General Chat

Afternoon all

It's been another grey day and quite cold. It’s supposed to get down to -4 tonight. Brrr..

Mandy, it sounds as though you have tried to do too much while you’re still under the weather. Try and rest more if you can.

AnnG, I don’t envy your grandson and his wife having all that work done in his house while coping with a small child and a baby. Is Inara as lively as ever? I bet she is getting excited about Christmas.

Mel, you must be spitting feathers about your surgery and jabs. Have you rung them yet? The more I hear about other people’s problems with gps and hospitals, the more I realise how good ours have been.

My back is still quite sore but not as painful as it was and I got a bit more sleep last night. I had my haircut this morning so that’s out of the way for 5 or 6 weeks. Now I am waiting for Sainsbury’s who should be here between 4 and 5 pm. Apparently I have 3 subs. 2 are sensible substitutions but 1 will have to go back as it has a honey glaze and I can’t take honey. The other one is definitely going back. I ordered some Stollen and they are sending me a Sticky Toffee Christmas Pudding. No, thank you.

I thought I had better just check the time of my ear appointment tomorrow as I couldn’t remember what time I had arranged. Good job I checked as it isn’t tomorrow at all. It’s on Thursday. I’m definitely getting dafter as I get older.

Sainsbury’s are here. Wipe down, here I come.

Afternoon all,

Dull and cold here so we lit the fire and finished wrapping the presents I then came over all heady and felt quite light headed ,Colin thinks I've been doing to much ,I have been doing a lot lately getting ready for Christmas so this afternoon I'm going to watch Dr Zhivago I like the music in it .

Glad you arrived OK Anng I bet it was nice to see the little ones even though Senua was a bit grumpy bless her .

Mel you were lucky to get this shopping slot I bet they are like gold dust now
Have you tried ringing the surgery again they might fit you in .

Good afternoon all. Another grey day here and only three degrees. Spent the morning looking after Inara and Senua who had just had her first injections. Baby was fine until not long before they were Collected but had about an hour grumpy. They have gone now. Problem is they are having a new kitchen put in and reconfigured with the dining room. Sub contractors have not proved to be very good and have everything g I.
N a mess so they are living in the bedrooms but, as you can imagine there is dust everywhere. And it is touch and go if it will be finished for Christmas.
And new from home, apparently the curtain polee over the front door fell down last night when Cynth
Pulled the curtains. So that has to be done when we go home.

Mel have you now contacted your surgery again, that is bad if them. Hi

Morning Alkl,

Well I wished you all a good sleep but I got up in the night, no idea what time but it was dark and the moon was shining in the west window of the bedroom, but do you think I could drop back off again. Iv'e just got up 10 mins ago so I must have had a little more sleep. Oh got up when I cam e back to bed.

Its my big wipe down today but they arenot coming till 4pm which is rather late really but I managed to cancel our order for today by trying to add soemthing to my order of thae other week. I did manage to get this later slot for the same day though which was a relief.

I rang Di last night and we had a long chat and she told me they went to Okehampton for their boosters but her SIL next door went on the 15th to Holsworthy drop in like we were supposed to go and by the time she got to the hall they had run out of vacine. So what happened next? SHE WENT TO BLACK TORRINGTON SURGERY ON SATURDAY AND HAD IT DONE THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our surgery who told me they did'nt have the fridge to keep the vacine in. I am so cross I could burst. :-| :-| :-|

Good to know you are safe and no hiccups along the way.

Sleep well you lot.

Snap AnnG. We posted at the same time. Glad you arrived safely.

Sorry sorry, no we were here by 1pm but it then got chaotic. Before we had unloaded the car that was heaving with bags and bags of presents, from me and from Hampshire, and had lunch, Inara and Senua plus Mum and later Dad, had srrived and stayed a couple of hours then it was unpack, have a drink, and a meal. Anyway the journey went well, traffic heavy But moving. Scenery up here unusual with low cloud and reflections on the nearest lake to where we are plus snow in pockets on the tops. Oh and zi had to charge my IPad and phone when we got here.

Nearly there with your present wrapping then Mel. I only have OH’s to wrap now.

I wonder what’s going on at your neighbours with the filming Ann. You do have an interesting group of people in your road.

I hope AnnG had a good journey up to her daughter’s. I am sure she’ll be in touch when she has time. I wonder if she has met the new baby yet.

My back was giving me so much trouble last night that I got hardly any sleep at all and have been like a zombie all day. I have managed to do some washing and cook our dinner but that’s all. OH changed the bedding for me, including a king size duvet cover. It seemed to take him ages and I could hear him muttering “there’s got to be an easier way”. Now he knows why I hate doing it.

We were supposed to be at a club meeting tonight with a buffet supper and a Secret Santa. I had been dithering whether to go or not so I was very relieved when it was cancelled. As that’s a couple of things that we have now missed I have 3 Secret Santa presents going spare.

I am getting my hair cut tomorrow and I will keep that appointment. The chairs are well spaced and they are only taking in a couple of people at a time. My hair’s got quite long and I want to get it cut now in case we go into lockdown again. I’ve also got a Sainsbury delivery tomorrow so I hope this back is easier before that arrives.

Our neighbour knocked with “Christmas Scones” that he’d cooked with his grandchildren on Zoom today. They were very tasty with cinnamon and cranberries. OH gave him a bottle of wine as a little thank you for all the treats we’ve had from him through the year.

I’m going to have a look at the crossword in today’s paper and then I might take some painkillers and try to get some sleep. I hope you all have a good night.

That's a good job done then Mel, with only Di's left to do. Yes I thought we may hear from AnnG later today. Maybe the journey was longer than usual, especially if there was any fog around. I'd forgotten it was the shortest day tommorow. That will be good with longer days to look forward to.

I haven't seen a Bullfinch around here for a few years now. The more they build houses, the more birds move out. Judging by all the Pigeons in the trees at the bottom this morning I think they have been telling their pals that bread scraps are available here. At least they can't balance to gobble the fat balls.

Yes I saw the horses and had never seen anything like those before and they were very realistic in their movements.

Finally got Em and everybodys presents done up just Di's to do now.

Tomorrow is the shortest day so it should start getting longer in day light hours.

Hope Anng has arrived safely. I thought we may have heard from her by now.

Forgot to say I had a scam email this morning supposedly from NHS for you to apply for a Covid Passport. The email address looked wrong to me but the rest with NHS logo looked very convincing.

OH is a devil for tempting me with the smell of toast Mel.......it's irresistible isn't it.

The shops at Colmar in France had some delicious looking treats. It all looked nice and olde worlde with the ancient buildings. Did you see the horse ride with Dorothy and Arthur. The movement was so realistic I thought it was brilliant.

OH loves Turkish Delight (nothing to tempt me there!) and Marzipan. He likes fruit jellies too.

I might do our Turkey on Christmas Eve next year Mandy. I'm tempted to try it, and It does make for a more relaxing day and much easier to time the meal too with the Turkey already being ready.

I've switched the wreath on and it's twinkling away on the front door now. I said to OH that if it's gone off by morning, it's either working as it should or it's been on all night and has flat batteries.

I see there's a David Attenborough prog at the end of December about the 5 Woolly Mammoths they've discovered in the Cotswolds.

Mandy you do get the crystilzed fruit in the shop but not a whole shop of them. They are expensive and I don't like them. Mum always bought them at Christmas and the petifors (sp) too but I make those now as well. I also stuff dates with almonds and roll them in coconut. I do take the srones out first !! and pop the nut in or you could use walnuts or marzipane.

I love the Devon and Cornwall programs.

Must get some lunch as I am running late today.

I must see if there are anymore devon and Cornwall programs I have missed.

Its very cold out even though theres no wind but a very chilly light breeze.

We had a Bullfinch visit under the birdbath eating the seeds off the Alchemilla Mollis. Oh spotted it when he was washing up so I tried to get a few pics but the dirty window did'nt help but I think I got a few which I will download later and send off. Now I must get on as oh wanted toast this morning and once he'd done his I could'#nt resist the smell so had some too with just butter on no marmalade.

Morning Mel ,morning all,

Not so foggy here this morning and it doesn't seem that cold out

Hope Anng is well on her way now and that the traffic is not to bad and the fog has lifted for them.

Yes Mel I watched the Devon and Cornwall programme we always watch them when they are on ,the Hockings ice cream was that the ice cream that you and Jane used to like .
We watched Dick and Angel too ,did you see all those lovely crystallised fruits ,we never see anything like that in our shops .


Ann how are your knees today after all the walking you had to do yesterday ,hope OH's tummy has settled down too .
I have been cooking my turkey crown's on Christmas eve for a couple of years now ,all I have to do then is slice and reheat, I've never cooked all the other bits and pieces the day before but I don't see why you can't so thought I'd give it a go to save time .

Morning Mel and All,

Yes we both slept well last night Mel and had a lie in this morning too.

OH went in the loft and found the door wreath. He'd put it and the bag it was in in a box with clothes in? Men's logic! :-D It's on the door now and I think it should retime the lights if I switch it on when it starts to get dark.

This morning two cars turned up nextdoor and they were filming our neighbours talking in their back garden. OH spotted them in the garden and this is the 3rd time it has happened over the past 3 years? We try to avoid these neighbours when we go out as they get far too close since the pandemic and always seem to be on the front when we need to get somewhere early or to an appointment! I said to OH if we see it happen again we will have to creep along the fence and see if we can hear what they talk about to give us a clue what it's about. Not that we are nosey you understand!! lol. :-D They are strange neighbours, both had professional jobs, never used to acknowledge anyone at first, did silly things about the builder and planning for the new buildings at the end, even taking an airgun outside, so we are curious.

It sounds like the hens are showing you how superior their eggs are to the shop ones Mel! Yes I think AnnG did say she would leave at 7.30am so she is probaby there by now, depending on stops and for how long. I watched Dick and Angel........I want to move and live in the Chateau!!! They are such a lovely family, I would love doing all those crafts and they make such delicious looking food! That and having lovely surroundings to walk in with wildlife and a moat and a dog.....perfect! :-D Doesn't the Chateau look great now the front has been done and that part of the roof. I have the Devon and Cornwall prog recorded and love it with all the things they tell you about too!

Lunchtime again so I'd better sort it.

I expect we will hear from her later on maybe.

MY POST JUST DISAPPEARED.

Morning all,

Not as misty as yesterday morning or day but its still very cold out there and dull with it.

Hope Anng has a good journey today. Did she say they were leaving at 7.30am? I expect we will hear from her later on maybe.

Hope you all had a good sleep last night.

Did anyone watch Dick and Angel last night? I also watched Devon and Cornwall at Christmas cos they had Clovelly on there.

Glad you are feeling a little better Mandy and have managed to get ahead with some things for Christmas day. I have recorded some Mary Berry progs and it's a good idea to actually roast the spuds to hot up rather than just parboil them. I bought ready cooked ones to try this year as I don't want much to do on the day this time. I bet you could roast the parsnips ahead as well. OH's first wife used to cook the Turkey ahead on Christmas Eve and just hot it up on the day too. I do the bread sauce ahead and freeze it and then add a little milk on the day and microwave it. It might be packet sauce this time as I haven't ordered any white bread! :-)

Yes I think OH was a bit worried Mel. He also knows my sense of direction is awful and that I might get lost. I did let him know when I'd found my way though. It's good you have done most of your wrapping now.

OH has already gone to bed, he feels weary, so I am going now too. I hope everyone sleeps well.

Ann I'm sure the big girls know when I order half a dozen eggs as they did this before when I bought some. O I forgot about the pain you had for a long while. They could have done your knee as well while they were at it. Would have saved you a journey. Glad G's tum has settled down now. Perhaps they mucking about did'nt help his tum either he was probably worried about you.

I have spent the last hour doing up the boys boxes and the presents for all the family so I am now having a little sit down as my back is aching now like Vera's and I am dying for a cuppa. I'm nearly there now just have to put all the labels on oh's presents (we use the same ones each year ) and do up Di's presents although I hav'nt heard from her for months now as I told her not to come as she was still working down the big house and with guests from all over the country we were worried they may bring something down with them and she may bring it to us.

Yes it was a faff Vera. They even had signs up in the waiting room for you to take wipes and cleaner to clean the seats..........but there weren't any wipes left and no cleaner so I kept using sanitiser on my hands. I didn't even need to undress, just whip my bra off due to the metal fasteners. The plastic you lay on wasn't wiped between each use either and no paper roll was used. It was freezing in there too and the two people doing it had those big padded coats on. I felt like having another shower when I got home, but just got changed instead. OH seems ok now, so I think he may have eaten too many peanuts last night......too much fibre.

I bet it was decorating the tree that has irritated your back, so warmth and a lie down for a while should help a bit.

No not my knees Mel. It was an abdomen scan after that terrible tummy pain I got off and on for 3 weeks. The scan's taken 6 weeks to come through, but the doc wanted to check my appendix and also to be sure nothing else was causing it. It has almost gone now, but I still get the occasional small twinge that side. The trouble is, you forget what odd twinges you get that are normal! I wonder which hen is giving you Christmas presents!

6 Subs on my order but it is all wiped and put away now as they came 15 minutes early which suited me.