Diary - Thursday, 5 November 2020

[Mowsehowse]

Wow, so many posts so early in the day.
Well done everyone.  So fortunate your garden is tidy Roobarb!
It must have been fun doing that tree Carol, how marvellous the elderly gent is still so sharp.
I often used to help out over Christmas at the hospital or lunch club, when I lived in Dorset.  It was a big help for me. It took my mind off the boys being away, and eased the empty nest feeling, plus I do like feeling a bit useful, so a win, win situation.
What a beautiful day here yesterday.  H and I decided to walk along the front beyond the pier. Luckily we had enough clothes on because it was actually really cold with a keen North wind.
Lots of activity in the harbour, as there were still some boats being lifted out to dry dock for the winter, and a couple of dozen herring gulls scrapping for food we couldn't see. On the rocks a pair of black backed gulls were devouring an enormous salmon head. A herring gull chick was very close, begging for food as they do, but it was totally ignored by the black backs.  We reckoned someone must have thrown out some scraps from the fish factory. Perhaps they do it everyday, you would only know if you were passing at the critical moment.
Marching along we noted there were 5 cruise ships at anchor in the Bay. The Emerald Princess and 4 from the Dutch line.  I believe The Queens Victoria and Mary are still round at Babbacombe. We had a local news story that a crew member aboard Queen Mary was allowed to sound the ship's horn for 10 minutes to communicate with his son who works at Torbay hospital.  In all the time the ship has been here, they have not been able to spend time together, which is terribly sad.  I think I might have been able to hear it, but couldn't identify the noise.... it must have been rather shocking for people living closer!!
While we were out we encountered an x-spouse, who wanted to stop and chat for a while. I always find that situation really difficult, and blow me, we crossed again on the return, so another opportunity for a chat. Oh dear!!
After lunch we were able to sit out on the balcony reading for a while, which was lovely. The lady downstairs spent the time washing her pebbles......   Sometimes I do wonder!! 
Hope your windows are satisfactory Caroline. 
Sending very happy birthday greetings to RTL.

[louisa maud]

Happy belated birthday greetings fellow Scorpio (RTL)

Louisa Maud

[Viktoria]

I am mixed up ,is it your Birthday today Friday 6 th November R.T .L.?
Or was it yesterday ?
I hope I have not missed it , made a mental note it was the same as my Mum’s anniversary.
If I am late I can only wish you a good year and many more to come ,if I am in time, a lovely day and a good year and many more to come.

Lovely day here, Garden centre delivered soil and lots of good big plant pots ,so that is my day pretty well spoken for .
Then a hot bath or aches and pains!
Got a home made mixed fish pie defrosting ,so evening meal in hand ,only veges to do.Got peas( frozen) fresh green beans .
I also blitz and freeze spinach ,defrost in warming butter ,season especially with nutmeg ,can’t get sorrel so a dash of lemon juice ,S&P.mmmmm
Sorrel can be bought so easily in Belgium.
Well ,just a quick breakfast wash up ,ready for lunch, and bulbs planted in the pots .Time depending ,leaves gathered up.
Not a big garden ,but needs to be tidy to be seen to best effect.
Well Biden ahead now Trump with enough I think to get to The White House.
I must say I don’t understand  the system.
Cheerio folks ,keep safe and “ speak “ to you later.
Viktoria.

[Annette7]

A beautiful sunny day but really cold too.  Usual chores done, 2 deliveries of things ordered for Christmas, tidied up the 'knitting area' currently in the lounge - so far completed 8 jackets and 8 hats for the babies. Niece had another scan yesterday and will now be having them weekly - if all continues okay they want to induce her at 36 weeks which is 29th December.   The scan yesterday showed one of the babies very clearly - got it's Dad's nose!

Started on another pair of jackets - 6 rows in found I'd made a mistake so pulled it all out and started again.  Watched TV, knitting of course and some sudoku in between.

Mince Beef Hot Pot and vegetables for dinner followed by a mini toffee cheesecake.   Really tasty.

I have a recurring slot with ASDA but was advised this was not possible the week before and after Christmas.   Another email from them yesterday advising that dates 19th to 24th December would be available for booking from midnight 6th November - couldn't figure out if that was from midnight tonight (6th) or midnight today.   Checked after midnight and it was today.   About 3/4's of slots already booked.   Managed to get a slot on 23rd between 8-9 pm.  Phew.   

Happy birthday, RTL but a 12 hour shift - yikes.

Take care everyone.

Annette

 

[Mowsehowse]

So exciting about the babies Annette. Do they know the genders? Have they shortlisted names?
H expects to become a grandad around then too, but last we enquired the name game was proving very difficult!  Daren't ask again.
From what I read Viktoria, I thought RTL's birthday is actually tomorrow, so we are ALL confused, but as you will recall, it was quite nice getting random greetings for days and days. 

[Viktoria]

Watching US Elections.

Pretty sure Biden has won.Trump claiming skullduggery !
It was said, that if Trump would not leave the Whitehouse “He would be escorted out,” ,Ooooh ,I can’t wait!
What a seemingly complicated system.
Interesting to see who has and has not voted for Trump, which ethnic groups etc.
How can there be cheating, unless there is systematic ,deliberate non counting .

Again on the news that mink farms in Denmark are having to cull all their animals as mink get Covid 19 and it mutates in them.
It was appalling to see the  conditions the animals were being kept in ,small cages all piled up high .Beautiful animals.
Inhumane conditions.
I can’t believe people inDenmark or anywhere else, are still wearing mink coats!

Some time ago Animal Rights protestors set free mink from mink farms .
They are doing quite well as wild animals, but——apart from the fact they are not a native species ,they are vicious little beggars and some other species
may decline .
Well ,washing up, Corrie ( don’t know why  I watch  really ,
Some paperwork to attend to and then Morse very late.
Look after yourselves .Viktoria.

Mowsehowse ,yes it was nice to get greetings over some days .
I did not want to miss RTL’s special day if I could help it.
The main thing is as you say ,that she will get greetings .
But a twelve hour shift,!
Cheerio.Viktoria.

[candleflame]

Viktoria that Lewis’s Christmas with the ladder sounds great.
RTL happy birthday.

[Annette7]

So exciting about the babies Annette. Do they know the genders? Have they shortlisted names?
H expects to become a grandad around then too, but last we enquired the name game was proving very difficult!  Daren't ask again.

Both are girls!   I'm pretty sure they've chosen names but won't reveal.  When she had her first child - a boy - name was between Luke and Dylan and everyone kept giving her their opinions.  Personally, I don't like the second choice so extremely pleased when he was named Luke.  When she had her second child she didn't reveal choice of name until she was born and doing the same now. 

Annette

[Mowsehowse]

Probably very wise!