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Life outside Ambridge
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.
Fire lit, candles lit and am just about to settle down on the sofa to watch "Kind Hearts & Coronets". Got a glass of Sauvignon in one hand and a big plate of cheese & biscuits in the other. I am a happy man....
ReplyDelete🤗 sounds like (well deserved) bliss GG 🔥 🍷🧀
DeleteLove that film.🎥🎬
DeleteAh, our very own fireworks display ! You are brilliant, thanks, Gary.
ReplyDeleteNow those are the sort of fireworks I like.
ReplyDeleteNo noise
Thanks Gary.
Me too! We had yet more fireworks tonight - to date 5 nights’ worth! Dudley had a mishap today jumping from the dogwalker’s van he hurt his rear leg. It doesn’t seem swollen and he doesn’t wince when we feel it but he is not putting any weight on it and is racing around on three legs. Will have to see whether a good night’s rest will improve it or back to the vet which mercifully is just down the road!
ReplyDeleteHugs to poor Dudley...
DeleteWhitelee windfarm on the outskirts of Glasgow invites Glasgow dog owners & their dogs to come to it's visitor centre on Bonfire Night to get away from the noise of all the hundreds of displays. It stays open til midnight and they all go on a big torchlit walkies. Apparantly this year over 1000 people attended! They even have patrols out to ensure that no-one is on the estate with any fireworks.
ReplyDeleteIt's a massive windfarm - I think I recall that it's the largest in Europe. Been a couple of times - it actually gets loads of visitors as they encourage mountain biking, jogging and horse riding on its miles and miles of tracks. And their cafe is really nice too...
Thank you for the fireworks Gary.
ReplyDeleteMakes up for there being none at all in my village this year!
Merci GG, & what an excellent initiative by the wind farm.
ReplyDeleteHave to wait for 14 juillet for our fireworks! 🎆🎇
Message from a frustrated Mrs P.
ReplyDeleteShe is unable to post comments as she is “shut out” for some reason but is able to read what other bloggers have posted .
Hello Mrs P. Sorry to hear that. I hate computer glitches. I hope you find a solution soon.
ReplyDeleteGary your cafe sounds great. Think I will head up there next year. No dog or cat but I am just as jumpy. Love the colours, hate the bangs, and they were still going on here last night.
Off to my new course today in Old English ie Anglo-Saxon. Reading King Alfred’s will last week.
Expect you'll be meeting up with the man eating Grendel and the heroic Beowulf then! Enjoy.
DeleteParsley: 12.29
ReplyDeleteHave you ever been to Carcassonne on 14th July to see their Bastille Day celebrations?
Our son and d.i.l. got married on Bastille Day and for their 10th Anniversary a couple of years ago they held a party for family which finished with a minibus trip along the Autoroute from Toulouse to Carcassonne to watch the firework display.
We parked up in an aire opposite the city and had a fantastic view of the walled city and Castle which was beautifully illuminated with a Son et Luminaire display and then a magnificent display of fireworks lit up the sky. A truly magical evening which I shall never forget.
Not spent any time in Carcassonne itself, but know the aire well!! Fantastic view of the walled city. Spent a couple of New Year breaks in Collioure, fantastic fireworks over & around the château, equally fantastic view from out on the breakwater : packed with folk set up with picnics & champagne! 🍾🍾🥂🥂🎇🎇
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful little place Parsley, loved seeing all the artists displaying their paintings along the seafront.
DeleteYes, we loved it, but only out of season.. 😉
DeleteGlad you can still follow all our 'deathless prose', Mrs P, but very much hope you can get the computer sorted soon, so that we can enjoy your contributions again !
ReplyDeleteDitto to the above Mrs P. I found your comment some time back about the heart being a muscle etc useful. Sometimes it takes someone else saying something for the lightbulb to go on. The doc is encouraging me now to try to aim for a gentle half mile potter along our lane every day, but without pushing my luck. ( the first time I was 2 hours on my bed afterwards!). I was thinking simply in terms of getting the body back in shape in general, but I realised after your comment that he must be thinking of building up the heart again.
ReplyDeleteHow fortunate that some of you that have met up exchanged mobiles /e.mail enabling Mrs P to get a message to us all via Lanjan, otherwise we would be concerned!
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if this helps.
ReplyDeleteI am logged into Google Chrome, and stay logged in. I had to create a new g-mail account and address, to be able to post (different from my normal e-mail account).
It is only used here, and I use a normal PC or an android 'phone. I have never had any problems.
Hope Mrs P can join us again soon! 🤗. I took Dudley to the vet today as he is still not using his bad leg. It has to be said he is still quite speedy on 3 legs! He was due to go in for a scale and polish tomorrow as his teeth are in a state due probably to a bad diet in the past. This has been postponed to Monday and he will then have an x ray if it isn’t better. In the meantime he has anti inflammatories, no walks and no leaping about ! Gypsy is having an operation on Tuesday as she has a lump on the back of her head which has to be removed. It is a tumour but of course could be benign. Buddy is fine but still fussy about food! Well, we would have three of them!
ReplyDeleteI’ve just had a really lovely evening with a big coincidence/surprise.
ReplyDeleteMr A and I went to a concert at The Anvil in Basingstoke, The Prague Symphony Orchestra playing Mahler’s Third Symphony. We are both devoted Mahler fans and this piece requires a huge orchestra with 3 sets of timpani, 2 harpists and two choirs - one adult choir and a boys choir.
When buying our programme we discovered that the boys choir was Tiffin School Boys Choir , the very school Mr A attended and in whose choir he sang as a boy. He once performed Elgar’s Dream of Getontius with them.
And there they were, 30 little boys wearing exactly the same claret and navy striped Blazers that Mr A wore 60 years or more ago!
The performance was magnificent, the orchestra wonderful and both choirs sang beautifully. We arrived home with the music still ringing in our ears!
😊love Mahler.
DeleteIt sounds magical, Archerphile. As is Carcassonne. When my daughter was a student she won two Ryan Air tickets to Carcassone and we spent 2/3 days there. One of those comparatively unspoilt mediaeval places the French are so good at . I know it is "touristy" in that it can be very crowded but so much of it has been been preserved that it still packs a punch. I suppose it was probably fairly crowded in times gone by,as well. I also love Sarlat. I normally hate crowds but it is a bit like being on a giant mediaeval film set and somehow they make it live. It is quite different 'hors saison ' - still impressive but a bit flat!
DeleteAnyway,what I really wanted to say , was that I hoped everyone was ok after yesterday's appalling weather. It more or less passed my corner by and I feel quite guilty sittng here looking at a glorious autumn morning just waiting for the ducks to arrive for breakfast! Hope also that you manage to sort your log in , Mrs P , and that everyone else has a good day.
That story warmed my cockles Archerphile...
DeleteArcherphile 11.28
ReplyDeleteThat takes me back, I used to sing with the Birmingham Choral Union and in the days before The Birmingham Symphony Orchestra had their own chorus, we used to sing with them. My first performance with them was the Dream of Gerontias.
That rain in the North of England looks bananas! In complete contrast, here in Glasgow there is not a single cloud in the sky and we are going to spend the entire day in the garden. (I say the entire day but it starts to get dark about 15.30....!!)
ReplyDeleteBufo, Parsley, CowGirl and Gary: above.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, I’m very glad to have warmed your cockles Gary, I hope they stay warm all day!
Secondly, another coincidence Cow Girl, re Gerontius! Singing with school choir was the highlight of my husband life back then and he frequently recalls his appearance at St Pauls Cathedral, though I have to say it is not one of my favourite Elgar compositions.
And talking of wonderful French cities, one of my favourites (apart from Toulouse, of course) is Albi, in the same region. The enormous cathedral built entirely from red brick, is a wonder and an incredible feat of craftsmanship. I love the little cobbled streets leading into the cathedral square and the ancient timber framed houses that look as if they are going to topple over. And of course the Toulouse Lautrec museum with its collection of his early sketches and paintings. Wish I was there right now!
Albi is on our list, but not poss quite yet... annoyingly my parents spent a holiday there v. 30 yrs ago..! 😉
ReplyDeleteYes, Albi is so impressive . I've only been once some time ago, but the red brick of the cathedral is unforgettable. I don't know the Lot area as well as the Perigord where I go every summer Another favourite is Domme, a small walled village with narrow cobbled streets where again you can feel you're in another age. ....and a restaurant where you can watch the sun setting over the river, feel the the thousands of years of history and eat the best steak ever. Can't wait to go back!
DeleteNow the sun has disappeared, the temperature is plummeting downwards, very quickly. Forecast is -2C tonight, with sleet tomorrow morning. Winter is fast arriving.
ReplyDeleteI sang with the Chester Festival Chorus, with fabulous orchestra's, conductors and orchestras, performing very many wonderful works.
Gerontias is a firm favourite of mine, along with the Mozart and Faure Requiems - not forgetting Walton's Belzhazzers Feast, and The Sea Symphony (Vaughan Williams). I loathe The Messiah and the Bach "Passions", but that is a personal choice.
I was in the choir at primary school. Every Sunday and holy days of obligation we would attend the school church and sing the Mass in Latin. I loved the singing.
ReplyDeleteI used to be a member of a "rent a choir". This was when self and others took part in services, in various parish churches of other choir members, to boost numbers, in services such as Harvest Festivals, Advent + Easter services, weddings (if available due to Saturday work). If was a wonderful time. We also went to the 3 choirs festival, renting a cottage for about 10. Gloucester was the best, as a friends Br-in-Law was the organist there, at the time. The parties in the Cathedral Close afterwards, were brilliant. Aah memories .....
DeleteAlways sung, always will, chamber groups only. For those wonderful great works I was always in the pit +cello!
DeleteFeeling so very sorry for all those affected by yesterday’s floods. How are they ever going to get their homes and shops cleared and cleaned in time for Christmas? I saw one shopkeeper who had lost his entire stock of Christmas merchandise (stored in a cellar which flooded to a depth of 5ft). Many people who were flooded a few years ago had been unable to get their homes insured again and so stand to loose every thing. It really is a tragedy for them.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were first married, we lived very close to the River Thames at Abingdon and suffered flooding one winter when the Thames topped its banks and flowed into our estate.
We swore then never to live anywhere near a river again. Fortunately we have been able to do so.
Indeed Archerphile heartbreaking for so many people. A tragedy at anytime of the year but at the back end of it and with the weather so very cold too even harder to deal with I feel.
ReplyDeleteSending thoughts to all 😔
I seem to be able to return to Ambridge and its environs.
ReplyDeleteHowever I also seem to have to sign in every time I try to post a comment.
🥳 hurrah Mrs P welcome back, and hope you will be able to solve the need to sign in every time🤔
ReplyDeleteAnd hurrah from me too. I wonder what is causing the problem? It must be a real nuisance to have to keep signing in.
DeleteWelcome home Mrs P
ReplyDeleteSeconded!
DeleteGood to see you back, Mrs P. Re signing in every time, are you viewing in private? Mr S mentioned this as he advises browsing in the private setting so that my history isn’t saved and any intrusive/dodgy advert trails are lost. However when I want to post I have to come out of private by clicking the private button bottom left, otherwise it asks me to sign in as it doesn’t remember my password in this mode. Apologies if this is either gobbledygook or otherwise really obvious to you.
ReplyDeleteRemembrance Sunday. .still chokes me up
ReplyDeleteMe too, Autumnleaves. Always make a point of watching the Cenotaph Ceremony wherever I am and whatever else I am doing on Remembrance Sunday.
DeleteIt has double significance for me as my father was in the Royal Navy in World War 1 and was injured in the Gallipoli campaign. Unlike many involved in that war, he never stopped talking about it and how many good friends he had lost.
Then my dear mother died on Armistice Day, 11th November in 1975, aged 75 and never got to see her grandchildren. It’s always a doubly sad day for me.
I'm sure all of us have stories concerning the wars. My parents were children at the outbreak of ww2 . My mother was from Montrose near Dundee and she would tell us stories about my grandad . He was in the home guard (dad's army bless them) and told us of when he used to leave his job in the evening at Chivers jams to go and patrol the beach.
DeleteMy dad on the other hand was fro glasgow and was sent to the countryside with his little brother. Glasgow was a huge target for the Nazis . I' m so grateful to having heard their stories...they were never horrific but from a child's point of view..adventurous. .I'm sure their parents would t agree though.
DeleteRe - signing in Seasider- yes afraid it's gobbledegook as no private button to press.
ReplyDeleteBut thanks anyway for the tip.
I have another 'wanting to be helpful 'person coming later today, who is sure he can fix the problem for me.
I did write a post last night thanking all those who had mentioned concern for me as well as the welcome back. But I lost it in signing in, and felt too dispirited to repeat it.
I have realised overnight that signing in on every post has taken the pleasure away from being here for me.
Also google has changed my ' blog name' on my behalf and I have to remember it.
I have completely lost Armistice Day This year.
Most important day of the year in my family.
Active within the Army traditions to the end my father was born 11-11-1905.
Ten, eleven, twelve year old running wild in central London during WW1 and his mother died on his fortieth birthday. He became a soldier at seventeen and was sent directly to N Ireland.
He never missed a ceremony whether locally with the British Legion or at the Cenotaph.
This is the second year that I have not visited the crematorium where his dedication is displayed on the 11th. Tomorrow.
My current low mood illustrates my sense of loss at not being able to attend, having promised myself that I would continue to be there each year when I had moved from London.
Chin up Mrs P. Armistice Day always has a very sad atmosphere and coupled with your blog problems I’m not surprised you are feeling low.
DeleteHow annoying that Google has changed your pseudonym too. Perhaps your helper this afternoon will be able to reinstate it for you. Best of luck and hope you’ll be able to continue as before without the problems. 💐
It is never about where you are or what you are doing .but what's in your heart..that's real remembrance 🌹
DeleteMrsP, I hope you aren’t finding today too difficult, I feel there is some melancholia in your post. Remembrance Sunday often makes me a little sad, but this morning I found something uplifting in the diversity of groups all commemorating those whose sacrifice allowed us the freedoms we enjoy. Although I confess to welling up when some of the veterans got out of their wheelchairs during their march past.
DeleteSzzzzz
ReplyDeleteOk folks just testing ..
ReplyDeleteGary I'm getting help
Hello all! Just caught up with a weeks worth of your comments.
ReplyDeleteSat at Newark airport awaiting a flight home in about 5 hours. Will make it home by tomoz tea time. Can’t wait to collect me dogs!!
It’s been hell for me having no WiFi for the last week. We did manage to get some free WiFi in a cafe in Bermuda and I managed to download 4 episodes of the archers. Still got funeral to listen to.
Oh to get home to fire on, jamis on, telly on, a dog on a knee and a proper cup of tea!!!
Mrs P......I’ve had a call to go see an eye specialist at the hospital about my thyroid eye but not until 20th December!!! I’ll take it as a Christmas pressy.
Glad you have a definite appointment PtbY. I had a hosp. Eye Clinc appointment for February 2020 made in August (just a check up for now well controlled eye pressures) which was cancelled 6 weeks ago. I rang the hosp.a few days as no new date had been been received. I was told the clinic I was under, has now been dispanded, and I will get an appointment, when the new one is set up - whenever that might be.
DeleteSafe journey back, PtbY. Nothing to beat a proper brew!
ReplyDelete🤞things get sorted, Mrs P.
We'll be at the Monument aux morts tomorrow, all the names of the men lost from our village read out, response "mort pour la France". 🇫🇷🇬🇧 Mostly bleuets in lapels, (cornflowers), scattering of poppies. Followed by apéros at the Salle des fêtes.. of course!!
Mrs P autumleaves comment (3.08pm) is so true and I hope it brings you comfort.
ReplyDeleteTech problems are so draining - I feel for you and hope you’re friend was able to help you today (?)
Confirmation received on Saturday that I am suffering from Bullous Pemphigoid after the results of the biopsies (taken ten weeks ago! ) If you have a strong stomach there are many photos online! It is a rare disease apparently affecting about 3 per 100,000 people.
ReplyDeleteI am lucky (so far and fingers crossed) that it has not affected me in my mouth and it has just been on my arms and legs, with a couple of small blobs on my shoulder and back.
I'm down to 30mgs of prednisolone per day now with an appointment to see the consultant next Monday. The blisters have all healed but there are still widespread red patches on my inner forearms and front thighs which are not 'painful' but still hurt from even light pressure. Painkillers not needed now.
Side affects still a bit disturbing. My eyes occasionally go blurry even though I have brand new glasses, very annoying as I have to take the glasses (graduated bifocals) off to see my computer screen and hold my laptop on my chest about a foot from me.
I have had sweat dripping off my chin on a few occasions. At the moment I have a cold now which manifests itself during the night only...very strange!
Sadly it doesn't look like that I will be able to get to Germany before Christmas. Mainly because of my concerns about catching something more than a cold! But breathlessness and lack of strength when standing, means I doubt whether I'd make it either by flying or by train.
My main concern is why this disease has hit me? There are many theories why it breaks out , possibly because of other conditions including neurological ones such as Parkinsons, dementia etc. Very frightening and another question to add to my list for the consultant!
Anyway better psychologically I think, but very frustrated still with lack of energy. Extremely bored and have read over the past four weeks four Shardlake mysteries - during the day and when I wake at night - and they are very long books!
I still take comfort from the reassurance from the consultant when he leaned over at the end of the consultation and patted my knee and said "Don't worry. We'll get you better!" 🙂
Welcome home PtbY and I do hope the dreadful damage happening in God's own county has not affected your home!
Mrs P - I have missed your comments and glad you are now back!
Yesterday was the first Remembrance Sunday for many years when I didn't go to church.
My grandfather died in 1946 as a result of the War. My Dad spent six years ago in the RA from 39-45 from the age of 17 (he forged his age when joining the TA in 1937.) My CPO (RN) brother lost some good friends when his last ship HMS Sheffield was sunk in 1982 in the Falklands and of course my ex-husband was RN too. So I do support the Royal British Legion and various other military organisations. Still I watched BBC Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
Many thanks to you all for encouragement after last 'down' post. Very much appreciated.
Spicy, I really don’t know what to say after reading about your awful sounding diagnosis.
ReplyDeleteHow incredibly unlucky to have such a very rare condition but you seem to have faced it with the utmost stoicism. I am not at all sure I should have been as positive as you have been over the past few months.
I salute you and wish you as speedy a recovery as possible and urge you to keep repeating and remembering those words from the Doctor : ”Dont worry, we’ll get you better”
💐 🌸 🌷
Thinking of you and sending a big hug. 🌻🙏💐
ReplyDeleteI can’t say better than what Archerphile has written, Spicycushion at 9:15am this morning.
ReplyDeleteYou will take comfort I know from what the Consultant said to you.
They don’t ever give you false hope.
I agree with Lanjan and others Spicy. When you can’t sleep I hope you will be comforted by how very much we are all thinking of you and wishing you well 🌻 🌹 🌸
DeleteAghast that you are suffering this debilitating, painful condition, Spicy, as 1 of the 3 in 100, 000 people. We all admire you, & are rooting for you, as is so evident here.
ReplyDeleteTo be a touch flippant for a moment, I'm convinced that your consultant's confident words & the excellent Shardlake will see you through this last phase of the disease & all the attendant frustrations.
More than that, of course, it is your own attitude & character that will see you well again. You are such a steady realist, as well as being brave.
I sense, at this stage, that it is the way your life is on hold that distresses you most - physical weakness preventing many everyday activities & plans for the near future.
Thank you for telling us how things are going. My thoughts are with you, alongside those of many others.
Spicy, all I can do is send you supportive thoughts and general positivity from Glasgow. You can add them to everyone else's and draw on them when you are feeling particularly at a low ebb - and then pass them on when you are feeling tip-top again... xx
ReplyDeleteSame goes for here on the island! Bon chance, Spicy!
ReplyDeleteSpicycushion. Words can’t convey what it must be like to be in someone’s skin. We can emotionally understand when we read the words you use to describe the discomfort you feel, and I’m sending comforting words in return. Having an illness is a lonely experience because you are the the one undergoing the pain and discomfort, and however much we sympathise we cannot walk in your shoes. As carolyn so aptly puts it we are all rooting for you and and I certainly respect ✊ your strength at coping with this disease.
ReplyDeleteI do hope the consultant will offer alleviation from pain, my understanding is that this disease will eventually go, helped by treatment. I’m sending lots of hugs, just as well they are from a distance, to encourage your positive cells to eliminate the Bullous Pemphigoid. Try rearranging the disease label and formulate a less distressing word.
Sending you get well wishes, Spicy. So admire your continued forbearance. I hope there is light at the end of the tunnel for you soon.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, hoping you are also on the mend by now.
PtbY enjoy your homecoming.
Mrs P, so sorry you have had a frustrating weekend. Computer problems are exhausting! Lovely comments from Autumn leaves yesterday and hope it was heartening as it was to me.
Spicy.
ReplyDeleteYou must be asking yourself Why Me?
At least there is (at last) a proper diagnosis, so your consultants can treat it. It must be so frustrating for you.
Just follow all your medical advice, and keep swallowing all those many pills.
Take Care and I am thinking of you, as we all are. 🤗🤗
PtbY, are you sat in that chair yet, covered in hound with a brew in your hand?
ReplyDeleteI love that picture, Gary (6.34pm) ! Perhaps, PtbY, you are at this moment catching up with TA, if dogs allow you to ! I hope the long journey home wasn't too draining
ReplyDeleteKeep Warm and Dry Everyone.
ReplyDeleteThere is a yellow warning, lasting for 24 hours in my area starting at midnight, for rain and even snow. Luckily, I don't need to go out tomorrow.
Lots to do, ironing, vacuuming, cleaning the kitchen, etc. or I might just carry on with my latest knitting project!
It's already started. Heavy rain/sleet with a strong wind. Still will curl up under the duvet, with pusscat snuggled up close by.
DeleteDitto with the weather here Miriam - and ditto with the duvet & the cat!
DeleteLovely to see Mrs P back and hope all problems with posting will soon be sorted out! 🤗
ReplyDeleteDudley had his op today to clean his teeth and had to have four out! He is still a bit dazed but enjoyed chicken and rice tonight! It was a good thing h e was out of the way today as I had a new carpet laid in the lounge. After showing off his new toy, a crackly piece of broccoli to the men who were charmed, Buddy retired to his fluffy bed in my bedroom for a sleep. Gypsy opted for Katy’s room as she despises men in the house. Dudley has a broccoli toy too as Katy had a Pets at Home trip yesterday and ruins them! Gypsy is only interested in real food and as she has her op tomorrow we are expecting a riot when she doesn’t get any breakfast! Hope Lady is going on alright, Mrs P!🐶🐶🐶
ReplyDeleteMorning all.
ReplyDeleteGot back at 5pm last night, has been on the go for 30hrs! Was absolutely knackered.
Fire on, bum on sofa, cuppa, 2 excited to be home dog and caught up with 2 episodes of the apprentice. My God, if they are the best this country has to offer then “we’re all doomed” ......as The Scottish one used to say in dads army.
Can’t believe how cold it is.
Sending get well thoughts to all the poorly people on here. 💐💐
Mrs P......got home to 2 letters from the hospital cancelling my eye appointment on Dec and saying they decided I needn’t go until February 12th! The *****! I’m well jarred off.
Gary, remind us of the date of your archers academics thingy. I’ll have to get somewhere booked and a ticket for the day before they sell out.
Spiceycushion I did send greetings to you yesterday, but yet again it disappeared, been happening a few times of late. Tells me it is published then next time I look it has gone so...……..
ReplyDeleteDon't feel guilty about reading during the day and resting, this is what your body NEEDS, try and enjoy it while you can.
Keep posting when you are down so we can send you warm vibes.
All good wishes
Spicy - 💐💐
ReplyDeleteYou are all so lovely. Friends far and wide Thank you. 💕💕💕
ReplyDeleteWhat an awful morning with torrential rain and v. strong winds. I did do a bit of housework, but the knitting project took over. It is another cardi for the next due grand-niece. The fronts + backs were knitted as a single piece, with a knitted pattern of flowers, that is, leaves with a stalk, ending in flowers. The flowers were knitted as bobbles but, to me, look more like "droopy boobs"!
ReplyDelete🤣 what a lovely description of your very clever handiwork Miriam!
ReplyDeleteCertainly a day for being indoors, rain not so heavy here in Hampshire but certainly wind and very very cold ❄️ ☔️🌪
Yes Lady R, very windy here, as you say but I expect it is much stronger down at the coast and along the Solent. I’m getting a bit anxious about our first few days on Balmoral as we leave Southampton on Friday and head off towards the Bay of Biscay!! 💨 🚢 ‼️
DeleteOf course Archerphile your trip is here!!! Have a super time🛥
DeleteHow is your knee 🤔 hopefully the care you have been taking of it has paid dividends ⭐️
Give us a wave as you go past the island! Weather not too bad at the moment here. It is much colder and we did get rain this afternoon. Hope Friday will be better.
DeleteGypsy didn’t have the op as blood tests showed her liver isn’t too good. Ultrasound showed no tumour on the liver so she probably has Cushing disease. Treatment for this can be difficult and in view of her age and after discussion with the vet have decided to leave her be and just ensure she enjoys her life and food to the full while she can.
ReplyDeleteJust give her a lot of TLC, cuddles and keep her as active, as she can be. She will surprise you.
DeleteI second your comment Miriam (💕 to Gypsy)
DeleteTesting yet again
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed please folks.
ReplyDeleteWill try again later.
You’re in Mrs P.....
DeleteWe're expecting 4 days of snow..it doesnt fase us we live in the mountains and schools and offices carry on business as usual. Cars are equipped with snow tyres.
ReplyDeleteI think though it's time to put the flannel sheets on the bed this weekend
I’ve forgotten your location in the 🌎 Autumnleaves...
DeleteI'm in the Italian dolomites. 40 minutes from lake Garda 1 hour from Madonna di Campiglio 1 hour from Verona and 2 hours from the Austrian border .
DeleteAnd may I add without hopefully being too smug one of the most beautiful places in the world. You are all welcome to visit..the landscape is literally. .out of this world
DeleteThank you for your reply Autumnleaves a beautiful part of the world indeed 🌞 I am not a traveller but I’m sure others here will be delighted to take you up on your kind offer 🤗
DeleteSad to read about Gypsy, Ev ( 6.31pm), but it does sound ss if you made the right decision. I hope she is comfortable & content for a long time yet.
ReplyDeleteAutumnleaves. I so envy you. I know that part of Italy very well.
ReplyDeleteDo you do B&B Autumnleaves ?
ReplyDeleteEv, whatever the outcome with Gipsy, Cushing or even worse, you have given her a wonderful end to her life.
ReplyDeleteYou rescued her from a very shut down life as a dog with little in her life except food, and I suppose a great deal of fussing, but have given her for however short a period a proper dogs life with not only love and companions but exercise and a different routine.
Be proud of your achievements with her, and when the time comes you can let her go knowing that you gave her a wonderful gift.
Lady is doing very well indeed.
When told close to when I got her that I should get her a muzzle and that she would feel better for having it, I thought, what a lot of rubbish. But I was wrong. She is completely different with it. She doesn't like it and niether do I. She keeps rubbing it and trying to get it off, but she doesn't object to me putting it on her and once out she has changed radically towards other dogs. Now if it's a dog she is not sure about, instead of rushing and charging with knashing of teeth, she stands in front of the other dog and just barks. Either that dog then stands and does nothing or it retreats.
This first happened last week with ' Betty' who was new to her. After a minute or so, when we all walked off again, she approached Betty and initiated play. This has happened a number of times now with different dogs. It has become clear to me that with the muzzle she feels she can say to another dog' I'm not sure about you, so please give me space until I say it's ok to be friends '
We have been walking with the dog walking pack, some of whom pass our gate regularly, so vaguely known to Lady. She walks and mingles with the group as though she has known them all her life. But she's also got a boyfriend called Scout, who is not part of the group but meets up with them most days, and when she sees him in the distance her ears prick up and she goes off from the group and runs to meet him.
I have a cat, as you all know, who is now 14yrs. She was rescued as a 6 week old kitten along with her Mum (only 9months old) from under a hedge, both dehydrated, undernourished and in poor condition. Pusscat came to me at 12 weeks old, after having being socialised, weaned and trained as to a litter tray.
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard to know what to do for the best, when a much loved pet becomes poorly.
I agree with Ev, don't put them through uneccesary treatments unless absolutely needed. It is such a hard decission, one which I know I will have to face sometime.
It is important that your pet doesn't suffer, and has the best life possible, in whatever way.
Wish Ev and Gypsy well.
Ev.....sorry to hear about Gypsy. It’s a terrible time when a much loved pet is ill and you know the time will come when you have to be strong and make that awful decision. It never gets any easier. Just love her every day so that when the time comes you know you’ve done the nest for her and that she had a wonderful time with you. Xx
ReplyDeleteThank you to all of you for your good wishes and support. I think we always knew Gyp had issues which will probably mean we will lose her before the usual lifespan of a
ReplyDeleteShih Tzu. However we will always I am sure treasure the memory of her - the indomitable independent spirit, the sheer greediness and the sight of a sweet face and gentle nature. We will enjoy with her these latter years of her life and endure the constant barking when it’s time for dinner!
Mrs P.....nice to see you are back on.
ReplyDeleteSpicey.....when I get round to sitting down with the laptop I will google your unfortunate disease. Keep strong and “just get used to resting for a bit”. There’ll be time later for “doing” and helping others. I’m sure that time will come sooner rather than later if you take care.
Archerphile.....good luck on board. We had a rough night returning to New York. I didn’t sleep despite my sea bands. Of course HE did!
I do not like the swaying feeling inside. I don’t think I’ll be going on another at sea cruise, it was our first.
Maybe would try a saga river cruise. Time will tell.
I’m coming down with a hacking cough now, after being on the plane I guess. So have come for a long soak with an oriental spiced organic bath bomb I bought in Prague. God if only you all could see my bath water!!! It looks like I’m laid in a bath of diarrhoea! Browny green with grainy bits clinging. Very disappointing
Cleaning the bath is gonna be a big challenge. 😱
😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 oh dear ptby your bath sounds a delight
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your posts always of interest and often so amusing (and boy do we need the laughs them these current days.)
Katy bought a bath bomb the other day which turned the water into a bright pink. It looked like a blood bath! Another one sent cascades of blue in circles and looked like those old blue things mums used to put in when washing clothes. When in Egypt one of the market stalls had spices including a blue mound which turned out to be a whitening agent and not as I thought a peculiar blue flavouring! Katy is getting the bombs and soaps from a small shop in Ryde and they are proving really good for her psoriasis. It is a husband and wife team and they make all the products themselves. He has psoriasis so acts as guinea pig! All products not tested on animals but on the resident husband!
ReplyDeleteBlimey Ev - Ryde is coming up, artisan soap shops as well as chocolate apothecary or whatever it's called.
ReplyDeleteBeen meaning to say this over last 2 weeks but keep forgetting.
ReplyDeleteMy best piece of travel advice.....and I’m not meaning to teach something about sucking eggs......is, if you go to usa, Canada or these cruise ships take your own toilet roll!! Fgs you need about 6 foot before you dare attempt anything!!!! I’ve never seen such thin one ply bog roll in my life. When Americans come here they must be in awe of our toilet roll. 🚽🧻🤭
Mrs P..….Glad to see you back, hope it lasts this time!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear of Ladys progress. I wish I could say the same for Misty. Se has done a disappearing act 3 times now, though the last 2 times I have managed to catch up with her, by clambering over the fence. She is now back on her lead in the mornings, well for a few days anyway.
P tobe Y..... Glad to hear you had a good holiday. A word of caution though, I suffer from seasickness and when I went on a canal boat holiday I suffered too, not too bad on board, but suffered 4 or 5 days when I came off.
Ev…….Enjoy Gypsy whilst she is still with you, all those memories will still be with you when she is gone.
I planted trees over my dogs in the garden, one being a damson, so I have made some Damson gin this year ( the first time it has fruited ) to be known as ' Gazzas Gin '
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Wow, something we do better than the Americans ! On the same subject, metaphorically, did you manage to clean the bath after that interesting soak ? I wonder if citizens of the Czech Republic have a special bathroom cleanser to deal with their bath accessories.....Sorry, PtbY, that you've come home to a hacking cough. After some holidays, one needs another holiday in which to recover.
ReplyDeleteWhat stands out for you as the highlights of the NY part of the trip ?
Too many questions ! No obligation to answer any of them...
Lady R and Ev: yesterday
ReplyDeleteLady R and Ev: yesterday
Afraid knee is still very painful and limiting my mobility so am using stick(s) all the time. Has now got bad enough for me to admit I need to see consultant again to be put on his waiting list for the replacement and I’ll just have to try fitting it in between next yrs holiday arrangements. Have made appt. to see GP day after we return from cruise to ask him to write the letter.
Yes Ev, I’ll definitely be up on top deck waving, as we circle the Island. We depart Southampton at 16.30 so it will just be getting dark, but that is lovely as we’ll see all the lights on Spinnaker Tower and around Cowes which I think is quite magical.
Sorry Ev, should also have wished you well with your dogs while I am away. I have never owned a dog so I know nothing about their illnesses, but I do know how much pets mean to people and how worrying it can be when one is ill, so I’m sending positive thoughts. 💕
DeleteSorry to hear you are having to go on your holiday in such pain Archerphile.
DeleteDoing right though booking Dr appointment immediately following your return and hopefully Consultant visit will follow quickly.
Take plenty of paracetamols (or similar/Deep Freeze Gel ) with you and be very careful on those sticks!
Also no doubt the excitement of your journey will to some extent help to take your mind of your discomfort 🤞
PtbY 8.58 today
ReplyDeleteYour comment about thin toilet paper has explained something that has puzzled me. Ages ago and I don't how I found out but was 'told' that here in England when using tp the Brits took sheets and kept them flat but our American friends took a handful and scrunched it up. The single ply would explain a lot!
A distant relative whom I have coffee with every month complained about a visiting American granddaughter who kept blocking the pipes with vast amounts of tp and who completely used one roll every two days during her stay!
(Hope I haven't lowered the tone but it just answered something unexplained for many years!)😊
Lol.
DeleteCarolyn.....luckily the bath cleaned off ok. Think I’ll just stick to radox in future though!
ReplyDeleteWe had been to New York before but still did a big bus tour again. I just love em. This time was better because you didn’t miss stuff whilst taking photos. Think you see something different every time you go on them and depending on the guide you learn such a lot. I love looking at the old architecture against all the glass new skyscrapers. Those interesting old buildings are now being dwarfed.
On a minus point....arrived at 10 o’clock at night on Halloween night. God there were some sights in the streets all dressed up. Can’t stand Halloween. In fact I don’t get any fancy dress do. I’m a grumpy old woman!!
Mr PtbYs highlight was taking the little boat into the base of Niagara Falls.....I chickened out.
My highlight was sat having a pedicure overlooking Niagara Falls by a lovely middle aged chubby friendly woman instead of one of those stick thin, glammed up bits you see in make up departments in stores. They intimidate me!!
Ev, Gypsy is fortunate having you to look after her in her latter years.
ReplyDeleteI bet she will be spoilt rotten-and why not.?
At least when it gets too much for them animals can be put humanely out of their misery.
Another thing (apart from toilet paper-(I favour quilted as it is better value in the long run as not as many sheets are need) that we are better at than the Americans ,is making tea.
ReplyDeleteThey don’t boil the water.
Revolting stuff.
I love a bath although we only have a shower at home.
ReplyDeleteWhen I had a sleepover at a friend’s house last weekend I was looking forward to a good soak.
Things are not as simple as they were when plugs were on chains and taps were turned.
I pressed what I thought was something to make the plug drop down and was covered with a cold jet of water from the shower.
I sympathise Lanjan. We had our bathroom refitted last year, after I finally managed to persuade Mr A that our Avodcado suite just had to go.
DeleteThe bath has no taps, but water gushes in from a hole where the overflow normally is when you turn a lever on the wall.
The plug and chain have been replaced by what I think is called a ‘click-clack’ device which you press down before running the water, then press down again to empty the bath.
Unfortunately, I quite often either forget to press the wretched thing down, thus loosing all the hot water straight down the drain - or - in the middle of a nice long soak, accidentally push the thing with my heel, where upon all the water disappears before I am able to close it again!
Oh, how I wish for an old fashioned rubber plug with, or without, a chain ! 🛀🏼
Archerphile,I have to admit that I didn’t find it that easy climbing in and out of the bath either.
ReplyDeleteEv. I have two rescued cats and one had to have 5 removed leaving her with only half. Doesn’t stop her eating.
ReplyDeleteYou and your daughter have given the dogs a wonderful life and I’m sure they would bark their appreciation in return. Woof, woof.
As to Ev and Gypsy. A friend of mine also had a Shih Tzu, which was diagnosed with Cushings. I wonder if this breed of dog is more prone to this, than others.
ReplyDeleteI am sure that Ev + Katy will do everything possible, to give Gypsy the best care + attention, she so deserves. 😻
As I have said previously, Gypsy might just surprise all, as she seems a fighter.
Take Care + Keep Warm every-one.
Shih Tzu s May be prone to it but we wonder whether the steroids she had before coming to us played a part. They were prescribed for her skin condition which we have controlled with a wheat free diet. She was often on them unfortunately. Dudley gets on well with Buddy but picks on Gypsy and tonight actually bit her. It isn’t a serious bite but scared her. She has a very gentle nature. Sadly it will probably mean giving him up as we have to put her first. Buddy is very good with her as he is a caring little soul. We guess Dudley has sensed her weaknesses and like in many animal groups has rejected her.
DeleteHey, we really are into the basics of everyday life now - tollet rolls & baths ! 😆 I do like it, & it's down to PtbY & her bathroom adventures....
ReplyDeleteWe went to NY way back in 2003, don't do the bus tour, but ordinary buses I found exciting, passing famous sights. I said rather loudly to Mr C. at one point, 'oh, look, there's the flat iron building!' the friendliness was great, various people on the bus joined in, gave me more information, & in the ladies loo at the Metropolitan art museum, having got past 'Are you Englush ?' a mutually commiserating political conversation followed ( Iraq war). It's ok in London, but not as open as that.
What do our pets do to us? I bought the usual large bag of the dried food, Pusscat normally loves and eats. Tonight she is refusing it, and is now sitting, miaowing + pawing at, the cupboard door, behind which her food is stored. I will go and buy the same brand tomorrow, but a different flavour/taste. She won't starve until then. Tough Love....it won't hurt her.
ReplyDeleteEv (7.57pm), sorry to read that Dudley is doing an animal thing, sensing that Gypsy is weaker & turning on her. It's natural, of course, & it isn't as if humans are above that kind of reaction, but it's such a shame when Dudley could have had a lovely life with you all. Do you think it could be a one off incident, & he might just decide to ignore her in future ? I hope so, but can see you can't wait very long to see if it settles, for the sake of little Gypsy's well being.
ReplyDeleteHe has reacted to her in the past every time she comes into a room barking at her. We have tried standing in between them and calmly telling him off but he doesn’t seem to get the message. We are fostering him and the charity are looking to place him again. They totally understand that Gypsy must come first. He is such a nice dog most of the time but has these Jekyll and Hyde moments in being aggressive to her and charging to the door every time someone calls barking very noisily so you cannot hear yourself think. I feel he needs one to one care from someone more expert than me!
ReplyDelete