RootsChat.Com
General => The Stay Safe Board => Topic started by: mare on Monday 27 February 23 05:17 GMT (UK)
-
February so quickly drawing to a close with the new week and already another new month, still to catch up with family in north as roads have been further damaged with wild weather. They're due to come down to Auckland later in March for a medical appointment and hopefully travel will be a bit easier then if not before.
New tenants over the weekend in the empty rental house alongside us, has been vacant since October and former tenants are still staying with us in the 'granny flat' since Christmas. Census papers arrived last week for the 5 yearly stats and to be filled out on Tuesday 7th March. We had only 1 set delivered at first for our street number but as we have an 'a' at the number as well, another set arrived for the flat the next day, just left in the letterbox at the gate and no knocking at door as they used to and appropriate papers for number of people. Not sure if new tenants have picked up theirs yet as landlord hasn't reattached box to post since it was knocked over and there is mail addressed to him in it as well, rental sign is still up too. Haven't seen, only heard new folk and suspect they may be uni students perhaps, a bit of music and laughter Saturday night and all house lights on overnight, quiet Sunday and no cars there but several cars and laughter etc today Monday when we got home in afternoon, so quite noticeable in our fairly quiet surroundings. 2018 Census option was pushing for being done on line, not so much this time and think we will post ours back, talked our 'guests' through theirs as they will need to fill out the dwelling one and they seemed a bit unsure of the whole process and reason for doing it.
Have a good week all ….
-
Hello Mare,
We only got a census letter asking us to log on. No paper versions unless we order them using the online code from that letter.
I hope your family do get through to Auckland later. I have been re reading the diaries of an ancestor who used to live at Te Kopuru (near Dargaville) they used to travel down to Auckland by catching a boat across the Kaipara Harbour to Helensville then getting the train. Perhaps it is time to bring that back?!
Mind you I had occasion to go to Waiheke Island last week. There was a queue for the queue for that ferry, and it wasn’t even the weekend. At this rate one wonders if it will get back to “normal” in our life times.
Yet another severe weather warning (thunderstorms) for our neck of the woods. Hoping it is fine enough to play golf tomorrow. ;D
-
That's interesting mckha, it must be a massive task to get papers to every household and getting enough people to do it. I worked on one census late last century, lol, good friend had been an enumerator for several and was very efficient at it and asked if I would be interested in joining her team. It was really interesting, not in my own suburb and so not people I knew but did come across son of a friend who was living with his future wife and family among my papers but sworn to privacy of course anyway. Sadly that was friend's last time at the job with terminal illness soon after and i didn't apply again.
Yes, perhaps the sea route would see the north less cut off and possibly quicker with modern boats, it was pretty rugged by road back then and sailing the best option into Kaipara, Helensville, Onehunga and Waiuku as well on the tide.
All the best for a fair weather game tomorrow, last day of the summer that was!
-
Greetings fellow kiwis! I can see actual sunshine and blue sky in my part of Auckland, couldn't be happier! Mare, I do hope travel to/from Northland becomes easier sooner rather than later, although some of the roadworks are major jobs that will take time and money. As for the census, I applied online to have paper forms sent out. I don't think they'll get the responses they want, there's way too much happening around the country, and I think it's quite arrogant to assume that everyone can log on to a computer, I'm sure there are many that don't even have access - older people, some in rural areas with poor connectivity, people with way more important things on their minds. I know it's a social obligation but sometimes life just gets in the way.
-
Morning all
I was missing this thread somehow. Weather here can’t make its mind up what to do. Showers mean it’s not safe to hang the washing outside unfortunately.
Did anyone manage to see the Aurora Borealis? Too cloudy here I’m afraid but others managed it.
-
I didn't see it either Candleflame, too cloudy here too. There were pictures on TV that people had taken in Kent, I thought those of us in the North would stand a better chance but I suppose the skies must have been clearer in the South.
-
Solar storm just gave a spectacular display of Aurora Australis as well ... either on my bucket list :)
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/485026/solar-storm-lights-up-best-aurora-australis-in-years
They were seen as far as Auckland night before last, not by me unfortunately, an image I saw also showing bioluminescence on the water at the beach under the lights by same photographer in link.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300446917/auckland-photographer-stuns-experts-captures-aurora-lights-from-local-beach
-
I tried to glimpse the aurora B., but at 2.00 - 3.00, both nights ( okay, I couldn't get to sleep) the sky was too cloudy here in the Pennine edges.
TY
-
I was having a good week, went to the ceremony of the keys at the Tower of London, really enjoyable day and I had a good day yesterday
Friday mornings for I would say over 25 years i have taken my neighbour shopping at 8am, this morning, same procedure, this morning as I turned out into a roundabout another car hit me, I initially had no idea where he came from, hit my left side just missing the passenger door, it was a very dangerous place to stop but I managed to park up and he , I thought it was going to be a hit and run , did park up, was a very nice young man, swapped details and he admitted liability, which according to my insurance won't count even though I had a witness, my car is an 09 reg and I am worried they will write it off, I will beg to keep it to be honest, being an octogenarian I do not want to start buying a new car that I don't understand the workings of, I thought my Ford Fusion would be around as long as I. BUT none if us was injured and to be quite honest this is my first accident in 50 years and I thought my friend and I coped with it very well.
That is my day
LM
-
That must've been a terrible shock, so pleased you weren't hurt. We had a pleasant day, our daughter came over with Hazel, we took the dog out for a walk before taking him to the groomers, just waiting for the call to pick him up.
-
He will be a pretty boy!!, My daughter's dog always came out of the groomers with blue bow!
Thank you, Yes it was a shock , thank God we are both ok and are just fine, now got the tiresome job of insurance claim
LM
-
Oh dear LM, that wasn't a good experience to start your day, thank goodness no-one was hurt. Was there much damage to your car? Whether it's a write off will depend on that and what the nature of the damage is. If it's written off you can buy the car back from the insurance company and pay for the repairs with what they've paid you but it may not be worthwhile. I'm sorry to say that begging them not to write it off won't get you anywhere, it's just a procedure for them.
Hope it all works out okay for you.
-
LM - so sorry to hear about your accident this morning, pleased to hear neither of you were hurt, but hope you’ll keep a check on yourself as sometimes things can occur later! I speak from experience.
Good to hear that the young man stopped and admitted liability, hope your car is repairable but as Roobarb says it’s not always a choice thing up to the insurers.
Take care and take it easy over the weekend.
Never been to see the ceremony of the keys at The Tower… enjoyed the TCpV programme they did about the Tower and all the folk that live there.
Nothing much happened this week with me.. weather pretty miserable and chilly.. enjoying our log burner tonight.
Next week going to visit Angels, the costume place in Hendon that’s been going since 1840 hiring out and making costumes for the stage and film. They do a two hour tour through various departments. As it was a job I would have loved when I left fashion college I’m keen to see the place.
Caroline
-
Very sorry to hear about your accident but glad that neither you and your friend were hurt. Good that the other driver admitted responsibility. Just take it quietly for a few days as it’s such a shock when these things happen.
-
Thank you for your kind wishes
I know I can't plead to keep my car, that was said in jesto, I know if it I written off I have alternatives but yet to be told what they are, I would like it to be restored, it is not so much the cost but if the insurance doesn't think it is worthwhile they won't repair it, just have to wait and see, the weekend has got in the way. I have had my fusion since it was a couple of years old, it is slightly higher than a lot of other cars and it suited my hip.
It is predicted colder weather, one of my friends is in Cornwall surfing , mad fools this time of the year, not for me but they enjoy it.
Call, I like the sound of Angels.
Have a good weekend
LM
.
-
Sorry to hear this LM. Had a similar experience a couple of years back- rear end shunt from someone not paying attention. Our car, a Honda Jazz , was written off- again too old to consider repairs. Luckily we were able to get another one from our local garage where we have dealt for over 20 years. We called in to see what they had and were taken with a Vauxhall Corsa and whilst we were there pondering on what to do when we spied another couple taking a close interest in it; and so into the showroom and bagged it pronto!
It was useful having the benefit of a courtesy car on our insurance as it took abouth a month to get the matter of a replacement sorted and we would have been lost without transport.
It came as a bit of a shock nearly 12 months later with a call regarding the claim as the other party's insurance company were playing a little hard to get and had delayed paying over the claim to our insurance company - threats of Court Action- which thankfully came to nought.
-
I am very sorry to read of your accident LM.
I am not getting notification of some posts,and have to keep logging in .
So sorry I have not said how glad I am you nor your passenger were hurt.
Be careful ,you might have some delayed reaction.
I hope you get a vehicle that you feel comfortable driving.
It is and has been very kind if you to take your neighbour shopping.
Hope every one is O.K.
Cheerio,Viktoria.
-
Very sorry to hear about your accident, LM. These things are so unsettling, even without injuries. I was hit a number of years ago, a teenager my kids actually went to school with, she ran the light. Not hurt and her insurance paid for my repairs.
We are in the middle of a blizzard right now with something I have never experienced- thunder and lightning! We are supposed to get up to 30 cM of the white stuff.
Had a few days’ visit with my daughters but younger one was very tired after a long bout of insomnia. My drive there included seeing two coyotes on the outskirts of Niagara Falls. I actually got onto the wrong country road, it was a bit surreal seeing these two large dog-like creatures staring at me as I turned the car around to get back on the main road!
Received unsettling news while there that my son, his partner, and baby (four and a half months) all tested positive for Covid. Son has been working since the beginning of it as his job was considered essential, and it finally caught up with him. He has been sick for about a week now but has to go back to work next week as he has used up all his paid sick days and has personal days but has used those too.
Hope everyone is well.
-
On the train home from visiting the Tower we got to the station where the sad West Ham supports joined, they had lost their match, one passenger told me he had flown in from Toronto at 1pm that day and had gone to the match that night, not a sign of jet lag I suspect the excitement of the match got him through it, he was here for 3 weeks and had got more matches to go to, all London based, he told us about the winters you have but people in the main are able to get about, not like us in England, a few inches and everything stops .
Diane, I hope your son feels better soon,
I am getting the third degree from my husband who thought I had hit the other car, how dare he??
Got the job today of filling out claims forms online, what a chore
Enjoy your weekend folks and many thanks for your support
LM
-
Years back we had a similar experience, woman in large Mitshubishi drove into us as she tried to come across us as we were exiting the roundabout - she was in the wrong lane, rammed us into some railings. Nasty.
She didn't say much at the scene, but later that evening a large and intimidating young man came round, saying there was nothing to say she was at fault, and she was "with the council"?!!! (I think she was his mum?) and what were we going to do about it?
I took photos of the lane markings approaching the roundabout, and the site generally, showing the lane markings etc. We were totally in the right, but we and the car were very bruised!
Don't let the incident force you to stop driving, L.M., and don't feel intimidated.
Our best wishes,
TY
-
TY
The lad, i would say in his early 20' s was very polite, he came to my car after I had been to his, he was a very polite lad, he asked twice if we were OK, can't fault his manners, I did wonder if it was his father's car or a company car, do have some sympathy with him to be honest but it was his fault as he admitted but that won't stand up
I must try to go for a drive later.
Take care
LM
-
On the train home from visiting the Tower we got to the station where the sad West Ham supports joined, they had lost their match, one passenger told me he had flown in from Toronto at 1pm that day and had gone to the match that night, not a sign of jet lag I suspect the excitement of the match got him through it, he was here for 3 weeks and had got more matches to go to, all London based, he told us about the winters you have but people in the main are able to get about, not like us in England, a few inches and everything stops .
Diane, I hope your son feels better soon,
I am getting the third degree from my husband who thought I had hit the other car, how dare he??
Got the job today of filling out claims forms online, what a chore
Enjoy your weekend folks and many thanks for your support
LM
Well, if your football fan was from Toronto, the winters there are fairly mild. There was a long-standing joke about a storm years ago where their mayor called in the army to help clear the snow!
Things do get cleared up quickly, the RC church on the corner has very efficient snow plowers come, and were out clearning their parking lots (school and church, both large lots) before 5 a.m. The city plows, on the other hand, have not come down our street yet (during the week they would, because of the school).
We didn't get as much as predicted but very heavy and sticky. The dog had trouble moving through it at the crack of dawn (literally, it is getting light now at 6:30).
Thank you for thoughts about my son, he is getting better, hopefully no relapse or long covid. Baby wasn't very sick, but very congested, his partner still feeling lousy.
-
LM so sorry to hear about your experience with the car. Take care.
-
I drove to a super market and my husband drove back on the same route I used yesterday, he was in the exact position I used yesterday so I am sure I did nothing wrong .
LM
-
That was a good thing, at least you won’t doubt yourself .
We never doubted you!
Quite a bright morning but cold.
Did not shop yesterday ,son was back from head office and had driven for seven hours on Friday so slept in and au thought “ Yippee ,I can do my own thing ,call in at Church for a coffee, look in charity shops just for a nosey ,get my shopping and back home.
Oh no!
Stood at the bus stop for 30 mins for a 20 minute service ,Nothing coming my way and the other direction traffic at absolute stand still .
I could have walked to town but how would I get back !
Traffic at a standstill in the direction home .Son would have been caught up in it too, so I came back home,altered my plans re evening meal , took bread out of the freezer and a nice quiet day.
Had no first class stamps ,friend’s birthday on Weds - think she is 89,lives in the lovely Gower Peninsular .I will slip to Morrison’s today( traffic allowing,I can walk down easily but uphill all the way home !) but email her anyway as
it won’t be collected until tomorrow and might not get there for Wednesday even first class.
No chance of getting to church these days ,but my son works all day and evenings in the week ,so needs a break at weekends.
Time zones overlap and it might be Monday somewhere or still Saturday !
No news really , time for a cuppa.
Cheerio. Look after yourselves and thanks for the news, it might not be terribly exciting but that can be a blessing!
Viktoria.
-
Viktoria does your church have a transport rota for collecting folk who can't get to church without transport - sometimes because the bus services don't now run at the right time? Might be worth asking if that's a possibility.
-
LM … have been wondering how you were doing
Having been to London 'to visit the King'
Good to hear what you did there
Frightening to come back to a roundabout scare!
Just a quick search to see the verse of the pussycat was from 1805, in George III time, so perhaps the little mouse was under his wife's chair … :) no matter, thankful your incident was injury free and more of a concern of the fate of your car, and dealing with that bit of third degree at home maybe and the forms, but of course the whole inconvenience of it when these things happen.
Speaking of the King, during the week a news item re some restoration and history of the Coronation chair with the occasion 2 months away now.
Any congestion in a small baby makes a mum feel a bit helpless and sorry the new mum is feeling so poorly herself still with the virus, Diana and hope that is all behind them soon.
Nature has thrown a few wobblies with extremes globally and those suffering from disasters and extreme conditions, help going to Vanuatu having borne the brunt of 2 cyclones and an earthquake this past week!
Have had the light of the new day for a couple of hours now and sunshine streaming in window … and tasks awaiting!
-
Thank you, Mare. My son is still testing positive for Covid, his partner is feeling better but still not entirely well. He has to go back to work tomorrow.
Went out for lunch today, which is one of our favourites - cafeteria style with Italian overtones, but lots of variety of other things too. Combination grocery store. Could not find sticky toffee pudding however. I bought enough for two meals, so tomorrow taken care of.
Someone was setting off fireworks last night - why, is the question! Fortunately not too late.
The snowfall from Friday night is beginning to melt, quite mild today but temps going down soon.
Out for coffee tomorrow, will catch up with friend.
-
Mare, I have spent ages trying to fill out a claim form online, everything has to be online, it is so frustrating , the questions asked, well I will have to ring them in the morning , for 2 pins I would give up driving , I did drive to church but at 08.30 hardly anyone about on a very cold morning , i am getting more worked up about it as the days past, was fine on Friday
We are expecting snow apparently, could do without that to be honest.
So tomorrow I have to do the rounds of garages and get estimates, I am really worried it will be a write off.
Anyway, new week tomorrow for better things hopefully for all who are recovering from Covid and for me.
Take care
LM
-
Diana that's scary that he's still testing positive but has to go back to work. That's not going to help his recovery but I understand what you say about not being allowed to stay off anymore. It's a very strange system each country operates- stay safe, don't spread things, but you can't get any sick pay while you're sick! You'd have thought covid might have taught everyone different ways of working but it seems not.
My daughters firm has decided they want everyone back into work and no wfh ' to increase productivity.' This despite some documented research recently that said wfh didn't lead to a drop in productivity and people were more likely to work over their hours when they knew they didn't have a long and expensive commute. I know not every business can do wfh, but many can at least some of the time.
-
Am I starting a new Diary?
Week ending March 8th?
Well son tested positive this morning for Covid ,bad cough,aches and pains really like flu.
Has notified work as he was there with others last week.
Stayed on Wednesday at old Uni friend near B/ham,so must phone them too.
I am concerned re the lady who came for a coffee yesterday .
I need to go as she is so hard of hearing.
Such heavy rain and really cold.
Braised steak for tea, with a nice squeaky fresh cabbage and potatoes.
I put lots of veggies in ,carrots ,onions ,celery, leeks.
The pressure cooker has it all done in 20 mins.
The second half I will freeze and put a suet crust on in about a month or so.
Well in the event that I get Covid again ,a quick whizz round so all is tidy ,no ironing to do but some washing ,not a big load but better done than in the basket..
Harry is at it again,probably pique because they have been asked to vacate the 2million pound restoration cost house at Sandringham ,well they are never there .
Harry comes from a broken home you know!
What a change in personality !
I can’t be doing with it .
Hope everyone is O.K.
Cheerio for now.
Viktoria.
-
Sorry to hear your son has Covid Viktoria, hope you don't catch it. Week ending this week is 12th March, I've started a new diary here:
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=870926.0
Diana, hope your family are well again soon.