Weekly Chat, Sunday November 14, 2010

Just back from Aberdeen OH has flown down to his head office which is based in the New Forest. After 9 years out of an office he hates all the office politics so the shorter the visit the better...so back to Aberdeen on Friday to pick him up. Whilst in Aberdeen a little retail therapy just had to be done. It is the granite city so is often grey and misty but today it was really sunny.

Will catch up on blogs later....hope everyone has had a really good day.

What a beautiful day we have had down here.  Frost and a misty morning at dawn, but I could almost see the mist being burned off and at one time had three layers: one of blue sky and sunshine, another of a distinct layer of mist, and the land underneath.  It was beautiful.

I don't know about you, but I am delighted to hear the news of William's and Kate's engagement!!  I well remember the engagement press call of his father and Lady Di.  Today was so much more loving.  I think they make a lovely young couple and wish them well for their future together - in North Wales for the imminent future.

Well done to Chloe and Tiger for talking dibnlib through to get your moving dog signature and for wendy's lovely little penguin.  But sorry to hear that the movement upsets your eyes OG.

I've been giving my car a bit of a spring clean and emptying all my belongings.  After 11 years I am getting a replacement car.  Diesel this time, and a slightly smaller engine.  Now I am retired and don't do the daily 38 mile round commute to Cambridge up the M11 I feel I no longer need a sporty car and am happy to take my time!  So Friday is change-over day.  It will take a bit of getting used it as it has one of those horrible little 'switch' or 'lever' brakes and not what I call, proper handbrake!  OH's car has the same system, but I don't often drive it - only usually to share the driving on long journeys.  Never mind.  My car needs four new tyres and a new exhaust, so I think I am the winner in this expensive exercise!

AQ I was really impressed with the beautiful photos of your daughter's wedding.  What lovely dresses you all wore!  A very romantic setting in which to begin the rest of their lives together.  You will be blessed with many happy memories of the day.

I caught up with the thread on Osprey Quiz today too!  What a clever bunch you all are!  I guessed at LG for the first nest, but after that I was way way out of my depth.  Tiger, Chloe, Sandy, OG, Alicat I bow to your superior wealth of knowledge!

Wendy was your previous avitar the lighthouse on Lundy?  OH and I visited there last year when we had a wonderful two weeks in Devon in a sunny September, a beautiful part of the country.  I said when we were leaving the island that I felt that a three night stay would be lovely rather than day's visit.  The weather was so windy and from the 'wrong' direction it was doubtful we would be able to land, but we did.  Ouch too for your back problem.  Over the course of 23 years I too have had very bad spells all starting from tipping the grass cuttings from the collector into a wheelbarrow.

Annette, sorry you mixed your days for your outing!  So easy to do - OH and I were invited to a drinks party, we thought, last Saturday.  So both kitted and booted we delayed leaving when I realised I had thought it was 7.00, but on checking it was 7.30pm.  We would see the visitors driving up the lane to the party, but by 7.45 had seen none, so I checked the invitation once more!!  Oh dear, it was next week!  We ended up with baked beans on toast for supper and a bottle of red wine to compensate!

There has been such a lot written I cannot respond to you all, but love hearing all about your lives and seeing the beautiful photos. 

Have a good evening.

love the pics of Osprey and Peacock   thank you.

CHLOE   Yes, made a real mess of leg/ankle when I slipped. Only taking pain killers at night now. Pain is not the problem, just the nuisance factor really. 

Very best wishes to William and Kate.... I was in the plaster room when I saw it announced.

There is a NEW BLOG from Jayne and Richard. Update on Rothes and reserve news. All good news.

Annette – hi there!  Oh dear, you’re rushing about again too, what is it with everyone?  Know how your hair felt – I’m not due for a cut for another two weeks, but I think she took less off last time, and it is annoying me, but at least it’s very healthy and glossy right now, and the curls are tamed!!

Dibnlib – don’t scrub the sig just for me – but please try to make it a gentle slow-moving one!  Ankle engineering work sounds rather exciting!  Sounds like consultant did a rather special job for you – don’t want juniors spoiling that by letting you bear weight to soon – do be careful.  Pleased to read (later) that the pain is not too bad now.

Diane – blood tests were just the monthly routine – checking that I am “all systems go” because of the effects of arthritis meds.  I don’t phone for results, because I get regular checks, and they would send for me if anything went out of kilter.  Lovely cheery spring photo.

Wendy – I love Aberdeen in the sun (or rain) – much more Silver than Grey (I always think of it as The Silver City) – and a great place for shopping too – really missed the Bon Accord centre when Daughter moved away from there!

Sheila – congrats on the new car – hope it is well behaved for you!  And well done for keeping the other going so long.  You will find a new one much more fuel-efficient.  I hope you will enjoy the drinks party next weekend – make sure you check which day!

Thought I'd pop in so there'd be less to catch up with later.

Diane: Lovely bright cheerful pix - thank you. Sorry it's wet and dreary there....

dibnlib: Boy, you really did do a number on that ankle. Five more weeks on crutches; you'll be able to give lessons to newly injured folks by then!

Alan: Thanks for blog heads up. I'm wondering if Rothes will head your way next spring.  Not connected in any way, but was listening to radio interviews with expatriate writers and one woman, now in the States, who hailed from Guinea Bissau said that country had been taken over by the Colombia drug cartels. 

SheilaFE: Haven't been following William and Kate I'm afraid, but I'm sure the U.S. media will be all over it (the "royals" dontcha know!)   Funny how Fall has the same sort of signs here - foggy morning today with sun burning through; cooler than it has been and the trees, which were on hold during last week, are turning again.  Enjoy the new car - you'll get used to that odd-sounding brake arrangement.  Let's hope we both can keep the social activities sorted out over the holidays.  Aha, so, red wine with beans on toast, eh? Was wondering....  :-)

OG: Sorry, I'll do my best to slow down for you.  :-)  Hair feels Wonderful after cut; not so scared to look in the mirror. 

Well it just goes to prove the point don't go out for a day as there is so much to read when you get back.sco here goes.

Dibnlib...I think you are probably going to one of the best hospitals around. Had something pretty serious diagnosed when I first moved here and was under Aberdeen hospital. Had a phone call out of the blue from the main man in the field in Inverness inviting me to go to him and I am so pleased I did. So after an op and 6 weeks radiotherapy it was all done and dusted. Still visit once a year but I am a very happy bunny.

OG..There is a new shopping centre which I find easy to get to also found a shop I was looking for for ages and that was because I took a wrong turning...no sat nav.

Lindybird..New avatar is Daisy May probably the nearest I will get to a grandchild..she also thinks she is a greyhound 10 mins rushing about and then sleep for the rest of the time. Daughter is now on a mission for suitable crayons!! 

Brenda H ..Pink is just for silly things and never clothes as I am so not Barbara Cartland.

SheilaFE.. Oh yes that is Lundy the place of my dreams and if I could live there I would not be in Scotland.My first husband who died really young found it when he went there to work for the CAA recording the noises that Concord made all those years ago when farmers said cows were aborting when it throttled back. So after a month there he came back trying to sell the peace and quiet to me. Yes well he had already booked a holiday for us the next year. Those were the days of no pier, no electricty not much of a shop and a pub. After his death my youngest only 9 then wanted to go back..so we did. My girls had so many holidays there they did't realise you could have TV or ice cream on holiday...it has changed a little but not a lot. Not been this year but twice last year. Don't go in the summer as I hate the Oldenburg(girls call it something else but not for print) so we go when the helocopter goes from Hartland. Do try and spend some time there it is magical. If you do get in contact as some cottages are better at certain times of year. 

Brenda - I never think of ironing when I can’t sleep . . . but I hardly ever think of ironing if I can help it. LOL

OG - I watched on computer an episode of David A’s "Birds" and I was delighted to identify the sound of a bird I’ve heard on my UK visits. I’m sure it is a willow warbler. Blackbirds, sparrows, starlings are easy - we have them here. That reminds me, at the wedding some of Dau’s words were drowned out by screeching corellas.

Annette - Beggar as in one who begs. The magpies are already up on their "hind legs" but it is the way they cock their head and gaze so starvingly.

A 14-hour day today. Sunrise 6 am, sunset 8 pm. Weather still a cool 20 C. Bliss. Off to library after missing 2 weeks. As OH needs the car to transport m-i-l, he will drop me in the city. I only need to bus home. Hope I remember which number!!!! I normally drive half-way and hence have twice the choice, then food shop on way home.

I have to confess, I am with OG, I do find the speedy animations distracting.

Hi all, just tried what one of you said to do re animated animals. All I did was click on copy and then paste when I got to this point.  Will try to find a moving avatar for signature later.

Not posted for a couple of days but have read all your news.

Aquilareen - what super wedding photo's -  really looked happy and must say glancing at the groom quickly on the sideways photo reminded me of someone I know who was a Youth Worker at our church and went on into the ministry.  Your sil is handsome, isn't he.

Diane in Indiana - looked at the link re pic of the Milky Way.  It is a fascinating subject and we don't really know what is going on out there - the marvels of modern telescopes and satelites are producing pictures of the galaxy and beyond.   What is out there!!!!!!!!!!!! It is an amazing world and universe that we live in.

Alan - what was the programme on BBC 2 - I seemed to have missed it or I would have recorded it. Wonderful picture of EJ though.

dibnib - do hope that your ankle is healing properly and that it won't be much longer than 5 weeks that you'll have the plaster on.

Been swimming today - weekly visit - otherwise not much happening.   Lovely weather the last couple of days if not a lot cooler, once mist and frost had cleared.   Watching the series on the 60's on weekday mornings at the moment - reminds me of my youth!!!!!!!!

Lindybird - great pics for a Monday morning - the ones of the children are so cute. 

Love the peacock  one too.

Take care all and by the way welcome to Josh.