General Chat

I could be late again tomorrow, as I'm going out again to-day. Each week, I go for a drive - and it is extremely pleasant driving in this beautiful weather! Since my 'outings' seem to be limited to short trips these days, I like to take the car out for a good run each week - or I would have trouble with the battery.

Last week I called into a Fruit Market out on the old highway. I used to go there years ago (when I had six of us to feed). Their fruit and veg was always so much fresher than that from the supermarket. Haven't bothered in recent years, so imagine the surprise when I walked in and found that it had been extended to about four times what it used to be - and a meat market had been added to it. I only needed bananas and I bought a couple of pieces of meat - but I have now let my supplies get low - and I'm off this morning - this time with a list and both cash and credit card - so who knows what I will finish up with! The "fresh" food people can go jump!

Hello All,

Haven't been around for a while but I just read Berona's post about the fruit market. In Gloucester we have two supermarkets, different company supermarkets but owned by the same local man. One has disgusting fruit and vegies, the other is not bad but pricey. A man has started to come into town each Thursday and Friday selling the freshest of fresh produce. everything is sold by piece e.g $2.50 for a pineappple (nicest I've ever had) or by the bag. Each week he is getting more and more customers. It's worth another trip down the street just to buy $20 worth of really fresh, good quality food and get heaps for the $20.

Good evening/morning all:))

Colin you are right - the Rhododendron Festival is in Blackheath. In Mt. Tomah in the Blue Mountains is the Cool Climate Botanical Gardens and they have the most spectacular rhododendrons and azaleas as well as many other plants. The suggestion of a coldhouse sounds quite good, Colin. It makes sense in this country with it's varied climates.

AlisoninOz - it's good to see you. I think I've mentioned before that you live in a beautiful part of NSW. I can see that the fellow with all the fresh produce is going to do well - healthy competition is good for the customer:)) I buy a good deal of my fruit, any veggies we don't grow and eggs from the local Sunday markets. We often go up the mountain to buy cheese, chutneys and jams. They're not cheap but very nice.

Linda, I think you may be away but I'm thinking of you and your mum.

Sue xx

Good Morning Aussies.
Good Evening Poms,

Been a horrible day weatherwise here - torrential rain, thunder rumbling around, and very windy. Worse forecast for tomorrow - Hey Ho.
But I spent another day on my knees, fighting the carpet. Tomorrow I may have the day off, and do something wild and reckless!
Any suggestions?

Berona........Hope you enjoyed your drive - did you get anywhere exciting?

Alison..........Please do not be concerned about me being blown off the loo.
I survived as you can see - though it served to shut me up for a while - well it would, wouldn't it.

Regards
Tec.

Good morning/evening:)) Looks like another nice day - as long as the wind stays away. The sun is warm but the wind keeps the temperature down.

Today I'm going into town to buy some fabric. I used to make my children's clothes when they were younger. This was partly because it was cheaper but more so because I enjoyed it. Today it is no longer a money saving exercise. However I've decided that I would enjoy sewing little frocks for my grand-daughter. My daughter dresses her like a little girl and not a miniature teenager so I'm looking forward to sewing pretty things.

I’m just watching the news and there is a story involving the NSW health minister – again. He has resigned after admitting that he had an affair with a younger woman. So his career is wrecked for making a stupid decision but the woman involved, despite being vocal about the affair, has said she doesn’t want the public to know her identity because she is embarrassed by the whole business. She is also acting like a victim. Am I right in thinking there are double standards here? I’m also watching the report on a Victorian MP who went bushwalking in the mountains in cold weather and was missing for 2 nights. Although well rigged out – he had water and the right clothing etc. – it still cost a fortune for the rescue. It involved a helicopter, police rescue and paramedics. I’m pleased he is safe but the whole thing seems silly to me. Is there a requirement that aspiring politicians have to be stupid:))

Hope all our Aussie friends have a great day and our Pommie friends enjoy the rest of the evening.

Sue xx

Hello, Tec. Didn't see you there:))

Wild and reckless - sorry can't help you there. I'm not very good at wild and reckless:)) It's difficult to get into that frame of mind when the weather is bad. Back to the carpet laying I should think - Mrs Tec won't be too happy if you leave the job half done.

Sue xx

Good Morning SueMaid,

I have lost faith in all politicians, whatever party they represent. We seem to get one scandal after another here. There is currently the controversy of the release of the Lockerbie bomber on compassionate grounds. But the best this year was the Expenses Scandal. MPs of all parties milking the system for all they could get. Like claiming to have the moat around the castle to be cleaned, and a new floating duck house for the lake. Furnishing their houses to the highest specification from the most expensive stores in Britain. Even claiming for mortgages that didn't exist.
It just went on and on, and was quite ludicrous at times.
How can we look up to these people, and expect them to run the country in an honest and fair manner.........
I shall get off my soapbox now.
I just hope Australia has better men/women to run your affairs.

Tec.

Tec, I've been reading about the UK politicians' Expense Scandal. Our pollies aren't much better - on both sides of the fence.

Sue xx

Good morning/evening all (I'm beginning to sound like PC Dixon of Dock Green)

Hi Sue, I don't think that Uzzi would try to corrupt, not that I'm incorruptable!

Tec, politicians are politicians. Here in the West a similar story...MP's elected for country areas but already living in Perth claiming expenses for homes both in Pert and their electorates and for travel between the two. Most only visit their electorates when Parliament is not sitting.

The biggest culprit...the bl**dy treasurer! I suppose that the travel is fair enough as the State Parliament seems to sit for two to three weeks and then goes into recess for five or six.!!.....MP's complain about the amount of outstanding legislation that needs approval and about the 'long hours'

Hi to Alisoninoz , Berona, and Colin


Allan

Hi, Allan. Uzzi was being very cheeky the other night:)))

We could start a whole new thread just on politicians. Still at the moment it's safer on here than on another thread.

Sue xx

Good morning Sue.....so I saw!

As i said on Uzzi's other thread (the Spooky one) i don't know who was dafter, Uzzi for starting the various threads or me for replying to them. Carolee also joined in at one point! A few great minutes of pure silliness...but at least nothing nasty

Allan

Hi SueMaid, Hi Tec
hope your both well, got back from I.O.M yesterday but was to tired to come on G.R, the crossing from Douglas Isle-of-Man to Liverpool was really rough felt quite sick most of the journey, had a busy day in work helping my employer's mum with the unpacking and laundry, had to do load's of ironing will have load's more to do tomorrow { sure looking forward to that } not lol.

Linda
I have been reading back on some of the post and I'm sorry to hear your mum is not to good at the moment, I hope thing's improve and I will say a prayer for you hun, we haven't spoken before but I would just like to pass on my best wishes to you.

Diane x
Hi to anyone else who is around

It was fun, Allan:)) I helped Uzzi nudge up some of her threads and we had a good laugh last night (our time). Sometimes it's good to be silly:))

Sue xx

Hi everyone! Came onto this thread first this time so that I won't be late!

Yes, I had a good drive yesterday and came home with lots of good fruit and veggies - plus other 'farm' type things - cheese, milk, bread, nuts and meat - I could live out of that place. I couldn't resist buying a small package of peas in their pods. Haven't shelled peas for many many years - and I like a lot of my veggies raw!

Sue - I heard about the Health Minister's resignation. Haven't been keen on the man and I'm not sorry about him leaving politics. His wife was in the news only in recent months over an incident where she said something like "don't you know who I am?". People like that are too full of themselves to do a proper job.

However, I can't help wondering about the reason for this resignation. Whilst I don't particularly like the man, I feel bound to ask is every politician so "pure" that there are no others having an extra marital affair? and what proof is there that the affair has had an impact on his ability to do the job?? I also agree that it doesn't seem fair that he is publicly "shamed", named and loses his job - and SHE isn't even named!

Hi, Diane - nice to see you. I was thinking yesterday that you'd be back by now. That's the problem with travelling - all the washing. I guess you've got a double lot. Your employer's and your own. Diane, do you work for an agency or are you a private carer?

Sue xx

Good Evening Allan,

I think you're a very brave boy venturing onto ther threads.
Being a born coward, I prefer not to stick my head above the parapet.
I've read some of those threads, and there's some very big old cats out there, ready to bite ones head off.

I'm too young to die, and have to much to do.

Tec.

Hi, Berona. I'm really annoyed watching the news. The woman has said that it's only fair to the public that he be publicly shamed. She knew he was a married man with children but now she's acting like she's a victim. I could go on and on about it - but I won't.

Sounds like you now have a well stocked fridge and pantry. I'm envious:) I can't remember the last time I bought fresh peas. It brings back memories of shelling them for Sunday lunch and mum telling me to stop eating them as there would be none left.

Sue xx

Good morning Berona

Hi Diane, welcome back

Berona, I'm fortunate to live quite close to a major fruit growing area (Donnybrook). It is about 50kms away but a very pleasant drive to get there. Most of the orchards have roadside stalls and also sell their produce in bulk.

If I told my OH that I was having an affair with a 26 y.o. she would kill herself laughing and just ask one thing..."How" lol

Allan

Good evening, Tec

Nahh, Uzzi is ok.....a bit daft maybe, but who isn't? And at least there is nothing nasty about her threads on which I have posted.

How's the carpet laying going?

Allan

Hi Sue
Yes as you say two lot's ,I haven't started mine yet as I was feeling a bit yuk when I got home from work. No I don't work for an agency I'm a private carer but the person I work for has my wage's funded by two different orgonisations, one is I.L.F { independant liveing Fund } they pay for 32hrs care and the other is D.P { Direct Payment } and they pay for 12hrs care.
I am the only carer so I work 7dys a week for 12wks and then have a week off.

Diane x