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General => The Stay Safe Board => Topic started by: louisa maud on Monday 22 November 21 10:58 GMT (UK)
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Here we start another week, today the sun is bright and a beautiful blue sky, these are the days I would like to be walking along a prom somewhere taking in the fresh air.
Stir up Sunday yesterday, who made Christmas puddings?, my neighbour has already made me one a few weeks ago, I was allowed to give it a stir for a wish
Hope all is well with everyone
Louisa Maud
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Have been fence painting all day today - crisp and sunny.
LM Have never made a Christmas pudding but I used to make a Christmas cake. Now that there’s just the two of us at home and I don’t eat Christmas cake, I just buy him a small one to eat.
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I don't make them now, I always used to put nuts in like my mother did but my son in law made such a fuss i have never done it since, my neighbour makes me one every year and it is always very nice
Been a beautiful day, my brother in Teignmouth said the roads round about him were jam packed , he only assumed it was due to such a nice day
LM
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Lovely sunny day here too but colder. Had a trip to M&S food to replenish my empty freezer. I have a supermarket delivery coming on Wednesday but wanted to buy some of the treats I haven’t had for months. Also bought a Christmas cake and Christmas pud, both of which I love. Only myself to feed but I buy full size ones. :)
I guess this is a busy time for lots of people, we haven't heard much from some of the regular diarists lately. Hope everyone is well.
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Cold Christmas pud is nice as well
LM
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BUT, whatever you do - don't forget the cheese to go with the Christmas cake :)
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Likewise here today beautiful sunshine but a shock when I stepped outside at how cold it was…. Frost on the car windscreens this morning.. first one!
I’ve been busy lately and although I read all posts haven’t written much or anything!
Walk tomorrow morning, Tesco delivery Wednesday, zoom book club Thursday, Good Food show at NEC with a friend on Friday, friends for supper on Saturday… day of rest on Sunday as it should be!
Sorry to hear about your freezer episode Roobarb…. Well done for finding your phone after a year too… as others have mentioned I’m sure a repair shop could sort it out for you! Nothing like M & S treats too..
Have to say not made Christmas cake or pudding before… my daughter does and gets the boys to help her…
Our Christmas craft Fayre is looming (4th Dec) so it’s been manic card making ( nearly 200 now) finished all the bauble acrylic pouring and decided to make flour and salt decorations in Scandi style, so kitchen table covered with them after painting today. Posters everywhere, boards on roadside either end of the village, lots lovely raffle prizes donated… just hope we get lots peeps on the day and we raise plenty for Afghan refugee families in Northamptonshire 🤞🤞🤞.
Lovely to read in previous posts that Viktoria’ s family have been for a visit… don’t envy the dental treatment…hope her daughters horse makes a recovery..
RTL always amazes me with her long shifts, two buses remaining so cheerful and so aware of all that’s going on around the bus stations..
LM - thanks for starting this post off it’s interesting to hear from Mare how things are in No as a comparison…. Wonder how things are in Canada too.
Well off to bed now as up early!
Take care everyone
Caroline
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Wow, you certainly have been busy Caroline! What a sterling effort to produce 200 Christmas cards, hope they sell well, I'm sure people will like something hand crafted. Likewise the baubles and other decorations.
The Good Food show sounds just your thing, hope you have a lovely day.
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Ups and downs as usual.... very sorry to hear about Roobarb's freezer catastrophe, but what a joy to know Viktoria had a lovely family visit.
Well done Caroline for yet more herculean creative efforts.
Last week I spent many hours trying to crochet a miniature boater. By special request of a friend.
(!! You may well ask why? :-\ ;) )
I found the pattern tricky to follow, but after about 6 rip outs I was satisfied with the result, only it was vastly too big, so I searched the craft shop and eventually decided to try again, using a special Gutterman thread... perhaps intended for what used to be known as "top stitching" (on a pale green spool, if anyone knows about these things). Thicker than normal thread but finer than crochet cotton.
Well, another frustrating 6 rip outs, and I finally achieved something creditable, which fitted onto a small glue stick, (instead of a large one,) thus being the correct scale. Glory be! After stiffening, blocking and attaching a very fine ribbon trim I am boss eyed, but pleased with the result.
On Sunday I spent a few hours at an antiques fair. I did wear a face covering the whole time, though many were not, but it is a vast building with a fairly high ceiling, so I felt moderately comfortable.
On Saturday there will be a Morris meet to dance for Christmas shoppers in a car park. The weather forecast suggest sunny intervals and Northerly winds of over 50. Might need to tie my hat on!! :D
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I guess this is a busy time for lots of people, we haven't heard much from some of the regular diarists lately. Hope everyone is well.
Hello All
Don't know if you'd class me as a 'regular', but here goes ...
I hope everyone is well or improving and keeping safe.
Mrs P and I trying to get outside for a good walk each day and move about when at home too, which seems to help, although falling asleep some afternoons.
Getting my sugar from fruit like fresh raspberries, blueberries, a banana a day and mandarin oranges with about three desert spoons of a Natural Yoghurt (with only naturally occurring milk sugars 3%) and no sweeteners or added sugar, also additive and preservative free (my Doctor has not warned me against eating a Probiotic Yogurt), so I thought I'd try it and I've always been okay with dairy foods such as milk and cheese.
I'd already noticed fruit Yoghurts were helping me with my occasional nausea too. Because, the drug I was prescribed had this warning and the other side effects don't excite me at all either:- "Each buccal tablet contains 3.0 mg prochlorperazine maleate. ... are at a small increased risk of death compared with those who are not treated." Other data sheets say risk of "sudden death", NICE also repeat similar, so I'll stick with the Yogurt.
Some Influenza strains and Covid-19 are affecting the digestion system leaving sufferers with constipation and/or digestion system problems.
https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/digestive-issues-after-covid-19-watch-out-for-these-symptoms-7362381/
Best to speak to a Doctor if anyone has concerns about their own health changes.
All the best, Mark
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Cold Christmas pud is nice as well
LM
Nice sliced and fried in butter( lightly) sprinkled with sugar and served with ice cream!
For some reason I am not getting notifications of messages,must have pressed on the wrong paragraph !
All well here , still looking at all the photographs of baby.
Well dreaded root canal filling tomorrow!
Our local Pharmacy ,Lloyds, has been very friendly and helpful ,but the Pharmacust gas gone and some new staff in.
The local staff were wonderful but seemingly changes have not been very tactful and the long serving staff are very upset ,they are like friends, always a laugh when you go in.
I am now a fortnight overdue for my repeat prescriptions ,sent by Dr on as Nov 10 th to Pharmacy,I reminded them ten days ago but nothing as yet.
I am running out of heart medication I must not stop ,it is so bad the lovely former Pharmacist has been on Facebook to apologise I believe and also “ What’s on in Ramsbottom “
I will call tomorrow’s when down at the dentist, appointment at 11O’clock so I
can ask if I go down early .only a five minute walk to Dentist ‘s from the Pharmacy.
Horse a little better , but time running out.
I was undecided re going down at Christmas but it will be lovely to see them all and they will drive up and back in the day ,so I am not on the train.
Flash Harry will have so many presents I think I will get some basics ,good books ,good crayons and art materials for his age.
Baby? Again ,a voucher fir parents to spend as and when,l have a little cuddly baby penguin attached to a very soft piece of material ,from M&S.a sort of isnuggly hold to your face thingy!
My second son loved dragging round a towel!
First plucked fluff from blankets,rolled it into a Pom Pom and held it to his nose.Neither had a dummy.
Daughter did—- three month colic — despite being breast fed .
Not sure how long I will stay ,hope second son will drive across from Newbury, but not sure how far that is.
He has hardly driven for two years ,hates driving anyway so that is a big if.
First son often not well so they are best left alone if so, otherwise they are most welcoming .
It will work out one way or another.
It is about time I started to make puds,cakes and mincemeat ,however they - my family - are all very health conscious ,so perhaps all that is a thing of the past .
Mincemeat perhaps as it is nice to hand round fully home made mince
pies.
Did a Dundee cake last year, cuts out marzipan and icing ,Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s recipe .
Hope all are alright , I am well, but not looking forward to all the painkillers that will most probably be injected for THE filing!
Better tidy up in case I am proper poorly —- ???
Got some plant containers coming tomorrow, cube shaped in a grey/ green slate.
Waited ages for them to come back in stock ,phone call this morning from farm/ garden centre to say they were in and they will deliver tomorrow with Ericaceous compost for the Callunas I have .
Such good service, it always makes you feel good that you have shopped locally .
Always a laugh and a bit of Lancashire banter .
The father of the family who run it and farm abd tea shop had a gorgeous Rammy accent ,his voice tells you to “ press one for—- “ priceless.
At our local Church we did a flower festival some years ago they contributed a big display ,grandad’s wellies, and smallest grandchild’s , with all sorts of farm based themes etc and the title was :- ‘“Following in Grandad’s
footsteps “.
Until a few years ago the cows ambled along a busy road to be milked ,slowing down traffic considerably .
Don’t think they still do it , so much traffic now there are more housing estates .
Did I tell you Henry ,the over the lane cat, took up residence on Sunday evening ?
Must have moved in whilst I was waiting to wave bye bye as grandson , and family were moving off .
Cheeky monkey !
Found the warm place on the landing above the boiler .
Not daft is he!
Not much improvement re the horse , not much time left now before a decision to carry on or call a halt .
The best for him will be the ruling factor.
Well good to read of your activities .
I need to post a parcel tomorrow ,a return, there is a parcel shop on my way down to the Dentist so I have paid the £5 return fee online , have a code and they print the label etc ,all done and dusted.
Also a new wool shop mI enjoyed knitting the baby’s keepsake teddy so fancy doing a hat scarf and mitts for Flash Harry
He will have some but with his initials might be a bit special.
Well cheerio ,thanks for the news
Viktoria.
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Viktoria
You always write such newsy letters, puts me to shame sometimes when I consider what I have done during tbe day but I am busy most of the time doing all the wifely things
Hope you get on well at the dentist, don't know many who like going to the dentist which is a shame as in the main they are nice people,
I am sorry about your daughters horse, I hope she gets the results she wants or more to the point the results that are best for the horse
Nights drawing in an, hardly believable that in 4 weeks time it will be Christmas eve, today I think is the coldest so far
Mark, I consider the you as a regular, you are about as regular as I am, look after yourself
MH, pleased you got the results you wanted with your hat
Take care everyone
LM
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Just got an email, the horse has been put to sleep, must have been a very sudden deterioration , strange symptoms ,a good job my daughter was on the spot . Twenty plus years is a long time .
She had it to do years ago ,another huge animal she was a teenager well 18/19 ,he was old , but to see them dragged into a truck !
Not sure where this one will go , perhaps given the mystifying symptoms it might be helpful if there were a PM.
Perhaps my daughter will not feel up to allowing that.
Flash Harry will be miss him so much.
The horse was such a strength during tough times for her, he helped get her through.
Well a new chapter in her life , the baby is so lovely and has certainly brought a lot of love already to everyone.
Thanks everyone for your kindness.
I must try to get notification of new posts back.
Viktoria.
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Oh Viktoria
I am sorry about your daughters horse but rest assured it is free from pain, it lived to a good age having been looked after so well
LM
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Sorry to hear your news Viktoria. Always hard when much loved animals die.
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Very sorry to hear about the horse Viktoria, he'll be at peace now. Pleased to hear you'll be spending Christmas with your family.
Mark, I'd say you're something of a regular but perhaps as you're not as regular a regular as others we could say you're an irregular regular! ;D Oh dear me, those chocs were a mistake weren't they? Maybe would have been better if you'd spaced them out a bit more but too late now eh? Glad to hear you're better anyway.
LM, I'm intrigued as to what these wifely things are that you spend your days doing! :D
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Washing, ironing, gardening and housework, normal stuff, on a good day I am happy but on a bad day I just feel like a housekeeper, nuff said !!!
LM
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Nothing exciting then! I do those as non wifely duties! Hope today is a happy day. :)
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Well we do don't we, job description of the job I took on 57 years ago, ha! ha!,
Wouldn't change it
LM
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Well, Root canal filling done, painless but now starting to ache where the many injections went in.
£355- gulp!
But he is good ,and very pleasant ,and I am grateful he still considers me his patient after I went astray and went my own way.!
Ordered some flowers for my daughter.
Some may think “ for a horse!” —- but twenty + years is a long time to have an animal as responsive as he was.
I just put ‘ You were the best thing that ever happened to him”,she was.
She cared so much and had good knowledge from the training we insisted she got when she wanted a horse 40 years ago.
He would have suffered much more had she not had thst training
Went to the stable this morning to muck out and leave his stall pristine but someone was already doing it thinking my daughter would not be able to face going .
Not sure if she will get another ,probably will wait some time.
It is all so expensive.
No details as yet ,I won’t probe.
When she is ready.
Now wifely duties - :-\ hmmm, yes we just do them don’t we ,but many work as well outside the home , my OH would vac and wash up ,I later put his own washing in the machine and hung it up on our line ,but not the one in the back lane at my other house ,I mean to say! someone might have seen him!
Would iron too, well that is what he called it, this when he was retired and I still working .
Washed up and would drive me anywhere including round the bend and up the wall.
Somehow though he never ever managed to get all the potatoes for roasting
cut in equal sizes!
Our annual Christmas Day Row!
They were for at least ten people.
But made the best ever cups of tea ,never burned toast and perfect boiled eggs.
What more could you ask for?
Have just roasted a chicken in a big Le Creuset pot, that weighs a ton .
It fell to pieces! However very moist .
Can’t taste the thyme though.
Plant pots and Ericaceous compost delivered this morning ,just before I left.
Square slate ones.
Wel will watch Pointless and cook some veges, and an early night for once.
A good book “Arthur and George “ I have mentioned before .
Well, thanks for your news and kind words ,look after yourselves everyone.
Viktoria
PS, Why,when I can’t feel my mouth ,can I feel an itch on my chin but scratching it gives no relief and I can’t even feel the scratching !
Sooo frustrating!
V.
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Viktoria- so very sorry to hear about your daughters horse…I don’t think sending her flowers for the loss of a much loved creature that has been such a big part of her life for 20 + years is the wrong thing to do.. You are a thoughtful Mum and I’m sure she will appreciate that care and thoughtfulness.
Hope your numb jaw thaws out soon… dentidty is certainly eye wateringly expensive!
Signing up to be a housewife…. Well these days I don’t think it’s quite the same as past generations! I still consider everything in the house is my responsibility, all outside, house maintenance, car stuff is my OH’s! He does cook but he still asks which pan should he use and which oven 😤😤😩… after so long together 50+ years I don’t think I’ll change….
He’s a very reasonable husband and when I get engrossed into crafting etc he just gets on and does the cooking…. My son when aged about 3 asked me one day when I was busy sewing ( for work) at about 3 pm one day … ‘ mummy have we had lunch yet?’ 😳😳😬… of course I dropped everything and made him something to eat… we’ve never been a family who ate meals at set times.. just as well really😂😂.
Caroline
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20 years is a big commitment to the well-being of an animal, truly does seem like she gave her lovely horse her all Viktoria and sad to hear that stressful decision had to be made with the sudden deterioration.
Interested to hear of your miniature creation, MH … I use fine threads too for teeny knitting and crochet, usually a single strand of embroidery cotton.
Another marathon effort on cards Caroline, well done and no doubt well received.
Summary contribution … aside from the ho-hum of household routines/ wifely duties :D ...
Black Friday, signs of retail advertising but not something usually drawn to. If allowed would though be having a couple of days in the north with #1 daughter for her birthday today but aiming to get up there pre Christmas, we both have vaccination passes as required for when the regional border reopens. Hairdressers reopened yesterday and trialling the introduction of the passes, by appointment only and husband is all sorted already. Had my dental appointment on Wednesday, lots of questions when confirmed and safe operating procedures, happily dentist was able to create a construction on what was left of base of broken molar as wasn't sure if there was enough to work with. Mouth and wallet wide open again $340.00 and quite a lot pricier than usual repairs, hopefully will get a decent period of value from that. Same for you too Viktoria, I see.
Last Friday evening made a couple of retail purchases from a department chain, on way back from beach to see the beginning of lunar eclipse thought would check how full carpark was and enter a store for first brief foray, aside from weekly grocery shop. Big store and relatively quiet but as we were leaving quite a few arriving as other shops were closing. Didn't find a gift I was after in the toy department and those aisles were busier than elsewhere, and children out with parents. Another branch on our way home was very quiet and I quickly found just what I wanted. Just one young child I saw and heard there with a weary mother at 9.30pm, knew what he did and didn't want and giving instructions from his pushchair!
Bought a small iced fruit cake and a Christmas pudding this week with groceries both on good deal, I made several fruit cakes last year through lockdown but haven't made any this year.. Haven't really had the need to make my own for Christmas last few years, younger daughter usually covers all that now but I usually make some mince pies and will do some again
Received first Christmas card in post today, handmade one and a handmade soap from older daughter's best friend, just a week age difference and her birthday next weekend. Have bought a few stamps but probably will send out fewer myself this year, have said that before though and they add up. Sister's husband has a significant birthday on Monday, sent his card off on Tuesday and hopefully enough time for mail delivery, post has been quite slow at times and a backlog of parcels too but sometimes remarkably speedy. B-I-L didn't want a fuss or any party, they were intending to have a family get-together at a restaurant but haven't re-opened and their eldest daughter and her family also restricted by regional borders so will delay celebrating together. A few birthdays in their family all quite close together and for those living nearer can and have enjoyed a couple of small outdoor gatherings.
Mess on the political front making top of news this week some detraction with another leadership turnover in the opposition making most headlines last couple of days.
Always the virus news about though, both here and globally …
All the best for coming week ...
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I imagine all the home made goodies are lovely, such busy ladies.
Must transfer some money to grand daughter, she knows which crockery she wants ,so better she gets it herself ,no posting for me etc.
Waiting to hear what flowers the florist sent to my daughter.
She hates yellow, but I know would not say anything to me,I did stress” NO YELLOW!”
I sent them to her place of work, to her home they could be in the lashing rain and depending where they are put,a good advert no one is at home.
Her employees will be very kind I know.
She looks after them and they are very loyal.
Of to -hopefully pick up my eye drops !
A very rainy day, and must walk down as I need to return a parcel via Hermes, there is a shop on the way down which does returns.
Well off for a cuppa folks .Thanks for the interesting news .
Take care.
Viktoria.
Wonder what they will tell Flash Harry.
He loves going to the stable, just across from the franchise , loved the horse
and helped in his own way .
Has made friends with some jolly children there and they run the riding school course,one girly singing the “ Horse of the year “music,-Da da da ,da da da da da dadadadada “ as they jumped i over the lightweight black and white poles .
My daughter has been back at her normal time ,to make sure all was left in good order and to thank the other horse owners for their kindness.
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Half my post is missing ,but low battery showing so hope this gets through
Viktoria.
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I’m just popping in briefly to say how sorry I am to hear about the loss of your daughter’s lovely horse Viktoria. The loss of an animal is heartbreaking.
I don’t really have anything of interest to contribute. Weather is very humid with lots of rain, though luckily no flooding here as there are in some other areas. My dog walking adventures continue - never a dull moment.
Our news here is full of covid, murder mysteries and cricket scandals. ::)
I’m glad to hear that all is reasonably well with everyone, and that so many of you are ensuring that the dentists of the world are prospering. ;D
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Hospital visit was 24 hours longer than anticipated.
Monday AM I walked, with nurse, to operating theatre.
Since then I have been having trouble keeping my balance!!
About to ring GP for advice.
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Daughter has just phoned, to say thanks for the flowers I had sent to her.
She told me the sequence of events and there is no doubt she made the right
decision .Better sooner than later.
More dignified and kinder.
No sad details to you kind people but to keep him longer would have been very selfish and cruel.
Things work out don’t they.
He was fairly newly stabled across the road from the franchise my daughter and son in law have, she could see him in the field and noticed a strange gait,
So went across and got him back inside, very un -co ordinated.Ataxia,
Vet phoned and yes no going back from that given other symptoms.
He was sedated and went down onto a mountain of straw she had ready in a spare stable with plenty of room for the equipment needed when he would be removed .
He was “ chuntering “ ,little noises he made when greeting her.
She and my grandaughter stayed, and watched the light go from his eyes,then close.
Injection ,not the old way ,much kinder .
Had she not been able to see him he could have collapsed in a field at the previous stable ,where the trouble started, and it would have been hours before he got help.
She thought it all out , he improved a good deal after moving but then was going down again.
She saw a video of the old stables and some people renting the mews cottages were having all night rave ups!So he was moved.
It seems noise intolerance is a first symptom , and some new people who started stabling after he went on the new yard which had been very quiet ,were very noisy ,sound echoes in the stables which are high ceilinged,he did not cope with it at all.
All over now.
I thought she had him twenty years but it was twenty two.
An Irish half hunter , late gelded , aaaaw!
So I am down there at Christmas all being well .
Thanks for listening.
Every animal that has to be put to sleep is hard but the practicalities of such a big one!
Thanks for your kind wishes and “ listening” .
Flash Harry has been told the barest essentials ,without worrying him that if he goes to sleep he might not wake up!
The horse is asleep at the horse doctor’s!
For now.
That is enough for a five year old.
Cheerio ,sun shining again so off shopping .
Viktoria.
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Not much to report of late but have been keeping up with the threads.
Sorry to hear about the loss of the horse, Viktoria - obviously well loved and cared for.
Yesterday I visited the twins - so many little differences in just 2 weeks. Macy (who could smile for England) has been been able to crawl for a while now but has now become 'jet propelled' and pulls herself up as soon as she reaches her destination. So walking not far off. Darcy (the thinker) not visibly crawling yet BUT is clearly moving somehow. She'll be sitting on the floor one side of the room - adults talking (as they do) - and you'll suddenly find her on the other side of the room but we haven't yet figured out how she actually got there!! Lots of smiles from her yesterday which is unusual and as I was leaving was told she could now wave and make a 'kiss' noise. She duly did both, bless her. Told Macy had not yet developed such skills (too busy with her sprints) but whilst waving with Darcy she suddenly waved at me too, first one arm, and then the other. Looked so proud of herself. Will see them tomorrow for a little while - all of us going to my nephews for Scarlett's 13th birthday 'afternoon tea' - and then on Wednesday 1st December when they will be 1 year old. Next Ivy-Rose will be 7 on 8th December and Kieran 16 on the 16th Dec. With Christmas swiftly following it's an expensive time for me!
Very cold at the moment so only go out when I have to. So hate the cold. If I've things to do try to get them all done in one trip. After seeing the twins yesterday then drove to Matalan to collect an item and then to supermarket cash point to get some money.
Just caught on the hop by my grocery delivery - always delivered between 1 and 2 (usually nearer to 1) but today arrived at 12.15!!! He apologised but said his last delivery was just round the corner and if I hadn't been at home he'd have just waited. A jolly little man.
A few outings booked for December - meeting for coffee with cousin on 7th, visit to see the Illuminated Garden Trail at Helmingham Hall (forgotten date offhand), evening meal with sister/cousin and respective other halves on 18th (discovered that it's the Strictly final that evening so will have to record and catch-up later), 16th birthday bash at Harwich, Christmas Day at my nieces and Boxing Day at my nephews.
I still find myself amazed at the number of people who are not wearing masks in public places - largely the younger fraternity where new COVID cases mainly fall. Why for heavens sake? I just don't get it.
Take care everyone.
Annette
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Really cannot believe the twins will be a year old, the year certainly has gone quickly, they both are doing well, I think each child, whether twins or otherwise develop at different times to another , my daughter crawled, said Dad dad and clapped her hands at 6 months 2 weeks, just a sign of a tooth yet my friends son had teeth at 3 months but didn't do any of the things my daughter did till much later, we said he was concentrating on his teeth, both went to Uni and have done well in life, they all thrive at their own pace. I wish I has spoken to my mum about my development and my twin brothers .
LM
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I was watching my local news programme one evening and a reporter was asking people if they thought wearing a mask should be made compulsory again.Most said yes.He then was speaking to a woman who told him she hadn't had any vaccines,she didn't believe in them and she wasn't infectious.
It made me think of this that I saw the other day.
Scientists believed that Covid was spread by noses and mouths.They now know it's spread by A***H****.
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Scientists believed that Covid was spread by noses and mouths.They now know it's spread by A***H****.
;D
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Hospital visit was 24 hours longer than anticipated.
Monday AM I walked, with nurse, to operating theatre.
Since then I have been having trouble keeping my balance!!
About to ring GP for advice.
That’s doesn’t sound good KG. :( I hope you feel better soon …..
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Thinking of you KG, let us know how you get on
LM
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KG, hope your GP has been able to help.
Was wondering where you'd got to Annette, good to hear you've been doing pleasurable things. A whole year since the twins' birth, it seems to have flown by.
Minimoo - ;D ;D ;D
Candleflame, RTL and others in our neck of the woods - batten down the hatches! There's an amber weather warning of wind across the area and for those of us along the coast it's a red warning!! I don't recall seeing one of those before, it's a bit worrying. RTL, I hope you're not on night shift, if you are I'm sure you'll be careful, best wishes for your journey.
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I am on the fund raising committee for the church, tomorrow is our first bazaar since Dec 2019, we have put a lot of work into setting it up and now we hear the weather is not going to be kind to us, fear the Gods are against us, we can only do our best
LM
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Hope that gets sorted K.G.
What a shame if your Fair is cancelled ,I know how much effort goes into them.LM.
Lovely news of the twins,amazing!
Thoughts with those in Storm areas, very worrying,sincerely hope all is well,
Kind regards and thoughts with you all.
Viktoria.
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In my opinion it is quite a nice evening , the car registered 2 degrees but I didn't feel cold, father Christmas was meant to be out about in the village but we never saw him, a shame as 1 lad I know of was promised to see him. LM
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It doesn't look as though the storm will reach as far south as you LM, although you might get some snow or heavy rain. Hope it turns out okay for your bazaar.
The forecast for Scotland and the North East coast is for winds up to 90mph overnight. :o :o Scary!
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Weatherwise we haven't done so badly so far so mustn't really complain,
would just like a reasonable day tomorrow
LM .
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Just a bit of a breeze here - 50mph!
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Just a breeze, eh?
LM
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Just a breeze, eh?
LM
A winter breeze - winter gales haven't started yet!! :D
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Viktoria, sorry about the horse. After that root canal work just watch the nuts on the Dundee Cake.
BumbleB, I've converted to a nice Mature Cheddar Cheese on Cream Crackers.
Caroline, Good Food Show, but surprised you've never made an iced and marzipan :P cake.
Candleflame's cake sounds too small to cut up and post us all a piece ;D in a box.
MH you'll need to tie that hat on, if you go North anytime soon, by the sounds of it!
Roobarb, me irregular regular ! Made me smile :) Go on with you ;D
LM, a wishing stirrer, thought you might throw in a sixpence too ;) Cold pud. I like it hot :)
KG, I hope you get fixed up soon.
Take care RTL, if you are travelling.
Mare, Black Friday. Got light here this Friday am, then sky went Black and it poured down.
Ruskie, cricket has also been in the news here recently.
Annette, thought I'd never heard of that Hall, but looked it up and heard of the Tollemache Family previously and the Hall after all.
Minimoo, a Supermarket in one town, almost everyone masked, same company Supermarket about 6 miles away a day later, only 3 others in a busy supermarket with masks on. Perhaps 'Omicron' might change their minds if it arrives on our shores.
All the best, Mark
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Candleflame, RTL and others in our neck of the woods - batten down the hatches! There's an amber weather warning of wind across the area and for those of us along the coast it's a red warning!! I don't recall seeing one of those before, it's a bit worrying. RTL, I hope you're not on night shift, if you are I'm sure you'll be careful, best wishes for your journey.
We have sleet but not snow yet. Wind is strong but the most annoying thing so far is the letter box flap is banging. Grandsons broke the spring on it and I thought it’d be easy to get another one for a standard upvc door. Oh no it depends on the measurement of the screws and the gap between said screws and the edge. They all vary in size apparently …….
however if a flapping letter box is the worst tonight , I’ll take that. Reports said the A1 was closed up near Berwick, but there was also a post saying it was blocked by a fallen tree! No trains north to Edinburgh either as the line goes very near to the coast near Berwick. Very picturesque .
Felt sorry for the bbc reporters on tv standing out in the rain and wind . One lady at Stonehaven in Scotland looks drenched !
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Well,I put the milk bottle out and could hardly close the door!
The wind was blowing sleet and ice particles sideways across the garden ,like stair rods!
So very cold too.
Just having a hot milky drink and plain biscuit with the last of my tablets then bed .There is a band concert in Church in Sunday, got tickets ,just my sion and I.
D in Law not really interested.Hope it isn’t too cold in Church ,might get my thermal camisole tops out!
Goodnight everyone ,sleep well.Viktoria.
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Good Morning early bird Viktoria, hope you managed to get a good nights sleep
Hardly any wind here, my next door neighbours flag hardly moving so I hope we get a good day at the Bazaar today
LM
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Ooooh,THE WIND ,horizontal snow and ice being blown ,a thin layer of snow this morning and bins all over the place.
So very cold.
Hope Church is warm this afternoon for the Band Concert and we find parking not too far away.
I said that yesterday too!
Hope everyone is O.K.
Cheerio
Viktoria.
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Viktoria, I am so sorry to hear about the horse. What a lovely thing that you said to your daughter though. She must take heart in knowing this is true.
... Off til Sunday, so I don't have to worry about travel thank goodness. The weather has been very bad here through the night and the wind is still high and we are not out of things yet.
I woke just after 1 am and the wind sounded ferocious. I live on a corner so perhaps sounded worse. I heard what sounded to be like two types of wind. One sounded like a continuous wind machine and the other sounded like the blowing up and down of a very strong hurricane.
The noise was so bad I couldn't get off to sleep until dawn. My mind went into a bit of overdrive and I got caught up with worrying. I wondered if the wind had woken my Grandson where they are and if he was scared. I worried about the wildlife and the homeless who might still be out and also about my poor colleagues who will be travelling to and from work today. Especially those who rely on buses. Perhaps it might not even be safe for some buses to run as normal? I ended up with a bad headache and had to get up for painkillers.
This morning I can see that one neighbour's fence at the back has been demolished. Another neighbour has park playthings for their children in the garden but most of this is down and strewn about.
Wind sounds like it is increasing again and it is raining.
Hope everyone else is okay and have not suffered/will not suffer too much damage. :-\
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I am confused!
BBC Weather Forecast for IOM says 53 mph winds.
Looking outside, no branches moving, no plants blowing in the wind!
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Viktoria- put plenty of thermals on for your church concert this afternoon… I’m sure you’ll enjoy some time with your son though…
LM - good luck with your bazaar today and I hope the weather stays kind as you need the punters to come… I know the feeling as I shall be praying for a reasonable day next Saturday when we hold our Christmas Fayre!
RTL - so glad to hear you’ve a few days off so not having to battle with cold and buses…as always you’re always thinking of others in dire straits… I would most certainly want you looking after me as you’re such a kind person.. enjoy your days off.. hope your little grandsons not been frightened by the winds..
Candleflame - hope you manage to sort your rattling letter box! These grandchildren have a lot to answer for sometimes! Keep safe and warm up there.
Bushinn - I’m sure I probably have made, marzipaned and iced a fruit cake at some point… my OH not too keen on it just prefers good old fruit cake…
The Good Food Show was a very enjoyable experience… fairly busy, lots of space, stalls not packed in tightly and wide isles… as we’re both GF subscribers we could use their area which was very nice and spaced out… listened to the Hairy Bikes answering questions….if only I could have understood them though! A big cavernous building echoes and broad accents … 😂😂
We tried samples of most things… except the gins ( not a gin drinker) but you could have gone from stall to stall having little samples and eventually fallen into a bottle to pickle yourself 😂😂. Lovely to have a day out with a friend and we never stopped talking…. and eating!
KG - hope you get yourself sorted out with your coming trip to family for Christmas looming.. take care!
Ruskie - oh dear not rain…. My son has said they’ve had some too but hopefully not flooding their property as b4…they’re busy laying tons of gravel!
Annette- lovely to hear the latest on twins… can’t believe they’re coming up to their first birthdays… where has this year gone… enjoy all your birthday celebration events with your family.
Roobarb - hope you’re safe and snug at home while this wild weather is about…perhaps not out for a walk today 😬… take care..
Well don’t know what’s happened to our expected weather OH.cancelled his golf because of the forecast… it’s dull, fairly cold 4C but no wind, snow, sleet or anything! …. As yet, so he’ll be glooming round the house as he could have played getting in my way! I’ll just banish him to the dining room to finish his jigsaw as we’re supposed to be using the table tonight when friends in for supper…. Maybe plan B… kitchen..😤😤 that means keeping it tidy whilst cooking and serving… oh well such is life!
Not sure if I’ve missed anyone out if I have apologies…
Keep well, stay warm, mind this new variant of the virus and hope we can all get to with our families for Christmas 🤞🤞🤞.
Caroline
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RTL, I'm relieved to hear that you're not on night shift, sorry that you had such a bad night’s sleep. As Caroline says, you're such a kind person to be worrying about others, I hope you sleep better tonight.
Pleased to hear you enjoyed the Good Food show Caroline, perhaps you should see if you can get a copy of Larn yersel Geordie so you could brush up on Hairy Biker speak. ;D ;D
I woke a couple of times during the night, things have calmed down today, we just have a yellow weather warning now. It's still pretty horrible, gusts of wind and rain. Can't see me going out for a walk today, the field seems to be devoid of dog walkers which is unusual even in bad weather. Maybe they're all out Christmas shopping instead.
KG, I find the BBC forecast a bit of a dead loss, apparently it's a French company who now provide it for them. I find the Met Office forecast much more accurate.
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Well it was an interesting noisy night ! We’ve been lucky and had electric the whole time, but areas near us had or still have no power. We had a phone call from a friend this morning who was like that who uses a breathing machine with his inhalers and he couldn’t as his own power was off for several hours. Lots of trees down and roads closed and buses cancelled as they can’t get through.
Our own estate there’s several fences down and ridge tiles off . The tree over the road has an estate agents sold sign wrapped round it’s base! Several tales online of trampolines in other peoples gardens, a request for has anyone seen a shed as it’s missing from their front garden and a friend apparently has a washing machine in her front garden ( it had presumably been put out for the scrap man! )
Some things had blown over in our garden but nothing major. Next door were drilling and banging and I could see them putting one of their fence panels back. There was an interesting post on fb which summed it up nicely . I’ll try to post it …..
Like RTL I couldn’t help but think about those who were homeless in that awful weather and those in the news at eg Sunderland and Blackhall who lost gable ends or roofs or their cars were damaged by the falling masonry. Some scary but spectacular photos of the sea online.
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It won’t let me post the photo so I’ll type it out -
GARDEN CLEARANCE SALE
6 Trampolines
21 Fence panels ( various sizes)
45 Marley Roof Tiles
Half a shed
Contact me for prices
UPDATE …. CORRECTION only 4 trampolines …2 have moved on
NEW STOCK ARRIVING EVERY 5 MINS …..
well I thought it was very funny and accurate!
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Who spotted my deliberate mistake?
It is Saturday today, so no concert this afternoon ,now tomorrow?
I actually phoned my son to see where he was , honestly.
I blame it on all the injections I had for the root canal filling!
There was no milk on the step this morning when I popped out to see if any roof damage, that did not bother me convinced as I was it was Sunday.
I even thought the Postie was doing extra shifts ,as it is nearly Christmas :-[
Milk came much later than usual.
Everything was so still and quiet once the wind calmed down somewhat.
Just like Sunday
Last night I could not fix an email address in my mind ,it has a q but no u.
Got it now.
Well a cuppa, more pills and drops then perhaps an early night for once,I go to bed early sometimes but read.
Hope everyone is alright , no damage .
How did The Bazaar go L.M.?
Try to play a game I do RTL.I set myself to find day twenty things starting with a letter , the more obscure the better ,then another letter etc.For a time it keeps me awake but i do nod off eventually .
Caroline,I love aGeordie accent but they do vary ,actually the dark one with glasses comes from Barrow in Furness ,the opposite side of the country.
The accents in Durham Newcastle, South and North Shields ,Middlesbrough ,
Sunderland etc each have their own variant .
Very musical ,lilting and up at the end.
Those babies ! It seems like a miracle still to me Annette.
Watched The PM this evening ,I am fearing travel restrictions for Christmas .having made my mind up to get to my daughter’s -( it is that baby and FH)
Just have to wait and see.
I don’t have to travel by train ,they are coming for me( “They,” have been coming to get me for quite a few years, it won’t be long now given that in my own individual built in calendar it is Sunday today!)
Well must get on.
Cheerio folks , take care.
Viktoria.
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Hope everyone is alright
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Viktoria
Did surprisingly well at the bazaar, the weather was bright and crisp but further up the road abit was windy, my stall "£1 stall, everyone a winner" did very well, I have a children's one and an adults one, throughout the year I buy things, reduced but are worth more than £1, I have soft toys with a price tag of £3.99, I didn't pay that but it is an attraction, adults stall I generally but a bottle of wine and bucks fizz or something like that, my adults stall completely sold out but I had some children's ones left, took out the sweets and the rest will go back in a box in the loft for next year, we did better than we expected
It was really nice to see locals we hadn't seen since March last year, several said they have got to the point where they cannot be bothered to go
out, they made the effort today and enjoyed it, all on all a good day despite the hard work
LM
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Good, I loved the White Elephant Stall, but usually got stuck in the cafe.
It did not bother me to tell people who came into church (where there was a lovely cafe, all home made stuff , several people with their food hygiene qualifications etc ),with food bought outside!
Fish and
chips, jacket potatoes etc!
I used to say I’m sorry but we only have a food licence for food prepared on these premises by people with food hygiene qualifications .
They would come in,monopolise a table for ages ,leave the wrappings etc and not even buy a cup of tea.!
I was civil of course , but they prevented other people who had bought our food from sitting down as we were so busy,
When serving on the junk stall I drove a hard bargain with dealers who used
to swoop,thinking to get good stuff very cheaply .
Oh but some mucky beggars ,a spoon in the sugar bowls on the little tables
and a tray full at the serving point ,,ignored those even when we said there are spoons here - but oh gosh, stirred their tea and put the wet spoon in the sugar bowl.
Could not understand if we were at the pay point handling money we could not handle food ,we used tongs and wore gloves etc when we were serving food.
Nor could we allow them to handle food at all,not until it was their plate and paid for.
But it was a pleasant afternoon after all the work that had gone into it .
I have been in church until late at night setting up the Christmas fair.
My OH came down at nearly midnight ,thinking I was ill or something .
He did not do night driving ,advanced cataracts and medication.
There were drunks in the gardens ,and I know I was daft to stay so long but
so many of our dwindling group were by then not capable ,but had done their share for years.
Hope we can do them again some day.
Glad you did well.
Viktoria.
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Just quick as my hands are freezing without my mits on .. Thank you for the kinds words .. :)
I am on my way on first bus for 12 hour shift today. I left the house ten minutes earlier to allow for walking more slowly on ice. Roof tiles are lying dotted here and there as I walked up street. It is bitterly cold and windows aren't open on the bus today. I worried that the bus might not turn up because of bad weather but it has. :) Quite a few on and all of us dressed warmly for the freezing weather. Oh, I do really appreciate a face covering today, it is keeping my face that much warmer.
..Just to add, that thankfully there are no homeless sleeping out at the bus station today. I have been walking about to keep warm as it will be a few minutes yet before second bus arrives.
There is a sign up at Haymarket metro recording no trains yesterday and an overhead tannoy message saying no metro trains this morning because of storm damage and that they will keep passengers updated.
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Sounds horrendous weather all round the country, and I think Torbay got off fairly lightly, though there was a metal panel on the roof of the library building, (opposite the bus station,) flapping wildly as we passed by yesterday.
If that actually detached and flew off I dread to think of the carnage it could cause.
I asked for the council to be alerted, but I doubt anyone could get up there in those conditions so I don't know what, if anything, was done to mitigate the problem.
Much calmer here today.
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It is a beautiful day today, chilly but the sun is out, obviously in some parts of Essex we missed the really awful weather some have had,
Going back to yesterday's bazaar we were on limited stalls due to restrictions so no white elephant stall, someone commented that they
like a rummage but we had to obey instructions, we have so much "stuff' we are hoping to have some sort of fayre where we can sell the lot off quite cheaply , someone said "everything a £1" but I know there is a box of very good China brand new mugs and I would rather buy them myself than flog them for just a pound, we shall see but that will be about Easter time
Enjoy your day everyone
LM
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Band concert was lovely, well attended.
It was very funny when they played “ Fairy Tale of New York”,they played with glissando notes and we who knew it could not stop laughing as we could visualise Shaun McGowan ,sans teeth, slurring his way through it !
“Y’know warra mean”!
I have not been in church for almost two years ,I felt a bit overwhelmed by how lovely it is.O.K Victorian Gothic, but some lovely stonework ,carved oak
and our Altar Piece is a warm cream colour with ,very strangely ,a real likeness of the usual depiction of Jesus with a crown of thorns.
Just veining in the marble but so like a monochrome painting .
The aChristmas tree was up,well the big one ,looking a bit bare but that is the one for the bauble service.
People are welcome ,all who want to be there ,don’t have to be regular attenders, and baubles are brought with names attached - people walk to the tree as their loved one’s names are read out and hang a bauble on it,with name(s) attached,it gives great comfort to people at a family time when loved ones are so missed.
The church is packed, usually.
So good to be back.
The band played a miscellany of music from American Civil war times ,mostly Confederate tunes,including one seldom heard ,” All my trials Lord,soon be over”.
I imagine it was sung by people in slavery, I heard it years ago probably fifty plus.
Joan Baez sang it.
Freezing snow now ,might be worse in the morning.
No gritting done as yet !
Thanks for your news everyone.
My second son is delighted with the new baby. His wife did not want children
but he always played with his niece and nephew ,never forgets presents etc.
He laughed at Flash Harry,last week when they brought fish and chips ,I had set the table with his small cutlery, he took one look,said nothing and put it back in the drawer and got full sized stuff out.!
Well must go to Bury to get a Belgian form signed by The Mayor, to prove I am still alive etc ,for my Belgian pension .
That will be reassuring!
See how the weather is tomorrow,.
Cheerio folks .
A nice cuppa after washing up and watch Antiques Roadshow.
Viktoria.
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Well must go to Bury to get a Belgian form signed by The Mayor, to prove I am still alive etc ,for my Belgian pension .
That will be reassuring!
Viktoria.
I wonder if every mayor in the country knows they have to sign forms like that? Do they specify a mayor or can other folk sign to say you’re alive, a bit like the range of folk who can affirm passport photos. (Just curious as I’ve never lived abroad. )
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I had to do the same for both my Dutch Pension and my UK State pension.
Used a "Bank official" - aka a bank employee :D
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It is “The Leader The Council”.which is the Mayor .
The reason is because The Federal Pension Service in Belgium is notified by the local authorities about any change of address,marital status,change of Nationality ,death,,things that might change your entitlement or the amount of pension.
There is no automatic service like that between the U.K. and Belgium so we who get a pension must send the info ourselves,but verification is needed so that is why the Leader of the Council ,ie The Mayor ,must sign the return form so we are not cheating and claiming what we have - through changes - become ineligible to claim.
It is just that since Brexit nothing comes in English now, my son is still fluent in Flemish ,and for complicated forms etc that is vital.
They forget my Dad was up to his knees in muck and bullets for them!
An annoying complication is their tax year is January to December,.ours April to April, they want all my income in Euros and the rate of exchange of every payment so they can see if I exceed their ceiling .
So each month when my ,for example ,works pension is in the bank I have to find the exchange rate on that day ,note it and that goes on the yearly return to the Belgian Pensions service ,together with my State widow’s pension etc.
But a reduced British pension of twelve years is more than made up by the twelve years contributions to the Belgian equivalent of National Insurance.
Bank statements are not so frequent any more and to back track to get the exact rate of exchange is no mean feat in itself .
I used to get a Chaps form for the Belgian one but they do not come anymore .
Men in Belgium who did National Service get credited with payments and can afford to retire with full pension rights years before men and now women can here .
I have had a good day today it was Monday ,all day!
Look after yourselves , we might have testing times ahead and that is not a sick pun!
Cheerio.Viktoria.
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Fascinating thank you.