General Chat

You certainly hit your knee hard, I didn't realise it was on tarmac, I hope you got all the grit out. Hope it soon heals.
Pleased that you liked the card, I thought you would appreciate the owl.

With all the upset of slipping over onto the tarmac road I forgot to say what a wonderful card you made for us Anng. Its so Christmassy and the owl is beautiful. Its something that will go up every year. He's sitting on my pc box watching over me.

I have taken a pic of my kneeand I seemed to have rolled the skin off as there was a long bit on the end of the graze. I think I must be getting like our Frank with these two falls I have had now. Trouble is when I go down I can't get up easily because of my knees and hips. Needless to say I never got up the church with the advent ring as oh would'nt let me out of his sight after that. Goodness knows what its going to be like tomorrow.

Yes AnnG, I soon worked out how to stand it up. OH likes it and the way it stands up too and says it won't fall over like some do! He is used to standing out at football matches in all weathers so is used to the cold and the biting wind at times, but he forgets he walks about to some degree if he gets chilly at those, which he can't in the schools. I noticed tonight he had a flannelette shirt on and his big anorak over his jacket. He wears his hat and of course he has a beard and that helps too. I don't think he has many more school meetings before Christmas.

Yes I hope we hear more from Gill, once she has her home straighter and more of it done. We do miss hearing from her and about Sandra as you say. Frank doesn't even seem to post on FB now either. I hope he is ok too.

Gosh your OH needs to be careful he doesn’t get a chill, not good to get too cold for long periods. I hope his meeting is not too long.

Wouldn’t it be lovely if we had a full thread again like it used to be. Remember when we used to live throgh Sandra’s e. Itement for Christmas and the lights et c, there was always such a lot of chat on here. Frank really seems to have withdrawn from us I hope he and Ros are OK.

Glad you liked the card Ann. Have you worked out how it stands as an easel?

Oh no Mel, I hope your cuts are not very deep. I told OH it was slippy on the patio today. Have you managed to clean the cuts up well? As the others say, do get them seen if they are very deep.

That's good you were able to enjoy your meal AnnG. Thank you very much for your pretty card I received this morning, you put a lot of work into them.

That's what I used to do when I made mince pies Vera, get them in the freezer quick before we ate them! Like Gwyn I can eat them any day of the year.

OH is at another meeting at a school. I asked if this one has any heating on and he said the heating goes off once the children have left unless there's risk of pipes freezing. The PC says 0 degrees here now so he will be chilly when he gets home.

Oh dear Mel, I hope that your cuts don't need stitches.
We have not had any snow here except for one short blizzard shower that didn't lay at all.

Well I am back and it was fine. As I left it to get there to the last minute, everyone was clear of the room where they had to wait so were standing around chatting. They were all sitting round the tables, anyone still moving around including staff had masks on, even those who got up from the table to buy wine at the counter. the large round tables were well spaced out and there were 7 on my table but I was only near the people either side of me. the meal was very good the mushroom wellington was mushrooms wrapped in spinach and then in Filo pastry so was not heavy. The I had roast and boiled potatoes, the roasts were nicely cooked, a carrot, swede and parsnip mash and sprouts. I normally like sprouts but these were so under cooked I could not even cut them to eat, I managed one but I left the rest and I noticed I was not the only one. the Christmas pudding was really nice, little individual ones and then we had mince pies and coffee. After we had finished eating we moved into the large hall and were entertained by a 17 strong Ukulele band They were local, they may even have been from U3a but I only recognised one person. They were all 'oldies' and were very good. I got home at 4pm and felt no less in danger than I would in a garden centre. In the big hall I actually sat more or less on my own. It was an entertaining afternoon. And I didn't win a raffle prize.

OH Mel, poor you. Make absolutely sure the cut's very clean won't you and if you think it might need a stitch or two ring your surgery or get to A & E. I hope it doesn't hurt too much and I hope you haven't hurt your hip again. Sending you a hug <3

I am sure you are right AnnG - friend's gift will be coming from China. I told my friend and we agreed that it was a good thing we got the order in early. As it's not wanted till the beginning of March there's a little leeway if it is delayed. I hope you enjoyed your lunch.

Gwyn, I always put a little unsweetened apple, usually Bramleys, in with my mincemeat as we both find it too sweet otherwise. I made 6 normal sized pies and 6 really deep ones which I cooked in muffin tins. We had a deep one each at lunchtime and I have left out a smaller one each for tomorrow lunchtime and the rest are in the freezer.

I've just received the annual bill for the garden waste bin and I'm pleased to see they have deducted a bit for the collections they missed at the beginning of the year.

I hope Frank is OK as it's a while since he popped in.

We're having a lamb casserole tonight. It's all prepared but I'd better go and get it in the oven.

Just slipped over turning round from my shed on the mossy mat and landed on the ground. Cut my right knee and leg badly.

I wonder if Island's had any??

O yes Happy Birthday Vera's son. Vera my son is 53 next May. Where have the years gone?


Camera battery has never failed me before but I suppose its about 3 years old now. Its sitting on my desk charging as I am going down the church with the ring and I want to get a picture.

Everyones had a little snow except me then. :-( :-( :-( We only had heavy hail showers the other week.

Afternoon everyone,... No snow here, in fact it's quite pleasant and we have bright sunshine.

Mel, thank you for the photos of your rings. They are lovely. What an excellant variety of different evergreens you found for them
The church one will look wonderful with it's candles lit.

I hope you enjoyed your lunch AnnG. Your choice sounded tasty.
Mandy's soup sounds good too.... and as for Vera's mince pies, well... I could eat mince pies any month of the year.!

Afternoon All,

I didn't realise we hadn't all had snow. We had a bit more overnight, but just a sprinkle this time. PC says 3 degrees here now.

I wouldn't go either Mel. Too much mixing and risk for me and some might be there and have covid but be asymptomatic. If some men haven't been careful about mask wearing, they may not be careful about other things like using sanitiser? Do be careful AnnG and leave after lunch if you are at all concerned.

I see 50-60 have suspected Omicron in Norway after attending a Christmas party. None are seriously ill as yet, early days, but I think as soon as alcohol is involved and people are 'in the moment' they drop their guard and forget to be careful. I think it would be sensible to make any events alcohol free for now. They say pubs etc make more on soft drinks so they wouldn't lose out. I see 10 areas have Omicron now.

Well the Pigeons have wolfed down today's offerings, but crumbs fall through the mesh and the little birds wait in the border to dash out and grab those.

OH was frozen after his 3 hour meeting last night, so no heating was on Mandy. He does think the cold speeded things up though! :-) I think he may be getting out his long johns for the next time! :-D

Mel, it's handy to have a spare battery for your camera. I keep one and always keep both charged and keep the spare in the camera case ready to swap. I hope you get the ring sorted at the church today. I bet it will look lovely.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Vera's son. It must be strange when your children reach those ages. I remember when I was around that age thinking that mum didn't realise I also got aches and pains as well! lol. :-D I hope the weather doesn't hold the workmen up doing the road.

sounds like they are playing safe with the Christmas rush but odds on it is coming from China Vera.

Yes I will take all precautions, Hand gel in my bag, mask on and doing my best to maintain social distancing.

Do hope the works are not delayed that will be annoying for you.
And I can smell your mince pies, throw one over please.

Three of us Mel. We had a heavy shower just a little while ago but it’s all melted already. I had a dozen mince pies cooking at the time so the warm kitchen with the smell of the pies and the snow outside made it feel quite festive.

I’m praying we won’t get much snow or rain for the next couple of days as our road is closed for resurfacing till Saturday. It’s not our little cul-de-sac which is a private road, but the narrow road we turn out of that just goes down to the Community Centre. We were warned in advance that we wouldn’t be able to get in or out for 2 days but if the workman are delayed by bad weather we could be stuck here for longer.

It’s my son’s birthday today. How can my baby be 55 already?

AnnG, take sensible precautions and then go and enjoy your lunch. We mustn’t make light of Covid and we must be cautious but I don’t think we should run scared or we will never get back to any sort of normal life.

I am just going to phone my friend to tell her that her diamond anniversary present for her husband has been dispatched and will be delivered here on 3rd January :-S. Where’s it coming from? Timbuktu?

Mel, I might have not gone had I not had the message. the men ( there are only about 4 men among 25+ women) will now take notice and will have to wear masks when not sitting so that is ok. I am determined not to wrap myself in cotton wool, this year has been hard enough on my own without T without incarcerating myself in the house. this new variation of covid has proved to be mild especially as I have been triple jabbed. I am probably more bothered by the various cold bugs around.

I assume your OH has sent for a new battery not camera? If so I hope it is the battery that is faulty not the camera.

Mandy glad you liked it. I sent my cards out early as they hopefully have more chance of not going astray before the bulk of everyone elses are sent out.
I have ordered Mushroom Wellington instead of turkey followed by Christmas pudding, coffee and mince pie.

All ordered so it should be here tomorrow. What a time to run out though just as I want to take a pic of the advent ring with the candles in down the church.

Mandy thats two of you now that have had snow. I'd like a sprinkling here jjust to get me into the Christmas spirit.

Charged my camera up yeserday and its flat this morning. Oh is going to see if he can get a new one.

Morning all,

Suns shining and it's snowing like mad ,don't think we will be standing out there in a walk in queue for a jab today its freezing in the strong wind .

Anng thank you for the lovely Christmas card that arrived this morning my first one :-)
Enjoy your lunch today ,you did say what you had ordered but I've forgotten was it a turkey lunch .

Ann hope OH didn't come home frozen to the bone last night with them having doors and windows open ,do they have some heating on .
I know sons school have to have a window open all day in each classroom as he has to open them when he gets there first thing .
Son is fine now his time will be up at midnight on Friday so on Saturday he will be able to come out and back to work on Monday as far as I know .

Going to make some Mushroom soup for lunch today nice and warming on a day like this .

Morning Anng and all,

I would,nt go if the men are'nt being careful.

Dull here this morning and pc says 4 degrees and cloudy. I'll give it a click and see if it changes. Nope so it must be as I hav'nt been out yet.

I forgot our scripts at the shop on Saturday and think I must have run out of one of them as I seem to have loads of the others just not the indigestion one.

Just walked in the bedroom and looked in the draw again and there they were!! a weeks supply. I must have thrown the box away and they had slipped to the back of the drawer or the borrowers had them and br9ought them back.

Have to get the ring down the church today.

good morning all a hard frost last night/this morning just 1 degree out there now, bright with some sun.

I was a bit concerned about the 1st Thursday lunch today but received the following this morning so I think it will be fine. The restaurant is a good size.



"Looking forward to seeing you all for the Christmas Lunch tomorrow.

We are advising everyone to wear Masks until you are sat down for lunch.

We will be having 6 or less people to each lunch table, to help with social distancing.

When you arrive, we will be meeting up in the Big Room that we normally use, attached to the cafe, until Simon lets us into the cafe for Lunch.

Please arrive at or just before 1.30pm The entertainment after lunch will be in the big room, chairs and tables will be set up in there so we can
bring our tea/coffee & mince pies with us after lunch.

Take care & Stay safe xx"

It also means that I can slip out after the actual lunch if I feel it is not safe. It is a worry that some of the oldies (mostly the men) are not fully aware of the problem.