General Chat

Mary,
So pleased to hear from you again. I think you are further south than me so I can imagine what your temps must be!! HOT I am sure does not really explain what it is like.

Thank goodness our home is built into the rock of the mountain which does help to keep the lower floor cooler but can also cause damp now and again. So far in the 7 years we have lived here we have only had a problem in one winter when we even had a sprinkling of snow. I would not want to live at the bottom of the hill as all the rain goes through water outlets and simply go down to the flat level!!

We are good at preparing everything for BBQs but hopeless at cooking on a BBQ. This is why we have so many friends who come and do the cooking.also our pool is large and we can all get into it. I think about 8 to 10 have been in altogether, but not swimming, simple sipping wine in plastic cups and enjoying being in the water.

We are thinking of buying a table tennis set for the higher level area, which is at road level with a high wall between our home and the road. My OH used to be a very good player, in fact he is / was very good at any ball sport and darts and is very competitive. Has anyone got experience of an outside table tennis. We had one in the UK but we had a games room in the garden so it could be used all the year round.

I think that is all now, so have a good day everyone,I am now going to the Culinary board.

12.35 hrs Spain :-D

Just noted that we are now on page ......wait for it .....75, wow, I never imagined that we would reach this number of pages, so THANK YOU TO EVERY ONE for keeping this thread going.

Bridget :-) :-) :-0

Sorry bI haven't been on here lately. Have just caught up reading all the news. Am going out in a few minutes. Will bbe back later today (or tomorrow or Saturday!) to chat properly.

Have been spending time on-line taking advantage of Ans----T special offer, which lasts till tomorrow.

Tess

Thanks for al your good wishes, the anti-bios haven't kicked in properly yet so still sore and not sleeping well, hope to be feeling more lively tommorrow XX

Greenfingers I hope the anti Bs will soon be working for you.

I know we are never satisfied but oh to be complaining because we are too hot. We don't get enough warm weather here for me. today it is rainy and grey and not very warm at all.

Tranquillity:- Peace of mind. To be serene, to have no worries, to relax. To be calm.

I hope for tranquility each morning when I wake. Don't always get it, of course, but I can't complain.

Ann - I'm still waiting for delivery of my books. Hope they are not too thick!

Hang in there, Greenfingers. Your antibiotics should be working by now and I hope they are giving you some relief. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

We had a temperature of 2c this morning. It's about 12 now and should reach 16 maximum by lunch time. We had very strong winds for two days, but they have abated now - so I'm off outside to take advantage of my protected courtyard while it lasts! Once the sun goes down (5pm at the moment) the temp drops and darkness descends. We don't have twilight. Of course - it's mid winter, so we can't expect any better. It could be worse (rain).

Berona, tranquility.......I have always found that just saying this word, gives tranquility. Is tranquility something we can learn or is it simply part of our makeup.?
I hope that your books arrive soon.
Ann, I like to think that I was exposing how the weather was / is affecting us, rather than complaining, so sorry if that is how my message came across.

Greenfingers, I hope that you start to feel the benefit of the antibiotics soon and you start to feel well again.
It was quiz night last night, about 20 of us turned up, and it was great fun. There are normally four of us who play together but two opted to be with another team as they were all going together to watch a parade at 23.dismissive. However there was a couple I had not met before so we jointed them and had a great time. We came second loosing by one point, we were delighted by the result.

During the interlude we chatted away, and found some strange co-incidences between the three ladies, including me.

1. We are all nurses ( or recently retired nurses).
2. I trained at The London Hospital, and the new lady had specialised there and now teaches at a high level at The London.
3. The other lady trained in Birmingham and that is where the new lady had trained as a midwife.
4. The three of us all knew three of the people we had worked with, even though we are in different age groups.
5. Are ages are quite different, a) is in her mid 70s, b) me, is 65, and (c is in her mid 50s.

Next we started to talk about where we we born, one in London, one in Canada and I have forgotten where the third person was born but nowhere near the other two.

As we chatted about where we had lived it became apparent that we had all lived in or near to the same places at some time, including overseas,

As we mentioned where we had lived I mentioned Wanstead on the edge of London /Essex. Well our new friend suddenly said " I have a very good friend who lives there" and she gave an address ......wait for it.....two doors from where I had lived for about 16 years and new this person.!! To prove this I gave her the lady's name her husbands name, occupation etc and told her how the doctor husband had saved my daughters sight when she was just a few months old.
Unfortunately our new friend is returning to the UK today! So we have exchanged email info and look forward to chatting, I must try to think of a name for the three of us. Any suggestions??

It is quite cool here at 08.10 hrs, and there is a slight wind, I am not sure yet if we are in for another very hot day. Sorry Ann, I didn't mean to moan.
Berona, the thought of 2c makes me shudder. It can be very cold here in the winter, and houses are not built to cope with the cold, and with tiled flooring throughout the house we use rugs. We have a wood burning fireplace which is very efficient but only in the main living room.

Time now for a coffee, so have a good day everyone,

Bridget
08.18 hrs Spain

Good morning to you all. How are you all?

What a busy time of year it is. We all seem to be trying to do so many things.
To anyone who is not feeling so good, I hopevthat you will soon be well.

Green fingers, are the antibiotics working yet, hope you are feeling better and that your books have arrived. I have just downloaded the Alchemist, it looks good. Has you or any one else on here read it?

Ann in Glos. Sorry if I upset you because I was too hot, but sometimes the heat drains my energy. I wonder is it easier to be cool and make oneself warm or be hot and make ones self cool.??

Tees, what was the special offer on a....try? If there was an offer I am cross with myself as I have a tree on there as well. Speaking of which I wonder if anyone can help / advise me. My A..........y tree is inaccurate as in the beginning I was silly enough to trust peoples suggestions without checking! Can I delete it and start again, or can I delete groups of people so I do not have to start again...hope that makes sense.

Val, hoping that you are well, looking forward to hearing from you.

Yesterday Jet and Joe had their hair cut. This time they went to the new Vet and Care place which I mentioned previously. It is very close to home so far more convenient for us and cheaper. Oh went to collect them at the agreed time and should have been back within 15 minutes. He was late. He arrived home about 45 minutes later and both Jet and Joe looked much better although the cut was not quite as good as before. Then OH explained that the vet and his staff were concerned and very apologetic as whilst having his hair cut Joe had been cut, need a few stitches and was given antibiotics.
No charge for the treatment, half the normal cost for the two cuts. Nevertheless it was a shock,

Jet has to go back in 10 days for the stitches to be removed. Pleased to say that he is in fine spirit, and being his normal self.

Well time to do some housework, decide what to have for dinner etc.

Oh yes just remembered. Has anyone ever done Tichi . Hmm I know it isn't the right spelling..... I am just starting this so advice etc welcomed.

10.15 hrs Spain

Have a good day everyone.
:-) :-)

Well it looks as if everyone is very busy, on holiday or simply having a break from here, however I thought I would stay and write about something.
It is pleasantly cool here today and the birds have been singing all the morning. The forecast is thatvthe temp will go down forca few days to about 28 to 30c so some respite.

I that some people are on holiday, or have visitors and others are simply busy, or just taking a break.

I sat outside having my first coffee of the day and thought how lucky I am. Not rich, but have enough to live a reasonable life, unlike the starving people in many parts of the world.
I have a caring husband and we still love each other, whilst some people are in turmoil, emotional pain and some are abused by their partners and family.
I have a roof over my head, whilst some people are homeless and destitute
I have children who all have jobs that they not only earn fairly good money but which they chose and enjoy.
I have wonderful grandchildren and whilst we cannot see each other every day , we are in contact all the time.

I am not boasting. But simply thought how privileged I am.

Things I would like to do and never will.
1. Go to China, so much history and I know so little.
2. Learn to swim or at least stop having such fear of the water.
3. Be a size 10 or 12 again instead of 20 something.
4. Write a book and have it published.
5. Have enough money to be able to make a difference in some peoples life.
6. stop worrying about everything and everyone

Enjoy your day everyone and hope to hear from you all soon.
:-) :-)

Here I am! Coolish again to-day but not unpleasant at all. Expecting more visitors on Friday, my biggest problem is always what to feed them!

Bridget, about the things you would like to do and never will - I identify with 2, 3, 5 and 6.. I have never learnt to swim and fear the water. When our children were young my friend always said I was the only one she wold trust to take her daughter to the beach. What I wouldn't give to be a couple of sizes smaller, and I am afraid I am the eternal worrier and I do it so well! I would love to visit England, the places my ancestors were from and then. the Lake District which has always sounded lovely

I count my blessings eveyday, to have a roof over my head, enough to eat, to be warm in the cold weather and a caring family , so many people have none of this. Also not having serious health problems and being able to look after myself.

Yesterday we went out to a late breakfast/early lunch to a new place in town, it was really nice and the decor was tasteful and no loud music which was a plus.

We have been invited to an 80th birthday party next week and I really have no idea what gift to get, nothing alcoholic as this chap doesn't drink alcohol.

Being Sunday I am now going to settle with the crosswords.

Hope everyone is keeping well.


Val.

11.20 a.m.

I'm here, sorry not beeen on for a few days.

Greenfingers, your dress sounds beautiful, a special one off too, made by your grandmother. She must have loved seeing you in it as much as you loved wearing it.
Sorry to hear about the abcess, I know from esperience that they can be painful and energy sapping. I hope that the anti-biotics have now done their job properly. The scrambled eggs sound lovely, well done O.H.

Valerie, what a shock to have a hears pull up outside your home. I bet that it started the heart beating faster. I wonder if the neighbours saw, and if it worried them too. It is funny after the event though.
Lake district is lovely, but it can rain a lot. Well, it has to, so as to keep the rivers/streams flowing, the lakes full and the grass green. I remember being there around Easter in 1971, it was warm and sunny in the valleys but there was still snow on top of some of the hills/mountains, wonderful!

Mary in Spain, I would prefer it to be a bit cold, as I reckon that it is easier to warm up than it is to cool down. I much prefer cool nights, as it is much easier to sleep. I reckon that I would be a pool too if it got really hot here.

Bridget, you must have been very worried about Jet. When I rad that the dogs were going to have their hair cut, I thought that it was good news, as it would be a bit clooler for them both. How unfortunate that Jet was cut when having his hair done. At least they have apologised and given him an anti-biotic. Hope that he is now fully recovered.

The special offer from Ans--y was a free look at Wills made in London (which didn't concern me) also a look at Probate Calendars from around 1861 to1941, which did.
I have been franticly trying to find the years of death (many for the in-law part of the family) so that I could check Probate Records to see if any of them had made a will.

Quite a few had done so it was a useful exercise. The probate also gives the date of death, the address at the time of death and the name of the executors, as well as the total value of the effects (which I think may be estimated). So quite a lot of useful info.

I am lucky in that Birmingham Library has Probate Records - up to 1972. They are stored under the year of probate and then alphabetically.
The books can be big and heavy, so not a task to undertake when feeling a bit weak.
Unfortunately, a new Library is being built. I understand the the Archives and Records part of th Library will be closed at the end of this month.
So a limited time to try to get info. The new Library won't be ready for ages (over a year!!) So I am a little disgruntled at the moment.

Went in on 30th June and that part of the Library was closed.
Managed to go in again on friday and got quite a lot of useful info.
However couldn't find a book of baptisms and burials from my local C of E Church, which was there a few weeks ago. I am hoping that it is misplaced rather than some nasty person has walked off with it (which sometimes happens!).

If you have got name year of death I can try to do look ups for you (if and when I am able to get i to the Library again).

All for now,

Tess

Hello Val & Tess, it was a good surprise to see you both on here. I expect that you have been very busy.

Val Thais for telling us your "things you wool like yo do and never will".

Tess how about adding your Things etc.?

It has bern considerably cooler today and we may even have some rain tomorrow but it is still very warm now it is 29 degrees so very pleasant when there is a breeze as well.

Yesterday I made some chicken soup. I bought a free range large chicken and we had the legs for our main meal on Friday, then yesterday we had the breast for lunch with lots of salad, new potatoes, a variety of dips, with home made savoury biscuits, and tiny cubes of bread. I hardly ever throw away bread, instead I cut it into cubes, quickly pan fry it let them cool and then freeze, I also had some home made cheese sticks. For desert we had Icecream, which is a well known brand and absolutely deliscious.

Not to much wine as it was so hot, but lots of cold water with lemon slices from the tree.
Today we were going to have Liver and Bacon, we do not always have traditional English lunches, but neither of us were particularly hungry so will have that tomorrow instead. We nibbled rather than lunched, then I made two more cakes which are cooling now, and tonight we will have something light.

My eldest son is off to India on a tuk tuk which is a very strange form of motorbike. He has decided not to celebrate his birthday here he is going to help dig wells for villages which do not have clean water. He has investigated this very carefully and checked everything including the registration of the company who organises these events, it is a registered charity.
Now he is trying to persuade as many people as possible to give some small donations to the organisation which will be then shared with my son and the others going with him. So far the have reached 75% of what is needed so it looks as if he will make it, although any extra would of course also be very useful for them all.
I shall miss him, we have been together on all of his birthdays, but he is a very determined person and is always helping out some one or something....he tells me that I caused this by sending him to a Jesuit School?!

I wonder if that is right? Oooom.

Well that is all for now, have a good evening and I will be back on here sometime tomorrow.

19.07 hrs Spain

"My Things"

Be with my mother as she was dying.

Visit New Zealand (the land of my spirit)

Become fluent in another language.

Play a musical instrument well.

Give all my family more emotional and financial help.

Fit into my wedding dress. (Ha, Ha, Ha)


Was rather busy at the end of last week. Met two school friends in town, for lunch (at a Chinese Buffett Restaurant) and then went to see "We Will Rock You"

Had a mammogram the following day (my free check up done every three years). Then went into town to collect requested book from library. Then a visit to top floor to do some research.

All worthwhile but rather tiring.

Val, I hope that you completed your crosswaors ok. I sometimes try but am not very good. TTend not to get newspapers either, so less chances of finding any to do.

Tess

It is a beautiful day here to-day, not at all like winter.

Oh Tess, I loved "Fit into my wedding dress", if only! I must admit that being fluent in another laguage, for me isiXhosa, the language of the indigenous people of the Eastern Cape, would be a good thing. I would love to be able to understand them, as it is I only know a few words.

I must admit defeat with one of the crosswords yesterday, couldn't finish it. I love any word puzzles, but am useless at Soduku (?spelling). I only get the Sunday Paper and the only reason I get it is for the puzzles, there truly is nothing to read in it!

At 5.00 a.m. this morning I received an SMS telling me I had won R450,000 in the Vodacom "Woldewide Competition" (you would think they would at least get the spelling correct), and gave the name and telephone number of a Dr. someone (I forget the name) and I should
phone him. If only it was true! But unfortunately it is just another scam.
I will just carry on buying a Lotto ticket each week - not that I have had any luck with that!

Enjoy what is left of th day ladies.


Val.

3.50 p.m.

Just droped in to say good night. It has been so hot today I did not do to much, but there are storms on the way according to the news.I am finding it difficult to sleep at night,so feeling tired.

So good night to everyone, hope to be back tomorrow.

22.00 hrs Spain

Things I would like to do but possibly never will

Finish reading all the book in this house that I haven't read.
Climb Haystacks again
Visit China and see the Terracotta Army and the Great wall.
Lose a stone
Stay as fit as I am now for the next ten years
Survive ten years!
Write a best seller and get it published.
See all my Grandchildren happily married and financially secure
See my Great Grandchildren.... this one might be 'doable'
Have at least another 10 years as happy as the last ten

don't want much do I?

I was a (small) size ten when I got married in 1970! So fitting into my wedding dress again is a fantasy, especially as I have put on a stone in recent weeks! (Must be at least a size 18 now).

My eldest grandchild is only 15, so I am hoping that he is in no hurry to make me a great-grandmother.
I remember Ann when you had 31 unread books in your house. Did you ever manage to reduce that number or has it increased?

During my last job, I worked with many Urdu speaking families, but couldn't speak Urdu myself. In fact the only language I can speak (at all) is English. Apart from a smattering of Malay (most of which I have now forgotten). Wouild love to think that if I was able to travel to other parts of the world I would be able to understand additional languages.

Have an aunty of 101, she lives in her own home. I would love to be able to buy a custom built reclining chair for her. Not that she sits down much, she is a very busy lady!

Val, part of my trouble in doing crosswaors is my difficulty with spelling correctly. I do like to do Sudoku (just as well I don't need to spell it properly in order to do it!)

I suppose that walking quite long distances, and or over rather rough terrain is something that I would love to do again. At the moment I haven't quite accepted that it won't happen. (Someday).



By the way, if I will the lottery, I shall buy loads of BMD certs. As well as getting the chair for my aunty and treating the family to what they need.

That must have been a while ago now although I think it was 130 not 30. I now have about 120 books at least unreadplus some on the Kindle. My problem is Greaders who throw up different books each time so they justa dd to the unread pile!!!

Good night everyone, will be back tomorrow.
00.39 hrs Spain

A beautiful sunrise this morning, pink sky calm sea, a nice day ahead I think.

This must be my week for scams. Had an email from a Nigerian man, in very poor English I might add, ofvfering to transfer $50,500,000..00 into my account for a business venture, well he is definitely out of luck as I am not falling for that. One would think that these people would get trying of trying.

I must get the spare room ready for my visitors who will be arriving on Friday afternoon, looking forward to walks on the beach over the weekend.


Amazing lady, your aunt, Tess still living in her own home.

Hope those who have not been feeling great will feel better soon.

Have a lovely day.


Val.


8.13 a.m.