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General => The Stay Safe Board => Topic started by: louisa maud on Monday 17 November 25 09:32 GMT (UK)

Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: louisa maud on Monday 17 November 25 09:32 GMT (UK)
Good morning folks
Beautiful day here but a bit nippy, washing out for as ĺong as it stays nice.

Another week gone Viktoria, time soon goes and you will be back to near normal but you still ought to take it easy.

Beautiful picture on last week's diary from New Zealand, I have a tour to NZ, I would like to have gone again but age caught up with us.

This week although I have a busy week I need to get into the loft to get my bazaar things down, every year I say it is the last time, it is hard work on the day and this year it is a different bazaar which incorporates the Christmas tree lighting at 4pm, so it will be a long day.

Take care folks

LM
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: ThrelfallYorky on Monday 17 November 25 15:53 GMT (UK)
Another terrible week at the mercy of my internet non-provider! so long since I've been able to access my e-mails that everyone must think I've vanished. And I seem to be paying at least £15 more each month than everyone else I know!
Kind next door neighbour has just spent over an hour trying to get through their heads that I just want me own e-mail working properly, and passwords that actually work!
Progress! - Bah humbug. Pass me a quill pen, oak gall ink and a ream of parchment!
TY
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: louisa maud on Monday 17 November 25 16:36 GMT (UK)
It is frustrating,  we were somehow talked into this new scheme whereby our Internet  should be all singing and dancing, not convinced myself.
Good to see you back TY.

LM
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: ThrelfallYorky on Tuesday 18 November 25 14:42 GMT (UK)
Well, after 2 hours being talked at, I needed some civilised company!
TY
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: Roobarb on Tuesday 18 November 25 15:11 GMT (UK)
Had a very tall pyracantha (shrub) removed from my back garden yesterday. I planted it years ago and have always kept it pruned but last autumn I had a horrible virus that left me weak for ages after, so I never managed to prune the shrub. This year it just took off, must have been about six feet above the top of the fence, it was shading my patio and getting out of hand. I decided to have it removed because I couldn't reach to prune it and as the years go by I might find that it's too much for me. It wasn't cheap to get it removed but they did a good job. Anyway, today it's cold and rained all morning but this afternoon when the rain stopped i did some gardening  ;D Just wanted rid of some stuff that had been growing under the shrub and up the fence and as it's the last garden waste collection this week I thought I'd get it out of the way. Sleet forecast tomorrow!  :-\

Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: Jool on Tuesday 18 November 25 15:56 GMT (UK)
Roobarb, did they wear a suit of armour to remove it  ;D.  Evil thorns on a Pyracantha, mine has attacked me several times.  I chopped mine down from about 7 ft to about 4 ft this year with the intention of moving it to the other side of the garden but never got around to it.  Were the roots on yours deep/wide?  I'm wondering if moving it may be a bigger job than I thought.
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: radstockjeff on Tuesday 18 November 25 16:14 GMT (UK)
It is frustrating,  we were somehow talked into this new scheme whereby our Internet  should be all singing and dancing, not convinced myself.
Good to see you back TY.

LM
Just had the BTEE engineer in to fit the new boxes. All seems tickety boo. Nice chap , very helpful as was the man from BT last week when I renewed my contract. Nice to be able to say how helpful they both were. rj
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: Roobarb on Tuesday 18 November 25 16:46 GMT (UK)
Jool, I've come off worst many times after fighting those viscous thorns! I learnt many years ago to pick up the prunings by the soft leaves at the tip rather than grabbing it! The roots weren't all that thick, perhaps three inches in diameter. They didn't actually remove the roots, I told them I didn't want it to grow back so they cut it off right down to the soil then injected something into the roots that poisons it. It will then just rot away. I do think it would be a big job to move one, I've tried previously to get to the roots and it's not easy. A few years ago I took a cutting to grow on the back fence, it's really taken off and I'm now intending to chop it down as far as possible before I end up with the same problem.
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: Jool on Tuesday 18 November 25 17:10 GMT (UK)
Hmmm, I think it may be staying where it is, Roobarb.  I wanted to move it with 2 cuttings I have in pots to the other fence to deter any pesky intruders as that fence borders a road rather than a neighbour's garden.  I will let you know how I get on if I decide to attempt it  :-\
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: Roobarb on Tuesday 18 November 25 18:07 GMT (UK)
Good luck, get those gauntlets ready  ;D
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: Viktoria on Wednesday 19 November 25 15:27 GMT (UK)
I have a shrub in my front garden,  bought it for the berries hoping birds would be attracted.
It is quite big,have not pruned it ,not high it is spreading over the pebbles it has lots of berries which I hoped would feed the birds but no luck there.
It does however now hang over the fence and seems to deter the pupils from the local High School.
I was pretty certain they were meeting someone who was supplying ——-but overhangs the fence,but still  lots of room for people passing so I have not cut it back and no the teenagers there now.
Also dogs(ouch !) give it a wide berth as it is down to the ground.
Pretty blossom too.

Well a bitterly cold day but very sunny but no warmth from the sun.
A thumping headache perhaps from having Covid and Flu vaccinations yesterday.
Have sent details of two programmes Dan Snow presented ,about Tutankhamun , to Flash Harry’s daddy - FH is very interested .
So sad I feel Tutankhamun was unwrapped, those golden masks and the then a blackened ,shrivelled body,with teeth like  Freddy Mercury ,a damaged foot which meant he needed a walking stick, a very poor specimen but that can be the result of sisters and brothers marrying and having children .
All to keep the Royal blood  pure!

Well strong sunshine is not warming things up at all,Hope it is like this on Friday ,I can hang washing out !
Thanks for all your kindness and encouragement folks,especially when many of you too have health problems.
This was “ positive inconvenience “ really ,over tomorrow thank goodness.
Cheerio ,my best wishes and thoughts go to you all with many thanks .
Viktoria.

Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: louisa maud on Wednesday 19 November 25 15:47 GMT (UK)
Viktoria   it might well be over tomorrow  but I guess you ought not to go back tobwhat eas your normal straight away  just take care.

Lousy day today and very cold after yesterday being  a nice bright day and seemed to have stayed lighter much longer , the sun makes all the difference.

Went fo a large shopping centre and managed to few things I  unexctedly  found, so all in all I had a nice but tiring  day.

Keep warm folks, getting  steadily  colder

LM
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: Roobarb on Wednesday 19 November 25 16:31 GMT (UK)
We've had sleet most of the day, although the sun has shown its face briefly a couple of times. Really cold now and snow forecast this evening, hail tomorrow morning, we're getting the lot! But sunshine on Friday, hope that sticks around.

For those who hate apps, stop reading now! The Met Office has decided to 'modernise' it's weather app and you can test the beta version. When I saw that I could keep the old one too I thought I'd give it a try. Must say I'm not impressed. The location is less precise and where before you could scroll down your saved places, now you have to take the option to change it. I often look at the forecast here then compare it with what my friend in Devon is getting. And when you look at the map it's obliterated by a box. And even worse, the new app shows different forecasts to the old one!
I've completed the feedback form but I do wonder how much notice they take of these things. 
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: Viktoria on Wednesday 19 November 25 21:40 GMT (UK)
Just watching the programme about  Irish Dancing ,—- the young girls look like old tarts!
Bold make up,exaggerated hair does and costumes.-
Why not the beautiful traditional Irish costumes ?
It is more like a young girl's twist  on  “Come Dancing “.
Horrible .
What a shame .
Viktoria.
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: mare on Thursday 20 November 25 04:38 GMT (UK)
There was a big change in traditional costumes during the decade our girls were Irish Dancing, Viktoria, particularly after Riverdance appeared on the scene also bringing an influx of new dancers.
Our girls started with simple gored dresses with embroidery down the front and around the hem, crochet collars and a contrast cape pinned with claddagh brooch, costumes homemade by me. They were the dancing school outfit at the time in dark green, then the teacher wanted them lined in a contrast lime green, a bit of a mission but obliged. After that she updated dresses with a bodice style,  and a heavily stiffened front panel, applique and embroidery all panels and sleeves, crochet collars, I managed to get those done over a couple of months carting the embroidery sections everywhere I went to have them complete. Fortunately the bigger changes to very short tunics and addititions of tulle and whatnot came after they finished competitions, though wigs had made a big appearance, only our eldest had to have a wig to match her team when she went to Ireland. Our youngest had almost natural ringlets, easy to rag up and enhance and there's nothing like the bounce of real hair  :D Sometimes didn't recognise children on stage in their later 'getup' when I went to see the competitions, it seems showy appearance almost more important than dancing ability for some  :-X

We went to our first Christmas lunch yesterday, big group and usually book early for venue availablity, very nice catching up with long time friends  :)

Very summery today ... 
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: Viktoria on Thursday 20 November 25 22:15 GMT (UK)
Friday 20th.
Had a lucky escape today- had my gas fire serviced a little while back.
Have not used it since but today it was really cold .
However ,it clicked but would not ignite . Tried a few times .
Just then my eldest son came and said he could smell gas—- I have a cold whether from the flu jab or just coincidence —- I could not smell it .
Second son said he could too.
So I phoned the person  who serviced it and he came very quickly and yes a spray can of something magic showed a very small leak ,thank goodness it did not ignite !
All  sealed off now and a full investigation tomorrow .
 He was on his way to Blackburn Infirmary for an investigative procedure but called in ,well it was dangerous .
A very bright but really cold day .
Used my arm a bit but not yet got used to being able to  ::)

I have not  registered my scooter with DVLA —- I have no intention of going on road with it , but it is powerful enough to cope with the steep climb from our town centre to here .Not all are .
I ought to have done it .
It still has only  0.6 of a mile on it!
I hate it ,really do .

Well milky de caf coffee time with chocolate biscuits .
Thanks for your news and look after yourselves .
Cheerio.Viktoria.
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: Jebber on Thursday 20 November 25 22:37 GMT (UK)
Don’t wish the days away, they go too fast as it is. You are ahead of yourself  Viktoria it’s still Thursday;D

Don’t go mad by over doing things, work up to lifting slowly.

I hope you’ve got your scooter  insured, both against theft and importantly third party in case you knock someone over when you are wizzing around like a Formula One racer. ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: mare on Friday 21 November 25 03:47 GMT (UK)
A very warm and summery Friday 21st late afternoon for us  :)

Thankfully you had someone to quickly check and sort the gas issue Viktoria!!

We're heading north to be with family Saturday, celebrating daughter's birthday next week early. At the  moment a chicken in the oven to take cold and have made her a trifle, two of her favourites  :)

Enjoy your weekend all, stay safe and well! ...

Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: Gillg on Friday 21 November 25 11:40 GMT (UK)
The coldest morning yet!  Bright and sunny now here in Devon at about 3 degrees, but I have put out my washing in hope that it won't be draped around clothes horses/maidens at the end of the day.  Today we have put the central heating on all day, but at a low temperature.  I have designated it as a cleaning day, so should keep warm just by dashing around with a duster and polish.  Hot soup for lunch today, I think, and a spicy veggie traybake for supper. We like spicy food and are great fans of curries.

Viktoria, take it easy as you move into shoulder freedom again. I hope you soon get going with the scooter.  You will find it a boon.  And what a scare about your gas fire!  I'm glad you got it mended quickly.
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: louisa maud on Friday 21 November 25 11:48 GMT (UK)
Having changed our heating  last winter to a combi boiler I have never felt so cold in my life, we had to get rid of the back boiler, shame but it was out of date.

Beautiful day here but very cold, frost on the car.

My brother is in Torquay  hospital after having  a replacement knee,  should have been home yesterday but was kept in, he is very short  on info so I  have to wait for the next update.

Off to the local Eye clinic with my husband  to see what is happening about his cataracts.

Keep warm folks

LM
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: radstockjeff on Saturday 22 November 25 13:43 GMT (UK)
I decided this week that I needed a new pair of shoes. Mine were beginning to leak! Because of my current limited mobility I needed to get to the nearest shoe shop without having to walk far from the car. I had heard that the shop where I bought my last pair about two years ago was probably going to close down.
And so on Thursday morning I set off for the High Street and lo and behold a parking space only about 50 yards from the shop. The shop open and there were no other customers.

The shopkeeper greeted me, looked at my feet and said
"Do you want another pair like that? I have one pair of size 7 left!"
I looked in some amazement at him.
 
" You came in about two years ago, with your son who was staying with you from Australia!"

"Yes please, these have done very well, and yes it was my son."

And so after trying on the new ones and having a little easing on his special machine, I bought them. And they were the same price that I had paid two years back.

When I went to pay for them he saw my late wife's photo in the card holder.
"Oh I remember her, she was a lovely lady, always with a smile on her face. She came in here quite often for her shoes".

And then, having packed the shoes into a box he said
"Where have you parked you car?" and then proceed to carry the parcel along the street to where I was parked.
What a memory and what splendid service and customer awareness. It will be a sad day when he closes. rj
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: BumbleB on Saturday 22 November 25 13:58 GMT (UK)
rj - what a wonderful story - it restores one's faith in humanity.   :) :)
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: louisa maud on Saturday 22 November 25 14:16 GMT (UK)
Rj, what a nice experience,  must have made your day..LM
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: Caw1 on Saturday 22 November 25 14:37 GMT (UK)
Wonderful to hear Jeff … it’s called pride in your work and exemplary customer service that is generally lacking these days.
Very pleased that you got such a good experience..

Caroline
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: Viktoria on Saturday 22 November 25 18:18 GMT (UK)
Even this young generation will not have had such personal service .
It used to be the usual thing ,along with Christmas clubs at the butcher’s, greengrocers,grocers ,toy shop, sweet shop,all to spread the cost.

And when a new dressing gown and slippers were a lovely Christmas present- never mind that you needed them.

Nice story Jeff.
Such a pity such personal touches are fading fast.
Thanks.
Viktoria.
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: Jebber on Saturday 22 November 25 18:54 GMT (UK)
Jeff. Your tale of such excellent service takes me back sixty plus years to when such service would have been unremarkable.  So much in life was better in the “Good old Days”.
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: mare on Sunday 23 November 25 21:11 GMT (UK)
Definitely a pleasure being able to purchase something needed and being treated as a valuable customer, that though Jeff is above and beyond isn't it, remembering the details so accurately after a couple of years and wonderful service!

A sunny Monday morning NZ  :) intending to be out and about once electrician has been and done    ...
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 23rd November 2025
Post by: BushInn1746 on Monday 24 November 25 12:23 GMT (UK)
Hello All

I hope those not well are improving.

Sunny here which makes a change.

Mark