General Chat

O that annoying Annx perhaps it just needs to be run for a while. If its not used much they could have flushed the pipes through as we get that sometimes.

Oh that's handy if they give you an approximate time for collection then Mel. Good that one of your parcels was cheaper than the van which sounds surprising. So a saving on that and on the fuel. Saves a bit of time too if you are busy. It's a good idea to resell the things you don't want like that.

Since the new boiler was fitted the water from the tap nearest to the water meter where the water comes into the bungalow is milky till it stands for 10 minutes, so it seems to be bubbles. Not sure why though unless they changed the water pressure or something. It doesn't look appetising, so I'd better ring the boiler man. It runs clear from all the other taps.

They do tell you an about time the posty will come for your parcels and one was cheaper than taking it to the van so that was good. Both are signed for and tracked so I am happy with the way I have sent them. Both small job lots of things I bought for certain items and I just put the rest back on Ebay that way I get what I wnat and a bit back of the price I paid.

Wehad one small shower today the moment I stepped out the door to feed the chickens and by the time I got back indoors it stopped. I'm sure the weather knows when I am going out even if its not the same time every day.


Not going to Stu's tonight but tomorrow as he rang me so now I have to find something for dinner.

Evening All,

We woke to thickish fog so I haven't been out today after all. OH has been working and we had F&C delivered so a nice lazy day. The washing's up to date now and I'm just clearing the decks at my desk! Where all the paper keeps coming from amazes me. I've ordered some new jeans in 25 inch length I've had before that don't need me to get the sewing machine out to alter and was pleased to see they were reduced by £9 so I ordered an extra pair. I've also changed 2 inks in the printer so OH can print some papers.

Mel that would be a saving if the postie could collect your parcels. I haven't tried that yet either but thought it could be useful. Not everyone is able to get to a collection or post office. I suppose the only downside might be not knowing what time of day they will come and having to stay in or be in earshot.

The craft fair might be worth popping in just to see if many are buying and if there are any interesting ideas. I hope Stu has a nice meal for tonight!

Thanks for the reminder about the progs Mandy. I'd forgotten to record Rueben and didn't know Kirstie was soon starting. :-D

You did well with your raffle and Secret Santa gifts at the Ladies' Group Vera. I would enjoy both of your prizes. What a horrid journey both ways to see your daughter and partner. I expect they were very pleased to see you though.

I hope you enjoyed your lunch at the garden centre with your friend/neighbour AnnG. Did you see anything to buy? I noticed where we went yesterday had Camellias in flower already. Not surprising, we had no post today.

Afternoon all,

The day started off with no frost and sun shine and off we went to Tesco's by the time we came out it was foggy and its been like if since ,really murky and cold out there now

Mel that will be handy if it works and the postie can collect your parcels it will save you having to go out .

For those that like Ruben Owen there's a programme tonight on channel 5 9 o'clock Christmas in the dales.
Next week Monday to Friday Kirstie's handmade Christmas on channel 4 at five thirty .

Went up the post van......not there. No poster up on the bus shelter to say why so I came home and tried to post two parcels online to be collected and for the posty to bring the labels. Will have to wait and see if it works. If it does it will save me deisel going up the village and for the parcels to be collected for the post any day the postman comes and not only on the four days the van should arrive. It only Mon. Wed. thurs and Friday that it comes to the village.

The craft fair is on tonight at the village hall in Shebbear but I am not doing it as I hav'nt got everything ready and I can't be bothered but I may go but I am at Stu's tonight for dinner.

Good morning all,

8 degrees and cloudy here this morning. I have two parcels to get up the post van this morning.

Slept well only got up once in the night.

Gwyn I shall post your card today so look out for the posty

good morning all a bit grey here although dry so far and only 3 degrees as well so chilly.
Out for lunch at the local garden centre with a friend/neighbour today.

Vera that was a bit of a nightmare journey for you but good that you had a nice day with daughter and partner.
The post is very confusing so I just put second class on everything, except when the only stamps I have are the first class ones that Tesco sent when they ran out of second class. Used one last week and the letter did get to Hampshire the following day.

Ann I am sure that we don't see a post delivery every day now. we did have a couple of weeks when we seemed to have the same postman and he delivered every day but we are back to different ones each day again and no daily delivery. Hope your card arrives soon anyway.

Well is'nt that always the way when you think your going to get past a traffic build up and they close the blimmin road. Then you have to drive miles to get to where you wanted to go. It happens here all the time. And why do they do raod works in the winter???? when its always wet.

I did do the two windows in the bedroom and I had the dressing table out. Its so heavy but I did one side then the next. you should have seen the lacey cobwebs behind it! also I had some black mold on that wall so I washed all that down with Silit Bang which is really good on black mold. I now have to get the chest of draws out to get behind that but thats for another day and there's no way I can move the other one which has a big telly on it that I don't use because I don't know how to turn it on.

I changed all the bed but rang Em and she popped in at lunchtime to help me with the quilt cover. It only takes a minuet with the two of us but takes me ages walking backwards and forwards around the bed, bad enough putting the bottom fitted sheet on. Anyway all done now for another week when the process starts all over again. Just wish I did'nt have a kingsize bed, I never ever sleep over his side and the mattress is so very heavy and on a wooden based bed hard to get your hands down the sides and top.

There frost out there tonight and pc is saying 3 degrees and mostly cloudy. Earlier the stars were all shining but they have gone now. Frost is on the car too.

Just doing up another parcel for a sale on Ebay so thats two to post tomorrow both sold today. Then I am going to do dinner just a meal for one, minted lamb with carrots and colcannon mash and I shall have a bit of broccoli with it too.

It’s been mostly dry today but very cloudy. I was amazed when at midday the weather app was saying it was 6 degrees but felt a bit warmer because of the sun. What sun? If it was there it must have been playing hide and seek as I haven’t caught sight of it all day.

Thank you for your lovely card AnnG which we also received today. I don’t understand the system with 1st and 2nd class stamps. It seems you put on whatever stamp you fancy and it might arrive quickly or it might not. We had 2 cards in today’s post, both 2nd class. Yours arrived the day after posting, the other one, posted not far away, took 5 days to get here.

Gwyn, there is something very special about a primary school nativity. It’s one of the things I miss now the grandchildren are all grown up.

You all seem to have been very busy today. I slept better last night and so was up early and got a load of washing done plus a few other jobs. I was going to town to pick up my meds and get a few bits in Iceland as it is their pensioners’ 10% off day, but I didn’t get that far. This afternoon the Ladies Group had their Christmas afternoon tea which starts at 1.30 so I had to get showered and dressed in good time for that. It was a good afternoon. Plenty of excellent food, mulled wine, tea and coffee and of course crackers with dreadful jokes. It wouldn’t be Christmas without cracker jokes, lol. I did very well. We don’t usually have a raffle at Christmas but a hamper, a big tub of Quality Street and a box of biscuits had been donated and I won the Quality Street. In the Secret Santa I got a nice pack with some foot soak crystals, foot cream and warm, fluffy socks.

Yesterday we went to visit our daughter and partner. It was lovely to see them and spend time with them but what a nightmare journey we had both ways. We normally travel down the main road towards Colchester and then turn off cross country till we join a major road again at a large roundabout. This avoids a very busy road around Colchester. All was going well, we were in the section going cross country and went to turn left to find the road we were turning into had been closed and we had to follow a diversion which took us to the part of Colchester we were trying to avoid. Then it was bumper to bumper with every traffic light turning red as we reached it. Coming back was worse We took a different route only to find there were also road closures, diversions, and extensive road works with those high barriers that make it difficult to see where you are. In addition it was dark and raining. I won’t bore you with all the details but the journey back took twice as long as our normal trip and we were both shattered by the time we got home.

Anyway that was yesterday. Today’s another day. Seering the time, I’d better get down to the kitchen and start cooking or OH will think he isn’t getting any dinner tonight.

Afternoon All,

OH didn't have a great night again, but is much better now and he thinks the way he lies might be part of the problem. I suggested he hang upside down like a bat as he fidgets so much in bed or that I lash him down with restraints and that made him laugh! I've given him some of my knee gel to try now. He's out again tonight, but shouldn't be late.

We were up early enough to go to the garden centre but couldn't believe the long queue of traffic all through the village and beyond, fortunately for us coming the opposite way. We had a nice brekkie at the garden centre, reasonably priced and they will swap items, so I could avoid sausage by having an extra egg. No jigsaw though and no books OH fancied in The Works. Naturally It is full of Christmas themed things now. The decorations were not a patch on how they used to be and their Christmas village was rather pathetic.

Just after we got home my camera arrived and is black like I ordered so that's good and I've charged the battery and tried it, but some things are different to my previous camera but at least there's a little instruction book. I will get a spare battery once I know the camera works ok. I've also ordered the jigsaw online and was able to use a coupon that made it £2 cheaper so that was good. I've also ordered 2 books OH always has at Christmas and done a washing load that's on the airer and rads everywhere.

You've been busy Mel. I'm the same with the main bedroom window that's a square bay window and has builtin cupboards and drawers in front. I used to be able to stand on the sides of the lower drawers and reach everything but climbing up and balancing hurts now, so I'll have to use one of my flat ended mop things. Were the chickens pleased to see you with their supper this morning?

AnnG we are convinced we don't get letter post delivered every day now. It seems to be nothing for a couple of days, then a wad of envelopes the next day.

I think when people see the price of postage abroad some will probably send e cards next year instead Gwyn. It's a shame as cards look so festive and not everyone can use computers. I like to hear little children sing 'Away in a manger'. It seems to suit their little voices.

I think I might pop to our Factory Shop tomorrow and see if they still have any of those crystal things that absorb moisture Mandy and a good look round. OH won't be coming and hurrying me as he has a zoom meeting. The birds seem to love their fat balls too and we need some since the fat Squirrel polished some off. It sounds like you got a lot done today.

It looks as though they are not separating first and second class now then. Same as Mel's in fact everyone on the thread all cards would have been collected Monday at 0900.

Afternoon all,

No frost this morning and it's been sunny at times but there is some grey clouds about .
Your card arrived here this morning Anng thank you .

We went to the factory shop ,and to the farm shop to get eggs ,when I got home I walked to town and got our tablets from boots and into a few shops to get some Christmas presents so gradually getting there with the presents.

Oh Gwyn we miss hearing and seeing the little ones in the nativity plays ,we used to go into the church to see the grandchildren as the little school always do the nativity in the church and not in the school , I must remember to ask son if there's any raffle tickets for the school Christmas fayre on Friday.

Cards to go abroad are £2.80 wherever they are going, I think, whereas there used too be different rates for eg. Europe.
My 5 overseas ones went today and one went a couple of weeks ago tucked into a birthday card envelope, to save postage.
Now to make a start on my other cards.
Like you AnnG, having moved around the country quite a bit, I send cards all over UK.

School hall has a lovely decorated tall real Christmas tree and the stage has been set up ready for the Nativity play. Soon I'll be hearing the little ones singing their songs in readiness.

gosh that was quick Mel It would only have been collected at 0900 yesterday morning and second class. :-S

Back from town now and card to Iceland posted£2.80!! I was in town at 10 am and it was quiet then but was getting busy by the time I left to come home

Thanks for the lovely card Anng. I shall have to get my card strings out now.

Wiped two of the hall doors down inside and out so three to go of the solid dorrs and four glass ones. Still not got the spider that is hiding up the lights over the table but had a web down to the table again this morning and have had two deaad bodies fall onto the table but I WILL get it eventually.

Shopping not arrived yet.

Stripped the bed and washe dit now its on the line after a fight. Just got to wrestle with the bottom sheet and quilt cover and thats another job done. Dusted the hall and windowsills in the bedroom but need to clean the windows in there and thats hard for me as they are so high up. Oh used to do those for me as theres furniture under each of the two windows in there. Shall have to get the window thing out and see if I can reach with that.

Morning all,

Its 4 degrees here at the mo and the suns out so far today but there was a frost. Pc says mostly cloudy.

Slept like a log last night and got up at 7.58am for the loo and went back to bed as it was cold but only lay there a little while, got up to turn the heating on for a bit. Cars still covered in frost.

When I was coming out of Morrisons yesterday I looked at who was on the tills and saw Kath who used to be on the ciggy counter so I went to her till. There was a lady there who was taking ages to get he shopping in the trolly she had her son with her who did'nt seem to do much but did lift all the bags in the trolly for her and there was 4 of us behind her. After waiting ages for her to get the shopping put in bags and then in the trolly she paid in CASH all new notes so lots of them had to go through the machine and that all takes time. I could hardly believe it there must have been hundreds there.

good morning all only 2 degrees this morning, what an up and down type of weather we have at the moment.

Hopefully going into town this morning to the post office to post a card to Iceland. Just don't want it to rain. didn't sleep as well as I have been last night. No idea why.

Ann it is always the way when looking for something particular. No doubt once you have bought it you will see it everywhere.
Vera hope your back isn't suffering too much after your busy day yesterday and hope that you managed to get to see your daughter and her partner as well.

Evening All,

We went to the garden centre at teatime instead of this morning as OH had a bad night with his back and also one of his headaches so had a lie in. No puzzle that I wanted so I may have to order online. OH's fine again now but was glad his meeting tonight was cancelled due to various illnesses. His Friday one about 100 miles round trip is cancelled as well now and he was pleased not to be travelling that far on a Friday with all the traffic. I thought he'd be glad of a rest, but no, he's going to another Friday meeting more local that he'd had to cancel before as it clashed!

AnnG poor Jake and what troubles some have to cope with, especially with four children to look after as well. It can't be easy for him so you can understand him being unable to come to you. Maybe he forgot to let you know with all he had on his mind. I must have another look for the bride and groom as I missed them!

I just looked at our gas and electric bill for the month to November 25th which includes the date the new boiler was fitted so lots of testing and running it that day. Our gas was £76.12 and electric £58.42, so a total of £134.54. I changed ours to a fixed rate in June that lasts till next June so might be why ours is a bit lower cost? Also a bungalow has no stairs and landing to heat and lower ceilings than a house, so less space to heat. Like you though we have cut down our use in various ways. If we get up and go straight out we don't put heating on and the conservatory, uti and ensuite have the radiators switched off. The shower is gas heated, but we keep them short! There's not a lot more that we can do. An old schoolfriend wears a fluffy onesie over her day clothes round the house to keep warm. :-)

I saw a skinny young Squirrel today on next door's feeders. The fat balls on ours are lasting longer now they are out of easy reach. The Blue Tits were getting a share in peace today. :

I see you have been busy Mandy and at least got your tree almost in position till your son helps level it. I was surprised today when we were out to see how many people have got wreaths on their doors and have put lights up already. I think we all need a bit of cheer after watching the news lately! :-)

You've had a busy day spending today at Bideford Mel. I bet you had more to show for your £ at Lidl! It sounds like you got a lot sorted though which is good. I so agree about the potholes in the dark and the bright headlights. It was dark when we got home too and I was saying to OH how the cat's eyes they used to have on most roads were much better than white lines that get covered in mud or wear off quickly. I bet the chickens will be pleased to see you in the morning! :-D