General Chat

Ann its because I have the spoken word books. I can listen to them while I do the lunch or cooking and wahsing up. Its the only time I really get to read as it were books. I like all the old fashioned ones without mentions of mobile pohones and cars etc. Give me a horse and carriage any day and I am happy. I like the whafes (sp) and stray ones too.

We had a homemade chicken curry tonight for dinner. Nice and easy.

Oh yes, PAS was brilliant when it came in wasn't it Mel. Steering and parking was so heavy and awkward especially on a hot day. I remember being thrilled when I got my Simca in 1975 as it had disc brakes!! Cars have come a long way haven't they. What a game trying to book your boosters, but much better to get them together if you can as you say. The Borrowbox sounds worth a try as it's free and you don't want to be paying to borrow a book you may not like. I wonder if our libraries have started charging to borrow?

Borrowbox not Book Box

I am sorry to hear you jhad another bad night Vera and hope you can get some well earned sleep tonight.

I have always been sad to see my old cars go. The first one brought me down here to Devon poor old girl. The second was mums ford which she passed over to me and the next was my dear old Rover when I got the one I have now. I missed them all but when the ford was sold Stuart did it up and sold it to a man taking it to Ireland. He brought it down here before it went and I had another drive of it and then I was glad it had gone as the steering was soooooooo heavy and it was only an escort but the Rover had PAS.

Iv'e had an awful day trying to book our boosters and it ends up we both have to go to Barnstaple to the drop in center as we both want to go together. That all took most of the morning and then I had to go to the library and it was'nt Julie's van so she did'nt know where anything was. She had selected me 4 books two of which I took and I selected two more. The down side is we now have to pay for them and they have gone up again and are now £2.75 each so I parted with my £11 but she also told me about a Book Box which you go through the library with your email address and a password and you can listen to the books for free so I may try that.

I feel worn out doing nothing today :-|

Afternoon All,

Dull and gloomy but dry here.

The maps show cases in the Midlands lower than a lot of other places now and where we are they have dropped the last 2 weeks. That doesn't mean cases aren't high though as they have been quite high throughout the pandemic.

AnnG I have been sad to see all but one of my cars go, so it isn't stupid at all. I would find it strange to have no car outside though. It's just another big decision to make on top of lots of changes, but in a week or two without the responsibility of it I think you will feel better.

Today we took the parcel to drop off, but apparently it wasn't at the place we thought as there is another newsagent at the bottom of the same hill. OH whizzed in and out and then to get milk at the Co-op across the road as there was no-one in there. Then we went to the next village to pick up our meds from the pharmacy. They were putting Christmas lights up in the trees and as I sat there it made me think. Three vehicles all with engines running and a cherry picker and 3 men to do the job. That wouldn't have happened in the 60s, yet those trees were still lit up.

Oh Vera it does make you despair doesn't it! :-S Sadly they are not alone in getting the wrong idea either. Sorry you are feeling grotty today and I hope you have a better night tonight. What a shame your son's family have now been in contact with family with the virus. It's a palaver all the testing then isn't it. I hope they don't get it as well.

Mel I hope you managed to get through and book your booster. What a nuisance you had missing envelopes from those cards. At least you found out in time to order some though which is good. OH's is at the racecourse tomorrow afternoon.

Still no sign of the windowcleaner!

Strange we are hearing of more cases on here although thankfully nobody seems to be seriously ill and yet I keep reading the number of new cases is going down! Certainly in Gloucester itself (large university and large college), the case have gone up this week. So I suppose there must be an area where the cases are going down a lot.

Good morning everyone

11 degrees with a sky full of grey clouds. The paving is all very wet so I think there must have been some rain as well.

I'm feeling a bit grotty this morning so won't be on here for long. I've not slept much for the last two nights and it has caught up with me today, so my eyes are sore, my head's aching and I'm a bit grumpy.

Son was telling me on the phone yesterday that he, his wife and his youngest daughter had been with his wife's sister recently and now the sister and all her family have gone down with Covid. Thankfully they don't seem to be very ill but son and family have all had to be tested. Son's came back as negative but his wife and daughter were still waiting for their results.

I hope you got through to the surgery Mel and have now got your booster booked.

Have a good day everyone.

Morning Anng and all,

Grey clouds i the sky but not too cold htis morning pc says 12 degrees and cloudy.

Its library today so I must'nt forget as I have heard all my books except one which I don't think I am going to like anyway. Its read by a man who hasd an American voice and I don't find that relaxing.

Got my Christmas cards out yesterday to see if I needed anymore and I think I could be ok for this year. I bought some from the hospice shop a couple of years ago, nice cards with Robins on and a pack of 10 which when I opened them to use them there were 10 cards and NO envelopes. They are square cards so I have had to buy some from Amazon. I can't keep keeping the cards so some of you will be getting them this year as long as I have ordered the right size onblops.

I must away as I aldso have to ring the surgery to see if I can get an appointment for our booster together, wish me luck in getting through please?

good morning all 11 degrees quite mild but still grey. slept well up just after 7am. (although not dressed yet.)

No Vera I probably am not stupid, it is a sensible decision and probably one a lot of people my age should make. But I felt, I was silly to be upset when I was doing something I wanted to do. Maybe stupid isn't the word, just nostalgic maybe. /when I looked out of my kitchen window, I could see my car and it always reminded me of T because he drove it to and from golf. when I looked out just now it was as if he was at golf because the car wasn't there. Gosh the experiences and feelings we have to go through in these circumstances. T always did say I think too much, maybe he was right.I will get over it.

This afternoon is the meeting here of the garden interests group so I hope it doesn't turn cold as the window and doors will be open. I know we are all double jabbed and I think most have had the booster as well. there will be ten of us as one has had another appointment crop up. So anyway a morning of tidying and cleaning and shifting chairs. :-)

Just love the angels Mandy made. They are really pretty.

You weren't stupid at all feeling sad at getting rid of your car AnnG. It's quite understandable; it's a link with your past. I'm sure you have done the right thing. Any money you get from the sale of the car and any you save from tax, insurance, fuel, servicing etc. can now all go towards taxis when you need them. Your bus service sounds a great deal better than ours as well so I am sure you will be fine.

I'm sorry to hear that your family have now been affected with this horrid virus Mandy, but it's good that none of them seem unwell at the moment. I hope it stays that way.

Our friends M & V went round to call on another couple as it was the husband's birthday. Another friend turned up as well so there were 5 of them indoors. The lady of the house mentioned she was having a cataract operation the following day. M said "Shouldn't you be self isolating?" to which she replied "I am". M then pointed out that she was entertaining visitors to which the answer was that it was OK as she was doing as she was told and staying in! Her husband had been out and about and they had had people coming in. This is a couple of normal, average intelligence but they genuinely did not understand that neither of them should be mixing with anyone else during a period of self-isolation, nor could they be convinced of it. Makes you despair doesn't it?

I did sort out my box of Christmas stuff. There were all the usual baubles, lights, etc that I have been using to decorate the tree for years and I found some wrapping paper and several gift tags but there were only 2 unused cards from last year and one of those didn't have an envelope. I usually get my cards from Cards for Good Causes who normally have a space in the library but I haven't seen them in town this year. I'd better get moving and buy some quick.

It's still quite warm and we had a dry spell in the middle of the day but it's wet again now. Fingers crossed for a dry day tomorrow.

Well Martyn has taken my car to the garage plus all the service reports, log book etc. Stupidly I felt quite sad watching him drive it away, I felt it was another piece of my past life disappearing.. A bad week for me to do it I suppose still it is done now.

I have been writing Christmas letters most of the morning to go in with cards and am now about to start writing some cards.

Mandy I hope the family will all be ok and its good son is home with them all. My arm only hurtd a bit when I reach it out for something other than that is ok. Its only like a bit of a bruise so not too bad thank you.

Bit drizzle here to now and really miserable but not that cold 14 degrees.

Ann I have replied to your email.

Afternoon all,

Very grey here and we've had a little drizzle this morning .

Well yesterday son, dil and all the children did a home test ,dil had a faint line on hers so son took her to the testing station that comes into town twice a week ,Lacey was tested dil was tested and son thought he'd test too ,this morning his came back clear dil was positive and Laceys couldn't be read so he had to take her to Fakenham this morning to do another test .
Dil is now isolating for ten days ,they won't let son work and told him to test each day and see how things go ,they decided to keep Lewis home and they won't let Jake continue with his extra learning course so he's home too .
The other two girls are going to school but they are testing each day too .
They all seem fine though with no symptoms.
I did a little shopping for them this morning and just dropped it off at the door and left although as son said he could go out ,they are having a couple of home deliveries in a
couple of days so that will keep them going .

I have noticed that more people have gone back to wearing masks ,I've never stopped wearing them and sanitising the trolley and my hands but some people just sail in the shop and don't bother .

Ann thats good you managed a little sleep last night I take it you haven't heard when the scan will be .
That's a nuisance having to get up early and unlock in case the window cleaner comes ,pity he couldn't text you the day before then you'd know when he's coming .

How's your arm today after your flu jab Mel .

Morning All,

The ground's wet here but it is mild so we haven't had heating on yet. I got 2 spells of sleep last night so feel better for it. The windowcleaner still hasn't been so that's 3 mornings OH has been up early to unlock the gate for nothing.

Yes, people are bound to wonder about the West's with something like that happening in the area aren't they AnnG. It's a good idea to write some of your cards on a day like this.

I wonder if Vera is sorting through her bits from the garage?

How is your jabbed arm today Mel? I soon make a mess around the computer what with swapping my paint stuff around. The new lady teacher is wanting us to buy paint boards that are so big, but I have no space to use them if I still want to be able to see my screen and paints! I was thinking about Mandy's family and hoping they are all feeling well. They have had to close some schools here again for a while due to the numbers with covid.

I have packed the little christmas tree I got ready to return it. I decided the branches were too floppy to hold the ornaments I want to put on it, plus it was so thin near the top it made it seem much smaller than my other one. There are supposed to be amazon 'drop off' lockers at a nearby garage and newsagent (haven't used them before) so OH will drop it off before the weekend.

Morning Anng and Vera and all,

Looks wet out there and a bit grey too like at yours Vera. 12 degrees here thisd mroning so far.

Nothing planned for me today but I have a bit of ironing to do and there's always dusting and hoovering to do. My desks a mess too so I think thats on the cards for today too.

Hope Mandy's family are ok and it has'nt spread to the others. Thinking of you all Mandy. <3

Sending love to all who are not on here at the moment. <3

Good morning AnnG and all

Quite mild this morning at 11 degrees but it’s very wet. I have no plans for the day but I won’t be gardening that’s for sure. All this talk of writing cards and wrapping presents is making me feel very inadequate as I haven’t even bought a card yet. Perhaps I’ll get OH to get our box of Christmas bits and bobs from the garage so I can at least check if I have any cards left from last year.

good morning all. 11 degrees here but very grey and damp looking although not raining, Not too bad a night, slept until 3.30, got up for the loo then dozed off again until 5.30 then just dozed a bit more, not really sleeping until 6am As is often the case these days nothing planned, have to stay in in case car can be collected, depends on the work load at the garage. I will probably get some more Christmas cards written.

Thanks Ann hmm nothing to say it is connected to the West’s but every time something is found there are rumours, sometimes right sometimes wrong t time will maybe tell. Not nice for the people who live there. And I assume there will be searches to see if the West’s had any links with the area. The media will make the most of it I’m sure.

It was on my first page of my screen AnnG but has moved on now as it is rolling news. There's more about it here. though,

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/builders-dig-up-human-remains-in-garden-of-home-in-gloucestershire/ar-AAQvi5L?ocid=msedgntp