General Chat

What a shame that got broken Vera. We had several days which were very blustery, while you were away. I'm glad that you managed to see so much and that the weather was kind to allow that.

Mandy, your chimney sweeping brings back so many memories for me. My parents never had central heating and relied on the coal fire to heat the bungalow. Dad had a set of brushes and before he started to sweep, all the picures, ornaments etc had to be taken out and as you say, the furniture was covered. My sister and I would run down the garden path and each hope that we would be the first to spot the brush coming out of the top of the chimney.
..........being called to help with something.....

Vera we had very high winds in the week here but I'm a long way from you! Such a shame about your lantern can it no be fixed with some new glass?? or will it still work without the glass?

BIL mowed again today and picked it all up as just mowing over it again did'nt work. I have just come in from the garden as he was going and I made him a coffee. While I was out there I was cutting all the brimbles out of the Rhodo on the west lawn. He had asked me to do it and when I got to it I had'nt realised just how much of it was growing over the poor bush. I also pulled up oone ~Ash tree and there's a Hawthorne under it too and a bigger Ash tree but I had backache so came in and left those to another day.Not had anything to eat yet either just a coffee this morning and a drop of water with my 1pm pill and a tea with BIL who only drinks coffee like oh.

Right I am now going to make an apple strudel. I part cooked the apples yesterday so they are cold to put on the pastry.

Afternoon all,

Nice sunny day here and quite warm ,son came and swept the chimney ,hardly any soot at all so thats a good job done ready for the winter, little bit of dust in the room but I have some big plastic sheets that I cover all the furniture with and i take all my nik naks out so it doesn't take to long to get sorted .

Oh Gwyn well done to your daughter for raising all that money ,I don't know how some of these charities would manage without all the good works from people raising money for them ,I hope she's not to sore or blistered from the walk .
I see on the news today more people drowned off the French coast last night Gwyn .

Vera we did have a bit of wind here last week as we were going to take our runners down but left them until later in the week because of the wind ,shame your lantern got broken .

Ann I have got Chelsea some new pj's and some chocolate but we will give her some money too as I've no idea what clothes she likes.

I have just hung some old sheets on the line that we use for dust sheers, hope they dry quick so I can get them in don't want people thinking they are our bed sheets they have a bit of paint on them and one has a big hole in :-D

Anng you'll be well on your way now , hope the traffic isn't to bad and you have a lovely week with your son and family .

Afternoon All,

A miserable, overcast day here with heavy rain forecast. Although the PC says it is 18 degrees it doesn't feel that warm.

Oh well done to your daughter raising all that money for Cancer Research Gwyn! How sad she lost her friend and that the little boy was left without his mother.

Mandy we gave up on the idea of an early rise to go to the retail park as we were both so tired when we woke up! I wonder what young Chelsea wanted for her birthday other than money! I remember it was all I wanted at her age.

I hope you have a good journey and stay with your son AnnG. It's a pity they don't empty a drawer for you, but at least you know what to expect when you go. They probably don't even think about it. It's good you have got your jabs booked.

Very well done Gwyn’s daughter. She has raised a good amount and it will all help with research to find a cure.

Have a lovely time at your son’s AnnG. I hope the weather is kind to you and you can get out and about. It’s lovely here at the moment, 19 degrees and sunny. It’s supposed to get to 21 by 3 pm but cloud over.

Did we have any high winds while we were away? I suddenly noticed that a nice solar lantern that sits on a garden table was missing. When I went to check I found it had crashed down on to a chair and the glass had smashed. I can only think it was blown over by the wind. It’s disappointing as it’s a particularly nice one that my daughter gave me.

Our friends are coming at 2.30 pm so I’d better make a quick sandwich. These are old friends that we know well but OH is acting as though the Queen of Sheba is coming. Chairs have been rearranged and coasters put by every place and I only just stopped him putting on 2 electric fan heaters in case they feel cold. I don’t know what’s come over him - I think he’s aiming to become The Host With The Most! ;-)

BIL is here to pick up the mowings from Friday as it was quite long and now they have dried out a bit it will be easier to pick it up.

Thanks Gwyn. Well done on that great amount raised. I bet she will be tired today. Quite nice here, some sun but cloudy 16 degrees though so not cold.

I have got my covid and flu jabs booked now for 26 October.

What a lovely amount to have raised for Cancer Research you must be very proud of her. what a lovely thing to do. I too lost my best friend from childhood with cancer at a very young age.

Still sunny here and 16 degrees now so lets hope it stays that way. It makes you want to do things when the sun shines and not endless rain. I am doping ironing at the mo but just popped in to see the posts.

I have a parcel to do up later on ready for posting tomorrow.

Another beautiful morning here in the far south east, after a really lovely day yesterday.
16 degrees and sunny here so far.

It was very clear across The Channel, when we were there early evening and the great sadness is that often means migrants will try to cross, while the weather is good. We wake up to the news that many have lost their lives overnight.

Thank you for your kind thoughts for daughter on her Thames Bridges walk. They could nominate which charity they were raising money for and she chose Cancer Research. Today is the anniversary of her losing a very dear friend she'd had from childhood, when Rachel died from Cancer leaving a 3 years old son.
Daughter hoped to raise £250. She completed the walk, 25 Kms and so far her total is over £500 Haven't spoken to her yet, but she's OK and been messaging her sister, but hasn't moved yet much :-)

Ann, I hope you have a lovely time with son and family.

Another busy day, but I'll try to get back later.

Morning girls,

Nice bright morning here and its 14 degrees and pc says mostly sunny.

Do have a lovely rest while away Ann and I wish you a sae journey.

BIL said he may come again today and pick the grass cuttings up but I don't hod out much hope.

Well off to wash my hair now and have a nice long showers.

good morning all. a bit grey here this morning 10 degrees so not too bad, hopefully the sun will break through. I am being picked up by son at around 12.30, he will do a quick loo stop and turn around to get straight back on the road.

Oh I had forgotten it was the Thames Bridges walk this weekend ,I hope Gwyn's daughter has had lots of sponsors and hasn't got to many blisters .

Vera I don't know what we would do without son and dil's help at times ,he does things so much quicker than we would and as you say we do help them .

I forgot to say when we went shopping on Friday we were loading the conveyor belt when Colin dropped a pot of cream ,the top flew off and the cream splattered everywhere so we had to wait while this very happy chatty lad cleaned it all up, he said cream was the worst to clean up, as we came out the shop Colin said we'll it is Friday the 13th :-0 I didn't let him touch the replacement pot .

Ann hope you managed to get out early and get your errands done before it got busy ,we try not to go out on a sat as the world and his wife seem to be on the roads ,but on saying that we did go to see my sister and bil this morning as they had some wood they wanted to get rid of and we can use it for sticks for the fire once its chopped up , luckily where they live is not the side of town where the super markets are .

Good afternoon all

Are you all packed now AnnG? Is it tomorrow that you go? I think I remember you saying that your son lived in the Milton Keynes area. Have a lovely time.

Your son is good Mandy to do the different jobs for you but you seem to do lots to help them as well so it’s swings and roundabouts. It’s a good idea to get the chimney swept before the cold weather sets in.

Your bil is good as well Mel. It would be difficult for you to manage everything by yourself with all your mowing and pond maintenance.

I hope Gwyn’s daughter has managed her Thames Bridges Walk without too many blisters. I think it was about 25 km so it’s good that it hasn’t been sweltering heat. Was it in aid of a cancer charity Gwyn? I am sure that you told us but my memory is getting terrible these days..

My back seemed a little better this morning so I tackled the ironing. Not a wise decision! Now my back seems worse than ever. I did a couple of other small jobs, had lunch and had a shower but just couldn’t manage to sit on a stool and wield the hairdryer so my hair has had to dry in it’s own higgledy-piggledy way. I’ve only taken 1 pill today but I will probably need a couple later.

OH went out this morning to get some new black shoes to replace the ones we dumped in Vienna. He went straight to the Clarks shop as he always ends up there anyway. He finds buying his shoe size in Clarks extra wide fitting suits his foot and he got a nice pair of black lace ups. I didn’t ask the price but this is turning out to be quite an expensive holiday.

We have our friends M & V and another lady friend coming for tea and cakes tomorrow afternoon. I haven’t got time (or energy) to make any cakes so asked OH to buy a couple while he was out this morning. Bless him, he remembered but bought 2 the same. I was thinking a creamy cake and a plain one as not everyone likes the same but I’ve got 2 squidgy, creamy, lemon Swiss rolls. I’ll have to put out a few plain biscuits.

Well, I’d better move myself off this bed and start getting our meal ready. The older I get, the lazier I get and I find it hard to motivate myself, though once I get myself going I usually work quite hard.

Morning Friends,

Lovely bright sunny morning here too and its 13 degrees O its just gone up to 14 degrees as I was typing. Just the ususal shop to do today and BIL may come either today or tomorrow as he mowed yesterday but did'nt pick the cuttings us so now they have dried a bit they will be easier to pick up plus he did'nt mow last week as it was so wet theres lots of cuttings and it looks like hay fields when they have mowed.

You should have a nice week away at your sons Anng as I think this weather is supposed to last for a while. Lets hope so we've earned it.

Morning all,

Bright and sunny here but chilly, we've had the heating on the last two mornings to take the chill off but only for about an hour.
Tomorrow son is coming to sweep the chimney for us so I need to clear the room of some bits later today and get the plastic sheets in to cover the furniture .

Anng you did well to hear her with her having an accent and being soft spoken ,I hope once they have had their decussion you won't need any more treatment .
I forget where your son lives but I think all over the country should be quite nice next week ,should be dry so you'll be OK for trips out.

Good morning all and thanks for your comments re my appointment yesterday. It would have been better if I had had somebody with me to help understand what the doctor was saying, I am not sure what nationality she is. She is very nice speaks good English with a very strong accent and quite a soft voice. But I could hear her just not always pick out the words. As she drew a diagram, and as I have had dealings with BCCs before I got what she was saying. It will be better when/if I can see the surgeon again as, even though he is, I think, African he speaks perfect English.

It is 6 degrees here so a bit warmer than yesterday and is another lovely sunny day. I have packing to do today. staying with my son is very different from my daughter's, at hers I have a lovely big room and an en suite. son has a large 5 bed house but there will be four of them in situ as Grandson is going to be at home working from home so he can see me. That is lovely but one of the largest bedrooms is son's model railway room. I don't blame him for that I only visit occasionally. If only they took a look at the 'guest bedroom which is about 3 foot wider than a double bed and crammed with furniture which would be great if some or even one of the drawers was left empty for me to use. so I have to live out of the case for a week and hand trousers etc from wherever I can put them. And there are two en suites but grandson and I will share the family bath room. Having said that, if I can ignore thos aggravations they are all very kind and I know they will look after me and take me out so I should not really complain.

Lets hope all has gone well with the op and you don't need further treatment. Nasty place right on your nose so I do hope everything is ok now for you.

Been a lovely day here and BIL and I did both pond filters and he got the mesh strainer out of the top box and cleaned tht for me while I did my pond filter. I can't reach the top box to get that bit out.

I have been sent two picks of me at the wedding and I shall have to take a pic of them to show you. I look awful.

Ann no it was plain haddock baked in the oven. I love smoked haddock with broccoli or sweetcorn and new pots sometimes a poached egg.

Vera I am still putting my wheat bag on my knee at night and I am sure it helps.

It sounds as though your appointment was good in parts AnnG. I hope when the team have had their discussions you will not need further treatment. It is so difficult when the doctors have an accent that is hard to understand but it sounds as though you handled it very well.

You are lucky to have buses and ones that have the £2 flat rate. Recently I had to go to the hairdressers by bus before 9.30. It's 2 stops but my back was bad so I didn't want to walk. The bus is every 2 hours and it cost me £3 for those 2 stops. After I came out I had an hour and 40 minutes to wait for a bus back so I ended up walking home.

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I did the above bit of the post at 3 o'clock but we had unexpected visitors and I didn't get to finish it.

It was very cold overnight though I don't think it got quite as low as AnnG's temperature. It's been a fair bit warmer today, sunny with a bit of a nip in the air. We went and did a bit of grocery shopping this morning and this afternoon I managed just a short while in the garden but I am having a lot of trouble with my back and am having to take plenty of painkillers. I try to keep them to a minimum but I am having to take them, grit my teeth and get on with things or nothing will get done. I haven't attempted the ironing yet as that is one of the worst things for the pain.

We picked the right week to go to Vienna. Today the temp there is 9 degrees and there is heavy rain all day and for the next 3 days. This morning there was even a warning for snow and ice though I see that has disappeared now. It's a bit of a change from the 30 degrees or more we were getting a few days ago.

I'm now going to have a cup of tea that OH has made and go early to bed as I can sit up reading with pillows propped up behind me and a wheat bag against the most painful muscle. I hope the rest of you are tickety boo and all sleep well tonight.

That's good you were called in early for your appointment AnnG. I think if someone else is late for their appointment they call you in ahead of them, or sometimes I think the appointments before you have been dealt with quickly so they get on with people who are ready and waiting. I seem to remember there being a case meeting when I had my operation, so I hope it is soon so they give you another appointment. Hopefully you will get the full picture then and his thoughts may help you decide what's the best way forward for you.

Mel that sounded like a nice meal I would have liked as long as it wasn't smoked Haddock. You were lucky having a seaside caravan to go to. Apart from a daytrip when I was 4-5 I never saw the sea again till I was 15 and my friend's mum took us both to help clean their seaside chalts at Hemsby. I meant to ask whether you have seen any photos of the wedding yet? We want to see one of you there!

It warmed up here by this afternoon so I went out in the back garden for a few minutes and sprayed some more of the nasty weed that's spread on the the gravel. I't's like a tiny clover but I read that when the seed pods burst they can fire seed 16 feet! The washing soon dried and is put away and I did the rest of the food order for Sunday. OH did some work this morning and later walked up the close and posted some letters for me.

Early start tomorrow as we want to be at W H Smith down the road at 8.30am before the Saturday hordes arrive and fill the parking spots! We can then move to the far side that should be less busy and pop in Waterstones for OH to get a book he wants and have a coffee at Costa in there. Then fill my car up at Sainsbury's.

I got the 0928 bus which arrived 3 minutes early and I and several others handed over our £2 as it was not 0930.
Got to my appointment with 30 minutes to spare but was called in early.

the appointment was with the same doctor I saw when I had the dressing off. She is lovely, very quiet and gentle and but her English is not that good so I was reading (or listening) between the lines. I have to say, if I had not had biopsies for BCCs before I would have been lost.

firstly, despite the fact that she had requested me to make an appointment 2 weeks after the last one she seemed not to really know why I was there. However she had obviously read my notes before I went in and had them in front of her.

Apparently Mr Okonkwo had the result of the biopsy back and from what she said I have to guess it was a BCC, however (and he knew this) they are not sure that he had taken enough margin, although he did take some (I think they are covering themselves here) I know if he had taken any more there would be a big operation to rebuild my nose and he didn't want that. Apparently he has to go to some 'gathering' or other of all the experts to discuss it and come up with a solution if there is one. He will then meet me to discuss any options. I had quite a chat with Dr Nowghani and asked her if my nose was OK, Had the skin graft taken etc etc. She said it was very good, just one small part that needs to heal and as time goes on it will look even better.

I asked if the final decision was mine. She said definitely. So I pointed out that at my age operations are a danger in themselves (she agreed) and I would probably refuse an operation but I would wait and see what Mr O says when I see him. I think if a new one developed on that spot it would take a year or two.

I told her the two weeks I am away (she didn't write them down). I told her the problems with the booking office (she apologised) Apparently if I got what she said right, there are more patients than clinics. Hmm how about produce more clinics?

Anyway, I don't have to book the appointment with Mr O so I can sit back and wait for it to materialise (or not as the case may be). If by any chance I spot a problem on my nose I will chase him.