General Chat

Hi all, thanks for the cuddles, I really needed them!

Huia, I am glad the vehicle is ok now, awful to have to spend so much out but best to be safe and not risk breakdowns or problems when you are out and about.

I watched a very interesting programme the other day about the drugs given to dementia patients, what a crime to dope some of the poor people so much and it showed when one woman took her husband home and took him off all drugs. I was disgusted that the care homes had been allowed to do such things, it was the antipsychotic drugs that they said were necessary when really they had too many side effects.
I hope you have found Phil ok on your recent visits, I am sure in NZ they are better about what drugs are allowed to be used.

Mo, it's not the son, it's o.h! Last evening the son with the baby rang and asked when o.h. was planning to visit as he said lots of people had asked if he had been yet and it was embarrassing to say no, he hadn't. I had asked o.h. if we should go out and buy a few little pink outfits so he could take them over and he hadn't bothered to say we would go so I left it.


Now I have to go out today and get some things, as o.h. is at work all day. He arranged with his son to go on Sunday, and then rang his Dad to see if he wanted to go too, o.h.'s stepmum doesn't want to go as she likes to go to church on Sundays, and so o.h. and his Dad arranged it and told son he would be there at 11 am, which means leaving here about 9am or soon after, not a good time for me lol The son suggested arriving at midday so they could prepare some lunch for the visitors. After he got off the phone, o.h. suddenly said Oh are you coming? Doh! I really don't want to have to go as his father aged 79 is going to drive them there so we would have to go to his house first, which means another half hour on the journey, and I can't stand his father, he is such a hypocritical old sod. I said to o.h. that I had only heard him say 'I will go, I will do this' and no mention or whatever to me about the arrangements till all done and dusted. He feels it would be fine to turn up empty handed and just give them some money, it's so typical of his attitude.
I think I will leave the two old f**ts to go together and see the baby on another visit or when they come over here. I have a feeling I might not be able to bite my tongue where the old man is involved.....

Heyho,

Lizx

Hello Liz. I think of you often. You certainly have a tough time with those men.

Phil does have some medication but I think it is to reduce the potassium which his kidneys are having trouble eliminating. Other people in the unit have different meds, some dont seem to have any (or not when I am there). Phils general health seems quite a bit better than it was 6 months ago.

I went for a 90 min walk this morning, on the swing bridge track just down the road. It starts across a sw. bridge then climbs up fairly steeply for a while then not so steeply. Later it comes to what I call the 'Stairway to Heaven', 108 steps, which bring you to the highest part of the track. There is a high lookout there with very steep steps up it. It does give good views but I dont go up it much these days - come to that I dont often walk the S.B. track. From there the track winds down through the bush and after a while the metalled track needs caution as the loose metal can be slippery.

The track comes out at one end of the dam, then across the dam and down the road to the starting point. Today I decided to turn back before I got to the Stairway to H. as I couldnt be bothered climbing it and then going down the slippery metal track and having to walk across the dam and down the road in the hot sun. Much cooler going back down the way I went up through the bush. I tried to photograph a couple of Tuis that kept calling. I was answering them back and one would come into a nearby tree but by the time I had the camera zoomed in it took off again. I photographed one of our native orchids.

I have stopped taking my half anti-depression tablets (I had discussed it with the doc, she left it up to me). I still have some left so if I have any more problems I can start up again. They help with the restless legs at night so now I am trying to do lots of leg stretching exercises to fix that. I am wondering if those tabs are also the reason that my sneezing fits have vanished. For a few years if I sneezed once I sneezed up to 30 times in a row. Hard on the vocal folds (chords). I have never been able to pin down the reason for the fits. It is not seasonal or I would be doing it several times a day for a few weeks at a time. Anyway, if the sneezing fits increase now I am off those tabs I will have to see if my new doc can sort it out. My current doc will be moving to Nelson soon as her husband now has a job there. I just hope I can get a health cert from her within couple of weeks as I need one to renew my driving licence before my 75th birthday. I hate the idea of having to break in another doc.

Huia.

Hi Huia,

I am glad that Phil's general health seems better, the medicines on the programme sort of doped the people so they just sort of slumped into their chairs and couldn't lift their heads, also they stumbled a lot.

I think it was a Panorama programme but was certainly an eye opener and a disgrace that the relatives often weren't told that the dosage was high or even what was being given to their loved ones.

Hope you can get the necessary paperwork from your current doc before she goes then you will have a bit of time to break in the replacement without the problem of the driving certificate. I am seeing my doc next week, she is the newish one in the practice and is from N.Z., she and her hubby moved over here and he works at the local hospital as a consultant but not sure what field he is in.

Your walk sounds interesting and the 'hot sun' made me envious, I feel as tho I have missed summer this year especially as we had no holiday. Getting away from here for a little while would have been lovely and if it hadn't been for the couple being in such a rush to start a family (well the girl was and the son sort of tagged along lol) it could have been a better year with them taking time to arrange the wedding, and then try for a baby. There would have been time for the other brother to get some money saved for the fare instead of all that hassle and then the rush to arrange the wedding once they knew the baby was on the way, well, it was all such pressure on o.h. for cash and such.

I got the photo album out with the new dad's first baby pics and poor little girl looks a lot like her dad, bless her.

love to everyone I haven't mentioned, thank heavens o.h. is finally back on his late shift next week for four days so I can have some time to myself.

Lizx

Hi Liz, I hope you are well,Your time will come with the hugs, I am sure all the visitors will will drop off in the next few weeks then the young mum will be looking for a visitor and you two get on well, you should try to get the car and go when the oh is sleeping , you could be over and back before he wakes up
.I too hope you are not freeting over things you cant control ,think of your own health dear Liz
.
Huia the walk sounds lovely I do miss my walking but I am only able to walk on level ground now other wise my legs wont carry me and I get dizzy and it also affects my vision.

Hello to Mo,Tess,Sylvia, Ann & Jean I hope you are enjoying your Holiday.

I am going to visit my Daughter In Tuncurry for a few days Then my friend Barbara and I are having 3 days at the beach.,
unfortunately the weather is going to be a bit wet never we will buy some Wine and some Prawns a few biscuits and cheese and have a good time, watching the cricket England V Aust. (continued next page)

Sorry folks but the page keeps dancing up & down its so B#*#*#* annoying.

Mo I was trying to forward the email back to you but Somehow I managed to lose it So sorry but you should knoe you are my friend, I have had that particular one many times and I never tire of it, so thanks.
I must go as I need to eat,
Love &Hugs(((((xxxxx))))))

Marie, most of the walks around here involve hills or steps. Although having said that, I sometimes drive to the top of the hill and then walk along the Repeater Road. It does involve a little bit of uphill, but not too bad. I also sometimes drive over the hill to the Valley and walk down the valley, only a very gentle uphill to come back. Or I might drive to Hunua and up to Cosseys Dam. It is a reasonably level walk across the dam and back. But all the other walking tracks are a bit tougher.

I will be off to bed soon. I try to make it about the same time each night in the hopes of training my brain to switch off when my head hits the pillow. I can be yawning like mad before I get there but as soon as I lie down with the light off my brain shifts into gear, not worrying about things, just thinking, or I might be singing some songs in my head. I hope I can get over it soon, otherwise I will be on half a sleeping pill each night forever.

Huia.

Hello everyone, well we got back safe and sound although thats debatable these days....lol... we started off with lovely sunny weather on Sat, Sun and Monday morning after that it all went pear shaped, the weather was awful. it rained every day although it was very mild, but it is so miserable trying to dodge the rain... and the clocks changed the day we arrived so it was dark nights too....
didnt do much , we had planned to go to Bodnant gardens for the autumn colours, but that had to be shelved, also we thought it would be nice to go to one or two places we went to years ago, but the rain stopped that so it was a quick dash out for a meal and a quickie round the shops. but did manage to get two visits to Craftland store, well you have to get your priorities right, dont you ?
but I am so pleased to be home and on here, having missed you all so much... so you lovely peeps I have started trying to read the pages I have missed, Mo you are on the ball with the christmas shopping , I havent started to think what to get, and there is only four of us, and a couple of friends...
Like Sallie I am busy doing cards and craft shopping, so will have to get my buying head on. off now to unpack...uk.... worst part.... see you soon.. love to Marie and Huia, and Debbie if she still looks in. Liz I have sent a p.m.
Sallie hope Jennie is o.k. D is back to full time working, so as long as she is able to that its a good thing....
Joyce I will get in touch soon, hope Jan is well and you too....
love to all Jean xxx

Coooeeeee welcome home Jean, we missed you love. Soooo you must have been busy doing your crafting while you were away. I can't see you going to the craft shop,and not doing any work on the stuff you bought.
What a shame that the weather let you down. But it was a nice change for you both, to be away from home.
I will be thinking of J this week, and praying for him.
Make sure D does not overdo things going back to work full time.

Huia, I feel worn out reading about all the walking that you do. You make me feel so lazy,and I hate to admit it, I am.
The views you have over there,would make the walk so much more interesting.
What a shame you missed capturing the Tuis, I would have loved to have seen a photo of them as I have no idea what they look like.
You are never nearly 75, well I am really gob smacked. The way you gallop around the place, I visualised you as being a lot younger than that.

Liz we will look forwards to im indoors being on the late shift, you will have more time to pop in for our chats. I know ,I know, I am being selfish now.
Did the son from NY ever contact his father. I somehow doubt that he did.
He got what he wanted,and then scarpered. His mrs was not worth all the worry that she caused you,was she.

Oh Marie, have a lovely time at your daughters,and at the beach. You are awful, telling us you will be on the beach,enjoying yourself, whilst we have to put up with all this s*itty weather we are having.
Have you decided where you will be for christmas. Nooooo don't tell me you are having a BBQ on the beach. Thats what my cousin over there does every year, they have loads of seafood on the BBQ. I am sure she only tells me to make me green with envy.

We have had two of the grandchildren here for most of the day. I am sure my sons ex feeds the kids up with E numbers, before she drops them of to him.
They were hyper most of the time they were here.
My son will not allow them foods with E numbers in them. That means no chocolate, or fizzy drinks. And what is nannies favourite, yes of course chocs and lemonade. Still a little of what you fancy does you good. I just make sure that dad will allow them just a little, I don't want to appear mean now do I. Well thats what nans are for, to spoil them.

Once again our Sallie is missing, I will have to give her a shout, SALLIEEEEE, come back chuck.
I know that she was feeling a little down last week, so I will p.m her if we dont hear from her by tommorrow.

A big HI to Tess,Sylvia and love to Joyce.

Bye for now girls. Love Mo xxx

I'm sorry if I dont comment on everybody's goings on, but it gets a bit dizzying to be forever scrolling down and up to see what has been said, and I have trouble remembering who said what.

Mo, I am basically a lazy person too, but the doc told me to get more exercise to help the depression I had in mid winter. I actually lost 700gm with yesterdays walk so at least it gives me a boost. When I have finished playing on here I plan to go for another walk, not so long though, then when I come home I will have a shower and wash my hair, have an early (I hope) lunch and go to visit Phil.

See you all in about 12 hours (if you are out of bed by then).

Huia.

Hi Everyone,

Mo, sorry I've been missing over the last few days. Thursday I was busy all day, and also had a few members of the family ring me.
Yesterday, we went down to my brother's for the day, we started out at ten past six yesterday morning so were there by nine. Sylvia (my sister-in-law) and I went to visit one of my mother's cousin's, she lives on her own, so we like to go and see her when and if we can.
John, Sylvia and some of the ladies from the church were thrilled with the cards, so I hope they will sell at least some, if not all of them,

Today we've been out most of the day again, Derby this morning, and then up to town this afternoon. So once I've finished writing this I'm going to make a couple of cards, I' ve got some birthdays coming up, at the end of the month, and some at the beginning of December, and I haven't even started my own Christmas cards, yet.lolol!!


Mo, it must have been lovely having your grandchildren for most of the day---you're probably exhausted now, but I'm sure you enjoyed their company.

Did you manage to go shopping to Chatham on Thursday? I think you said you were going, so that you could finish you Christmas shopping.
I wish I was as organized with getting Christmas pressies, as you are
with yours.lol!


Sylvia, how are they getting on with your kitchen? I hope that it's finished by now--I'm sure it will lovely when it's all finished and decorated.

I hope that you and OH are both alright, and that J and her family are all well. Sending lots hugs and kisses to MJ. xxxxxxx



Jean, it's a shame that the weather wasn't dry for the week for you, but I'm sure you enjoyed the change of scenery. At least you were able to make some cards, and get to the craft shop when supplies were getting low.lolol!! As if like all card makers, you need an excuse.lolol!

I went into one of the craft shops in Derby today just to get a piece of card, telling Alun that's all I'm buying, because that' s all I wanted---came out with four things. Decided on the way to the bus, that I would just have a quick look in Kate's crafts, of course Gwen was there helping Kate, and Gwen always seems to know what I like, she showed me some things, so I came out of there with six things, none of which I had gone in to buy to begin with.lol!!

Pleased to hear that D is working full time again, it's good that she can, as long as she won't overdo it, but I'm sure that she's wise enough not to do that and like Jennie, she knows how far she can go. After the number of years they've bothered suffered their illness, they seem to know what they are capable of doing.
At the moment Jennie is fine, touch wood! Thanks for asking.


Marie, I hope you'll enjoy the few days stay with your daughter. It's nice that you don't have to worry about the weather while you are there, like you would if you were in the UK.


Huia, I wish I could walk the distance and uphill like you do. I suffer with a
wheezy chest once I start walking uphill, so I try and go place where there are not too many hills. Like Mo, I can't believe that you are nearly 75, with all the things you are able to do.

Glad to hear that Phil is a lot better now than he was 6 months ago. It must set your mind at rest a bit more to know that.


Liz, thank you for passing the message on from Joyce. I hope that Caz won't be too long without her computer, with her not being able to go out very much at all, it's her only way with keeping in touch with the outside world. I know she enjoys her chats with her friends on GR.

I hope you'll get to cuddle the new baby very soon.


Joyce, if you're looking in, I hope that you are enjoying your visit to Liverpool and Sheffield, and that you are feeling better than you've been lately.


Tess, hope you are okay.I thought about you yesterday when were around the Birmingham area, on the way down and back from Wales.
We had that fine misty kind of rain on the way home last night--thought that we wouldn't see any fireworks on the way, but some brave souls were out in the rain letting them off, but must admit there wasn't many.lol!


Not sure if Ann is due back today or next Saturday. If her and T are still in Cyprus, I hope their weather is better than it is here and that they are enjoying themselves.


Well girls, I'm running out of 'writing' space, so I;d better finish ths message off. Speak to you soon.


Love and best wishes to you all. Sallie.xxx

Glad you are home safely Jean, will respond to your pm soon

O.h is going this morning with his Dad to see the baby, I won't be driving 90 miles round trip on my own to see them, will wait and go another time with o.h. I went out and spent £40 of his money on baby clothes at Matalan, little sleepsuits and two fleecey ones to go over babygros for now and then when they are washed thinner they can become babygros as they are 3-6month size. A cute little pair of padded sock/shoes for £2.50 with kitten face and little ears to add warmth for little toes if needed and a gorgeous little needlecord dress in cream with pink print pattern, co ordinating pink long sleeved tshirt and a pair of leggings, for £10, all in 3 -6 month size so after Christmas Eva will probably be wearing them - after all we might get a really cold winter again and she will be 5 months old by the time March is ended and the weather warms up again hopefully.

O.h. got a call from his Dad to say there had been a message emailed (o.h. doesn't check his emails often so good thing his father got a message too) son asked if they could have something to eat before they get there and to arrive at 1 pm instead of midday as other relatives visiting, her small niece and nephew. As always, this lot couldn't organise a p***up in a brewery lol

O.h. went to supermarket and got a reduced pack of Quorn scotch eggs, the little ones, and a reduced pack of cooked chicken thighs, I told him he has to take sandwiches or bread and spread as just eating protein he will end up ill and disorientated as he did when we went over there to the bbq in the summer. I bet he doesn't bother, but let his father and son deal with him being unwell. The car will be at his Dad's so he better be well enough to bring it back when they get home as I need it to go to my counselling on Monday pm and his dad lives across the city from here, about 5 miles and not on a direct bus route!

I am looking forward to a few hours to myself later today and hope to call Caz for a chat or maybe Deanna.

Must get to bed in a mo tho so take care all,

Love
Lizxx

Forgot to say, when I was showing o.h. the little clothes he said, That must have been difficult for you, getting those. (because of my late daughter) Actually it wasn't too bad, I liked spending his money and spent twice as much as he said, brought lots of things for him to chose from but as he is such a ditherer she got all the items lol
Oh and then he brought me flowers back from the supermarket for shopping for the clothes, two bunches of freesias which altho it says strongly scented, don't have any scent at the mo. Trouble is, freesias were my late Dad's favourite flowers so it stirred up more memories. Also they will not last five minutes as the gas fire makes the room so hot and then it cools down to chilly, no central heating here!

I had my walk this morning (evening for you), over in the valley. I saw some people from a retirement village looking at the notice board. They thought they had come to the wrong place but when one of them pulled out a map with the route they were told to take I was able to tell them where to go (sound rude dont I?) I went a little way with them across some paddocks (fields to you) until we came to the road they had to walk down. There was a mountain trail bike event on so I hope they didnt skittle any of the cyclists, or get skittled by them.

I came home, had my shower and lunch and then went to visit Phil. He was still eating when I got there at 1pm. Jelly and icecream. He is very slow at times. I think his brain forgets to tell him to get another spoonful. He didnt object when I took the spoon and fed him. Sometimes when I try to take the spoon he does object.

I looked through a photo album that the carers had put together of photos of the residents. On the left hand side there was one of Belligerent Bella, as I call her, and on the right hand side there was one of Phil with an identical look on his face. It did make me laugh.

Better get off the computer, I dont like to be on it until later in the evening in case somebody tries to ring me.

Huia.

Hi All,

Liz, by how you described the clothes you bought for the baby, they sound really pretty, and I'm sure they'll be nice and warm for her during the winter.
Mind you, I don't know what it's like there, but it's cold here today, I'm just glad that I don't have to go out today.

It's great to have you back on this thread, I miss your stories when you don't come on here.

Hope all goes well with your Counsellor tomorrow, I'll be thinking about you. Also hope that OH will have listened to what you told him about eating
either sandwiches or bread and spread with what he bought. You'd think he'd have enough sense to know what he need's to eat. Anyway, I hope he get's home safely from his dad's, so at least you will have the for tomorrow.


Huia, it sounds as though you had an enjoyable walk, I'm sure it was nice to have a chat with the people you met. You were not rude at all to those people, it was very nice of you to help them and I'm sure they appreciated your help--I know I would have, had I been in their position.
.

It's good to hear that Phil was fine when you got there. I know that he was still eating his dinner, but it was nice that he was awake and that you could help him to finish eating.


Right, I have a couple of things to do, so I'd better get on with them,so I'll probably look in later.

Love to everyone. Sallie. xxx

My goodness Sallie, I got worn out reading your last nights post. It is really good to hear from you though love.
I didn't manage to get into Chatham the other day, but we are going tommorrow,as I have to have my eyes checked.
I have decided that the children are not going to getting as much for christmas this year as they have done in the past. I will get some slippers for them all when I am out tommorrow, and that wil be it.
It was different when I was still working, but having to manage on a pension is not very easy, with the prices rising every day.
How is your brother now. I know you went to visit him the other day.
Your cards should all sell like hotcakes, folks would be mad not to buy them.

For goodness sake Liz, what is wrong with Im Indoors family. Fancy not giving both of them some lunch. Are they going to feed the young niece and nephew, or have they got to go hungry as well. What a shambles.
Yes I can understand,that as a new mum and dad, they have to get themselves in to a routine. but it was arranged for the sons family to visit, before the other relatives.
The things you bought for the baby sound lovely. But I bet you don't get the thanks for going and purchasing them. And babies mum, will realise that it has taken a womans touch, to choose the bits and bobs you got.

Huia, I think you would make a great tour guide. I would be happy to have you show me all the sights you have told us about. And if your calendar from this year was anything to go by,well it was brilliant tour.
I bet Phil was enjoying his jelly and ice cream,thats why he allowed you to feed him it.
I bet the photo's of belligerent Bella,and Phil, in the album, made them look like book ends. LOL
I hate having my photo taken, I always end up looking like I have got two black eyes.

Jean have you done that washing yet. I just hope that it's nice and dry where you are, so that you can give it a nice blow on the line. It's flippin awful here at the moment. Very wet and overcast,and has been getting dark since about three thirty p.m. Oh how I hate the winter months.

I wonder how Sylvia's kitchen is shaping up. We have not had an update for a couple of days. Lets hope she hasn't committed murders over there.
Sylvia you have got more patience than I have sweetie, I would have no hair left, if my place was upside down for as long as you have had to endure it.

Love to all, Mo xxx

Hello all.

It is another beautiful sunny day here. I am trying to decide whether I should go for a long walk first, or do the washing, which I havent been too bothered about in the wet weather, just washing smalls etc as needed. It is probably high (in more ways than one!) time I changed the sheets on my bed. I have been very lax this year. But then how dirty can they get in winter when I am dressed top to toe, apart from my head? I find it such a chore re-making the bed with fresh sheets. Lazy, that is me.

Off to wash the dishes now.

Huia.

Just a quick one to say we are home. I will write more about the week later but am too tired to do it today. Slightly jet lagged as Cyprus is two hours ahead of us but mainly I am tired because I ended up with T's cold and it is a nasty one, mainly a really bad cough and painful sinuses.

will just say we had a lovely time, the weather was fantastic with blue skies and sun all week.

Huia, your walks sound lovely and nice that you could meet and chat to some new people and show them the way lol Good to hear Phil is eating and let you help too. Changing bed linen is a boring chore but I do love a freshly made bed with the linen smelling good. Do you use duvets or blankets?

I use a top sheet next to the duvet so the cover doesn't need changing every time, it makes them last longer and they don't fade so if they match the curtains they still look similar for longer, and it's much easier to change just the top and bottom (fitted) sheet and pillowcases. As you say tho, if you are wearing pjs you aren't going to be making the sheets as dirty as if you were skinny sleeping (well 'they' say skinny dipping so why not skinny sleeping lol

O.h. went off on his travels yesterday, I washed a shiny 50 p piece and wrapped it with a message to put it in baby's hand for good luck etc and none of the family had heard of that before! I thought it being an old tradition the g.grandfather, o.h.'s dad, would have known it. They managed to get lost on the way despite the old man having sat nav and o..h. having written instructions for finding the house from the son so he had to drive out and fetch them, they followed him back to the house. I can't tell you the times o.h. has got lost when driving alone - what a dozy lot they are! He said the Mum was pleased with all the little clothes and the fact that they aren't first size as she has a lot of those and told the g.grandfather when he asked that clothes would be good as Christmas gifts. I plan to ring her this week when o.h. is at work and ask if she would prefer a gift voucher from any particular shop so she can enjoy choosing what she wants/needs for baby and if she goes after Christmas she can get more for her money in the sales. I will also explain why I didn't visit with the o.h., he said he made up some excuse but didn't say what! Several photos came back, mostly of the baby with o.h. and with his dad, she is still very jaundiced but hope it will clear soon, seems quite a while, a week old and still yellow.

It reminded me of my Mum, apparently I was jaundiced when born so looked tanned, my dozy Mother thought I had a tan cos my Dad had come back from being in the army in Egypt or somewhere hot when she first met him more than a year before lol I really think she was serious when she told me that story.

Anyway, o.h. said they arrived at 1pm and his dad wanted to leave just after three so he could get home before dark, he's another one who doesn't like driving after dark! Consequently o.h. walked in the door around ten past 5, to my disappointment lol. All that way for such a short time and nothing but a cuppa given them. He then proceeded to sit down and eat the things he had taken with him, he said there hadn't been time before. Now he is diabetic and had driven from his father's to here, I asked what would have happened if he had felt ill as he did when we have been out and he hasn't eaten properly. Of course he poohpoohed my comments, what an idiot tho.

I was darned if I was going to cook dinner so told him he would have to get himself something, I got up and heated a can of soup around 8pm and suggested he do the same, he then said it was too late to eat so he just had toast. Lazy man! After he went to bed around ten pm I made myself scrambled eggs with cheese, on toast and lots of lovely tomatoes with it, and marmite on the toast. Why should I be stuck at home and he expect a meal when he gets back? Wouldn't have hurt him to have called and asked if I wanted something brought back, like pizza or fish and chips, we have a f and c shop not so far from here that fries on Sundays.

I am so looking forward to my four afternoons and evenings with him at work, hope I can catch up on here a bit and also with lots of phone calls that I owe folk.

love and hugs to all

Lizxx

You are right Liz about the lovely smell of fresh sheets, pity I dont feel like changing them every day! In the middle of winter I have blankets plus a duvet (or even 2 on a really cold night!). I always have a sheet on top of me and havent had to wash the duvet cover yet.

I went for a 'short' walk this morning on a track which has been 'closed' for a couple of years or so. I had to go down a lot of steps (I have done the track before), knowing that I would have to come back up them - good for the legs, lungs and heart I hope. I didnt get around to doing the washing until after lunch and didnt hang it all out on the line as there were some dark clouds but it didnt rain. I hung most inside but will hang it out tomorrow and I might even do another wash tomorrow to make sure all the winter clothes are clean before packing them away, hoping it doesnt turn cold again of course.

I sent a couple of photos of a Tui to Mo and will send her some of the steps. I will also send you some Liz so you can see what I have been up to. If anybody else wants to see them they will need to PM me their email addy. Maybe next year I will produce a calendar for 2012. I didnt fancy doing one for 2011, too much else on my mind.

Huia.

Huia,the photos are lovely it was strange when I first saw them , my grandson, when he was about fourteen, came with me on a walk I let him use my camera, and was showing him various ways to "see" before he took the shot, well one of the photos he took was in black and white and is identical to the one of the steps, brought back so many happy memories... thank you...

Love Jean xx

Thank you for the photo's Huia. Thats quite a big bird isn't it. Phil must have really strong legs to have climbed all those steps
I hope you do, do a calendar next year, you have such a good eye with your camera.
And you raised some lovely money for the firemen didn't you.

I'm sorry I can't stay long as I have to get ready for darts.
I went for my eye exam today, and it's good news. She said that my sight has improved, not got any worse thank the lord. So I don't need new glasses. Thats a blessing in disguise, all that extra expense at this time of year, has been saved.
I went to Primani and bought the grandchildrens slippers today as well.
The assistant was a bit gob smacked when I put 7 pairs of slippers on the counter. But they were a bargain at only£3.00 a pair. Only another 4 pairs to buy.

Well girls I hope you are all well, and not suffering to much from all this wind and rain.
Bye for now, love to all. Mo xxx