Hi both.

Not bad day here, cold but with some sunshine.

Didn't do any work, but got my van washed and made a big batch of my bolognese sauce.

Seems a fantastic itinerary Hicky.

But seems an awfully big production for just 10 minutes on a beach? Could he and his partner not just have come to Hoylake?

Just joking. I know it'll be a trip of a lifetime for you.

You're really starting to get prepared now, if you've already got your new case packed.

When I went down south I packed my case in 10 minutes the night beforehand. Mind you, I did forget to pack any shirts.

Mollie. Glad you enjoyed your brekkie out.

X Factor was good, and for once the right ones went through. I was afraid the Scottish band wouldn't get through. They've got an unfortunate name though. 'The Cutkelvins' sounds more like a Glasgow gang than a pop group?

Looking forward to IAC tomorrow.

Evening Molie.

Just had toast with home made jam for brekkie, went for the beef lunch, had prawn cocktail for starter, all very nice, had a side of cauly cheese.

Had to itemise in 10 sections the qty of items plus the cost of each section, came to £1000, got the paperwork through for getting the case picked up by the carrier, 10 pages, labels for inside outside and the driver, customs docs, used ziplock bags and cello-taped the bags to the case from as advised, they are supposed to pick it up tomorrow morning.

We are supposed to have hair done tomorrow but as one will have to stay in for UPS i might have to get a taxi.

Yes, a few details missing on the itinerary due to my taking care of it as we'll be with him then so he didn't need to send my detains.

That was nice for you going to Weatherspoons, such a choice of places to go these days.

Will probably get some Dollars for the US while in Oz because Hawaii being the US means we need Dollars for there as well.

His GF's sister couldn't get a visa for the US because she had a holiday in Iran.

Another think my Lad told us, we don't need a new chip, we just need Wifi which is available wherever we go, you only need a new chip and unlock the phone if you want to make calls, but with calls free on so many media systems we don't need it.

The pork belly was beautiful, i suppose cooking it at different temperatures and for differing times pays off, it does need 2½ hrs to be very tender, although they say 4 hrs, not sure what is gained by that.

I've seen some on beach weddings on TV, this will be one wedding i won't forget.

Don't now what happened to Emptybox yesterday?

PS, i know who was in the danceoff, and who left, totally amazed.

Don't forget IAC starts at 9pm

both xxx

Hicky

Glad you enjoyed your lunch out.

Emptybox posted yesterday it was the post before yours, so that is odd you couldnt' see it. Maybe it was on the previous page for you, so you didn't notice it?

Gosh £1000 for the luggage, that is expensive, but with such a long trip covering so many places, you have to do what is easiest for you. I am wondering now if it wouldn't it of been cheaper for you to buy the clothes when you got there? Hope they turn up not too late tomorrow, so you can sort your hair out ok.

Yes I too have seen some tv beach weddings, but as you say, this one will be very special to you and your OH.

That is a shame the GF's sister can't go to the wedding. I wonder why she chose to go to Iran for a holiday though?

That is handy you don't need a new chip. I reckon you will be able to call in here now and again whilst you are away, if you get free time.

Yes I saw Strictly spoiler, I too look at that as I don't bother watching the Sunday show as it is on same time as X factor and also as it is recorded on the Saturday.

Emptybox

glad you had a nice day weather wise and managed to get the van done and the bolognaise sauce too.

I agree, the right ones left on x factor last night.

Looking forward to watching it tonight too, and then IAC.

Me, OH and son and daughter went to nEC Birmingham today so kids could visit MCM comic thing. Me and OH went to the Christmas fair there whilst they went. Got a few Chrissie pressies. Had a good journey as we left before 7am and it was a nice sunny day.

TV time now for me.

Goodnight both

xxx

Evening Both.

Thanks Mollie, 

Yes. Emptybox, Didn't see your post, it must have been on the next page, and when i F5 it only searches on the page you are on, it's really a bug in the system software.

Van washed and Bolognese sauce, sounds a good days work to me.

Yes, it's not a trip you do too often, might not do it next year.

We made out lists so we wouldn't forget so much, but as we all know, always something.

Mollie, Yes, o/h estimated the 10 types of listed luggage and put a value to each section, added up it came £1k, she had all ready said that much before we knew we had to list it for customs.

I think we are going to reassess the clothes situation when we are in Oz so that a big case can come back here by UPS so we don't have to take it to the Hawaii/US flight and bring it back with us at the end.

I don't know why the Lads GF,s sister went to Iran, don't like to ask, such a shame though, you can neither appeal or find out why, very strict the US border force.

I recorded the Strictly voting as i was watching another station.

Hi both.
Very frosty this morning. -3 when I went for the paper. Had difficulty scraping the windscreen. Then was a mainly sunny day, but never got above 3 or 4 degrees.
Just the supermarket run as usual.

Hicky. Pity your son's fiancee's sister can't go to the wedding because of visa problems.
That's another reason for them to come to Hoylake. I bet she could get a visa for the Wirral?  Too late for them to change their plans?

The luggage arrangements seem very complicated and costly. Rather you than me.
Yes I suppose you won't need to worry about getting a different sim for the phone if you can rely on having wifi everywhere. I suppose you can text each other through Whatsapp.

Mollie. Glad you had a nice daytrip to Brum, and managed to get some Xmas shopping done.

Enjoyed X Factor, but a pity the two girls went.
They seem to put more emphasis on voting for this prize fight than they do on deciding who is to go. The first vote only stayed open for 4 minutes, whereas the prize one was open for 10.
IAC was OK, but the only one I'd seen before was Stanley Johnson. He could be funny, or he could quit early. It could go either way.
Like the Rebecca Vardy one as well.

Good Evening Emptybox.

Had bacon and egg on toast, had to get taxi to go for haircut as pickup driver hadn''t arrived so o/h had to come home to let me go but one had to stay in, he came at 1.30pm, after the haircut i went to MIL as SIL was there and they brought me home.

Showed her my fig tree full of figs, hairdresser said he leaves the figs on and had a massive crop this year, so will do same, won't be pleased if i have been taking them all off for winter.

Got the COPD clinic tomorrow, as it was cancelled last week.

Chest not so good as was coughing in the night, probably have a cold.

It was 13c today, cloudy with a sunny interval, winds of 19.

Yes, we can use Whatsapp, that works fine, and with Wifi we can use the web.

I enjoyed the Jungle show, pretty scary stuff, recorded the after-show, liking them all so far, Scarlette Moffett on the after-show is great.

both x x x

Emptybox

gosh you did have a cold day yesterday.

We have had rain, rain and more rain all day today. Didnt even get light all day. Give me a cold, dry day over this milder soaking wet stuff any day!

Was it still dry today, so did you manage to get some work done?

Hicky

yes I am sure your lists will come in useful as for such a long trip, you have a lot to rememeber.

Did they come to get your case and get your hair done too?

I too enjoyed x factor, I think neither of those girls ever stood a chance as they are so young, and were given awful songs. (maybe on purpose by producers so they got voted off?).  But neither performed well, so I guess it was right they left. 

I too watched IAC, as you say not real celebs at all though, as not recognisable. Apart from the girl off Corrie who I knew, and Stanley was recognisable because of his similiarity to Boris. I reckon he will be quite tough and cope well, as he was one of those type who was packed off to boarding school at 8 years of age so he said. Such a young age to learn you have to cope and get on with it with no family support. So he should be well used to coping with living with other awkward people with little luxury, as there used to be no luxeries for kiddies in those boarding schools.

Had so much to catch up with today.....Lots of paperwork....eg Payroll for the carers, sort carers hours and endless washing , but had to put it on the indoor airer as it was so wet.

Looking forward to IAC again, it is so good to have a regular 9pm show to relax with.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening Mollie.

Yes they cam for the case at 1.30, i was telling Emptybox earlier, had to get a taxi to go for the haircut as one had to stay in the house, o/h had her hair done at 9.30, then went her mums, her sister was there so o/h came home, SIL brought me home, i showed her and her o/h my new garden layout, and the fig tree loaded with figs, the hairdresser told me he left the figs on for the winter as he always does and he had such a crop this year he has to give loads away as he couldn't eat them all, i'm leaving mine on this year, i nearly took them off as well.

You have so much to do these days, it's too much really, but with zero options what can you do.

They seem a nice lot this year, or is it too early to say that?

Just watched the boxer in the termite mound, what a whimp, terrible, he should have let the girl do the keys, he is hopeless, she is blazing.

Hi both.
Raining most of the day here as well, so no good for work.
Meant to do my accounts but got distracted by other things computery.

Hicky. Glad you and your OH both got hairdos, even though you had to have a relay system. And you got your case picked up as well.
Not surprised SiL was impressed by the way the garden is going.
Hope you have success with your figs this year.
Pity your breathing is not so good, not long before your trip.

Mollie. What a bore that you had more paperwork today. As I said, I was supposed to do some as well but skived off.
I thought Holly sang well on X Factor? Better than the fellow with the hat and the guitar at any rate.
Actually I thought Matt did the best performance, rather than the girl that won the night. Also can't understand why that group 'Raksu' (?) always gets high votes? I don't think they are good at all. Mind you, I can't stand rap.

IAC good. Amir Khan really blew it in the trial. But Toff was adorable. Maybe my new favourite?
Watched Xtra Camp (or whatever it's called?). Scarlett Moffat is good on it right enough.

Evening Emptybox.

Not a bad day, but weatherwise din't get in the garden as was busy.

We went to the bank to get some bags of cash cashed to give me extra spends, i had forgotten o/h had bagged it for me probably last year maybe.

Then i had to see the COPD nurse, weight ok, oxygen in blood could be higher but it goes up if i breath in more, but i only breath in the amount i need, everything fine, my air out tests were as good as last year so pleased with that.

Then we went for Brunch, i had steak Panini thingi with salad, chips and tea, very nice too,  on way out bought 2 big Gammon hocks for £5 and a load of bacon bones for £11 about, just cooked 1 of the hocks and we had it between us, had some of my cucumber/shallot pickle on it.

I rang the gardener to see if he had a spare hour Thursday, had to leave a message, have no idea whether leaving my figs will work, it could depend on the growing conditions, or weather the tree is sheltered, i could cover the figs although there is probably 100 or so.

Yes, Toff is just so lovely, Amir made a right mess, what a let-down, enjoy Scarlett, she's so watchable, that reminds me i recorded the after-show,

PS. there are new inhalers now which you only need to use once a day, will try in New Year, she looked at the little blue inhaler i had and it say use until 2014, oh dear, hadn't noticed, it must have been laying in my medicine drawer for a while.

both xxx

Hicky

that's handy that not only does the hairdresser sort your hair, but he can also give you fig growing hints.

So pleased to hear your COPD visit went well, especially with your big event imminent. But oh dear your inhaler was rather out of date, but that will be handy with the new one coming out next year.

Hope you manage to get your gardner when you need him.

Emptybox

A gardening day, paperwork day, or just another computer messing about day?

Oh yes.. x factor...I forgot about Matt, he did sing better than Grace, I am not keen on Grace at all. It was Holly's song choices I was not keen on, but I didn't think the other girl that went did well.

The rain held off this morning, so I took dog a litle walk, then went food shopping in tesco, and cooked frozen fish for family with beans and jacket potato as it was quick for me.

Looking forward to IAC.

Enjoyed it last night.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi both.

Raining here most of the day so no work again. Milder though.

Bad forecast for tomorrow as well.

Got my accounts done today, as well as a bit of ironing.

Hicky. Glad your breathing tests were OK. But naughty you, using an out of date inhaler.

Hope your gardener can find a spare hour for you.

Mollie. Glad you got a break in the rain to take the dog for a walk.

Watched The A Word, then IAC on +1. 

Evening Both.

Warm today, but raining most of the time, cloud so think i could see inside without the lights on, 15c with 13-20 winds, cleared up a bit in the afternoon.

Not a lot happening today, just had a bacon/mushroom omelette for brekkie, made soup with the Hock water, had put onions in originally, so added carrots and peas, it made rather a lot of lovely soup, oh, had added Barley as well.

O/H went out for bread, milk and cabbage so we can have the bacon ribs tomorrow with the cabbage, had some fresh tiger bread with butter and my jam, finished 1 of the apple/raspberry so opened a spare raspberry one i made in the summer.

My Lad has arranged early check-in at the first hotel and pickup from the airport, so that helps things.

Been watching video's of the Hawker centres again, wow, never seen anything like it, they had non when i was there, they were all outside, and with the local shops away from the city the owner slept outside the door, well the opening as they didn't have a door.

After the military left in 1971 they built all new shopping and eating centres, they all speak English because the troops were there for so many years.

We were involved in moving the people out of the Campongs into new flats, but so many didn't want to leave there grass huts so we had the Gurkha with us in case of trouble.

The gardener is going to see if he can get to me tomorrow, if not i'll have to wait to 1018.

HMRC hasn't rang yet so no further with that problem.

Mollie, The hairdresser let us have his travel cases, one being on it's way to Oz, very kind of him, O/H knows him well.

The new inhalers are out now but didn't want to chance changing now.

Emptybox, I enjoyed IAC, recorded the after-show again, it's easier to watch in the following morning than stay up to watch it.

I've set up the laptop with Opera and my Tabs for the different sites.

Yes, quite surprised with the breathing test result, i had been practising with a piece of pipe but smaller than it should be, i asked for the test tube that i used for the test so i have that now, it's only a cardboard tube, smaller than a loo roll tube but it has a plastic collar that goes in your mouth.

both xxx

Emptybox

well done on resisting messing with your pc and getting on with your accounts and ironing as the weather was bad.

How was the weather today?

Hopefully you have all your autumn work up to date now, so can take a winter break as the bad weather arrives without any worries?

Hicky

weather the same here, dull and dark and rain on and off, but mild.

Home made soup is just what you need this time of year.

That tiger bread is so tasty, bet it was lovely with your jam.

That is good your lad has thought of everything to make life easier when you arrive with the check in and pick up.

How interesting to hear how the hawkings have changed since you were there, and why they all speak English, I do remember how well they all spoke English when we were there. And of course you will find a lot more of those flats there now than when you were there last. Fancy you being there when the Gurkas helped move them from their grass huts.

Hope the gardner can fit you in tomorrow.

Let's hope no news is good news as far as HMRC are concerned.

That's nice the hairdressers gave you travel cases. Yes best not to chance any change of meds until you are back home to monitor them.

That is handy you have the tube to check your breathing now.

Took dog a quick walk before the rain, then daughter wanted to go to town, so i went with her. Got a few chocs from  £ shop to make an advent calendar, and some clothes from Primark for pressies.

Have decided to watch Apprentice and record IAC tonight, Hard to decide which show to watch now we have IAC on. I recorded the A word last night.

Good night both xxx

Evening both.
Pouring with rain all day here. Hasn't stopped for a minute.
No good for work. Still relatively mild.
Got my tax return for last year filed online. At least that's out of the way for another year.
Hopefully some drier weather tomorrow?

Hicky. Some nice food for you today. That soup sounds delicious, with all the extra ingredients.
Yes, it'll be great for you to see all the changes in Singapore since you were stationed there.
Hope the gardener can get to you then, if he's not going to be able to come again until the new year.

Mollie. That was good you got another doggie walk in before the rain, And some Xmas stuff in town.
I've still got quite a lot of tidying up jobs to do, but I can leave them until we get good weather days. Hopefully I'll get most of them done before Christmas though.

I watched The Apprentice first then IAC on +1.
Apprentice a bit brutal with all three being fired. No great loss though. Glad Elizabeth lives to fight another day.
Quite looking forward to seeing how Kezia Dugdale gets on in the Jungle. I always quite liked her when she was Labour leader (in Scotland).
She always comes over as a nice person, but maybe too soft for the hard tasks. But maybe she'll surprise me?

Evening Both. :

Not a very nice day here, 8c and rain most of the day, lots of heavy cloud, gales of 44 at midday for a few hours.

Didn't do much, told my neighbour opposite we will be away as i usually put her bin back, my next door to the left said he would do it while i'm away.

Have emptied any perishables from the fridge, will go for a meal tomorrow to save cooking, had bacon and egg on bread for brekkie, had bacon ribs for tea with steamed cabbage.

Weighed the big case after packing the laptop and it was overweight so o/h had to take stuff out which we can either do without or buy later.

Got my emergency tablets , anti-bio's and another one, probably related to my throat as it's effected by the inhalers.

My lad has upgraded the seat to Singapore to Premium Economy, and the seat i have has no seat directly in front so i can get out of my seat and it has 4 lots of toilets close behind, there are only 24 of them with recliners.

Gardener could get here, rain was a hindrance so have delayed it till New Year.

Mollie, The Hawker centres are amazing, i watched the video.s wow, i watched a video showing you all the shopping an eating area. with the hotels, never seen anything like it.

But the problem is i won't be able to walk to much and it looks like most is reached by walking.

I've got a cold now, trust me, if i get wet i get a cold, always, just had hot blackcurrant and whiskey, might need another as the cold is still here.

I assume you have made your own advent calendar then, if you bought chocs for it.

Emptybox, Thats good getting your tax return done, they haven't rang yet, maybe tomorrow.

The forecast for here said sunny spells and all we got was cloud and rain.

It's a wonder LS didn't get rid of more, some are hopeless and he's losing patients.

Will be interesting to see the new ones in the jungle, it's make or break for them.

both xxx

Emptybox

hope it did dry up for you today. At least you got your tax done whilst the weather was wet, and you don't have too much to catch up with now.

Yes that was a bit of a surprise getting rid of all 3 on the Apprentice, and I am with you, so glad Elizabeth survives another day.

I had never heard of Keiza, but makes it more interesting for you as you know of her. It will be nice to see how 2 ones fit any.

Hicky

that will be so much better having an upgrade to Singapore as that is a real haul to get over there. Are you giong with Singapore airlines?  If so, I know they are excellent. Remember how important it is to drink plenty of water and get up and move around as many times as you can during the flight to prevent circulation problems  in your legs.

So sorry you have a cold now, don't blame you giving the blackcurrant and whisky a go. Add a bit of manuka honey too if you can, that is supposed to really help.

Yes you are not going to go hungry in Singapore. So many eateries. And the hotels there are such high standard.

Colder here too today, but at least all that rain has gone now.

Where OH is from had real bad floods yesterday.... river banks overflowing, houses flooded, and roads blocked, but obviously as the stormy weather was only up North, the met office decided not to give much warning, or publicitiy or even one of those stupid American type storm names they are so fond of now.  

Watching IAC now.

Goodnight both xxx

Hicky

just checked your itinary and see you are flying Singapore airlines.

I think you can pre-order your food online if you are Premier economy can't you?

Hope you start to shake off this cold off and feel a bit better soon.

What are your anti biotics for? your kidney thing or your bad throat/cold?

Hi guys.
A much drier day here, but cold. No more than 3 degrees.
Got a tidying up job done. That was the last place that I thought might need the grass cutting (it didn't), so I've now put the mower in the shed for the winter.

Hicky. Good idea to go out for a meal tomorrow.
Pity you had to reject some stuff from your case to get it within limits.
That's great that you can pick exactly the seat you want on the plane.
Yes, as Mollie says, make sure you can move around enough on the long flights.
Pity the rain stopped the gardener getting to you.
What bad luck picking up a cold now.

Mollie. Yes I'd heard some places had bad flooding. North Wales and also parts of Lancashire.
The road between me and the village was also flooded, as it always is with heavy rain. But luckily my job today took me in the other direction.

Think I might have been right about Kezia? Lovely girl, if a bit dull.....soft as butter.
It's Iain Lee who has shook the camp up. Very entertaining so far.

Evening Both.

cool today, 7c some sun mainly cloud, winds 13.

Just had soft boiled eggs for brekkie to use them up.

HMRC rang me, still trying to sort out how they get the money from 1 place to another, i said, just send me a cheque and i'll pay you what i owe.

Been finishing off jobs to be done, locking anything that will lock.Got a takeaway for tea, beef & tomato with chips, needed that,

My lad has booked us in online and got the tickets, have printed them out.

Tricky with the luggage weights, been weighing everything as it seems so critical, have had to take stuff out as they don't allow for multiple countries, we are going to get the big cases sent home direct and buy new cases for return journey.

My lad has received the case we sent the other day.

One thing that is awkward with changing time zones is that when i should be taking my night time tablets we will be flying, and when we arrive it will be morning when we should be sleeping maybe.

Mollie, Yes, Singapore Airlines, My cold seems a lot better after that influx of hot blackcurrant and whiskey.

I'm going to have to keep walking around the plane or i will seize up, yes, plenty of liquid.

Those floods were awful, the poor people having to manage that, a disaster.

Loving IAC.

Emptybox,  The seats are rather spacial, apart from they don't have seats in front to store your case under, so it's in the top locker, at least i don't have to squeeze past anyone to leave the seat, my table is built into the arm rest but at least i can stretch my legs.

Yes Ian loves to be controversial, you either love him of hate him but he is entertaining. 

both

Emptybox

that's good you managed to get a job done, and lucky it was in the opposite direction to the fllods. .

Cold here too today, but no complaints from me, as it was sunny and dry.

So all 6 washloads of my washing nearly dried on the line.

I got a 3 tier clothes airer from Homebase for £10 so I can finish drying them off round the house, as the tumble drier is so expensive to run. I got one for mum's carers to put her washing on too.

Yes IAC very entertaining so far this year, and i think Ant and Dec are really on form this year.

Hicky

good idea to get a take away as you have been so busy today.

I too was so busy today that we decided to go to chippy, I had cheese and onion rissole, chips, mushy peas.

Sounds like you are going to need to write down the times you take the meds. You could do with making a spreadsheet with all the different time zones and med times against them.

The luggage has been so difficult for you to sort, good job your lad has taken delivery of some of it already. I bet he is really looking forward to seeing you.

Thank goodness your cold appears to have eased, looks like the blackcurrent and whisky helped. Do you have ribena for the blackcurrant or make it yourself?

Your airline seats do sound like they are going to provide you with some much needed extra comfort for such a long journey.

Hope you get chance to pop in here now and again to let us know how you are getting on.

We are going to see mum's sisters tomorrow and staying overnight, so I won't be around for a couple of days. Daugher has been busy making them Christmas hampers, as it is so hard to find anything for aunts in their 80's. She has also being working on a hama beads portrait.

We are hoping to leave before 7am tomorrow,so we can go round the German Chistmas markets in Birmingham before it gets too busy. The kids love the German hot dogs and I love the chips and mayo, and of course all the pretty Christmas stalls.  

Oldest son will stay home to look after the pets, but he hates going round shops, so won't be upset at missing out on the Christmas markets.

Looking forward to IAC tonight.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening both.
Very frosty overnight, and started promisingly with some early sunshine. But the promise vanished quickly, and the rest of the day there was rain/sleet/snow.
Again no more than 2 or 3 degrees all day.

Went into town and bought 2 computer monitors which had Black Friday discounts. I needed two because two of mine were playing up.
One needed the on/off button to be pressed up to 100 times to bring it on (bad capacitors), and the other one gave 10 minutes of a good picture then started to flicker. Sometimes you could carry on working through the flicker, but other times it got so bad that I had to turn it off for half an hour so it would cool down, then I got 10 minutes of a good picture again.
They were both over 10 years old, so didn't owe me anything as such.

I was intending only to replace one just now, and put up with the flickering one for a while longer, but i got carried away with the bargains,
One monitor cost £120 (a better IPS one) and the other cost £90 (for the business PC).

Hicky. Are HMRC still trying to sort out their mess?
Sounds like you needed that takeaway tea?
As Mollie says, all that luggage stuff sounds very complicated.
Never thought about how the different time zones would affect your pill rouitine. You'll just have to go by the number of hours in-between, rather than the local time on the clock.
Glad your cold is improving anyway.

Mollie. Glad it was sunny and dry for you, and still drying outside weather.
Is this clothes airer electrified, or just a rack?
I never use the tumble drier. I just put the clothes on a clothes horse thing in the back kitchen, when I can't get them dried outside.
Your chippy tea sounds nice.
Enjoy your vit to Brum to see your Mum's sisters. I'm sure it's just a coincidence that is where the Christmas Markets are?
Your daughter is very thoughtful, making them hampers, and that portrait thing (whatever that is?).

Watched 'Eight Days That Made Rome: Boudica's Revenge' then IAC on +1.
Don't think poor Kezia is fitting in very well. I think she thought that she could go in there and talk about politics, but I doubt much of that would be shown.

both

Emptybox

hope you are pleased with your black Friday bargain. I guess you were well overdue a replacement with the others being over 10 years old.

no the clothes horse isn't an electric one, they are quite a bit more expensive, but I did think they looked quite a good idea. Not sure how efficient they would be power wise?

Typing this from wifi in hotel, ...Christmas markets not so good this year, as there is a lot of city developement so not enough room for the usual amount, but we enjoyed it, especially as weather was sunny and dry. Quite cold though, not quite as cold as there though. Around 5 degrees here I think.

Had a toby roast with aunts for tea, not as good as back home one, but of course it is much busier round here.

Yes Kezia not being show much, which is a shame as I think she could be interesting. As you say if she talks politics, I expect it is not being shown.

Am enjoying IAC though,

Fingers crossed for Lloyd on x factor tonight.

Hope your cold is better HIcky

Goodnight both xxx

Hi Mollie,
Was very frosty this morning. The white didn't disappear till noon, then was a very cold day after that. Not that I ventured outside.

I didn't expect to hear from you today. I thought I'd be talking to myself.
Pity the Birmingham Christmas markets weren't as good as usual, but glad you were able to enjoy yourself anyway.
Good idea to go for a Toby roast with your Aunts, as you know you like those.

Really pleased with the more expensive monitor I bought. It's got a fantastic picture.
The other one is nothing special TBH, but was cheap, and will be fine for my business machine.

I decided to rearrange my TVs as well. I had a little 17" TV in the dining room that had been a great telly, but had developed quite a few lines of dead pixels recently, so I decided to retire it (after 13 years). I brought the 26" TV down from the bedroom and put it in the dining room instead. Then I put the flickering monitor (mentioned yesterday) into the bedroom to use as a TV in there. I hardly ever watch TV in the bedroom anyway, so won't matter if it flickers a bit.
If it bothers me I can always buy another small TV in next year's Black Friday sale.

Glad the Scottish group stayed on X Factor, but pity Matt went. I love that song - 'Gimme Shelter' and thought his version was different, but still good.
Thought you'd be pleased that Lloyd stayed.
Yes Kezia hardly seems to be shown saying anything on IAC. Perhaps she is shy? If so seems a bizarre thing to do to go on that show, and cause a political row in Scotland, because she's a sitting MSP.

Hello Both.)

A short message as a bit tired, temperature 31c outside about 25c in the room, good journey, hotel fab, very posh, on the 17th floor,nice views, had a walk around the mall, massive, too much walking for my liking, had to rest.

Airport security a nightmare with all the medication and inhalers as some are liquid, all liquids have to be in special ziplock back, buyt not your own.

The hotel set up all our devices with internet wifi for free, and they give us a free mobile on the internet for any calls to any country free,we can take it when we go out.

Been awake since 5am Saturday 25th, now just after 05.35am uk time Sunday, and it's 13.35 Singapore time Sunday. 

Singapore 8 hrs time difference ahead..

Good Afternoon.

Evening here, 10.31 just had a buffet meal in one of the hotels many restaurants, never seen anything like it, food from so many countries, every type of seafood, many curries, must be over 100 to select from, i'm full now.

Had a Singapore Sling, very nice too. got 2 hours of sleep during the day as i was falling asleep,hope to get more sleep tonight.

A few pictures from or inside Hotel, what a place.

Inside Hotel 'Food restaurant entrance, never seen anything like it.

Hi Hicky.
Bet you are tired, if you've been awake for 24 hrs.
Yes airports are very strict on carrying liquids nowadays. Glad you made it through.

The hotel looks fabulous. All those stairways remind me of Hogwarts (but better lit).
You deserved a Singapore Sling after that long journey.

Very frosty start here. Had to scrape the windscreen again.
Never got above 3 degrees. Not sure I envy you your 31 degrees though? A little hot for walking about.
Just been to the supermarket as usual.

X-Faxtor and IAC tonight. I'm recording the Guy Martin thing on CH4.

Evening. Went for a meal in one of the restaurants, it had a world food buffet, yummy, never seen anything like if, it must seat 400 or more, the food was out of this world, i only had some crap claws, legs and body and big prawns, then went onto some lamb curry, you can have as many plates as you want, very popular place considering it's SG$70 per person,about £39, they have 390 people booked in for tomorrows lunch, i think the buffet is only on at night, they said what is left when it closes is thrown in the skip, going to have a look at the breakfast buffet in the morning, they open at 6.30 am, it's 2.39 am here now, don't really feel tired, had an hour this afternoon.

both xxx

Hicky

so lovely to see you call in and a great bonus of some photos too.

Glad to hear you have such a lovely hotel, it certainly looks it in the photos.

Gosh I bet you found it hard decide what to eat with such a huge choice, but at you won't go hungry.

Glad you managed to get a Singapore sling. Wonder if you will make it to Raffles hotel? We went there and sat in the long bar there... that might be one place you would find familier back from when you do happen to see it. (I think it was where they signed surrender in the war).

Sounds like you need to catch up on sleep now, but by stopping over in Singapore a few days,  I think it does make it a lot easier to adjust to the time difference in Oz. 

Emptybox

thats good you like your new monitor, and can make use of the not so good one.

Yes pity Matt went, thought you'd be pleased the Scottish group stayed, and nice we have Lloyd to represent the Welsh left too. Hope he didnt damange his voice by singing when unwell last night, but hopefully a full day on anti biotics will of helped him by tonight. I thought it was the semi final last night, but my tv says it is the semi final tonight??

Looking forward to that and IAC.

Still very cold for you I see. Frosty again in B'ham today and only around 5 degrees, but milder here when we got back, around 9, wind was cold though.

Yes Singapore at 31 is a bit too much for me too, especially as it is such a humid heat there. But I am sure Hicky won't mind it if he is taking it easy in luxurious hotels.

Had good journey back from B'ham, we had cooked brekkie with aunts at toby inn before we left, which was nice. Then had to go food shopping in Lidl as soon as we got back. With my big family plus 2 pets, we always seem to be running out of something!

Goodnight Emptybox and Good morning to Hicky.

Hicky posted:

Evening. Went for a meal in one of the restaurants, it had a world food buffet, yummy, never seen anything like if, it must seat 400 or more, the food was out of this world, i only had some crap claws, legs and body and big prawns, then went onto some lamb curry, you can have as many plates as you want, very popular place considering it's SG$70 per person,about £39, they have 390 people booked in for tomorrows lunch, i think the buffet is only on at night, they said what is left when it closes is thrown in the skip, going to have a look at the breakfast buffet in the morning, they open at 6.30 am, it's 2.39 am here now, don't really feel tired, had an hour this afternoon.

 Your post popped up when I posted mine.

Glad to hear you enjoyed the buffet. I know you said your OH was not keen on spicy stuff, so was there plenty for her that she liked? 

£39 a head is very expensive, so hopefully the food suited her too though.

Gosh what a waste to throw it in the skip at end of the night! You'd think they would at least give it the staff.

Your poor body clock is all messed up, ,never mind you don't want to be asleep and miss meal times..... so you can always catch up on sleep when you get to Sydney!

Hicky posted:

Evening. Went for a meal in one of the restaurants, it had a world food buffet, yummy, never seen anything like if, it must seat 400 or more, the food was out of this world, i only had some crap claws, legs and body and big prawns, then went onto some lamb curry, you can have as many plates as you want, very popular place considering it's SG$70 per person,about £39, they have 390 people booked in for tomorrows lunch, i think the buffet is only on at night, they said what is left when it closes is thrown in the skip, going to have a look at the breakfast buffet in the morning, they open at 6.30 am, it's 2.39 am here now, don't really feel tired, had an hour this afternoon.

I thought you were going to say you were going to have a look in the skip to see what was still edible. (wouldn't put it past you. )

Sounds like you are having a wonderful time already.

Mollie. Glad you had a good journey home.
Pity both Lloyd and the Cutkelvins are out of the final of X Faxtor,but to be expected I guess.
The semi-final was over both days. There's a 2 hour show next Saturday, so not sure if that is the final or whether there's a show on Sunday as well?
I enjoyed Kevin's act tonight, although there wasn't a lot of singing. Mostly guitar, which is what I liked.

Good Afternoon Both.

It's 10.32 pm here.

Just had a tiny 6oz steak in the Steak House, shared 3 scallops for starter, shared a bowl of chips,got s soda/lime to drink and water, bill was SG$257 about £145, had ordered 3 shared prawns but waiter forgot, just as well.

Have mastered the room aircon so should be better tonight.

Went into the mall again but got lost as the floors in the mall don't line up with the lift, you have to use a staircase or go out of the building to get back to the hotel, my lad has booked an upgrade for the next flight which is good, more room to stretch legs, i walk around the aisles ever couple of hours so legs don't seize up, have got flight socks as well,

Mollie, had a brekkie buffet today, wow, everything under the sun, was about £45 each, went into McDonald's for a coffee, and M&S for some choci and biscuits.

Emptybox, yes, a lot of lovely food would go in the skip, they don't even let the staff have any.

I'll get more pictures, it was raining today so didn't fancy going out, you could spend a week just looking through 2 floors of  this mall.

both

Hicky

good to see you again.

Glad to see you are still enjoying the food there. But eeekkk at the prices there! But I guess the pound has been going down for several years now. (and not just due to brexit as the powers that be like to blame!), so that makes things more expensive abroad for us.

Nice photo again, Is the mall close to your hotel?  That is good you have the upgrade again. Hope you slept better now you have worked out the air con.

So they have M and S there. Is it the same food stuff as here?

Is your OH coping ok with the food?

Emptybox

  I too wouldn't be surprised if Hicky had been tempted to rescue that food from the skip.

Yes as we guessed our faves got booted off x factor, I too really enjoyed Kevin and his guitar last night, I think he is the one who deserves to win, I can't take to Grace at all and I think the rap band are overated and look rather old to be a boy band.

Gardens today, or are you up to date now?

Put a few loads of washing out, but it started drizzling so got it in again.

I helped proof read son's assignment for him, don't really understand it though as it is too technical.

Daugher busy with her Uni work too, but not surprising as they will both have a break for Christmas soon.

Son had 3 hour rehearsal tonight for his next drama performance. He enjoys going to his drama group.

Goodnight Emptybox. x

Goodmorning Hicky.  x

Evening both.

Rain overnight so no frost, but a not too bad sunny day. Still very cold.

Got a hedgecutting and tidying up job done this afternoon.

Still got quite a lot to do before I can finish for the winter.

Hicky. Hope you have a more comfortable night, after you've worked out the air conditioning.

The meals sound great, but very expensive. I suppose it's because it's a luxury hotel?

That mall is sounding more like Hogwarts by the day, with the floors not lining up with the lifts.

Mollie. Surprised you can get anything dry outside at this time of year, even if it's a 'dry' day everything stays damp (up here anyway).

I do seem to remember from my time at Uni, all those years ago, that there was always assignments to do over the Christmas break.

Yes, I guess Kevin would be my choice of an X Factor winner, but I don't think any of the three will be a success afterwards. Maybe Matt could be, or your boy Lloyd?

I see there's also a 2 hour show next Sunday, so that's the final final.

Enjoyed IAC tonight. I do like Beccy, but think she was a little sharp with Shappi.

Evening both.

31c here but very high humidity 86%, with precip 67%.

The photo isn't the mall, it's inside the hotel, you can't see the mall from the hotel as it's to one side with steps down to each floor, but from by the hotel you can get a escalator  up into it.

Went in a taxi to the Lau Pa Sat festival market, had a good look around the hundreds of stall, i got  beef Rendang with rice, o/h found some type of bun, yes curry for brekkie.

The Mall entrance is under the Hotel, it runs for maybe half a mile or so, it's huge. it occupies floors 2 and 3 , the hotel has a reception on the first floor and the check-out with big posh restaurants on the 4th and 5th.

After the meal this morning we tried to get a taxi but they can't stop on these roads so we searched for a taxi rank,found one after a half hour.

Went back to the international buffet tonight to see what they had, chose loads of Sushi, then big prawns, then half lobsters, then Oysters, about 6 but they replenish quick, 22 staff for each of 3 meal shifts.

My lad emailed the hotel with the seat upgrade and they printed them for me, have got an early check-out in the morning at 06.45am it's 21.53 now.

Feeling tired, not getting much at night really.

Hi Hicky.
Not bad day here, only 3 or 4 degrees, but dry and breezy.
Got one big job finished this morning, and a couple of small jobs this afternoon.
Guess I've got about three more days of work left, all at the one place. Unless someone else rings me up.

You're in your element with all that seafood.
The hotel and mall sound very impressive. Glad you found that market with all the stalls, and sampled the local curry.
Funny that the taxi can't stop on the roads. Is that a rule in Singapore?
Anyway, hope you manage to get a bit of kip in before your next flight.

The A Word tonight, then IAC on +1.

both xxx

Hicky

at you and your curry for brekkie and OH with her bun. I'd of gone for the bun too. Pity it took you so long to locate the taxi rank. Hope you have a good journey to Sydney, shoud be nice and comfy though with the upgraded seats. I am not surprised you are feeling so tired, to be expected with the drastic difference in temperature and time too.

Emptybox

well done getting all that work done, plus only having a few days of work for the winter left.

I got my washing on the line again today, it doesn't dry properly but sort of half dries, then I position it on my driers indoors to finish drying when I bring it in.

At last things have calmed down with mum and the carers paperwork, I have a few weeks break till I have to do the payslips etc now.

I can now try and do a bit of Christmas shopping.

Yes plenty on tv to watch tonight.

Me and daughter like watching the Secret Life of 5 Year olds, they are so funny, I like the A word too, and IAC I think is really good this year.

Goodnight Emptybox xxx

Bonne Voyage to Hicky xxx

probably good HIcky is leaving that area now as I think Singapore is not that far from Bali and its erupting volcano, and you know how that disrupts flights!

I remember a lot of Ozzies go to Bali for their hols as it is close to them.

Hi Mollie.

That's good that you can go easy on the organisation of your Mum's care for a little while.

Not surprised your washing doesn't dry properly outside.

Enjoy your Xmas shopping.  (I suppose it's nearly December, so I can let you off )

After saying I was going to watch the A Word I completely forgot to do so.

Haven't heard anything about an erupting volcano on Bali. I'll have to google it.

Evening Both.

Just a quickee, am in Sydney opposite the Opera House.

Just ordered room service as had to to get food as it,s 1 am or something, 

Had a Laksa for brekkie, in the airport while going through to gate area, took an escalator in error and it was up into a food centre, well i never.

My lad and his young lady picked me up from the airport and took us to the hotel,and they arrived with a big punch of flowers.

Only 21c here with 91% humidity.