General Chat

I think that must be nice for you, Sylvia. Gets you out of the house and by going to the same place, you know people and can talk to them. Great idea. Hope you can continue to do it for a long time to come.

Linda - where is Feunteventura? I never was good at geography and although I have been around the world twice - I'm still not much wiser. I've never even heard of that one. Of course, if it has had a name change, I could be excused, but probably not.

Hello Berona and Sylvia

Strictly is Dancing with the Stars. It started off here, but was then franchised to lots of other countries under different names. It is the only show of its type which I watch, I don't watch any of the singing shows etc.

I don't change my clothes over aS such Sylvia because I have commandeered all of the wardrobes in the house, now we are on our own. The only thing I do is to change over my summer sandals for winter shoes on the rack in the utility room.

It has been so odd here that I have started off with a thin jumper, but have had to change into a t shirt for the afternoon.

I am going to sort my suitcase for Feurteventura today, although we don't go until Tuesday. It seems to be about 27 there, which will be very nice

Hi Berona


Yes, we do go out for coffee almost every afternoon.

OH has been retired for 10 years, but still has 2 offices out at the university, and goes in almost every day .................... but he comes home in time for us to have our regular visit in mid-afternoon.

and yes, we do usually go to the same place.

I used to walk to whichever was the favoured place, and he would meet me there, then we'd go home in the car.

Then our old favoured place went bankrupt, and the one we go to now is slightly further away, and he has had to take me in the car for about the last year as my leg has been so bad for much of the time.

I could ride the bus part way, and then walk about 4 blocks until my leg went, and could probably begin to do that again soon ......... then he'd meet me there as before, and bring me home in the car.

We meet some friends there .............................


this is the only "coffee" that I drink ................ actually I have soy latte, because I am dairy intolerant and just do not like black coffee.


It's actually a lovely day today ............... about 19C outside and sunny. But the temperature is down into the low teens overnight.


I changed over most of my summer tops for my lightweight winter ones earlier today ................. the winter ones are actually about the same weight as the summer ones, some are even lighter, but they have turtlenecks and long sleeves instead of low necks and short sleeves.

It's got a bit too chilly for bare arms :-)

Looks like everyone has gone again, but I'll say hello anyway!
Sylvia - your 'going out for coffee' intrigues me. Do you go out for coffee every day? and is it part of a 'walk'? also do you go to the same place for your coffee each time? I know I'm very inquisitive, but I have noticed how you seem to go out quite a lot just for coffee.

Another nice day started here. Now almost 9:30am and the sun is moving into my courtyard. Forecast is for a very warm day (abt 27) although I still found it necessary to don a cardigan, I will probably remove it soon.

We have "Dancing With the Stars" here. Is that the same as your "Strictly"? Starts with about a dozen qualified instructors partnering celebrities from all walks of life and one pair eliminated each week until they get a winner. Our current season starts this week. I like to see them gliding around the dance floor, dancing the way it used to be - rather than stand there and just shake. You don't even need a partner these days - just join the crowd on the floor!
I have particularly noticed tennis players. They look so awkward on the dance floor - I think it's because they tend to take big strides as they have to do on the court, but they look so ungainly. It's also lovely to see the costumes/ballgowns.

Good Morning Sue,

It is sad that some people are reluctant to mix and socialise. I think they miss out on so much.
I have always been the opposite, perhaps of my job, where you had to mix and socialise with everyone across the social scale - it was expected.

At sea you can hide behind the uniform - the uniform develops a personality of its own.
I still feel uneasy entering a room full of strangers in civilian life, but don't think I've ever been unsociable in company.

I've missed Linda :-( and Sylvia too :-(

Hope you are well Tec. Your visits with the Duchess must be so much easier now although still painful to leave her behind.

My mother seems to have no social skills at all. My parents never really mixed and I think my mother forgot how to make friends. She is very critical of anyone she meets and although she will accept a cup of tea with her new neighbours she doesn't return the hospitality.

Goodnight Linda - Enjoy your book

You will indeed Tec.

There is only so much sport I can watch, so I am off to read.

Hello upside down people when you surface, goodnight Tec

Bye for now Sylvia - enjoy your coffee :-)

Talking of coffee - suppose I'll have to make my own :-(

Enjoy your coffee Sylvia

Tec .................

I realise that, from comments you made before re the Duchess keeping herself to herself. That must have made it difficult for you for at times.

We just thought Mum was reserved ................... but no. It was quite the shock!



unless of course it was signs of dementia appearing 8-10 years before they actually did appear.



Hi Linda ...........

OH has just come home from a Celebration of Life, hence my absence


and we are just about to go out for coffee




so I'll say night night to you both


sleep well xxx

Hello Sylvia, have you been out for your coffee today?

Good Afternoon Sylvia,

It is a shame that your MIL had that attitude.

It isn't snobbery with the Duchess. She has never been able to make friends easily.
Always kept herself to herself.
I know the Christelton area of Chester very well. My aunt had a house there.

Linda I'm not surprised that you haven't had time for the garden with all the demands made on your time this year. Hopefully things will ease next year, and you can sort the garden out. It is amazing how quickly they turn into a jungle.

I did practically nothing in the garden this year with being away all summer, hopefully We will be here more next year

He Tec, and Linda



it's turned out to be a sunny day here ...........a bit chilly this morning!


OH's mother turned out to be a complete snob after she put herself in the home in Christleton ................ it was in an old building in the centre of the village that had been a Leonard Cheshire and then became a Seniors place.

We hadn't realised just how snobby she could be!




We knew she was reserved, and didn't make friends easily ............... but she refused point-blank to go and sit in any of sitting areas, or any other common space other than the dining room



That was her constant refrain at that place, and the next one she moved into.

"So many of them were our customers. I couldn't possibly be friends with them!"


............... and she didn't have any dementia problems at that time.


Pity ............... there were some wonderful people, especially in the Christleton place, that she would have really enjoyed ............. including an ex-diplomat who had travelled the world :-D

Lots are actually going in pots, because as I'm having one side of the garden cleared of so much stuff I can't plant them there.
There are already lots of bulbs on that side that will get dug up in the process.

I can plant some beneath the shrubs on the other side

So where are you going to put the bulbs?

I've always been slightly potty :-D

some might say weird, strange, eccentric, even insane,

I prefer potty :-D

Oh yes, I forgot you were a potty person

Who would want to watch a little man with a little stick whacking a little ball about a field? :-D

Life is too short :-D