General Chat

Greetings from Oz! Not a lot to report other than the weather. We have had an unusual Spring. A few 'odd' days with temperatures in the thirties (unusually high for Spring) and more rain than usual - although not much where I am - about 20 miles from the ocean. The coast gets more wind and rain than we do.

It's hard to believe that Summer is only 4 days away. It think this is why I just can't get motivated to do anything about Christmas - no cards, presents or decorations even thought of yet! I won't be entertaining, so no cooking required either. These days, I'm the one who gets entertained. A couple of weeks ago, I had extra nice food in to use when the family visited to celebrate my birthday - but they brought so much with them, that mine was left in the cupboards and fridge/freezer. They also left what they brought with them, so I have been living on that ever since! I might see what's left and take it with me when I go to my daughter's home on Christmas day.

Good morning from still dark and a bit nippy Spain.
I am up early finishing the prep for cooking another Christmas cake, as first one has been eaten, with one third
going to Holland and one to Barcelona, and we and friends ate the rest
Trying out the recipe by one of the entries on Culinary Delights, this one you have to boil all the fruit and then leave to soak overnight. So up early and now have to put in the cake tin and place in the oven.

Out today for lunch, so hope the weather stays good, it was lovely yesterday.

Berona congratulations for being the first person on this thread, it is lovely to hear from you, and how nice to have the family visit for your birthday. I am sure that you will have a grand time with the family at Christmas, we are not with family, so enjoying the company of friends on Christmas day and having a special meal for two on Boxing day .

As I look out of the window I can see a black sea, deep red horizon and dark blue sky. Ooh, stepped outside and it is cold!! Hopefully it will improve by around 10.00 hrs as it did yesterday.

Well time to line the cake tin and put it in the oven, but need a coffee first, will try to be back later today, meanwhile I hope everyone has a good day.

Bridget in Spain :-) :-)

Yes Bridget , its a bit nippy here too !! OH finally got out the last root of the privet, the worse one and very deep, just waiting to hear when the fence is going up. During the night, when we had gales, the fence panel next to the soon to be chopped down tree, fell out, and OH has had to put it back with a little help from our friendly local farmer...tied the fence to the tree...a bit Heath Robinson but it worked.....always something to spend your money on when you have a garden..whether or not we are covered by insurance is another thing....

Good morning to you all.

The cake referred to in my last message smells delicious and looks good as well. Now safely tucked away for Christmas.
Sorry to hear about your fencing etc Greenfingers I expect it is quite expensive to replace, and time consuming.

This morning the weather is looking much better, the sun is beginning to break through, the birds are twittering, and when outside there was a great feeling of tranquility. Long may it last.

Wevare out for lunch today called Tinsel and Fun, some peoplevwill be in fancy dress, a short quiz, 5 rounds, lucky dip and of course music. The food will be excellent and I do not have to cook!
The purpose of this it to hsveva fun get together before some go back to the UK for Christmas and New Year.

Not sure what I shall be doing this morning, nothing to do with house work today so maybe I shall just relax.

Bridget

I fear it will be cutting down a 30ftr sycamore that will be the most expensive !!! It has been very windy here today, but has now calmed down...its getting dark already, still the fire is lit and we are relaxing...lovely


Jan

Bridget. I can smell that cake from here! I love any kind of fruit cake. However, it doesn't like me and always seems to settle on my hips!

When you said I was first on the thread, I was confused until I realised that I was first on this page. However, I reverse the order of posts and I'm not first when it comes to my computer. I get to page 1, then click on the white triangle next to Post Date, and it reverses the order so that it shows the last post first. If I post, it reverts back again, but I just click on the triangle again to go to the last post submitted. I always look for the laziest way of doing things!

Clear blue sky and sunshine here to-day. Sounds nice at 9am, but forecast is for 30, so it could get a little too hot for comfort. I try to get gardens watered and work done before I run out of energy, so that I can sit quietly if the heat starts to affect me.

I have no problems with cake ........... mmmmmm lovely!!

:-D

I have put the cake in a tin and in the top of the spare wardrobe so we are not tempted to eat it before Christmas!

It is chilly here today with the sun trying to break through but not much sign of it winning,

We had a good time last night and stayed out longer than intended, but worthwhile to be there.
The owners of the bar have said that my family can send cards to their address for special occasions.....I thought that was a kind thing to offer.

Somewhere below our house the is a Yappy dog who has not stopped yapping for about 20 minutes it is driving me mad! Maybe it has been left alone.

Sorry that this is a short message but have things to do, so bye bye for now,

Bridget in a cool and overcast Spain
:-)

Good morning to everyone who has posted on here. It is dry, the sky I'd a very pale blue, it is very cool, and very quiet with just a bird song now and again. Even Jet and Joe came straight back after a visit to the garden!

Nothing particularly interesting to add at the moment, but who knows what will happen during the day.

Yesterday evening I am certain that I opened a new thread asking for help and Advice about Army and Navy records. It was the last message I did.
Can I find it? NO I cannot not so will have to try again.

We had a wood fire last night and it was so good and created a great deal of warmth. It reminded me of childhood when my family had coal fires and when the coal man came it was emptied into a hole outside, what I mean is there was a round heavy lid in the street ( I think it was outside our front door) the coal would be emptied into it. Does anyone else recall having their coal delivered this way?

We are out tomorrow for the farewell party for our friends who are returning to South Manchester. They will be missed as they are good fun and I used to help them arrange various events to raise funds for the local community especially for the very old and the children with health problems. Sadly no one wants to take this over, I did mention it to OH but he felt that I should not offer to take over but be ready to help if it is re resurected. I know in my mind he is right but........


Oh well enough of my ramblings, wishing you all a happy day

Bridget
:-)

Its always the way Bridge that no one wants to take on a job that someone has done...trouble is people like you and me get sucked in to do it because we feel guilty, that no one else wants to do it !!!

Nearly December..must start writing Christmas cards

Regards Jan

Bridget - didn't you use the watched threads section - I have your Diary and a couple of threads that I put on covered by that - I think your OH is right about the charity work - it could mean a lot of work, some of which might not be appreciated as much as you would like.

I have discovered that I don't have Mary Hopkin (the sixties chart-topper) on my tree after all - because I gave her the wrong mother and father, but I have corrected it now. Mind you it took me hours of trawling old interviews etc. (googled of course). At least I am certain I have Jill Ireland and her two husbands (Charles Bronson [Death Wish] and David McCallum [the man from U.N.C.L.E.] on the tree as well as Sir Fred Pontin (Holiday camp king)

OH and I have been to the Christmas Shop today and bought a new tree (should last my lifetime) and lots of other decorations, we think we got an early present, because I am sure she undercharged us!!

Got our little car back from the garage yesterday, haven't got the bill yet, but unfortunately it seems it's engine is on its last legs, we will keep it going as long as we can but something is obviously wrong as it makes a constant tapping noise, which is very annoying, but can be drowned out by the in-car music centre!! At least it took OH to work this morning and brought me back safely! We hope to do our cake next week [we will be using one of those new fangled cake tins (made out of silicon)] and then buy our Christmas food the week after so that we are completely ready for the festive season. I have decided this year to wish as many people Merry Christmas as possible - I don't care how many people I offend - no-one is going to get me to use the phrase 'Happy Holidays'!!!!!!
Berona looks to be all set for a scorching Christmas on the beach!? How I do envy you - Summer and Christmas together!
Jan - sorry about your sycamore - always sad when a tree is cut down - but at least there won't be so many leaves in your garden next year.

No work at all for me this week, and we aren't signing on tomorrow either as there seems to be a general strike of civil servants - lots of delays for those on a flight. At least the army will be looking after border controls - that should frighten a few of the illegal immigrants away!! Unfortunately, most of the schools will be shut too, so there won't be a lot of peace!!

Trust everyone is well
Take care
Gerard :-)

Bridge! People have been know to receive my look of sustain for calling me this. BUT I will forgive as I make mistakes.

I have decide not to take the task on mainly because of the great numbers of people who have gone back to the UK. So only about six of us left so not much chance of doing anything.

Just on our way out so must go.

Hope you have a good day.

Bridget :-)

Good morning from me - good evening to you!

Gerard - your comment made me smile. I spent ONE Christmas in London. I was hoping to see snow but all I got was cold with the sun shining and no warmth coming from it! Snow came about ten days later.
You probably find it hard to imagine Christmas and summer together - well, we get disappointed if we don't get a bright sunny day. We do get the heat and sometimes summer showers, but it doesn't stop those who want to have a barbecue lunch (with all the trimmings, of course) and there are still many who keep with the tradition of our British ancestors and have the roast turkey, etc.
It's the English back-packers who congregate at Bondi Beach on Christmas Day - loads of them. Yes, some Aussies have a Beach Picnic, but that's because we are moving away from the traditional hot roasts. They don't suit the climate. Most of us have a day with the family - and some have a cold lunch (with lots of seafood, ham, turkey, duck, etc) followed by the hot roast for the evening meal - or one meal only at around 4pm with a mixture of hot and cold food - (take your pick) - but with so many 'trimmings' and the hot weather making us not want to eat a lot - there is always plenty left over for the next day - or week!

I wrote a piece on here just about 15 minutes ago ...... So where is it??

Oh well, the sun is shining, Jet and Joe are quiet , sitting on the floor beside me. OH is on the computer and listening to. BBC programme at the same time.
We are both a " little tired" due to having good fun at the party last night, we ate to much and imbied too much wine.....I know it was naughty and today we have to go to the big party which I mentioned a day or so ago.

After today I must get back to our healthy eating, in time for Christmas.

Berona, your description of the Christmas on the beach and in the garden sounds wonderful but, I feel strange at times not having the winters we used to have when I was a child. I recall so much snow falling it was never difficult to make a snowman, to watch the flakes of snow falling on the windows and of course trying to catch the flakes which almost instantly disappeared.
With this of course are other memories, cold fingers and toes, Wellington boots which chaffed ones legs, ice on the pavements and slipping over on them, throwing snowballs at each other and occasionally they hit the wrong person, and we would try to run away....

I am rambling again so will stop now

Enjoy your day, everyone,

Bridget



:-D

Good morning everyone from me, in a grey day in Spain. Not raining, not snowing, no sunshine so far but grey clouds as far as I can see. The occasional bird singing, the church clock just rang to let us know it is 08.30 hrs, Jet and Joe are still asleep and snoring away as is OH.
So here I sit in the main living room, with a mug of fresh coffee writing to you all.
We had a truly great time at our friends fare well party, with 82 people present. The extra two were a couple from ???? As no one knew them, everyone thought that someone else must have brought them along. Very kindly our friends just paid for them as they were chatty and friendly but only
spoke local dialect of Spanish from down south!!



We, and I do mean we, somehow agreed to join the line dancing which is held in the evening at 18.00 hrs. Should be fun, I was amazed when OH said he would like to join in!!
The restaurant was excellent, the food was delicious and the wine etc flowed...but having been out the night before we were somewhat prudent about the alcohol. !!
What we did not know was that the Restaurant is actually only one part of a large site, so we took a walk around and could not believe what a good place it would be for friends and family to use or even stay in.
Lots of different types of accommodation from cheap rooms set in delight
rows right up to houses one can live in more or less permanently, not sure why but the can be used by a family for 11 months of the year but not 12 months!
Amazing mobile homes, from the truly magnificent to the small caravans .entertainment available includes a very large swimming pool which has a roof, a couple of smaller pools, keep fit club, saunas, beauty salons, childrens club, childrens swimming pool, a wonderful aviary and monkey house, doctors on site each day, and all of this about 15 minutes away from where we live!


Not a lot more to add at the moment,

Bridget :-)

Well would you believe it the first day of Advent - My tiny piece of Cadbury's Dairy Milk was devoured avidly!!! Well it's December, and the weather is still pleasant in London. Not a hint of frost, no cold wind, bet we are in for it later!!!!

Took OH to work as usual this morning, car still going, no worse than when I got it back, fingers crossed it will last a bit longer. I went into voluntary work this morning as an outside company was using the computer room, and I was on hand to help out in any emergencies, only for a couple of hours though.

Spent most of my day on Family Tree adding more names - getting out of hand 22,327 names to date, of course it never stops, unless you want it to, plenty of room to go back in the past and lots of unexplored families to explore.

We have bought all the ingredients for the Christmas cake, except the butter, soon be time to soak the fruit in brandy (hic!). Not sure whether to add icing or not (got the marzipan though!)

Off to an Advent discussion group later (with the church) - we are investigating Genesis and the creation and what it means to us today - this is the third week, and discussions have been very fruitful so far. Hoping to take OH to the Science Museum tomorrow, or perhaps a second visit to the V & A, whichever, either will be interesting.

Not sure if I will add to the thread further this week, if not, prayers and candles as usual, every one keep safe and warm (or cool if you are Berona!) and look after yourselves/

Gerard :-)

Unfortunately, Gerard, one sycamore coming down will not make a scrap of difference...we have a wood at the side of us and a village green which is edged with trees.....so zillions of leaves to clear up !!!!!!!!!! Its a thankless task at this time of the year....so now we are in officially winter whoopee !!!!!!!!!!! I hate the cold, the only up point is having an open fire and wearing pj.s !!!! We have our Christmas evening at our church tomorrow night, so will be busy all day, decorating the church with greenery, just like they used too. We have about 12 readings, funny and serious about Christmas and it is very popular, we also have seasonal refreshments....will report back how it went over the weekend
I am sure Bridge that you have made the right decision......sometimes it is better to sit back and wait to see what happens.

Keep warm regards Jan

Good morning to you all.

I now do not sit outside on th verandah as it is far to cold, so here I am sitting in my favourite armchair, with my feet up on a matching stool, two big cushions behind me, still in nightwear , with long dressing gown and new slippers. Just finished my coffee, and Jet and Joe are gently snoring away on the favourite blankets.
Daylight is beginning to appear but with grey sky, yesterday was a crisp but sunny day.

Went shopping yesterday and check Bank balance and my frugal approach to using every item of food we can has really paid off.....yippee I now have a reasonable amount so if I stay frugal I may be able to save some more. Now by "frugal" I mean, hardly anything is thrown away or deposed of. So I shall continue to have that approach.
We bought lots of wine from" Lid.." which has some amazing offers at the moment, and a set of new saucepans. They are reasonably heavy but I can still lift them included in the pack were five saucepans, one steamer, with a separate lid, and a frying pan. Also a guarantee and full instruction if needed. All this for 68 euros. The others which were cheaper were not so good and there was one large heavy box which cost 350 euros, talk about from the sublime to the ridiculous.....and I did not recognise the manufacturer.

Tried out one saucepan last night when I made a curry, and no problem..so I am very happy, I cannot think of what else I need apart from a bigger Kitchen and that will not be happening!

Now I wonder what everyone else has been upto in the last couple of days.

We went line dancing for the first time, what fun we had, but have decided that we will go to the Monday sessions at lunch time so we can join the other two new people. I really do not know my right from my left.....

Well that is about all for now, I hope that you are all well and I am looking forward to reading your entries

Bridget

We had a really good Christmas Evening last night, very demanding, but everyone who came had a good time, the readers put their all into the emphasis and meanings...a few less than last year, but all round where we live there are more and more do's going on..We like to be pro-active as they say, and ensure that everyone who comes through the door gets a warm welcome . It doesn't take a lot to be pleasant to others... our church is known for this and it is a blessing that everyone gets on. We hope to build on a kitchen and loo in the very near future......it will be the first building work of a structural kind since the church was built in 1100 or thereabouts.

Its miserable here today, no sun, dull and overcast... typically December....my OH and I wrote out the Christmas cards today....so that is another job out of the way...Fence going up on 20th, not sure when the tree is coming down,,,,waiting to hear from tree surgeon.

Regards Jan

Is everybody OK.....its been very quiet on here....have you got addicted to Line dancing Bridget...it is fun, but not something I can do now I have two hip replacements !!! It is good to try something new or different once in a while...its very cold here today...but bright so cannot complain too much.. Look forward to hearing what fun things you have all been up to....I don't think doing two lots of washing, making lasagne and individual tuna flans is very exciting