General Chat

Glad you liked it Gill I thought Sandra would like it.

Mandy as it is proving really difficult to get through to the hospital........ son gave up today, we don’t know if he will be moved again.

Yes good that he sad he had tested negative, do need that confirmed by the staff though.

And yes it was lovely to speak to him.

Yes, we loved the card, thank you AnnG.
I'm pleased you managed to speak with T and he has been tested negative.

OH spoke with his mum before and she told him she has a tumor behind her eye and a chest infection, she's on antibiotics for her chest infection and she told OH the tumor should go itself. OH's not sure that's right so is thinking of ringing the hospital to speak to someone about it as his mum is still a bit confused so may of got the tumor info wrong. It's a bit of a worry though with OH's younger brother having Cancer and passing away a few years ago. He's trying not to worry to much and hopefully he'll have the full story when he rings the hospital tomorrow.

Oh Gill such a worry for him, I hope he has better luck with the hospital phone than we do.

This time I am typing in Notes on my iPad and will c&p to the thread.

It must have been a surprise to hear from OH, AnnG, but you must be relieved that you could speak to him at last. It’s good to know he is “with it” enough to ring and talk, even if he is still a bit confused and the possible negative test result is good news too. It’s all positive and moving in the right direction.

I’m sorry to hear about your mil Gill and hope OH can get to speak to one of the medical people and find out what the situation really is. Such a worry for him.

I bet you were pleased to get your hair done Ann, but I am surprised they were serving refreshments. Mine is still only taking 2 people at a time in 2 separate rooms, no drinks or magazines and you have to sort out your own coat etc. It was sad about your friend’s horse. We’ve had two cards from ladies telling us of their husbands’ deaths this year, one very recently. So sad. Btw I think it was AnnG making shortbread, not me.

I haven’t got any better ideas than anyone else for using the marzipan Mandy but I was wondering if it would freeze. I never buy it as we prefer our cake undecorated so I have no idea if you can freeze it, it’s just a thought.

I wish I’d seen those horsy programmes Mel. We had hoped to go to the Spanish Riding School when we were in Vienna last year but as OH was so ill we never got there. Then we hoped to go back to Vienna this year but Covid put paid to that idea. I love the heavy horses like the Shires. We have our beautiful Suffolk Punch horses here and they are an endangered group now. There are only around 300 left in the UK. They have a breeding programme at the Suffolk Punch Trust and when I was Secretary of one of our local groups I arranged a private group tour and talk there. I was looking on their website tonight and you can “adopt” a horse. They only ask £15 a year. One of the horses you can adopt is a 2 year old with the same name as my youngest granddaughter so I’ve got to do it haven’t I?

No Frank today? Perhaps he’s had trouble with disappearing posts as well. I hope he’s OK.

I hope you all sleep well tonight. Sweet dreams.

wHEN i LIVED IN sUFFOLK vERA WE WENT SOEMWHERE THAT HAD THE sUFFOLK pINCH HORSES BUT i DON'T REMEMBER where it was. It was years ago we took our son when he was young. Sorry did'nt mean to shout. I have been renaming files and I do them in caps.

You can watch the lipasnas on youtube but it must be really great to see them in the flesh. I like the one who rears and bucks so its in the air for a few seconds.

I think Adam from Countryfile has a suffolksmare too and she's due to foal next year.She lost her first foal since Adam has had her. The foals are funny arn't they Vera? all legs and big knees.

Good morning, very dark here so far and wet but 12 degrees, (Will be a heatwave soon).

Vera yes it was a big surprise (almost a shock except I had seen that it was him because phone calls are announced by Alexa). It also left us confused )even more so because we have still not been able to get through to the ward on the phone, son was trying all afternoon). we need to know why he suddenly seemed alert when we had been led to believe he was very confused and just laying there. We realise that it may be to do with covid and I wonder if he was mildly sedated.
It seems weird because we had to re-think the situation completely. We had adjusted ourselves as a family to thinking about the fact that we were not going to get a happy ending, and I was adjusting to single lifedom. Now we have had to re-think what will need doing if and when he comes home and go over in our minds all that the physio will need to know before he can come home. the main thing being the ability to walk a short distance with out a zimmer as the zimmer won't fir in the bathroom or part of the bedroom.
So, yes good to hear him but most unsettling.

I love the heavy horses. Several years ago we went to the Three Counties show at Malvern and they had several there, so big yet so gentle. Love seeing Adam's on country file and was so sad when she lost her foal. Hope we get better news with this one.

Gill hope OH can get news from the hospital.

Well who knows what today will bring? Will there be any more surprises (shocks) in store? :-S

Morning Anng and all,

Think the weather is about the same here Anng. We have that sort of grey but yellowish sky and its raining and lashing on the windows on the high wind. So dark we need the lights on.

I hope we hear from Elizabeth today as I am getting worried about her!

Lots to do today so I think I may make a lists and tick off the things I get done. I have piles of ironing again and need to do the bathroom and little loo and hoover the hall and bedromm and dust the bedroom too.

Hope you slept well last night and that we hear from Frank today. Stay safe and carry on regardless. ;-) <3 <3

Morning All,

I slept quite well but have felt a bit out of sorts since last night and not really hungry today. OH thinks I have been a bit worked up about the hairdressing trip and having to be there for 2 hours! I don't know why they have changed from having no refreshments to serving them, but I will email the owner to say it encourages removing masks and to add not bringing books to his advice too. I think being in tier 3 and with the increase in spread should mean an increase in vigilance not less.

Good news! I have heard from Fitz to say Hannah had baby George James yesterday! He weighed 8lb 8ozs and both are well. Hannah expects to be home this evening. He also said that Chris seems to be bearing up well. Can you imagine how thrilled Jane would have been!!

I love the heavy horses too and visited the heavy horse centre in Cornwall one year. My word the slurping noise as one of the foals was feeding!! They also have a heavy horse show every year at the agricultural college not far from here and we've been to that. I won first prize in a competition with a photo with a caption that I took there. Some of you may remember the caption 'does my bum look big in this!' We saw The Spanish Riding School perform at the NEC a few years ago and that was amazing to watch. On my to do list is a trip to Bolsover Castle where they have occasional performances with similar moves to the Spanish Riding School dressed in mediaeval clothing. I saw a tv prog about it once.

Lunch is ready so I'd better see to it and then I am zooming with friends this afternoon.

Afternoon all

What a grey day!

AnnG, I'm pleased you have heard from your OH but what an awful situation for you, still not really knowing what is going on - dam this covid!

Once again, I've had a spate of internet drop outs and have given up on getting on line some days. I wonder if Elizabeth is having the same problem?

The garden is looking sorry for itself now - I think it needs a duvet LOL. I spotted some buds on one of the clematis though and some on a fuchsia. The winter jasmine is looking pretty with it's cheery yellow flowers.

Oh thank you for the news Ann, WELCOME BABY GEORGE JAMES Wonderful news, a new baby for Christmas and a good weight too. well done Hannah, Jane would be so happy and proud.

Sorry to hear you are not feeling 100% Ann, hope you feel better soon. I think it doesn't take much to make us feel under the weather (ooh and what weather it is) with all the restrictions and worry about catching the blessed virus.
I have not really felt right since T phoned me as I don't know if he is going to pone again or what the plans are for him if he is indeed Covid free. Really fed up with the hospital and no idea when or if son is trying again today.

Yes I echo your feelings Island Damn covid!!

Afternoon to you all,

Eos went off to pick Martine up, then to go and collect new car. She forgot a form, that the garage needed, so had to come back and get it.

I think they are shopping today, instead of tomorrow.So that's where he must be now.


I have started to prepare dinner for tonight. TWO LARGE PORK CHOPS, that I have covered in stuffing. Roast pots, corn on the cob, and tiny baby carrots and yes. If madam wants swede, parsnips or cabbage, she will have to do it. I'm done for the day.

I hope the chap at the garage showed Ros all the controls etc, as she will need lights on very soon. I just hope she feels comfortable driving it for the first time. She has the long journey to Devon on Monday, and the drive back Christmas eve.


We are down to John and Carolyn's for Sunday lunch and afternoon, we are having them back here on Boxing day.

No news thin end apart from the weather being bleak and cold. Stay safe and warm. xxxx

I think you are right AnnG. A general unsettledness is probably afflicting us all. The news isn't great either with 3 Bird Flu outbreaks and possible Brexit shortages on the horizon! Apparently according to OH the supermarkets are really stocking up on the staple things we use just in case. I hope Mel is keeping the chucks shut up too.

It must be very hard for you not really knowing the true position with T and worse not really being able to get easy contact to find out properly either. I really feel for you and imagine how I would feel in your shoes as these things could happen to any one of us. It is good that you are setting yourself some tasks each day and catching up with jobs till you know more. Did you you get a good result with the shortbread?

Yes the arrival of young George at 8.45pm last night will be a boost for the family, although I expect Hannah will miss having her mum to ask about things. At least her dad having been a GP will be able to help with any baby health concerns.

I spoke too soon about the mice giving up! The gravel had been dug out again this morning but not as deeply so they had obviously given up! In case it is other mice being able to smell where others have been I'm going to spray some smelly disinfectant there as well. Determined little beggars aren't they.

It's getting breezy here now, but no rain although everywhere looks wet.

Better get ready to Zoom now.

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Break out the bubbly for baby George James what a wonderful Christmas present and Annivary present all wrapped up together. Sending lots of love and wishes to all the family on this wonderful occasion. <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Yes it is hard, made so much worse by the lack of communication with the hospital.

Now is the time that Hannah will miss her Mum, when she first goes home with little George. Jane would have been so proud to be a Grandma.

Yes there are a lot of chickens kept in back yards these days, I have not seen a lot about the bird flu so hope they are all keeping them in. Must check with our Grandson.

Enjoy your zoom meeting Ann and I hope you feel better. I don't think the hairdresser should have given out any drinks as as you say they have to take thier masks down to drink it and as for the books thats not a good idea either.

Hope Ros gets on ok with the new car and can have a good drive down to Devon.

Cakes in the oven and is smelling delish so I think I shall go and take a little look and see if it needs turning a bit.

Welcome George James <3 May your life be healthy, happy and long - with lots of fun along the way <3 Congratulations to Mum and Dad xx

I'm a bit puzzled by drinks and books at the hairdressers in the current situation.
I couldn't read and drink while having my hair done so presumably reading and drinking are done while waiting? Customers shouldn't be allowed in to sit and wait! :-0

Congratulations to Hannah and Gareth on the safe arrival of baby George James. It’s so sad that Jane isn’t here to see her little grandson but I hope this new life will help the family through the grieving process. A lovely Christmas present for them all.

I do feel for you AnnG. It’s the not knowing that is so hard to deal with. The nurses and doctors are so busy at the moment but they can’t really get non medical people to make and take calls because of patients’ privacy. I hope you don’t have to wait much longer for information.

I hope you are feeling better now Ann and have had an enjoyable Zoom session. I think you should politely let your hairdresser know that you were uneasy in the salon. If they realise not everyone is comfortable with them serving drinks they may stop doing it. Mice are persistent little beggars aren’t they? The only suggestion I have is that you get a cat, preferably a good hunter like Jane’s Thomas and my old Molly.

Have you had a ride in the new car yet Frank? Is Ros happy with it?

I know what you mean about the garden Island. Ours is looking grey and droopy, just like me lol. However I did notice the hellebores are showing lots of fat buds so that’s a promise of good things to come.

We’ve not had a very good day. I didn’t sleep well again, then when we got up the kitchen was like an oven, even though the thermostat was turned fairly low. The boiler was going non-stop. The rest of the house is OK but the kitchen heating is turned almost off now and it’s still too warm. The boiler seems to be operating normally again so it’s seems most likely that it’s the thermostat. OH decided to ring British Gas anyway to get someone out. It seems the number we usually ring to speak to a person is now going to a machine which has booked us a visit on Jan 4th! And we are on the priority register! OH will do some more tests tomorrow and cancel the visit if he can fix it himself.

Then the surgeon in the colorectal dept at the hospital called for a telephone consultation. He told me the system has changed and they no longer automatically do colonoscopies for patients on the surveillance programme. Unfortunately after asking me a few questions and checking my history since my last visit he has decided to book me in for another one. I am hoping they are behindhand so my appointment comes later in 2021 as I really don’t want to visit the hospital in the next month or two.

OH has at last brought the Christmas tree in from the garden and has just put lights on it but the rest of the decoration is down to me and I really don’t feel like starting it now. I am finding it hard to raise much enthusiasm for Christmas at the moment.

I think I’ll make a cuppa now and then sort out some veg to go with tonight’s salmon.

Evening all,

Oh thank you Ann for letting us know that baby George James has arrived safely ,many congratulations to Hannah and Gareth and all the family <3
How excited Jane would have been ,he was a good weight too .

Sorry your not feeling to good today Ann ,you might have got a bit worked up about going to the hairdressers and all the restrictions that are in place ,hopefully you can get a good nights sleep and feel better tomorrow .

Hope Ros got on ok driving the new car ,will you have a little ride in it tomorrow .
So your still off to Devon then Frank ,i thought you said Conrad was coming up to you for christmas or have i got that wrong .

Oh Vera you have your very own Sauna :-D hope your OH can soon sort out the problem .

I wrapped another couple of presents today ,tomorrow we need to wrap a big box it has an Office Chair in it that Jake wanted for his bedroom so he can sit at his desk to do his school work .

I made my sausage meat stuffing today and got that in the freezer ,tomorrow i will make the Yorkshire puds .
We also topped the car up with petrol and i went to Mole valley for dog food which had 25% off so that was a good saving .
Colin had a doctors appointment he's had lots of knee pain and the doctor thinks the knee needs replacing but Colin said he didn't want to go just yet to the hospital he'd rather wait until all this has calmed down and the doctor said i don't blame you.
Colin asked if they had started doing the vacinations and the doc told him they had started for the over 80's ,the next lot will be the over 75's and then Colin will be in the next lot but he couldn't say when that would be .
The jabs were being done in Swanton Morley which is just outside the town so not far to go to get it done .

The children finished school today so son now has two weeks off ,he sent me a photo of the secret Santa present he had from the school .
It had Caretaker's Survival Kit?? Coffee - To Make Sure You’re Alert In The Mornings??Button - For When You May Need To Button Your Lip??Eyes – To Help Keep An Eye On Security??Cola Bottle – For When You Could Do With A Drink??Salt – When You Need To Take Things With A Pinch Of Salt??Screw – For Any Minor Repairs??Elastic Band - For When You’re Stretched To Your Limit??Sweets - To Give You Energy To Get Through Each Day??Playing Card - To Help You ‘Deal’ With Any Situation??Paperclip - To Help You Hold It All Together??Mint – You Are Worth A Mint To Your Workplace??Tea Bag - Remember To Relax After A Hard Day’s Work how good was that :-D :-D

That was a lovely idea Mandy. what a surprise that must have been.

Ovens going off.......