General Chat

Hi all,

Haven't read any posts, Just to let you know we are home safe and sound. WE MANAGED to pack the car, and leave room for ME !!!! We were on the road by 11.30. The M5 was horrendous. Rain all the way to Bristol with traffic moving at between 5 and 20 miles an hour. We stopped for a beautiful bowl of soup. I had tomato and Ros Mushroom. Both HOME MADE and absolutely delicious we had a toasted sandwich with it. It was enough to sustain us for the rest of the journey. We arrived home at 4.30.

Both absolutely shattered, we have unpacked most of the bags, the rest can wait till the morning. Washing machine has been on. That can go on the rads. tonight. More washing tomorrow.

We has an Indian delivery tonight. so I am feed and watered (beer in my hand as I speak) and will be going to bed shortly. Oh how I am looking forward to my own bed. We will sleep till we wake up tomorrow. (If that makes sense)

Will be back to slaving over a hot stove again tomorrow.

Will read posts tomorrow. Good night all.

We hav'nt heard from Frank today. I wonder if they have come home today and we willhear from him tomorrow?

Just watched the film Albert Nobbs with Glen Close. It was quite sad.

We HAVE heard from our Frank Mel, he posted 2 hours before and just under your last post to say he was safely home now and would catch up with posts tomorrow!! lol. Are you off to Spec*avers soon!! :-) :-) ;-) ;-)

I love your fairy with the smile that seems to say (to me anyway) 'I know a secret and I'm not telling you'. She's brilliant!! Your Christmas tree is quite big now isn't it. I wondered what Santa's pants looked like but daren't go there. :-0

I will catch up tomorrow too.......off to bed now.

Morning all and evening Kim,

Do you know what? I always go to the page before and make sure there are no posts I have missed and I am sure Frank's posts was'nt there when I posted mine. I always look for the picture. Very Strange............

Morning all

Frosty here all the grass is white again. The sun is out to, so hopefully the frost won't be here for much longer.

I'm not sure where about in Devon we'd like to be Jane, just at the looking stage at the moment so any info on any areas would be a great help. I would like a pretty looking place, don't ask me why but I've always been drawn to places that are double fronted or have pretty front gardens.

The one thing OH and I don't like is being overlooked in the back garden we like our privacy, so if there was fields behind that would be wonderful, or if not fields then bungalows.

We like the idea of a Village but Sandra likes lots of shops which is making it difficult to decided. So maybe somewhere quiet with a good bus route to shops that are not to far away. We don't want much do we lol and our budget is quite small so I doubt I'll find anywhere to cover everything we'd like. Our budget can only go up to around £185,000, like I said not much.

Luckily we don't really need three bedrooms anymore, although that would be nice incase our youngest daughter ever came to visit. We like places that need work doing on them so if there's anything that's a bit shabby we love those, so long as it has a roof and safe electrics we're happy to take on any work needed to modernise it. Every place we've had has needed kitchen's and bathroom's so we're used to that.

At the moment we're just looking at different areas and seeing what they have to offer and of course the house prices. I think we'd prefer Inland rather than right by the sea. Once we know a bit more about each area we can then decide which one will suit all three of us. Sorry it's a bit vague at the moment Jane.

OH said to say thank you to you and everyone else for all your help, he really appreciates it <3.

Nice to hear you got back safely Frank and that there was room in the car for you lol. I remember the M5 when we used to visit my sister in Plymouth, we would get on at the start and then hours and hours later we'd be right at the other end of it. The traffic was bad then, so I can imagine what it's like now with even more traffic to contend with. At least you're home now and can relax. Did you find any nice bungalows for yourself while you were down there.

I didn't get the pics of your tree or Santa's pants Mel, I'd love to see them please

Going to get a cuppa now
BBL

Half way through making more sausage roll for his holyness by special request........ <3

Just having a coffee and he came in early from ringing and there's me thinking I could surprise him. :-(

Sent it Gill.

Just made 24 sauages rolls and 9 jam tarts.

Oh has eaten 5 already.

Afternoon all,

Well it's back to the grind stone for me. I have prepared dinner for this evening.
Leg of lamb, roast parsnips, roast potato's, runners, peas carrots, cauli (in cheese sauce) (you must try it JANE !!!) and Brussels. My back is aching standing out there half the morning.

Very heavy frost here also, but starting to clear, but no doubt it will be back later.

I am so annoyed with myself. !! I sent a letter of complaint to Tesc# about Ros's Hudl. It will only hold a charge for an hour. The local store insisting we have a receipt or they won't do anything. I bought it from Tesc# Direct. Informed Customer Services, with the order No. and date of purchase. Now I can't find the sent email and the date I sent it, so I can refer to it with MY NEXT COMPLAINT. I have been through all my deleted and sent emails for November/December. When I type in the box to find email to people or companies, it flashes up a few to Tesco, then dis-appears. I am ready to throw the computer through the window.

Another great thing has happened. I BOUGHT Ros a new Hairdryer as part of her Christmas presents. She washed her hair this morning, and opened it, only to find it has THE FOREIGN TWO PIN PLUG ON IT. and I can't find an adapter BUM BUM BUM !!!

Gill, I think if you go on line for" Estate Agents in Devon" You will find there are quite a few. All will have instructions of "What Area, how many bedroom, prices from and too". and radius of what Town or Village you put in your search. "ZOOPLA" are one that comes to mind. Worth a try.

No we didn't look around for bungalows, as I said it's pie in the sky at the moment. So many things to consider in our lives up here,

I see you are all looking to get the decorations down. We will leave ours till Tuesday, as we have only just finished unpacking from our trip.


Catch you all later.
The mist is starting to come down here, So I expect fog and frost tonight.

Thanks Mel, I like your Santa's pants, your fairy looks comfy on top of your tree and very happy with her smiley face.

You've just reminded me to make some more sausage rolls, OH asked for some last night and I'd completely forgotten. Just doing Sunday lunch now, running a bit late today, so will make them later along with some small quiches I still have in the freezer from Christmas.

I'm sure you're OH was surprised and obviously appreciates it if he's eaten 5 already ;-)

Sorry Frank just noticed your post.

You're not having much luck on your return home, hope you find everything you're looking for.

Thanks for the advice on looking for properties, I have been looking but don't know much about the areas, I'm a bit worried about moving into a bad area. We were warned away from an area in Wales by a local which we were looking at a few years ago and yet it looked a lovey place, so having a bit of local knowledge is worth having.

I wouldn't mind, but it was the estate agent who was encouraging us to move to this bad area. I think they take advantage of the fact we're not local, so try to sell properties they are having problems selling to people who aren't aware of the area.

Better go and put lunch on now
BBL

I know all about those coach transfers Jane, when we went to Tenerife it took over an hour to arrive at our hotel so we decided not to bother on the way back and booked a cab, it took ten minutes.

Have you tried one of those daylight bulbs in your lamp when doing the puzzle, I have one in the art room and it is so much better to see by than the normal light bulbs.

Talking of lights popping Mel, did you see years ago Jan Leeming reading the news and a light went, she jumped out of her skin must have thought terrorists had invaded the BBC.

That's what I would go for Gill if I ever move, a house that needs updating, it would be cheaper too. Can't understand people who want to move in to something already done, I suppose most people don't have the time.

Good to see you are home safe and sound Frank, it's lovely going away but oh so nice to get home again. I'm going to do liver and bacon for dinner tonight with really thick gravy you could hang wallpaper with.

Afternoon all,

Very frosty here this morning and it's still hanging about where the sun hasn't been .

Mel, i love Santa's pants :-D they are just right for holding jars and bottles of some thing .
I bet the birds loved the ring of seeds .
Sausage rolls go down a treat when they are still warm from the oven , that's just what hubby would do eat several like your OH. :-D

Glad you got home ok Frank ,i bet it was nice to get in your own bed and not have stairs to climb.
What a devil about the new hair dryer !! those two pin adapters don't cost much ,you can get them in the supermarkets ,but i bet you find yours after buying another .
Maureen i had to smile about the gravy :-D i don't like watery gravy it's got to be nice and thick for me too, i haven't done liver and bacon for ages if i do it it has to be lambs liver ,the pigs liver is to strong for us .

Well it does look bare here now all the cards and decs are gone ,hubby took the outside lights down this morning ,i carn't put them away in the boxes until they dry , they had ice on them when he brought them in !!

Chicken and bacon pie for us tonight with lots of veg and a nice Lemon Cheescake for pud too.

Afternoon Everyone.
I haven't stopped yet today.(Well I have now :-D).Christmas is over and everything packed away.Just have to let the Wreath and outside lights dry before bagging them up to go in the loft.All hoovered and the list of cards received done.Just the garland and light on the mantlepiece left.I just want to keep them for much longer as they look so nice over the fire.Chris tutted lol when he said I had forgotten them.He can't understand why I still want them up.
Chris went on one of his walks this morning and said he had trouble standing up on the roadside because of all the Black Ice.The fog hasn't cleared at all today and it is now getting really thick again.It's freezing :-S.I meant to light the fire earlier but was so busy I forgot so it has just started going now.Hopefully it will warm up soon.I have put a bottle of red wine on the hearth ready for the boys tonight to have with the Steak.
James is upstairs ironing !!!!!!.Getting everything ready for his holiday.Just think no washing of his to do for a week :-D

Maureen I remember the last coach transfer we had in Italy .The driver dropped two ladies off at the wrong place.!!!I think it should have been the village /town further on.
So we were held up when the courier did a head count and realised what had happened.Lots of phone calls etc trying to arrange for taxi to pick them up again and take them to the right hotel.I did feel sorry for them.I think it took us lost 3 hours to get to our Hotel for the airport :-S :-S.We were the last drop off.

Gill I do think you are being very brave moving to a new area and OH having to find a new job.it is a big step !!!Right move is a good one to look at(but I am sure you must know all these sites :-D
Have a look at South Hams in Devon.I think there is list of all places in the South Hams.

I will send my number in a minute .
The fog looks like it is getting even thicker :-S :-S

Frank back to the oven then I see :-D.....I do love cauliflower cheese .Just not with a roast.I love it with fish and sausages :-D
Have you looked in your TRASH for your lost email to Tes**..They should be better than this I think,especially knowing there is a problem with the hudl.
Fancy having a 2 pin plug on the hairdryer !!!!!.....That is bad.Maybe it was in a batch that was supposed to be destined for Europe.
Bet is is good to be home now.At least you had no bother with your boiler not working.

I think I need a warming cup of tea now.Chris just came in from the summerhouse and put his hands on the back of my neck...They are like ICE

I've said it before, I would only ever buy food from Tesco, definitely nothing electrical, even a top my daughter bought that shrunk they argued that she had washed it at the wrong temperature, wrong person to argue with though, the same as my son who wouldn't leave the store until he had spoken to the manager, he bought a laptop which had smoke coming out of it after a couple of uses. I don't know where they get it from, I get too embarrassed and go all red and hate confrontation.

Love to see the pics of Hannah's holiday when you get them Jane. I'm waiting for pics of Christmas my daughter took will send a few when I get them.

Not long now Mandy, a new baby grandson, have they picked out a name yet?

Thanks for the lovely photos Jane, how long has Hannah gone for?

Sounds like Tesc*'s isn't a very good place to buy from, apart from food that is. I've never bought anything other than food from there and after hearing all the mis-haps everyone's had I don't think I'll bother.

Yes Jane I think we must be mad moving and hopefully finding a new job, but it's quite exciting. We've already lived all over the place so are quite used to it, but this will be our biggest move as it's so far away.

The only problem we've got now is that OH heard through the grapevine yesterday that his hours in work are going up. The boss hasn't told him yet and he doesn't know how many new contractual hours he's going to gain, so he's not sure weather to stay put and save a bit more money towards the move or to go as soon as possible.

I have, however, found a website called Knowhere.co.uk which has locals talking about their areas, (good and bad) which is very helpful. It does rely on the locals actually posting things on the site, so some areas have more info than others. Very interesting none the less and covers the whole of the UK.

Thanks Jane for the further info. I'll take a look after I've sent this. Have you heard from Hannah yet, is she feeling any better, hope she's having a good time. I like the pic you've just sent me, lovely sunset. What a beautiful place India looks.

Going to get another cuppa now, been so thirsty today :-S

Just looked up South Hams Jane, very informative and there's a really good map, this will make life a bit easier. It's so difficult to find the right place when you don't know where to start. Thank you so much for all your help <3 <3.

With this new information, the knowhere guide, and the property web sites, I should find something pretty soon.

Going to take a further look now and drink my cuppa :-) Thanks again

Maureen ,Hannah has gone for 2 weeks.I more week to go.They seem to be having a great time.
Gill I think Hannah is fine now thanks.No more mention of waterworks troubles :-D.It was horrible the first couple of days she was away .Getting phone calls from her saying things were still not right.It made me worry ,and then worry more knowing there was nothing I could do lol..Blooming kids they are always a worry no matter how old they are :-)
That sunset was amazing wasn't it..I hope everyone has got the pics I sent.It just looks such a beautiful and peaceful part of India where the girls are.Which is just what they wanted.
Glad the South Hams thing has been helpful Gill.Like I said I am no help on other parts of Devon .One other place I wondered about is Saltash/and area.It is just across the Tamar Bridge from Plymouth into Cornwall.Might be worth having a look.
What a dilemma now with your OH's hours at work !!!I suppose he will be worried about signing a contract for however so many more months!.
Can you ask people questions on this Knowhere site?I imagine that might be very helpful.
I think I might just get things on the go for dinner.

Evening All,

Frost and fog here most of the day too. OH has started with a hacking cough which doesn't bode well for our trip to the cinema on Tuesday to see Kon Tiki. :-S He might be sucking throat sweets all through it. :-) Well Christmas is all packed away here too. Why do things never seem to pack away without 'something' that won't fit in the boxes! I think a good hoovering is needed now, but that can wait till tomorrow. I nearly gave the microwave a good clean yesterday while I did the cooker, then remembered the new one will be delivered tomorrow so no point!! I would have been so cross if I hadn't remembered and it was spotless for chucking out!

Thanks for the pics Jane. It does look nice, but it doesn't make me want to go! lol. Hannah is certainly adventurous with her hols.....The Andes last year, India this year! That crime series is on the S*y CI or CI +1 channels in the mornings at about 9.00am or 10.00am. It's good the boys are not forgetting Johnny's mum. A young man around here tried to drive some big farm machinery onto the motorway to commit suicide but the police managed to stop him in time. I thought about James's friend as this young man had phoned and phoned a psychriatric unit for over 2 weeks before his attempted suicide but they couldn't help him. What a sorry state of affairs when people feel desperate.

Oh dear Frank, what a nuisance about the receipt and email. Have you checked whether you saved it in a folder on your emails?

Gill, we liked Salcombe in South Devon and stayed there a few years ago. It would be too busy with tourists to want to live there though and the property very pricey I would think. Don't forget that not everywhere has piped gas in Devon. It's always worth checking what broadband reception is like before you consider buying as well. I told OH that people on the thread were looking to move to Devon and he said 'are we moving there too then?' lol.

Maureen, I like liver with a nice thick onion gravy, preferably lamb's liver like Mandy. :-) I had a nice jacket potato with salad at teatime with some lovely creamy avocado. I did more sausage rolls yesterday too.......none left today and I only had 2! He says he's helping my diet!! lol. :-)

Not stopping as Foyles War will be on soon.

I have been watching football in the conservatory. I've had my fleece on and the heater. With all that glass the radiator can't cope.

Thanks for all the photo's Jane/Ruby. It looks like Hannah is doing fine now. Ruby you certainly find things to do !!!

Good luck with your search Gill.

Liver and Bacon, NOW YOU ARE TALKING, in the oven with nice thick gravy. Oh I can taste it now. ~!!! Mum use to do that every week during the war. Offal was something to could get. I love stuffed hearts also. !!!

See you in the morning.