Early Risers.

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Sun shining bright this morning but cold and frosty, not a lot to do except get the papers and read them and do the crosswords and soduko. Be back later.

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone

 

It's a frosty start to the day, but at least the wind has died down. When I went out this morning to put stuff in our recycling bins I noticed that one had been blown over, but at least it was empty and I didn't need to go down the road retrieving items to put back in it.

 

We have the 3 youngest grandchildren coming round for tea tonight so, as they have requested pizza for tea, we have to go out to buy some!

 

Back later.

[andyram]

Good morning all. A frosty start here too. I am guessing that the car may need scraping before I venture to Pride Park for today's game against Birmingham. Not a good night's sleep here either. Amber came into our bed at just after midnight, got into our bed and duely spread herself out. Rather than trying to cling onto the edge of the bed I decided to use her bed instead. Not the most comfortable night. I seem to have caught some of Sarah's problems - a load of gunk down my throat that made me cough and struggle to sleep. This morning it seems to have settled on my chest so I don't feel too great especially as there was not a lot of sleep. Sarah seems very tired too this morning. A very grumpy household likely!

[Robert]

Morning all,

 

We have a nice bright sunny morning, but it is pretty chilly.

 

Today's job is finishing the outside lights.

 

Have a good day everyone...

[The Stationmaster]

Morning all,

 

Bright and sunny with a good hard frost which the sun is rapidly removing where it can get to it so almost a proper job winter day.   Boxing Day duly witnessed consumption of some Christmas Day leftovers and no doubt the last of chicken will be in a pie tomorrow.

 

Enjoy your day everyone.

[southern42]

' Morning all from red dragon land.

Sun filtering through the cloud.

 

Sorry to hear about your Mum, Gordon. Our sympathies and condolences.

 

As some of you have gathered from other threads, our little cake top locos were delivered in time for Christmas.  Even better was the arrival of our granddaughter.

 

Enjoy your day and don't spend too much in those bank holiday Sales.  As if!

[shortliner]

Sincere condolences on your loss, Gordon.

[DDolfelin]

Today's job is finishing the outside lights.

 

 

Running a bit behind then.

The batteries are running out of charge on most of our village decorations.

[Simon G]

Morning all, no frost here and a very pleasant day in prospect. We will hopefully get out for some exercise and fresh air later.

 

Sincerest condolences to Gordon.

[Smiffy2]

My deepest condolences, Gordon.

[108]

Deepest sympathy Gordon

[45156]

Putting rubbish in the bin yesterday and I heard a cry from a few doors down, "Mum, I lost the drone". Followed by, "I told you to fly it in the field". Probably something similar is being said all over the country this week.

It didn't land in my garden, and if it had done, it would have been rubbish in the bin itself.

[Tony_S]

I said I would peel the potatoes. Aditi said she had tried but couldn't. I had suggested it wasn't a good idea. So I went into the kitchen and also noticed the cutlery draw was only still on the left hand runner. I have fixed it, "next size up" screws. I wonder if she even noticed she had broken it or even how. I shall enquire when she reappears.

[Robert]

Sorry to hear your news, Gordon. I must admit I missed your post earlier.

 

The outside lights are now finished, although I should add they are not Christmas lights! They are 12v lamps that stay on during the hours of darkness to provide some illumination when coming and going.

 

I have also put up a new lamp in the hall. It was a present from Mercedes which she bought for my office, but as we have recently redecorated the hall I thought it would look good there instead. It is a wonderful steam punk style retro-lamp with cloth covered cables and squirrel cage bulbs.

[Ian Abel]

Condolences to Gordon and family, my thoughts are with you...

[Ian Abel]

Well, Christmas and Boxing Day turned out to be rather "odd" in the end!

 

Started farly well, and looked like things would go as planned, however, the forecast rain, became very heavy downpours with the temperature around and below 0C, result was the roads around the house were like skating rinks. Couple that with our friends who were due to join us, had a harrowing trip back from the airport to their house due to the weather and decided it made no sense to go out again. Trevor and Meagan (and Otis!) did make it over but we decided to reschedule the main festivities for Boxing Day instead.

We just founds snacks - and plenty of drinks - to while away Christmas Day watching the rain/ice and napping.

 

Boxing Day, far better weather-wise unless you were flying, 50+ mph gusts at the airport with many planes cancelled and delayed. Didn't stop road travel though, so with the temperature now firmly below 0C and wind-chills at scary levels, we had a Christmas celebration one day late.

 

Some smiling faces with Mimosas to start the fun - my family and our friend Zoe and her son Nathan.

 

 

In what seems to be becoming a tradition (3rd year now) I produced a Bundt cake for dessert - this year a Crown - seen here cooling before finishing.

 

 

Today I'm back working - someone has to I guess!

 

Tonight we're going to the local showing of the British Arrow Awards with Jemma and our travelling companions.

According to the Walker Art Center where it is screened - "This year is also remarkable for two big anniversaries: British Arrows Awards celebrates its 40th, a program the Walker has been screening for 30 years"

 

-8 and overcast here expecting -4 for a high.

 

Hope everyone can enjoy the day, I best continue to toil....

[45156]

Afternoon All

 

Caught up, and posts all read and rated..

 

Gordon, I am sorry to hear your news about your mum, and I can really feel for you there, as the same thing happened to me - my mum got a serious chest infection just before Christmas, and her condition deteriorated and she was totally out of it by Christmas Day, and passed away on Boxing Day, so yes indeed, I know exactly how this one hits you, and I really offer sincere condolences.

 

And of course, generic greetings to everybody else who is deserving thereof.

 

I loved Geoff's remark about the "lost" drone - round here, it could just as easily be shot down by a landowner or farmer, as shotguns are not unknown in the area.

 

Yesterday's visit to ex neighbour whose son is building a good whisky collection, and no longer needs any tutelage.  He had 18 yo Longrow, Glen Scotia (down to my encouragement, as I love Campbeltown malts), and a rather exquisite 18yo Arran which was most excellent - a distillery which has really come on in a big way. 

 

Today, a trip to the "sales" was on the cards, but there was not a lot there for us.  Mind you, there's not a lot at all in Lancaster now, as about 25% of the shops are closed now.

 

Back tomorrow after a repeat trip to Kendal sales.

 

Regards to All

Stewart

[NGT6 1315]

A'noon everyone. Actually, night is falling already, but why split peas...

 

Sorry to hear about your loss, Gordon. Sending our sympathies to you and yours. I indeed like to think that aside from any religious thought, there will be a domain where we will, one day, all reunite once our time in this world ends, so that Death shall indeed have no dominion.

 

One more day off tomorrow and we may go on a trip to Halle to visit the Museum of Prehistory and Early History.

 

Aside from that, we're making use of our time for unwinding. Boxing Day dinner yesterday was raclette at FiL's, though as I was given several new cook books, we will continue eating well.

 

May 2017 be free of turmoil for everyone here who has been in it on the deep end this year. I know 2016 isn't over yet but it's my sincere wish regardless...

[TheQ]

Well we are back from a trip round what was Lancashire and a walk round Hebden bridge. I can see the attraction of modelling the narrow river valleys, with road, river, canal and railway alongside and crossing each other, along with the architecture of the area. But would I like to live in those valleys, hidden from direct sunshine for much of the day? Definately not, I prefer the open big sky's of Norfolk.

[shortliner]

What a fascinating cake, Ian. Do the horns(spaces) get filled with cream?

[Coombe Barton]

Breakfast in Sainsbury's Cafe Tamworth this morning. Arguably we were the youngest ones there.

 

Shopping for a new vacuum cleaner involved looking at it in John Lewis, looking at the Amazon price on the phone and ordering from Amazon when we got home - fifty quid difference!

 

And thanks for Tony S for the heads up on what to buy.

 

Dogs walked, fire lit, now can't get near the fire for stretched out dogs.

[Tony_S]

Breakfast in Sainsbury's Cafe Tamworth this morning. Arguably we were the youngest ones there.

 

Shopping for a new vacuum cleaner involved looking at it in John Lewis, looking at the Amazon price on the phone and ordering from Amazon when we got home - fifty quid difference!

 

And thanks for Tony S for the heads up on what to buy.

 

Dogs walked, fire lit, now can't get near the fire for stretched out dogs.

Well ours copes nicely with a dog that sheds enough hair to knit a new dog every week! When you need new bags order them direct from the manufacturer, buying enough to get discounts/ free postage etc.

[Ian Abel]

What a fascinating cake, Ian. Do the horns(spaces) get filled with cream?

Usually not, though I suppose they could.

Generally, drizzled with your preference of chocolate/fudge/caramel or lemon sauce(s). Since it was a vanilla bean cake, this one was a light drizzle of chocolate with hot fudge and caramel options on the side - most chose to poor large amounts of both  let's face it, this time of year is NOT when you consider diets!

[Barry O]

Bus was on time, train from Leeds to Keighley on time, K&WVR 10 minutes late BUT who cares. Pint on the train, a pint or two in the pub up the hill in Haworth with a nice fish sandwich then a nice journey back.  BUT when we arrived back in Leeds --we were trying to get off while the great sales seekers were all fighting to get on. It would appear I stood on someones foot. Oh Dear!

 

And now awaiting roast lamb for tea...

 

Baz

[Coombe Barton]

And just as predicted Sainsbury's today had a load of meat substantially reduced - freezer is now getting full. They seem to have over ordered on legs of lamb.

Edited December 27, 2016 by Coombe Barton