The all new Chatbox!

[Avo]

Phew it’s been very hot here in Portugal today, no wind and about 28 degrees! Had a lovely walk down to Lagos Marina for a freshly squeezed orange juice, watched the boats and people watched , lunch back at home and the afternoon by the pool. We’ve just got in from dinner sitting outside the restaurant enjoying a lovely meal.... now to plan for tomorrow!

[Daisy]

Avo - it sounds perfect! Enjoy. How long are you staying for?

Zizi - if you don't want those 3 rolls of wallpaper you could probably sell them on eBay! I'm impressed that having to abandon the lasagne, you then made chicken Kiev. If I get stuck like that with a meal I'm also usuallty stuck for an alternative. I send bags of clothes to the charity shop when I gave up teaching - I usually wore trouser or skirt suits, all far too smart for the kind of life I lead now, when 'smart' means clean jeans!

Nanto - you've had a busy day! Enjoy that extra hour's sleep. xx

OH arrived home about 9.30 - he's enjoyed his outing with DS1 and GSs - it sounds like a proper 'lad and dad' week-end. Eva is very glad to see him - I don't know how she will feel though when she finds out she can't sleep on our bed tonight. (I let her last night because she was lying by the front door waiting for OH, and she'd been so frightened by the fireworks - I'm a proper soft touch). At least she doesn't snore!

[ZIZI]

I recognise this wallpaper Zizi is it callled dandelion head or something it’s pretty

Yes, we saw it some time ago and then when we were ready to order I couldn’t remember what it was called so kept keying in “Alium” but that was purple (my fav colour husband’s pet hate). It has a nice glow when the sun is on it. I have never
sold anything on eBay!

[ZIZI]

Daisy I do usually have an alternative meL because I plan the weeks meals ahead although Monday = xxx Tuesday = xxx it doesn’t always work out that way but I always have the ingredients. Comes from the days not so long ago when I was Southend one day, Southampton the next etc. I do still have to go to meetings but as I don’t do as much presenting as I used to I ca get away with not wearing the formal stuff anymore. I do wear black jeans for work which I only do if I am at internal meetings or working on site.

[Gemini]

Good morning ladies,
I hope you remembered to put your clocks back an hour! I did ours when we got in from our night out with friends. The conservatory clock requires the steps getting out to reach it. It will probably be altered in about 3 months time

Today we are going with 2 friends to Harlow Carr gardens for a walk round, then to the branch of Betty's there. Betty's may mean nothing to members in other parts of the county but northern ladies will know all about it

I hope Nan2 has a lovely holiday, and Avo enjoys the rest of hers.
I believe Qwerty and Zizi are going away soon? 2 of the friends we were with last night are heading for the Canaries on Wednesday. It must be the time of year for it!

[Enfys]

Love Betty’s, went to the one in Harrogate 🙂 Enjoy, Gem.

Blustery but dry here. Might have a walk later otherwise no plans.

Woke up 5.30, usual it’s 6.30so have been awake for ages Might have to have a little nap later 😴

[Daisy]

Gem - I love the graphic!

The forum seems to have got its clock right, but if any one is having trouble with the time on their posts, go into your Profile and scroll down - Time options are on the right near the bottom. Then hit Save. I never change my car clock - I always have it on Summer Time - it cheers me up a bit on a miserable day thinking that one dayh it will be summer again! OH thinks I'm daft and the garage always puts it 'right' Grrr ..... my clock, my time!

Gem - how lovely going to Harlow Carr. (It's a Royal Horticultural Society garden for those who haven't heard of it!) and it always looks lovely in the RHS magazine. I think they're doing a lot of work there, as they are at Wisley which is near-ish to us. Betty's is on my bucket list for when I next go up north - I'm sure you will enjoy it, and please have an extra cake for me!

Zizi - I thought they were alliums as well! When I was working I always thought it was so much easier for the men - they just wore suits in most of the places I worked, although teaching was a bit more relaxed. It was interesting that most staff wore clothes appropriate to what they were teaching, an obvious one was the Art department, but the Mathematicians wore dark formal suits, the Social Sciences and English were quite casual. As I was Business Studies I dressed as though I was in an office.

Enfys - that was an early start - a nap sounds a good option.

It's just started pouring with rain here - we were supposed to be going to the allotment!

[Enfys]

[Enfys]

Now I’m going mad with graphics 😀

[Daisy]

Enfys - brilliant!

[ZIZI]

Well did I laugh? YES. Husband had put the holes in the wall for the mirror in the sitting room. Was very proud of himself, I did say I didn’t think they lined up but what do I know? We managed to get the mirror up (very big and very heavy) and I looked but didn’t say anything. He said “hmm looks like I might have made a little mistake there but I did use a spirit level” I suggested the spirit level might have been drunk, he was not impressed. A few swear words later and the mirror was up and straight. The fire is half way to being fitted, when it is done I will take a picture. Hopefully the electrician will be here this week to put the new socket fronts on and the redundant furniture will be gone. I added up how much we have spent on this sitting room and I feel a bit sick now.........

[Mimi]

Zizi. never , never add up what you have spent, even roughly adding it up in your head is enough to bring on a hot sweat ! The same rule applies to Christmas

Talking of Christmas are we still having to type that word using a very small font or can we now shout it from the roof tops. CHRISTMAS

Now where are my manners....
Good morning everyone, did you all put the clocks back.

As DS is still here I am cooking lamb shanks for lunch with some posh ice cream for afters , it will be back to bread and 'scrape ' for the rest of the week

[Plantaholic]

Love the graphic Mimi, I think we could allow a large font after Nov. 5th. Love Lamb Shanks.

[Nanto2girls]

Good evening everyone
Weather very warm. Just been showered getting ready for dinner

[Gemini]

Did it stop raining, Daisy?
I agree with Mimi, Zizi, never count up what you spend on these things!!
Mmm, lamb shanks Mimi yummy!
Hi Nan2, enjoy dinner and the warm weather

We had a lovely time at Harlow Carr. In Betty's we decided on one afternoon tea plus an extra round of sandwiches and pot of tea , for each couple. That was about the right amount of cakes!