Evening all.

Not too bad today. A little frosty first thing and up to 3c this afternoon.

A bit damp all day, as is usual at this time of year, but I got my one job done, so I'm finished for the season, unless I get a phone call from someone.

Hicky. That's good that your OH is getting on well enough to look after herself, and got good marks for her physiotherapy.

You've got scales for every occasion now.

Mollie. Thanks for the advent pic .

Pity you've had a cold. Hope it clears up soon.

I saw that Banksy pic in the news, but hadn't twigged that it was in Wales, let alone near you.

Watched Jamie Oliver then the second episode of 'The Long Song'.

Evening Mollie.

9c today, light rain at times, wind was 16.

O/H was out at 8.30am to meet her mum at a hospital where she was seeing a consultant about a few problems, problem is over the last few months she has seen everyone except the Supervet and noone has found a thing wrong with her but she wont accept that so she keeps looking, she is 88 and as fit as a butchers dog.

O/H got home at about 12.30 and i had a piece of Belly Pork cooking so made a roast dinner, she enjoyed that.

I had fried eggs on toast for brekkie, very nice.

We are going to Sainsbury's in the morning for a few bits and something to eat in the cafe.

Just been eating some chocy covered dates, so nice.

Thank you for the advent pic, but i can't see what it is?

Yes, the scales are off Amazon, they will do me.

Hope your cold goes soon, you don't want that bothering you over Crimbo.

I usually watch recording now, or the Canadian or Australian or US Border Security, i also watch recording of all the Gold Rush programs.

A nice drawing by Banksy, so talented, it will be interesting to see it for real.

Hi Hicky.

That's good that your MiL is doing so well at 88.

The Supervet will be expensive mind.

That was nice of you, doing a roast for your OH when she came back.

Quite a bit of rain today, but didn't go out anyway.

Just stayed in and did a bit of housework.

Watched The Secret Life of the Zoo then The Long Song.

both

Advent day 20 - and it is a pretty Christmas tree.

Emptybox

well done getting your last job of the season done and dusted.

I am puzzled why you did some housework when you have no visitors expected soon?

Hicky

that is good if they can't find anything wrong with your MIL at such an age.

at the fact she has seen everyone except supervet. It did make a long morning out for your OH though, hope her knees coped ok.

Hope you enjoy your morning outing to Sainsburys, Our Sainsburys have a cafe too and it is a favourite place for me to meet friends (mum's ex carer) for coffee and a snack before shopping.

Dates are real good for you, I didn't even know they did them covered in choccy.

Yes I realised after I had posted it that yesterday's advent piccie was a bit small, it was just someone passing on a pressie.

The good news is that the cold has gone, that manuka honey and ecanacia must of helped shift it as it only lasted 2 days. Now I think OH has it as he his losing his voice. I have told him to get the honey down him too.

We went to Cardiff Winterwonderlad tonight. So pretty with all the lit up fair ground rides and loads of people on the ice rink. Me and OH had some churros with cinnamon sugar, delicous. Daughter had a crepe with nutella and bananas. Lads had chips.

Here is the recipe for churros incase you havne't tried them Hicky...

https://www.thespruceeats.com/churros-recipe-3029721

So didn't watch any tv tonight.

Weather not too bad just a few showers, so we did't get too wet tonight.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening Both.

I seem to have missed one of your posts Emptybox, not sure how, the one above my last post?

9c today but mainly drizzle all day, not nice at all, winds at around 12.

O/H went for a drive around the block, no problem so we went to Sainsbury's for brekkie and a few goodies, had a lovely meal.

We bought some fish and big prawns for tea with a pack of Asparagus, yummy.

Having saltfish for brekkie tomorrow, have put it in soak, it is only thin bits so won't need long.

Mollie, MIL believes she has all sorts of things wrong with her, but she does like attention, she shows everyone what she can't do, which is strange.

It took a while going around the shop as everyone stopped to talk to o/h, i was glad when we got to the cafe.

Thank you for the advent tree, very nice, i don't have one this year.

Yes, that Manuka honey sure has magic properties, if the Supervet uses it then it must be good.

The Churros look nice, never heard of them mind, bet they are tasty, i can imagine the filled ones would be even more yummy.

The Fair Ground would look lovely lit up, i would have probably headed for the hot dog stand as i love them so much, covered in mustard and tom sauce.

Emptybox, When you consider some of the bills from the Supervet range from £5k to £9k then that puts the MIL out of range for even a vet, but not sure why some of his methods used are not used in human surgery, or is it that everything takes so long if you are human.

My delivery of the Scales and dish has just arrived, poor driver must have been out since 8.15 this morning according to the tracking page.

I think O/H is liking me doing her Roast Dinners, she is very capable of course but it gives her a rest from cooking.

both xxx

Advent day 21 - and we have Eye-ore from Winnie the Pooh, I love the Winnie the Pooh sayings, such a brilliant writer.

Hicky

that is good your OH is drving problem free again. Glad you enjoyed your outing and meal at Sainsburys. Yes I can imagine all the staff who worked with OH were pleased to see her and wanted to stop for a chat, but it must of been tiring for you.

Yes there were hot dog places at the fair, but they were like German sausage wooden huts with different choices of sausages. Churros is only a recent thing introduced here, not sure where it originated from.

Yes these delivery drivers are really worked hard, must be exhausting for them.

I am shattered tonight as I went for lunch with the aqua people, then went food shopping after and we needed a lot with it being Christmas food and 5 of us plus pets.

Will tell you about the meal out tomorrow.

Emptybox

hope you had a good day today.

What did you watch on tv? I only watched Corrie and am going to bed early now to read my magazine as I am done in.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi both.
Rather damp day here but a bit warmer. Up to 6c.
Didn't do much, but went into town for a few things.

Hicky. Pleased that your scales and dish managed to get to you before Xmas.
That's great that your OH is driving again. Will save you money and hassle, needing all those taxis.

That's funny that your MiL shows everybody what she can't do.
I think the methods used by the Supervet can't be used on humans because the testing for humans is much more rigorous.
The Supervet just has an idea about some prosthetic device, and knocks it up himself and fits it, but a human doctor wouldn't be allowed. Which is perhaps a pity.

Mollie. Thanks for both your latest advent pics. Very colourful.
That's great that your cold is going. The honey must have worked it's magic. Pity you seem to have passed it on to your OH though.

Yes, it was a bit strange that I did some housework even though I won't have any guests for a while. But even I begin to notice when the house gets a bit grubby.
The lino on the kitchen floor needed a mop down, as I must have gone in there with muddy shoes at some point. And I thought I might as well have a dust and a hoover at the same time. Although I haven't actually hoovered yet. I'll do that tomorrow.

Glad you enjoyed the Winter Wonderland. I'd never heard of Churros either.

Hope you enjoyed your Xmas lunch today?

Didn't watch much telly as such tonight, as there wasn't much on. But I did finally get round to watching the last Christmas episode of Victoria, which had been on my recorder since last year. I think I hadn't got round to it because it was 2 hours long.

Evening Both.

10c today, light rain showers, winds of 18.

Stayed in today, the meat order came from the butchers so we are sorted for a while now.

We had the salt fish for brekkie with bacon and crumpets.

Just had 2 of the Pork Pies that came, yummy.

Might make another loaf and try the new scales and weighing dish.

SIL is coming in the morning to pick up the delivery from the butchers for MIL which is coming in the morning so i'll make her some nice toast.

Mollie, Thats a nice advent oic, thank you, it was nice wandering around the shop again, seems so long since i did.

You had a busy day then, with the food shopping as well, you should have got it delivered.

Emptybox, MIL has been a problem for a while, she keeps finding things wrong but when tested they are fine, this happens week in and week out, she keeps getting appointments to see various specialists and when she turns up they don't know why she came, everything has been tested and tested over and over, xrays, blood tests, breathing tests physio tests, she saw one the other day about her heart, he said why did you come to see me, she said i thought it might be my heart that is making me short of breath, he said your heart is fine, she just likes visitors and people fussing over her.

I notice in Supervet, the parts made for the knee joints etc are planned and designed using the CT scan of the animal, very clever so it's the right size, also the use of stem cells to recreate the new bone structure is amazing.

both

Advent day 22 -and its a skating Santa (quite small so hope Hicky can see it).

Emptybox

hope you enjoyed your sphag bol and beer tonight.

Day at home today? The beauty of having Christmas with your brother means you don't have to face the food shopping supermarket madness.

Hicky

hope you are pleased with your scales and weighing dish when you use them.

I am sure SIL will appreciate your home made bread toasted.

I guess at aged 88,it is undertandable your MIL likes people fussing over her. It is lucky though, that so far,  they haven't been able to find anything really wrong with her.

It is amazing how far advanced supervet is compared to what they do for humans. I remember his saying once he wished they would take on board for humans what he does for his animals.

A quick tale from yesterday's lunch out....
do any of you know what this is, as I didn't !

One of these was on my plate next to my raspberry and prosecco cheesecake yesterday. I ate all the cheesecake, then thought I'd eat what looked like a biscuit straight after. (I didn't have my reading glasses to look closely and wont' wear them in public anyway as they make me look older).  Then the woman who was sitting next to me  said to me "aren't you going to eat your Chinese gooseberry? Maybe trying to show off to me that she knew what it was and I didn't?  But it was lucky she did say this, else I'd of ended up trying to eat these leaves, thinking it was a biscuit!
So when I got home I googled and a Chinese gooseberry is actually a kiwifruit, not one of these. This is actually a Cape gooseberry (physalis), but can be called a Chinese lantern. It was very nice though. Anyone else had one?

Busy again today, trying to catch up with washing and food shopping, and sorting what family gifts are for who. As usual I have got one gift twice, as I bought the 1st one when it was on offer ages ago and hid it, then realised today that i had bought it again yesterday.   It is a box of Black Magic for daughter, as those are her fave chocs. Good job they are, as she has 2 boxes of them now.

Not a bad day here today, quite mild, cloudy but very little rain.

Watching Jayne Mcdonald, really like her.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi both.
Dull and damp here, but not cold.
Got my hoovering done and enjoyed my Spag Bol and beer.

Hicky. Glad that's you sorted for meat for a while.
Yes, I guess MiL likes the attention, but I probably better to be safe than sorry at her age.
The Supervet is very inventive in what he does.

 Mollie. I'm going to go to Lidl tomorrow as usual, so hopefully it won't be too packed.
Yes I've had one of those orange fruits before in a restaurant, used as garnish on a sweet. Don't think I knew what it was called though.
I'm sure those extra chocolates won't go to waste.

Watched Watership Down then Casualty then The Vicar of Dibley, then something on Netflix.

Evening Both.

7c today, light rain mainly, miserable anyway, no wind really.

Delivery came for MIL this morning, never seen so much sliced cooked beef and ham in my life, £108 worth, she got it for the visitors that call, but she is living in the past as so many don't go round now like the old days.

I cooked a Pork Boned Shoulder for Lunch with baked spuds sprouts and lovely gravy,

Will be cooking half of the Rib beef tomorrow for Christmas day, o/h will cook her Turkey crown Tuesday.

Just cooking a beef tongue, the whole thing only cost £6.50 and it's massive, but i love tongue, they had said they would cook it, it will take 2.5 hours to cook, then i have to peel it.

I asked for a beef heat but they couldn't get me one, will try again after Crimbo.

Struggling for room in cupboards, fridge or freezers now, thats it, can only find space by eating, what an awful thought.

SIL called in for some of my toast, very nice, she enjoyed that.

The new loaf without seed was fine, a 15 min knead, 2 rest periods of an hour and 35 mins cooking time at 180c.

About the Holiday, it looks like my DIL in Oz can get a holiday in April, it seems possible we could have some time in Sydney then all go to the Palm Grove area for a couple of weeks, not sorted yet, he is just processing ideas.

Mollie, Ho Ho Ho, nice skating Santa, last time i skated i think i did a slight damage to the brain, i was using the rinks useless skates and slipped going around a bend in the rink and went backwards hitting my head on the ice, pretty bad, the last time i had a head scan they could see the old damage.

The scales are ideal, a lovely set, can scrap the old ones.

In the end the methods used by Supervet will be used on all of us, no reason why not.

I think i'ce had those Chinese Gooseberries before, in a Chinese place of course.

Black Magic has dark chocolate though, not sure o/h likes that, think i got that last year by mistake.

Emptybox, The hardest thing now is what to eat when? Ha Ha, we will just slowly work through it all, no hurry.

At least you got some hoovering done, you can take it easy now, what do you have Christmas day?

both xxx

Advent day 23.....Christmas cookies and hot choc.

Emptybox

well done getting the incentive to do housework with no visitors due, you must of had a quick burst of energy as you are not using it doing gardens now.

Hope you did not find Lidl too busy, we went last night and it was not too bad at all there. Plenty of nice treats to buy too. We had gone to M and S beforehand and it was awful, crowded, overpriced and they had run out of most party food choices. Wished we hadn't bothered, especially as when we got back to OH's car, someone had left a note with the numberplate of a car who had run into OH's car and driven off! They had left scratches on front of car and small dent to bumper. OH said he couldn't be bothered chasing it up though, as the car is 9 years old with quite a few scratches and he didn't want to affect his no claims.

Hicky

That's good the new loaf turned out so well and that SIL enjoyed it. 

Aaww at your MIL still catering for lots of visitors she no longer has.

That would be lovely if you could fit that holiday in during April. A nice time of year to be in Oz.

  at you having such bad head injury from scating that it sitll shows on a scan. What did you last have to have a head scan for?

What to eat when.....what a nice dilemma to have.

Been busy again, took some pressies to mum's ex carers kiddies. My daughter had made them cookies shaped as snowmen, Christmas trees, Santas, bells and with colourfull icing.

Went to Co op for bread and milk, then helped look after neigbhour's dog as the owner was going out, then had veggie burgers on brioche buns for tea.

Wathed itv tonight, really good,... one show with 6 year old sets of twins, followed by The Chase Bloomers,- Bradley Walsh was hilarious on that show!

Goodnight both xxx

I bought this from Lidl last night to wear on Christmas day.

Not at all subtle is it?

Did you buy the man's one when you went to Lidl today by any chance Emptybox?

https://www.lidl.co.uk/en/Midd....htm?articleId=18542

Hi both.
Not too bad day here. Some blue skies anyway.
Went to Lidl this afternoon. Wasn't any busier than usual.

Hicky. Funny how you've got so much meat, but your SiL comes for toast? Mind you, I suppose it's your home made toast.
I'm sure you'll find some way to get through all that food.
I'm just having Turkey on Christmas Day, I think.
That's good that you might now have a date for your holiday in Oz.
Hitting your head on ice must have been nasty. Specially if they can still see the results.

Mollie. Thanks for the hot choc and cookies.
That's bad that someone ran into your car without leaving details. Glad there's not too much damage.
Didn't notice those Xmas outfits at Lidl, or I'd have been sorely tempted to get the male version.....NOT.
Pity M&S was a disappoinment.

That was nice of your daughter, to make treats for your friend's children.
Is your neighbour back from overseas? Good of you to look after the dog again.

Watched a lot on BBC1 - 'Hold the Sunset' then 'Open All Hours' then 'Watership Down'. Then I turned over to CH5 for 'Agatha and the Truth of Murder', then the film 'Krampus'.
So I've watched more TV tonight than usual, but I suppose it's nearly Christmas?

Evening Both.

Not bad here today, 6c sunny all day and hardly any wind.

Didn't get up till 11.30 this morning, had a nice lay in, then i made a full English brekkie for us and put a piece of Rib beef in the oven for tomorrow, o/h will do her Turkey Crown tomorrow.

Had a couple of tastes of the Tongue i cooked, wow, that is super duper, i noticed on the Alaska programs when they hunt an animal the Tongue is the most prised, along with the heart.

Not done much today, had a walk around the garden, all seems ok for now.

Mollie, Thats a lovely advent picture, so cosy with the hot choccy.

My last head scan was when i almost fainted while emptying the dish washer and was dizzy, my lad took me to the walk in center and they were doing tests, never found a problem though.

You have been busy again, taking pressies to your mums ex carers kiddies, and looking after doggies.

Emptybox, I did have a bit of a struggle to fit all the food in the fridge and freezers.

Those holiday dates are just to see how they can fit in with my DIL's holiday allotment and assuming they are still working in Sydney, mind you he is on maternity leave.

both

Last advent piccie day as it is advent day 24. -and its ....

Emptybox

that is good Lidl was not too busy for you, pity you didn't feel tempted by the Santa Suit, you would of looked good in it.

Hicky

that is the good thing about being retired, if you fancy a lie in, you can take one.

Oh yes I remember when you nearly fainted over the dishwasher. Good job there was nothing found.

I am not surprised you had a problem fitting all that food in the fridge/freezer, you certainly won't go hungry.

Been busy sorting family's gifts out today and went with family for a walk as weather quite nice, dog can't walk far, so she part walked and part we pushed her in her doggie pram. At least I dont' need my stick when I have the pram to hold onto.

Watched Keith and Paddy doing Gremlins, so funny.

Then Click and Collect, also very funny.

Goodnight both xxx

Happy Christmas Eve.

Hi both.

Very cold today. The fields were white with frost when I drove to my Brother's, and my van said -1c. This was at 2pm.

Still, it wasn't a bad drive over. Had a nice meal of Gammon tonight.

Hicky. That was nice having a lie-in. Glad you're pleased with your tongue. I've never tried it.

Mollie. Thanks for the last Advent piccie of the year.

Glad the day was nice enough for a Christmas Eve walk. That's good that both you and the dog can make use of the pram.

We watched that Click and Collect as well. Quite good.

Good Evening Both.

Thanks for the advent pic, the last one for another year.

10c today, light cloud winds light at around 6.

Messed up again with the O/H's Pressie, they were the milk chocolate Brazils but she's not allowed chocolate so she could only eat the nuts from the middle.

Also, the small Turkey Crown she had ordered turned out to be a 2,6kg piece of boned Turkey which she didn't fancy, it's still in the fridge, i made a Christmas dinner using the beef i cooked yesterday, made mash and had sprouts and gravy.

Mollie, I only went out as far as the wheelie bins, very damp air and everything wet.

Not much on TV, been watching the Simpsons and Jungle Book.

A Christmas Strictly Special on tonight at 5.30 as well.

At least you got out for a walk, handy taking the doggies buggy if it gives you support.

Emptybox, We haven't had any white frost, mind you by the time i got up it would have gone anyway.

O/H chats with my lad in Oz during the early hours, he send us pictures of them and the baby every day, she is growing lovely.

That was cold when you were driving at 2pm no wonder you had frost, lowest temp here for the next week is about 6c.

Will be having some more of the Tongue later, so yummy.

both

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU BOTH

Emptybox

gosh that was a cold day! Glad to see your brother is looking after you well with a good meal and you too got to see some good tv.

Hope you have had a good Christmas day with the family. Any signs of the nephews?

Hicky

oh dear what a shame you did not get OH's gift quite right. Is it because of the diabetes she can't eat choccy, or does she have an allergy?

And pity the turkey wasn't right, but good job you still enjoyed your meal today.

How nice your lad and wife send you regular piccies of the baby as they change so much at that age.

We went to the Christmas swim again today, such fun, perfect weather, it was so busy. More than ever today, around 1300 swimmers, and loads of people like us watching too. Some went to great trouble with their costumes.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-46680199

Daughter made lovely Christmas meal, Family had goose fat roasties, and she made me non goose fat, they had turkey, I had veg and stuffing, Yorkshire puds too, so I was well happy.

I had a fitbit so am thrilled with it, can make sure I keep my walking up as physio thinks it important. Iam supposed to be losing weight too for the arthritis, but that bit went completely to pot today.

Time for Mrs Brown, great.

Merry Christmas both.

Much milder here today. The frost had gone by morning and it wasn't a bad day, if a bit damp.

Had plenty of Turkey and the trimmings and plenty of wine. Watched Strictly and Midwife etc, as the SIL is fans of those. But I enjoyed them as well.

Hicky. Pity you got the present wrong, and OH's Turkey didn't go to plan, but glad you both enjoyed the beef.

That's good that you get news from your lad every day.

Mollie. That was nice that your daughter made the meal, and made a vegetarian version for you.

Thought you might have gone to see that swim again.

Only one of the Nephews is here, the other one is still in Liverpool.

Hope the Fitbit helps you keep up with your exercises.

Evening Both.

Nice weather today, 10c sunny and no wind.

We were up earlier today, went out for a ride to West Kirby through to Meols, went for a walk for a while then went to the Hungry Horse for a Brekkie, then went home.

Tonight o/h did a salad and i cooked some massive prawns and Tempura Prawns and Battered Squid rings.

Mollie, Pity i forgot o/h could have chocolate, it is the diabetes thats the problem.

A shame to bin 2.5kg of turkey but o/h didn't like the look of it and it wasn't a Turkey Crown which she wanted, she wouldn't even cook it.

It's lovely getting pictures off my lad in Oz, often when sitting down by the seafront.

1300 swimming, must be mad, not me, that was nice what your daughter made for you all.

Yes, losing weight is down to one thing, how much you eat, all the rest is hearsay.

Emptybox, The Strictly Christmas show was good, it makes a change as quite rubbish tv over Christmas, with plenty of Turkey and Wine sounds good.

I'm hopeless at getting presents, i get 99.9% wrong, but thats spread over a while.

both xxx

Emptybox

glad to hear you are being well fed and well supplied with wine too, plus SIL'S choice of tv viewing proved to be of interest to you.  I didn't choose to watch either of those, I just played the kareoke singsong and them watched Mrs Brown.

I thought the Liverpool nephew may of stayed away over Christmas as it is a fair distance away from his family. I wonder if the other lad emerged from his room for you to actually set sight on him? I cant' imagine either of my lads being present to watch Strictly and Call the Midwife. (or even daughter come ot that).

Hope you have had a good day again today and been well fed, and with a reasonable choice of tv viewing on offer. Do you travel home tomorrow?

Hicky

Thats nice you managed to get a walk in, plus brekkie out.Your OH has done so well after her recent op.  I used to know Meols well as I often visited there when my parents lived there. They lived there in a bungalow for years. Nice to walk down the seafront there. Did you walk down the seafront?

Yes such a pity you had to bin all that turkey but at least you had the beef available. A shame too you forgot she couldn't have choccy as she has diabetes. It must be difficult to remember what food she can and can't have.

Too true losing weight is all to do with what we eat, and as I like my food, it is not going to be easy, and I am not starting to cut right back till after New Year as we like party food too much this time of year.

We went on this today,

https://www.bridgendminiaturerailway.com/

It is run by volunteer enthusiasts, but good fun and a nice little ride. Quite a lot of people there as the weather was nice and dry. The dog enjoyed a little walk there too, she wore her doggie Elf costume.

Had some nice party food for tea tonight.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi both.

Didn't do a post yesterday as the SiL's parents were there for Boxing Day, and I didn't want to appear anti-social and be tapping away on my phone.
We had a nice steak pie dinner.
We watched the James Bond film Quantum of Solace on the TV, but apart from that it was endless repeats of The Chase on one of the minor channels

I'm back home now, so can please myself again.
Not bad drive back. Was very mild with even a hint of sunshine.
The SiL gave me a small Christmas cake and a tin of shortbread, so those'll keep me going for a while.
I also got a couple of DVDs.

Hicky. That's good that you got a Boxing Day drive out and about, and brekkie out. The walk would do you good.
Brother and SiL are keen on walking, so we went for quite a long one on Boxing Day morning, before the guests arrived.

Mollie. I saw the Nephew for a few minutes on Christmas Day, then again for another few minutes on Boxing Day.
He's got a new girlfriend, so stayed at hers for a lot of the time, plus he was out early to work today. And when he was here he was in his room, apart from meals.

I would have thought your kids would have suggested you watch Strictly and Midwife, if only to prize you away from the Karaoke machine for a while?

Good idea not to start the diet till after the New Year is over.
Glad you enjoyed your miniature train ride.

Good Evening Both.

Not too bad today, didn't go out though, 10c here, cloudy with no wind.

Had egg in toast for brekkie, then made some chips for tea and had some beef and a couple of eggs, nice.

Mollie. I'll have to start doing mor walking to get ready for journeys, o/h walks so fast i can't keep up, the faster i walk the sooner i run out of breath.

Meols is nice, a very quiet area, we parked at the end of the Prom, by where the boats come up the slipway for the winter, it was where we used to get fish from the boats when they came in on the tide.

That Railway looks good, glad you enjoyed it, i bet it is very popular, when open.

Emptybox, I seem to have been watching childrens programs during the day as not a lot of choice.

Bet it's nice to be back home, always frustrating being away at someone elses place, just not the same.

Cake and shortbread, nice, the DVD's take a bit more digesting though.

Yes, will start doing more walking, now o/h can walk better we can fine a nice place to do some.

both xxx

Emptybox

that was very polite of you, not going on your phone whilst your SIL's parents were there. I know what you mean, it can look really rude to focus on your phone when others are around.

Glad you enjoyed the steak pie, but after the tv choice last night, sounds like it was time to come home and please yourself.

Your SIL and brother gave you some nice gifts I see.

Where abouts did you go for your walk, eg country or coast? Hilly or flat? Good job you are so fit with your work, so a long walk is no effort for you.

As I exected, just a quick glance of the nephew then. What type of work does this nephew do? I know you said one was going to sea (merchant?). And one moved to Liverpool. (can't remember why or what he does there either?).

You are dead right, one of the lads did suggest we watch tv as I had been on the kareoke game for over an hour! So I did give it a break today. (but only as I had song all my fave songs yesterday).

Hicky

Amazing that your OH is walking that fast so soon after her op. Pity you get so breathless walking though. But when you think about that big heart op you had, you are not doing too bad at all. A good idea to slowly get used to walking before your hols, but best not to push yourself too hard too soon though. If you are not going until April, you have quite a long time to build up slowly. Luckily there should be plenty of nice places for you to go walking around where you live.

That is interesting you used to get your fish from Meols. Is it only in summer you can get the fish there?

It was a lovely day here today weather wise. So we went a walk down the seafront and had fish and chips (chips and mayo for me) whilst sitting on a bench on the seafront. Lot of people around, many families with the kiddies out on their new Christmas scooters and bikes.

Watched Travel Man on C4 tonight in Jordan. Quite good.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi Hicky. Back to ordinary grub for you I see.

I watched the ABC Murders tonight.

Didn't see part one yesterday, but enjoyed it tonight.

Hi Mollie. That was nice you got fish and chips on the seafront. Almost like Summer?

The walk was just on roads, but out to the edge of the small town, so almost into the countryside. Bit boring, as we came back the same way as we went. About 4 miles in total.

Not sure about being fit? I've got a very sore back tonight. Not sure if it was the walk, or the fact that the bed I was sleeping on was very firm?

The oldest Nephew gave up his Merchant Navy training, and is now back home working in Aldi. He found his first ship posting so boring  unfortunately.

The youngest one was working in a bar in Liverpool, but that job finished, so not sure if he's doing anything now?

Evening Both. :

11c today, air damp, cloudy all day, wind 11 to 7.

O/H wnet to Sainsbury's for some milk and got some shrimps so we could make shrimp Vol-au-Vents, 

I had bacon and tomato toasted sandwiches for brekkie, o/h made her own.

She has been on the training peddle thing a lot, she must have done an hour at least today.

Have ordered more of the special dressings for my elbow, they are just the right size, 7.5 x 7.5cm each, ideal, if i don't cover it then i will try and pick the scab which could let in infection, i replaced the dressing the other day and all the old thick dried skin came off with the dressing, so was very pleased, i put my last dressing on so have ordered another 10, it really is wonderful stuff.

Mollie, My shortage of breath isn't due to the AAA op, it's due to me smoking for 50 years or so.

I want to find a nice place to walk where we can leave the car and end up at the car without coming back the same way as we went.

It was many years ago that we could buy fish when the boats came in at Meols, also it has to be the right weekend when the tide is right, no idea if the do it still, they don't go out in the winter though anyway.

That was nice being able to get down the seafront for fish (mayo) and chips, nice to see the children on their Christmas bressies.

Emptybox, It is going to take quite a while to make any indent in the freezers, i need a lot more room before i can start making meals again.

Been watching more Border Security on TV, have been catching up on recordings as well

both

Emptybox

hope your sore back has eased today. 4 miles straight off is a fair walk, if it was on roads, maybe the hard surface didn't suit you either? Or as you say, maybe it was the hard bed as you were a few nights in it?  I hate hard beds, toss and turn all night if I am unlucky and have to sleep in one.

I can undestand why your young nephew would find life on board very boring. Better not tell him you  shop at Lidl, Aldi's competitor!

Hicky

hope you enjoyed your shrimp vol au conts.

Gosh your OH is doing well being on the peddle thing for over an hour!

I didn't realise the injury on your elbow was still not right. It must of been a real bad one. Good job you have a good dressing to put on it.

That is a long time smoking but years ago they ddin't realise it was bad for you. When did you give it up?

I reckon where you live, you should be able to find a nice interesting walk.

Not a bad day here today, mild and grey, but dry.

We went to the auction to view today, not a lot of interest there though.

Then daughter went to look after neighbour's dog for a few hours as he doesn't like being alone.

Played Cluedo with the family after tea tonight. They like board games around Christmas time.

Not much on tv tonight, but will watch Corrie.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening.
Not bad day here. Mild and dry.
Didn't do much as my back is still killing me. Not too bad when I'm sitting or lying down (although it's difficult to get up again), but when I'm standing I have to walk around half bent over.
Perhaps a little better tonight.

Hicky. Shrimp vol-au-vents sound good. Your OH is very good doing all that exercise on the peddle machine.
Didn't realise you were still having problem with your elbow.
Yes, you always want to end up back at the car after a walk, otherwise you'd need to hail a taxi to get back.
Haven't heard of Border Security? Is that a US show?

Mollie. I don't usually get a sore back after walking, after all I do a lot in my job. But I don't really know what has caused it. I did feel it a bit at my Brother's, but really it came on just as I got out of the van on my arrival home yesterday. Perhaps I twisted something?
I've had it before, and it usually eases after a couple of days, so hopefully will do this time as well.

Not sure if Aldi and Lidl think of themselves as direct competitors? There isn't an Aldi near enough for me to shop there anyway.
My Brother and SiL don't shop at Aldi either. They go to Asda mostly.

Pity there wasn't much at the auction today.
That was nice of daughter to look after neighbour's dog again.
Funnily enough SiL suggested playing Cluedo a couple of times when I was across, but that was vetoed by Brother.

Watched the final episode of the ABC Murders tonight. A very different take on Poirot, but very good.

Evening Both.

Didn't do much today, slept in late, had 3 eggs on toast for brekkie.

Might start using the peddle machine, o/h suggested it, she is doing an hour a day now.

She made a prawn stirfry for tea, i made a prawn curry (chip shop curry) i have the concentrated stuff in containers, 84g makes 1 pint, i made fried rice as well, very tasty.

Mollie, The Vol-eu-vents were super, 1 box of frozen ones made 18 when cooked, i made the white sauce which i poured over the shrimps, 3/4 cooked the pastry first, then added the mixture for another 5 minutes.

It isn't an injury on my elbow, it's just a skin problem, my right elbow is fine now, the special dressings sorted that, i have had this skin problem for many years, maybe i've always had it, flaking skin, but it becomes thick solid stuff, i used to break it off but in can get infected so i had to stop, it got infect some years ago, so bad i had nurses coming 3 times a day to give me intravenous medication.

I think i gave up smoking in 2008, a bit late, the damage had been done by then.

I suggested to o/h we could do some walking in New Brighton, it's rather nice there as long as the weather is ok. 

Emptybox, Thats bad news about your back, i wonder what cased that, unlikely to be a hard bed, thought that was what you are supposed to have, soft beds curve your spine don't they.

The Border Security has programs on Canada, US, and UK and Ireland, very good, i try to watch them all.

Yes, in a lot of places if we park the car and start walking, how doi know when i am half way, how long is a piece of string, if i have a fixed route i know i will arrive back so i don;t have to turn around, if it's too short i can always go again.

O/H has given instructions for a Chicken Roast dinner for tomorrow. 

Hi both xxx

Emptybox

oh dear, sorry to hear about your back problem, but hopefully it is on the mend now. Have you slept in that hard bed before when you have been to your brother's? As you say, you are used to walking in your job, so can't be just walking triggered it off. Did you walk in shoes you don't normally walk in? I find if I change shoes to walk in, it can trigger aches and pains if I walk too far. Or as you say, maybe you just twisted it oddly getting in or out of the van, or maybe carrying your suitcase? That is the trouble, if you can't work out what caused it, you can't work out how to prevent it happening again. I find a hot water bottle helps if I get one and the TENS machine. HOpe you got chance to rest today and it helped your back problems.

Hicky

yes might be a good idea for you to give the peddle machine a go. Wonder if one would help my knees? Can you give me the link please and I will ask physio if she thinks it would help me?

Let's hope we get some dry weather so you can start your walking in New Brighton.

I know you smoked for a long time, but they reckon as soon as you give up, you get tremendous benefit, so lucky you did manage to give it up years ago. Did your OH used to smoke too?

That is good the special dressing has helped sort your long term elbow problem. Did the doc recommend the dressing, or did you find it yourself online?

We went to costco today, really enjoyed the food freebies, and a £1.50 lunch of jacket potato, beans and cheese. Family had hot dogs for £1.25. You can even help yourself to as much mayo, ketchup, BBQ sauce or mustard you want.

Played a board game with family again today.

Good night both xxx

Hi both.
Not bad day here again.
Didn't do much apart from my usual Bolognese and beer supper.

My back is quite a bit better this evening. Still sore at times, but at least I'm mostly able to walk upright now, rather than having to shamble about like Quasimodo.

Hicky. That might be an idea to use the peddle machine, as long as you take it easy.
I've got a stationary bike here, that I tried to exercise on (belonged to my Dad), but I found it very hard going and boring, so I didn't use it for long.
Ah, so it's not the same elbow injury. The skin condition sounds like it could be nasty if it gets infected. 
Got your instructions for dinner tomorrow I see.

Mollie. Don't think I've slept in that bed before, as they've recently redone that room. It was a comfortable bed, but maybe a bit harder than I'm used to. I probably twisted the back though. That's the most likely explanation.
I tried some freezing gel on it today. Not sure if it made any difference.

That's good that you enjoyed your Costco freebies and lunch.

I watched the Ant Man film, then watched the BBC4 Christmas lectures on iplayer, as they were by Alice Roberts.

Evening Both.

Not done much today except for cooking.

Had a lay in so no brekkie, made a Chicken roast dinner, o/h very pleased with the results.

Going to make a loaf in a minute.

My ex Boss called, telling me all the latest news, always good to hear from him, he was telling me the day he met me 41 years ago on Thursday.

Tomorrow we are going to New Brighton for a wander round then we will see where we can eat.

Mollie, I will be giving the peddle machine a go next week, no problem, it seems to have a series of preprogrammed exercises built in that aren't mentioned in the manual, strange, if we press the Mode button at the start then turn it on on the remote then it goes through a sequence for the next 10 minutes, you get P1 to P5 and each seem to give a different range of speeds etc, it also reverses on it's own, then back again, am going to ring the company, i tried to find a later instruction manual but can't find one, the one that comes is from 2016.

It is the aidapt Electric Mini Exercise Bike VP159R 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aidap...igible/dp/B00GOYWNFG

No, O/H never smoked, i'm glad about that, wish i had never as well. 

The dressing for my Elbow came from a lady who worked in the canteen at jaguar Landrover, then it was Fords of course, she had packs at home because she needed it once for an operation she had had, she gave me a pack of the 10c x 10 cm to use, i had one injury or other at the time, can't remember which now, ever since then i have bought it in from Amazon.

Those Hot Dogs at Costco sound delish, so jealous of those, i love to put my own dressings on as well.

Emptybox, Glad you back is a bit better, wonder what on earth caused that?

Yes, if i don't cover the elbow with the dressing then i will try and take off some of the dried skin, the problem is it gets quite thick and can remove too many layers of skin, that could allow infection to take hold again, so it needs covering.

Hi both xxx

Emptybox

glad to hear your back is nearly well again. Wonder how you twisted it? Must of been a sharp twist to cause you so much discomfort.

We used to have a stationary bike, but like you, found it dead boring to do, and it took up too much room so we got rid of it. The one Hicky has, looks a lot better as it is so compact.

Hicky

hope you enjoy your loaf and glad to hear OH was pleased with her roast meal.

That is nice your ex boss called you, it is certainly a long time ago he met you.

That looks a nice bike exercise machine. HOpe you can sort the instruction manual out. Thanks for the link.

Good job the canteen lady introduced the dressing to you as it has proved to be such a help.

HOpe you enjoy your stroll in New Brighton tomorrow and meal out.

All my family went out for brekkie in Weatherspoon today, plenty of food for us all, and good value as ever. I like the fact you can get free coffee refills.

We played an unusual board game today that daughter had bought for us to play at Christmas time from tesco. You play it in conjuction with a mobile phone and have to escape a room. Very good, the only thing is you can only play it once as once played you know how to solve it.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boar...16091/unlock-formula

Watched Antiques Roadshow, now watching Les Mis. We are going to see this in theatre, but not till January 2020. It is so popular, you have to book the tickets that much in advance.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening.

Bit damp and dull today, but still mild.
My back is still quite bad. Didn't improve any today, but didn't stop me going to the supermarket as usual. Just had to lean on the trolley more than usual.

Hicky. That was good your OH liked your chicken dinner.
Nice of your old boss to call and update you.
Hope you enjoy your wandering tomorrow.
That looks like a good peddle machine. Something you could do while seated watching telly.

Mollie. I've had problems with my back on and off for years. Wouldn't have had to be a big twist to set it off.
Glad you enjoyed your family brekkie at Wetherspoons.
That looks like an interesting game.

Didn't watch Les Mis, choose to watch the Star Wars film instead.

Evening Both.

A very dull day here, 9 or 10c but just dry and cloudy, winds of about 12.

Went to New Brighton, parked up and went a walk around the big water area at the end of the sea front, quite a walk, stopped halfway for a rest, on the way back went into Weatherspoons for brekkie, very nice.

For tea we are having fish today, tomorrow it will be homemade chips and Ribeye steaks.

Didn't make a loaf as o/h has got 3 in the outside freezer which we are going to use up, i need the space so if i eat some it will go sooner.

Mollie, I am going to try the exercise machine, after a few test i'll ring the company to find out why it works different to the instructions.

My delivery of dressings came today so can keep changing it now, with it being on the elbow it tends to get pushed away from the area it was put on.

There are lots of places to eat now in New Brighton, since the whole place was rebuilt it's like being in a different country and all the eating places had plenty of people already in them.

That sounds an interesting board game, pity you can only play it once though.

Crazy you have to book a show 12 months in advance.

Emptybox, I think you are going to have to get your back looked at, you need to know what is the problem or you can't sort a cure.

It's good to speak to my old boss, he is still very busy working 7 days a week, he has his 2 sons working in the workshops within the factory complex, they don't have employees as everyone is self employed.

The peddle machine can be use sitting, lying dow, or on a table with your arms if they need the exercise.

Hi Hicky.
Damp and mild here again today, but think it's set to get colder again in the next couple of days.
Didn't do much, except a big pile of ironing.

Glad you got on OK with your walk round New Brighton and enjoyed a Wetherspoon brekkie.
Why is it called "New Brighton"? Has it got some connection to Brighton?
That's good that your dressings came.

Not sure the doc can do much for a sore back, unless there's some physical problem like a slipped disc or something?
But if it doesn't fade away after a week or so I guess I'll have no choice but to go and see about it.

Watched the Bond film 'Spectre', now waiting for the run up to the Bells.

Hi both xxx

Wishing you both a Happy and healthy 2019.  

Emptybox

sorry the back is still playing up.

Not sure if I told you about this before but I find at £12.29 this TENS the best.

http://www.lloydspharmacy.com/...igital-pain-reliever

Does your local hospital do a physio walk in session? I know a lot do, if so they are good with back pain. I was told to go as soon as they opened and it worked, I was number 4 patient and had no wait. Then after that, I was offerred a proper appointment.

Hope you can ease it soon.

I didn't like Les Mis. Without the singing, I found it dull and grey, so gave up.

Hicky

glad you managed to find a nice walk round New Brighton and ideal as it has plenty of choice of eating places too. I see you too have now done a Weathespoon brekkie. What did you have? Daughter likes the American brekkie with pancakes instead of toast and I like the veggie brekkie, OH has traditional. And we always have a free refill of coffee.

Gosh that peddle thing is certainly versatile, didn't realise you could use arms for it too, or even lying down. Ideal for those getting over ops/injuries.

We had a night out at local pub, Elvis, and Tom Jones performing, (not the real ones! ) with a 2 course meal. Family had beef, pork and turkey and I had tomato tortellini with all the veg. Afters was raspberry and proscecco cheesecake (which I had), caramel roulade, or Christmas pud. Good value for New Years Eve, at £20 each. Mum's sister pays for it for us as a Christmas present, so that is nice. The entertainment was good, but we left straight after the bells as we had to arrive at 7.30pm, when the food was being served, so it was a long evening, plus quite busy and noisy and we aren't used to staying out late. But enjoyable non the less.

Looks like cold weather is arriving soon, never mind, it is January after all.

Have a good day both xxxx

Evening Both.

Not bad today, 9c sunny intervals, winds from 13 dropping over the day.

I slept in till 11.30 for a change, didn't have brekkie apart from a round of toast.

For tea i made chips, i did o/h's first then mine later, she cooked her Ribeye steak and the onions, then i did mine.

Just been watching TV really, O/H did an hour on the peddle machine, no problem, that is 6 whole sequences, wow, she goes to see the Physio in the morning and i am at the eye clinic in the afternoon.

Mollie, Thats a nice New Year Picture, thank you, i watched the fireworks on BBC, we have had fireworks all night going off somewhere not too far away, but sound travels so far.

We both had the Traditional brekkie at Weatherspoons, from the outside i was expecting it to be near empty, wow, loads of people in, it has many rooms and is a big building, think it used to be a night club.

Yes, to do your arms on the machine you put it on the table, simple really.

That was a good meal for the price at your local pub, and even better when it's a present.

Yes, ti shows the weather getting colder soon, starting tomorrow at 5c here with a low of -3c.

Emptybox, Thats a nice big countdown clock to New Year, fantastic.

Not sure why the New is in New Brighton, there is or was probably an old Brighton, unless they called Brighton Brighton then had to rename the Wirral Brighton so added the New, i will check.

Found this:

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In 1830, a Liverpool merchant, James Atherton, purchased 170 acres (69 ha) of land at Rock Point, which enjoyed views out to sea and across the Mersey and had a good beach.^[6] His aim was to develop it as a desirable residential and watering place for the gentry, in a similar way to Brighton, one of the most elegant seaside resorts of that Regency period – hence "New Brighton". Substantial development began soon afterwards, and housing began to spread up the hillside overlooking the estuary – a former gunpowder magazine being closed down in 1851.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...Brighton,_Merseyside

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If you can pinpoint where the problem is in your back they can usually work out what the problem is, it may not be your back at all because many problems with internal organs can feel like back pain, gall stones, kidney stones, and others.