General Chat

Good Morning Linda,
It is good to see you back here, and so good that you were able to get a well deserved break. I know you will have had a lot on your mind, but hopefully you did manage to relax a little.
Your mum does have a lot of problems doesn't she, and my heart goes out to you both, but there is nothing you can do, except comfort and reassure her, and that must mean so much to her.
So good that your son is coming, it helps to have your own around you at a time like this. Anyway Linda, take care of yourself. Chin up, you know your friends on here are thinking of you.

Yes, of course you can have the cooks job. It will be a doddle, as the Duchess and are only accustomed to simple fayre - nothing exotic.
You can do what you like with the sheep, so long as I don't have to watch.
Just serve it on a plate, with mint sauce.
As you can see, we all went slightly loopy while you were away, so maybe now you're back, you will be a steadying influence - unless that is, you want to join us in our madness - I find it helps.

Best wishes
Tec.

Hi Linda in Yorkshire. Glad you had a small break at least. Now that they think they know the problem, we hope your mum is on the improve.
It is sad, but we only ever hear the bad news about our hospitals. We don't hear much about the successes, just the failures.
It has been another almost perfect day in paradise. Bit of a pity I had to be at work. Helps pay the bills. Can't avoid them.
Going to watch some TV!
Catch up with some comedy and drama.

A big Aussie hello to you Linda:-)))

My heart is with you, from one Yorkshire lass to another. I'm so glad that you got to take a well earned break, you had certainly deserved it.
I can only imagine what you are going through at the moment, not only are you worried for your Mums health but you also have to make sure that the hospital staff are giving your Mum the care she needs.
Take care, stay strong.
Warmest wishes
Carole xxxx

Hello Linda
I'm just about to toddle off to bed, but wanted to say how pleased I am that your mother is getting the attention she needs and that they seem to know what is going on. Hope she comes out of this procedure as they expect. She is very old for that kind of thing, so she must be a fighter! We are all hoping for the best for you.
Goodnight from me to all and hope your day is a good one!

I'm going to get really mushy here. My first post was around 2 months ago and over that time we have made friends, joked and laughed together, reminisced and let each other into our daily lives. We gone loopy, been serious and talked about the losses in our lives. We've also supported Linda and will continue to do so. I'm very glad I started this thread.

Sue xx

That's not mushy Sue - it's factual. The thread is a huge credit to you, and brings a lot of pleasure to so many. You must be quite proud, having the ability to bring people together from both sides of the world. We do the things any group of friends do when they get together, discussing the things you mention, and supporting each other in times of stress or trouble. Some of us may be slightly mad, and are given to going into the realms of fantasy, but why not?. Life can get a bit heavy, and hum drum at times, and it's so nice to come on here, exchange views with like minded people who get on, without falling out, or taking offence.
Good on you Sue, long may your thread remain.

That's the end of my crawling for today.

Carole.......The Grooms job is yours. There's a self contained grooms flat over the stable block. We only have one old nag now, and a donkey.
You can waste as much time as you like up there in between looking after the horses. Watch out for the new maid with the hairy legs, throw a bucket of water over him if he takes liberties with you at any time.

Tec.

Hello to all, near and far,

Linda, it is good to hear from you. You have been in our thoughts this past week. I hope with the proper nursing care your mother's pain will be controlled and that she will re-gain her strength.

Today in Perth the weather has been awful - strong winds and rain - so it was a good day to spend indoors. Thanks to a magical bottle of hair dye, I now feel (and look?) 10 years younger.

Re the recruitment of staff for the stately home, Tecwyn Hall: I am not sure where my talents would best be used. My gt.gt.grandfather was a valet to a Sir in Dorset in the 1800s, so it is in my genes to serve. My OH cangiveme a good reference (he had better as I have been serving him for many years!) Perhaps the position of Girl Friday -just filling in here and there as needs be -a bit of housekeeping(nothing too strenuous though), or butleressing (a female butler) or scullery maid, assisting Linda the cook. I won't challenge Allan for the upstairs maid position, but I will provide him with some depilatory cream to keep his legs "silky smooth".

If I am accepted for the Girl Friday position, hope you realise that means I only work on Fridays!!! (I do need time to go down to Sth Wales on tree research business...)

Maybe the new staff could be allowed a small daily ration of a comforting drink (alcohol), just to keep them happy. You can't have them revolting like the last lot!

May all the Brits have a happy day, and sweet dreams to the Auslanders(Aussies and New Zealanders),

Susan.....

if you want simple fayre Tec, I am the woman for the job as I am very simple!
I do cook a mean curry though, so pity you don't like exotic food.
I am very clean in my kitchen habits and can't abide a mess. Every thing will be cooked from scratch, I don't use jars of anything. I make all my own jams, chutneys, pasta sauces. bread etc and I enjoy baking cakes.

I will adhere to the Duchesses menu choices, only healthy foods for you of course, we must think about your heart

Hello SusanWA,

Congratulations - I had not hitherto considered recruiting a Girl Friday.
However, I now feel that such a person could be a valuable asset to the estate. Your remit would include - answering the telephone, replying to all those boring relatives who will insist on writing to me. You can tell them I've nothing to leave, and I'm far from dead. Shooting anyone who dares come to the front door uninvited. Likewise beggars, tramps and thieves who turn up at the backdoor. Bodies to be thrown on the compost heap, just hand them over to Sue the gardener.
You could also assist the maid with the hairy legs with his ironing duties.
Your intended forays into South Wales digging up your ancestors, could prove difficult. This is a remote location, there is no transport system. If you insist, the donkey would be made available.
With regard to your requested access to alcoholic tipple. The Duchess and I have discussed this. While frivolity among the staff has not been encouraged, we are prepared to make a concession. Given that it appears that the majority of new staff will be Australians, and given that they seem to thrive on a daily intake of the Amber Nectar, there will in future be a rave every Friday night, in the servants quarters, once the drawbridge has been raised.
The Duchess and I hope you will be happy here.

Tec.

Hi Linda
glad to hear they have found out why your mum was in so much pain and I hope she soon improve's, don't feel guilty about takeing a break hun you sound as though you needed it. I think I need one but unfortunately that won't be possible till october when I will have a wk off from work. As a lot of the peep's on here know I only get a wk off every 12 wks, and by god I am ready for them. I wish at the moment I could take time off to rest to give me a break.

Tec
I'm sorry I was unable to respond to your acceptence of my offer to be the Duchesses Companion. Don't worry I have many tin helmet's all in different colour's, I also have a full body armour for the time's when I think thing's are going to be flung in my direction. So I accept the offer of the job.
By the way I'm looking forward to Friday night's, Oh great that's tomorrow, Hey gang it's a knee's up tomorrow night.

Diane x

Linda............
You sound like a Kitchen Goddess - Please can you come today!
I can send the Rolls if it helps..............
Actually I do enjoy a mild curry now and then.
The Duchess follows a diabetic diet, so you will have keep a careful watch, not a single carbohydrate escapes her attention.
I on the other hand have a sweet tooth. Especially those Raspberry things, lots of raspberries, fresh cream, merangues, piled high.
Can you make a Bakewell tart?

You may find the coal fired range a little eccentric at times, but you will soon become friends, and we are hoping to have water installed in the kitchen soon.

I look forward to your arrival with gleeful anticipation,

Tec.

Good Evening Diane,

So pleased you are joining us. The old house won't know what's hit it with this lot running amok - can you inmagine.
There are still one or two people who haven't come forward to volunteer, and I'm still looking for a Housekeeper, Butler, Kennel Maid, Gamekeeper.
May have to resort to conscription shortly.

Anyway, how are you today? Does the warm weather help with that condition? I hope so. The weather was fantastic today, so we went down to the beach. Took two picnic chairs, and just sat there reading. The tourists have mostly gone, so we only saw one other couple strolling along. We haven't done that this year, so it made a nice change, doing nothing. I get very tired working on this house, and forget to stop sometimes. Must do it more often.

Tec.

Hi Tec
Your welcome, do we start tomorrow hun, just in time for a booze up lol

No Tec sorry to say the nice weather doesn't seem to help with my condition unfortunately, I wish it did as we have had 3 lovely day's up to now, but the cold weather doe's seem to make thing's worse if it is cold when I have one of my flare up's, but then again that could be the arthritis playing up, I'm a sad state of affair's arn't I lol, I'm glad to hear your makeing the most of the nice weather, I would love to be able to join you as that kind of day is just up my street, and if I was one of the tourist I too would be haveing a stroll along the beach.

Diane x

"fresh cream, merangues, piled high."

For someone with a bad heart, I don't think so, a healthy diet for you Mr Tec.

We have an old fashioned sweet shop in the market square and it sells diabetic sweets. I got some for my brother and he ate them all in one go. Unfortunately they had a dire effect and he became very well acqainted with the toilet. apparently you are only allowed a couple at a time.

I shouldn't laugh about your brother's predicament - but I did!
I hope you're not going to be one of those bossy cooks, who knows what's best for me

Raspberry Pavlova - couldn't remember what is was called.

Just on Sunday's............Please

Tec.

Hello all you upsydownies, and rightwayuppies:))

Sounds like your poor Mum has really gone through it Linda, how awful for you all, and to think she has a weeping blister on top of it all, poor lady, what dreadful care, and I;ve heard so much lately about bad care, it's frightening:((


I'm off for a spa weekend, going first thing in the morning, back Monday afternoon/evening, weather forecast looks good, so hope to get in a bit of walking, and I'm taking my bike, that'll be a laugh I can't ride a bike:)))

Hope you all have a good weekend, and be good:))

See ya on Monday x x x

I am a woman so of course I know what is best for you!

I intend to be a real harridan, no one crosses cook in country kitchens.

As I grow raspberries on the allotment I think that I might be able to stretch to a Raspberry Pavlova now and again, as long as you are a good master of course. I am well used to catering for diabetic needs so I will look after the duchess well, unless she annoys me of course, then i will just offer her some special sweets.

Have a nice time Lynda,a spa weekend sounds wonderful, perhaps we can all come with you, we must look our best before taking up our new positions

Good morning/evening everyone:-))

Tec you're very demanding:-) I can't remember which position I applied for - if in fact I applied for one. If I didn't perhaps I could be the head housekeeper and that way I can keep an eye on this motley crew. I fear you will have trouble with this lot, sir. Linda as the cook of the establishment you will have to feed all of us so I'd be getting out those recipe books.

Diane, I sorry you're still not feeling well. What happens if you aren't well enough to work? Can they find someone to take your place?

Sue xx

Good morning/evening everyone

Linda, welcome back. It seems like mixed fortunes for your mum. My thoughts are with your family, but I'm glad that you managed to have the break Linda, I love curries, but unlike the Welsh Woose, I like mine fiery

Tec, I once had a Bakewell tart, but then I had to leave Bakewell shortly after.

Persephone, my uniform only became wet ' cause horrible Sue made me climb up chimbleys and the hung me on the washing line to hose me down!

SusanWA, it's still blowing a gale in Australind. I left the office in Harvey yesterday to find the main street littered with tree branches.

Hi to Diane, Sue, Berona and Colin and to anyone else that I have missed