabled but had to walk a fair distance to get to where I needed to go. The hospital corridors are like a disaster area. Workmen and building materials everywhere. Ceilings down, and wires hanging down. How they can carry on normal duties I will never know.

We sopped off at Morrison's for a bit of lunch. WRONG decision. The place was like a FRIDGE. Air Conditioning blowing out everywhere. The food was far from being hot, we left most of it, and came home.

Ros had put a bed wash on before we went out, so I helped her make the bed and put the bedding in the T.D.

The bungalow is nice and warm now, to the point I need to take my top off. I will put a Tee shirt on.

Snowman built in DEVON, none of us can say that Mel. It's so warm here. the conservatory is like a SAUNA. ;-) ;-)

I have had my tablets and more coffee. Not being able to drink or eat this morning, wasn't good. Why do they need to do that. ??

We did Marmalade last year, but found it such a chore that we stopped making it. Glad you enjoy doing it Liz, Pleased to hear Cas is up and running again. They soon get over these things.

How's our Jane doing today ??

Mandy Are you and Colin over the worse of your colds. ?? Have you had anymore snow your way. ??\

I had a terrible night last night. Not coughing jus couldn't sleep. Clock watching until 4.30 am and didn't want to get up at 9.00 :-P :-P :-P

Are you all soaked now Gill. Keep warm, and no going out in the garden. !!!

Afternoon all

Bright and Sunny here after a frosty start to the day. I have just sorted out the shed and cleaned the garden tools ready for the Spring. It was chaos in there. The shed is only 5 foot wide so not a lot of room to move about and although it's 12 foot long the walkway towards the back was blocked with all sorts of stuff OH had left laying around. It's all sorted now so that's one less job to do.

I woke up feeling rough again but a bit of fresh air outside seemed to help. I'm just about to have a soak in the bath as I got a bit dusty brushing up the soil in the shed.

Love the photo of the Snowman Mel, Sandra thinks it's cute but wondered why it had a summer hat on.......bless her.

What type of marmalade are you making Liz? It sounds like you are very busy. It'll be nice to have some homemade marmalade to eat throughout the next few months. Pleased to hear Cas is back to her usual self. Have you taken a photo of her in her new coat yet, I'd love to see it when you do? So you'll be up and running with free view today, that'll save you some money on Sky now. Hope it covers all the channels you normally watch.

Have you sorted your TV out in the conservatory Frank, that must of been a nuisance and just as your football was starting too. At least you heard the score, but I suppose it's not the same as watching it though.

How is your hip today Jane, hope it's feeling a little better for you? Do you know when your car is going in again to be fixed?

Just checked my bath and it's done so I'd better go and get in it. See you all later.

Oh went out to get some wood from the pile and came in and said to me "Iv'e just made you a snowman" I told him I made it yesterday for Sandra. He had to laugh.

You should be well supplied with your marmalade now for another year Liz. I can just picture it up on the shelf. :-D :-D

Suns still out here and the sky is blue blue blue.

Hope Frank had a good sleep last night and that all the ailing are a bit better today with their coughs and sore throats etc.

Jane hows the hip today?

Lovely sunny day here, bright sunshine and not TOO cold. Chap's here to fit up freeview, so that should be up and running, asap. OH has just made him a COT, to spur him on!! We're continuing with the marmalade this morning. We're about half way through and hope to finish today.
Cas is back on four paws today, so she's up and running(!!) again!
Loved your snowman Mel! No chance of one here as we haven't had any snow at all!!