General Chat

Afternoon All,

Another good sleep, but we were up late again. After our shower OH went out to drop off our prescriptions at the surgery while I put our salmon fishcakes in the oven, boiled some eggs and did salad to go with it. I went out to oil my car locks and the front door lock after and it felt freezing cold (3 degrees now), so I'm glad to get that done before any bad frost freezes them. The bin men collected rubbish and recycling today and took the cardboard we left propped against the bin. A new rule is that we have to cut cardboard up small enough to go in the bin but can leave it at the side of the bin.

OH spotted Mrs O rubbing furiously at her inside windows again today and also outside picking pine needles up off her drive earlier. We noticed the new house number and name with an apostrophe where there shouldn't be one has been replaced with just the number now. I think someone like family visiting may have pointed out the wrong apostrophe!

I sympathise Mel as those new mattresses are heavy to lug about aren't they. It sounds like it was rolled up too? It will be nice to have a new mattress though. I have rapeseed oil and the lime and mint sounds ok to me too! I know you have trouble with some scents though so can see you might not like it.

So it's your last day there then AnnG, but it was nice to have a walk and ride on the ferry. I like to get everything possible packed the night before leaving a place.

We had one of those sellers from an organisation that helps them come with his bag of goods like dusters etc this afternoon. OH answered the door, but the young man was shouting with no mask on and leaning towards him, so he quickly sent him on his way with a no thank you. I used to feel sorry and buy something in the past but the goods were really poor quality and I ended up throwing things away so I don't buy now.

We want to watch Call The Midwife tonight, but OH has a last minute meeting on zoom at 6.00pm so it may be we watch it another time. He has 2 more zoom meetings tomorrow now as well.

Everything happened this mroning and Iv'e still not done the wipe down completely yet.

First off our new mattress arrived so oh got it in and got it to the bedroom after a lot of huffing and puffing. We had the old mattress off the bed and he decided to hoover all under the bed. He had the bed on its side when I looked in. Meanwhile the delivery arrived and I started to wipe it down but then oh wanted the dusting brush to Henry which we did'nt have so out came the other hoover which had got one.

Went back to the wipe down and then he wanted me to go and see the matress come out of the plastic. More huffing and puffing and me getting in his way as usual and we managed to get the heavy box out of the way. All this time the old mattress is standing up against the rad. There were two layers of polythene on the rolled up thing with a tool to cut it off on the outside. Did this and its been making strange noises ever since but it is straightening out.

I did some soup for lunch as by this time it was quite late and my tum was rumbling so his must have been too. well we had that and now I still have a lot to wipe down and put away.

I think we will be sleeping inthe spare room tonight as you are supposed to leave this new one for 72 hours. All the bedding off the bed was chuc int he bath waiting to be washed and I had one lot of washing in the machine. Thats still in there so it never got to see the sun at all and now thats gone too.

Ooh I think lime and mint might be nice, but I know you don’t like some smells.

Brilliant sun here and it is a really beautiful day.mee took the car across on the ferry and drove to Grange over Sands, a favourite place of daughter and her late husband and T and myself. Lots of people out walking, mainly locals I think with children on new scooters and bikes along the long promenade. It was sharp but no wind so not too cold. Daughter and SiL walked a bit further than I did as I found a seat in the sun and had a lovely fifteen minutes sitting looking out at thelm sea and people watching while taking photos.

Came back to Sawrey Knotts fir lunch and to pack.

Morning Anng and all,

We have sunshine at the moment but how long will it last?

i HAVE ABOUT 5 SUBS TODAY AND TWO ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME. oNE IS RAPESEED OIL INSTEAD OF SUNFLOWER OIL AND THE OTHER IS (sorry I hit the cap lock) dettol antibac spray lime and mint. That osunds dreadful to me. If it was just lime it would'nt be so bad.

Good morning from frosty Cumbria. Lovely pale blue sky no cloud in sight sun rising at the moment and Windermere (the lake) in the distance looks serene. I am the only one up having a peaceful cup of tea. It would make a lovely photo from this window if it were not for the telephone wires across in front of us.

Afternoon Everyone,

Unlike you Mel I slept well and woke to a sunny morning. I fell asleep watching Plague, so watched the rest this morning. It was really good. Imagine nearly half the population dead.The rich fled to their country piles and the poor suffered most. How would we have coped with decimated family, friends and neighbours. Breadwinners dead but no food banks, no social security or furlough payment, orphaned children with few relatives or friends left to help. So many empty houses afterwards. A scary thought too that there would most likely be twice as many of us nowadays if it hadn't happened. At least it can be cured now.

That is great news Gill, so hopefully the plastering may soon be done. That would be a good start to the year wouldn't it! :-) I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! :-D That's good your OH is much better now and able to go to work again.

Oh yes, power steering was fantastic when it came in. Brakes were not that good and would often pull to one side and steering might have a lot of play in it and the wheels wouldn't turn as soon as you expected. I remember dad being chuffed when he got a car with 'servo assisted brakes' which meant a lighter touch on the brake pedal was needed.

OH has been to 2 matches today, but with few attending which was good. I decided to have a drive out with my camera and went to look at a couple of the 5 Langton villages near Market Harborough. They are in nice area and have some nice old houses and I have only just driven through before. I got a few photos, but the sun went in by the time I got there!

The toilet button stuck when I got back and I had a moment's panic when I heard running water. I jabbed it a few times, but it seemed to take ages for the water to stop running. :-S

The older children are wanting more grown up gifts now then Mandy. I bet Lacey was wanting to try her bicycle indoors, I remember my brother trying to ride his in the lounge! I am so out of touch I had to look up the Nintendo Switch and it looks like it will keep Lewis occupied for a long while! lol. I bet he's already more tech savvy than I am. :-)

Ah that's nice your OH remembering the birdies Vera. I hope you soon feel less tired. I think being out of routine with sleep and what we eat at Christmas doesn't help. Our delivery drivers unload and can be driving away before we realise they've been sometimes! I still wipe down what goes in the fridge or will be used shortly, but the rest is kept on it's own for a few days. I was beginning to wonder whether to do less, but this latest variant is much more infectious and it would just be my luck that the picker or driver had coughed or sneezed close to the food! Our drivers don't all wear masks and not all get symptoms do they.

Having searched high and low without success yesterday, I was pleased to find my hat pattern and wool for it all in a bag together today, so that is my next project. :-)

Yoiu've got him well trained Vera and I hope you hav'nt done too much today to put your poor back some.

I had a Vera night last night staying awake till 5.45am and then dozing for three hours so I should sleep tonight. I have the big wipe down tomorrow.

I think its time to make us a cupa now and have a sit down as I have taken all the decs down this afternoon. Just the tree to be packed away tomorrow and we are back to a dreary kitchen to match the weather.

Anng I would be with you with the eclair SIL can keep the vanilla slice.

That jigsaw sounds very appropriate AnnG and I expect the young lady will be pleased when you tell her what you bought.

Tesco arrived dead on time and I have finished the wiping down and my back is even more sore at the moment but it’s best to keep moving with rests in between I think. I was pleased as it was a big order but there was nothing missing and only one sub which was an acceptable one. There were three things on the order that were shown as short dated. Two were going straight in the freezer anyway so that was fine. The other one was a lettuce that was best before tomorrow. I know it will be OK for several days yet but I rarely eat lettuce and OH is still finishing the one we got 10 days ago. I was unsure whether to keep it or not but the driver solved the problem for me by saying ”You keep the lettuce but I will refund it”.

I managed to do 3 loads of washing and clean the basins in the bathrooms this morning. Unusually for us we had our main meal at lunchtime today so no cooking for either of us to worry about tonight. A sandwich or cheese and crackers will do fine. I’m now resting on the bed with a couple of pillows behind my back, and I’m just going to watch last night’s episode of Call the Midwife. Oh, and here comes OH with a cup of tea for me. If it weren’t for the pain I could get used to this life ;-)

Afternoon all.
A showery day today so walking is out of the question. We left here around 0945 and drove again through the cross country winding narrow lanes and forest. We actually passed loads of huge trees uprooted, tall trees, mostly fir and really shallow rooted. I did see one smaller tree precariously balanced against the roof of a house. Probably waiting fir a tree surgeon to remove it.. we finally got on the A590 at Newby Bridge and headed to Beetham garden centre for coffee and cakes. Daughter and I had eclairs and SiL has a vanilla slice. Had a look round the GC and I found a jigsaw with a Cockapoo on it to buy with the voucher that Joe’s daughter gave me fir Christmas. It seemed most appropriate. We drove back here for lunch on the way seeing a double rainbow. One of them was really strong and so beautiful. After lunch we read and I watched Emmerdale. It stayed dry all afternoon so we had a good view of the lake in the distance.

It looks like most of the other apartments have been vacated now I suppose they were just here for a walking holiday over new year.

Morning Vera and all,

Now woken with a bit of a thick head. Its dull and dreary but dry I think. Bit of a breeze as I can see the trees moving. Pc says 9 degrees.

I must have dropped off again last night so I suppose I have had about four hours in all. won't feel like doing much today but I have loads of ironing to do.

Morning all

It’s horrid when you can’t sleep Mel. I hope you managed to doze off in the end. I slept fairly well but was awake before 7 am. At the moment I feel exhausted all the time even though I am hardly doing anything. When I got up this morning lights were on downstairs and I had heard OH moving around but he was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly he came in from the garden. He had been filling the bird feeders. Well, that’s a first! He doesn’t normally notice they need doing. Bless him, he has been so helpful while I’ve been a bit crocked up.

Your OH has been in the wars a bit Ann. I hope his dodgy elbow and his side aren't too sore. You had a few subs in your order again then. I have a Tesco delivery today so I’ll be interested to see whether I get many subs. As long as we are not self isolating Tesco drivers will carry the goods through to the kitchen for us at our request but so far we’ve managed with OH transferring the stuff to our bags at the door. I’m not looking forward to today’s wipe down. I still do it for most stuff but I wonder every time if it’s really necessary.

I hope your plasterer rings you in the next day or two Gill and you can get moving with your bathroom.

I think it was an A35 that OH had when I first met him. I remember our first car with power steering was a Talbot Solara. It was heaven after the heavy old Hillman Minx I had been used to.

Well, I suppose I had better have some breakfast and get some washing on. OH is going to change the bedding for me. I hope you all have a good day.

Can't sleep.........................................

Half your luck Mel, I recorded Call the midwife and Sky said it had failed so I'm going to watch it on catch up tomorrow as we're just about to watch the pottery throw down.

Yes, I'm hoping the plasterer does ring us and can do the job at the end of next week, then we can call OH's friends uncle to put the bathroom in, he's already given us a quote and said to call him when we're ready. His friend's dad put our back door in. It's handy knowing people isn't it? ;-) ;-)

I'm hoping this year is going to be better getting hold of workmen as last year was terrible and we're getting fed up of living in one room even though we've sort of got used to it. It's like living in a bedsit.

Well, I'd better go, OH's waiting to watch the programme.

O that sounds like good news Gill and I hope he does come and you get the plastering done. One step at a time and you will soon be able to carry on your good work.

Iv'e had a nthing sort of day today and don't seem to have done anything except feed things. First the chickens and bantam, then the wild birds, then oh and myself, then the chickens and bantam again not forgeting Phil pheasent each time and then tea. I watched The Pottery show Down and Mary Queen of Scots and now I am going to have a quick shower and watch Call the Midwife.

Sending love to those who are not on here. <3 and I hope you all sleep well tonight and that Vera feels a lot better tomorrow.

Gill that will be good if he does phone and you get the bathroom plastered.
And it will be lovely if you can get on here more often.

Vera sorry you have not had a good day hope tomorrow will be better. Nice to face time son and family plus Buster.

Ann yes, my first car was the A35, a long gear stuck and double de clutch into gear. T’s first car or our first actually only before I passed my test, was an Austin 7 with cable brakes and a windscreen wiper that stopped he he accelerated too hard.

Yes better to face things that are emotional than avoid them. It was mixed feelings I had, happy memories and sad they won’t be repeated.

Oh yes Mandy all the lovely chrome. Power steering was fantastic when we first had it, although I am sure learning on cars without it taught us to keep our hands properly on the steering wheel and not cross our hands going round corners and roundabouts. And therefore having better control.

I forgot to say they also had the Bluebird display at the museum

We have just had our second Christmas pudding, this one was a year old. Cynth gave it to me last year.

OH's chest infection has cleared up after the doctor gave him a second dose of antibiotics, he went back to work last night instead of Monday when he sick note ran out so he must be feeling better. Everyone at his work said they were pleased to see him back as the agency workers were useless. He's got a weeks holiday booked for the week after next if they don't take it off him like they've done with the last two times he's tried to book holidays. He lost two weeks holidays last year and doesn't get paid for them which isn't very fair.

We have some good news OH bumped into one of the fella's who put our new back door in and while they were chatting he told him we were having problems getting workmen and needed a plasterer. As luck would have it he's working with a plasterer so he rang him while OH was with him and he said he could plaster our bathroom either next Thursday or Friday and he would ring us on Monday or Tuesday to arrange it. I'm not holding out much hope of him ringing but if he does then we should be able to finally have our new bathroom put in and sort out the pipework in the kitchen. OH and I can put the kitchen in ourselves so at least we know that job will be done. I joked with OH before and said if the plasterer does turn up I'm locking him in until all the plastering is done LOL.

I've not long finished doing some more filler in the hall, I was hoping to finish in time fop Call the midwife but time got away from me so I've recorded it. I'm going to grab a drink now and settle down to watch the second of The Tourist, I watched the first one last night and now I'm hooked :-D

I'm hoping to get on here more often this year now most of the jobs we can do ourselves are almost finished. Take care everyone.

Anng the beef joint was from morrisons and we've had no trouble with them before they are usually lovely and tender but not this one .
Yes long bonnets on the old cars with lots of crome too ,but how lucky we are now to have power steering it was so hard to get round a corner having to really pull on the steering wheel.

Ann the children had all sorts ,for main presents from mum and dad Jake had clothes he's quite a tall young lad now ,Chelsea had trainers Nike airforce one ,Katie had a chrome book, Lacey had a new bicycle and Lewis had a Nintendo switch .
We bought them all a new coat and then lots of smaller presents , we bought Katie and Lacey some clay bead kits so they we're busy making things for Christmas day .

Vera that was nice to have facetime with family I'm glad covid didn't go through the house ,she did the right thing keeping in her room but it must have so hard for her especially at Christmas.
Poor old Buster he must have got really worked up to need them to lay with him .

Pottery throw down later I see its with a new presenter as the lady who did it last time and her name escapes me broke her leg, I will have to get if on catch up as I want to record Call the Midwife and watch something else .

Sorry you aren't very good today Vera. These things sometimes just need time don't they which is very frustrating, OH managed to bang his bad elbow today and lifting the shopping in has made his side sore, then he nearly knocked his glasses off on the side of the door. :-S Those Bull Mastiffs are big dogs aren't they. They had one at the Post Office where I took parcels to post in my job many years ago. You never even knew he was there behind the counter, but the postmistress said any sign of raised voices from a customer and he would lift himself up into view with his paws on the counter and bark. She said people would soon calm down and back away!

I don't think it is a proper risotto I make Mandy, more a kind of casserole of sorts with rice on the side! Once OH has mixed his rice in it looks like a risotto though! Did the younger children have any nice toys to show you? I can just imagine Max keeping an ear cocked ready to make a move when the children do in case he misses out. :-) I was wondering whether to start clearing things away today and might see if OH agrees tomorrow. I should have taken our wreath down before it got soaked.

The thing that surprises me about our old cars now AnnG is how narrow the tyres were compared with modern cars and how long most gear sticks were. I learned to drive in a Ford Anglia, but then drove dad's little Austin A35 van to his workplace for quite a few years. It had a crash first gear, so I learned to double declutch and with no interior mirror for a while and no side windows I had to learn to drive on wing mirrors which was no bad thing. When the battery went flat, I would have to get the cranking handle out to carefully start it. I expect going to the museum did have mixed memories for you, but better to just go I think rather than avoid places, and think how good it is that you made those nice memories together.

It was pouring with rain when the food arrived so the driver took our containers down to the van to unload our food and then put them in the porch. We got about half a dozen subs again, white bread for OH which he rarely eats, beef gravy mix instead of lamb and we don't eat beef, walnut, celery and sultana, instead of coleslaw and only one pack of Ibuprofen instead of 2. I had put down OH's usual quota of mullerice a few days ago, then forgot I'd done it when he asked me to order some different ones, so he has both now and they are taking a lot of space in the fridge! they also sent huge Romaine lettuce instead of Little gem so they are using half a shelf too! Never mind, at least we have plenty to eat so mustn't grumble.

Not having a very good day today but I’m not going to dwell on my problems. Onwards and upwards.......

It was nice weather this morning but it has been raining on and off since lunchtime. It’s still quite mild, about 10 degrees, but I think it is supposed to get much colder over the next few days.

For our dinner today I used some of the emergency food I had got in in case we couldn’t go to daughter at Christmas. We had a small joint of gammon which I roasted and followed that with an individual Christmas pudding each. It was very tasty.

We had a nice FaceTime call with son and his family this morning and were able to talk to all the girls. The eldest one is out of isolation now. Isolating her in her bedroom as soon as she had a positive lateral flow test was the right thing to do. It was miserable for her but no-one else in the family got it.

When we were FaceTiming we also had to say hallo to Buster. One or two of you might remember him from a few years ago on the Hobbies board, but for the rest of you he is an English Bull Mastiff. Son had to hold the phone where the dog could see us and we waved and shouted Hallo, Buster. He responded with a bark and then trotted away happy. Buster is a bit of a grumpy old man now. I think he is about 8 years old but they are not a long-lived breed. He is nearly 10 stone of muscle and he’s a complete wuss. He hates loud noises and was in quite a state with the fireworks on New Year’s Eve. Son said they only lasted about 10 minutes but he had to lay on the floor with Buster for a couple of hours, then dil took over for a little while and then her son had a spell with the dog. I don’t think anyone got much sleep.

One of my Xmas presents was an M & S voucher so I’m now going to look online and see what they’ve got to tempt me. Enjoy what’s left of the day and sleep well tonight everyone.

So annoying Mandy when beef is tough was it from a butcher or supermarket? Might be worth complaining.

Yes Amber does have a lot of energy but she was very good yesterday evening after her walk yesterday and today before they left she just wanted stroking, not playing with.they left to go home to Cockermouth at about 11.45;so we were then able to go out.

The motor museum was interesting - I have been there before as it is about tepee minutes walk from what was our timeshare. As you say Ann lots of cars we either owned or recognised , I had forgotten how long the bonnets of some cars were. A Cortina looked huge.

There were lots of memories in that area of course so mixed emotions being there.
As we drove home the evening sun decided to show itself and the trees and lake were all lit up so it was a beautiful drive. Hairy though. T used to hate the road we travelled on, single track in places so hoping for no traffic in the opposite direction.