CHATTERBOX LXXXVII Xander

[Ratatouille]

Afternoon everyone

It has tipped it down for the last 24hours. Many of the old shops along the quai have flooded cellars - mostly Roman so I guess they'll survive. The village is a river of mud because there are road works.

We had a lovely lunch today, the last we shall have at this particular restaurant because they are closing for Christmas and until February.

Thanks for the information Smitch. I've ordered a voucher for the owner for Christmas so he can choose their treats.These rodents will be pampered.

[cyprusmoira]

Good Morning Wild Ones, a quick pop in as Deb's Monday group is meeting here at 9 00 am, the furniture is being re arranged.

Moira

[suffolk]

Good morning all
A quick pop in here too as I have to get ready to catch the 9:30 bus ... I’m going to the inaugural meeting of a 3 month trial of a new, hopefully more rigorous U3A writing group.
Have a good day everyone

[icelesley]

Good morning wild ones. We are frozen again must be the time of the year. Monday again, on mornings like this I am so glad to be retired.

[Busybee]

An early start for us as we were catching the now cancelled transpennine express to Manchester airport en route to Poland.

Good job we were up early as trains cancelled due to a problem in Leeds, we are currently en route in the car and stuck in the Leeds rush hour. Not panicking we have plenty of time.

Krakow will be colder than here with snow forcast today, bleak conditions for a return to Auschwitz and the salt mines.

BB

[suffolk]

Have a good journey Busybee

[earthmaiden]

on mornings like this I am so glad to be retired.

Morning all! . That's just what I thought as I saw neighbours scraping frozen cars in the half light earlier!

The sun is shining now so hopefully the frost will clear quickly. I was surprised how bitterly cold it was when I went out yesterday having had such a lovely warm day in Suffolk the day before. I walked to the craft fair and was rather disappointed to find I had missed the singing and the brass band. I was in time for a rather uncharismatic man singing folky songs with a guitar. He was actually very good but not what I had hoped for. I bought a cup of tea which was served in a huge disposable cup and boiling hot so I heard more of him than I wanted to.

Lots of tidying and cleaning to do before college tonight. I spent oodles of money in Norwich. I had gone to sightsee but ended up buying Christmas presents so must sort them out.

Hope the rest of your trip goes well BB, what an annoying start. Thank goodness you found out and had enough time for plan B.

Rats, you seem to have had the most awful weather for a very long time .

Good luck with U3A Suffs!

[cyprusmoira]

Back from Paphos, I had to go out as there was nowhere to sit, the kitchen chairs were around the card table, and the sitting room was full of people playing Mah Jong.
I went via the Delizie Café, just off the main road on the edge of Pissouri, they do an excellent bacon roll. There were a couple of men, both expatriates, plotting, I don't think that they were local residents but had met there as it was off their usual route. They were obviously not happy the way that a committee was being run.

Moira

[liketocook]

Good morning everyone,
No frost here but grey and drizzling, can't say it really feels much warme though.
I have finally bit the bullet and bought myself a new stand mixer my much loved Kenwood Chef A701A from the 1960s complete with bakelite bowl is giving up the ghost and the past couple of times I've used it I've kept waiting for it to go bang! I'm sure that someone with a bit of know how could get it restored but that's well beyond my DIY capabilities. I've been looking about for a few months at different options and have succumbed to a KitchenAid . I doubt it will last as long as the Kenwood but it does come with a 5 year guarantee. Once it arrives I can get back to bread making. The Christmas pressies I wanted to buy online have been ordered, the rest I'll buy locally I'm beginning to feel a lot more organised.
Domestic chores beckon today though I'll need to persuade next door's cat to get off my lap so I can get started. He's a lovely lad but very cheeky and likes to visit me most days for a snooze while his owners are at work.

[Seatallan]

Really frosty here today (as it was yesterday). It's like being inside a Christmas card . Tree up and home-made wreath on front door. It's just started to lightly snow. Hurrah!!

Helped out with tea & coffee at village Christmas craft sale yesterday and today am soon off to town to post some prezzies and get some shopping done. Mr S's birthday at the end of the week and we have friends staying for the night. We're also planning a fell walk on Wednesday- should get a window before the weather breaks.

Have a lovely day all

BB- hope you make it to the airport in good time and that you enjoy your trip. Wrap up warm!!

[earthmaiden]

Sounds very pretty Seatallen!

ltc - how lovely to have a new stand mixer! I noticed that Lakeland were offering them cheaper than usual recently but I still can't justify it just for me as I am able to knead and beat if I have to. When I watch TV chefs use them so effortlessly I am quite envious, especially for bread, that must be wonderful.

I really came here for opinions. I have a standard electric coffee maker - the sort that uses paper filters. I don't use it much and when I went to use it recently discovered I had left the paper filter in last time and it had gone mouldy . It was sitting in the plastic mesh filter (which is supposed to do away with the need for a paper one but it isn't fine enough). Over a period I have cleaned the mesh filter, bleached it in neat bleach twice and run it through a hot dishwasher 4 times but it still smells a bit musty. It should be alright to use I would have thought but I am annoyed about the smell. Do you think it will be alright?

[KC2]

I have a standard electric coffee maker - the sort that uses paper filters. I don't use it much and when I went to use it recently discovered I had left the paper filter in last time and it had gone mouldy . It was sitting in the plastic mesh filter (which is supposed to do away with the need for a paper one but it isn't fine enough). Over a period I have cleaned the mesh filter, bleached it in neat bleach twice and run it through a hot dishwasher 4 times but it still smells a bit musty. It should be alright to use I would have thought but I am annoyed about the smell. Do you think it will be alright?

EM, many, many years ago when we arrived at my brother's place in France the previous people there hadn't cleaned the cafetiere and several months had passed. The filter was completely mouldy; we cleaned it as thoroughly as we could (no dishwasher, sadly!) and found that the second batch of coffee was fine. The first lot was OK but not great. Good luck with yours!

[Badger's mate]

EM - I would have thought that repeated dishwashing and bleaching would have removed any contamination and killed off any nasties. I'd be very surprised if not. Maybe a prolonged soak in a hot solution of washing soda might deodorise it

[jrc]

Hi. I have not been around though I have tried to keep up with events.

I may have to fly imminently to Australia in a hurry. The thought of flying terrifies me. I don’t even know my way to Heathrow. I have a visa sorted but am currently unable to secure medical insurance. I had a stroke three years ago plus a rapid heart rate and asthma and a Vitamin B12 deficiency. All these are controlled by meds. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks. Xxxxx

[aero280]

I have many existing conditions. There are a few places that cover you for these things. Either single trip or annual. Currently I use "EuropePlus" which covers it all as long as you use your EHIC card and are in Europe. There's an online declaration form to fill in with all your existing conditions. Then you get a quote. No commitment.

They have an associated company for world travel... https://www.go2travelinsurance.com/ But there are others. I found this lot from a Which magazine recommendation of companies to try. Before that I was with a couple of companies recommended by Martin Lewis and his Money Saving Expert site... https://www.moneysavingexpert.com

Try a few. Prices vary a lot. Filling in the declaration form can be tedious as you have to do it from the start for each quote. But they seem to all be very similar, and once you have done it once, it gets routine. But I saved a lot over the traditional companies like Saga, etc.

[earthmaiden]

jrc - lovely to 'see' you here.

I know you are still relatively young but you might like to look at Age Concern and Saga who deal with people with medical conditions all the time and are reputable. They might be able to help.

This does sound hard for you. You can arrange for help through large airports at the time of booking if you need it. I flew to Oz with Ethiad last time, they were very good. Singapore airlines are nice too.

[aero280]

A word of warning! A couple of companies were very cheap. Read the small print!! They accepted the medical declaration and gave a quote but the small print said that certain pre-existing conditions were excluded, regardless of the declaration. One of them was something I had declared.

[Suelle]

I buy travel insurance through Age Co, previously AgeUK and before that Age Concern. They don't pile on the costs unreasonably if your declared conditions are stable and under medical control, and there were no quibbles at all when I had to make two claims - one for hospital bills and repatriation because of illness, and one for a subsequent cancellation of a holiday.

[scullion]

i hope your speedy flight is for a happy reason.

[Ratatouille]

Afternoon everyone

The sun is shining! However I have not a totally happy bunny/ I tried to get a GP appointment today because the remains of this 'ere virus have been hanging on too long. No appointments this week - not because of our lovely GP - but because there are roadworks in the village and the surgery in completely blocked, He called back and offered a home visit. However, then he said "Have you by any chance syour sense of taste? I have. He asked sweet or saltly?. I told him salty, it became obvious this morning when I couldn't really taste the Marmite on my toast this morning. He advised not to worry it would come back - though it might take several weeks. Just what we want over Christmas

jrc there are lots of travel insurance firms which cover prior medical conditions. Start somewhere like Age Concern, but I see others have beaten me to it.

[cyprusmoira]

Shepherds Pie for supper, I am using the traditional method of chopping up the cooked lamb left over from the weekend. I could use the food processor but it is only a small quantity of meat and I am worried that it might get mushed up.
jrc: Go via Emirates or Etihad if you can.

Moira

[suffolk]

Just back from the new 'trial' U3A group ... it's much more the sort of thing I was looking for ... a structured meeting with a format which will stop 'meandering' ... we meet in a theatre café so there's plenty of opportunity to socialise afterwards if that's wanted.

Now I'm going to sort some lunch then put my feet up for a bit ...

[smitch]

I have multiple medical conditions and use a comparison site for people with health conditions: https://www.medicaltravelcompared.co.uk/

You complete the form with details of your medical conditions and then get a series of quotes. As others have said, check the small print of them before you go ahead but I've never had an issue getting cover- I have ongoing endometriosis, anxiety, B12 deficiency, tachycardia, high blood pressure and migraines

[aero280]

Yes, I used that link the first time I bought medical insurance in 2011 after I was first seriously ill. The were fine at first, but lately they recommended two or three of the ones with "small print", before some safer ones, which is why I looked at moneysavingexpert.com

[Seatallan]

How are you doing jrc? It is indeed good to see you (and as Scully says, hope the possible trip to Oz is for a happy reason).

[PatsyMFagan]

I have used Insure&Go since I started travelling after my cancer diagnosis ....You can exclude pre-existing conditions if, like me, you technically don't have the condition anymore, of if it is well controlled.

[jrc]

Hi all. it has been one of those days when I started at about 7 am. Just given up for the day.

The last time I flew was 1984 and the thought terrifies me. You do what you have to for your children. Right now he needs his mum.

[jrc]

Thank you for your suggestions. I have the visa plus passport ready to go. We contacted Staysure who advertised all pre existing conditions would be covered then when they sent out the details it said pre existing conditions would be considered. Doh.

On a positive note yesterday I completed for the third year on the trot the Santa’s On The Run in aid of the Pilgrims Hospice. I raised just short of £300. Was bitingly cold on the seafront. Lovely atmosphere though.

[jrc]

I was the one in red. Lol.

[jrc]

Last year there were 1100 of us taking part and we raised £40 000 in one morning in aid of the Pilgrims Hospices.

[Seatallan]

Oh well done jrc!!!

Sending to you and to your son. Hope you're able to visit him soon.

[Busybee]

All Clear Insurance cover pre existing medical conditions, have used them for years including a trip to Australia.

BB

[earthmaiden]

Well done on the run jrc! Once you've sorted the insurance we'll give you hints to make your flight go well . Hope your son is ok. xx

[aero280]

Yes, Staysure was one I discarded...

[StokeySue]

Good luck with the travelling jrc, I’m sure it will all be fine

[cyprusmoira]

Good Morning Wild Ones. We watched the QVC channel last night for a short time and were surprised to find Andi Peters involved in selling various food and drinks, does Edd the Duck know?

Moira

[suffolk]

Good morning all
We have an early start today ... OH is cycling into the city for a 9am dental appointment. I’ll catch the bus a bit later as my appointment is at 11 am.

[icelesley]

Good morning wild ones. Not so cold this morning and Doolittle frost. I need to trek over to the post office this morning, so I might pop to the supermarket for some fuel. I must start thinking about writing Christmas cards too or nobody will get one

[earthmaiden]

Morning all! . Another fine day so far and thankfully not as cold as yesterday.

I decided to look up Andi Peters. Although he is a household name I am never sure what he does. Seems his career has blossomed through shows and films I don't much care for. I think they get paid very well for doing things like QVC as well known people equal good sales. I remember seeing a programme about it once.

Shopping today, an appointment and a visit this evening. I need some new black trousers. The ones I wear most are falling apart but I like their shape. I have other pairs whose shape I don't like so much. I do remind myself that at my age you have to be totally stunning before anyone notices anyway but nevertheless .....

PS. Thanks for comments re the coffee filter. Washing soda sounds an idea and I have since read something about vinegar. I was just a bit concerned that it still smelt musty after copious washing and bleaching but agree it should be alright!

[liketocook]

Good morning everyone,
Why oh why if you are going to be stupid enough to knock a half drunk all over your bed does it a) have to be on a newly changed bed and b) in the middle of the night? Suffice to say today hasn't got off to the best start as after I had stripped and remade the bed and washed and changed myself there was no way I was getting back to sleep. I'm a very tired and grumpy LTC . I was getting out of bed to go to the loo, stumbled slightly and knocked the offending mug off my bedside cabinet, that'll will teach me to decide I was too comfy to take it to the kitchen last night . My dehumidifier will be on overtime without the amount of laundry it will be dealing with over the next few days ....
On happier notes the boiling beef I roasted on Sunday and popped into the slow cooker overnight smells glorious there is also quite a bit more meat than I expected which is always a plus as sometimes it is nearly all fat & bone. My KitchenAid is also due to arrive today at some point along with a buthcher's order and a couple of other bits. With a bit of luck most of them will arrive together. It's grey, damp and bitterly cold here so I'm quite happy to stay indoors pottering about. Bangers & mash for dinner tonight assuming ny order arrives ok it should be a "proper" cumberland sausage for the banger part .

[Ratatouille]

Morning everyone

I too became absorbed by More or Less this morning. It almost distracted me from yelling at M&S re an order which didn't turn up, then bits did then the same bits did again. They used to be a real life-line for remote Brits - not any longer.

After another misty start the sun is shining brightly but the humidity is still sky high and there is still a red alert for Var and Alpes Maritime.

Mr R has been muttering about an i-pad but saying they are too expensive, However I found one maked down, since Friday, on Amazon last night- newest model and all the rest. I hope he will be a happy bunny on Christmas mroning.

Hope you dry out soon ltc. I just can't be doing with things like that. I managed to soak my bath robe on Sunday when I took it off to have a showeeewer and put it where I always do, over the wash basin - unfortunately himself had left the plug in and some water!

[earthmaiden]

How annoying ltc!

I'm annoyed about an order too. Amazon was the only shop on or offline where I could find a series of toys that GD would like for Christmas. I ordered four components which appeared to be sold together, three have come from one place and the fourth from somewhere else, by different couriers. They were supposed to arrive on Sunday which would have been convenient. The parcel with three arrived on Saturday whilst I was still away and the delivery of the fourth has now been postponed to sometime during the next three days when I shall probably be out. Such parcels certainly help us to get to know our neighbours - delivery men just wander up, down and across the street until they find someone in to take it = but often they are left with people you've never even seen before! The facility to have things left in a collection locker or local shop doesn't seem to be offered so much now.

[StokeySue]

On the plus side I’ve had one parcel that was due to arrive on or after Friday this morning and another estimated for on or after 18th December is set to arrive this afternoon

[earthmaiden]

Not bad as long as you wanted it before 18th! My item no. 4 was delivered today during the 45 minutes I was out at an appointment. Left at a house about 8 doors down with people I don't know at all. I do worry that things could be handed to unscrupulous people and you'd never see the parcel. I do try not to shop online but it's hard these days!

[suffolk]

Well ... I didn’t get to the dentist’s after all
... I had to ring and apologise because the bus was so late I’ll not have got there on time. Appointment rearranged for end of January. Apparently there was some sort of holdup due to an accident on the bypass so traffic had been diverted along our route into the city.
U did a grocery shop instead and then did some odds and ends at home befordd Ed collapsing on the sofa with a book.
Hope everyone’s had a good day.

[cyprusmoira]

Good Morning Wild Ones, I have given in and donned my socks Interestingly Deb's friends who visited on Monday commented on how much cooler it was here than it is in their homes down on the coast. Our altitude is 385 metres, about 1,000 feet above sea level.
I am waiting for DHL to phone that a parcel id ready for collection, they refuse to deliver up to the hills. I am convinced that it is part of their contract to do so but have never managed to get them to do so.

Moira

[icelesley]

Good morning wild ones. Slight frost again this morning and a beautiful red and pink sky. I have done my Christmas present shopping I have also written my Christmas cards ready to post. My neighbour has his garden full of lights again, he does I it for charity, he collected £1700.00 last year for the local hospice. I am not sure I want to scramble up into the loft to get my tree and Dec's, I might just put some tinsel on the plants this year

[suffolk]

Good morning all
Slight frost and a pinky sky here too.
I must put ‘writing the cards’ on the To Do List ... I’ve bought the stamps.
Tennis later ... but mainly today will be a cosy ‘at home’ day and OH isn’t at work today so he’ll be in the studio

[earthmaiden]

Morning all! . My, aren't you organised! I can never get organised for Christmas until it starts to feel like that time of year (which it's starting to!). Never helped by the family seemingly changing plans and circumstances daily .

Another fine day. I had to move the car by 8am as I lost my space when I had to pop out last night. It took ages to clear the ice off the car just to drive 100 yards down the road . Now I've got to wait in for a call from the doctor which sounds very routine. They couldn't say what time of day it might be so I'm on tenterhooks as I'm usually rubbish at answering the phone on time and will have to carry my mobile round. I don't dare go out or I'll be somewhere noisy or without signal. I have heard they get annoyed if you are not available when they call (understandable but ......). I really wanted a good walk today, I suppose I could do Christmas cards, I usually wait until we have received the hilarious round robin from some people we haven't seen much for over 30 years then I have something constructive to say back. DD was their bridesmaid when she was 7. I'm sorry to say that the round robin has become part of our Christmas entertainment and is passed round during our celebrations. It contains details of ailments, disastrous holidays to places we wouldn't choose and relatives we've never heard of (and isn't supposed to be funny).

[PatsyMFagan]

Now I've got to wait in for a call from the doctor which sounds very routine. They couldn't say what time of day it might be so I'm on tenterhooks as I'm usually rubbish at answering the phone on time and will have to carry my mobile round.

My surgery sends texts ... as they did to ask me to pop in for a BP check and I get a confirmation, then a reminder of any impending appointment .. texts sometimes do have their uses