Hi all, welcome to the new week.
Hectic day. I had a hairdressing appointment at 9am. I was later leaving home because the car was so thick with frost and ice and then there were five sets of temporary traffic lights on the roads. I arrived 15 mins. late. I also went shopping and then arrived home to find that that, for various reasons, my OH's bowling team needed transport to a match in Hastings !!! I had to get back in the car and drive three of them to the match. I then spent nearly three hours either walking along the seafront, until I became too cold or sitting watching them play indoors, where it was warmer. On the way home we came through a village, where every house was decorated for Christmas. I found it quite cheering to drive through and felt very Christmassy.
Well, I thought the weather wasn’t supposed to hit until Wednesday, but today never got light, the wind has been howling and the rain has been bucketing down. I hope everyone will stay safe through this.
Linda – that fatal accident in D&G yesterday was tragic: lady who died only 24, paramedic in ambulance on its way with earlier casualties has fractured neck and head injuries, ambulance driver has broken wrist but couple in the back didn’t sustain further injury. It was north of Dumfries on the main road into Ayrshire – one of the routes towards Glasgow Southside. I am sure your house will look nicely clear after Christmas when all the little people have collected their presents, and I always find the house looks cleaner and bigger when all the Christmas paraphernalia comes down!!
Annette – sorry you had such a horrid day Monday, and that Daughter’s car news was dire. I hope today is a better one for you and the family, and that all things technological keep on working!
Heather – your lunch sounds good, especially the cheese which brought back memories of our lunch together last summer! I see that your OH, unsurprisingly, stuck to a more traditional menu!
Rita – do take care driving into Dingwall tomorrow, not always a pleasant road. Your Sunday Cactus Club lunch also sounds good!
J hasn’t been asked to work tomorrow, so I think the three of us will just batten down the hatches and ride out the storm! Look after yourselves, everybody – don’t take any risks.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
BRENDA - sorry, you posted while I was processing mine! Three hours on the sea front doesn't sound very appealing at this time of year, I am glad you developed a festive feel on the way home!
Rita / Heather, You weather sounds atrocious and those storms ( amber warnings) could be dangerous and destructive. Also thinking of Dibnlib, OG and George in Scotland, where the gales are going to be at their strongest.
Annette, It is beginning to sound as if your daughter will require a new car. Sad that your grandson has split from his girlfriend, but what a compliment to you, that he feels able to discuss it with you. It really was a traumatic day for you, with power cuts and then no tv or internet. You are in need of, and deserve, a 'pampering me day'.
OG - It all sounds rather grim, weatherwise, do take care, and don't go out! Our trees are all waving around but I'm sure this is nothing compared to your winds.
Oh, goodness, I've just replied to the previous page! My thoughts are with all those north tonight, do be careful in the bad weather.
Thank for all your news.
Started off as a lovely sunny frosty morning and gradually clouded over - raining a little now. Do hope that OG and Heather, and all our Scottish friends stay safe as gale force winds are predicted I think overnight and into tomorrow.
Had a lovely morning with friend. She was telling me that her great nephew is spending his gap year in Cape Town at a school coaching the youngsters in cricket - wow, it sounds great. His family are going out there to spend Christmas with him. Would love to go back there, such a diverse country and as well as the better off you do see the poverty although they seem reasonably happy in the shanty communities that have built up outside main towns. Probably can't afford the rents in new housing.At least we were told that when we were there back in 2008.
AQ - do hope that your dau. does get help from the other set of grandparents as well as yourselves, it would be lovely if they could chip in now and again.
Lindy - would have loved to have seen that sunrise.
Annette - sound like you have been having a bit of a nightmare re cars, grandson, dau. etc . Do hope it resolves soon.
Take care all.
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home
Seven sperm whales were found on Monday on the beach near Ardrossan on Yorke Peninsula, not known why they beached themselves. An autopsy will be carried out on one & samples take on others. An 8th whale was herded out to sea & not been seen since. Last night whale teeth were stolen. See HERE or HERE.
I enjoy reading all your news, especially the cold weather news. Not too hot here lately – must be the effect of getting new air-con. Murphy’s Law! To answer some questions, t’other g-p live too far for regular help and anyway they think Dau should have her act together by now. Miss18 has been amazing with her help. She takes an hour to arrive as she has to catch 2 buses & a long walk. By car it is about 10 mins, but she cannot drive (a stroke some time ago affected her eyesight). Yesterday wasn’t too bad over all. I arrived to 2 sleeping babes. First one pair of eyes opened, then the other. Next one mouth opened wah wah wah, then the other wah wah wah. Dau sat with 2 spoons & 2 tubs of pumpkin shovelling alternate gaping beaks. Meanwhile I changed Miss3’s bed and filled washing machine. Query – why aren’t babes’ clothes & bibs pumpkin- coloured? Oh, I see, tomorrow is broccoli & rice day. So, just colour coordinate outfits to diet. <grin> L had some milk & a short nap while J screamed & I paced, the hours blurred, J fell asleep in my arms, dare I move?. Somewhere I managed to play “craft” with Miss3, gluing stars & sequins on cardboard to make a tree. I didn’t feel too bad when I got home but I did fall asleep watching TV. Today my overdue HW awaits.