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Topics - Caw1

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1
The Common Room / Findmypast discounts?
« on: Friday 28 July 23 01:42 BST (UK)  »
Hello
I was just wondering if anyone knows of any discounts for Findmypast?

I didn’t renew from my previous subs as have been having a break so didn’t want the added expense ontop of an Ancestry one I have … kept if as have DNA test with them.
Now back to researching again and find I could do with FindMyPast for 1921 census… can’t believe the cost at just short of £200, so if anyone has any info it woukd be gratefully received.

Many thanks in advance

Caroline

2
The Stay Safe Board / Diary Summary week ending 7th August
« on: Monday 01 August 22 08:01 BST (UK)  »
I thought I’d start off this new week as I’ve not been around for a while…

Another month begins …. Where has this year gone ..
A warm day again with no rain on the horizon for my area… we had a few drips yesterday which did wet the soil and patio but soon dried up!

Today I’m going with some friends to Ely Cathedral, I’ve been before, but we’re going to see an exhibition of ‘Gowns & Crowns’ from major films and tv that have been filmed in some of UK’s majestic Cathedrals.

Last week we had my daughter and grandsons to stay for the week, we had a great time with lots of fun and laughter and we were on the go the whole time!
Whilst we love having them here returning to our normal peace and quiet life was joyful!

Hope everyone has a good week and I look forward to catching up again.

Caroline

3
The Stay Safe Board / Summary week ending 27th February
« on: Monday 21 February 22 08:44 GMT (UK)  »
As Louisa Maud has been starting us off each week I thought I’d give her a break…

Well another week and another storm… how many more can we cope with…

HM has tested positive ( as was said in last weeks post) but what a stalwart she is to still be carrying on with light duties… an example to us all.. hope she recovers soon.

All restrictions being lifted from this week it seems… what are peoples thoughts in that I wonder….

Hope everyone is safe and sound and not suffering too much from our tempestuous weather…

Caroline

4
The Stay Safe Board / Diary - Tuesday 1st June
« on: Tuesday 01 June 21 23:21 BST (UK)  »
Thought I’d get in first as Roobarb is such a stalwart with first entries I wanted to lessen the burden.....

It was my friend J’s and my cousins birthdays today... as well as Marilyn Monroes... I sent them both my best wishes first thing... what a beautiful day for a birthday, bright, sunny and warm..
I faced last nights washing up after the bbq and then got things ready for the girls coming in for coffee & cake! We sat outside soaking up the sun and it was lunchtime by the time they left... considering I saw two of them last night you wonder we’d still have things to talk about.... don’t be ridiculous isn’t that women do.. said my OH .. I could have hit him!!
After lunch I had a wander up the village to pop the lottery winnings through the door...
Had a message from H to say M was having his biopsy today and a scan of some sort... apparently they need his bed... so what happens if he’s not well enough to leave yet I wonder....
The afternoon was spent just relaxing outside... I should have done the ironing or made the cushion covers for the boys bedroom... tomorrow is another day!
We came inside late afternoon into the cool of the dining room and had a game of scrabble... first one for a while... I won...🎉🎉😃 now I’m only 9 games down...
We had bbq’d chicken for dinner with the rest of all yesterday’s salads and we finished off the dessert..
I watered all the new and delicate plants... can’t believe how some have just come out since yesterday.. the red peonies, the smoke bush and the broad beans are half way up the canes... sadly the grass seems to grow quickly too...
Sat out for a while but the combination of the motor bikes, a dog barking and our neighbour STILL going to her bin every few minutes we came inside!
Watched bit of tv and now an early night! 
Hope everyone has had fine sunny weather too...

Caroline

5
The Stay Safe Board / Diary - Friday 30th April
« on: Saturday 01 May 21 07:48 BST (UK)  »
Well looks like I’m first for what is now yesterday!
It’s hard to believe that another month is coming to a close and what a month...
For us down south it’s been a dry month, a cold month on record since late 1800’s and more frosts...

The day started looking a bit mixed and still chilly in the shade!
We were up early as it was going to be a busy morning... our friend R whose chain saw OH had borrowed was coming round to do the very high bits of branch trimming for us... so before 9am we were in the garden putting up the tower in readiness...
Next was a FaceTime with our son in Oz... he said they’d been having a great deal of rain... more than usual. Their pool house is virtually finished and he took us down to have a look... I’m so proud of him for the job he’s made particularly the ceiling all wood panelling and every row is screw exactly in line! Don’t know where he gets his eye for detail! 😂😂.
R arrived so OH went off outside and I carried on chatting for a while...
Finally it was gone midday we said goodbye and I made the men a cuppa and went to look at their handy work... it makes such a difference and means the early morning sun will now come into the garden...
After lunch I decided to do the ironing which had been mounting up! I watched the sewing bee .... some of the caps were quite well made.. like others I think the challenge to remake garments ridiculous and breaks my heart to see quality fabric being ripped up and made into unwearable items... despite the judges thoughts... the final challenge turned out some reasonable items... but to make something that’s too small when you have the model there to fit it on is unforgivable in my book!
Phoned our friends in Cirencester and had a good chat... their Airbnb is getting very booked up which is lovely for them... hoping to go down mid June to stay for couple of nights...
phoned my friend M who works at Gatwick... she’s just had her whole flat redecorated and carpet ripped up and flooring put down... looks lovely... money she would have spent going to Oz to visit her Sister....
OH offered to cook dinner... just spaghetti so I readily agreed!
Watched last episode about Churchill and river cruise along the Hudson beautiful countryside and who would think just outside New York...
The end of a busy day and another month bites the dust...
Daughter and family away for three days staying near Glastonbury... happy memories for me around there, sadly Wookey Hole not opening until May 17th but Cheddar Gorge and a walk up to Glastonbury Tor is on the agenda along with visiting the Lions at Longleat!
Hope everyone else’s day was ok...

Caroline
 

6
The Stay Safe Board / Diary - Friday 16th April
« on: Friday 16 April 21 23:17 BST (UK)  »
I thought I’d get in first as Roobarb always does the honours!

It’s hard to believe that we’re halfway through yet another month... I know time flies when you’re having fun.... but that’s not exactly what we’re all having...
My mother always said the time goes faster the older you get.... well I can identify with that sentiment!

I woke early... result of going to sleep early.... read for a while...
After breakfast we deliberated about going out to a Nursery we know that sells to nurseries ... we wanted a Victoria Plum tree, a white climbing rose and a climbing hydrangea that has white flowers.... well they didn’t have any so tried few other places around... you don’t want to go to them unnecessarily now do you...
We found a local one that had two out of the three items...
Mid morning by now so off we set... popped into one nursery whose door we were passing... only a green gage tree...
Finally got to the intended place... one plum tree not particularly good one so didn’t bother.... no roses but a beautiful hydrangea in excellent condition ... decided we’d go back to get the green gage...
Lunch when we got home then OH had to pick up his prescription along with five others for friends... proper shipping order!
Whilst he was out I watered both plants... brushed the patio and did some weeding...
Once he returned we had a cuppa first then planted the hydrangea next to the fence( bin clatterers side) should do well there...
Then planted the tree up the top part of the garden where we already have a cooking apple tree... we’ve a beech hedge that runs across the garden about two thirds up and behind are the vegs plots the sheds and apple tree... ideal spot... plum tree to follow in the autumn...
Time to prepare dinner... cooked gammon with mushroom, leek and cider sauce, green vegs...
Watched gardeners world and a river cruise programme narrated by Bill Nyhey...
Tired so retired to bed...

Hope everyone’s safe... these new variants appearing is concerning..... lots more folk had second jabs now... hope people going to be sensible!
Caroline

7
The Stay Safe Board / Diary - Monday 29th March
« on: Tuesday 30 March 21 00:30 BST (UK)  »
Yippee..... freedom today... well almost... nothing has changed in our household!

Woke early to a bright sunny morning... it brings a real lift to ones spirits...
Had an early breakfast as we wanted to chat to our Son in Brisbane earlier than we usually do...
As it was still just about light there we were able to see the virtually finished pool house with all its new planting including the tree fern they’d bought a couple of weeks ago that now has eight fronds ... with all the rain recently it’s been good for all the new plants... the nice fencing round the pool... a requirement apparently to protect it from children ... they don’t have any but that’s beside the point! Each post has little solar lights ontop and it looks very pretty. He’s still putting up the wood ceiling otherwise it’s finished... picture at the end of the diary...
He wasn’t too impressed they were in a three day lockdown as there had been four cases reported... apparently only 9 lives have been lost in Brisbane throughout the entire epidemic and 900 in total nationwide!
Popped to the bakers for a loaf... no time to bake bread when fencing is at the top of the list! Don’t ask me to do it or we could be eating concrete...😂😂
After a lengthy chat OH decided to go and out get the 60 boards for the fencing and I wrote my report for the monthly village magazine...
The postman delivered the new super fast magic rooter as our speeds are woeful! A letter from my cousin whose husband passed away recently ... they can only have 20 to the funeral and no gathering afterwards... it’s in Kingston-upon-Thames... a long way to drive there and back not even being able to stop at our daughters... I would like to go to support her but it’s not easy with the current restrictions... a dilemma as to what to do... sleep on it I think...
Once OH returned which was quite late we had lunch...
He disappeared to paint all the boards with that awful smelling stuff...
I did some cooking...made stock from chicken carcass, made some sag aloo, poached some plums ... had kitchen patio doors open it was lovely... gave the kitchen a good clean too.
Took the two pots of tomato plants out of the bathroom and up to the shed ready for pricking out... I could do it but no he’d prefer to do it himself...found another loo roll inner so popped another sweet pea seed in..
Dinner was chicken curry ...
Watched tv, rugby premiership highlights, University Challenge... semi finals so not many answered tonight! Masterchef...some odd combinations... amazing what they can cook in an hour and fifteen minutes...

Warm enough by the end of the day to have a t shirt on! ... not shorts quite yet though... think it’s back to polo necks by Friday!

Hope everyone else is enjoying sunshine too..
Caroline

8
The Stay Safe Board / Diary - Thursday 25th March
« on: Friday 26 March 21 08:01 GMT (UK)  »
As no one else has started I’ll put my day up!

Up fairly early to get ready for a big morning out.... having a mammogram! OH came with me as the venue is a mobile site in the large car park of a Tesco’s supermarket... it’s been there a long time and is tucked round the back...
It only took us about 30 minutes to get there. OH popped in to buy some wine whilst I went to be squashed!
Met at the door asked a few questions, health etc and did I need a chaperone.... I know they have to ask but it did make me laugh...
given one of their blue facing coverings.. although the person who spoke to me said she thought mine was much nicer! ( it’s a winter scene with little skiers on it... must change it for a more spring like one now). Stood and waited outside until previous person came out the other door at the end of the building. After a few minutes I was admitted... friendly chatty operative.
All went as it should and I was back outside after a short time. Last one I’ll have but I can phone in three years time and request one... but I’m going to join their ongoing monitoring at Addenbrokes hospital...
once home had much needed coffee as we were gasping...
FaceTimed a friend whose 70th birthday it was... lovely to see them and we had a good chat and said we’d look forward to meeting up soon at NT place..
Got some washing out as weather was reasonable..
After lunch OH got his old kit on to continue putting up the barge boards...
I refined my shopping list for Saturdays delivery...
Phoned my friend M hoping she wasn’t at work... she wasn’t ...had just got back from the garden centre and was just about to call me to show me what she’d bought with the garden vouchers we’d given her....
Next daughter FaceTimed me to talk about meeting up decided we’d go to Wimpole Hall and I was going to stay up to book our tickets at just passed midnight, she’s doing hers early in the morning ... so fingers crossed we both manage it!
Out into the garden and planted my sweet pea seeds into 7 cardboard toilet roll inners and gave them a water and stood them on a tray in the shed...
Our tomatoes plants, which are on the window ledge in the bathroom are coming on well..need pricking out and repotting.....
Garden fence beginning to take shape and just need boarding now... OH going to have a rest for a few days and start that next week...
I got great news message from friend up the lane whose hubbie had his 1st jab on 21st January .. just had a text to book his 2nd and going on 7th April... as OH had his first on 23rd January he will hopefully hear soon too 🤞🤞.
Dinner was minted lamb chump chops with mushrooms, new pots, green vegs.
Watched tv... Masterchef last lot of people to go to quarter finals ... then quarter finals... some good cooks with interesting ideas..
Stayed up to book NT tickets for Friday next week and managed to get times we wanted... so exciting to think we’ll be ableto see them all in the flesh and spend a day with them... even if it is only outside! Roll on next Friday it can’t come soon enough!
Retired feeling very happy...

Caroline

9
The Stay Safe Board / Diary - Tuesday 23rd March
« on: Wednesday 24 March 21 08:33 GMT (UK)  »
An auspicious day marking the start of the changes in all our lives... who would have thought that a year later we are still blighted by this dreadful unseen creeping nightmare...
For all those families who have lost loved ones and been unable to grieve in the normal way, I can’t imagine how hard that has been...
All the medical and care staff who have worked tirelessly to keep us alive and sometimes at great costs to themselves....
For all the children from the very young to the university students whose education has suffered...
For the young starting out on their working lives to have it taken away like a slippery carpet ...
I could go on but we each and every one of us has felt the hand of this pandemic squeeze us in more ways than one...
But...
It has brought community spirit and neighbourliness new friendships to some lives and there have been heroes like Captain Sir Tom Moore and those courageous souls who have worked tirelessly....
For the vast majority of people we have never seen the like before and this period will go down in history.... I wonder how it will be remembered in a hundred years time...

This diary day covers the last two days....

On Monday we spent the morning out buying sand and gravel, cement, fence posts and various other items...
Then the afternoon was spent getting everything ready and putting in the first post which took some time...
In between I managed to make an 80th birthday card for my DiL’s father and two bereavement cards for two family members who had both passed away over the weekend...
Dinner was just the remainder of the beef joint with vegs...
My friend J messaged to say the consultant had been pleased with his handiwork and it was healing well.. 4 more weeks in the sling with some gentle exercises... no mention of the other problem so will give her a call later this week..
Had a dreadful nights sleep resulting in reading for over an hour... the new book by Steve Robinson just out...
Consequently I didn’t wake till quite late and on opening the blind I could see that OH had been up preparing for Tuesdays work!
When I got downstairs the house was empty so guessed he’d gone to get more ballast and cement!
The next two posts were all ready to go...
Turns out he’d got up ridiculously early and although my bedrooms at the back of the house and I have a window opened he must have been as quiet as the preverbal church mouse as I’d not heard a thing!
The day was sunny and quite warm so washing out...
The rest of the day was spent helping put the other two posts in and in between I wandered down the village to drop off the lottery winning to a friend whose been shielding so not seen her much... we stood at a distance and had a chat for some minutes...
Walking back through the churchyard it was a joy to see the ground covered in aconites, primroses, primulas, daffodils and I spotted a bunch of bluebells couldn’t resist taking a picture as they stood out like sentinels ... when I enhanced the photo the colours looked wonderful... as seen below.
I edged the borders on one side and dug and weeded that side too...
By the time we finished it was gone 5pm and we’d been outside all day...
Feeling quite stiff had a hot shower which felt wonderful..
Dinner I made cod fish cakes with sweet pots in mine and ordinary pots in OH mixed with red chillies and parsley, this time I coated them in breadcrumbed mixed with grated Parmesan... baked in the oven with the pot skins and cherry tomatoes.... I cooked some spinach and mixed it with mushrooms, creme fraiche and lots of pepper... vegs were asparagus and broccoli spears...
I was very glad to sit down and relax after dinner I can tell you!

That’s the sum total of our last two days... having had weeks of relatively little activity it was lovely to be outside and busy...
Probably pay for it tomorrow!

Caroline

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