Ev - December 14, 2020 at 10:27 PM Archerphile, I love your robin! I hope your problem resolves itself but agree you may need to seek medical advice sooner rather than later. Let us know how you get on.
Hilary - December 15, 2020 at 7:07 AM This morning there is a very long and very interesting Guardian article about TA which I found by googling the title: " A peculiarly English epic: the weird genius of The Archers.
Lanjan - December 15, 2020 at 8:52 AM My very best wishes to all of you who are suffering with any sort of illness . I hope that you all will improve very soon.
Archerphile - December 15, 2020 at 9:17 AM Round Robins: We get one, just one, every year from our friends whose 50th Anniversary Party we attended last year. Some of you may remember my account of the event! It was a real one-off. Well, true to their nature, their round robin each year runs to 3-4 pages of very closely typed script. Each member of the family recounts their own year and the paterfamilias sums up. It really is the most boring essay with details from the running costs of their car, to which make of washing machine they chose to replace the old one! I simply sign our return card with best wishes, but they just don’t take the hint!
MrGG receives several Round Robins every Christmas from old friends and acquaintances but he doesn't let me read them as I laugh too much! He thinks they're nice and disapproves of me taking the piss.
It is a good job those of you who are suffering each has a sense of humour. I must say I am particularly impressed with P tb Y who is a lot younger than many of us and who in spite of the fact has been looking like Long John Silver for a long time now has made light of it and even joked about it.
Good for her. I hope they get it sorted for you soon,P tbY and that you find a suitable eye patch for Christmas.
I received a round robin this year which was quite different. Instead of the usual "we went here then we went there" etc. etc. it had thoughts to ponder on, some of which were good. This year has made people more thoughtful about life I think and it showed in this rr.
Oh dear, any round robin here would go straight in the bin! I am a letter writer, though fewer friends now, but each is so personal and reflects the interests of the person I am writing to. One of my friends, now deceased , much to my horror told me she kept all my letters, hopefully now in the bin.
On a different topic, I bought myself a tricycle to keep fit amoungst other things. I havent ridden a bike for over 35 years and didnt relise how difficult it was goig to be, cant even get up the slight hill on my drive in bottom gear, the road is a bit dangerous at the moment very muddy with grass growing down the middle, need to get a bit beyond the first telegraph pole before I complain to the council., any way 1/2 hours practise every morning, bit less today As I pulled muscle.pushing myself a little too hard. Cycling here is very different to cycling down the Old Kent road in Peckham as I did in my thirties, a notoriously busy road in those days, still I lived to tell the tale ! You put me to shame Gary, I wont manage your distances, but hope to eventually manage a bit further.
Turning is more difficult as you can tip over as I learnt to my cost, ok though as I fell into the raised bed in the courtyard.. I used to keep ponies when my niece was growing up I had a wonderfil 3/4 arab, bought with the house I can ride , not keen though, I live next door to a riding scool and livery yard, so do have acciss, but ruled it out...
Good to see you back on the blog Cow Girl. PtbY - it seems so unfair, your suffering, and as LJ says, you are such a stoic. Keep on keeping on girl !
I did write a post yesterday Lady R, but couldn't publish for some reason so gave up. It was about the subject of round robins as well as my feelings about Christmas altogether. I am becoming increasingly isolationist and not wanting to communicate with anyone at all. I put this down to the combination of increasing age, lack of socialisation due to Lady and her separation anxiety prior to Covid, and now a year of being unable to do anything other than be alone. Even my best friend R4 no longer satisfies. I find myself listening to Gregorian Chant more and more frequently.
MrsP, I gave up on Christmas about 25 years ago. I used to enjoy it when the children were young and made the point of visiting family, I was even father Christmas once! Now I let the others enjoy it. I like talking to people but for a limited time. I am on good terms with the two staff of my local shop and spend 15-20 mins there on most days. Radio 4 is still there. On the other hand I usually have a long list of books to order when they come out in paperback and now there's nothing on it till end of May! I'm rereading the ones on the bookshelves. I listen to some pop music and lighten up when I hear something familiar. Then again my favourite singer has made a new album and I run to switch off when I hear it. Some shift has taken place.
What a lovely picture, a robin. I have one, which is always round and about, in my garden. I am sorry, so many are feeling poorly and disollusioned, but you are all seem so positive and strong. It is a hard time at the moment, even more so with the dark + shortened days. We all just need to stay sensible and safe. I, for one, am finding this increasingly difficult, but I am determined to progress, in a good way. Christmas is certainly making us all think, what is the best to do? My attitude is just, to think positive, do the meal as usual, with all the trimmings and just look forward to brighter times, and most importantly, Enjoy. 😀 but Stay Safe.
I haven't much else to tell, except that I have ordered 3 new replacement windows. These were not changed last time, due to the cost but the time is now right. This won't happen until Feb/March, Covid permiting! I am in no hurry.
I went to the PO yesterday, to post a parcel. The queue was very long, waiting for about 20 mins, but it was "chatty" in a socially distanced format, and almost fun. 😂 Take Care All.
I just need to add, I hope all your pets, are slso doing well. They are such a fundamental part of our homes and lives, which is so very important. My "Puss Cat" is mis-behaving! She has decided, that she does not want to go outside, for her pees + poos. A litter tray is now in place - which I hate 😣😲
Well call me Scrooge if you like but I would cancel Christmas this year as far as meeting up with other families is concerned. I am not unique in thinking that these five days will produce an exponential rise in COVID cases. Why not create a Bank Holiday weekend next Spring when hopefully things might be better. I also can't understand why we can't just abandon this year as regards schooling so that everybody starts their next rung of the ladder a year later. Ie Go to University at the end of year 14 instead of year 12 Go to Secondary school at the start of year 8
I totally agree. I’ve told my son not to come home over Christmas period. He’s in a tier 3. With phone calls and FaceTime etc it’s not as if we can’t still keep in touch.
I will see some family over the Christmas Break. This will be a socially distanced meet-up, being well wrapped up with gloves, scarf and socks in boots, in a garden! It will short, but sweet.
People from tier 3 areas are being very inventive in their phone calls trying to book holidays here in a tier 1 area. Just one e.g. from the holiday park where many bookings have had to be cancelled, and the staff are now on part time work plus furlough ( which has been a great help). A phone call to make a booking: Can I ask where you are living? Man: Birm um Exeter. Exeter is okay. Later a phone call is made to check the size of chalet wanted, and just to make sure the question is asked again: Where do you live? Man's wife after a pause Bath. Hmmmm, they didn't get their story in synch did they! And after being asked for proof of address no more was heard from them. On the other hand most people are trying to keep to the rules and even though very sad they phone up to say they are now in tier 3 and will have to cancel ( they do get a refund).
To add to other suggestions, I am doing my normal, to sort out a burnt saucapan, thanks to tonights TA episode! I put hot water + washing powder in straight away, leaving it then to soak. I then boil it up, and then simmer for about 15mins. This always works for me. My saucepans are 18/10 stainless steel, not sure if that makes a difference.
When ias young, teenage years, I was known for burning saucepans, usually boiled potatoes. My sisters friend always used to say..... she burns saucepans all the time, but boy does she know how to clean them !
Can anyone give me the name of the music that Lower Loxley play around Christmas time? It's something to do with sleigh ride maybe Russian. It sounds very Christmasy to me and I'd like to add it to my Spotify list. Hope someone can help me.
Cowgirl - how lovely to see your name here again. I have been wondering how you are doing. The trike is a marvellous idea for exercise . When my mother-in-law developed Parkinson’s Disease she could no longer ride her bike as she kept falling off, she was a real danger to Herself and others Someone suggested she get a tricycle as she wouldn’t have to struggle to balance. She bought (at huge expense) a Pashley trike with a big basket on the front and was very grateful to be mobile again for a few years.
Archerphile, i wanted a pashley but covid made it impossible so ended up witha Jorvic, not much cheaper im afraid. Mine has a basket backand front too, I put balast in to make it harder for me.
Gary I may be doing more in terms of time, but not much progress im terms og getting up the slight inclines never mind the hills round here !
Miriam are you picking up on bbc iPlayer the new series of “Animal Park” Christmas Special week. Thought of you as soon as I saw it in our tv mag. 10.55 - 11.45am on air each day this week.
As CowGirl knows I have always yearned to have a Pashley Tricycle. When I moved into this cottage it became obvious that I couldn't even have a bike as there is nowhere to keep it, so gave mine away. I am very envious !
For those who like animals I have put a picture of Bella in her cat cave under the tree. She likes to sit on tinsel, and we make sure we put some baubles low down so she can dab at them.
Ev - I was sorry to hear that your cruise on Breamar for next August has been cancelled. And very surprised to hear she has been mothballed until 2022. Only yesterday, we got yet another Fred brochure with details of cruises on all their ships for 2021, so this must be a very sudden decision. I wonder why? We get letters, brochures and emails from them every week, they are trying very hard to drum up business, especially for the two new ships.
The liners in the bays at Weymouth and Bournemouth are a magnificent sight. They move around a bit and are lit up at night. In Weymouth during the summer, locals were taking visitors for trips around them. Are there any to be seen offshore round the island Ev?
Has anyone else watched House of Games this week.? There is a dreadful ,cocky comedienne on called Josie Long . A few weeks ago there was another comedienne on the programme who won every day. She was awful as well. If the contestants don't improve I may give up watching especially as they have too many questions about entertainment about which I know nothing. Steve Cram and Robert Rinder were both very pleasant though as has been Jennifer Saunders. Aha . I bet there would be sorry to hear tgat!
Soz - I can answer the question about the cruise ships around the island as my daughter had a house at Seaview directly opposite Portsmouth. Yes they do go round the Island. My son in law became so fascinated by all the ships, cargo and cruise that I gave him my fathers telescope. He got to know all the different styles and which company that belonged to as well as which part of the world other cargo ships had come from or were going to. My own experience is that you can see them finally at Ventnor, by that point far out. Beyond Ventnor they become invisible.
There's a few huge ones parked on the River Clyde not far from me. They've been there since the start of lockdown. No idea whether there's people living on them.
Gary, they could be the 4 Fred Olsen ones which are up there for refurbishment. If so, they apparently have a minimal crew on board keeping up the maintenance. Or, come to think of it I think it may have been the Forth where they were sent.
Beautiful day here went for a long walk on the beach with the dog. No tankers in sight a rare occurance. The hens too are now on lockdown and cofined to their quarters due to avian flue and very frustrated they are too, have bought them some bread and cabbage to keep them occupied, certtainly not giving them my home made !
This time last year I found some brussels sprouts on long stalks, and gave them as a Christmas present to next door's chickens ( very very daft but our cats get a treat or toy from them, and their dogs get a treat from us, and I thought it a shame to leave the chickens out!) The chickens had a great time because she hung them up by the stalks and they were jumping to get at the sprouts which they really like. Haven't managed to get any this year, but have been ordering online and rarely venturing out to the shops.
Sorry to report not very good news. Had to see Dr again this morning as pains returned. He took quite a few vials of blood for various tests and I have to take in an ’unmentionable’ sample tomorrow to be sent off for testing too. He told me what he is testing for and I don’t like any of the three possibilities Unfortunately I have to wait until Christmas Eve when he will telephone me with the results. I’m not very good at waiting!
We will all be there waiting with you Archerphile. Try to be as patient as you can. Breathing in and out through the nose, with mouth gently closed, eyes too, may help. The next few days will be difficult, but I'm sure you can get through it.
Remember Archerphile, that tests are done to eliminate ideas, not to confirm anything. Stay Strong and try to remain positive, though this can be so hard to do at times.
I have been arranging with family, to meet up with some (socially distanced of course), over the weekend and the start of next week. All sorted...so I can do my "Santa" drops on Sunday + Morning. I have only bought for those nearest to me this year. I feel stingy, but we are all are doing the same! I had news from OZ today. The youngest, born with health problems and now is 18months, is in hospital again. This is with a severe case of tonsilitis with a very high temp. breathing problems. The docs are thinking sepsis, so it is 🤞🤞 that they can go away for their 2 week summer holiday, on Saturday. I still find it strange that, this is the peak OZ Summer Hols, coinciding with Christmas. Perhaps we will be doing the same next year.
They live on the Gold Coast, which has been severly hit for 5 days, with massive storms, so much so that some beaches have been washed away. Thankfully, they are all safe, well until now.
Breathing excercise, as I know it, which works for me. Breathe slowly in through the nose, hold for a slow count of 5, then breath out, very slowly through an open mouth. Repeat, until feel calmer. This is so simple to do, and can be done anywhere and anytime, and can even been done whilst wearing a mask! It does help to take the edge off, sometimes.
I am making the most of going into Wales this weekend, as the border will be closed again on the 28th, when the latest Welsh lockdown starts. It is not known how long this will last, nor when we will be able to meet up again. It is hard, but sensible and understand it.
Archerphile sorry to hear your problem has returned. I had similar early June, urine & poo tests, blood tests all of which returned clear / non sinister. I read yesterday that these issues have soared particularly amongst women since March this year! You have been through so much this year maybe your mind / body is reacting to that now. Sending 🥰
No comments as yet today 🤔 A couple on TA blog though. Maybe you are all Christmas busy! Drab day weather wise but had a lovely ride out yesterday with a car picnic in a wooded area 🤗
I did my last shop before Christmas, this morning. Everyrthing I bought will keep, and chose the veges, with that in mind. Leeks, sprouts, pots, red cabbage, cauli, carrots and a red pepper. I got all that I planned to get. However there were quite a few extras added - I might on my own on Christmas Day, but it will be very traditional, with full festive fare! I draw the line at a paper hat though.... I had to buy Big Sis's birthday pressie (biirthday is very early January) so I can take it to her this week, as she will be in Lockdown straight after Christmas.
I did the quiz on the website, whilst having a cup of coffee, this morning. Score 12/15. I am proud of that, and surprised myself. I see that a scorecard for "Gary's Quiz", can be downloaded, so can join in. I will do this, but I know I won't dare share my score on that occasion! 😲
I also have had computer problems this week. My PC came on during the night, with a message along the lines of:- Your fault message to the technical team has not been sucessful, click on submit, to send again. As if...I closed it down immediatly. A few hours later I switched it back on, checked my bank + credit card accounts. Luckily all were OK, well so far. I will be keeping a watch on this, just in case.
I have still got the silhouette Ev but when published my pic is there. I do often get blogger error which is so annoying if post was a longish one 🤞🏼 right now!
Another treat I bought myself this morning was, the Festive Radio Times. I used to subscribe to this, but I stopped as it was getting so costly. I changed to another in January, which is half the price and is fine with all the radio listings, and an Archers synopsis. The only problem is that there are no cast lists and programme/film synopsis are not as full. I only paid £2.60 (subscription rate) for this, but I decided that Christmas isn't Christmas without a RT! I will enjoy browsing through it, with my Christmas chocs + nibbles close to hand, not forgetting the spicy, clementine gin liqueur (another treat). It is Why Not? - after all that has, and is still, going on. As I read this week - Why be Sad this Christmas, as any sacrifices will be worth it.🎄
I typed out a Scam Alert on here yesterday afternoon but it has disappeared - perhaps I forgot to Click ‘Publish’ Any way it concerned an email we had, purporting to be from DPD couriers. Saying they had tried to deliver a parcel at 2pm and no one was in to receive it (I was) and nowhere safe to leave it (there is). We often get a food hamper from relatives in Canada at this time of year so we thought that might be the parcel. However the email said we’d have to pay a fee to re-arrange delivery and gave a parcel no for tracking which we should click on. Fortunately I had seen an item in TV about this new scam, very prevalent as there are do many online deliveries near Christmas. So instead of clicking in the email I sent you the official DPD site, entered to so-called tracking no and it was unheard ogf by DPD and contained too many digits. So this is a s am to get to to pay up for a non existant parcel. Apparently they can priduce very authentic looking emails for several companies like Hermes and Yodel
No ones ask for an “extra” delivery payment they just deliver again at least 3 try’s, but in haste one can see how people can be taken in especially where as in your case AP actually expecting a delivery. B *****ds !
I watched earlier tonight, for the umpteenth time, the episode of The Good Life, when Margo + Jerry, spend Christmas with Tom + Barbara. It shows that glitz + glamour is not at all important, it is what you do and in what way, and why. This touched a chord, with me.
I had a text saying that my PayPal account would be frozen and to click on a link. As I don’t have PayPal it was obviously a scam. As you say, Lady R b*****ds!
I have just finished the Ravensberger 1000 piece puzzle The Bizarre Bookshop. And it was complete. A constant worry throughout that it was not. About half done when in Cornwall and the rest completed since being home and helped enormously by my puzzle mate folder.
I had two calls this morning, both telling me that my computer had a virus and that I was being shut down. The first call woke me at 8.30am and since I had not got to sleep until about 5, I swore and shouted at her. Both women on this occasion and the first one live, not a recording. I don't have a computer, needless to say !
We are now working on a festive puzzle, The 12 Days of Christmas, but in cartoon form. It’s very colourful and quite amusing. Good job it’s on a Porta Puzzle board as we shall need the dining table for Christmas Dinner. The only day in the year that we eat in the dining room at a proper table. ( Mr A would far rather have his on a tray, watching TV, like every other meal, but I’m putting my foot down for Christmas! 😠)
I have also done The Bizarre Bookshop jigsaw - which was a fun one to do, though quite tricky. I will be starting a festive one, tomorrow, Santa on a train! I will enjoy it, none the less. My Christmas tree + decs, were put up today, so all is Festive, in my home. I am off to meet up with my eldest niece, her partner and their kids, tomorrow morning. I am looking forward to this, even being socially distanced and with no hugs + kisses. I might just break the rules, and meet-up inside! This will be done in their dining area extension, with me one end by an open door, and the family at the other end, also by open windows. I will have warm clothes on and take my own thermal mug of coffee!!!! It will be better than nothing, and the kids want to see me. 😀😀
Oh well, looks like our Christmas plans are going to have to change with the new rules just introduced. Roll on the vaccine assuming it works on the new variant.
Tricky ? A good word for that puzzle Miriam, but I enjoyed the challenge.
Well we've had the broadcast and just before it I called my daughter and told her that I was adamant that I wanted to spend the day alone. Now hearing the new advice, I'm glad to have made my decision. I had contemplated the ' one day' by driving to Bath and back on Christmas Day itself and could see no reason to extend my personal energy that far. Now BJ has helped me come to terms with my decision.
A dear friend of mine intends driving to London, and back, this coming week to deliver presents to his grandchildren. He has escaped the grim reaper on several occasions in the past already, and is extremely vulnerable. I have asked him not to go.
Dear MrA told me Boris was going to be on at 5 pm so we didn’t switch on until then and it was all over! But we have since got updated with the news Being only a few miles from the Berkshire border we feel very lucky to still be in Tier 2 as they have been put into 4. But it’s probably only a matter of time......
Wales is in lockdown as from midnight tonight, but rules will be quickly broken tomorrow. This is for a very short socially distanced, all sanitised, Santa Drop with a quick "Hello" socially distanced, and wearing masks, and that will be it ....until well into 2021. Harsh, but necessary and very understandable. I just hope these precautions are justified.
I am so glad that I made my decision about Christmas, weeks ago. My shopping is all done, and have all the ingredients to make home-made cranberry sauce, bread sauce, mince pies, though I have bought a small Christmas Cake. I also have my individual home-made Pud, stored in a cold, dark place. It will be strange, but I am determined that traditions will carry on, despite this situation...
PS The area of Wales is not too far from the Shropshire/England border and is rural, which is why we are taking this risk...Realistically they are the same as me in Cheshire West, still in Tier 2 and the ex-husband 6 miles away, in Shropshire and also in Tier 2. But who knows....🤞 There is no way to be complacent, esp.as a stepson + stepdaughter are both prison officers in HMP Wrexham, which is a hot spot!
Miriam..... I'm pretty sure that it is you who is very fond of ' Cabin Fever' Can I suggest you ' listen again ' on R4 to ' my teenage diaries ' from this evening. You will love it, I'm sure.
I cannot believe that you are prepared to "break the rules" Miriam. You usually have such high principles. Surely it is because people have decided to break the rules that we are in the situation we are in now. If I sound crotchety I apologise. Our boiler has broken down ,we have no hot water -the immersion heater won't work either (we can use the shower) we have a couple of fan heaters . We have so called emergency cover but although I called first thing yesterday nobody has been out. I have just telephoned again and I have to ring back after 9:00am as none of the contractors are picking up the messages. I have explained that my husband who is 88 years of age is not well but there is is nothing they can do about that. When I hear about people who are breaking the rules to get Christmas presents to family I am afraid my blood boils .
The situation is very serious now with many new cases particularly in the South East, we all need to play our part and stand by the rules which aren’t given without a lot of thoughts. Lanjan understand your frustration and the awfulness of not having heating just at the moment. You should be top priority and kI hope you get results after 9 this morning. They are quick enough to take your money for emergency cover and you should have heard something positive yesterday. Thinking of you and hope it is soon resolved.
Talking of taking your money, when I bought my washing machine last year at Curry’s they tried to sell me their package for repair saying although it was would be under warranty from the makers it could take some time to effect repair where they would do it much sooner. I didn’t take up their offer but recently being a machine with compute rate powers it developed a fault. I phoned the makers and next day had a call from a local firm to explain the fault. They had to order a part which took about 3 weeks to arrive but as soon as it did they phoned on Thursday to say it was in and could they come that day to fit it. Considering Covid problems I think it was very quick and efficient and I wasn’t too worried about the repair as the machine was still functioning throughout but I couldn’t open a flap to put in those little things you forget to add to the wash initially! So actually I was lied to in the shop and I can’t see that they would have been quicker or more efficient. The other con is extended guarantees as if you buy an expensive machine under the Sale of Goods act you can expect it to last for six years and if not you are entitled to a refund or repair. They just want more money from you!!
Have just checked with Katy and Sale of Goods Act was replaced by Consumers Rights Act. Using this I was able to have my computer replaced a few years ago after Argos had said it was out of warranty. I had to take it to a centre where it was tested and the fault put down to the manufacture and after proving that I got the replacement. You do have to quote it to them and be a bit insistent. Argos are generally good in respect of faulty goods but as with all retailers will jump on the out of warranty bandwagon!
I am so fed up with people breaking the rules here there and everywhere. Of course they know best, or "it's all a conspiracy" to get the government's control over everything you do or "it's only like flu for most people." I have 4 hampers here of home made jam, Christmas cake and pudding, pickles and Brandy butter ready to deliver to 3 sisters and one son but they will now have to stay in the 'study.' Jon and I will stay indoors. I expect I will 'facetime' somehow with Frankfurt and granddaughters and who know perhaps Melbourne and daughter. They certainly know how to stop the spreading; soldiers on the streets! No cases at all there now for over a month. Our hospital bed occupation for Covid patients went from 3 at the start of November to over 300 at the moment! 'Ordinary ' ptients being shipped out Tunbridge Wells. Darenth and Ashford already full. Oh well, feed the birds, feed son and myself and enjoy the DT giant crossword! 😀
Lanjan, didn't you have boiler problems last Christmas and difficulty with getting help? At least you have some back up, I hope it'll be sorted out soon.
MrsP, I listened to John Finnemore's diary but found it somewhat simplistic. Poland was hardly exotic in 1997, especially a major town. Jenni Murray spent new year's eve there in the '60s when it was. Her was father was an engineer posted into the rural parts. I do enjoy JF's souvenir programmes.
Basia ,your memory is amazing. Yes we did have problems with the Central Heating on New Year's Eve and they could do nothing until after New Year.
After two 'phone calls yesterday and another three today I was told that someone would come out today but now I have had a text message to say that apparently someone will call tomorrow between 10am and 6pm. I have just rung back and said that they must make sure that whoever they send must be a heating engineer because last time the plumber they sent wasn't a qualified electrician!
I stressed that I had a sick 88year old husband and I expect that there is not a lot these people in Call Centres can do but when they say "I can only apologise " it is like a red rag to a bull . I calmly said to one young woman this morning that whatever she had been told it was not the right thing to say . It is far better to say something like " I am really sorry to hear that .I will do whatever I can to help you" To which she replied "Yes I know what you mean I can only ...... I give up! .
Lanjan, I can sense your frustration, you know how I feel about apologising. At least that woman tried but she has to be formulaic or she may lose her job.
Katy suggested if you don’t get anywhere to contact the newspapers to highlight your predicament. Years ago when we arrived back in UK in November from Hong Kong we were offered a married quarter full of ancient furniture and with a kitchen so small you couldn’t fit in a washing machine or a freezer. It was exactly like the first one we had when we first were married. Like then we were assured the furniture would be updated and it never happened. We had to put the washing machine in the downstairs loo and the freezer in the dining room. I rejected the MQ and said if they didn’t offer anything better I would stay out in the cold with my 2 year old child and phone the newspapers to say this was how service families were treated on returning from overseas postings. We were then offered a choice of three quarters which were far superior. Amazing what the threat of bad publicity results in! I’m not even sure my ruse would have worked. I can only say that the first quarter was dreadful and going into another similar one would have been insufferable. Anyway, Lanjan I hope it works out but having to wait two days in your circumstances is unacceptable and hopefully you will complain in writing about it. You should have been top priority.
LanJAn, I remembered strait away when I read your post that you had the same problem at the same time last year. This is awful. Is your CH system very old. I can't imagine that you don't have an annual service. I'm sure you have been most persistent already, but I really think that's not enough. Last year my son in law renegotiated several of my 'utilities' on my behalf, all within one hour on a Saturday. Given that he is a global ecological ' negotiator ' and at an extremely high level, I wasn't surprised at what he achieved, but what did surprise me was his amazing ability to be calm, using a quiet voice, and persistence. When offered one level of a contract, he calmly said, yes, but she has been with you XXXX number of years, and low and behold they came back with a better offer. I think it was that whoever he was talking to, understood that he was not going to give up, whatever they tried to fob him off with.
So I think you should get on that phone again, now, and refuse to get off the line until some bloke is knocking on your door.
Miriam, I am more than surprised by your decision to break the rules tomorrow. I am shocked ! You of all people so frequently tell us that this and that is the correct way to do things, that you give the impression of a person who would never dream of breaking any rule, and who is extremely risk averse. And I speak as the opposite, well not exactly the opposite as I rarely break rules, but I certainly bend them, frequently !
There are so many, in this country alone, never mind world wide, who are suffering loneliness and or yearning to see loved ones who will continue to be alone until enough of us have been vaccinated to have created a herd immunity, and that may not be until well into late spring.
If some person in Australia took a similar action to that which you propose tomorrow, and that led to that new baby you have talked about being very ill, ( not Covid, but something as deadly) you would be outraged. And rightly so.
Basia, I thought John Finnemore was so like he is now, in the diary, that I did wonder if he had written it for this programme. But then that wouldn't be the first time that I had thought this about other ' diaries' too. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.
Lan jan - so sorry to hear about your heating problem, all over again! You must be absolutely furious and I am appalled to hear about the level of service you are expected to put up with. It’s just not good enough and you are fully justified in telling the company so. Come to that, it doesn’t sound as if your earlier repairs were much good either! I should be spitting feathers if I were you.
As for the other matter of breaking Covid rules,I can see no excuse at all unless there was a really major problem with a very elderly relative living on their own who needed assistance. I was horrified to see all those selfish crowds at the London railway stations trying to escape the Capital - and take their Covid variant viruses all over the country to infect everyone else. Has no one a sense of responsibility these days? Yes, it’s going to be an unusual Christmas, and a lonely one for some, but it’s just one Christmas for goodness sake and once the vaccines are widely distributed we shall (hopefully) be back to some sort of normality.
I’m sorry if this is blunt, but I cannot condone someone who has boasted about having all the food and necessities ready for a Christmas alone, then stating they are just going to break the rules by visiting an area under strict regulations. You can’t break the rules a little bit, you either stick to them or you don’t. It’s a simple as that.
I did break rules this morning. It was done carefully, in shifts and sensibly, by all, with just a 10minute overlap, between households. We all understand the rules + why, and all stayed socially distanced, at all times, sitting by open windows + doors. My eldest niece, whose property it was, is a Director in a Greater Manchester Council (tier 3) and knows a lot more of data, than us the more simple folk, don't see.. All we did were - quick santa 🎅drops, and catch ups - no coffees, loo visits, hugs, cuddles etc. If it had been Christmas Day, with just two households all day, which is allowed, the risks would have been far greater.
I am sorry that I Disgusted so many. I apologise for my actions.
PS I won't see my family from Wales, for very many weeks now. Today was the last chance to do so, and had to be take it!
I am home alone now, for at least 10 days...but it will be fine 😀 I am well prepared with just my pusscat for company.
MrsP, I agree that these diaries are written for the programme or at least edited, I think that's what we're meant to feel, that it's an open secret. Yes, John Finnemore was funny and himself.
Hands up those of you who read"Anne of Green Gables" and loved it. Tomorrow,God willing ,my elder son and his wife plan to drive the 3300 miles across Canada to a new post he has been offered on Prince Edward Island -where Anne Shirley lived-where they will have to go into self isolation for 14 days. I imagine by then they will be in need of .the rest.
I had my Christmas visit last Thursday, from my sister and her husband. They brought the surplus from their vegetable basket, a small hyacinth which is opening up, as well as some tiny kiwi fruits from a tree in Nice. They have much contact with others, so sat apart from me and we kept the masks on except for drinking coffee. Our lockdown finished this week but there's a curfew 8pm-6am except on Christmas Eve. It may all change in the new year.
Talking of negotiating, we had been with our mobile phone provider for a number of years with a sim only contract. Every time it was due for renewal we had to go through the rigmarole of phoning them to negotiate the price of the next contract as what they were offering was always more than what they charged new customers. In the end we found an on line only supplier with a simple rolling monthly contract at a reasonable price and a very easy website, they even refund the cost of unused data each month. That made our old supplier sit up with an improved offer, but they couldn't match the new one. No rewards for loyalty these days.
We have just had the same experience with renewing our car insurances (they are both due in the same month). Mine Is with Saga and has been for several years. The renewal letter they sent was for over £100:more than last year. We did some research and found a company quoting £150 less for the same cover. We then rang Saga, told them of the other quote and they instantly lowered theirs to the same amount. So why couldn’t they have quoted that in the first place? As you say CC, so much for loyalty!
Im afraid that is a common practise with so many companies these days when you have annual premiums, on principal I will not tell what my better quote is and get them to qoute again, I like to keep them dangling so to speak, sometimes they quote below sometimes not, either way I have won.
I am watching a "Midwife" episode, Sorry to those who hate this programme, but it relates to a typhoid outbreak in the 1960's, with the main instruction, to constantly wash hands, so to not spread it further, along with a super-spreader being identified. Times don't seem to change... Oh Well. Keep Safe All and enjoy your Christmas, in your own ways, with what you have decided to do . Remember your cats + dogs also 😸🐶 . 🎁🎁🍾🎄🎄🎉 and not forgetting a big 🤗 with, (if you are lucky enough), with whovever you will be with. May 🎅🎅 find his way to you, even if he has to be 😷.
Miriam, you didn't disgust me, you infuriated me. As I think you know, my only family now are my sister-in-law in Gloucestershire and my son and his family in Wales; I have seen him twice this year, once in June and again in September and Wendy has only visited once this year as her husband is becoming frail. I cannot 'stock up for Christmas' as you do as I do not drive and dare not risk public transport, so I am taken to Sainsbury's once a week, I plan carefully and manage perfectly well. By now, knowing that I've been marooned in the house since March, my son is becoming concerned for my general well-being; they could have 'carefully' broken the rules as you did by making a socially distanced journey by car without stopping on the way, but although they have been self-isolating because of school contacts there are so many imponderables involved they would not dream of taking the risk, however great their concern. I would also remind you that it is but 16 months since my husband died in appalling circumstances and to be truthful I'm finding the long dark evenings very difficult: I'm often still roaming round the house at 2.30 am, unable to settle, but it's the stage I've reached, tomorrow is the shortest day and like all things, this will pass. However careful you think you were, to me it was nothing more than an act of supreme self-indulgence. As I think you know I very rarely air my personal opinions on this blog, but this has touched a very raw nerve indeed and after months of isolation my fuse has been severely shortened.
Sarnia, I too have been housebound since early in the year and at times have wanted to say 'Damn it to Hell!' I can count the number of times I have left the house on my fingers! I am so lucky to have my son Jon still living with me but feel so guilty that he has had to physically 'nurse' me when I have been bed-bound or so chronically tired and in pain that I can barely stand up straight. He is a man in the prime of his life and should be with a wife and family not caring for his decrepit Mum! But here we are, him working from home in a converted- to-office spare bedroom and me stuck in the sitting room doing on-line jigsaw puzzles and just about managing to cook a simple meal in the evening for us both. I feel for all those alone but as many have said it is a fancy Sunday really. Few regard it nowadays as a religious occasion. I do, but I won't risk going to Church this year. However I will be listening to (I hope) The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. I usually regard that as the start of my Christmas. We WILL get through this despite some careless and thoughtless actions. I shall visit here (the blog) several times over Christmas. Let's put the world to rights if there is nothing suitable on TV/radio as old friends would over tea or coffee! If I could I'd like to be able chat with all who want to, voice-to-voice as it were, but am fearful of advertising personal details. As it is, yesterday I had a notification from Yahoo asking me if I really wanted to change my password on my mail account while I was in Bangladesh!😂
Well. I have checked, and it appears that legally the 'relaxed' 5 day Christmas truce is still binding, except for Tier 4, in England. In which case, I think that people will make their choices based upon their own circumstances, i.e. take personal responsibility and live with their actions. Miriam, you certainly don't need to apologise to this blog; You and your family have made a decision and followed through, that is up to you. We have already lost two contributors to this blog, which is such a shame, we are all adults and do not need to police each other.
I must say that what I find infuriating is the oh-so-chummy way people refer to the Prime Minister. I can think of many ways of describing that man, none of which involve the use of his (not) first name.
To everyone living alone, as I do, with hopes and plans shattered, and festive food gently wilting away, Happy Christmas. To everyone else: Merry New Year.
I think the way that I'm coping with it all is just trying not to think too much, which is easier said than done some days than others. (05.30am is maybe not the best time to be thinking, never mind writing!) It's after reading all the headlines this morning & posts above, that I (again) realise what a truly appalling year it's been for all of us. And far worse for some. I count myself as one of the very, very lucky ones. I have my health, my husband, my house and we are incredibly fortunate from a financial and working standpoint.
But it's still been hard. I've missed 2 funerals, last saw any of my friends in Aug, no celebration of either my 50th or MrGG's 70th and all the tiny other things that make life more enjoyable. And we've not even really had lockdowns as harsh as some of our friends in Italy & Frande, to name but two countries. But we've all still had to make and endure massive changes in our lives, and the lives of the ones we love.
It's been shit for all of us. Let's try and end the year pulling together rather than falling out. (And Carolyn & Stasia, if you ever happen to read this - I apologise. I was too harsh, too strident and just too rude in my responses. The blog misses you. It misses all the people who used to contribute. It, and we, need more contact with you all. Not less)
Stay safe everyone, and I hope to see you ALL next year. (I want to go on a bloody great big Grand Tour and share a drink with all of you at some point!)
Thank you Gary. You are the still, small voice of calm in my opinion. Trying to keep everyone friendly and caring towards others must be like herding cats. I do appreciate it and will try not to upset anyone next year. 😊 Whoa! - my first New Year's Resolution!
Mistral, in case you are concerned that my diatribe will drive Miriam away, be assured that she can continue to blog in safety as I will not be commenting further.
Mistral, the 5 day window has been reduced to Christmas Day only across England. I dread to think how many people will be driving after drinking that night.
SARNIA PLEASE DON’T GO. This blog started life with a life boat as it’s symbol. We need that life line now more than ever, particularly those like yourself who live entirely alone. It is quite understandable that bloggers have shorter fuses at the moment. Most of us hold strong opinions and have always felt free to express them here but on the whole people have respected other viewpoints. Ignore the blips. Let’s get through this together. Please keep blogging Sarnia.
Let’s maintain the Christmas message Peace and Goodwill to ALL .
Agree, Soz. I hope Sarnia was just saying she wouldn’t comment further on this matter. It does hurt when people have opposing views to one’s own but we have a freedom of speech in our country which we should be so grateful for. No point in arguing, just listen to each other and see the point in all our beliefs but stay as friends throughout. Not easy but sensible!
I have just tried to post same thought but blogger error again😡 Hope this makes it. The blog is covered virtually 24/7 from early risers to late owls (me🤗) so post away and may no one feel alone ♥️
Is everyone going to be out in their gardens, or outside their door, looking at the triple conjunction tonight with Saturn and Jupiter lined up? The triple doesn't happen that often, next time about 2249; and they think this was the star of Bethlehem. I am apparently going to be out in the garden with my daughter looking through her telescope. She is going to be a very sad bunny if it is cloudy!
Yes, it will be good for a few days. Soon after sunset in the south west of the sky I think. It is pouring with rain here, didn't see a blinking thing! The only chance in our lifetime to see it.
A message to SARNIA and CAROLYN Please don’t leave us Sarnia. Please rejoin Carolyn. You are both very valuable friends and I, for one, value your opinions, stories, comments and virtual friendship.
There have been things said, opinions expressed and unwise statements by some along the way, but this is such a difficult time for everyone, especially those living on their own. If I have ever annoyed or upset either of you I apologise with all my heart. Please try to forgive anything that has been said in the past and come back, or don’t leave, our virtual family.
You are both very dear to us all and we shall miss you very much if you decide not to continue with these blogs, so expertly run for us by Gary. Wishing you both as happy a Christmas as you can manage in present circumstances and a much better 2021. 😊
To Sarnia first. Miriam is a person of supreme self indulgence. That is clear to all of us. She will do what she will do. You have had a testing time, for too long, and your fuse fizzes away. I pray for you that life will be easier some day. And if there is the slightest glimmer of hope for the future, that you are able to keep it alive.
To Mistral Thank you for your calm and sensible words. I echo them.
And Gary. You are a better man for your apology. Thank you for making it. I hope you and your husband can both celebrate your birthdays next year as you should have been able to do this year.
For myself, I am a Lockdown Sceptic. I do wear a mask when entering a shop. The only shop I have been in since spring has been a supermarket where I visit between 9 and 10 in the evening when it is very quiet. I shall continue to wear a mask for as long as our government decrees that I should. I drive to remote areas to walk Lady in order to avoid as many people as possible. I practise the two metre rule when I need to pass anyone at close quarters. However I am fearful of the fear that has been engendered amongst our populace in order to control us. I do not believe it has been the best policy that could have been used, but accept that it has been an unprecedented situation that ANY government of ANY colour would have struggled to contend with.
I will not articulate my views on this matter any further. And I hope that we can continue on this blog in harmony and good will to all.
I agree with the sentiments expressed that we all get along with each other, allow differing points of view and keep going! May 2021 be much better for all of us.
I so wanted to see the 'Christmas Star.' Planned to get Jon to take me to the public footpath next to the local woods where you can see across the North Downs! IT'S POURING DOWN! Not due to lighten up until tomorrow lunchtime. Botheration!
Miriam - you have not been talked about behind your back. We have all been upfront with you as you have been yourself.
You have chosen many many times to tell us about the new clothes that you buy, your new car, the food you cook and eat, and your wider family matters. That is your choice. From what you tell us you are a consumer, and from what you consume, it is without doubt that you are a super consumer and you choose to indulge yourself. It is possible that for every pound you spend on yourself you also give another pound to a charity. But if you do, you don't choose to tell us about that. If you do, and you did tell, then we might have a more balanced view of you. As it is we comment on what you show us about you. That is true of everybody on this blog.
I very much appreciated Gary’s comments early on this morning. Some people have been hit much harder than others. I also consider myself to have been very lucky in weathering the the past year. Yes, there were big disappointments; missed anniversaries and significant birthdays. Life not as expected for the young ones of our family, no visits to family abroad and little contact with anyone at all apart from neighbours over the wall. No days or meals out. The only times I have left the house since March have been to hospital or once on alternate weeks to an out of town supermarket.
But, I have the companionship of my husband, a warm and cosy cottage, a large garden to work and sit out in. We are fortunate to have no financial worries. None of my family have been ill (🤞) and we are both in reasonable health. We will have Christmas on our own but that could be an enjoyable novelty. So I don’t feel I have anything to complain about.
But I do feel deeply sorry for those not in our position. Those who have lost jobs and businesses, those with not enough food to eat, the children of one-parent families who may not have a very happy Christmas and those unable to visit family and friends and are not good at coping on their own. Although I find it hard to condone selfish folk who will not follow the rules imposed for the safety of everyone, I think we have all gone through this dreadful year together and need to support and care for each other in the months to come. Thank goodness for these blogs, for Gary’s efforts in keeping us all together, they have been a lifeline for me, having réal friends to communicate with (albeit virtually) who have cared and supported me throughout the year. Thank you and bless you all.
Agree with feeling sorry for others. I made a Christmas donation to the food bank and they e- mailed me in return. Over 3000 people on the island have had to go to the food bank since March. A stark reminder of the need around us.
Miriam, it is impossible to talk about anyone behind their back on this blog, it is here for everyone to see and read. The posts concerning you were addressed to you, it is your choice to read in the afternoon only. It is also your choice what information you share and therefore expect to be commented upon. It is your choice to feel offended or not. It is your choice to leave this blog as well as continue to comment.
Im sorry Miriam , you need to look at yourself. You tell us in an earlier blog you leave your post for 3 days before picking up,and in other entries warn us about other dangers, then you tell us you break the rules, Why ? You try to justify yourself by saying it was less risky than if you went on christmas day, we cannot make those judgements for ourselves.. We live in a society bound by rules whether we like it or not, without rules there would be anarchy, Like Mrs P I am a sceptic, but for the sake of others I abide by he rules. You have said before you are leaving when things didnt go your way... you didnt !
I'm so glad that I received text from son to say the two tea-chest sized boxes of presents and Christmas goodies. It should have been delivered last Thursday but at least it's there!
On behalf of Kent I object that it is being labelled as the source of this new mutation of the virus! Have they any idea how many people from London come into Kent? Sadly we have a dreadful problem of the 'county lines' drug dealing where drugs are collected in London and delivered to young men (mainly) to distribute throughout our beautiful county. Drive past Gillingham train station late night there are dozens of single men catching the last train to London. Very unpleasant! As the mutation is now in every region I would have thought more likely that London is the centre and not the Kentish people! Phew - Glad I've got that off my chest! Now Kent roads are gridlocked because of the French, yet again! (Sorry to our French readers!) If it's not the harbour authorities, workers, farmers, seamen etc now it's the French government! 😁
I feel there is no room on the blog for personal attacks as with a few exceptions we have not met each other and cannot know every aspect of each other. We can diverge on views of course but to put descriptions of our character in the mix is to walk on shaky ground. We do discuss our daily doings which include purchases we have made, holidays we have taken and even what we are having for tea! I don’t see that as being self indulgent but maybe others do. We are all entitled to our opinion! When I opposed Carolyn’s view it was because I feel that opposing vaccines is very dangerous but I don’t know her well enough to pick flaws in her character. I would welcome her back!😊
Miriam I don't know if you are reading the blog but if you are ,do you remember telling us that it was your choice to live alone just as it was your choice not to have children? If you make that choice then there may be occasions when you feel lonely.
To continue(my previous longer comment vanished so ai thought I would do bite sized bits . Delighted to say the boiler has been mended. We have everything checked in October each year and there was no problem then. Last December the problem was not with the actual boiler but with a switch. This time it required a new pump which the engineer went out and bought and installed As far as I am aware it has all been paid for by the very small amount extra we pay each year on top of our house insurance. The engineer refused a tip too. It was frustrating having to wait several days but I imagine it may well have been the same had I tried to get a plumber myself. I am going to have a g and t to celebrate.
I hope LanJan that you and Mr LJ warm up throughout this evening and are able to go to bed feeling less miserable than in the last few days. Perhaps you could leave the heating on low overnight to enable the house to warm up too. I'm very pleased for you that you have managed to get the job done.
Last week I was feeling a bit low. I was quite tired and realised that because I was spending so much time making Christmas cards I didn't have time to write any then I had a light bulb moment at 2am one morning. I would get rid of all my card making material to a good home and then not only would we have more room in our small house but I would have more time so..........
If you feel that I, and or others have picked flaws in Miriam's character, by criticism as to her choice of lifestyle, and might be doing the same about you or others, perhaps I may explain something. It is true that on this blog we share some aspects of our lives. I'm quite sure that we also do not share many other aspects of our lives that we might consider private. We share because we enjoy the good and sympathise with the problems of others, and some of what we share is entertaining or informative. From my point of view, and others may well feel the same, when Miriam ' shares' it comes across as gloating. Miriam also tells us that her purchases are her way of indulging herself. To me Miriam personifies the advertisement that tells us all " that you can have it" - "Because your worth it". Miriam seems to me, to be obsessed with money, how she has saved and increased it throughout her life, and the consumer benefits that she is able to indulge herself with as a result. I do not read any of this into posts from others including yours. There is a balance. That balance is not evident in Miriam's posts.
Miriam clearly is generous within her family and I'm sure that generosity gives her great pleasure. Certainly she feels lonely and I applaud her for being open about being so. But as LanJan has suggested, if M has chosen a life alone, she must from time to time expect to experience an element of loneliness. And there are a number of others on this blog who must also feel lonely from time to time, and without the comfort or financial benefits that Miriam has accrued and feels free to gloat about.
I hope I have been clear in explaining my point Ev.
Oh Lan Jan dont do that . home made cards are so appreciated. I make cross stitch ones not being very arty, they keep me busy during the long winter evemings, Ive almost finished my thank you cards and have started making Easter gifts for the children. Glad you are wrm again, there is something to be said for logburners, if the electric goes I still have heat and can cook.
Spiceycushion - did you hear at the end of the 6 o'clock news on R4 that the person designated to tell us about THE BIG STAR , wasn't able to see it herself due to the weather conditions. Just as well I think that the Three Wise Men did not have to contend with British RAIN !
After a day of heavy rain the sky is as clear as a bell now, but we can't see it from our house! (Can't be bothered to go out looking for it, a hot bath awaits...)
I telephoned a good friend whose daughter and grandchildren love to make cards and asked her if they would like my card ,punches ,craft books ,etc etc. She said they would be delighted so I set about clearing everything out ,,putting items in boxes and piling them up waiting for the time she will be able to drive the 50 miles to collect them. Very cathartic but tiring. Then we were both placed in tier 4 and the central heating packed up. I heard a friend 's husband had died of COVID and the daughter of another friend had died very suddenly and unexpectedly.and a third friend telephoned and the phone call was very depressing. I wanted to sympathise with Archerphile but didn't know what to say. I was concerned that Mr LJ isn't improving as quickly as I had hoped It rained when I wanted to dry the washing outside.and we had three days without hot water or heating and then today we got that back and everything seems so much more rosy. Why am I saying all this? Well possibly because I have had too much gin but also because I would like those who are taking umbrage about something to shake off that feeling and rejoin the blog . In a way I feel responsible for the fact that Miriam decided to leave our blog. Nobody is going to do any welcoming act . It will be as if the person had never decided to leave. I wonder if I will deletethis now?
Ohhh,! He is so sweet!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteF
DeleteHad trouble publishing hence the rogue F!
DeleteApologies for letting the last blog "run over"...
ReplyDeleteHope THIS Round Robin raises a smile or two!
He certainly is very ROUND!
Delete❤️😁
DeleteLove him!
Delete*** FROM PREVIOUS BLOG ***
ReplyDeleteEv - December 14, 2020 at 10:27 PM
Archerphile, I love your robin! I hope your problem resolves itself but agree you may need to seek medical advice sooner rather than later. Let us know how you get on.
Hilary - December 15, 2020 at 7:07 AM
This morning there is a very long and very interesting Guardian article about TA which I found by googling the title: " A peculiarly English epic: the weird genius of The Archers.
Lanjan - December 15, 2020 at 8:52 AM
My very best wishes to all of you who are suffering with any sort of illness .
I hope that you all will improve very soon.
Archerphile - December 15, 2020 at 9:17 AM
Round Robins:
We get one, just one, every year from our friends whose 50th Anniversary Party we attended last year. Some of you may remember my account of the event! It was a real one-off.
Well, true to their nature, their round robin each year runs to 3-4 pages of very closely typed script. Each member of the family recounts their own year and the paterfamilias sums up.
It really is the most boring essay with details from the running costs of their car, to which make of washing machine they chose to replace the old one!
I simply sign our return card with best wishes, but they just don’t take the hint!
You’ve just given us our first laugh of the day Archerphile! By the way what make of washing machine did they purchase 🤣🤣🤣🤣
DeleteWhat or which 🤔 I’m open to correction!
DeleteMrGG receives several Round Robins every Christmas from old friends and acquaintances but he doesn't let me read them as I laugh too much! He thinks they're nice and disapproves of me taking the piss.
DeleteIt is a good job those of you who are suffering each has a sense of humour.
ReplyDeleteI must say I am particularly impressed with P tb Y who is a lot younger than many of us and who in spite of the fact has been looking like Long John Silver for a long time now has made light of it and even joked about it.
Good for her.
I hope they get it sorted for you soon,P tbY and that you find a suitable eye patch for Christmas.
For Strictly fans, the whole of Woman's Hour will be devoted to it tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI will have a family visit instead.
I received a round robin this year which was quite different. Instead of the usual "we went here then we went there" etc. etc. it had thoughts to ponder on, some of which were good. This year has made people more thoughtful about life I think and it showed in this rr.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, any round robin here would go straight in the bin!
ReplyDeleteI am a letter writer, though fewer friends now, but each is so personal and reflects the interests of the person I am writing to. One of my friends, now deceased , much to my horror told me she kept all my letters, hopefully now in the bin.
On a different topic, I bought myself a tricycle to keep fit amoungst other things. I havent ridden a bike for over 35 years and didnt relise how difficult it was goig to be, cant even get up the slight hill on my drive in bottom gear, the road is a bit dangerous at the moment very muddy with grass growing down the middle, need to get a bit beyond the first telegraph pole before I complain to the council., any way 1/2 hours practise every morning, bit less today As I pulled muscle.pushing myself a little too hard. Cycling here is very different to cycling down the Old Kent road in Peckham as I did in my thirties, a notoriously busy road in those days, still I lived to tell the tale !
You put me to shame Gary, I wont manage your distances, but hope to eventually manage a bit further.
My sister, a keen bicycle user, says that a tricycle would be the only one for me now.
DeleteI just can't afford to fall, or I wouldn't get up.
A tricycle sounds a wonderful idea Cowgirl, much more stable than two wheels. Nearly as good as a horse 😉
DeleteTurning is more difficult as you can tip over as I learnt to my cost, ok though as I fell into the raised bed in the courtyard..
DeleteI used to keep ponies when my niece was growing up I had a wonderfil 3/4 arab, bought with the house I can ride , not keen though, I live next door to a riding scool and livery yard, so do have acciss, but ruled it out...
I'd better stay on the ground then.
DeleteGood to see you back on the blog Cow Girl.
ReplyDeletePtbY - it seems so unfair, your suffering, and as LJ says, you are such a stoic.
Keep on keeping on girl !
I did write a post yesterday Lady R, but couldn't publish for some reason so gave up.
It was about the subject of round robins as well as my feelings about Christmas altogether.
I am becoming increasingly isolationist and not wanting to communicate with anyone at all. I put this down to the combination of increasing age, lack of socialisation due to Lady and her separation anxiety prior to Covid, and now a year of being unable to do anything other than be alone.
Even my best friend R4 no longer satisfies.
I find myself listening to Gregorian Chant more and more frequently.
I think I might need to go and find that cave !
MrsP, I gave up on Christmas about 25 years ago. I used to enjoy it when the children were young and made the point of visiting family, I was even father Christmas once! Now I let the others enjoy it. I like talking to people but for a limited time. I am on good terms with the two staff of my local shop and spend 15-20 mins there on most days.
DeleteRadio 4 is still there. On the other hand I usually have a long list of books to order when they come out in paperback and now there's nothing on it till end of May! I'm rereading the ones on the bookshelves. I listen to some pop music and lighten up when I hear something familiar. Then again my favourite singer has made a new album and I run to switch off when I hear it. Some shift has taken place.
What a lovely picture, a robin. I have one, which is always round and about, in my garden.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry, so many are feeling poorly and disollusioned, but you are all seem so positive and strong.
It is a hard time at the moment, even more so with the dark + shortened days.
We all just need to stay sensible and safe.
I, for one, am finding this increasingly difficult, but I am determined to progress, in a good way.
Christmas is certainly making us all think, what is the best to do?
My attitude is just, to think positive, do the meal as usual, with all the trimmings and just look forward to brighter times, and most importantly, Enjoy. 😀 but Stay Safe.
I haven't much else to tell, except that I have ordered 3 new replacement windows. These were not changed last time, due to the cost but the time is now right. This won't happen until Feb/March, Covid permiting! I am in no hurry.
I went to the PO yesterday, to post a parcel. The queue was very long, waiting for about 20 mins, but it was "chatty" in a socially distanced format, and almost fun. 😂
Take Care All.
I just need to add,
ReplyDeleteI hope all your pets, are slso doing well. They are such a fundamental part of our homes and lives, which is so very important.
My "Puss Cat" is mis-behaving!
She has decided, that she does not want to go outside, for her pees + poos.
A litter tray is now in place - which I hate 😣😲
Well call me Scrooge if you like but I would cancel Christmas this year as far as meeting up with other families is concerned.
ReplyDeleteI am not unique in thinking that these five days will produce an exponential rise in COVID cases.
Why not create a Bank Holiday weekend next Spring when hopefully things might be better.
I also can't understand why we can't just abandon this year as regards schooling so that everybody starts their next rung of the ladder a year later.
Ie Go to University at the end of year 14 instead of year 12
Go to Secondary school at the start of year 8
I totally agree.
DeleteI’ve told my son not to come home over Christmas period. He’s in a tier 3. With phone calls and FaceTime etc it’s not as if we can’t still keep in touch.
Christmas in July, is what my family is planning, as have previously posted.
DeleteCorrection.
DeleteIt should be year13 at the end of the penultimate sentence 7:04 pm.
Miriam your family thought of it first but how much better it would be if the Government decided to make it a public holiday
DeleteI will see some family over the Christmas Break. This will be a socially distanced meet-up, being well wrapped up with gloves, scarf and socks in boots, in a garden!
DeleteIt will short, but sweet.
People from tier 3 areas are being very inventive in their phone calls trying to book holidays here in a tier 1 area. Just one e.g. from the holiday park where many bookings have had to be cancelled, and the staff are now on part time work plus furlough ( which has been a great help).
DeleteA phone call to make a booking:
Can I ask where you are living?
Man: Birm um Exeter.
Exeter is okay.
Later a phone call is made to check the size of chalet wanted, and just to make sure the question is asked again:
Where do you live?
Man's wife after a pause Bath.
Hmmmm, they didn't get their story in synch did they! And after being asked for proof of address no more was heard from them.
On the other hand most people are trying to keep to the rules and even though very sad they phone up to say they are now in tier 3 and will have to cancel ( they do get a refund).
Yes indeed Basia.
ReplyDeleteSome shift has taken place !
To add to other suggestions, I am doing my normal, to sort out a burnt saucapan, thanks to tonights TA episode!
ReplyDeleteI put hot water + washing powder in straight away, leaving it then to soak. I then boil it up, and then simmer for about 15mins. This always works for me. My saucepans are 18/10 stainless steel, not sure if that makes a difference.
I watched someone once use a drill with a round sanding/grinding attachment to get the black off a favourite badly burnt saucepan.
ReplyDeleteWhen ias young, teenage years, I was known for burning saucepans, usually boiled potatoes.
DeleteMy sisters friend always used to say..... she burns saucepans all the time, but boy does she know how to clean them !
Soaking for a long time is the clue.
Can anyone give me the name of the music that Lower Loxley play around Christmas time? It's something to do with sleigh ride maybe Russian. It sounds very Christmasy to me and I'd like to add it to my Spotify list. Hope someone can help me.
ReplyDeleteIs it "Troika" by Prokofiev?
DeleteYes indeed that's it!! Thank you Gary.
DeleteHurrah!
DeleteCowgirl - how lovely to see your name here again. I have been wondering how you are doing.
ReplyDeleteThe trike is a marvellous idea for exercise . When my mother-in-law developed Parkinson’s Disease she could no longer ride her bike as she kept falling off, she was a real danger to
Herself and others Someone suggested she get a tricycle as she wouldn’t have to struggle to balance. She bought (at huge expense) a Pashley trike with a big basket on the front and was very grateful to be mobile again for a few years.
And Cowgirl, you're doing much more cycling than I am at the moment - not been on my bike in about 2 months!
DeleteArcherphile, i wanted a pashley but covid made it impossible so ended up witha Jorvic, not much cheaper im afraid. Mine has a basket backand front too, I put balast in to make it harder for me.
DeleteGary I may be doing more in terms of time, but not much progress im terms og getting up the slight inclines never mind the hills round here !
Good gracious Cowgirl. Balast in the basket? Mother- in -law could hardly manage a packet of biscuits. You have my admiration!
DeleteNo Archerphile, nothing to be admired, Im just sheer bloody minded and not giving in to old age
DeleteRe Christmas, I think Wales is probably shut again.
ReplyDeleteMiriam are you picking up on bbc iPlayer the new series of “Animal Park” Christmas Special week.
ReplyDeleteThought of you as soon as I saw it in our tv mag. 10.55 - 11.45am on air each day this week.
As CowGirl knows I have always yearned to have a Pashley Tricycle.
ReplyDeleteWhen I moved into this cottage it became obvious that I couldn't even have a bike as there is nowhere to keep it, so gave mine away.
I am very envious !
For those who like animals I have put a picture of Bella in her cat cave under the tree. She likes to sit on tinsel, and we make sure we put some baubles low down so she can dab at them.
ReplyDeleteVery cosy to be a cat like Bella.
DeleteWhat a gorgeous pic - bless her.
Delete😽❤
DeleteEv - I was sorry to hear that your cruise on Breamar for next August has been cancelled.
ReplyDeleteAnd very surprised to hear she has been mothballed until 2022.
Only yesterday, we got yet another Fred brochure with details of cruises on all their ships for 2021, so this must be a very sudden decision. I wonder why?
We get letters, brochures and emails from them every week, they are trying very hard to drum up business, especially for the two new ships.
The liners in the bays at Weymouth and Bournemouth are a magnificent sight. They move around a bit and are lit up at night. In Weymouth during the summer, locals were taking visitors for trips around them. Are there any to be seen offshore round the island Ev?
ReplyDeleteI don’t think we have any cruise ships offshore but could be wrong as we live a bit inland. There were certainly some in Lockdown 1!
DeleteHas anyone else watched House of Games this week.?
ReplyDeleteThere is a dreadful ,cocky comedienne on called Josie Long .
A few weeks ago there was another comedienne on the programme who won every day.
She was awful as well.
If the contestants don't improve I may give up watching especially as they have too many questions about entertainment about which I know nothing.
Steve Cram and Robert Rinder were both very pleasant though as has been Jennifer Saunders.
Aha .
I bet there would be sorry to hear tgat!
Ie that I will give up watching.
ReplyDeleteSoz - I can answer the question about the cruise ships around the island as my daughter had a house at Seaview directly opposite Portsmouth.
ReplyDeleteYes they do go round the Island. My son in law became so fascinated by all the ships, cargo and cruise that I gave him my fathers telescope. He got to know all the different styles and which company that belonged to as well as which part of the world other cargo ships had come from or were going to.
My own experience is that you can see them finally at Ventnor, by that point far out.
Beyond Ventnor they become invisible.
There's a few huge ones parked on the River Clyde not far from me. They've been there since the start of lockdown. No idea whether there's people living on them.
DeleteGary, they could be the 4 Fred Olsen ones which are up there for refurbishment. If so, they apparently have a minimal crew on board keeping up the maintenance. Or, come to think of it I think it may have been the Forth where they were sent.
DeleteBeautiful day here went for a long walk on the beach with the dog. No tankers in sight a rare occurance.
ReplyDeleteThe hens too are now on lockdown and cofined to their quarters due to avian flue and very frustrated they are too, have bought them some bread and cabbage to keep them occupied, certtainly not giving them my home made !
This time last year I found some brussels sprouts on long stalks, and gave them as a Christmas present to next door's chickens ( very very daft but our cats get a treat or toy from them, and their dogs get a treat from us, and I thought it a shame to leave the chickens out!) The chickens had a great time because she hung them up by the stalks and they were jumping to get at the sprouts which they really like. Haven't managed to get any this year, but have been ordering online and rarely venturing out to the shops.
DeleteSorry to report not very good news. Had to see Dr again this morning as pains returned.
ReplyDeleteHe took quite a few vials of blood for various tests and I have to take in an ’unmentionable’ sample tomorrow to be sent off for testing too. He told me what he is testing for and I don’t like any of the three possibilities
Unfortunately I have to wait until Christmas Eve when he will telephone me with the results.
I’m not very good at waiting!
Archerphile, they test for everything and none is ever 'likeable', I sympathise with the waiting, sounds a long time.
DeleteWaiting for test results is not easy, sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time Archerfile.
DeleteWe will all be there waiting with you Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteTry to be as patient as you can.
Breathing in and out through the nose, with mouth gently closed, eyes too, may help.
The next few days will be difficult, but I'm sure you can get through it.
It's hard to wait for results Archerphile. So sorry you're having this trouble.
ReplyDeleteRemember Archerphile, that tests are done to eliminate ideas, not to confirm anything.
ReplyDeleteStay Strong and try to remain positive, though this can be so hard to do at times.
I have been arranging with family, to meet up with some (socially distanced of course), over the weekend and the start of next week.
All sorted...so I can do my "Santa" drops on Sunday + Morning.
I have only bought for those nearest to me this year. I feel stingy, but we are all are doing the same!
I had news from OZ today. The youngest, born with health problems and now is 18months, is in hospital again. This is with a severe case of tonsilitis with a very high temp. breathing problems. The docs are thinking sepsis, so it is 🤞🤞 that they can go away for their 2 week summer holiday, on Saturday.
I still find it strange that, this is the peak OZ Summer Hols, coinciding with Christmas.
Perhaps we will be doing the same next year.
They live on the Gold Coast, which has been severly hit for 5 days, with massive storms, so much so that some beaches have been washed away. Thankfully, they are all safe, well until now.
DeleteBreathing excercise, as I know it, which works for me.
ReplyDeleteBreathe slowly in through the nose, hold for a slow count of 5, then breath out, very slowly through an open mouth.
Repeat, until feel calmer.
This is so simple to do, and can be done anywhere and anytime, and can even been done whilst wearing a mask!
It does help to take the edge off, sometimes.
PS I did this in both my cataract ops.well over a year ago now, and it really helped.
DeleteI am making the most of going into Wales this weekend, as the border will be closed again on the 28th, when the latest Welsh lockdown starts. It is not known how long this will last, nor when we will be able to meet up again.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard, but sensible and understand it.
6 weeks Miriam!
DeleteArcherphile sorry to hear your problem has returned. I had similar early June, urine & poo tests, blood tests all of which returned clear / non sinister. I read yesterday that these issues have soared particularly amongst women since March this year! You have been through so much this year maybe your mind / body is reacting to that now. Sending 🥰
ReplyDeleteAP ❤️
Delete🤗
DeleteNo comments as yet today 🤔 A couple on TA blog though. Maybe you are all Christmas busy!
ReplyDeleteDrab day weather wise but had a lovely ride out yesterday with a car picnic in a wooded area 🤗
I did my last shop before Christmas, this morning. Everyrthing I bought will keep, and chose the veges, with that in mind. Leeks, sprouts, pots, red cabbage, cauli, carrots and a red pepper.
DeleteI got all that I planned to get.
However there were quite a few extras added - I might on my own on Christmas Day, but it will be very traditional, with full festive fare! I draw the line at a paper hat though....
I had to buy Big Sis's birthday pressie (biirthday is very early January) so I can take it to her this week, as she will be in Lockdown straight after Christmas.
I did the quiz on the website, whilst having a cup of coffee, this morning.
ReplyDeleteScore 12/15.
I am proud of that, and surprised myself.
I see that a scorecard for "Gary's Quiz", can be downloaded, so can join in.
I will do this, but I know I won't dare share my score on that occasion! 😲
This is 80%..so the equivalent to a A grade A-level. It's the best I can do now..
DeleteTesting
ReplyDeleteMy profile has disappeared with the latest update but Katy is working on it!
ReplyDeleteOh, it’s back but when typing in the silhouette is shown to the left! As long as I keep in touch with the blog am happy!
ReplyDeleteI also have had computer problems this week. My PC came on during the night, with a message along the lines of:- Your fault message to the technical team has not been sucessful, click on submit, to send again.
DeleteAs if...I closed it down immediatly. A few hours later I switched it back on, checked my bank + credit card accounts. Luckily all were OK, well so far.
I will be keeping a watch on this, just in case.
I have still got the silhouette Ev but when published my pic is there. I do often get blogger error which is so annoying if post was a longish one 🤞🏼 right now!
DeleteHurrah!
DeleteAnother treat I bought myself this morning was, the Festive Radio Times.
ReplyDeleteI used to subscribe to this, but I stopped as it was getting so costly. I changed to another in January, which is half the price and is fine with all the radio listings, and an Archers synopsis. The only problem is that there are no cast lists and programme/film synopsis are not as full.
I only paid £2.60 (subscription rate) for this, but I decided that Christmas isn't Christmas without a RT! I will enjoy browsing through it, with my Christmas chocs + nibbles close to hand, not forgetting the spicy, clementine gin liqueur (another treat).
It is Why Not? - after all that has, and is still, going on.
As I read this week - Why be Sad this Christmas, as any sacrifices will be worth it.🎄
I typed out a Scam Alert on here yesterday afternoon but it has disappeared - perhaps I forgot to Click ‘Publish’
ReplyDeleteAny way it concerned an email we had, purporting to be from DPD couriers. Saying they had tried to deliver a parcel at 2pm and no one was in to receive it (I was) and nowhere safe to leave it (there is).
We often get a food hamper from relatives in Canada at this time of year so we thought that might be the parcel. However the email said we’d have to pay a fee to re-arrange delivery and gave a parcel no for tracking which we should click on.
Fortunately I had seen an item in TV about this new scam, very prevalent as there are do many online deliveries near Christmas. So instead of clicking in the email I sent you the official DPD site, entered to so-called tracking no and it was unheard ogf by DPD and contained too many digits.
So this is a s am to get to to pay up for a non existant parcel. Apparently they can priduce very authentic looking emails for several companies like Hermes and Yodel
Apologies for all the typos - hope you can all understand the above!
DeleteUnderstood well.
DeleteI do the same, as do not "click", but go onto the relevant site to find out more.
No ones ask for an “extra” delivery payment they just deliver again at least 3 try’s, but in haste one can see how people can be taken in especially where as in your case AP actually expecting a delivery. B *****ds !
DeleteI watched earlier tonight, for the umpteenth time, the episode of The Good Life, when Margo + Jerry, spend Christmas with Tom + Barbara.
ReplyDeleteIt shows that glitz + glamour is not at all important, it is what you do and in what way, and why.
This touched a chord, with me.
Now to watch Africa's Animal Oasis. I have found this fascinating, bringing back many memories of trips to Africa, in many places.
DeleteI had a text saying that my PayPal account would be frozen and to click on a link. As I don’t have PayPal it was obviously a scam. As you say, Lady R b*****ds!
ReplyDeleteI have just finished the Ravensberger 1000 piece puzzle The Bizarre Bookshop.
ReplyDeleteAnd it was complete. A constant worry throughout that it was not.
About half done when in Cornwall and the rest completed since being home and helped enormously by my puzzle mate folder.
I had two calls this morning, both telling me that my computer had a virus and that I was being shut down. The first call woke me at 8.30am and since I had not got to sleep until about 5, I swore and shouted at her. Both women on this occasion and the first one live, not a recording. I don't have a computer, needless to say !
We are now working on a festive puzzle, The 12 Days of Christmas, but in cartoon form. It’s very colourful and quite amusing. Good job it’s on a Porta Puzzle board as we shall need the dining table for Christmas Dinner. The only day in the year that we eat in the dining room at a proper table.
ReplyDelete( Mr A would far rather have his on a tray, watching TV, like every other meal, but I’m putting my foot down for Christmas! 😠)
3rd try 😡
ReplyDeleteBoris on at 4pm. London and parts of the South East expected to go into Tier 4 lockdown from this weekend- we will see...
I have also done The Bizarre Bookshop jigsaw - which was a fun one to do, though quite tricky.
ReplyDeleteI will be starting a festive one, tomorrow, Santa on a train! I will enjoy it, none the less.
My Christmas tree + decs, were put up today, so all is Festive, in my home.
I am off to meet up with my eldest niece, her partner and their kids, tomorrow morning. I am looking forward to this, even being socially distanced and with no hugs + kisses.
I might just break the rules, and meet-up inside! This will be done in their dining area extension, with me one end by an open door, and the family at the other end, also by open windows. I will have warm clothes on and take my own thermal mug of coffee!!!!
It will be better than nothing, and the kids want to see me. 😀😀
ReplyDeleteOh well, looks like our Christmas plans are going to have to change with the new rules just introduced. Roll on the vaccine assuming it works on the new variant.
Tricky ?
ReplyDeleteA good word for that puzzle Miriam, but I enjoyed the challenge.
Well we've had the broadcast and just before it I called my daughter and told her that I was adamant that I wanted to spend the day alone.
Now hearing the new advice, I'm glad to have made my decision.
I had contemplated the ' one day' by driving to Bath and back on Christmas Day itself and could see no reason to extend my personal energy that far.
Now BJ has helped me come to terms with my decision.
A dear friend of mine intends driving to London, and back, this coming week to deliver presents to his grandchildren.
He has escaped the grim reaper on several occasions in the past already, and is extremely vulnerable.
I have asked him not to go.
I hope he doesn’t as the presents would wait. I’m sure his son or daughter wouldn’t want him to risk it.
DeleteDear MrA told me Boris was going to be on at 5 pm so we didn’t switch on until then and it was all over! But we have since got updated with the news
ReplyDeleteBeing only a few miles from the Berkshire border we feel very lucky to still be in Tier 2 as they have been put into 4. But it’s probably only a matter of time......
We’re still tier 1 but we are perilously close to Portsmouth. which I think went into tier 4. We need to pull up the drawbridge!
DeleteWales is in lockdown as from midnight tonight, but rules will be quickly broken tomorrow. This is for a very short socially distanced, all sanitised, Santa Drop with a quick "Hello" socially distanced, and wearing masks, and that will be it ....until well into 2021.
ReplyDeleteHarsh, but necessary and very understandable.
I just hope these precautions are justified.
I am so glad that I made my decision about Christmas, weeks ago. My shopping is all done, and have all the ingredients to make home-made cranberry sauce, bread sauce, mince pies, though I have bought a small Christmas Cake. I also have my individual home-made Pud, stored in a cold, dark place.
DeleteIt will be strange, but I am determined that traditions will carry on, despite this situation...
PS The area of Wales is not too far from the Shropshire/England border and is rural, which is why we are taking this risk...Realistically they are the same as me in Cheshire West, still in Tier 2 and the ex-husband 6 miles away, in Shropshire and also
Deletein Tier 2.
But who knows....🤞 There is no way to be complacent, esp.as a stepson + stepdaughter are both prison officers in HMP Wrexham, which is a hot spot!
Miriam.....
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure that it is you who is very fond of ' Cabin Fever'
Can I suggest you ' listen again ' on R4 to ' my teenage diaries ' from this evening.
You will love it, I'm sure.
Let me know what you think.
MrsP
So - nobody at all this Christmas or in the foreseeable future.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe that you are prepared to "break the rules" Miriam.
ReplyDeleteYou usually have such high principles.
Surely it is because people have decided to break the rules that we are in the situation we are in now.
If I sound crotchety I apologise.
Our boiler has broken down ,we have no hot water -the immersion heater won't work either (we can use the shower) we have a couple of fan heaters .
We have so called emergency cover but although I called first thing yesterday nobody has been out.
I have just telephoned again and I have to ring back after 9:00am as none of the contractors are picking up the messages.
I have explained that my husband who is 88 years of age is not well but there is is nothing they can do about that.
When I hear about people who are breaking the rules to get Christmas presents to family I am afraid my blood boils .
The situation is very serious now with many new cases particularly in the South East, we all need to play our part and stand by the rules which aren’t given without a lot of thoughts. Lanjan understand your frustration and the awfulness of not having heating just at the moment. You should be top priority and kI hope you get results after 9 this morning. They are quick enough to take your money for emergency cover and you should have heard something positive yesterday. Thinking of you and hope it is soon resolved.
ReplyDeleteTalking of taking your money, when I bought my washing machine last year at Curry’s they tried to sell me their package for repair saying although it was would be under warranty from the makers it could take some time to effect repair where they would do it much sooner. I didn’t take up their offer but recently being a machine with compute rate powers it developed a fault. I phoned the makers and next day had a call from a local firm to explain the fault. They had to order a part which took about 3 weeks to arrive but as soon as it did they phoned on Thursday to say it was in and could they come that day to fit it. Considering Covid problems I think it was very quick and efficient and I wasn’t too worried about the repair as the machine was still functioning throughout but I couldn’t open a flap to put in those little things you forget to add to the wash initially! So actually I was lied to in the shop and I can’t see that they would have been quicker or more efficient. The other con is extended guarantees as if you buy an expensive machine under the Sale of Goods act you can expect it to last for six years and if not you are entitled to a refund or repair. They just want more money from you!!
Have just checked with Katy and Sale of Goods Act was replaced by Consumers Rights Act. Using this I was able to have my computer replaced a few years ago after Argos had said it was out of warranty. I had to take it to a centre where it was tested and the fault put down to the manufacture and after proving that I got the replacement. You do have to quote it to them and be a bit insistent. Argos are generally good in respect of faulty goods but as with all retailers will jump on the out of warranty bandwagon!
ReplyDeleteAnother correction, you should expect the goods to last UP to six years but it does depend on the item involved.
DeleteI am so fed up with people breaking the rules here there and everywhere. Of course they know best, or "it's all a conspiracy" to get the government's control over everything you do or "it's only like flu for most people."
ReplyDeleteI have 4 hampers here of home made jam, Christmas cake and pudding, pickles and Brandy butter ready to deliver to 3 sisters and one son but they will now have to stay in the 'study.'
Jon and I will stay indoors. I expect I will 'facetime' somehow with Frankfurt and granddaughters and who know perhaps Melbourne and daughter.
They certainly know how to stop the spreading; soldiers on the streets! No cases at all there now for over a month.
Our hospital bed occupation for Covid patients went from 3 at the start of November to over 300 at the moment! 'Ordinary ' ptients being shipped out Tunbridge Wells. Darenth and Ashford already full.
Oh well, feed the birds, feed son and myself and enjoy the DT giant crossword! 😀
Lanjan, didn't you have boiler problems last Christmas and difficulty with getting help?
ReplyDeleteAt least you have some back up, I hope it'll be sorted out soon.
I don't think you're being crotchety, if I decided to break the rules for whatever reason, I wouldn't talk about it.
DeleteMrsP, I listened to John Finnemore's diary but found it somewhat simplistic. Poland was hardly exotic in 1997, especially a major town. Jenni Murray spent new year's eve there in the '60s when it was. Her was father was an engineer posted into the rural parts.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy JF's souvenir programmes.
Basia ,your memory is amazing.
ReplyDeleteYes we did have problems with the Central Heating on New Year's Eve and they could do nothing until after New Year.
After two 'phone calls yesterday and another three today I was told that someone would come out today but now I have had a text message to say that apparently someone will call tomorrow between 10am and 6pm.
I have just rung back and said that they must make sure that whoever they send must be a heating engineer because last time the plumber they sent wasn't a qualified electrician!
I stressed that I had a sick 88year old husband and I expect that there is not a lot these people in Call Centres can do but when they say
"I can only apologise " it is like a red rag to a bull .
I calmly said to one young woman this morning that whatever she had been told it was not the right thing to say .
It is far better to say something like " I am really sorry to hear that .I will do whatever I can to help you"
To which she replied "Yes I know what you mean
I can only ......
I give up!
.
Lanjan, I can sense your frustration, you know how I feel about apologising.
DeleteAt least that woman tried but she has to be formulaic or she may lose her job.
Katy suggested if you don’t get anywhere to contact the newspapers to highlight your predicament. Years ago when we arrived back in UK in November from Hong Kong we were offered a married quarter full of ancient furniture and with a kitchen so small you couldn’t fit in a washing machine or a freezer. It was exactly like the first one we had when we first were married. Like then we were assured the furniture would be updated and it never happened. We had to put the washing machine in the downstairs loo and the freezer in the dining room. I rejected the MQ and said if they didn’t offer anything better I would stay out in the cold with my 2 year old child and phone the newspapers to say this was how service families were treated on returning from overseas postings. We were then offered a choice of three quarters which were far superior. Amazing what the threat of bad publicity results in! I’m not even sure my ruse would have worked. I can only say that the first quarter was dreadful and going into another similar one would have been insufferable. Anyway, Lanjan I hope it works out but having to wait two days in your circumstances is unacceptable and hopefully you will complain in writing about it. You should have been top priority.
DeleteLanJAn, I remembered strait away when I read your post that you had the same problem at the same time last year. This is awful.
ReplyDeleteIs your CH system very old. I can't imagine that you don't have an annual service.
I'm sure you have been most persistent already, but I really think that's not enough.
Last year my son in law renegotiated several of my 'utilities' on my behalf, all within one hour on a Saturday.
Given that he is a global ecological ' negotiator ' and at an extremely high level, I wasn't surprised at what he achieved, but what did surprise me was his amazing ability to be calm, using a quiet voice, and persistence. When offered one level of a contract, he calmly said, yes, but she has been with you XXXX number of years, and low and behold they came back with a better offer.
I think it was that whoever he was talking to, understood that he was not going to give up, whatever they tried to fob him off with.
So I think you should get on that phone again, now, and refuse to get off the line until some bloke is knocking on your door.
As for your frustration, it's fully justified.
Miriam, I am more than surprised by your decision to break the rules tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI am shocked !
You of all people so frequently tell us that this and that is the correct way to do things, that you give the impression of a person who would never dream of breaking any rule, and who is extremely risk averse.
And I speak as the opposite, well not exactly the opposite as I rarely break rules, but I certainly bend them, frequently !
There are so many, in this country alone, never mind world wide, who are suffering loneliness and or yearning to see loved ones who will continue to be alone until enough of us have been vaccinated to have created a herd immunity, and that may not be until well into late spring.
If some person in Australia took a similar action to that which you propose tomorrow, and that led to that new baby you have talked about being very ill, ( not Covid, but something as deadly) you would be outraged.
And rightly so.
Basia, I thought John Finnemore was so like he is now, in the diary, that I did wonder if he had written it for this programme.
ReplyDeleteBut then that wouldn't be the first time that I had thought this about other ' diaries' too.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.
Lan jan - so sorry to hear about your heating problem, all over again! You must be absolutely furious and I am appalled to hear about the level of service you are expected to put up with.
ReplyDeleteIt’s just not good enough and you are fully justified in telling the company so.
Come to that, it doesn’t sound as if your earlier repairs were much good either! I should be spitting feathers if I were you.
As for the other matter of breaking Covid rules,I can see no excuse at all unless there was a really major problem with a very elderly relative living on their own who needed assistance.
I was horrified to see all those selfish crowds at the London railway stations trying to escape the Capital - and take their Covid variant viruses all over the country to infect everyone else.
Has no one a sense of responsibility these days?
Yes, it’s going to be an unusual Christmas, and a lonely one for some, but it’s just one Christmas for goodness sake and once the vaccines are widely distributed we shall (hopefully) be back to some sort of normality.
I’m sorry if this is blunt, but I cannot condone someone who has boasted about having all the food and necessities ready for a Christmas alone, then stating they are just going to break the rules by visiting an area under strict regulations. You can’t break the rules a little bit, you either stick to them or you don’t. It’s a simple as that.
✔️✔️✔️
DeleteI did break rules this morning. It was done carefully, in shifts and sensibly, by all, with just a 10minute overlap, between households.
ReplyDeleteWe all understand the rules + why, and all stayed socially distanced, at all times, sitting by open windows + doors.
My eldest niece, whose property it was, is a Director in a Greater Manchester Council (tier 3) and knows a lot more of data, than us the more simple folk, don't see..
All we did were - quick santa 🎅drops, and catch ups - no coffees, loo visits, hugs, cuddles etc. If it had been Christmas Day, with just two households all day, which is allowed, the risks would have been far greater.
I am sorry that I Disgusted so many.
I apologise for my actions.
PS I won't see my family from Wales, for very many weeks now. Today was the last chance to do so, and had to be take it!
I am home alone now, for at least 10 days...but it will be fine 😀 I am well prepared with just my pusscat for company.
Again sorry to disgust you. 😣
Fog building up quickly now....and it is oh so gloomy + miserable - just like how I am feeling. But tomorrow is another day. 😀
DeleteMrsP, I agree that these diaries are written for the programme or at least edited, I think that's what we're meant to feel, that it's an open secret. Yes, John Finnemore was funny and himself.
ReplyDeleteHands up those of you who read"Anne of Green Gables" and loved it.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow,God willing ,my elder son and his wife plan to drive the 3300 miles across Canada to a new post he has been offered on Prince Edward Island -where Anne Shirley lived-where they will have to go into self isolation for 14 days.
I imagine by then they will be in need of .the rest.
Oh oh oh Prince Edward Island........
ReplyDeleteHappy happy happy days.
What a lucky couple and after having to live with those fires too.
And lucky you to be able to visit LJ.
I had my Christmas visit last Thursday, from my sister and her husband. They brought the surplus from their vegetable basket, a small hyacinth which is opening up, as well as some tiny kiwi fruits from a tree in Nice. They have much contact with others, so sat apart from me and we kept the masks on except for drinking coffee.
ReplyDeleteOur lockdown finished this week but there's a curfew 8pm-6am except on Christmas Eve. It may all change in the new year.
Talking of negotiating, we had been with our mobile phone provider for a number of years with a sim only contract. Every time it was due for renewal we had to go through the rigmarole of phoning them to negotiate the price of the next contract as what they were offering was always more than what they charged new customers. In the end we found an on line only supplier with a simple rolling monthly contract at a reasonable price and a very easy website, they even refund the cost of unused data each month. That made our old supplier sit up with an improved offer, but they couldn't match the new one. No rewards for loyalty these days.
ReplyDeleteWe have just had the same experience with renewing our car insurances (they are both due in the same month). Mine Is with Saga and has been for several years. The renewal letter they sent was for over £100:more than last year.
DeleteWe did some research and found a company quoting £150 less for the same cover.
We then rang Saga, told them of the other quote and they instantly lowered theirs to the same amount.
So why couldn’t they have quoted that in the first place?
As you say CC, so much for loyalty!
I finally left Saga for my car insurance courtesy of my S in L earlier this year.
DeleteI still have my contents insurance with them.
Im afraid that is a common practise with so many companies these days when you have annual premiums, on principal I will not tell what my better quote is and get them to qoute again, I like to keep them dangling so to speak, sometimes they quote below sometimes not, either way I have won.
DeleteI am watching a "Midwife" episode,
ReplyDeleteSorry to those who hate this programme, but it relates to a typhoid outbreak in the 1960's, with the main instruction, to constantly wash hands, so to not spread it further, along with a super-spreader being identified.
Times don't seem to change...
Oh Well.
Keep Safe All and enjoy your Christmas, in your own ways, with what you have decided to do .
Remember your cats + dogs also 😸🐶 .
🎁🎁🍾🎄🎄🎉 and not forgetting a big 🤗 with, (if you are lucky enough), with whovever you will be with.
May 🎅🎅 find his way to you, even if he has to be 😷.
🙋♀️LJ,
ReplyDelete& hope you'll be warm soon.
Miriam, you didn't disgust me, you infuriated me. As I think you know, my only family now are my sister-in-law in Gloucestershire and my son and his family in Wales; I have seen him twice this year, once in June and again in September and Wendy has only visited once this year as her husband is becoming frail. I cannot 'stock up for Christmas' as you do as I do not drive and dare not risk public transport, so I am taken to Sainsbury's once a week, I plan carefully and manage perfectly well. By now, knowing that I've been marooned in the house since March, my son is becoming concerned for my general well-being; they could have 'carefully' broken the rules as you did by making a socially distanced journey by car without stopping on the way, but although they have been self-isolating because of school contacts there are so many imponderables involved they would not dream of taking the risk, however great their concern.
ReplyDeleteI would also remind you that it is but 16 months since my husband died in appalling circumstances and to be truthful I'm finding the long dark evenings very difficult: I'm often still roaming round the house at 2.30 am, unable to settle, but it's the stage I've reached, tomorrow is the shortest day and like all things, this will pass.
However careful you think you were, to me it was nothing more than an act of supreme self-indulgence. As I think you know I very rarely air my personal opinions on this blog, but this has touched a very raw nerve indeed and after months of isolation my fuse has been severely shortened.
I hear you and feel for you Sarnia. Xx
DeleteSarnia, I too have been housebound since early in the year and at times have wanted to say 'Damn it to Hell!' I can count the number of times I have left the house on my fingers!
DeleteI am so lucky to have my son Jon still living with me but feel so guilty that he has had to physically 'nurse' me when I have been bed-bound or so chronically tired and in pain that I can barely stand up straight. He is a man in the prime of his life and should be with a wife and family not caring for his decrepit Mum!
But here we are, him working from home in a converted- to-office spare bedroom and me stuck in the sitting room doing on-line jigsaw puzzles and just about managing to cook a simple meal in the evening for us both.
I feel for all those alone but as many have said it is a fancy Sunday really. Few regard it nowadays as a religious occasion. I do, but I won't risk going to Church this year. However I will be listening to (I hope) The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. I usually regard that as the start of my Christmas.
We WILL get through this despite some careless and thoughtless actions. I shall visit here (the blog) several times over Christmas. Let's put the world to rights if there is nothing suitable on TV/radio as old friends would over tea or coffee!
If I could I'd like to be able chat with all who want to, voice-to-voice as it were, but am fearful of advertising personal details.
As it is, yesterday I had a notification from Yahoo asking me if I really wanted to change my password on my mail account while I was in Bangladesh!😂
Well.
ReplyDeleteI have checked, and it appears that legally the 'relaxed' 5 day Christmas truce is still binding, except for Tier 4, in England.
In which case, I think that people will make their choices based upon their own circumstances, i.e. take personal responsibility and live with their actions.
Miriam, you certainly don't need to apologise to this blog; You and your family have made a decision and followed through, that is up to you.
We have already lost two contributors to this blog, which is such a shame, we are all adults and do not need to police each other.
I must say that what I find infuriating is the oh-so-chummy way people refer to the Prime Minister. I can think of many ways of describing that man, none of which involve the use of his (not) first name.
To everyone living alone, as I do, with hopes and plans shattered, and festive food gently wilting away, Happy Christmas.
To everyone else: Merry New Year.
Mistral, I can only echo what you have said.
DeleteI think the way that I'm coping with it all is just trying not to think too much, which is easier said than done some days than others. (05.30am is maybe not the best time to be thinking, never mind writing!) It's after reading all the headlines this morning & posts above, that I (again) realise what a truly appalling year it's been for all of us. And far worse for some. I count myself as one of the very, very lucky ones. I have my health, my husband, my house and we are incredibly fortunate from a financial and working standpoint.
But it's still been hard. I've missed 2 funerals, last saw any of my friends in Aug, no celebration of either my 50th or MrGG's 70th and all the tiny other things that make life more enjoyable. And we've not even really had lockdowns as harsh as some of our friends in Italy & Frande, to name but two countries. But we've all still had to make and endure massive changes in our lives, and the lives of the ones we love.
It's been shit for all of us. Let's try and end the year pulling together rather than falling out. (And Carolyn & Stasia, if you ever happen to read this - I apologise. I was too harsh, too strident and just too rude in my responses. The blog misses you. It misses all the people who used to contribute. It, and we, need more contact with you all. Not less)
Stay safe everyone, and I hope to see you ALL next year. (I want to go on a bloody great big Grand Tour and share a drink with all of you at some point!)
XxX
Thank you Gary. You are the still, small voice of calm in my opinion. Trying to keep everyone friendly and caring towards others must be like herding cats. I do appreciate it and will try not to upset anyone next year. 😊 Whoa! - my first New Year's Resolution!
DeleteThanks GG, well put,
Delete💕💕
I think that is a lovely apology Gary. A person able to apologise is a person worth knowing.
DeleteMistral, in case you are concerned that my diatribe will drive Miriam away, be assured that she can continue to blog in safety as I will not be commenting further.
ReplyDeleteMistral, the 5 day window has been reduced to Christmas Day only across England.
ReplyDeleteI dread to think how many people will be driving after drinking that night.
That’s a point, KP. They could at least have let them stay overnight!
ReplyDeleteSARNIA PLEASE DON’T GO. This blog started life with a life boat as it’s symbol. We need that life line now more than ever, particularly those like yourself who live entirely alone. It is quite understandable that bloggers have shorter fuses at the moment. Most of us hold strong opinions and have always felt free to express them here but on the whole people have respected other viewpoints. Ignore the blips. Let’s get through this together. Please keep blogging Sarnia.
ReplyDeleteLet’s maintain the Christmas message Peace and Goodwill to ALL .
Agree, Soz. I hope Sarnia was just saying she wouldn’t comment further on this matter. It does hurt when people have opposing views to one’s own but we have a freedom of speech in our country which we should be so grateful for. No point in arguing, just listen to each other and see the point in all our beliefs but stay as friends throughout. Not easy but sensible!
ReplyDeleteI have just tried to post same thought but blogger error again😡 Hope this makes it.
DeleteThe blog is covered virtually 24/7 from early risers to late owls (me🤗) so post away and may no one feel alone ♥️
Is everyone going to be out in their gardens, or outside their door, looking at the triple conjunction tonight with Saturn and Jupiter lined up? The triple doesn't happen that often, next time about 2249; and they think this was the star of Bethlehem.
ReplyDeleteI am apparently going to be out in the garden with my daughter looking through her telescope. She is going to be a very sad bunny if it is cloudy!
Happy Solstice everyone. The light will be returning soon.
DeleteThanks for the reminder. It looks very cloudy in the midlands at the moment so unlikely we’ll see it. Does it last more than one night?
DeleteYes, it will be good for a few days. Soon after sunset in the south west of the sky I think. It is pouring with rain here, didn't see a blinking thing! The only chance in our lifetime to see it.
DeleteI took my information from Gov.uk. It is a labyrinthine document. The 'rules' may have changed, but the law has not.
ReplyDeleteA message to SARNIA and CAROLYN
ReplyDeletePlease don’t leave us Sarnia.
Please rejoin Carolyn.
You are both very valuable friends and I, for one, value your opinions, stories, comments and virtual friendship.
There have been things said, opinions expressed and unwise statements by some along the way, but this is such a difficult time for everyone, especially those living on their own. If I have ever annoyed or upset either of you I apologise with all my heart. Please try to forgive anything that has been said in the past and come back, or don’t leave, our virtual family.
You are both very dear to us all and we shall miss you very much if you decide not to continue with these blogs, so expertly run for us by Gary.
Wishing you both as happy a Christmas as you can manage in present circumstances and a much better 2021. 😊
To Sarnia first.
ReplyDeleteMiriam is a person of supreme self indulgence.
That is clear to all of us.
She will do what she will do.
You have had a testing time, for too long, and your fuse fizzes away.
I pray for you that life will be easier some day.
And if there is the slightest glimmer of hope for the future, that you are able to keep it alive.
To Mistral
Thank you for your calm and sensible words.
I echo them.
And Gary.
You are a better man for your apology. Thank you for making it.
I hope you and your husband can both celebrate your birthdays next year as you should have been able to do this year.
For myself, I am a Lockdown Sceptic.
I do wear a mask when entering a shop.
The only shop I have been in since spring has been a supermarket where I visit between 9 and 10 in the evening when it is very quiet.
I shall continue to wear a mask for as long as our government decrees that I should.
I drive to remote areas to walk Lady in order to avoid as many people as possible.
I practise the two metre rule when I need to pass anyone at close quarters.
However
I am fearful of the fear that has been engendered amongst our populace in order to control us. I do not believe it has been the best policy that could have been used, but accept that it has been an unprecedented situation that ANY government of ANY colour would have struggled to contend with.
I will not articulate my views on this matter any further.
And I hope that we can continue on this blog in harmony and good will to all.
HAPPY SOLSTICE ONE AND ALL
ReplyDeleteI agree with the sentiments expressed that we all get along with each other, allow differing points of view and keep going! May 2021 be much better for all of us.
ReplyDeleteI so wanted to see the 'Christmas Star.'
ReplyDeletePlanned to get Jon to take me to the public footpath next to the local woods where you can see across the North Downs!
IT'S POURING DOWN!
Not due to lighten up until tomorrow lunchtime.
Botheration!
As I a now called:-s
ReplyDeleteself-indulgent, infuriating and a disgusting person...., enough is enough.
I am also leaving......
PS I did what I did yesterday, for Me, to keep me going forwards . I am now alone until well after Christmas, which is not a nice thought.
Thats All + Goodbye. 😭
To add, it is not nice to be labelled and be talked about, behinds one's back. To then read these posts, concerning oneself, is upsetting.....
Delete" I am sorry that I Disgusted so many" (written yesterday).
DeleteMiriam - you have not been talked about behind your back.
ReplyDeleteWe have all been upfront with you as you have been yourself.
You have chosen many many times to tell us about the new clothes that you buy, your new car, the food you cook and eat, and your wider family matters.
That is your choice.
From what you tell us you are a consumer, and from what you consume, it is without doubt that you are a super consumer and you choose to indulge yourself.
It is possible that for every pound you spend on yourself you also give another pound to a charity. But if you do, you don't choose to tell us about that.
If you do, and you did tell, then we might have a more balanced view of you.
As it is we comment on what you show us about you.
That is true of everybody on this blog.
I very much appreciated Gary’s comments early on this morning.
ReplyDeleteSome people have been hit much harder than others. I also consider myself to have been very lucky in weathering the the past year.
Yes, there were big disappointments; missed anniversaries and significant birthdays. Life not as expected for the young ones of our family, no visits to family abroad and little contact with anyone at all apart from neighbours over the wall. No days or meals out. The only times I have left the house since March have been to hospital or once on alternate weeks to an out of town supermarket.
But, I have the companionship of my husband, a warm and cosy cottage, a large garden to work and sit out in. We are fortunate to have no financial worries. None of my family have been ill (🤞) and we are both in reasonable health. We will have Christmas on our own but that could be an enjoyable novelty. So I don’t feel I have anything to complain about.
But I do feel deeply sorry for those not in our position. Those who have lost jobs and businesses, those with not enough food to eat, the children of one-parent families who may not have a very happy Christmas and those unable to visit family and friends and are not good at coping on their own.
Although I find it hard to condone selfish folk who will not follow the rules imposed for the safety of everyone, I think we have all gone through this dreadful year together and need to support and care for each other in the months to come.
Thank goodness for these blogs, for Gary’s efforts in keeping us all together, they have been a lifeline for me, having réal friends to communicate with (albeit virtually) who have cared and supported me throughout the year.
Thank you and bless you all.
Agree with feeling sorry for others. I made a Christmas donation to the food bank and they e- mailed me in return. Over 3000 people on the island have had to go to the food bank since March. A stark reminder of the need around us.
DeleteMiriam, it is impossible to talk about anyone behind their back on this blog, it is here for everyone to see and read. The posts concerning you were addressed to you, it is your choice to read in the afternoon only. It is also your choice what information you share and therefore expect to be commented upon. It is your choice to feel offended or not. It is your choice to leave this blog as well as continue to comment.
ReplyDeleteIm sorry Miriam , you need to look at yourself.
ReplyDeleteYou tell us in an earlier blog you leave your post for 3 days before picking up,and in other entries warn us about other dangers, then you tell us you break the rules, Why ?
You try to justify yourself by saying it was less risky than if you went on christmas day, we cannot make those judgements for ourselves.. We live in a society bound by rules whether we like it or not, without rules there would be anarchy,
Like Mrs P I am a sceptic, but for the sake of others I abide by he rules.
You have said before you are leaving when things didnt go your way... you didnt !
I'm so glad that I received text from son to say the two tea-chest sized boxes of presents and Christmas goodies. It should have been delivered last Thursday but at least it's there!
ReplyDeleteOn behalf of Kent I object that it is being labelled as the source of this new mutation of the virus!
Have they any idea how many people from London come into Kent? Sadly we have a dreadful problem of the 'county lines' drug dealing where drugs are collected in London and delivered to young men (mainly) to distribute throughout our beautiful county.
Drive past Gillingham train station late night there are dozens of single men catching the last train to London. Very unpleasant!
As the mutation is now in every region I would have thought more likely that London is the centre and not the Kentish people!
Phew - Glad I've got that off my chest!
Now Kent roads are gridlocked because of the French, yet again! (Sorry to our French readers!) If it's not the harbour authorities, workers, farmers, seamen etc now it's the French government! 😁
I feel there is no room on the blog for personal attacks as with a few exceptions we have not met each other and cannot know every aspect of each other. We can diverge on views of course but to put descriptions of our character in the mix is to walk on shaky ground. We do discuss our daily doings which include purchases we have made, holidays we have taken and even what we are having for tea! I don’t see that as being self indulgent but maybe others do. We are all entitled to our opinion! When I opposed Carolyn’s view it was because I feel that opposing vaccines is very dangerous but I don’t know her well enough to pick flaws in her character. I would welcome her back!😊
ReplyDeleteMiriam I don't know if you are reading the blog but if you are ,do you remember telling us that it was your choice to live alone just as it was your choice not to have children?
ReplyDeleteIf you make that choice then there may be occasions when you feel lonely.
To continue(my previous longer comment vanished so ai thought I would do bite sized bits .
ReplyDeleteDelighted to say the boiler has been mended.
We have everything checked in October each year and there was no problem then.
Last December the problem was not with the actual boiler but with a switch.
This time it required a new pump which the engineer went out and bought and installed
As far as I am aware it has all been paid for by the very small amount extra we pay each year on top of our house insurance.
The engineer refused a tip too.
It was frustrating having to wait several days but I imagine it may well have been the same had I tried to get a plumber myself.
I am going to have a g and t to celebrate.
I'm so pleased for you Lanjan.
DeleteThank goodness it's fixed Lanjan! Enjoy that G & T 😉
DeleteThank goodness you have hot water and heating now. Very pleased for you.
DeleteSo glad your boiler has been mended, Lanjan. At least it didn’t happen over Chr istmas! Have a cosy one!😊
ReplyDeleteI hope LanJan that you and Mr LJ warm up throughout this evening and are able to go to bed feeling less miserable than in the last few days. Perhaps you could leave the heating on low overnight to enable the house to warm up too.
ReplyDeleteI'm very pleased for you that you have managed to get the job done.
Testing again.
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone.
ReplyDeleteI think this might be the drink talking but here we go........
Last week I was feeling a bit low.
ReplyDeleteI was quite tired and realised that because I was spending so much time making Christmas cards I didn't have time to write any then I had a light bulb moment at 2am one morning.
I would get rid of all my card making material to a good home and then not only would we have more room in our small house but I would have more time so..........
And what happened? Did you send the ones you'd made?
DeleteThe system playing up again...
As CowGirl says, perhaps don't give up, you can send them after Christmas and the New Year and they'll be even more appreciated.
DeleteEv
ReplyDeleteIf you feel that I, and or others have picked flaws in Miriam's character, by criticism as to her choice of lifestyle, and might be doing the same about you or others, perhaps I may explain something.
It is true that on this blog we share some aspects of our lives.
I'm quite sure that we also do not share many other aspects of our lives that we might consider private.
We share because we enjoy the good and sympathise with the problems of others, and some of what we share is entertaining or informative.
From my point of view, and others may well feel the same, when Miriam ' shares' it comes across as gloating. Miriam also tells us that her purchases are her way of indulging herself. To me Miriam personifies the advertisement that tells us all " that you can have it" - "Because your worth it".
Miriam seems to me, to be obsessed with money, how she has saved and increased it throughout her life, and the consumer benefits that she is able to indulge herself with as a result.
I do not read any of this into posts from others including yours. There is a balance.
That balance is not evident in Miriam's posts.
Miriam clearly is generous within her family and I'm sure that generosity gives her great pleasure.
Certainly she feels lonely and I applaud her for being open about being so.
But as LanJan has suggested, if M has chosen a life alone, she must from time to time expect to experience an element of loneliness.
And there are a number of others on this blog who must also feel lonely from time to time, and without the comfort or financial benefits that Miriam has accrued and feels free to gloat about.
I hope I have been clear in explaining my point Ev.
Oh Lan Jan dont do that . home made cards are so appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI make cross stitch ones not being very arty, they keep me busy during the long winter evemings, Ive almost finished my thank you cards and have started making Easter gifts for the children.
Glad you are wrm again, there is something to be said for logburners, if the electric goes I still have heat and can cook.
Spiceycushion - did you hear at the end of the 6 o'clock news on R4 that the person designated to tell us about THE BIG STAR , wasn't able to see it herself due to the weather conditions.
ReplyDeleteJust as well I think that the Three Wise Men did not have to contend with British RAIN !
After a day of heavy rain the sky is as clear as a bell now, but we can't see it from our house! (Can't be bothered to go out looking for it, a hot bath awaits...)
DeleteI telephoned a good friend whose daughter and grandchildren love to make cards and asked her if they would like my card ,punches ,craft books ,etc etc.
ReplyDeleteShe said they would be delighted so I set about clearing everything out ,,putting items in boxes and piling them up waiting for the time she will be able to drive the 50 miles to collect them.
Very cathartic but tiring.
Then we were both placed in tier 4 and the central heating packed up.
I heard a friend 's husband had died of COVID and the daughter of another friend had died very suddenly and unexpectedly.and a third friend telephoned and the phone call was very depressing.
I wanted to sympathise with Archerphile but didn't know what to say.
I was concerned that Mr LJ isn't improving as quickly as I had hoped
It rained when I wanted to dry the washing outside.and we had three days without hot water or heating and then today we got that back and everything seems so much more rosy.
Why am I saying all this?
Well possibly because I have had too much gin but also because I would like those who are taking umbrage about something to shake off that feeling and rejoin the blog .
In a way I feel responsible for the fact that Miriam decided to leave our blog.
Nobody is going to do any welcoming act .
It will be as if the person had never decided to leave.
I wonder if I will deletethis now?
.
.
It really doesn't take much to confuse me these days Esscee! 😄
ReplyDelete