Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey), 27 November 2016

Good afternoon, everyone.  Very cold and frosty here, but clear blue sky.  Just got in from golf - interesting bounces, but so bright and sunny, so the score didn't really matter.  I feel very healthy and virtuous having done that - so perhaps I can be a slob this afternoon!  The car showed minus 6 when I arrived at the golf club ... so it really was cold!!

Warm thoughts going to all those who are struggling in any way.

Morning all: Was just browsing the BBC website and came across some award-winning nature pix. www.bbc.com/.../in-pictures-38083691

Brenda: Were you at the back of the coach? I remember barley sugar drops were the popular antidote to travel sickness on coach rides.  Can't remember if it worked or not. Still, at least the time off the coach was productive, especially as it was for a good cause.

Lindybird: I share the same reaction as the puppy! (Are we supposed to be including credits for photos we post that aren't ours? Seems the site used to be quite stern about things like that....)

PatO: You have my permission to be a slob.

Margo: Hugs to you, dearie.

Diane: Hope you're managing to establish some normal and I hope comforting routine.  Take care of yourself.

Off to get organized

BRENDA - How horrible to have felt unwell on the coach. You probably felt like shouting 'Stop the bus, I want to get off'. I haven't experienced this but one of my granddaughters did, in Tenerife. People looked at her as if she was an alien.... I gave them one of my LOOKS. Not to be ignored, I am told.

Have made minestrone and also cream of vegetable soup. I'm hoping that OH will take the latter with some home made croutons.

My brother phoned this morning just to tell me that they had frost last night, in central Brittany and was now only plus 2 degrees C. What a wimp!  Told him to chop some logs pronto and get the woodburner going. I asked after the chickens and ducks. They, of course, are fine. It is only the humans that are suffering. Perhaps my brother should sleep in the hen house.

LOL, Heather!  I can just see him trying to fit into it!

I used to be a martyr to travel sickness.  No good still, in the back half of a coach, especially if its windey (windy?) lanes.  So lots of sympathy there, Brenda. They are often far too warm, too, which makes you headachey.

Went to my Friends:  had to thaw out the car first, even the cloth we had put over the front was stiff with frost.  Drove carefully in case of any ice on the small country lanes.  She described a most wonderful time in London, including going to see the Carol King inspired show, "Beautiful"  and eating out at a famous restaurant which gave them an eyewatering bill at the end of a memorable meal. They had the ten piece Tasting Menu,and took their time over all the small courses.   The next day they went to have an Afternoon Tea in a posh hotel, and when they walked in, there were about 8 friends all waiting to say "Surprise!"  - organised by her daughter, who had got everyone together. They also went to London Zoo, and to the special Christmas display at Kew Gardens.  Afterward, her knees started complaining as they had done so many things, a lot of which required going up and down a lot of steps.

I've dug out the Christmas cards I bought cut price last January from under the stairs, and found my List of recipients.  Now I just have to buckle down to writing them all.

Wow, Annette!  Just been to look at your link, and there are a lot of pretty fascinating and glorious pictures, there.  As each one appeared, I said to myself "Oh, this one should be the winner!"

Thanks for posting them.

My picture was one which someone else had sent me from on the internet, so I have no idea of its origin.  Hopefully, it will not matter that there is no copyright on it.

Agree, LINDY! Wonderful pics. Thank you, ANNETTE.

Thanks, Heather;  We have known each other since they moved in near us when our children were only toddlers:   Must be over 35 years now!  She saved my sanity when I was living too far from the town to walk in for errands, without a major organisation of prams etc., and no car - and not much money, either.  Eventually my Friend, who was a career girl, went back to work and I looked after her daughter for her as a child minder, giving me at least a little money for myself, although I spent most of it on new carpets for bedrooms, etc, as I remember!  As you do.....

They moved away from us over 18 years ago, but are still near enough to visit and to do things together.

I came on to comment that the Google Doodle for today is commemorating Louisa May Alcott, the writer of "Little Women", one of the best books ever written!!

It's a great Google Doodle, Lindy - thanks for pointing me to it.  I haven't read 'Little Women' for years ...