Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey), 29 July 2018

Thanks Linda. Weather man predicts a few showers this week. Let’s prove him wrong with a downpour or two!

I forgot to say that the service today was far from parochial. Amongst others, we prayed for those affected by fires in Greece & California and the boys & coach in Thailand.

Good morning!  Thanks to DIANE for the video to start us off with a smile.  Seems most of us in the UK had a broken night.  Our first thunder was very close and woke us at 2:30.  It didn't last long but I woke again to very heavy rain blowing against the window at 3:30.  We have had a few light showers this morning and I am hoping it won't be too bad getting out to the car to go for lunch with the grandsons and appendages.  I hope no-one has damage from the lightening, wind and hailstones in various parts of the UK and that the California whirlfires stay north of Annette!  Time to get changed to go out.  BBL.

FB -  Sorry you've had to miss your lunch out. It's windy and gusty here, too.

AQ. -- It's years and years since I visited any family graves, but then, apart from my parents, who were scattered, all my relatives live(d) far from here. My OH and his sister both tend a family plot in the village of their birth, not far from our home, wherein lie their parents and his very dear sister Anne, who was taken from us aged only 51. We still miss her and talk of her.

OG - Hope you enjoy your lunch. We didn't get thunder, but wild winds and rain. It's supposed to lessen after tonight, so we are staying until around Tuesday this time.

We had a nice coffee this morning, and managed to resist the yummy looking cakes! I bought a prettily coloured cyclamen for the kitchen at home, and some birthday cards, plus a lovely cotton top with green palm leaves and pink lilies all over it. My OH treated himself to some weedkiller spray!! (My tablet decided I meant "steamroller spray"!)

Heavy rain today in this part of Wales too, and I am told similar in the Lakes.  And I was worrying about my plants in pots drying out!  I went to a craft centre, it was very busy, including  lots of families. I did go to Dyfi yesterday, though showery and windy.

Chrisy -  Glad that you got to Dyfi.

We had a conversation with the neighbours I mentioned before, they have an identical caravan next to ours. They told us that they're leaving, as they've decided to spend more time in another part of the country. We were surprised, and I told them that we'll miss them: younger than us, but grandparents also, they're very active and have just strapped two kayaks to the roof of their car!

Raining again now, after a brief dry spell this afternoon.

Mamma Mia - Here we Go Again!

My Friend and I enjoyed this much looked forward to film. It's very energetic, right from the start, and as can be imagined, frothy, musical and fun.

I said to my OH that he might find it annoying when he gets around to seeing it, as there are quite a few leaps back into the past, followed by sudden leaps into the present, but they're relevant to the story as it's a prequel to the original film and explains why some of the relationships are the way they are:  I wouldn't recommend seeing this film if you missed the first one, as you might get confused.

Lily James makes a good job of the lead part of Donna (Meryl Streeps character) when she was younger. She is a good singer and threw herself into the dancing, with verve. The other lead characters are all played by the original actors from the 1st film, as themselves in the present, and by some excellent actors playing their younger selves.  It's all done with lots of singing, colourful scenes, and gusto!  But there are sad moments, so take your hankie!

Back again, after a lovely day with the young ones.

Linda – distances of families these days were a big factor in my parents asking to be scattered after their cremation – they didn’t want to tie us to a particular geographical spot.   They had lived in a hilly place, and Dad was really fond of hills all his life, so I asked Mum whether we should take Dad back there, but she said anywhere hilly would do, as the wind would spread him further.  When she told their old neighbour about this, he said that when he got a speck of dust in his eye while out walking, he would say to himself, “Ah, here’s George again!”  When it was her turn we scattered her in the same place on the fell, beside what looked like the same clump of Heather.  Your OH’s treat purchase at the garden centre made me chuckle, but we often end up buying garden sundries or small household items when we are away on holiday – more relaxed then to make choices!  Sorry you are losing your pleasant neighbours – I hope you get decent people on their plot.  So, you weren’t tempted to follow their lead and take up Kayaking?

Chrisy – was that Corris Craft Centre which you went to?  We found that one when we went down that way.  Pleased you got to Dyfi to see Monty and his new wife and family!

So, our day.  The Grandsons had remembered that we were originally to celebrate our upcoming 50th anniversary together with their Mother’s originally planned wedding – which was why they had a cottage booked down here, so it did actually turn into a low-key party.  We rarely see the two together, which has always been good in earlier times when we did see them interacting as brothers very close in age, and they haven’t changed!  The two wives seem to get on well too, so it was all very pleasant and we caught up with news of other family members.  As for young Miriam, she is a little treasure.  She was asleep when they arrived, so we got the early conversations done and starters eaten before she woke to command our attention and join in the meal.  Most of us had the carvery option for ease of ordering, except younger couple who are vegetarian.  Miri ate a good plate of Turkey and vegetable – new way with mashed swede is to dip fingers of turkey in it, while talking and singing at the same time!  She is a happy wee person and was no trouble at all.  The hotel wasn’t very busy, and we had booked the semi-private corner table – cost an extra £50 but well worth it for her to have some freedom to move around, and to park my wheelchair and her pushchair in our own space.

Grandson#2 and his Wife had to leave quite promptly, having a busy working week then a holiday starting next weekend.  The others came back here for coffee with us, and they stayed all afternoon, so we had more entertainment from Miri, telling us about all the birds in our various pictures – and the ones outside the window: she has an amazing memory for vocabulary and how to use it – I would say exceptional for 20 months.  She is also getting a good grasp of all the family names – not bad with the extra step-relations!  Granddaughter-in-Law wanted to see photos of our Daughters when young, to try to confirm who Miri looks like – maybe to assess possible looks for the other one due in October.  She is working another five weeks then has two more weeks before starting maternity leave – once more, she is back working (doctor) in the maternity department during her pregnancy!

We really enjoyed the day, but I am quite tired this evening.  I don’t think I’ll shop with OH as planned tomorrow – will have a quiet day at home.  Anyway, got all those tomatoes to freeze!

Spoke to the UK folks today who welcomed the (brief?) respite from the heat and were happy with the rain.  They didn't see the eclipse either; my sister said it was the first cloudy night in weeks and weeks.  Went to gym this a.m.; now going to head out into the garden for more easy tidy up.

OG: Sounds like a nice visit with grandkids and appendages (still smile at that word - originally used by AQ if I remember rightly).

Lindybird: Tx for review of Mama Mia - will likely wait for it to show up at the local library or on telly.  Good that it gave your friend a smile.  How long had your neighbors owned the caravan at the park before they decided to leave?

Hallo to everyone else!  :-)

OG -  I see that you had a lovely family day: Miriam sounds delightful.  I expect you are tired now after all the excitement of such a full day. Loved the story of your parents ashes. 

Annette - We are seeing sad reports of the dramatic fires in California. I do hope it's all over now.  It was nice to know that I'd given G a happy break from worry about her condition. Other friends are rallying round and inviting them to visits within their small village. I hope to see them again shortly.

Our neighbours had owned the caravan next door for about 2 and a half years. Before that, we were friends with the previous occupants. Meanwhile, the folks who sold it to them had bought a brand new, larger caravan here. They have now also left, last winter, and new people are in that one! !   Needless to say, I have a small piece of paper in a drawer with all the names on it, of various occupants here, as they come and go so often!  Some we get on with better than others. There are always a few in any community who are selfish or rude, LOL!

Edit:  Can't see myself ever kayaking!!!  Once fancied trying to learn to gently propel myself in a canoe, but it would have had to be in calm waters! Never got around to it.

Lindybird: The Carr fire in Redding is really terrible and just one of many in the state. We never used to see these fires until September/October. I'd notice a strange sort of light these last few days and our weather forecast folks said it was because the smoke from the Redding fire, in particular, and other fires, is really high up in the atmosphere and responsible for the warm "glow."  :-(     Sounds like musical caravans at your Wales spot!  Gosh, those rude and selfish people do get around, don't they!

Didn't make it into the garden - was waylaid by my zero-gravity chair and the thought of a nap!  :-)

Have a good Monday everyone.