General Chat

Hi Fred we are lucky that we have not had any flooding here ,lots of rain but it is still draining away.
John knew the other dy that he would not be playing golf.so is getting ready to watch the Ryder cup.! think it will be a few late nights.
I had acouple of errands today and was ok with the first one as it was not raining,but on the second one I got very wet pushing the trolley from Asda to the car !!!!
I am out tomorrow night with some friends I worked at CIS with ,we get together a few times a year,we have been arranging this for three weeks and something has made s postpone it hope its third time lucky.
Hope you got your plans sorted for the garden Fred and I am pleased Liz is ok with the frame,
Take cvare Brenda

Morning Brenda ,wow ,am i glad i got the work in the garden done when i did ,he he ,i couldn't even plant rice in this wind and rain ,lol,much less trim the hedging for the last time.
I went out this morning at 6am to put the two bins out for the collection ,wrapped up like an eskimo ,complete with wellie's because the patio ,and path are two inches under water ,too deep for shoes to cope with :-0.
Think the only chance your hubby has of a game this week is to hop a flight and take his clubs to the American open ,where the sun is shining [blast their eyes ] :-P.
The lass on this mornings early forecast said this was the first heavy rain of the Autumn,where has she been for the last month? in cuckoo land ,i'm thinking ,lol ,Britain has been in Autumn for four weeks .
Liz is getting on fine with the walker ,so i will start looking around for her own ,and send the borrowed one back ,too heavy to lug in and out of the car ,and it doesn't fold down as much as the three wheeled variety ;-).
Think today after i finish on the puter ,i will spend some time stationed in front of the patio door ,seated in my chair ,writing pad ,and pen in hand and start planning next seasons planting ,lol,it's as near i want to get to the garden in this lot ,even then i could do with a windscreen wiper on the window to see properly,he he. :-).
Next time you catch a bus ,tram ,ot boat to the big market Brenda ,could you have a look around the meat and bakery section for me please? i would like to know if your area does the varied savouries like Liverpool and Southport do ,if so ,it looks like a visit to the market next time i am down that way ,before i come home ,to transport some of the goodies home with us.
They used to do some lovely Sage ,and Onion ones up here ,but some pratt complained that they were too close to cooked ,and uncooked meats ,so the stalls stopped making them [whimper ] they were sooooo good too,the ones i noticed down there were in 8 different flavours ,you lucky so and so's.
Time to get on with some work ,so i will get the hoover out and get cracking ,upstairs today along with some dusting .
The puddy tat is by the patio window looking very despondent ,tail lashing too ,by gum ,she does NOT like the rain and high winds ,he he.
Catch you later peeps ,sorry for anyone who has to go out in this weather ,Fred.xxx :-D

Hi Fred,busy as usual I see,John has not got a game til Wednesday but hopes to go and get some practise in tomorrow,but it depends on the weather,
We have had a very lazy Sunday ,I have only cooked breakfast and dinner Johns washed both sets of dishes and we will be having a sandwich later,
Have not got much planned for the week but am waiting to hear from my friends.
Glad you have your garden all sorted ready for the big sleep over winter!!!
Take care Brenda x

Hi Brenda ,it's been a very productive morning in the garden ,starting with my picking the last of the beans after the frost hit them last night,i can't complain because they went in pretty late ,and we still did very well with them ,enough in the freezer to keep us going until the spring. :-).
I also picked what may be the last of the broccoli side shoots ,which have also done very well for us ,and finished off by cutting a laaaaarge Primo cabbage that weighed in at over 5 lbs ,after the outer leaves were removed :-).
The large bush tomato that was in the urn outside the back door has gone ,i removed all the green tomatoes ,and have them in the kitchen wrapped in newspaper until they ripen ,hmmmmm ,i think i will keep a couple for seed next season ,they have been brilliant.
The ladder has been moved from the fence to against the kitchen wall under the window ,and the trees and table /chairs put back ,and i still have loads of room to wheel the mower down the path ,result .lol
The space behind the B B Q is now taken up with the water butts,pinned well against the apple tree urn ,the fencing and the B B Q so that no matter how windy it gets ,they can't blow about like last winter. :-|.
Sorry to hear that the hubby couldn't get his golf in Brenda ,but if possible he needs to get away over the weekend before the ex hurricane gets here Monday,he he ,what with that coming over from America ,and another storm coming up from the med,we are going to be meat in the sandwich ,lol.time to batten down the hatches?:-.
Time to get on with dinner ,be back later once i have done the back lawn ,which will be the lot for today.
Take care all ,and enjoy your weekend ,Fred :-Dxx

Morning everyone,we have sunshine here ,which is very discepting as it is very cold.!!
So glad you had a good trip fred and well done on finding a good cafe ,the market at Preston sound really good. It will be next week before I can get to Bury again.
Have to go to the libaray later ,will pick up my friend ,who also retired from the library ,on the way,and we will have lunch with a friend who is still working there.
Have a couple of errands to do on the way home..
Having a couple of prok steaks for tea .Will be having spring cabbage and dry. roast potatoes with them
Hope the washing i have in the washer can be put out to dry ,they will take ages to dry on the clothes drier. Luckily they are not David uniforms so are not needed urgentky ,he is on holiday and staying at his fathers ,who is recovering from a kidney transplant.
take care and have and have a good weekend.
Brenda xx

Afternoon Brenda ,John,and anyone else who happens by .
We came home a day early Brenda ,we wern't going to go to see the submarine on a day that was so wet that we wouldn't enjoy it ,so we cut our losses and headed home.
We did have a fantastic time ,the weather on the whole being better than it was the first time we went down and were well pleased ,we even found a new cafe in Southport to replace the Highlander ,on the tip of the main drag on the Preston end.
We even went through to Preston on the bus ,lol,enjoying a nice meal on the top floor of the outdoor market that we went to the last time we were through that way.
The market is nearly as good as the one in Bury,and had a load of goodies that we spent a lot of time looking at .
I have never seen as many different sorts of savories in my life in one market ,around 10 different ones ,nothing like that to be had up here ,and next time i may call in on the way home and put a few in the freezer bag to bring home and try :-D.
I have now started to empty the water butts ,so that i can get them put away until next season ,and already have next year sorted out as to where the crops are going,and what i am putting in.
We have to watch what Italian and asian dishes we buy and eat Brenda ,i am okay with a lot of garlic in a meal ,but Liz isn't ,anything more that a hint ,and she is put off and won't eat it ,and so many so called Chefs ,and cooks ,put so much in a dish ,that it kills all the aromas ,and other tastes in a meal but the garlic ,which is soooo strong it is off putting ,to the point it makes some people ill.
Going to slide off now ,and get some tea ,probably a stir fry ,without garlic ;-).
Catch you all later Fred.xxx

Morning all from a wet and miserable Manchester, John is not at golf as thr course is closed again due to the weather,he will not be out Monday again as his golf buddies are away over the weekend at a golfing society bash,John is notin the society so doesn't go on these little jaunts.!!!
Hope the weather has not putting you off doing things Fred.
Have to go out shortly have an appointent ,then going shopping at M&S have some gift vouchers and a voucher for 20% off so going to see what they have that I need and at a price I want,
Hope you all have a good weekend,Takecare xx

after a really rotten morning weather wise it has turned out to be a lovelly afternoon..
John was rained off the golf as the course was closed.So I had the car to go shopping,Found it really quiete in the supermarket and had a good wander round,which was just as well,but it was just as well as they are making a lot of "improvements" at the supermarket so it took ages to find things.
Hope you and Liz are still having a good trip,
Brenda

Hi Fred,glad you are having a good trip and well done on the shoes.
I enjoyed the meal and meeting my friends.but had to go home early as I had an upset stomach.
Not sure what caused it,But think the meal had a bit too much seasoning (garlic) I have had upset stomachs when I have been to some Italian restaurants.and they have been a bit heavy handed with the garlic.!!
It was good to catch up with my friends and before hand I managed a wander round M&S which was great!!..
Weather to day has been horrid and the killing of those police womenis just unbelieveable!!
have to phone a friend now ,we have a chance of some thearte tickets for Thursday a.
Take care Brendaxx

Just back from a lovely day in Liverpool Brenda ,weather very nice ,and i have a lovely pair of new shoes to wear ,Clark's at that ,all leather and so comfortable that it's like wearing slippers ,lol.
The Highlander in Southport has gone ,someone local told us when we enquired ,that the owner was very poorly and had to quit.
Enjoy your meal with your friends Brenda ,i will catch up with you later ,Fred.xxx :-)

wwell what a change again in the weather!,all bright ans beautiful here this morning
but how long will it last for? Out later to meet my mates for lunch!! But what to wear in case the weather changes??/
I usually get it wrong and am wrapped up and then too warm,or light clothes and shivering!!
Bettyer get on with a few jobs befor I have to leave ,need to do a couple of errands on the way.Take care Brenda xx

Morning all,wet and windy here again,yesterday was a drier day bue today is making up for it.should have done the bedding yesterday ,will see what its like tomorrow.
My friends and I are meeting for a chinese meal tomorrow as its one of their birthdays.looking forward to a catchup with them.
Not much else going on,still trying to de clutter ,having a stop and start thing with it really.but getting there !!
Take care Brendax

So obviously ,you have not heard ,or tasted a Lancashire Cheese Pie Brenda ,shame on you lol,they are to die for ,i think you will find a lot of bakers in Blackpool ,Fleetwood ,and Clevelys sell them ,so i assume you can get them in Bury .
Ours we had in the cafe we normally go to in Fleetwood ,the first time we had ever had one ,but it won't be the last ,i will even be looking in the shops at Southport to see if i can find one :-).
Bit warmer here this morning ,but very windy ,not the sort of day to go out with a loose fitting hat ,he he ,but at least it's better than yesterday when it was only 6c at 8 am ,brrrrrr. :-|.
Got the last of the plums off the tree yesterday ,and they are now in the freezer until we make some plum crumbles,the last of the broad beans ,ditto but i will leave those haulms in for a few weeks until they put all their nitrogen back into the soil ,before i remove them.
The runner beans and French climbers are still hanging in ,but the first hard frost will kill them off too ,and that will mean buying them again ,once we use all the frozen ones up .
Must have a look at the beetroot this morning ,yum ,i fancy a couple of baby ones straight out of the pan ,hot ,on my dinner ,lovely that way and sooo sweet.
My little turnip in the troughs are ready too ,we will be eating well veggie wise for weeks with any luck ,with plenty of cabbage on the go and carrots nearly ready as well :-D.
I will be updating my sat nav today and the angel ,ready for the weekend to make sure i have the latest road info as regards road works ,and speed limits ,he he ,don't want ,or need any tickets ,thank you. ;-).
I have taken some sausages out of the freezer for tomorrows brekkie [sausies ,egg ,bacon ,and grilled tomatoes] so the spare four ,or six ones i will cook ,but into pieces and put in a batter mix for dinner ,along with roast tatties and other assorted veggie out of the garden ,might even chop some basil ,sage ,and onion and throw those into the batter for a change ;-) i likes a bit of variety i does ,lol.
Time to get the missus a cuppa ,while she has her shower ,catch you later all,Fred & the tribe xxx :-D.

Well here is reply version two,first one went tp space!!
Enjoyed the cheese we got from the cheese stall,but could not see any pies are they from that stall?
Weather definatley colder tim.e to pull out the winter pjs. Am already wearing my socks and shoes instaed of sandals,
Hope the second visit to liverpool goes ok and Liz is more mobile with the walking frame ,
I can feel a difference when I am walking but am still getting some pain,just have to see how it goes.
Take care Brenda xx

Huh,can't take my eyes off you for a minute Brenda ,and you are off raiding my favourite cheese stall [sniff] cor ,i wish i could be there ,even a cheese pie would do me luvvverly. :-).
I take it that this is the way of the geordies for you not selling pease pudding down there ,they won't sell your cheese pies up here ,lol :-( ,never mind ,i will sneak through there one day next week and buy one ,yum.
One of the team from the hospital is coming out to see liz this morning ,bringing one of those 4 wheeled walkers so that she can be more independent when out shopping.this one has a seat ,and a basket on so that she can stop and rest whenever she needs to,much better than struggling with a stick because it will be handy even when she is out for a walk it being useful as a seat too .
It folds down to go in a car ,or carry on a bus ,so it will be getting a baptism of fire down in Liverpool next weekend.
Managed to order a new suction cup for the car camera as well ,and that is supposed to be here before we go away,result :-D.
Darned cold here overnight ,down to 4c plurry cold for the time of year .
Sounds as though the injection is giving you some sort of relief at last ,but you will have to remember that you are no spring chicken any more ,and have to go a bit more gently lol.
That sounds like the bin men ,so i will brave the cold and rain ,and bring the first of the bins in ,the second one is usually half an hour later,catch you later Brenda ,hope your weekend went off as planned ,Fred&Liz ;-)

\afternoon folks,had a busy day today ,my neice and her fiance and little girl came over to visit,and I made us a little buffet,instead of a full sunday lunch made a nice change,
Her little girl is two and a half andwas starting to get tired ,she normally has a nap,but was going to her nans for a sleepover so they did not want her to have one,if hey could manage,I have a feeling she wouldhave fallen asleep in the car.!!
Had afew hours at Bury market yesterday ,would have liked it to be less busy,but still had a nice walk round,Did not do the shops just the market ,even got some cheese from you know wher FRed !!
I have not heard from Dorothy for a few days ,I will send her an email telling her about the market,
I have been told to take more time in getting back to doing normal things which I think is what I will have to do .after the imjection,
John I can only agree with what Fred has said and I am sure you and the family will help each other over the coming months.
You enjoy your rest s Fred you deserve them,and I am sure you will both have a good trip to Liverpool.
Take care Brenda

Afternoon all ,and am glad to hear that things are starting to come together again for you John,it hasn't been a good year for you so far what with your family problems.
A good thing for your family that you are a strong person,able to cope with all that the world is throwing at you.
A good thing too ,is your beliefs ,which are there to lean on in troubled times ,i too take comfort in the knowledge that the Lord will never ask you to bear anything that you can't cope with .it certainly stood me in good stead these last three years. :-).
I am up to date with all my work now ,and am starting to relax ,ready for my holiday next weekend ,roll on ,i have museums to visit ,a few friends to meet ,and another river trip to take on the Mersey .
The Colgannon dish i got just right this time ,a nice veggie dish using just Kale ,Leek .onion,and potato,salt and ground black pepper ,with a hint of cheddar cheese,simple to make ,and very tasty,yum.
Give that injection a few more days to work Brenda ,it should give you some relief from the worst of the pain ,but may not stop it altogether ;-).
did you get those pic's off Dorothy? ,i can see why she likes where she lives so much ,sigh ,that could have been me had the wife decided she didn't want to go to Canada when i had the chance the scenery alone is to die for ,lol,never mind the far cleaner air :-|.
Oooooops ,time to get my rear in gear again ,i have 4 pounds of tomatoes begging to be made into soup so,you now know what we have for tea ,lol.
Catch you later all,Fred ,Liz And one very lazy pussy cat ,he he.xx

Afternoon to everyone looking in on this Friday 7 Sept. Today in New Plymouth has been wet with heavy rain most of the day, I did manage to go to the fruit shop when the rain stopped. I did the washing this morning hung to dry in the garage, just hope that it does dry.
We are slowly getting over Gayle's death in June and the support from Gemma's family has been fantastic. Now I am supporting Gemma and her family following her father's death last Wednesday with the funeral early this week. The day after her dad died I had singing practice for Sunday and that evening some friends and I visited Gemma's home and spent a couple of hours with her family.
Last evening I was relaxing watching TV and doing a crossword when I got phone to call to put a power point together which put an end to a relaxing night. I went out around 8 to do this project getting home before midnight (I think that was the time). There was a series of photos, 120+, to put together - reduce the size and to make sure it worked as a slide show. I hoping for a quiet night - yeah right!
Take care all - John

Evening all.we have had a beautiful day here weather wise,hope everyone else did as well.
I am pleased that the news from the hospital was not as bad as it could have been,Fred and i know you will keep a good eye on LIz!!
I have been a little too active today.I thought , I could do more than I should have done and now I am shattered and aching.Need to .learn to curb my actions.
John has gone to see his mother but I am resting,!! would have gone but sometimes they are not speaking (his mother and her husband) and I feel awkward.!!
Going to see my sister tomorrow,she is going to Tenerife next week on holiday and has not been before so I am taking her some maps etc.
We have not booked ours yet but hopefully will do so this weekend.,
Have afew birthdays coming up so need to get some cards ,so I really hope we get to Bury this weekend so I can go to the card stall I like..
My sister who live near Bury is on holiday this week and they have not gone away as they had some odd jobs to do at the house,but they went to the market yesterday and said it was very ,very busy,!! Today they have had a day oyt at Liverpool,do not know where or what they had planned.
David has just brought me a cuppa so I had better close .Take care Brenda

afternoon to all ,back from the hospital ,news could be better ,but not half as bad as it could be ,if that makes sense he he :-).
Seems the missus's lungs are doing everything they can ,her sats are a few points above the border line ,and oxygen ,at this stage woiuld do no good at all.
It bears out what i thought too ,in that the only time she is struggling for breath all the time ,is when an infection has gotten in ,stopping the lungs getting even enough oxygen to enable her to walk more than a few yards.
It means keeping an even closer eye on her ,and if signs start to show ,nagging her ,and insisting that she takes an emergency course of steroids and anti bi's,and if they don't work ,hospital straight away ,bussiness as usual in other words .lol ;-).
The hospital team have called in social services ,they didn't like the idea of Liz struggling up the stairs with me behind her in case she slipped ,and took me down as well ,they are getting someone out to see about getting another bannister on the other side of the staircase ,for extra security ,going up and down the stairs ,better than having to use a stick in the right hand.
The hospital are also trying to get her one of these shopping trolleys [a four wheeled one] on loan to make her a bit more independent while at the shops,one with a basket on the front ,and a seat as well,it could be a real help ,seeing as it folds down flat to go in the car.
Made a lovely casserole for dinner first thing this morning using the snags and chicken breast left from the B b q yesterday ,put in the slow cooker ,with new potatoes ,chopped cabbage and half a large carrot .a few peas and an onion ,mixed in a carton of passata ,salt and pepper,and made a very tasty meal .
We will use what's left for dinner tomorrow ,with some steamed broccoli ,cabbage ,and mashed potato.
What's left of the sauce i will use to make spaghetti and meat balls for tea ,i waste's nowt ,lol. ;-)
Tea tonight is a stir fry ,with Pak Choi ,an onion ,and apple mint out of the garden ,chicken chunks ,spring onion ,and a few other odds and ends ,nice and easy . :-).
Catch you later all ,time to get on with it he he ,not much to do tomorrow morning ,one small border to weed ,the short hedge to do ,and that's the lot in the garden. ;-) Fred The missus and the pest .xxx :-)