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General => The Stay Safe Board => Topic started by: louisa maud on Monday 06 January 25 03:00 GMT (UK)
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Morning folks
Having a can't sleep night so I am here very early.
Even though it is almost 3am it isn't cold at all no heating on, hopefully it will be a mild dry, i am meeting a friend and going out for the day, well almost as i am back before dark, we never know where we are going till we get on our local bus, then we decide, don't think it will be coastal, might not be warm enough for that but it will be nice to get out, first day out since Christmas day apart from church and shopping, I must get out more often.
LM.
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You are very early LM and I'm a bit late wishing all a Happy New Year, as we're approaching the evening of the Epiphany in NZ and a summery day north of Auckland. Do hope you have an enjoyable day out and not too weary!
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I heard on local radio that my mum's village was impassable on all sides . Roads have flooded before so I wasn't too worried til sister told me that she was being evacuated
Water had reached skirting boards downstairs.
Power went out and the village have strong support s o there had actually been a 5am warning
Anyway my niece sent her father in-law builder with a big truck to investigate.
My mum is staying overnight at my sister's waiting for an assessor tomorrow .she seems hopeful of moving straight back in but there's all sorts of things to consider like electric contacts & condition of the water .
Will update tomorrow
My foster daughter has bad arthritis & sciatica flare up so not a good start to the year
I'm.casing up national insurance contributions hoping that I won't have to pay £1300+ for missing years in my income tax .
Hope you are all safe I'm listening to news where people are being rescued from vehicles
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So very, very sorry to hear of anyone who is suffering as a result of flooding.
Very luckily, I have never lived in an area where that might happen. For the last 20 years OH and I have lived "on top of the hill" outside Tamworth.
Good luck and my very best wishes to all.
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Hello folks
Where is everybody this week, you are all very quiet.
It has become much colder as the week has gone on, this morning instead of the usual frost on the car it just looked like a sheet if glass, I think it rained and froze straight away, I don't know really, what do I know?.
Not seen RTL lately, hope she is ok
Hope everyone is well this week including Viktoria who will soon be whizzing around on a scooter, beware folks, only joking Viktoria.
Keep warm, I am feeling decidedly chilly.
LM
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I think you will find they are still using last week.
Otherwise probably to busy trying to keep warm and dry. :)
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Apologies for being quiet!
Visiting family, I managed to spill a cuppa on my laptop :(
So I bought a new one, which arrived today - have spent hours trying to remember passwords!
Had a good Festive season.
Passenger Assistance worked well at airports and trains :D
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Pleased you had a good time, back to normality?.
LM
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Update re flood damage
My mum can't go home for 3 months carpets will be removed tomorrow and drying out started .
Inventory of everything that was damaged .
The car was a write off so I assumed that at 94 she would stop driving but no she intends to buy a nippy little car with the insurance money !
I'm getting on with the red tape for my pension & missing years.
I thought retirement age was 67 so was surprised to find myself doing this paperwork before my 66th birthday
Hope I can get a free bus pass too.
Good luck to you are all coping with the snow ice and rain .
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Pleased you had a good time, back to normality?.
LM
What's normality?! :)
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Oh Brigidmac, I am so sorry about the predicament your mother finds herself in, what a dreadful shame for her specially at her age, our thoughts are with her ,
LM ,
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Sorry to hear about Brigdmac's mother and the flooding. At 94, there is a lot to deal with.
I am in Tauranga, New Zealand, and the sun is streaming into the house. Temperatures have been in the 30-degree range.
Well, I am off to a good start to 2025. I have just been told I can come off dialysis for a while. I still need to go in and have my line cleaned once a week as they are not removing it. It has to be kept for future use.
A very Happy Carol in NZ.
Take care in the snow and ice and stay warm.
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Well done Carol, I don't doubt you are happy.
LM
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Good wishes to everyone ,so many problems for many.
A hard freezing but bright day here ,stair lift chap just been and I have ordered one ,a firm recommended by Age UK.
Well phone call from the Heart Clinic did not happen but there are so many
People much worse off than I am - I must be patient and people must have difficulty getting to work.
Left the heating on lower all night and got pans and jugs filled in case all was frozen .
Ice aerating to melt outside.
Son not back yet but it could be worse down South ,eldest came to speak to the lift man and thought of a few things I had not .
It will be fitted in a week or so.
I might charge my son to use it! The one from door but whose computers etc are still here !
I am not looking forward to cleaning the stairs!It will be a bit fiddly with the lift in place.
Well almost time for time for Countdown,I like that.
Hope all the problems we know some people are having to cope with soon get resolved ,very upsetting things and in a way we are so helpless aren’t we.
Cheerio,keep on carrying on folks many are thinking about you.
Viktoria.
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Thanks for all your concern my mother is ok .tired but very optimistic
She's moving into rooms in a friends house . Insurance will cover it . Lots of books + papers being dried out .
Her car was a write off ..she intends to buy a little run around which I was surprised by ( I thought she'd decide to stop driving)
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Well done to your dear mother for replacing her car, I thought about replacing mine when I had an accident, not my fault but I lost a lot because the other driver lied, I have not got my full confidence back, shame on me, I only drive locally and only have to negotiate 2 small roundabouts , the accident I had was on a large interchange, not negotiated that since but I have every intention of doing something about it later.
Very cold this morning, slipped slightly on my step outside the back door due to ice, car wouldn't start today either but it doesn't matter today, me thinks it might need a new battery.
LM
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Louisa I can understand how an accident would knock your confidence..
I hope you get back behind the wheel of you want to
I stopped driving 6 years ago for economic reasons and I was moving . I refused to pay for a driving license renewal each time
I changed address.
Looking forward to getting free or cheaper bus pass when I hit retirement age next month .
But it does feel strange to have my mother pick me up sometimes or drive me around . Tho like you she sticks to known routes .
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You do not have to pay to renew a driving licence when you move house.
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Hope you did not hurt yourself L.M.
We can easily pull something when we slip even if we don’t actually fall.
It is a wise person who knows their own limitations so your self imposed limits are very sensible.
Well not so cold today .
Chair lift chap came so ordered one,son and daughter in law were here and they were very helpful so should be installed very soon.
It will be a help.
I have lost my copy of Cranford ,put it down to take downstairs but it is nowhere to be seen !
It will be somewhere ridiculous .
Well phone call from Heart Unit did not come!, Perhaps the Nurse could not get to work.
There is almost no parking at Fairfield because if extensive building work so where staff park is a mystery and they have to pay to park at their place of work!
Well milder today ,hope it does not get cold again.
Cheerio, and look after yourselves .
Viktoria.
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Rosie I was charged when I changed address so wasn't going to do it again . My driving licence ran out a few months ago anyway.
Victoria how long will it take to get your stair lift ? My aunt has oneand it didn't need much cleaning according to my cousin .
Louisa hope your car starts when you need it or that battery change isn't too much of a palava
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My back door step a moveable one bought for me because the step became to deep for me over the last few years, it needs a rubber mat screwed onto it, you know the one where you can scrape your boots on, shouldn't get ice on it, so at the moment I have to be careful as the step is deeper with the movable step moved temporarily.
Viktoria, hope you get your stair lift in soon, you will notice a difference, the children will want a go on it as well till the novelty wears off.
My neighbour has lent us a booster for the car battery, we do have a battery charger but his one is almost instant I am led to believe, then when, or if it starts we are off to buy a new battery post haste.
The sun is out and makes a lot of difference but it is jolly cold, if that I all we complain about we are much more fortunate than some poor souls who are suffering with floods or fires in USA, poor souls.
Take care, keep warm.
LM
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Bye the way, nothing at all to do with the diary but does anyone know how to send money abroad, not cash of course, never done it before and not managed to get to a bank yet
LM
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It won’t be long, the bannister rail needs moving to the other side , but my son will do that ,the blocks it is mounted on need moving too to give enough space as otherwise the rail is too near the wall and as with my neighbour’s then the fingers of anyone walking downstairs would get trapped ,when helping her I often carried going down but my hand was jammed and I have very small thin hands.
Dangerous.
Then there will be some decorating to do where the plaster is affected.
Then to think about a Mobility Scooter. ::)
I don ‘t know how I stand all the excitement!
A dull day ,don’t think I need shopping and Tesco delivery tomorrow so all stocked up.
Look after yourselves .Viktoria.
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Bye the way, nothing at all to do with the diary but does anyone know how to send money abroad, not cash of course, never done it before and not managed to get to a bank yet
LM
I just do a bank transfer!
Need to know IBAN and BIC codes.
IBAN = Internation Bank Account Number; BIC = Bank Identification Code.
I also have an Irish Bank Account (for my Dutch pension!), so Euro transfers are easy!
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Thank you for that, it is a wedding gift to a relation in New Zealand, never do e it before.
LM
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LM, to send money from France to our son & grandchildren in the UK
we use a Wise account, https://wise.com/. Or to order stuff on the internet that comes from somewhere using sterling or US dollars, for example.
They don't charge the conversion rates high street banks do, much less!
You open an account in your currency, add to it from time to time, when you want to send money or pay for orders, then pay out in whatever currency is required.
We find it VERY convenient ! And cheap!
Margaret
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LM - regarding money transfer. Like teragram we also use Wise.com sending money to Australia. It is the most efficient, simple and cheapest way to do it. I’d not consider using any other method. Hope you find it just as efficient.
Caroline
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Thank you all for your suggestions, must get working on it soon.
It is really cold this morning, I am on coffee rota this today, the other woman said she would do it if I couldn't get there but often she isn't reliable, I don't feel as if many will be I church at 09.15, it will be so cold.
Had to replace my car battery yesterday, just hope it starts first time at 08.30 if not I am staying in, coffees or no coffees .
Keep warm and dry everyone
LM
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I am not venturing out this morning ,still lots of snow and ice, the heating had failed last time I went to church, and I have had no word that it is repaired.
So very cold.
I have no idea how far I can walk before I should turn back ,or not be able to get back.
Patience,patience ,patience.
I have found Cranford !
A piece of ham to cook today, not sure how I will do the potatoes, perhaps with nutmeg and cream.Runner beans and peas.
Now dead common ———pineapple !
A spicy / hot chilli sauce, lightened with pineapple juice.
A very 1960’s recipe.
We thought we were posh!
Remembered I had not lagged the hosepipe tap in the garden so late last night I was out there ,it had not frozen but better safe than a flood in the
utility room, it is from a spur off the washer supply .
Son had gone home ( next door ) but came back later to sleep as his boiler had failed and his house was freezing .
Hope you had a nice day L.M.and be careful with that step!
Tesco delivery midday. So a lot to put away ——— I don’t like substitutes .
Hope those with problems are alright ,brigidmac , I echo others’ kind words.
Well a nice coffee and a fridge tidy ready for more stuff.
I have a busy week, phone calls not come and a query re the request from Wythenshaw Hospital that the Consultant at Fairfield should see me, quickly- I only ever see the Nurse Practitioner who is very good but of course things have now changed a lot for the worse.
An eye appointment at Rochdale has come for 17th Jan, they are trying to find a drop for Glaucoma that does not adversely affect the heart, many contain Beta Blockers.Not good for me!
Cheerio folks, look after yourselves.
Viktoria,
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At 08.30 this morning my car was minus 5 degrees , I looked out of the door, very frosty and misty, I shut the door and came in then decided I would go to church afterall, my worry was a hill that is always icy, so I did a detour and missed the hill and arrived safely , not so many had ventured out so not so many teas and coffee and I was home reasonably early, our house is north facing so the ice is still our side of the road, across they are clear at the front.
I have discovered Viktoria I can say " no substitutes" on my order, not going to make the same mistake that I did in the past but I only have a delivery about every 2 months, i buy fresh locally now.
Take care everyone and keep warm
LM
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I spent some of today sorting out my mother's water damaged photos .
Quite a lot of the photos had survived despite albums being damaged . So she and my sister had already rescued our childhood photos removing them from albums and. Numbering them there are 75 of my baby years
I was pleased that most of my Nana's photos from album. 1920-1940 had survived except for first page and last page & 1 photo in the middle stuck to another.
The fact that the water may have been toxic does mean that throwing things away is safer .
It was a good excuse for a clear out and my mother is philosophical that her kitchen needed redoing anyway & the car was due for repairs . She's also grateful that unlike some of her neighbours she hasn't had to move to the local Travelodge but a friend in the village ..near shops + library is going to rent her a room with bathroom.
Also she plans to go back most days+ use her upstairs rooms as an office .the electrician got the lights working + the heating needs to be on with a dehumidifier to dry downstairs out . The carpets have been removed.
The village has an amazing community spirit. They are helping with the clean up offering hot thermos . washing loads. use of ovens . & Lifts
If you saw news of the pub owner who rescued a woman from car . residents wanted to start a gofund account for him & his pub but he asked for any money to go to the local churches or the rescue organisation all he wanted was some physical help with cleaning !
What a hero
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Oh Brigidmac,to lose photographs would really distress me,I am so glad you have saved many.
Glad things are getting sorted out for your mum, we get to the moon but have little control over floodings and drought,why can’t they direct such research into worldly problems, we will only ruin the moon eventually !
THEN we really WILL be in trouble, the moon controls quite a lot.!
( My behaviour perhaps ::)
Not washed up yet ,I like “ Call the Midwife” so will sort out the kitchen after that.
Cheerio. Viktoria.
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Thanks Viktoria
The drains could be better managed and the tendency to build on flood plains .
& I think global warming is down to human behaviour too .
I'm definitely a moonatic ...it controls women's behaviour especially.
I watched "call the midwife" too it's reached the 1970's now so reflects my childhood years .
Louisa you were brave to drive this morning.
Goodnight all
New week tomorrow !
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We transferred monies from the UK to family in Thailand. It cost us nearly 50% in commission....
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That is what I have been quoted by one bank, takes all the Joy out of what should be a lovely present .
LM
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That is what I have been quoted by one bank, takes all the Joy out of what should be a lovely present .
LM
LM as mentioned by others there’s no need to use the bank doing it online via Wise.com using your bank debit card is the easiest and definitely the cheapest, most reliable way of transferring money.. it’s done in minutes and received in minutes.
We use this method all the time for our son in Australia.
My brother in law does the same with his family in Singapore too.
The exchange rate they give is far better than bank ones too… it’s definitely worth a look.
Caroline
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Agree totally with Caroline. Use Wise.com, LM. It's very easy.