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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments" - Episode 14 Life Outside Ambridge Have a seat and let's chat.
Found this lovely version of "O Holy Night" whilst looking for some calming music - I hope you enjoy it...
ReplyDeleteF
Delete*** From previous blog ***
ReplyDeleteMrsP Ambridge - December 21, 2020 at 8:14 PM
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 !
GaryGilday - December 21, 2020 at 8:18 PM
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...)
Lanjan - December 21, 2020 at 8:28 PM
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 delete this now?
Esscee - December 21, 2020 at 8:29 PM
GG - I apologise- your birthday was last May not today. I had logged out of the archersblogspot somehow and when I was trying to login again your Twitter feed came up saying it was your 50th birthday.
I should have been more diligent and checked things before commenting.
I bet I confused you 🤔
GaryGilday - December 21, 2020 at 9:05 PM
It really doesn't take much to confuse me these days Esscee! 😄
Esscee - December 21, 2020 at 9:13 PM
Same for me obviously and I don’t have the excuse of having had a drink or two today.......yet!
Gary, what a beautiful start to Christmas, thank you.
ReplyDeleteLanjan - my goodness, you have been though a rough time recently. I’m so glad to hear your heating has been restored and that you and Mr LJ can be comfortable again. I don’t think you were responsible for M leaving the blog. Several people were upset by her revelations, not just you.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see her return before long, it’s become something of a habit.
You were very generous in giving all your card making equipment away and it will be lovely to know that the children are able to enjoy the same pleasure that you had in making all those cards.
I hope that by now, that G&T has done its job and you will enjoy a warm and comfortable nights sleep. Nighty Night! 😴
Here is a Christmas card, addressed to all on this blog with a request to be posted.
ReplyDeleteI wish you all a peaceful Christmas and a better life emerging for all in 2021
I appreciate all the kind words asking me to return, but I will not be doing so.
Carolyn
How sad if I remember correctly Carolyn was the (or one of the instigators) re the blog meet ups that managed to take place and were much enjoyed by those managing to attend.
DeleteIt is very kind of Carolyn to send those wishes and I am very glad she has seen our pleas for her to return.
DeleteI shall miss her good Common sense and insights and wish her, through you Mrs P, a much happier New Year on 2021. She is a great loss to our discussions.
So sorry that you feel like that Carolyn. I do very much appreciate your endeavours in getting meetings arranged. But for that I would not have met some very sensible, kind friends, yourself included.
DeleteKeep well. I hope the hearing problems are well on the way to being sorted and you are now comfortable with your new way of hearing things.
Best wishes to you for 2021. Please feel free to keep in contact.
Spicy
Dam another post blogger error and yet I had only just posted successfully. Ah is it because I should be leaving a few minutes between? Although sometimes it happens straight away🤔
ReplyDeleteAnyway Lanjan so pleased your heating /water fixed and that it has understandably raised your spirits.
Trust Mr LJ will continue at a steady pace to improve in such a frenetic year “slow but sure” is the key.
By the way, AP, I was not signalling my intention to leave the blog. I merely stated that I would be making no further comment on the subject. As it happened there would have been no need as several others did it for me.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about Carolyn. I can remember posting back on the BBC blog in the midst of a lot of fussing, 'Ah, Carolyn, the voice of reason'.
I am very thankful that you are not leaving us Sarnia. You are another friend who always posts a great deal of common sense and I am delighted that you will still be keeping in touch with us all. I sincerely hope the coming year will be a much better one for you health-wise and you will enjoy getting on your garden refurbishment.
DeleteThank you, that is very kind.
DeleteLan Jan, glad you are warm again.
ReplyDeleteRe: Anne (with an 'e') of Green Gables.
My mother grew up on Prince Edward Island but left in her teens to return to the U.K. shortly before the second World War.
She loved it there and missed it all her life. She had lots of stories about canooing, and seeing performing bears, and travelling through squalid First Nation (Indian to that generation) Reservations, whilst travelling through America en route to the ship to come back here.
I have no idea why they went there, or ,oddly, chose to return.
Her father was a trapper for The Hudson Bay Company, he caught and supplied ??the author?? with pelts for her fur coats.
This was almost a century ago, she was born in 1923.
Mum insisted on my sister and I reading those books, I enjoyed them, and they meant so much to her.
I hope your son and his family love it too.
Is this working now?
ReplyDeleteI have just got up.
ReplyDeleteThe heating is working.
Re the journey across Canada for my son and daughter in law.
Email from my daughter in law.......
We have a minor delay.
We are in a huge snowfall right now so the moving company is declining to come up the hill.
So we cannot blame them so we head out tomorrow now with apparently sunny skies at 2C.
Gary O Holy Night is my favourite carol.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Gary “O Holy Night” 🙏🏼 so beautiful that it brings a tear to my eye remembering all loved ones lost along with the happy memories - thank you ⭐️
ReplyDeleteI was one who threw a tantrum on the other blog and there were those who reassured me and those who just let me fume and come back. So far no one had their post removed or was told to leave the site. I'd like to think that those who left would slip in comfortably alongside us and we'd carry on together.
ReplyDeleteOur Italian friends must be busy with Natale, Owias with her shoe but we've not heard from Seasider lately, hope she'll show up before long.
Just to let you know I have heard from Seasider and she is well, she did tell me she hadnt been blogging recntly, then neither had I !
DeleteThere are times when anger is perfectly reasonable, Basia.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sarnia and CowGirl.
ReplyDeleteI only want to say that Carolyn's and Miriam's departure from this blog makes me rather sad.
ReplyDeleteMistral - thank you so much for sharing those aspects of your family history.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pity that you don't know the reasons why they left or indeed why they went to Canada in the first place.
I believe there was a huge push for emigration to Canada in the twenties. My mother
(born 1916) had cousins that went, but knew of no contact with them once they were there.
I recently watched the film The Revenment, a hard watch but worth it. If you have never seen it, it is on television over the C'mas period and shows most graphically some aspects of the life your grandfather would have lived.
My father in law’s family emigrated to Canada before he was born in 1909. They had a small chicken farm. There was opposition from the locals which was quite fierce and when she was expecting fil it all became too much and they returned just before he was born. Maybe, Mistral your family returned for the same reason.
ReplyDeleteLanjan and others (?) when you post testing is it because you had the blogger error page or just lost the post. When I return from blogger error it says publishing but never does so close blog and reopen with 🤞🏼
ReplyDeleteMy great grandfather went to Canada, leaving his family behind, I don't know the circumstances. He wanted one of his daughters (my grandmother) to go with him but she refused preferring to stay behind with her family. If she had gone I wouldn't be here posting this.
ReplyDeleteMy father wanted to take us to Australia as £10 Poms.
ReplyDeleteMy mother wouldn't go.
I've always thought I would have been a very different person if I had grown up in Australia, but there is a BIG but..... as I've had vitiligo since about six years old, I would have suffered badly.
So it's probably just as well that we didn't go.
I might have still been an Archers listener though !
Lady R I am able to compose the post but when I press publish it sometimes tells me there is a n error .
ReplyDeleteI have to do something with caches and cookies .
I usually just clear them all and sometimes it works .
I haven't a clue what I am doing
Until recently I was able to post a comment as Lanjan but now I am blogger account
LJ do clear do you go to settings then hit safari and clear all data and history I do that everyday then swipe away any open apps. Mind I’m not sure this is what you are explaining to me. When I get error the wording is in orange and says oops a blogger error.
DeleteI use chrome for the blogs only.Main thing is we get brought but so annoying if the post quite a long one ☝️ for this one!
Lady R,I think that is what I am doing but when I went into chrome a moment ahpgo it said I had gone incognito so I just went straight to archers blogspot.
DeleteThis has only in recent months been happening .
Sometimes in the past I signed myself out.
I seem to have another email address that is gmail.
I haven't a clue what that is all about.
If I have written a longish comment I usually copy and paste just in case.
I envy pupils nowadays who are taught how to use the Internet.
Like many others I have just had to try and pick things up.
Mistral that is an.interesting story about your mum living on Prince Edward Island.
ReplyDeleteI just get the feeling that it might be like going back in time (I always think New Zealand might be like that)
I know that the majority of immigrants were from Ireland and France.
Their seem to grow a lot of potatoes.
The Dr who Peter is replacing has returned to Ireland and at the moment is treating his patients from there over the Internet as Peter will be doing for his patients in British Columbia.until his replacement takes over.
Mrs P please tell me more about a The Revenment.
Is it on the ordinary Channels?
My son's Practice in BC was on a First Nation Reservation .
L J. - I found the Revenment on films on the Iplayer.
DeleteLots of films screened this year because of Covid.
It is a very difficult film to watch, but I have to say, right up my street.
Man against the elements.
And a tour de force for that pretty boy who charmed us all in Titanic.
I suggest you search films on IPlayer.
I will do the same and if I find it will send instructions
I also watched another film for the second time recently. Another challenging watch, but this time a female lead.
Can't remember the name but must check it out as I very much want to read the book.
Anything to do with the making of America / Canada / Australia fascinates me.
L J - the other film was ' the Homesman ' with Hilary Swank.
ReplyDeleteDisturbing and thought provoking and depressing if your inclined to be depressed by challenging circumstances.
I recently watched the revenant with Leo de Caprio. It was stunning. Really enjoyed it. It is a bit gruesome.
ReplyDeleteOnly a bit ?
DeleteI've watched yet another historical American film this evening. The Free State of Jones.
ReplyDeleteThen read a long article about the history behind the story in the film.
I can tell you 2 films I will be watching tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a wonderful life in the afternoon and Elf in the evening. Perfect 😍
I want to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. We are allowed to go to our house in the mountains so I'll be leaving with the family after lunch. I had hoped to meet some of you this year as I was going to time a visit to my daughter in London with one of your meetings. Hopefully we will meet in 2021. I have enjoyed reading your comments all year. Best wishes to all of you.
ReplyDeleteAnd the same right back at you Gianna! Enjoy your time in the mountains and all being well we WILL see you next year...
DeleteWishing you. Gianna, and all our other Italy-dwellers a very happy and enjoyable Christmas wherever you are spending it and whatever the restrictions. And hopes for a much better 2021 and a possible meet-up when it’s possible and safe to do so.
ReplyDeleteI echo Archerphile’s post Gianna so pleased you are able to make your Christmas trip to the mountains sounds wonderful. Have a very happy 🎄 and a much improved 2021 🙏🏼
ReplyDeleteSame sentiments to all our bloggers abroad 🤗
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas Gianna and a happy and healthy 2021.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful music Gary. Have only just listened to it, loved the bell like sounds occurring in the background. Felt like crying . Normally I go to midnight mass and make my communion, and in the past have joined in ringing the bells. It is utterly magical, plus seeing old friends from childhood that come back to their home area for Christmas. It will probably sound strange to some people, and I am not a person who attends church every Sunday, but not being able to make my communion at the major festivals leaves me feeling empty inside. I suppose it is just what you are used to doing and not being able to do it is hard, as it is for all of us one way or another this Christmas.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile I will be thinking about you tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteAll the very best.
Many thanks Lanjan. I keep hoping to get a text or phone call with the results before then. In fact every time the phone rings my tummy turns summer-salts, but it’s always some scam or other! Don’t know if I mentioned that I did get a text saying all the blood tests were fine, even the one for Ovarian Cancer, but still waiting on the ‘other’ test.
DeleteArcherphile I'm keeping fingers crossed and praying your results will be fine. Chin up!
DeleteSpicy
Some positine news then Archerphile, lets hope it is the same for all the other tests.
DeleteYou are in our thoughts.
Best wishes for tomorrow, Archerfile!
ReplyDeleteWell we have moved from tier 1 to tier 3 just like that! There have been more cases, 36 the other day. Being so close to Portsmouth and Southampton hasn’t helped as people travel back and forth for work over there. It is worrying that the virus mutates but so does flu and I suppose it was only to be expected. Anyway, in spite of all have a lovely Christmas everyone! We can at least all relax and enjoy a bit of peace!!
Speaking with my Shanklin sister just before 3pm she expected tier 2 but there you go. People are making unnecessary trips to the Island I’m sure as ferries have apparently been very busy and it appears that so far police presence has not deterred....
DeleteApparently the ferries have no authority to refuse passengers. I think some have come over for a night out as pubs closed over the other side of the Solent. There is some spread too from schools I think. Katy has been keeping away from pupils by not allowing them near her desk. She has tape on the floor and they are not allowed over it! She points out that I am over 70 so care is needed. Christmas will be just us and the dogs which actually suits me. We are not used to seeing relatives anyway as we have always lived away from them.
DeleteMy brother’s cancer has been stabilised so no better and no worse. He is chuffed as he wasn’t expecting to see Christmas. It is incurable but the treatment may give extra time for him which is very precious. He is not in pain and can get on with his life. Christy’s has been wonderful and he is amazed they do so much for him at his age, just 77 on 12 December which he thought previously he might not see.
Ev, as you say, that's the best Christmas present for both you and your brother.
DeleteYes, what a relief for you both, but what a pity this Christmas is forced to be so different from normal Christmases. Still, I am sure he will enjoy and make as full use of his extra time as he can.
DeleteEv - I'm glad your brother's illness is responding to treatment in that he has no pain and is able to get on with his life. I heard from my brother yesterday. He is getting on okay (his words) He has his sixth lot of chemo next week then a trip to the hospital later in January to see if and what the treatment has done. He proudly tells me that he has put on weight and is now 16 stone! Despite being 6' 8" he has never weighed anywhere near that amount before. He has the build from my Dad's side of the family, being tall and skinny. My eldest grandson was singled out at school because he was above average height but below average weight! My daughter said to the doctor 'You should see my Granddad and uncle!"
DeleteUnfortunately I can't speak to my brother on the phone as he is now very deaf even with NHS hearing aids. But have written him 'open' message on facebook and a 'real' letter and posted that.
Very pleased to hear your news Ev and Spicycushion.
ReplyDeleteLady R - re problems with posting on our blogs. I believe your iPad has updated to iOS 14?
ReplyDeleteMine hasn’t because mine is a first generation iPad Air which is too old to take iOS 14 and I still operate on i0S 12 and have no problems.
But this afternoon I tried to post on my little iPhone which has has been updated to 14 and I couldn’t do it! Just like you I don’t have my name or picture, just a grey symbol. I wrote something and tried to post but it just said ‘posting’ for ages and ages and never actually did.
So I reckon the problem is with iOS 14 and perhaps a query to Apples help line might give a solution.
Ev and Lady R -
ReplyDeleteI still get a regular email from the ferry service to the island.
Got one today that informed me that they were cutting back on the timetable and made mention of the virus and keeping the island safe.
But perhaps it's a case of shutting the stable door.
Of course numbers of people cross on the ferry every day for work on the mainland.
Wish you the best. news tomorrow Archerphile and whatever the news you have friends for support on here remember.
Sorry for the abrupt change of subject - Jesus Christ Superstar on Sky Arts - amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteAP 💕🤞
ReplyDeleteEv, Spicy, 💕
ReplyDeleteJust popping in to see people's response to Gavin's non-revelation. Philip getting his come-uppance would be a great Christmas present.
ReplyDeleteI'm busily writing my Christmas letters. I have to confess that they're round robins. ...
But, having grown up reading some excruciating ones, I do my best to make mine entertaining. I haven't been disinherited for them yet so they can't be *too* bad. Every year has a theme - it gets to be quite a challenge to find new ones each year. And I do top and tail each letter to personalise it. May I be forgiven and allowed to stay in this blog? ; )
Yes, I know I've missed the last post. I do every year. The way I see it, you don't have time to read letters before Christmas. Mine arrives in time to be read over the last turkey sandwiches. In fact, one friend reacted in horror the other year when OMiaS suggested we might get the letters out on time - apparently the post-Christmas arrival of our Chronicle is part of their Christmas tradition.
I don't come in here very often at present, but I haven't forgotten you all.
Virtual Christmas hugs to you all, particularly those who'll be spending the day alone.
🎄(I wanted to send a virtual mince pie but I could only find a tree!)
Have a wonderful Christmas yourself OWiaS and all the shoe-dwellers. Is there room for a Christmas tree in your shoe I wonder?
ReplyDeleteI’ve now found I can post on Safari but not on Google! Another update glitch!
ReplyDeleteOwias, it’s always good to hear from you! I like Christmas to last for the whole week so don’t mind if some cards arrive afterwards. I had one today from my old boss, also Mike’s boss from the place we met, Northwood, a joint services place in Middlesex. Our courtship was a bit up and down sometimes and one day Mike went into his office for the daily briefing and after a long official list, said by the way, we are getting married. To this, Dick leaned back in his chair and breathed “Thank God for that!”. He was and is a charming man. Years ago he had a girlfriend and was posted abroad. When he came back she had married someone else. He stayed single for many years and eventually met up with her again when she had been widowed. They married and he has a lovely stepfamily to whom he is very close. Sadly his wife died last year but he is still going strong at 90 although he does have macular degeneration now. Don’t you just meet some lovely people as you go through life?😊
ReplyDeleteEv that's a lovely story about your friend. I have recently been in touch after a few years with one of my cousins whose wife died last March. He now lives in Essex after retiring as a London Cabbie a few years ago. As he was a bit lonely he joined Friends Reunited and got in touch with his very first girlfriend from over 60 years ago. He described her as his 'girlfriend' over the phone last Sunday! Next year he is selling up and buying a house in Lydd where she now lives. It turns out that I knew her (or she knows me!) at our village Primary School!
DeleteOWIAS So lovely to hear from you. I do miss your alternative scripts! Merry Christmas to all the shoe -dwellers and a Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteSpicy
It’s my favourite day of the year tomoz. I will be spending the morning cleaning and then chilling from lunchtime onwards.
ReplyDeleteA bubbly drink in hand, film on telly, pate, made today, for tea and fire lit. Bliss.
So I’ll take this opportunity to wish you all a merry Christmas and I really hope we can manage a get together in 2021. Take care everyone and keep safe. Xx
Lovely to read OwiaS amusing account, ( I'm always late with post too, but not doing C'mas this year so none sent ) and two romantic stories from Ev and Spicey.
ReplyDeleteI admire you doing Christmas for a week Ev. One day is too much for me.
I am making one concession. I bought half a chicken from the hot counter at Waitrose today, then when I went through the checkout the assistant put it through unpriced as a present from the company.
So my Christmas dinner on Waitrose this year.
I 'might' actually do some roast vegetables if I can be bothered.
Have a lovely time with your loved ones everybody, except those alone like me And Miriam and esscee I think, maybe others too.
Thinking of you today Archerfile. Hope all goes well.
ReplyDeleteSnow and hail here at the moment I hope it doesnt last as I am supposed to be driving over to see my foster son tomorrow to spend 10 minutes in the garden with him, had to alter all my arrangements due to the change in the Cristmas lockdown rules.
ReplyDeleteI’m enjoying my second cup of coffee in bed before getting up to make cheese straws and mince pies as part of the festive food I am delivering to my daughter today. We’re in Tier 2 at the moment but as she is anxious about infecting MrNuts she’s staying on her own tonight, and her girlfriend who she’s bubbled with will join her tomorrow. I am very proud of how responsible she’s been. MrNuts and I will do a present run tomorrow morning.
ReplyDeleteIt is going to be a strange Christmas with just our elder daughter home, and not having any extended family gatherings with our siblings but I have discovered the plus side, no need to get hung up on house work☺️And if I’ve overcatered we have lockdown to eat everything.
I hope everyone gets through this strange festive season, that health problems can be managed and everything will get easier as 2021 progresses.
Presumably KP you will be plunged into Tier 4 on Boxing night like us?
DeleteWe decided, a couple of weeks ago, not to go to our daughter’s in Whitchurch as usual. This will be our first Christmas on our own but I’m still cooking a (very small) turkey with all the trimmings. But at least we’ll be safe and can watch whatever we want on TV!
Said daughter and s.i.l. are coming over this afternoon to exchange gifts, on opposite sides of the garden! Because I always take her the puddings for Christmas lunch and she’s no good at desserts, I have a bag full of Xmas pud, cheesecake, pavlova and accompanying cream for her as well.
We're lucky enough here to be able to meet up with our families & friends, the advice is not more than 6.... the curfew is relaxed tonight for the Réveillon, but stays in place for New Year's eve.
ReplyDeleteJust got back from our local 'alimentation' with various goodies, they prepare the fish and shellfish themselves, sole in saffron sauce this evening! Over there again in the morning to pick up the oysters (opened..!!) to take over to our friends', we're in a 'bubble'.
All good wishes and Joyeuses Fêtes de fin d'année to you all ! 🎄🎄🥂🥂
I'm off to have a brief meet up in Cirencester Park with younger daughter and family.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen any of it but news is that much of Gloucestershire is experiencing flooding. Opened the curtains this morning to see dry ground but by the time I let the cat out it was raining again.
Miriam - thinking of you today with your cat, preparing your food for tomorrow.
Hope your new neighbours will include you in their Christmas greetings.
Very best wishes, Gary, and all of you dear blogger friends, for a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a difficult year and many of you, like us, will have had to change your plans for the festivities. I hope that you all have the best Christmas possible and that, eventually, next year will bring better times.
ReplyDeleteJust a quick message to let you all know that my phone call from the surgery was that everything is fine, all tests negative. So now I can start to enjoy Christmas with no worries. And sincere thanks to everyone who sent good wishes, you were all such staunch friends and are much appreciated. Bless you all.
ReplyDeleteAnd, of course, I wish all our Archers bloggers a very happy Christmas, whatever arrangements you have been able to make. And a New Year that will soon see us all vaccinated, happy, healthy and able to enjoy life to the full once again.
ReplyDeleteMy special greetings to Gary and Mr GG for keeping us all entertained with these blogs, keeping our spirits up and providing an outlet for our thoughts, worries, happinesses and friendships.
Let’s hope for a big get-together in 2021!
🥂 🎄 🥂
So relieved Archerphile (as I wrote before) 🤗a few months ago I mirrored your experience with the same happy result. I really do think it’s our bodies reacting to the year we are enduring worldwide alongside issues in our own lives - of which you have had many. Relax and enjoy special time with Mr A 💕 🎄
ReplyDeleteTo everyone have the best 2020 Christmas that you can especially if alone 🥰 we will all be with you in thought.
My love and best wishes to everyone especially to those alone ..I hope your lovely pets keep your lives fulfilled and give you great companionship.
ReplyDeleteBuon Natale a tutti
Got a feeling '21
Is going to be a good year
Especially if you and me
See it in together
So you think '21
Is going to be a good year?
It could be good for me and her
But you and her, no, never!
I had no reason to be over optimistic
But somehow when you smiled
I could brave bad weather.
Archerphile
ReplyDeleteWhat a relief............ for us too
All I am doing, is just popping in to say:-
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely Christmas, One and All.
🎅🎄
I have left, but thought it churlish, not to wish you all well.
DeleteNow to wait for my favourite moment on Christmas Eve, which is the young treble, singing Once in Royal David's City, at the start of Carols from Kings..
Take Care All.
Enjoy Miriam and thank you for your kind 🎄wishes which are returned.
DeleteHappy Christmas Miriam, and hope 2021 is a happy and healthy year for you and all of us. Here's a daft joke or two:
DeleteWhat do Santa's elves cook with in the kitchen? A u-tinsel.
One of my kitchen utensils seemed to be playing classical music. Think it must have been the Chopin board!
What music do chefs play in the kitchen? Wok 'n roll.
Archerphile. Phew!!! Panic over. Get a celebratory glass poured ASAP. I’m so pleased for you.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your Christmas now.
Delighted to hear the news Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteLike Miriam I have just been listening to Carols from Kings.
Start of Christmas for me.
Must check if and when "A Christmas Carol "is on the television.
I like to watch that each year too.
I like the one with Patrick Stewart as Scrooge ,best .
Best wishes to everyone .
I hope you all have as good a Christmas Day as it is possible to have.
Strange times
I too enjoyed Carols from Kings - lovely stuff.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to one and all on this blog.
Very pleased to hear your good news Archerfile, must be the best Christmas present for you.
ReplyDeleteI wish all bloggers, and silent readers a Happy Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year
ReplyDelete🎄✨🎄🥂🎄✨🌲🥂🎄✨🎄
Wishing you all, including Stasia, Carolyn and any others who read in the background, a very happy Christmas and a peaceful better year in 2021. Big hugs to you all and thanks for your friendship throughout the last very strange year.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gary for maintaining this blog. I will keep some best scrumpy ready for when you do your round Britain tour!
What is the favourite carol of parents? Silent night.😉
DeleteMerry christmas one and all.
ReplyDeleteThe snow has all gone, thank goodness, but it would have looked nice!
A very Happy Christmas 🎄 to everyone ✨
ReplyDeleteA very, Merry Christmas to everyone - to those who contribute to the blog, those who read it and to old friends. I will raise a glass of something to all of you this afternoon! xxx
ReplyDeleteAnd we’ll raise a toast to you and Mr GG too 🥂
DeleteThank you for your lovely Christmas card at the top of the page.
Very festive heading Gary, Merry Christmas everyone ⛄️🎄🥂
ReplyDelete“Forget your troubles, come on get happy” if you can.
ReplyDeleteI wish everyone a happy, safe and healthy new year.
Thank you for keeping the lifeboat afloat Gary
All of the above🎄 and a special hello to those bloggers spending Christmas on their own.
ReplyDeleteKeep in touch if you can I’ll be checking in. Enjoy your (no doubt) yummy dinner Miriam I will smell it from here in Hampshire- in my mind anyway 🤣
Mrs P and Lady greetings and everyone who blogs and Gary & Mr GG have a wonderful day 🥰
Merry Christmas to all and if on your own your virtual friends are with you! 😊🐾🥂Cheers!🥂🥂
ReplyDeleteThinking of you Sarnia. I do hope you have had some virtual contact with your son today and that the sun has been shining. If I can see the sun things tend to seem better. Guernsey is such a beautiful island. My son, who is marooned in Thailand at the moment, and I were reminiscing yesterday and he said the best holidays were our family ones to Guernsey. We travelled from Southampton on the Sarnia to get there.
ReplyDeleteWe are now past the shortest day and very nearly the right side of Christmas. May 2021 be less stressful and by the summer, imposed isolation a distant memory.
Superb day with our bubble of 5. Wonderful home cooked meal veggies from garden, 3 yr old homemade pud and all the usual to follow. Will keep us going for a week
ReplyDeleteDo hope one and all have had as pleasant a day as possible. Everyone has been in my thoughts.
Testing
ReplyDeleteI have just done a long post on Safari only to find it wouldn’t publish so am now on Google Chrome! Anyway just to say we had a lovely day, walked the dogs on Appley beach and the boys enjoyed a runaround! This morning we watched the Garfield 2 film with Billy Connolly which was very funny. We had a late lunch after the Queen! Her message was so encouraging! Tonight we watched Blankety Blank and later good old Morecombe and Wise. It has been a fun day! Christmas isn’t over so hope you enjoy your Boxing Day and Christmas week. If you’re like us you have lots of food to keep you going. 😁🥂🍴🍴🍷☕️
ReplyDeleteJust popping in to say hello and hope everyone has had the best day they can in the circumstances, especially those who were alone today. I am about to get back out of bed and go downstairs to put the Turkey into the Rayburn to cook slowly overnight. Myself and daughter had a quiet but nice day today, and our little bubble is coming for dinner tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteWe watched the Queen's speech and the deep fake version, and the musical Scrooge. Loved the old fashioned toy shop when he was buying lots of gifts after his change of heart.
I am feeling very pleased because my friend up in Wales has sent me an Archers book ; Ambridge in Wartime. I am hoping to have a moment to see if it has anything about Christmas in it that I can read aloud tomorrow. Usually Boxing day evening we turn the lights off and light candles and take it in turns to read a poem or a short Christmas story. One of my favourites is Tenhyson's : Ring out wild bells, to the wild sky. The flying cloud, the frosty light .....
There will only be four of us this year but it will still be nice. Sleep well all.
OhJanice all your talk of turning the lights off and lighting the candles is making me nostalgic....... when I lived without electricity high on th moors Cristmasand New year was always magical, one wall of the sittingroom cum dining room was just a bank of windows, typical of the region, built in the era when weaving was done at home, the sills were just filled with candles of all sorts and that together with gas lighting made for wonderful memories often talked about with the family who came every new year, untill the children as adolesence were off doing other things.
DeleteRight, I' d better not prevarocate any longer, off to do my sttutory 1/2 hour on my trike.
Sounds lovely Cowgirl, candles make things very atmospheric. I like the idea of a trike but there are an awful lot of hills here.
DeleteThank you, Soz, that's very kind. Yesterday was fairly awful, but today was better than expected. I'm glad you enjoyed your holidays in Guernsey - it certainly is a lovely place for a fine fortnight in summer.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, though, I miss the wildness of the weather, the roaring of the wind and the thudding of the high tide against the sea walls. Then I remember all the disadvantages that go with that and know that I made the right decision nearly fifty years ago, although strangely enough I'm aware that for some odd reason the longer I'm away and the older I get the more strongly Guernsey I seem to become.
Soz, are you sure you sailed from Southampton on the Sarnia? My recollection is that by the time Sarnia and Caeserea entered service the Southampton route was long gone and the mailboats only came from Weymouth.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was small the St Helier and StJulien operated out of Weymouth and the Isle of Guernsey, Isle of Jersey and Isle of Sark sailed from Southampton. They had two slim, sloping yellow funnels and looked much grander than the Weymouth boats. There was also the St Patrick, which ran day trips from Torquay. For some odd reason she had a large red funnel and her whistle made a rising, whooping sound to warn passengers that if they didn't hurry up she would sail without them.
The elder of my two sisters was a trainee nurse at the South Devon and East Cornwall hospital in Plymouth and occasionally she used to come on a day trip to visit us.
I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas Day, despite the restrictions.
ReplyDeleteAs I mentioned, we were on our own for the first time since before the children were born.
But we had a lovely day!
A long 3-way Zoom session between us, daughter & family 10 miles away and son and family in Dubai. Everyone showed off their decorations and presents, the Dubai grandsons opening theirs from us online so we could see their faces. It was very jolly.
Then our traditional Christmas lunch which was delicious, even if I say so myself.
The Queen, if course. Her words were very welcome but she looked so stiff and unsmiling.
We were unimpressed with the TV programmes on offer, never watched the Midwife or ITV soaps and can anyone stand that dreadful Mrs Browns Boys ? So we caught up with lots of programmes we had recorded in recent weeks such as Michael Palin’s travels and some old Dad’s Army épisodes which we know almost word for word, but still make us laugh.
All in all a lovely quiet but convivial day, no kitchen traumas, no worry about there being enough food for the herd, no wrangling over the washing up, no arguments between children, not much mess, just Gerald (yes, that’s Mr A’s name) and me. Perfect.
Sounds lovely Archerphile doubly so after your recent tension. So Mr A is Mr A no
Deletemore you have revealed his true identity 🤗
You have got me thinking. I’ve mixed up my holidays. When I was a child we sailed from Southampton - I remember they were overnight crossings. That must have been on the Isle of Guernsey/Jersey ships. When my children were little we caught the train to Weymouth and that must have been on the Sarnia or Caesarea. My son can remember the train trundling through the back streets of Weymouth.
ReplyDeleteWe took my grandmother one year when she was in her 90s. I can picture her walking along a plank to board one of the boats from Fermain bay to St Peter Port. The journey back to the mainland was rough that year and she sat outside on the top deck, nursing my daughter who was sea sick! Happy memories.
Very similar day for us Archerfile. It was a beautiful frosty and sunny morning so we had a lovely walk. Missed seeing the family in person but it was the same for so many others.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear you enjoyed your day after all your worries before hand.
ReplyDeleteCompletlty the opposite for me, for more years than I care to remember I have had Christmas day omn my own , this year due to restrictions , I broke my journey to see my Fosterson and had nn hour with Sam, my niece and family. She had divulged earlier in the year that as a child she had always wanted scaletrix, didnt know so she didnt get it, but 30 years later I bought it, we had such a good laugh, her children will enjoy it too.
Her partner had remembered that I liked pork pies and had queued for over 1/2 to collect the order of a pie from Lishmans a well known butchers in the north, after nearly 5 hours driving I didnt feel like cooking, so enjoyed my pie instead, so christmas dinner today instead.
Yes, Soz, that train ride through the streets of Weymouth behind the man with the bell was a plus for my children as well. That, too was often a night crossing and my son, now aged 46, still relishes the anticipation of being up on deck at 3am waiting for the first glimpse of that tiny row of lights in a vast empty sea that was the North Esplanade on Guernsey. Mind you, the wait outside Weymouth to be coupled to the shunting engine always seemed interminable.
ReplyDeleteIn more recent years, once we began cruising to the Mediterranean a major highlight at about midnight after leaving Southampton, was the majestic, sweeping finger of the Casquets light, the 'Traffic light' of the Casquets gyratory system. Then the little row of lights so treasured by my son, which were then left behind.
As a teenager I used to sit up half the night at my bedroom window high up on the Island, watching the tiny lights of the shipping creeping along the horizon to disappear on their way to the Bay of Biscay. Imagine how strange it was decades later, to actually be on one of those lights on my way to the Bay of Biscay, watching the Island disappear over the horizon!
Ah, yes, the boats to and from Fermain Bay, run by the Ferguson family, who also owned the tea room. The boarding arrangements for low spring tides were a sight to behold as Percy and his little old dad kept adding more and more planks as the tide went out. At the top of the beach there was a monster contraption like aircraft steps on wheels to accommodate the slope on the stones at high springs, and which was gradually winched down with the tide. When I arrived at Ladies' College at the age of 10 to take my scholarship place, I discovered to my amusement that the acid-tongued senior English mistress was married to Harry, the Hunk in the Trunks who ran the Fermain Whoopee floats!
ReplyDeleteAlas, the boats no longer run and although the wheeled contraption is still there it hasn't been used for years and is now a rusting hulk.
It is a great surprise to come across someone else who has been familiar with all these things. Thank you Soz.
Sarnia it is a delight to hear from someone who knows so well places that have been a big part of my life. Your descriptions trigger memories that have lain hidden for years - the excitement at the first sight of land, lights of ships at sea. I’m apprehensive of visiting the islands again; I’m worried that they will have lost some of their charm.
DeleteIt brings a chuckle to think of Harry the hunk and your rather priggish? English teacher on Whoopee floats!
PS I've just remembered: when the tide was so low that Percy ran out of planks, passengers were decanted, a handful at a time, into a dinghy, to be rowed to the sand by his dad.
ReplyDeleteSarnia , you should write these memories down . It’s not just what you say, it’s the way you say it. You’ve made my day.
ReplyDeleteOh, it was a second marriage for the English mistress. Nowadays, unless he was older than he looked, I think Harry would have been described as her toy-boy!
ReplyDeleteYes, the Island has had to adapt to accommodate changing tastes in holidays. The crowds have gone from the beaches - they, or rather their descendants are, or have been until this year, sitting on beaches in Spain and Greece spending all day on their mobiles talking to the people they've come on holiday to get away from! It's all much quieter, more geared to spring and autumn walking holidays, and with a slightly better link to mainland France there are many more French and German tourists. Much of the labyrinthine network of tiny inland lanes has been designated 'Ruettes Tranquilles' - ie only open to walkers, cyclists and horse-riders.
Many of the locally-owned shops have been sold on to larger concerns as their owners died, eventually finishing up as part of English companies. Chain stores such as Waitrose, New Look and M&S have found their way in which, though it loses a lot of the local charm, is better for the islanders, as wages are low and with most goods imported from the UK having already been imported by them in the first place, the cost of living is high, making food and clothing expensive.
Herm Island is better managed these days, with more of an eye for conservation, although the fleet of little, brightly coloured open boats of the Herm combine have been replaced by much larger, covered craft which are more comfortable for tourists, but take all the pleasure out of the sea-trip. I ask you, who goes on a small boat expecting to be comfortable! The Wrigley Track-grips have been banned and the current tenant ( I think it might be one of Major Wood's sons) has worked hard at re-instating the dunes on the common which were so badly chewed up by the wheels in the decades since the 1960s when it all got too commercial. St Tugual's up on the hill chapel is still a haven of tranquillity and the graves of Peter Wood and his wife are at rest in the garden.
For you, Soz: my painting of the shipping lanes off Guernsey at night. we were on the Queen Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteThere's a movie set in Guernsey in 1946 on tonight (18.40) on BBC2 - "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society".
DeleteThanks for letting us know that Gary.
DeleteMissed at the cinema when I first had Lady and was confined, by something other than Covid.
Soz and Sarnia - your conversation has given such joy.
Never been to the Channel Islands and probably never will now, but you two have certainly between you brought the journeys to life.
I've often thought of asking anyone on here if they went to the Isle Of Wight as children. Those journeys were much like yours in memory.
What a strange Christmas Day that was.
ReplyDeleteI knew I would be on my own, as this was decided a few weeks ago. My traditional turkey lunch was tasty ( with home-made cranberry + bread sauces), plus the individual Christmas Pud. on an elegantly laid dining table.
I did get upset though, later on, when 'photos of Christmas Dinners were compared..my single one looked so pathetic.
Due to tier changes, there was no Boxing Day meet-up today, as planned, but do understand why...
I hope it will be worth it.
Christmas is now over, well for me, so I will take down my tree + decs. down tomorrow.
I'm sure your table looked far from pathetic Miriam!
DeleteHave you battened down the hatches in anticipation of Storm Bella? It's been non stop rain and gusts here since first thing this morning - not that we were planning on going anywhere, I've been in the jim-jams all day long...
Before the 18th century people kept decorations up until Candlemass on February 2nd and my son has been hinting I should do the same so they are still up when he and his wife, hopefully, get back at the end of January from the Philippines.
DeleteSoz I think they are probably in a similar situation to your son in Thailand.
I usually leave the decs until 5 January, go on, Miriam! At least they brighten things up! You can have a celebration dinner after Covid which I’m sure will come with vaccination so don’t despair. It must be tough having Christmas alone when you are used to having family around.
ReplyDeleteIt has been worrying on the island, yesterday a record of 64 cases. With the new strain, we might face another lockdown. Anything to stop the spread!
Just feeling angry this afternoon to hear various European countries now have this new strain spread by individuals leavinghe UK and taking the virus with them.
ReplyDeleteSo very very selfish.
Why oh why can't every person take responsibility for the rest of mankind.
Christmas ? Ba humbug !
You cook wonderful meals for one Miriam. Be proud !
I had my Chicken, roast vegetables and peas. On a plate. On my lap.
I can't sit at a table because I am so untidy, cover all surfaces with 'stuff' and so sit in a chair in a corner like little Jack Horner.
I did do the Christmas pudding and had a portion of that too.
Yesterday wasn't too bad at all. I had a lovely walk with Lady under an amazing sky.
Today feel low and apathetic but looking forward to a film.
I'm afraid Lady has a slightly upset tummy.
When I adopted her the general advice was to feed your new dog chicken, which I did.
But after a couple of days of bad tummy spewing I gave up. Tried chicken again once, months later with the same result. Now almost two years on, she had a desert spoon of my chicken last night and again a poorly tum.
No more experiments, this dog cannot have chicken. EVER !
We have found Gypsy has a bad reaction to wheat so she is gluten free! Also she gets upset by beef so is mainly on a chicken based diet. It sounds as if Lady is OK on whatever you feed her on in between chicken. They are like us and certain foods don’t suit them. I’m untidy too and my conservatory is in a mess as I paint out there and have left everything around. I have the big table out there so this year we had Christmas dinner in the kitchen. It has the advantage of not having to carry food around so much! I kept meaning to tidy up the conservatory but it never happened. As Katy said though, at least it is used!😊
DeleteMrs P
ReplyDeleteas a child of about 9 we loved in Brighstone right opposite the church, we used to travel to Leeds with my Grandmother using the ferry and then the train. I dont remember too much about the ferry I,m afraid, what I do remember is having tea on the train as we were passing through mining country and being fascinated by the pit wheels
My most memorable memory of crossing to the mainland was with the rectors son, with whom we played, in a small boat of some description and being horrified that a man of the cloth should smuggle oysters, I think it was across to the mainland, we went to the pub for refreshments when we got there and were told to keep quiet !
Thank you, Mrs P. Yes, Gary, I have the book but the film is of no interest. It was shot in Devon and the English cast obviously look and sound - well, English, so it's therefore meaningless to Islanders. Of course, if you've never been there and don't know what the people look or sound like, it won't matter - enjoy!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm not watching it Sarnia! I'm going to watch the Victoria Wood compilation that I taped last night and hopefully laugh myself hoarse!
DeleteMrs P The 'new' strain of corona virus has been on the continent of Europe as long as it has been identified here but no-one identified it as 'different' because they do not have the expertise in
ReplyDeleteg-noming (?) as we have in England. Apparently no-one in the world has the capabilities of our scientists in that field. However the way the media goes on about our 'useless' country no-one would guess we are world leaders in one field, not forgetting that we had the first vaccine approved.
In regards to the spreading of the virus 36 of the truck drivers out of 4,000 kept at Manston airfield tested positive and are isolating at Holiday Inn in Rochester. What's to say that the 2,000 truck drivers crossing the Channel every day until the 23rd when the French closed the borders were not taking this virus back with them for the past month?
I agree people are so selfish and I hope someone will say to the Mayor of Manchester that unless his people stop flouting the guidance, there willl be no more help financial or otherwise. The pictures from Manchester (and I daresay it's all over the country) of crowded shops and pavements, with unmasked people shoulder to shoulder looking for Boxing Day bargains makes me very angry too!
Otherwise all is well. Playing Command and Colours board game with Jon re-fighting the Battle of Sahagun 21/12/1808 in Spain in the Napoleonic Wars! 😀
I'm sorry for my rant earlier.
ReplyDeleteYes Spicey I did know about us in the U.K. having the scientific ability and expertise superior to that elsewhere and that it would be there but not yet identified.
But my point remains.
Speaking with a friend in Frankfurt just now, she had just finished a call to a friend living in central London, who lives in one of the new squares of high rise apartments. Looking out of her window as she was holding the conversation the London friend could see only about a third of those apartments were showing lights.
I despair of the human race.
I enjoyed the film.
It was obvious to me that I had seen it before, but I don't think it had made much impression upon me.
Different this time as I kept remembering what Sarnia has told us about evacuating and returning.
I’m sure the spread of the virus is connected with people flouting the law. Incredible that some believe it has been made up to control us and others that it’s no worse than flu. The other night an older lady was shown in hospital with breathing apparatus. She thought she might have caught it from her grandchildren who live with her. Katy says the cynics believe such a film is a stunt with actors playing the part. You just can’t win. It takes someone catching it to be persuaded that it is indeed real. Trouble is that person could then go on to infect several others so not just themselves affected. 🤔
ReplyDeleteI hope I didn't come across as too sharp Mrs P. It wasn't you that I was ranting about!
ReplyDeleteI have been so fed up with the negative coverage for months of this country by our own people! I don't know why they are so negative. I believe it all stems from 2016 when the people gave the 'wrong' answer!
We have had neighbours who have had visitors overnight. Easy to tell as unfamiliar cars parked outside late at night and still there early morning. Such selfish people as you say and so arrogant!
Oh well! Little hope for us poorly people, relying on caring and sensible behaviour from all those people looking for a 'bargain.' In all probablity the same 'bargains will be there again in a couple of months anyway!
My Group Scout Leader has a sister who is an ICU nurse. She said if only people could see these sick people they hopefully wouldn't stir out their front doors. My youngest sister who is a nursing assistant and doing her nursing degree at the same time had a colleague (in his 20s) jump off a bridge over the A21 last week. The strain had become too much, nursing at this time.
Spicy- that is one of the most tragic things I have read during this whole crisis.
DeleteWe all expect our doctors nurses and healthcare staff to be able to deal with all the deaths, family heartbreaks and sheer hard work Covid has brought us.
But I think we sometimes forget that they are human too and must be so deeply affected by loosing so many patients and having to deal with grieving families.
They need care and counselling as much, if not more than the general public.
Oh Spicy 😪
DeleteI posted a reply but - you’ve guessed it blogger error😡
DeleteSo I will keep this short Spicy I agree wholeheartedly with your post and devastated to read of the young man being driven to such a tragic end.
: (
DeleteI hope your sister and her collegues are getting support - both for coping with Covid and for coming to terms with this tragic event.
The wind is rising and the doors are getting restless. I lie in bed listening to it and think myself at sea
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lovely painting of the shipping lanes off Guernsey. Is the light from the Casquets lighthouse?
DeleteI wouldn’t like to be at sea tonight. There is a poem by Ted Hughes which begins: “ This house has been far out at sea all night”. It feels like such a night.
Lovely evocative phrases Sarnia and Soz. I really enjoyed your exchange of memories.
DeleteToday looks to be quieter as the wind has dropped, but the temperature is also dropping.
Thank you Soz, I'd never heard of that poem before. I found it online read by Christopher Naylor. I shall listen again in the morning when I am more awake.
DeleteThank you for your painting, Sarnia, we've been and are still being buffeted by Bella, Mr P has lit the cuisinière so we're cosy.
ReplyDeleteMiriam, we keep our decorations up till 12th night, enjoy the 12 days of Christmas!
Leftover porchetta for supper, yum!
there has been talk of selfish people not keeping to covid 19 regulations, although I kept within the guidelines etc on visiting my foster son, I feel the need to explain why I did so. I have known him for 40 years, he has learning difficulties together with mental health issues, most of his adult life has been spent on locked hospital wards, currently this is the longest spell he has had in the community, I and my family are the only significant people in his life apart of course the staff in the care home. Seeing me and the children in the flesh reduces his anxiety, so important to his remaining in the community. Times are difficult for us all but so much more so for those whose capacity to understand is limited
ReplyDeleteCaring duties are allowed CowGirl so no explanation needed. The people who disobey the rules because they are at low risk of becoming seriously ill don't realise that it isn't just about protecting themselves. The more people that get the infection the greater the risk of vulnerable ones getting it and thereby increasing the pressure on the health service. Also every time someone gets infected is an opportunity for the virus to mutate and any one of those could be a deadlier one, then we really would be in trouble.
DeleteI totally second Cheshire Cheese's post to Cowgirl.
DeleteI hope your foster son can continue to live in the community Cowgirl, and hopefully next year, like everyone else, have more freedom to do as we please.
✔️✔️✔️
DeleteHere,here.
DeleteSounds as though he found himself a great foster mum, Cowgirl.
DeleteSpicy- I can be just as sharp as you, and I don't take offence on principle, so nowt to worry about.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what's happening to me !
At about ten o'clock last night when walking back with the dog from her late night walk I tripped up the kerb and smashed my head on the pavement.
I've spent the night in Glos AandE, been checked over, scan and ECG, nothing amiss, and a friend came and picked me up at 8 o'clock this morning. The two kind women who found me on the pavement have just returned Lady who spent the night with them.
I'm off to bed now with a hot water bottle, to rest my very black bruised face.
Crikey Mrs P, you don't half go through the wars.. 💕
DeleteOh Mrs P!
DeleteHave you some Arnica cream for the bruises?
And a very bright torch for you next night-time walk?
So glad you're OK MrsP.
DeleteMy father in law damaged his arm during a late evening dog walk last winter. I think that was tripping on a kerb.
Do please take care.
Oh MrsP!Thank goodness your two rescuers were able to care for Lady. One of my friends smashed her face on the pavement when tripping over a kerb. Her face looked as if she had been in the ring with Mike Tyson. I do hope you have painkillers which will help. Try to sleep as mich as possible, it will pass the time! 😀💐
ReplyDeleteMy elder sister did same recently looked horrendous so sympathise Mrs P. Her fall was due to a manhole cover with terrible rugged pavement around it as soon as she informed the council they did a very quick repair job!
DeleteBless you, Cow Girl. Your foster son must like to see you so much. Capacity to understand also applies to those with dementia. A lady I know here didn’t see her Mum in a care home from March until quite recently. Now we’re in tier 3 it might be difficult again.
ReplyDeleteJust the worst Ev I don’t know how I would have coped with that as I saw my mum virtually every day and she loved the visits and outings for all but the last few years.
DeleteMy heart goes out to all in this situation.
Oh you poor thing Mrs P. What a way to spend Boxing Day night!
ReplyDeleteMrs P, your post appeared to me after I had done mine above. So sorry you had this fall. When I walk the dogs alone I try to remember my mobile so I could call for help if I had a crisis but unlike the young ones, it isn’t surgically attached so I often forget it! I hope your injuries heal as quickly as possible. Best wishes!
ReplyDeleteJust checking re caring duties: we have a lovely public park at the bottom of the hill that runs along beside the river, but it's too far for me to walk. As I have no transport and find it difficult to walk on our pavements, which as well as being steep, are like switchbacks with so many dropped kerbs, friends still intend to visit me, one at a time, or a couple isolating together, in my large garden. Having been in this situation since March with no family nearby, I really need this human contact, but was concerned about breaking the rules. It sounds as if this also might come under the heading of 'caring duties'.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Sarnia people in your situation are a priority as you need your spirits kept up and that is from a Dr Sarah Jarvis who is currently on many tv and radio stations. So go ahead and enjoy the benefits of your meet ups🤗
DeleteMrsP, I'm glad that you're back home and reunited with Lady.
ReplyDeleteHave a lot of rest and be careful.
Mrs P: I'm so sorry to hear what has happened to you. It is the easiest thing in the world to misjudge the height of a kerb at night in lamplight, especially as you have had trouble with an ankle which is probably not quite functioning as you would expect. I hope you managed to get some sleep.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lady R, that is a relief. Sometimes it seems as if I've entered some kind of parallel universe which mostly just consists of me and the local Sainsbury's, which conveniently materialises out of nowhere on a Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteMaterialising shops - most convenient! Or are they like Pratchett's tabernae vagantes?
DeleteNo idea what they are as I don't read Pratchett (does that translate as 'wandering taverns' by the way?) I've just become so detached from the outside world that I'm almost prepared to believe that if I were to ring for a taxi on a Tuesday or Thursday, neither the taxi firm nor the supermarket would exist!
DeleteI know, I know, I've frittered away the best years of my life watching too much Star Trek!
Mrs P I hope your head feels better when you wake up. Don’t look in the mirror because the bruising will get worse before it improves. Thank goodness there were people around to help though it sounds as though it was some time before you were found.
ReplyDeleteI think I fall more often going up than going down nowadays. Join the “funny walks brigade” by lifting your feet higher? ! Looks silly but it works until you forget.
Oh MrsP! Rest up and take care. What a scare you must have had. Bed sounds about right...
ReplyDeleteWe don’t realise it but as we get older we don’t pick our feet up and so trip more easily. Good advice from Soz!
ReplyDeleteMes P, I have just posted my commiserations over your mishap on the wrong blog. I hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you one and all for commiserations.
ReplyDeleteI slept a little and woke to find my eye almost completely closed up and bruising, very black, has crept into the inner part of my eye as well as all around the outside and down my face. It's astonishing isn't it !
Yes I do look like a boxer.
One of the women came and took Lady for another walk, but pretty sure I will be able to walk her myself tomorrow.
Am about to have the food I planned for last night, chicken sandwich and rice pudding.
Then bed with a sleeping tablet.
I'm not in pain, just hungry, and very tired.
Just checked into the blog..
ReplyDeleteVery sorry to hear about your accident ,Mrs P.
I hope you are nicely tucked into bed .
If it were me I would have a very strong malt whisky rather than a sleeping tablet but if the tablet does the trick and gives you a good night's sleep then you must go for that option.
Hope you feel better tomorrow morning.
Oh Mrs P.....so sorry to read about your mishap. It must be very painful. Hope the tablet aids a good nights kip and that you wake feeling a bit better.
ReplyDeleteMrs P - I hope you feel better very soon. It's so easy to make a mistake and take a tumble.
ReplyDeleteI keep my decs up until 12th night. May as well enjoy them.
We too keep the decorations up til 12th night.
DeleteWe keep ours up until I get bored of them. The cards tend to be removed from the window pelmet in time to put the next lot up!
DeleteI usually take out decs down New Year’s Day. I like to have a good clear up and then be ready to face another, crappy year!!!
ReplyDeleteHad a nice evening on Boxing Day watching Grease. Fabulous. Haven’t seen it in maybe 20 years. Can still sing all the songs. Was much better than I remembered.
My daughter was in a schools production of Grease just after her Dad left and it became a special thing between her and me (as did Dirty Dancing.) I sat in the audience along with parents, friends and a specially invited party from the local 'old folks home' next to the schools.
DeleteDuring the song 'Beauty School Drop-out' the young lad from the boy's school started coming down the stairs and one of the science teachers started the dry ice 'smoke' to swirl about the staircase. However something went wrong and the whole stage was filled with 'smoke' blanketing out all the actors on stage. The old folks were howling with laughter and cat calling (unkind) but the lad kept singing even though we couldn't see him at all! When the song ended and they had turned off the dry ice he got a standing ovation!
Twelfth Night for us. According to my Mum it brings bad luck to leave them up any longer!
ReplyDeleteStupid thing is, she used to keep the Chanukah Menorah candles on the windowsill until then too!
With us it was February. The tree and all the decorations went up on Christmas Eve after I’d gone to bed and they stayed up until my birthday party in February !
ReplyDelete