General Chat

There's Berona in winter with 21 degrees and Val also (I think) in winter with temperatures at 23 degrees. And here we are in summer and only this week have reached those temperatures.

Crazy isn't it? Your are quite right Ann, it is winter here.


Val.

6.23 p.m.

Well, its boiling here and was yesterday...the decorator was painting the outside of the conservatory and nearly melted away. I all looks very nice and clean, and finally all rooms are clutter free, amazing how doing one room messes up another !! And everywhere is clean and dusted...had a lot of harvest spiders this year...small body and very long legs Yuk...........

Jan
regards from Norfolk UK
5.29 pm

Good evening everyone. Have read all the latest postings and the realise that we are now on page 80!!! I am truly amazed that we hab=ve gone on so long and I for one would miss you all if it ever comes to a full stop.!!! So a big Congratulations to Ann for being the first person to post on page 80.

As I said yesterday we were going out at 21.00 hours to meet with friends in town and then to watch the Fireworks at midniight. Well we set of for town which is just about three of four minutes away by car, (the roads are so steep to go from where we live into tow very often. Walking down is OK but walking back is very difficult with my knee problem, which is not a new condition. Just as we were about to set off we realised that neither Jet or Joe were in the house. Why is it that they always know when we are going out without them?
We could not find them anywhere, OH was becoming more and more cross, I shook the biscuit box, called their names looked through all the rooms and then decide to lock up and go. Afterall they do not get out of the garden so they had to be hiding in the busehes...Ha ha..

We had to find a side street which we could park in as the tow was heaving by 21.30 so we eventually parked behind the Crematoriam at least we were not disturbing anyone!

I am sure that not onlly were almost eveyone from Peniscola were in area but also hundreds of people from other towns and villages.
Luckily our group of friends had grabbed a table opposite the sea for us and we stayed there chatting away until we were informed that the beach areas were now available to go on to.
Given the number of people all heading in the same direction everything was very straight forward. Parents with young children and babys in prams, young children chatting away with their aunts, uncles and grandparents, every one who knew us were stoping for a moment or two with kisses on each persons cheeks, the atmosphere was wonderful. Then on the dot of midnight the show begain with the music from The Brandenbergh Concerto (Hope I have spelt that correctly).
It was a stunning performance, and the firework display wes the best I and OH have ever seen, OH and I agreed that it was even better than the one we saw in France some years ago.
The Police were there in force and all eating and drinking places had to be closed by 23.30 and could reopen again after the fireworks had finished.
we stayed in town with some of our friends sitting outside becaus eit was so humid and hot until 02.30 hrs. we could not believe how late it was.

we arrived home safely and found that Joe had been in thehouse all the time and jrt had been outside, so you can imagine the fooirst thing we hhad to do....will not elaborate but remember they do not like fire works!
Today we have been very tired and lathargic althoough the normal jobs were done and meals prepared and eaten. It is muggy here today although we have also had some very hot sunshine.

well time to go will be back tommorow

Bridget
20.02 hrs
Spain


:-D

This heat is sapping my energy! And I didn't have much to start with.

It must be a sad time, thinking of your son, Jan. As you say, he was around you at the wedding.

I was going to be looking after my two youngest grandsons next week, but now they are going camping in Cornwall with their dad (my son).

As they haven't camped properly before, my son is now trying to dash round buying all the equipment he will need.

He is now trying to track down a camping stove. At least there seems to be plenty of stuff available in the shops, but he hopes not to have to buy everything brand new.

Off to have a shower to try to cool down.


Tess

Talk about crazy weather! To-day's forecast is 27, with very cold conditions and snow in some parts for to-morrow.

The sun this morning was a huge red ball in the sky with the reflection on the smooth sea. The birds were twittering away at such a rate this morning I thought they must be wanting an early breakfast so they have been fed already. Later I will ask the gardener to clean out the bird bath and refill it for me.

The cineraria which I planted out some weeks back are growing so slowly, I am eager to see them flowering but I'm told that won't happen until early next month.

Sounds as though fun was had by all, Bridget.
Tess, hope your grandsons have a lovely camping outing. My daughter has recently been interested in camping and the equipment can be quite expensive, she will be camping again next month when she and some friends go to a Dog Show.

This afternoon is the memorial service for my friend.

Tha's all for now.


Val.


7.41 a.m.

Good morning to everyone,

I have been up since 07.00hrs so missed the early part of the day when I sit with my coffee and watch the Dawn. I am not sure why this is my favourite time of day,maybe it is the new beginning, maybe it is the peace and quiet, maybe it is that no today's are exactly the same...who knows!
Val, I did smile to myself when I read that your weather is 27, this would be considered rather good weather in the UK.
Grenfingers we have never been campers, I went camping twice with some of my friends when I was a student nurse and once with my first husband...never again!!

Oh wants the IPad so will be back soon

Bridget

Been to daughters home today....very hot here.....to cut their lawn...with all the rain and sun everything has gone mad..they are in Rome now and it will be very hot there. Got a bBQ to go to with friends on Sunday, just hope the weather stays nice....wore wedge shoes again today...oh the joy...fed up with flat ones...I am a bit of an Imelda Marcos when it comes to shoes and not being able to wear them as you can imagine is hell.

I know what Bridget means and I am a Newbie,,,,,,,but I would miss you all as well

Regards Jan
Norfolk 5pm

After a day of cold an wet weather the sun is shining to-day although it is still chilly.

Like you, Greenfinges I was an Imelda Marcos too when I worked, not quite so bad now that I have retired but I still love high heels.

We are looking after my friend's (the one who passed away) budgie while her husband has gone off to visit his children and grandchildren, not sure how long he will be away. It is quite nice to hear the bird chirping away happily inside.

Visited the towel factory shop this morning and bought some nice towels at very reasonable prices. There is talk of the factory(which is in another town) closing down, that is sad as it means more people out of work. I am hoping that this doesn't happen.

I made a batch of diabetic rusks yesterday but must say they are not all that wonderful wiithout sugar, next time I will try more sweetener when I make them.

Enjoy your weekend.


Val.


12.05p.m.

Tomorrow my only daughter will be 37, how time passes. I recall every moment of her birth, and she is the only one of my children to be so easy to look after.

I am very proud of her.

Bridget

20.10 hrs Spain :-D <3

I am getting my wet days and my hot days mixed up!
We have had both over the last few days.

Hoping to be able to get into back garden to mow the lawn tomorrow, if it isn't raining or too hot.

It is The Birmingham Carnival tomnorrow, a biennial event.

usually it goes passed my house, lorry after lorry, all with their own music blaring out, and followed by dancers (and prancers) in colourful fantistic costumes.

This year they are going to my local park. and will not pass my house.
A shame really as it is so enjoyable, and makes us all smile and bop to the music.

It just won't be the same without the procession.


I hate wearing shoes (of any kind) my feet like to be free.

I usually but a sort of slip on wedge heeled type thing.
No need to bend down to take them on and off and no need to wear rights, stockings or

Tess, some times the soles of my feet are not as clean as the should be! Now I am not a dirty person but I much prefer to walk around with bare feet. My mother said that I was always putting my foot outside my pram covers even when there was one of the worst winters recorded for many years. Given that I was born in 1946 it must have been in forty seven, I think!!

Right now I need to wash my feet before I go to bed, which will be in about five minutes

Bridget in Spain
22.48 hrs

Good morning everyone and I hope that you will all enjoy your day and find some time to leave us all a message. I wonder if any of you have read my latest board about choosing to live abroad. It is quite interesting.

It is quite still here today, no wind, sun not out yet and no noise, so a reasonable start to the day. Haven't had my first coffee or tea of the day yet.

I am thinking of my daughter today as it is her birthday and my only daughter. I can hardly believe that she is 37 today, how time passes us by.

Yesterday two of my OHs friends came to visit us, a father and son, they brought plenty of the liquid which flows so easily and watched rugby on the TV. Good fun was made by all.
I was peeking in from time to time being a Wigan supporter, and forgot to clock our curry. When I remembered I hastily through it all together and although it was not up to my usual decent curry it was ok.

Why did I forget...yes I was on GR.....

Today that will not happen because we are going to friends for lunch....we are holding the husbands birthday party in our garden on Wednesday as they only have a very small area. In total we will have 14 people so should be good fun !

I offered to help with the prep etc but have been told firmly but pleasantly that I have done enough so NOT to do any cooking, but I can make the salads.

Well that is about all at the moment,even Jet and Joe are not loitering for their breakfast yet so I guess this is a good time to go and have my quiet time for about 15 minutes.

Looking forward to hearing from you all.

Bridget

07.54 hrs Spain
:-) :-)

Good night everyone, maybe we will have news from a few people in the morning.

Bridget 22.37 hrs Spain

Bridget - I know how you feel when your children have a birthday. It only seems like they were born a couple of years ago. I felt horrified recently when my eldest son had his 50th! That's the baby I waited so long for and went through all that treatment, etc. (before IVF was available). It all only seems about 5 years ago when I think about it.

Another nice day coming up but only 18 forecast (17 tomorrow). The past ten days or so have been the warmest August weather ever recorded. A couple of the days reached 25/26 where I am - at least 10 degrees higher than normal.. That's ridiculous for our coldest month - but I'm not complaining. However, we've been warned that it may not last and it seems to be coming down to normal slowly. We can only wait and see what happens, but it definitely has been unusual!

Good morning everyone.

Berona,

Thank you for your message, my eldest child will be 40 this September, but I will not be able to see him. He decided that he will go to India with his girlfriend. No not a holiday, but to help a registered charity provide water for villages etc where currently there is no fresh water. They will be traveling from one side of India to another in something called a Tuk Tuk, rather like a three wheel motorbike with a canopy. First he had to "guide" family friends etc to donate money to the charity ( €1000.00 ) to help with the admin etc. The rest such as flights, food, etc had to be from him and his girlfriend.
This son was also a gift from above because I had already lost a child and then I developed pre eclampsia, so spent nearly five months in a darkened room, and mostly in bed....however here we are still alive and well.

Now, this morning when I first got up, about an hour ago the sky was grey, the atmosphere was damp, and it looked as if we were in for a grey day. But, whilst writing the sky is turning blue, the sun is beginning to shine, the temp is already in the the high 20s...........a hot day is what I am now expecting.

Berona,have you seen my newest thread?it is all about living in another country than the UK? There has bern a good response and we are hoping for more people to join us.

So if anyone who posts on here either left the UK to live overseas for any length of time or indeed vis versa, we would be so pleased to hear from you.

I am now going to do what has to be done in the house, and then, hopefully just relaxed.

For all the people on here who helped guide me, prayed for me etc when I was so down hearted and depressed and forgetful I simply want to say THANK YOU.
I am so much better now,your support,your views and your personal messages were / are my grab rails when I felt as if I was plummeting into a abyss. I still do have difficult times, and I still cannot visit my friends homes for to many hours, it is improving, but I AM STILL HERE,and I would not have been if I had not had your help, so please tell yourselves that you really did save a life.

07.52 hrs Spain

Bridget
:-) <3

Now Called Those who

At the request of someone who posts on several of my threads I opened a new one recently. It states with the words Now Called the,,,,,,,,it started about why people left the UK to live abroad but has frown, hence anew heading.
Please would anyone who lives abroad please have a look at this and hopefully add something as well. The best compliment so far is from a lady who said, "I have read this from the first entry and it rather like reading a very good travel guide/ book, please keep adding"

Just thought if you have lived abroad and then went back to your country of origin or moved elsewhere that would also be a good story, and it could be your parents who went abroad etc...

It is very different to this wonderful Diary , ,

Thanks

Bridget

House work finished for today, waning outside drying and if I am careful when I fold it to come in the house I will not havebto iron it!

I have cleaned and polished the sitting room \ dining room, cleaned the kitche, ( it is small so has to be tidy)! swept the veranda and so sitting down with my coffee and watching .......wait for it......Judge Judy, does anyone else watch this, it makes me feel staid!! But is also sad and funny!!

I have to keep my ears alert as we are expecting some one to come and borrow some equipment for their young grandchildren. Cots, high chairs, car seats, etc.

My garden needs to be cut back with many of the plants going wild but it is to hot! Or maybe I am lazy.. :-0

We received a call this morning from o e of my stepsons, he married very young and already a father, nearly broke my husband at the time. He was so I'll with the worry and thevshame he felt that he had a heart attack.

He has received notification that his wife is seeking a divorce and also that he has once more to attend court as she is flaming that he is not complying to the court order.
Very difficult as they both can lie very well. Husband now very quiet, I asked if he wanted to go to UK to see what is happening but he was certain that he dose not want to get too involved.....they are both in their 30s they are not babies.


Well enough of my moans and groans so will sign off for a while.

Bridget
12.45 hrs in Spain

Good morning everyone.

I wish you all a very pleasant and happy day, and i look forward to hearing what you are all upto!

It was a very tranquil morning here and it took quite some time for the daylight to break through. It was so quiet that there were not even any birds singing. However the sun did eventually break through and it is very pleasnt now, already I can feel the temp rising and I reckon it will reach about 30c.

Yesterday I posted about one of our sons and I am very sad to say that my stepson had some vert bad news which set him dreadfully, as it did us. His three children have been in care for three months and he was not informed by anyone. He was complying with an agreement made in court that he would not have dire t contact for a few months and the meeting to discuss again was due next week.he contacted the person in charepge to say he had complied but had not had notification confirming the date time and place of the next morning and was told " oops,sorry we forgot to send you a letter explaining that your children are and have bern in cafe for 3 months!"

Can you imagine how he feels, he complied to everything asked of him and many times we had to persuade him to to break the agreement because he was missing them so much,
As far as we know they could be anywhere,he is distraught and going to seek advice today.
Now I have a dilemma, I feel that I could not cope with three children aged 12, 10 and 4, but how could I allow the children to stay in care. I hope that as the mother has been deemed to be unable to care for the children that my husbands son will be able to take back his house which was bought for him by his grandparents and be able to care for his children...he is not the easiest person to get along with at times but he is a fantastic father and has been heartbroken since his wife told such lies about him because she had found someone else.

Well tome to have a late breakfast so will say goodbye for now but will try to look in again later.
Sorry for my ,moaning

:-0

Bridget - that's very disturbing that the children had been in care and their father was not notified. Very remiss of the authorities - but probably no one person will accept the responsibility - it will be passed on to someone else.

Being 'in care' does have an effect on children. Varying effects, I know - but nevertheless SOME kind of effect - particularly on the older ones. I have done respite care myself and know how the children think. I just hope that he is able to do things the way he wants to do them. As for the wife - I do think the authorities can see through 'liars' - perhaps that's why the children were taken from her. I hope things turn out for the best for all of you.