What are you all up to
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@wherenext (not working for me this morning😡) we get a text from our GP around September, with a link to book an appointment, usually lots to choose from. On arrival, if it’s a mass stabbing morning (🤣) we form an orderly queue, once in we are asked if we want both COVID and Flu, nominate which or both arms, and bingo that’s it. We don’t even get to sit down. We are age to qualify for both. My sister only gets invite for Flu now, as despite being Mum’s main carer, she isn’t quite old enough yet for auto COVID. So she is going to pay for her COVID. Because both OH and Mum are seriously vulnerable, we still test if we get anything that feels like COVID.
OH could get a pack of 5 test kits free, but these are never available nowadays, so we bought some online. I had covid back a few months ago, and it completely floored me for over a week. It’s left me with a dry nose, and it feels like any sort of infection tightens my chest, so I dread getting it again. OH has still never had it. At the moment, I am now feeling fine again, so currently up at Mum’s.0 -
Depending on what the shower flooring is like, have you considered anti slip strips that you can apply where needed? Won’t work if the floor is dimpled, but if it’s flat, good quality strips, might just stop the chair from slipping, and give grip for feet?
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@milliehull (HQ have obviously being playing, cannot get list of names up😡) what a fabulous photograph of Cathedral👏👏
One of the things we did during first lockdown was try and embrace all sorts of online technology, and this coincided with our GP surgery doing a lot more online services. They initially had a local authority health service set up, but this has now migrated to the NHS App. To be honest, we like it. We can book appointments for all sorts of things easily, check lots of things, do repeat prescriptions, so having the devices to work with it, and having taken the time to learn how to do things (it was a tad hit and miss occasionally) we seem to be reaping the benefits thankfully. I also like the scan and shop method of supermarket shopping, but like Aldi’s “shovel through” manned tills, as I get organised in my trolley, and with bags enough to cope. Not for everyone though🤣
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For GP we have to use "e-consult" form filling. In fact I've just completed one. Fortunately MiLs surgery different from ours and they still use a phone up or call in appointment basis. Amazingly I've just answered the phone and I have an appointment for 4.45 locally tonight so I have obviously been triaged and an urgent appointment given. If you cannot use the e-consult then you can still call into the surgery in person and the receptionists will complete the form for you.
With regard to shopping we started using the Self Scan system when covid broke out as we figured the least number of people handling goods the better plus no standing in queues either. We still use hand gel when returning to the car and hand wash after packing at home. Ironicallythe self scan system didn't transmit itself as a staff reduction as staff were needed to monitor the scans pus help with approval for certain items, at least that's what we were told by existing staff at Tesco. I don't have a problem using a manned checkout but like @DavidKlyne stated queues at festive or busy times can mean lengthy waits. We still use a click and collect if we have a heavy non food shop, or mostly non food.
Strange your experience @Bakers2 as when I ventured in after my Stroke I was helped by everyone who either noticed my problems or when asked by myself. Was it an isolated incident, one particular non helpful member of staff, or is it a general trend there? Is it a regional thing?
Anyway must get ready for the GP.
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@Wherenext oops, sorry, just caught up and read shower floor is dimpled, so strips unlikely to work. Does the chair have plastic or rubber feet, as rubber might not slip as easily?
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We do not like the self service scanners either even OH being ex IT and will avoid them if possible.
We have had our flu jabs the other week and will have Covid next month when back home as the Pharmacie we go to no booking required just walk in, OH has made his appointment again for next month only to find the specialist nurse has left so booked with the doctor on 13th January no problems, not keen on some systems for booking in UK, too many older folk here with no interest in modern tech so would find it difficult and would have to rely on family or friends. We have friends who will not buy anything on line and buy things via a catalogue and pay by cheque and send by post and they were surprised that the UK hardly use cheques anymore but we are seeing more places over here do not accept cheques anymore so they will disappear sometime that will upset the older folk than us.
We missed the bad storms of last weekend thankfully but some strong winds but not as bad as the UK and friends of ours are in New York at present and were worried that their flight last weekend could have been cancelled but all ok thankfully also some other friends enjoyed their second cruise holiday in September and have booked to go on a 35 day cruise to the Caribbean in January and back in February not our sort of holiday but we are all different but we hope to meet up with them either when they come over here next June or when we are in UK in late September.
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@heddlo and @milliehull this should be fixed now. 😀
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I must admit I like the self scan and especially the one used at Sainsburys, called 'smart shop' is it? I assume it's the one @Bakers2 talked about? This is the one where you use a scan gun, or your mobile phone even, to scan things in as you go round and put them straight into your bags. You can put as many items in as you wish and indeed done full shop like that. Then at the smart shop checkout the scan gun is fired into the check-out machine and then pay up and off you go, no reloading your bags.
Occasionally there might by a check of the items but usually it's been only the last five.
Yes I'm sure it's to do with making profits rise but that might mean prices are kept down in some way. But in any case it's my convenience I'm thinking about.
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@Wherenext Our system is that we ring in and speak to the receptionist. The Dr then rings you back for a telephone consultation, and together (Dr & patient) make a decision as to whether you a face to face appointment is booked, or whether it can be sorted over the phone.
For repeat prescriptions, we can use either Patient Access of the NHS app to order medication. The surgery get it sent to the chemist the same day and we just collect it from the chemist. The chemist usually send a text to say 'your precription is ready for collection'.
I had my flu and covid jabs at the beginning of October (I think it was)....
David
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I’m with you Corners. The into a trolley, out of a trolley, back into a bag in the trolley just seems so longwinded nowadays. However, I do appreciate that not everyone likes self scanners, so do hope that alternatives are available. Our local Aldi’s all have quick scan yourself tills now for basket shops, which has helped a lot.
As a teenager, my first ever job was as a checkout operator at Asda. I was 15, and a few friends signed up. We had great fun, but we perhaps weren’t customer friendly at times, racing to see who could get the most customers through🫣 Later on I became part of a creative team building butter mountains, strategically stacked so that at some point, some unlucky customer would choose the wrong butter packet and set off a cascade🤭 Then there was locking each other in the fridges and freezers😱 Finally the Butchery called, and I was let loose in there. Thankfully it was only wrapping the meat and putting out into the fridges. And making mince, the making of is best not recalled, there was some very dodgy stuff occasionally ended up in there. Another era indeed in terms of quality control and health and safety. All our family knew never to buy supermarket meat back in the 1970’s😱1 -
Me too. All the major UK supermarkets in this area do scan and go. It's a big step forward and can even be done with a phone app rather than the shop's handset. It saves all that extra handling of the goods and there’s no frantic packing at the checkout with someone getting impatient behind you🤨. Mind you, I can’t bear the self scan "unidentified object in the bagging area" system😠.
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That is very similar to our GP surgery and it works very well for us @DSB
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It’s OH’s birthday week here, and one of his present’s has arrived today. I try and find one or two things a bit unusual for him (and not bike related🤔) each year. This year I have had a cartouche pendant made for him, his name on one side, and the Egyptian hieroglyphs on the reverse. It’s a nice Summer piece of man jewellery, will look good with a T Shirt. Got another limited edition present on its way as well…….local group, just sort of under the big time radar at the moment, they did a huge thank you concert in our local park back in the Summer, and have now released the Live Album. I have got a copy of a picture vinyl LP, which when it spins, show the stage as it was set up in the park on the day. OH has his stereo set up in attic, and plays our vinyl albums. Anyone else got a copy of the Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells picture album?
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Yay, I have the icon back!! Thank you Rowena. We had an afternoon visit to Burton Agnes to see the Christmas decorations. A crafters paradise there were so many handcrafted items, so clever and beautiful. The bottom snowflake was done with paper Quilling, this is something I am just starting to learn, don’t think I’m going to make these anytime soon.
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@heddlo beautiful👏👏 I love seeing the craft work that others do. My Mum used to do quilling, but I have never tried it. Love Burton Agnes, the Gardens are always so interesting, and they have gorgeous Orchids in the rooms inside. A lovely place.
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I can’t bear the self scan "unidentified object in the bagging area" system😠The first time that happened to me I took it personally until the assistant assured me that I wasn't the object. 😁
The pictures were worth the wait @heddlo I like @milliehull cathedral one as well.
Ironic really that after visiting GP I went to Tesco to pick up 2 Pizzas and put my prescription from GP in and all of the quick self service tills were full with a waiting queue yet there was a manned checkout completely free, which I used.
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Yes @Takethedogalong we have a Vinyl copy of Mike Olfields Tubular Bells. Such a great record. Happy birthday to your OH.
Great photos @heddlo I love a Christmas display. We used to go as a family to the Anglesey Abbey lights every year but they have stopped doing them sadly.
We went to our 4 year old great grandson's nativity play this afternoon. It was so lovely. Gt grandson was an Innkeeper and remembered all his words. They all did so well considering that they are only aged 4 or 5. One of the narrators dropped the microphone from the stage which deafened us all and caused a laugh! Hats off to the teachers who arranged it all.
My photo icon is back - hooray! Thanks so much @Rowena .
We are off to N. Ireland tomorrow. I hope I have remembered to pack everything and have all the right paperwork in place.
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We had a very good morning when we took MiL to a medium sized garden centre, one with clothes and shoes in as well as all of the usual and she had a whale of a time. Not so sure her Credit Card did though. First time ever that I'm going to receive Wellies for Christmas.🤣 Suppose it beats socks, although I might need some socks to go in said wellies.
Then off to collect the Van which produced its usual trick of working absolutely fine when they tested it again today. However, I do know they have seen it not performing as per norm. So, drove it home, filled in an e-consult form and was whisked off to see a very friendly GP. Maybe they read my comments about them the other day but fair do to them.
A Pizza and a glass of red helping to soothe the brow.
Edit - Forgot to wish @Takethedogalong OH a happy birthday so here it is.🚴♀️🍾
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@Wherenext I tried to respond to your comment yesterday just to say that it is good that neither of you haven't had much of a reaction to the injections, hope the same can be said for the ones you are having Friday. Not read the latest posts for today but Hope that you have at least had word about progress on The Van, even if you have not yet got it back home.
@ktansdell please ignore this attempt as I have just had a spurious @ post!!😖
@Takethedogalong ( @ not working this time) tried to reply but lost my post somehow when adding a few photos last night. I was trying to say that we are no longer in The Marches, but are now near Winchcombe, as we missed out on our yearly dose of the Cotswold when we headed home early in the summer.
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Now, having gone back thro' the post I see the one that I thought had disappeared, as it wasn't there last night when I looked, hence my edited second post, has appeared, so it looks as if the delay on posts appearing is still current. I have now caught up with todays posts so a number of my queries have already been answered.
@heddlo I agree with @milliehull they are lovely photos.
Good to hear that you have got The Van back, @Wherenext. Fingers crossed that they have fixed the problem.
Happy Birthday greetings to your OH, @Takethedogalong ( not worked again!!)
We had another, but longer, walk up on Clee hill this morning followed by a second one around Greeton, where we came across the 12C Medieval Tower, set in among group of thatched cottages.
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I tried to insert these on my previous post but without success so here goes again with one of Greeton Tower and the others are of the cottages surrounding it.
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@milliehull I forgot to say how much I like the photo of the Cathedral, and of your grandson. Hope the trip to NO goes well.
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@nelliethehooker what great photos. It looks like a very picturesque area.
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@milliehull safe travels. It's very foggy here, leave plenty of time to the airport. Stansted?
Beautiful photo of your grandson, and not bad of the cathedral.
Still no icons other than double <>
Nice photos from others. Stay safe whatever you're doing today.
Our GP is phone on the morning, usually a call back same day from GP or nurse and visit, again same day. Can order meds online, or repeats sent straight to chemist of your choice, pop the paper repeat in at the GP. Our mix up was caused by our village chemist 🤐. Reminders for jabs/bloods etc via text. Works well, brilliant service. Hope it can continue as the new builds get occupiers
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@milliehull you can see the family resemblance, he’s got your smile🙂
@nelliethehooker what an interesting looking place, on our list👍
Thanks for OH’s birthday greetings. His week has us back up to Leeds today to see consultant, so🤞Hopefully they will confirm all went well, he seems back to his usual self. He’s got a new fitness watch as well, connects to his bike trainer, phone, you-name-it-it-does-all-but-make-tea kind of job, so he’s back getting and staying fit. Hair cut as well yesterday, so that will have taken off another ounce(🤣) The hound gets a day with my sister so he will be more than happy. Just hoping the fog clears a bit before we head off.
@Bakers2 our newly refurbished GP surgery is incorporating the next door pharmacy into the practice, hopefully keeping the same staff. We even have the dog registered now, as I get some of his tablets (human use as well) from there. Just waiting for him to have a prescription review🤣
@Freddy55 and @milliehull I thought someone else would have the picture album, it was very popular at the time of release. We were fortunate enough to see him in concert in the 1980’s. We have a couple of his other albums as well.
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we got our main summer trip for next year booked yesterday a bit early i know but the site we wanted to go to is very popular at that time of year. Thanks for all the info regarding Norfolk that was given over the weekend it was all very helpful so that’s where we are off to in July. Here’s hoping for better weather than the summer we have just had
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