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"longer off topic comments" - Episode 29 Life Outside Ambridge
"longer off topic comments" - Episode 29 Life Outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments" - Episode 14 Life Outside Ambridge Have a seat and let's chat.
Napa Valley train. Just enjoying ourselves very much. Wine tasting and good food.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are enjoying your well earned break.
ReplyDeleteI echo that, Ruthy. Cheers ! Handsome looking train.
DeleteGood for us to see your trains Ruthy.
DeleteContinue to enjoy.
And thank you yet again.
Ruthy, what are the Yellow flowers ?
ReplyDeleteAre they wild, or planted between the vines for a reason do you know ?
Whooo, Whooo! So different from our little old steam engines in Britain Ruthy. Have a great time!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely tipple or two. I’ll have one tonight and raise my glass to our archers rescuer đˇ
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruthy and enjoy the rest of your holiday. I took the Hudson valley train once and the Boston to New York. I love train travel. Been on a few in Norway as well, including the one that crosses the arctic circle and toots as it goes over the line. I bet a fair few bloggers have taken some memorable train rides.
ReplyDeleteI love long train journeys. We went from New York to Toronto (13hrs) from Toronto to Vancouver which took 3days. The scenery was spectacular and the journey very comfortable.
DeleteTaking trains in this country is an unpleasant experience. Recently I had to take a train from Manchester and it was delayed, and then the next one was delayed. When it finally arrived it was packed, and we were squeezed in like sardines. Then the train companies have the cheek to increase the fares.
The last two trains I was on only had one toilet with 4 carriages of people. Of course it was frequently engaged and when you got in was not clean. It was like travelling in a third world country. When I was on holiday last year in Italy Itravelled by train to Lucca and it was spotless with a well kept loo in each carriage. What a contrast!
DeleteOur most memorable train ride was when my husband and I were on the Rickie Mountaineer in Canada from Kamloops to Vancouver. We splashed out for Gold Leaf class being the top of a double decker with dining room below. There were two sittings and if you were on second sitting they would bring around a basket of pastries etc to keep you going! We were served frequently with wine and g and t’s! I still have two Gold Leaf embossed large stem glasses which served for either drink!
That should be the Rockie Mountaineer!
DeleteHa...I quite liked Rickie mountaineer. đ
DeleteChange of subject : what with going off to Dubai on 1st January, spending Christmas Day at our daughter’s house and not expecting any visitors at all, over the holiday period :- am I being curmudgeonly or Scrooge-like by not feeling like putting up any decorations?
ReplyDeleteI really can’t be bothered to get our small artificial tree down from the attic, spend ages winding greenery up the bannisters and trying to get fairy lights to work!
I am happy to display Christmas cards on the chimney breast as I do each year, but that’s about it.
I shall cook a small turkey for Mr A and myself on Boxing day, in the hope that it will provide enough leftovers to last until we go away, make mince pies and all the puddings to take to our daughter’s on Christmas Day, indulge in some mulled wine and stollen and crack plenty ofBrazil nuts but that’s about it.
Christmas is a bit of a non event for us this year! đ
I didn’t feel like putting up Christmas decs last year as it was only 6 months after my husband passed and in any case we were going away. Daughter and I are off again this year to Tenerife but I did get the decs out. We had a fibre optic tree but I plugged it in after it’s two year break and it went phut so ended up in the bin! So no tree this year but have decorated the mantelpiece and window sill so with the cards will look festive. I do feel a bit more Christmassy this year. Last year I felt like someone looking on from afar while others dashed around buying presents and festive food. Next year we are staying at home with the dogs and although it will never be the same we will progressively enjoy it more as time goes on. I think you are being sensible, Archerfile and you can have a nice quiet Christmas with an exciting New Year to look forward to. Enjoy!
DeleteGet up to that attic Archerphile and bring down the decorations.
DeleteWe aren't expecting many folk round but you never know who might pop in and anyway I
like playing as Mr LJ calls it
I take down the pictures and put up wooden garden trellis panels onto which I peg the cards.
No tree but I have pruned the twisted Hazel and put some branches in a cylindrical glass vase .
Went out this morning and bought some tiny led lights-half price in Homebase.
Each year I add a character -from pegs -to the stable I made .
The first year there was only Mary and Baby Jesus.
Joseph came the following year.
Full house now although some of the animals are not quite the right size
Wreath made from Hazel twigs bent into a circle with Ivy, fir cones and other greenery tied on.
No holly as yet but a friend has a lovely big holly bush so hopefully will get a few branches from her.
First Round Robin thrown away.
Cards coming daily.
Lovely
They know you're coming in Tenerife, Ev: when we were there last month the decorations were up already.
DeleteFeliz Natividad!
Sarnia am Impressed with your Spanish! I only know ola!
DeleteAh, I only know that because I saw it on hoardings all over Gran Canaria as well as Tenerife. Otherwise, I can order a large bottle of still mineral water very fluently indeed, but that's about the extent of it!
DeleteI can say 'Thank you' in Turkish, but I'm blessed if I know how to spell it!
DeleteI did French for five years at school and understand it if spoken slowly, if pressed can make halting conversation but I think we were taught too much grammar and not enough actual spoken French. I really think learning another language should start at age seven or eight taught as simply speaking together. It’s amazing when you meet people from other countries who speak English fluently!
DeleteI lived in Hong Kong for two years and only learnt Kung Hei Fat Choi which means happy new year! So Kung Hei Fat Choi to you all!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThanks, Ev!
DeleteDubai coming around so fast AP đđť đ¤ your Christmas arrangements sound sensible to me, the cards will do all you need.
ReplyDeleteNo not curmudgeonly AP.
DeleteIf you don't feel like it, don't do it.
I knew a man, a noted sports journalist who in his last decade kept his Christmas decorations up permanently, from one Christmas to the next.
I have not had Christmas Decorations for twenty years now.
I don't have visitors, there are no children around, I do put up my cards usually a couple of days before the Big Day and take them down before twelfth night.
One of the permanent things in my life has been my Christmas box with all my decorations. I still keep it. Even though it has not been used for so long.
In future years your G children may visit. Save your energy and the decorations for then.
Oh Mrs P.
DeleteDo it for yourself .
No energy required except for getting the stuff down from the attic.
Get out your Christmas box and pick a few bits and pieces for this year
Don't postpone the enjoyment you may have from doing just that.
On the other hand just do your own thing both of you.
.
Goodness LanJan..... why ?
DeleteNo pleasure for me.
Just pointless activity that I don't need.
I can't even organise my ' new' kitchen almost eighteen months after the builders left.
I don't want Christmas decorations. In my opinion they are tacky.
So.... no thanks.
Well, lots of ideas there to think about! Thank you all. I did think briefly about doing all the usual things but I’d have to take everything down on New Years Eve as well as packing, as I couldn’t leave the decorations up while we were away - bad luck and all that.
ReplyDeleteSo think it will be just cards and a few candles on the windowsil including, of course, my menorah for Chanukah which is still on display, 2 days late!
I agree Mrs P. I shall only put my tree up the day before the children come on Jan the 4th. I do put my cards up, well the ones I find tasteful, the rest are hidden. I shall bother to cook a meal on Christmas day with all the trimmings, just for myself (just meat for Misty ) my one concession to the festivities.
ReplyDeleteApart from the religious aspects, for me Christmas is for children.
It is such a shame that there can be so much pressure at this time of year to do things a certain way. It’s heartening to hear that many bloggers feel free to do what’s right for themselves. If you enjoy putting up decorations that’s a lovely thing to do but if not it’s another household chore. Someone at a yoga class I was attending last Christmas went on a big trip to Oz and her husband insisted they should have decorations up before they went, although they were going to be away for Christmas. She regretted it on her return when they had them all to take down, jet lag, children to get ready for school and a mountain of laundry.
ReplyDeleteThere are just two of us for Christmas so we have decided to put up a minimal amount of decorations (I still have my cards to write so it won’t be until near Christmas Eve - the decorations, not the cards, which I will write today). I often do it whilst listening to carols from Kings, then go out to the local church service in the early evening (can’t stay awake for the midnight service). I enjoy this time of year as a quiet reflective time when the city empties and if we have any bright days, like today, the light is special. We visit our families up north but often not for Christmas itself for various reasons.
I hope everyone on here has a peaceful or exciting time as they desire.
I used to love Christmas. Cook loads of stuff, everything was home made. We had my parents on Christmas Day and then a family Christmas lunch, maybe a week later, with my brother and his family and my parents again.
ReplyDeleteLoved it.
Then as my son got to the going to the pub age Christmas kind of ended for me.
Now we have the family Christmas lunch at a local pub sometime in December, there’s just been 2 of us for the past few years but my son’s now back in this country so it’ll be 3 of us for Christmas Day
Due to me having this thyroid problem at the mo I haven’t the energy for a lot of decorations. I managed to get a tree up before my son came home for the family lunch, but that’s it for this year.
I usually do like a major spring clean so come Christmas Eve , my favourite day of the year, I can sit down at lunchtime and enjoy the next three days without washing and ironing etc.
Can’t do that this year, just got to get my head around it.
It’s going to be a bought, ready prepared Christmas lunch too.
It really is a time for children not “grumpy old women”.
Ps......I hate new year!
ptby- Especially difficult for anyone with a recent loss too I always feel - as a New Year is about to begin the fiirst without their loved one almost like losing them all over again...I always want to say to folk enjoy the good and ask for strength to deal with the not so good because both will always be on the cards.
DeleteWell, we shall be decorating our flying branches of greenery as usual - wouldn't be without them. No tree for the cat to destroy!
ReplyDeleteWhat is Christmas all about nowadays? There was a program on TV last night where mums were borrowing from a credit union to buy presents for children and one said it was a new phone for one of hers and there were others who were buying expensive presents with the loan. My daughter upgraded her phone and a lady here on the island wanted a used one for her young son. It was in the original box and I’m sure he will be happy with it. Toys can be expensive and often forgotten after Boxing Day. I can understand in families with low incomes the desire to give the child presents which compare favourably with the better off but it never hurts to gently put them in the picture that there are limits.
DeleteSympathise with the thyroid problem - had unexplained on-going tiredness, was only discovered when we changed Dr. Poor little atrophied thing!
ReplyDeletePS Ruthy, love the train!
ReplyDeleteWell, I think everyone should spend the season in the way that suits them - family commitments permitting.Trouble is, there's overwhelming pressure, commercially, in every way, that it can wear one down. Each to their own, then, as far as possible ! Mrs P., I hope you & Puss have a companionable, restful time ( with some edible & liquid treats thrown in)
ReplyDeleteSorry you feel rough, with little energy, PtbY - do hope the worst is past by the 25th.
I agree with all the comments about the pressures on people to have the "perfect" Christmas. We're having a quiet one this year but we did go to see the Christmas Trail at NT Dunham Massey, it was a lovely, if cold evening. The light shows to music were very beautifully done.
ReplyDeletePtbY, sorry to hear you are under the weather. Glad you feel able to tailor Christmas to your needs.
DeleteYou are all quite right.
ReplyDeleteWe should be able to spend Christmas in whatever way we choose.
Like Seasider I once went to Midnight Communion and actually did fall asleep.
Very embarassing
I know what you mean about Christmas Eve ,P tbY.
It is the feeling one gets when if it isn't done now then it can't be done at all so it is time to relax .
It is a bit like the feeling I got when taking off at Heathrow to foreign Countries-
I am on my way so it is too late to worry about anything I may not have done.
Talking of which.
For how long are you going to Dubai,Archerphile?
đ. My problem was I was actually singing in the choir and I felt like it was a dream.
DeleteI am off this evening to one of my Christmas treats. A concert of early music in a local Church with very good acoustics. Well they were v good. Pews taken out recently and changed to chairs and wood floor now with stone tiles, so acoustics may change.
ReplyDeleteMy second treat will be in Bath Abbey at Midnight Mass.
The rest of Christmas I expect to endure, might enjoy bits, nice food cooked by both SILs, but restricted to two days.
Thank you Carolyn, but I have yet to make arrangements for Puss.
I wish everyone else the Christmas that they wish for themselves.
Well.... I went, and now I am home again.
DeleteWrong week !
Getting a little worrying, this is the second time this week that I have confused the days.
Annoying rather than worrying, I'd hazard, Mrs P. ! The other day, I was in a situation with 2 others, similar age, & all 3 of us had a 'senior moment within 5 mins. 1) didn't spot something I was looking for, but the other 2 did. 2) another forgot what she'd just been told, until reminded 3) the last one got her timings mixed up ....It is very common. Worth pointing out that all 3 of us function competently, aside from these everyday blips.
DeleteI put the wrong bin out this morning but was able to correct it! The collection is usually in the afternoon and I saw that everyone else had put out a green one to my black! I see the government are thinking of making food caddies obligatory. We have them on the island and they are collected weekly. It seems like an appalling idea but you do get used to it. It is more environmentally friendly to separate food from general waste as it can be used as fertiliser or even to generate energy and it will not release methane as it does on general rubbish heaps.
DeleteA fortnight ago I went to a Christmas Fair at a local community centre. The door was locked but a light was on in a room. I went to a supermarket instead. Later that week I saw notices advertising the event in local newspaper and on social media. I'd got the wrong Saturday! Weather last Saturday was horrible with sudden, drenching downpours, so I only went as far as the shop in the next street for necessities instead of going to the Fair. Storm Deirdre has kept me indoors today. I don't like how it's usually pronounced as "Deerdrie".
DeleteBin system currently being introduced here is complicated. 5 bins + food caddy. Council has sent us calendars. I've copied info on to my "Gardeners' World" calendar in coloured pens to match bin colours. Even so I double-check council calendar each week. Then I look in street to see which bins neighbours have put out. Some weeks 1 bin, sometimes 2 bins, some weeks no bin, only food caddy. This was the first 2-bin week. 1 (old bin) was emptied afternoon; other (new bin) at 7.30pm. Previous system was simple - fortnightly collections of recyclables and residual rubbish (so 1 in 2 chance of getting it right), food weekly, and monthly garden waste in summer. Little task for New Year - copy bin collections on new GW calendar.
China no longer take plastics mixed with paper & card. Price for paper & card fluctuates. council gets a better price if paper & card are already separated from other recyclables.
I'm particularly annoyed with Kleenex for gluing bits of polythene inside boxes of tissues and for wrapping double boxes in cellophane. Other brands are in cardboard boxes which can simply be flattened and placed in recycling bin, instead of being examined for non-cardboard additions. Another grouse is tins encircled by polythene.
It's a thing I have against modern Christmas - all the rubbish produced. Gift packs of toiletries for instance. We pay extra for packaging and then pay council tax to have it taken away so we're paying twice.
Gosh, that is complicated! We just have a green bin for recycling and a black one for general waste going out on alternate weeks. The food caddy goes out every week. I also have a garden waste bin which can be emptied with the recycling and that coasts me £60 per year. I hate all that packaging too and although I can see it keeps meat and fish fresh. I get very irritated with vacuum packing on plastic bases!
DeleteNew bins are smaller and made of lighter material than old ones. (My residual waste bin is 25 years old and bins for mixed recyclables and garden waste 15.) There is very little stuff in any of my bins and lack of internal weight plus lack of sturdiness increases risk of them being blown over in stormy weather. One was moved by Storm Deirdre since she came from a different direction than the prevailing winds so the normally sheltered bin location wasn't sheltered after all. Council publicity material included advice to consider not putting bins out for collection in stormy weather. My food caddy has taken flight across the garden or along the street more than once. Stormy again this evening and tomorrow. Letter-box is flapping.
DeleteSorry to hear that you have a health problem P tbY.
ReplyDeleteI hope it doesn't affect your Christmas too much and that soon things will improve.
Thanks Mrs P I hope everyone has a good Christmas too.
Thanks all for your well wishes. I have an overactive thyroid. Just got notice of appointment with consultant for jan 14th. So hope to get sorted then.
ReplyDeleteWell, it must be a relief to know exactly what the problem is and that you have that appointment in January.
DeleteI have suffered from an under active thyroid, the opposite to you , for the last 35 years. Fortunately taking thyroxine tablets means I lead a normal life, but I must remember to take them every day. I once went on holiday without them and thought a few days would be OK. But three days in, I was suffering from complete loss of energy, slowed right down and had a very slow heartbeat and generally felt dreadful. Thank goodness scientists developed thyroxine (artificial thyroid extract) that keeps us going. In fact, I have to go for this year’s blood test results next week , just to check I’m still on the right dose.
Once you have been diagnosed and treatment started I’m sure you will feel
Much better PtyB. Take it easy over Christmas and until you see the consultant.
P to be Y. I too have suffered an over active thyroid a few years back. Lost weight n suffered with shakes, very fast heartbeats and loss of energy amongst other symptoms. I was prescribed medication which I took for over 1 year and more BUT all was resolved and I'm now back to 'normal ' đđ. My Father suffered the same problem -'tho my Dr insisted it wasn't a genetic problem Hope all goes well for you in January and your treatment is successful
DeleteI had to have my thyroid removed a year ago as I had several nodules growing on it. It had been going on for several years and I eventually decided to go ahead and have the operation. I now take tyroxine every day and I am doing well.
ReplyDeleteI too have a thyroid problem. Hashimotos, auto immune under active.
DeleteDiagnosed a year after my first child was born but triggered at age eighteen when I gave blood. So I have lived with this condition for almost sixty years now.
We are fortunate today that there is 'some' research and therefore better understood and managed. For many decades I was not able to live a normal life, particularly when my children were very young. I suffered from being unregulated for over fifty years, before it was possible for me to be stable which I am now.
Have to disagree with Archerphile as i was a recipient of natural (pig) thyroid until the late seventies when artificial thyroid extract was introduced. I found the natural extract to be far more effective.
Endocrinology is a very complicated medical area and it's as well to remember that each patient has an individual response to the condition and to medication, some easy, some very difficult.
When in hospital with my knee earlier this year there was a confusion over my thyroxine dosage. I was very ill just before being discharged and when at home in the first few days. It took almost a month to settle down.
One learns to be a very patient individual with this condition.
My sympathy is there for PtbY, and pleased for Gianna that she is doing well.
Mrs P - my thyroid condition was diagnosed in the mid 70s so I have only ever had the synthetic thyroxine and wasn't aware there was a natural type.
DeleteOne slight benefit to having a thyroid problem is that one gets free prescriptions for the rest of ones life!. I always felt rather guilty that this applied to all drugs I was ever prescribed not just the thyroxine necessary to keep me alive. Antibiotics, cough mixture, steroid cream, everything I ever needed was free. I'm not sure that is right when there are people with serious illnesses who have to pay for essential medicines.
Mr A has also always benefitted form free prescriptions because of his diabetes. All in all we feel that we have both had a very good deal from the NHS but the system does need tightening up in our opinion.
I had a friend who felt the same way about getting all her prescriptions free because she was epileptic. I have pernicious anaemia, similarly a lifelong, incurable illness, but not on the list, so no free prescriptions until I reached 60!
DeleteBootgums, can you say what medication You get for your pernicious anemia ?
DeleteDon't, if you'd rather not of course.
I am now getting irregular VitB12 injections but still showing negative for PA in blood tests, though my Endo says, yes you have it, but my GP practice won't recognise it.
I don't know of what else might be available on prescription.
Agree with Archerphile about free prescriptions for everything. I too feel guilty, but as a single parent it was a godsend.
I get a B12 (Hydroxocobalamin) every 6 weeks or so at my GP surgery. The problem was discovered when I had a routine blood test and showed low for B12. I 'failed' the subsequent test for – I can't remember what it was, to be honest, that would have 'proved' I had PA – but I had a lovely GP at the time who didn't believe the results but started me on the injections on clinical grounds (i.e. my symptoms). It was one of those things where the test is by no means certain, like thyroid levels, I believe.
DeleteEndo?
How was the Santa Special Cow Girl.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMissed a comma and question mark out of previous comment !
DeleteMust concentrate
How was the Santa, Special Cow Girl?
DeleteHow was the Santa Special Cow, Girl?
We enjoyed it thank you LanJan and waved at the signal man as requested. Santa bought some excellent presents that were exactly what was wanted, How did he know ! We were lucky as with 5 seats there was no one in three opposite so we were able to spread ourselves out.
ReplyDeletePtbY - we booked the Alcatraz night tour today. I remember you and MrP did a tour. Any tips?
ReplyDeleteNot really. I presume it will be the same as day time with the headphones. We split up and just did the tour at our own pace and met up in the shop at the end. You can take time at places you want to linger at rather than thinking you have to rush round.
DeleteI loved it. Hope you both enjoy it too.
Thank you. Doing the night tour with ferry coming back after dark. Should be interesting.
DeleteI have not been around recently, but I have read some lovely, as per usual, friendly chats.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Christmas is concerned, I just feel that every-one should just do what is best for them, at the time.
What is right one year, might not be the same another, for many reasons.
These days, my little fibre-optic tree, and decorations, are really quite minimalstic, but it is my taste, and I love them. I don't need all "bells + whistles" and do not feel pressuried to do otherwise. I do simple but elegant. đđ
That's my "ethos" but does it actually, work out?? đ¤Łđ¤Ł
DeleteIf it does for you, that's all that matters.
DeleteI think I'm going to do a Mrs P
ReplyDeleteI do not need a massive Christmas tree
White lights on twisted Hazel it will be
I think that Mr LJ will agree.
I'll have a go this morning and we'll see .
Decided less is more this year for me.
Ruthy , I do hope we are going to hear about your Alcatraz visit. Love to hear what you think.
ReplyDeleteThanks for asking PtbY - We really enjoyed the tour and we almost didn’t go. We did the night tour and paid a little more than the day tour. There were extras beyond the normal audio tour. We had time to watch a jail cell door slamming demonstration - and to actually hear the sound of those doors slamming - and a talk by a reformed ex-inmate that was jailed in the infamous San Quintine correctional facility, who is now an advocate for jail reform. While incarcerated, he took advantage of studies and classes available and was able to take an eight week film program and made a short film. Doing back to the city was in the dark and saw the city at night was beautiful.
DeleteWe are packing up now for our trip home.
That sounds wonderful Ruthy. Glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteThat and Hearst castle were the highlights of my holiday.
As to Christmas decorating. I normally string a set of lights on a tree in our front yard but still didn’t get to that yet. Weather permitting, will do that Sunday. Do have wreath up on the front door though. Inside, I have about 4 Christmas cacti and they are all in bloom. Other than those, a snow globe, a small table tree are all I have. Some years pass I put up lights inside too, but not this year. Going to my brothers in Southern California, my son will be there as well as my Mom for week of Christmas. That’s my gift this year.
ReplyDeleteSounds lovely Ruthy. Just a short time at home then away for Christmas.
DeleteI'm a cheapskate when it comes to Christmas trees. We buy ours just before the day when these poor trees are just lying around looking sad and unwanted. I can then haggle with the price and rescue one, which we will decorate and smarten up with baubles and lights. It will be fed with water every day until it faces deconstruction and heads towards infinity and beyond. We, and it will have had a very warm and pleasing time, reenacting our childhood.
ReplyDeleteAs a child, the Christmas tree was only ever decorated on Christmas Eve afternoon, which my father bought on his way home from work (finished at 12.30). The other surprise was what we were eating for Christmas Day Lunch. It was what was being "sold off" cheap, in the local market, at that time. This was the early '60's" but was a true family ocassion.
DeleteRain all day today so probably won't put up those lights outside :(
ReplyDeleteSeasider - yes just a short stay at home and then off again - only for 5 days. Haven't seen my Mom for a while and she always spends Christmas at my brothers - the weather is definitely nicer, and his house has a bedroom with private bath, and she'll stay through typically to mid-February. Nice that my son wants to be with her too :))
ReplyDeleteThe best laid plans.......
ReplyDeleteI was so cocky.
All I needed was a bit of holly from my friend's huge holly bush .
It is always full of berries.
Not this year.
She has decided to have it cut down.
I couldn't believe it
Serves me right.
Now it will have to be plan B.
You're disappointed. Just think how the birds feel.
DeleteMy dad always brought some holly in.
Indeed H at H.
DeleteI was so surprised that I didn't even ask her why she had it taken down.
She said her children were shocked too..
It wasn't in the way of anything .
When my daughter had sold the house in the IOW and left in September she was back in Seaview with her father for a holiday a few weeks later.
DeleteThe house had been repainted, cream instead of the lovely pale blue, and both the Bay trees and the Holly had been cut down.
When I asked if she was upset, she said that she knew they would get rid of the trees.
We had a house near Bridport and my daughter was 4 when we moved in. She soon made friends with an elderly lady next door but one and could often be found on Lily’s sofa scoffing cake and lemonade! Some years later, Lily moved into the town and we went to see her when in Bridport. By that time we lived in married quarters in Dartmouth but still had our little house and went there about every three weeks. Lily had lived in her house for many years and in the garden there was an apple tree which she had grown from a pip. The people who had bought her house sadly cut it down so when she asked after it I’m afraid I lied and said it was doing well. It is sad that some things we cherish mean nothing to other people but there it is! Lily is long gone and as far as I know never found out the fate of her tree. The last Christmas card I had from her proudly stated she had learned to swim at the age of ninety!
DeleteWhat a lovely story Ev. And you did the right thing by lying.
DeleteIt reminds me of our house in Malmesbury where we had what had once been a railway waiting room in our drive.
The family that had lived in our house for three decades had all been music teachers, and had used this charming small building as their music room, and everybody in the town had learned their musical instruments there.
We turned it into the children's play room, but always called it the music room, where lots of children came and played in it and the safe drive.
Many years after we left, the music room was demolished along with the garage next door to it.
I find it so sad that such a building that meant so much for so many people in the town was taken down.
I have loads of holly trees, they were full of berries, but they have long gone, the birds have eaten every one.
DeleteHope you find some with berries LanJan.
Ev- so pleased you kept the truth from Lily about her tree as I’m sure it would have sadden her greatly đ to know that it had been cut down.
DeleteLearnt to swim at 90 yrs wow - respect!
Lily was intrepid! She once bought a jumper at a jumble sale, unravelled it, washed the wool and knitted my daughter a school jumper which she was proud to wear. Even in her latter years when we went to see her there were always home made mince pies or cakes in her cake tin. It is a privilege to know people like her and incredible how we touch each other’s lives.
DeleteThat is so true Ev ✔️
Delete✓✓✓
DeleteHatH good to see you here again.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteHere in Northern Italy we have woken up to snow covered roads after several years without any significant snow fall.
ReplyDeleteGianna, if you live in Italy how on earth did you get into the archers?
DeleteI was born in England and used to listen to the Archers with my mum. At 25 I moved to Milan supposedly for a year but I met my late husband and I have been here ever since. I rediscovered the Archers about 10 years go and mow listen on my Ipad.
DeleteOoh......an Italian blog meeting place! đ đ¤Ś♀️
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to arrange it.
DeleteCount me in...!
DeleteMe too! Love Italy and have spent many a holiday there staying in villas with a hire car, so could explore
DeleteI also attented courses on Italian Art, Italian language lessons (though have forgotten a lot) and its History, particularly The Etrucians.
I am interested.
Me too! We are undecided as to going to Italy or Spain for our next vacation.
DeleteHo dimenticato tutto il mio italiano. PerĂł, oh heck, sounds like a great idea.
DeleteWell you started out very well.
DeleteApparently people have "bucket lists" now.
ReplyDeletePerhaps some of us might want to have as many "meets up" with fellow Ruthy's blog members on our bucket lists.
At the moment both PtbY and Mrs P have 2 MUs
Gary and Ruthy may join them in that number if they can meet up in Italy
know I won't be able to travel far but I will get vicarious pleasure from hearing about meetings that other folk make.
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DeleteI've got a small, artificial Christmas tree, with lights and mini plastic baubles. None of my neighbours seem to have even that. Should I move?
ReplyDeleteBootgums, I missed your reply re V B12, but have just seen it.
DeleteI am hoping that my GP will put me on the six week regime soon.
Endo ? Endocrinologist !
Bootgums: đ¤Łđ¤Łđ¤Ł
DeleteLanjan. Maybe I'm a little dumb, but what are MUs please?
ReplyDelete'meet ups'(with other bloggers), I'd guess.
DeleteThank you. đ
DeleteCarolyn is of course correct ,Stasia.
DeleteSorry not to be contributing much to this blog at the moment. It’s taking up all my time to keep tabs on the Archers one, my Facebook one and writing Xmas emails to friends and family around the world. Hopefully, will have more time when in Dubai - if I can get a WiFi connection!
ReplyDeleteA neice of mine, (an interior designer) goes to Dubai often on business. She never seems to have any Wi-Fi problems, so you should be fine.
DeleteThe last time she was there, the "samples" which also were taken, at the request and cost to the client, was £3,000 in excess baggage, and filled 3 taxis. Hope you can pack a bit lighter than that!
Our luggage allowance is a very generous 30kg each on Emirates airlines + hand baggage so I think we should be OK. Also we are only taking a few paperback books for the grandsons and will buy their Xmas gifts when we are there. So apart from clothes, the only weighty things we have to pack are several squeezy bottles of Marmite - by special request!
DeleteSo close now Archerphile - have a wonderful time 𼰠with your family.
DeleteWhich airport are you flying from?......
I just switched off "Book of the Week" - the fifty-something telling us to get on with it, preaching to the converted. I have complained.
ReplyDeleteOn the cusp of Winter Solstice
ReplyDeleteI wish all friends far and near, spiritual sustenance for the season to come.
MrsP
Thank you Mrs P that is a lovely (and appreciated) thought which I return to you đ
DeleteWinter solstice almost upon us (22.23). So I wish one and all, happy & healthy festivites, however and wherever you wish to spend them!
ReplyDeleteAnd the gradual return to lighter mornings, soon, (well not quite) , wont be walking the dog in the dark.
ReplyDeleteMrs P and everyone, thank you. Here’s to the coming of the light...
ReplyDeleteI am always happy once the winter solstice has passed knowing that the days are starting to get longer. Keep your fingers crossed for us (son, daughter in law and the 2 grandchildren ) as we are supposed to be flying from Milan to Gatwick on Sunday to spend Christmas with my daughter.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a good journey Gianna, and that the drone problem at Gatwick does not recur to disrupt your flight.
DeleteI am crossing everything for you. Good luck.
DeleteI believe Ev and her daughter were going abroad too, so hope she and you Gianna get away
ReplyDeleteIt looks as if things should be OK by Sunday,.Gianna,fortunately.
DeleteI do hope so.
I don't know why the Army were not called in earlier.
When they find out who is responsible I would like the people concerned to be given a really lengthy jail sentence .
None of these suspended sentences .
If they make an example of them maybe it won't happen again.
I take my hat off to those people who are able to get things moving quickly.
It must have been a nightmare for all concerned.
Yes CG, thank you for remembering us! We are due to fly from Gatwick to Tenerife on Sunday. Hope all will be well by then as I don’t fancy sleeping on the floor! I guess a hotel room will not be easy to find but daughter will be on it and if we fail we can go back to our friends in Surrey who are looking after our dogs. Fingers crossed!
DeleteGot everything crossed for you all Gianna, Gatwick recently closed again but has just re- opened đ¤
ReplyDeleteGood Luck to all of you, with your booked flights to go and visit all your "Loved Ones" over the Festive Season.
ReplyDeleteI just hope, all Your plans and Dreams, come True đđ✈✈đđđ
Safe & smooth journey to all travellers here - it's been deadly at Gatwick, but seems to be resolved. Hope they catch the perpetrators but they aren't so easy to trace. I add seasonal good wishes to everyone, as others have kindly expressed. May all spend the time exactly as they want to, & welcome 2019, well rested & with a positive cheer !
ReplyDelete"Lockerbie" is 30 years ago tonight. I remember it so very well. A bro-in-law was flying from NY to Heathrow, at exactly the same time, and I thought that it was his 'plane that went down. Luckily it was not, as he was flying in the opposite direction.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe the "horrific" photos and images, which I have seen on-line recently, which were taken soon after.
A peace walk in Lockerbie today to a hill above the town.
DeleteI travelled through Lockerbie early that evening 30 years ago.
Happy Christmas to you all and thank you for your friendship and kindness over the last year!
ReplyDeleteAnd to you Ev, and I really hope 2019 is a much better year for you.
ReplyDeleteAnd to all my other virtual friends, wherever you are and whatever you are doing, have a wonderful, peaceful and loving Christmas holiday.
Wishing everyone a happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year.
ReplyDeleteEv - very well said - it is for friendship and kindness that we gather here on this blog. This alternative site for life outside Ambridge serves just this reason and has been a resounding success.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to all and the best wishes for 2019!
Ruthy you said it ✔️we can never thank you enough for our blogs and this one in particular you deserve all the accolades we shower upon you
Delete⭐️đ⭐️đ⭐️đ
đ
DeleteHear hear
Delete✔
DeleteYou're a star đ Ruthy. Thank you
DeleteIt looks like we will be okay for our flight tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for their good wishes. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our bloggers.
ReplyDeleteđđđđđˇ
DeleteWishing everyone a Merry Christmas and hope everything goes to plan for you all.
ReplyDeleteJoyeuses fĂŞtes de fin d'annĂŠe Ă vous tous !
ReplyDeleteMerci !
DeleteEt toi , Parsley ! đđź♀️ đ đĽł
DeleteA merry Christmas to all Archers fans
ReplyDeleteI hope the drones don't mess up any plans.
Another thing I wish for all of you
A very happy, healthy new year too.
đđĽđđ
Deleteđ¤Lanjan
DeleteAlso popping in to wish everyone a great Christmas ( MUCH better than it is likely to be at Brookfield !) & a bright start to 2019. No shortage of goodwill on this blog, delightful to be part of, thanks to Ruthy, who I hope had a lovely time away, & a break from researching pictures for all of us.
ReplyDeleteNollaig Shona to all on this site, I do hope everyone enjoys themselves wherever that may be,
ReplyDeleteI have very much appreciated all the discussions and the kindness shown to each other through out the year.
Ruthy gave us an early Christmas present, a life line when we were in despair.
Thanks Ruthy. Have a wonderful Christmas everyone.
Have a Wonderful, Peaceful and Happy Christmas - Everyone, wherever you are, and with whomever you will be enjoying the Festive Season.
ReplyDeleteHad a "fun" time today. I am spending Christmas with my eldest neice, her partner and their 2 children, along with a very extended family. So far it is 10 adults + 2 kids, and all sleeping over. I had a 'phone call this morn.asking if I could provide something extra, which she knows can make well. This was no problem, but had to make a quick trip to a nearby Supermarket shop for 3 extra things. What a nightmare it was!!! Still, I am so pleased to be able to contribute and help out.
DeleteEchoing posts above and sending warmest wishes and blessings for Christmas to everyone, and a peaceful new year. Looking forward to blogging with you in 2019.
ReplyDeleteWishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year. I hope all those of you travelling have safe journeys.
ReplyDeleteI love to read the comments and general chat on these blogs, very occasionally making a comment. Many thanks to you Ruthy for enabling continued blogging.
As an aunt of mine once said, 'God 'elp us, every one!' (I think it's a quote from somewhere ... but much funnier.)
ReplyDeleteIsn't it Dickens, A Christmas Carol, Tiny Tim ?
DeleteIndeed it is. Tiny Tim said 'God bless us, every one!', but he wasn't half as funny as Auntie Moira.
DeleteNadelik Lowen to you all, and thanks for the wonderful and interesting company through the year.đđđđ
ReplyDeleteWonderful! Merry Christmas to you.
DeleteI hope all my Archers' friends have the Christmas and New Year that they wish for. Mine will hopefully be exactly as I have strived to achieve for many years! Christmas Day and Boxing Day with sons and future dil, then flying off to Frankfurt to cat and house sit while eldest son and family travel to Belarus to celebrate a 'Russian Christmas.' So I will be alone on New Year's Eve which means I can go to bed at 10pm and not get depressed that I'm another year older!! :)
ReplyDeleteI have never liked NYE even as a teenager. The only ones I found bearable were the three I spent in Perth, Western Australia when we partied with neighbours under a wonderful starlit sky sitting in gardens in summer dresses.
Like many others here, age (and possibly life style,) means that I have tablets and injections to keep me going. Two for blood pressure, one of statins, one for reflux (?) gastric thingy to be taken at night. One tablet for underactive thyroid taken first thing in the morning with lots of water as per specific instructions from pharmacist. The having to wait for an hour before I can have my first cup of coffee (to give the chance for the tablet to work apparently!) is torture! For two years I took it at night along with the others. The pharmacist laughed and said it was no wonder I was awake at 3 a.m. every night! Quarterly Vit B12 injections finalise my reliance on my lovely GP and the NHS.
Incredible to think that people had to do without and suffer all sorts discomforts before the NHS appeared.
Good wishes and love goes from me to you. Hope to see many, and more, of you in 2019 be it, northeast, north west, London or even Italy!
Well the 'torture hour' is up so I will go and get my first shot of caffeine of the day!
Enjoy the coffee.☕️đ°
DeleteGoodness me Spiceycush !
DeleteI have never had such advice about when and how to take my thyroxine.
I take mine with my first cup of tea, ( of three), and I envy you your quarterly B12 injections. I made an appointment to see my doctor in the new year, with the hope that she will now allow me the same as you, or even six weekly.
I went to sleep last night thinking of you and me planning our trip up north to join the next meet up. I do hope we can make it.
Mrs P Yes our trip 'oop north' is something to look forward to in 2019!
DeleteI have been taking thyroxine for about a year now and it wasn't until about six months ago that this 'not taking with caffeine' came out. Last summer one of the Dads who come on Saturdays to cricket to watch his son play and generally enjoy the match said his wife had been taking thyroxine without caffeine for 25 years. Last Friday I had a blood test to see if dosage still okay and again the nurse said she wasn't aware until s few months ago of the specific details on how to take them. All in all I think the 'recipe' must have changed or the clever scientists has been experimenting and found a more efficient way of delivering the chemical. Probably worth a mention to your doc when you next consult. Actually there is a note right at the very end of the 'instruction leaflet' in the pack of tablets.
I do feel I have more energy now and certainly feel I can do more during the day which also means I am tired at night so sleep better, sometime up to six and a half hours which I haven't done for years!
Have battled through the shops this morning getting last minute food and getting things for single son to cook while I'm away. Middle son (trained butcher at JS) rang to ask if I had yet taken turkey from the freezer.
"Why?" say I.
"I might have bought one cheaply!" he replied.
Goodness knows how big but it 'feeds 12' and came in without a barcode printed on it so unsaleable in shop. Manager offered it to Rob for £5.49! He's pleased as Punch on getting a bargain but I feel the three of them will be eating turkey still atNew Year's Eve!
Right now for the start of Christmas, turn on Radio 4 for Festival of Nine lessons and Carols.
Merry Christmas once again and 'God Bless us every one!'
We are now in Tenerife having flown from Gatwick. Our plane was delayed having landed at the time we should have taken off! Refuelling and cleaning was efficient and we took off 90 minutes late which was an amazing achievement. They have done so well at redeeming the chaos! I upgraded our room this time and we have two bathrooms, a sitting room and two balconies one having a daybed on it so I know where I’ll be later on! Katy is going diving this morning and I’m just chilling! We left the dogs with dear friends in Surrey and had a text that they are both chilled so happy about that. We do miss them though especially morning cuddles which involve much licking! Best wishes to Harry, Suz for a recovery from his leg injury. It is wonderful how they generate so much love in your life! Have a good Christmas Day together!
ReplyDeleteđđđ
DeleteSpicy, you may well have enjoyed your 2nd caffeine shot by now ! What a drag, having to wait an hour. Yes, one way or another, minor & major adjustments, we all become high maintenance as the years go on....
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your journey was relatively smooth, Ev, & you can recline luxuriously on the day bed...in the warmth....rather frosty here this morning.
It’s overcast but warm! Am s ettling on the day bed to catch up with TA! Glad won’t miss Christmas Day at Brookside!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely warm Christmas Ev, and return to the island and the dogs in the NY refreshed and rejuvenated.
DeleteThanks, Mrs P and all the best to you for the New Year!
DeleteI wish all my ARCHERS friends a happy Christmas and a merry New Year,
ReplyDeleteAnd thank each and every one of you very many thanks for continued companionship throughout 2018.
May we all continue in our friendship into and beyond 2019
MrsP
✓✓ absolutely !
DeleteAmen đ to that Mrs P. What joy and support we have all found here!
DeleteChristmas greetings one and all.
ReplyDeleteRelax and enjoy the day, wherever and with whom you may be.
I am now joining in the BBC1 “Midnight Mass” đ Blessings and ❤️ to you all.
ReplyDeleteGot in from work at 10 to 1 and am now 'off duty' until Jan 3rd.
ReplyDeleteSeason's Greetings to all my fellow bloggers. whichever season you happen to be celebrating, especially to you, Ruthy, for making this all possible.
Wonderful - enjoy your time off.
DeleteMerry Christmas to everyone! đđđ
Merry Christmas to you all! Ho-Ho-Ho....!
ReplyDeleteAnd to you and yours Gary and a stonking good Hogmanay when it arrives đ´ó §ó ˘ó łó Łó ´ó ż
DeleteHere, here !đ
DeleteA happy Christmas to one and all.
ReplyDeleteI did make it to the Abbey, but too late to be allowed in. It was packed to the gills inside and with a growing group outside. Many of us decamped to St Michaels nearby.
But dispiriting to see the number of street sleepers here in Bath, though no reason for it to be any different than elsewhere I suppose. There is a soup kitchen this afternoon I understand. If it gets too difficult here I might go and do some washing up.
Glad you made it to a church, Mrs P, if not the Abbey, but would like to know the sequel - whether you did volunteer at the soup kitchen this afternoon in the end ?
DeleteNo, no show from me at the soup kitchen, but pitched in as chief washer up at home. I tried to introduce the idea of taking some of the mounds of left over food down to one or two street people, but that got the adults all defensive about their struggles to keep afloat and gave them a peg to hang B----t upon.
DeleteI felt deeply ashamed of my family, but on reflection perhaps the youngsters took some of the sentiments expressed on board.
A nice walk at South Stoke before the Queen and food.
Not too bad a day !
We arrived safely in London only an hour late. A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year to everybody.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Christmas in England.
DeleteGianna, phew ! Bet you were thankful to arrive, without any major hold ups. đ
DeleteHope today has been good for you all. The day seemed to last forever, despite having 2 naps after lunch. By the time we finished watching strictly I could have called it a day and come to bed.
ReplyDeletePersuaded husband + son to go to footy at Sunderland tomoz. A peaceful day awaits me.