General Chat

Hello Linda - although you will be enjoying the market in the sunshine by now. I'm just thinking of the market square - happy memories <3

It's been a glorious sunny day today although quite cool. After the last two wet days it really is nice to see the sun.

A shame the weather has brightened up just as your son and his girlfriend are off home but at least the weather will be pleasant for driving.

Good morning Berona.

I am just looking in before we go to the market. The sun is shining this morning which is just typical as after three days of awful weather, my son is going home today.

Short session to-day! I have to go too, as I'm expecting early visitors.
Have a nice day at the markets, Sue - and don't spend too much!!

Goodnight Tec. Sleep well. We'll catch up sooner or later.

Goodnight Tec - sleep well <3

I'm sorry Berona but I have to go too. We're going off to the markets soon so I had better get a couple of things done first.

Enjoy your day <3

I'm back - Berona, are you watching me :-D

Sue it would be interesting to identify the artist of the painting. I don't blame your FIL for moving out of London having lost two homes - though I believe the bombing was also bad in the North East.

Must go now, Bye again. Bye Berona :-D

Hello Berona :-)

Well I'd better go to bed now,

Enjoy your day Sue - are you off to the markets?

Enjoy your day Berona, and Persie who are both lurking somewhere :-D

Goodnight,
Tec :-)

That's interesting, Tec. My FIL had many tales about his time in the fire brigade. He had a drawing that a mate in the brigade did in 1940 - we have it now. I'll see if I can scan it and send it to you. I would love to be able to trace the artist's family but I can't read the signature :-(

My FIL and MIL lost two homes through the Blitz and it was after the second bombing that my FIL decided to send my MIL and their two young sons to Stockton on Tees where my MIL came from. As I said earlier - my FIL followed them later. He was in the Durham fire brigade for a number of years after the war.

Goodnight Linda. Missed her again - but maybe I haven't missed Tec????

I think in all the years EastEnders has been on tv, we've watched it about twice - I remember proper East Enders, and I think the programme is an insult to them :-0

Incidently - My aunt on my father's side was a fire engine driver during the war in the London Fire Brigade - she could tell some tales.
She is still alive aged 97, and writes to me often.

I rather hope that Eastenders isn't representative of the true people of East London :-0

I think there is something unique about true Londoners - they were such down to earth people, who spoke their mind, no matter what, but were incredibly kind, and would share anything with you if you were in need.
The East Enders knew about hard times, and the ones I knew had come through the London blitz, but come through still with a sense of humour.

The East End is a very different place now.

Goodnight Linda - sweet dreams <3

Tec - my FIL followed his small family to the North East of England during the London bombings. He was in the National Fire Brigade and stayed in London before joining his family. OH and his sister were born up North. OH said that his father was always a fish out of water even when they came to Australia - once a Londoner always a Londoner I think although he did love Australia.

Goodnight Linda - sleep well, keep warm,

When I was young I had a friend who's parents, and grand parents were from East London - the East End - I frequently went with him on the tube to visit his grand parents, stayed weekends sometimes. They were such characters, very poor, but salt of the earth.
Nothing like the miserable wretches portrayed in the British soap "Eastenders"

I really liked those people, who treated me like one of their own always. :-)

Well, I can't wait for Berona any more,so I will say goodnight

My FIL was born and raised in North London and he had such wonderful tales to tell. He was delightfully un-PC :-0

Your FIL sounds like fun :-D

Up to two years ago we had a really cantankerous old man living near here.
He was very anti-English, and woe betide anyone who parked outside his bungalow - he would be out like a jack Russell.
Some of the exchanges were hilarious when overheard. I felt sorry for some unsuspecting English tourists who crossed him.

This same old chap spent his time raising thousands for a children's hospice