What are you all up to
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been a busy day here for all the Christmas decorations back in the loft not been too bad here storm wise but very cold. Got 4 monthly blood test results all good such a relief. Now planning our trip for March looking at doing a week in Chester then a couple of nights in Blackpool not booked yet but hoping to do so soon always like a nice early season trip we done a week in Southport last March and had a great time not been to Chester for a couple of years so that’s the plan soon
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There's not much happening here - all the stock to be fed and mucked out etc, cows milked twice a day. And if it's fine some hedging done. We don't have any central heating - just a large woodburner in the kitchen (an enormous draughty room with three doors). The solid fuel Aga helps - so it's never freezing cold when we come downstairs in the morning. We light the stove at some point in the day, and open/close the door into the hall (another large draughty room) when it gets too hot.
We've been lucky with the weather so far this winter (though the prolonged rain in November/December) caused a leak. We haven't done any remedial work yet, but buckets are on standby if it happens again.
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Fortunately, there’s nothing more than tree debris to clear up but further up the hill there are trees and fences down. I’ve been lucky.
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I think we've been lucky here then, @Tinwheeler. Lots of snow lying on the ground, but rumour has it that the main roads are clear. Someone said it's forecast rain a bit later, so perhaps that'll clear it.
We've cancelled U3A Choir today - apparently the heating has broken in the church hall we use in Tamworth! All in all, it's been a busy few days just cancelling things, so not much to show for it!
David
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No problems at all as yet, here in Southport, which makes a change as due to the closeness to the coast it is usually fairly windy. Regarding open plan, I tend to keep an eye on property which is for sale and have always thought that large, open plan areas, although they may be attractive are often very impractical, mainly due to trying to keep it warm during the colder months.
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We've been lucky here on the east coast - apart from it being a bit breezy yesterday - not really seen anything of the latest storm. Last week's snow has now disappeared completely - it's just grey and wet!
Don't necessarily agree about open plan design being difficult to heat. Our last house - a barn conversion - had rooms downstairs we hardly used. Two sitting rooms, separate dining room, large kitchen / diner and a large hall. Most of the time we just used the kitchen and the smaller of the sitting rooms.
So - we we supposedly 'downsized', we (i.e. - I designed it - the builders did it!) gutted this house inside and virtually rebuilt it, creating large open plan areas. A small sitting room and kitchen were knocked into one which also led to the conservatory through an archway. Since all of the walls were taken up with units and worktop, there was nowhere to install radiators, so we fitted 3 plinth heaters - linked to the central heating system - underneath some of the units. I think each one is rated at 2kW and they are very effective. We also installed a fully insulated roof on the conservatory and that had a dramatic effect in conserving heat.
We also knocked the main sitting room and dining room into one, creating a 30'+ long room and with it's wood-burner and 3 double radiators - it's toasty warm.
What we have achieved is a home we were are using all of the available space all of the time and it certainly works for us. As I've said before, I do miss our Aga though - but this house doesn't really lend itself to it.
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Haven't spent much time lately on CT, so a very belated Happy and healthy 2026 to all 😁
Hopefully the weather yesterday and today hasn't affected anyone, from all accounts it has been quite bad in various areas. You have been very lucky @Tinwheeler from the sound of it. Up here in Lancashire we seem to have escaped it; it hasn't been windy and we've had no snow, but today we've had a fair amount of rain.
Having read about folks's problems with prescriptions, it seems we're pretty fortunate with our surgery and nominated chemist, which is Tesco (as it's the closest and where I normally shop). We order prescriptions from surgery via NHS app, then Tesco texts when it's ready, which is normally super quick. I've ordered during the afternoon before now, and had a text a couple of hours later. Long may it last!!
Time for planning trips away again; have booked Meathop for March, as we haven't been for a while and to take advantage of the free night 👍️booked a hotel in Llandudno for a couple of nights next week to meet up with friends. Unfortunately it looks like rain, but never mind, we'll still enjoy ourselves.
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Got to share this lovely photo……….how to keep warm with a friend in this cold spell…..
Two young lions at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, cosy and warm in their centrally heated cave. 😁
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We have been lucky with the weather in this area. It started raining about 6.30 last night and rained relentlessly all night until about mid morning and the wind wasnt too bad. We went to Hinchinbrook hospital first thing and I am glad our daughter was driving as the conditions were not good with the rain and the spray on the A1. We saw an extremely nice consultant about OH's hip who said replacing of a replacement hip was a very big operation with the possibility of complications with OHs age and other health issues so suggested we have a very serious think about it and he would keep the referral open for 2 years. At the moment OH has decided against the op , it is disappointing but it was good to have the discussion with the consultant.
I hope everyone on here stayed safe during the storm and didnt have too much damage.
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I'm glad to read that all seem to be safe with little or no damage done by the storm.
We have been fortunate at home with little or no wind for the last few days and just a short shower of rain today. We can see some snow on the high southern fells but from reports none on the northern ones.
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Having designed and had this house built to our specifications back in 1988, I think the heating problems at DD’s house are a result of poor insulation and too small radiators. She has had me replace several of them with ones with a higher output, but that is not possible everywhere.
The original house was built some 100 years back and I doubt any extra insulation was ever added. Then it was extended on the ground floor by about 75%, and the upper floor made into a separate flat in 1979. Later the upper floor was extended to cover the ground floor, DD owns only the ground floor. Then in 2012 the owner built out a large extension into the south facing garden, so her flat is now is a sprawling 270 sq m , with a vast hallway and very long pipe runs.
The kitchen had already been moved to the front of the house in the 1990s, and had had a “sun room” built on, it was originally the lounge. Beyond that that was a second lounge, or possibly a dining room, with a lovely oriel window and doors to the garden. They are gone now and the 10m x 5m 2012 extension goes right across the kitchen and second lounge, with much of the original outside walls removed, so a huge sort of U-shaped open space has been created, giving a large kitchen, a dining area and 3 sitting areas, with little possibility to close any of it off when desired. Some internal bifold doors could be possible in a few years, or some heavy curtains, but meantime it is a great space for the children to run around in, and for parties.
However, the kitchen radiator is pathetically small, the lounge one is not really big enough and is right next to the door to the hall, which is always cold, and there are only 2 radiators, again on the small side in the large extension. These are difficult to change due to no underfloor access. The kitchen has a huge, wide and high bay window, it was the original lounge in the house, and the extension has 4 large windows and a set of French doors.
The roof of that was not well insulated so when it had to be replaced DD had it insulated, had the shape of it changed to better blend with the original house, and put in 4 Velux windows to let more light into what had become an internal and somewhat dingy lounge when there was no sun. It has made a big difference.
This will most likely be their “forever home” so over the years there will time to alter and improve things, finances permitting. Meantime,fortunately they do not feel the cold like we old people do!
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Hope all goes well with MIL's eye appt @Wherenext and that you finally have her meds. Sympathies with everyone who has health issues. OH is feeling rather down today over his hip as he thought an op to replace the 20 year old worn out hip would alleviate his mobility issues and pain but although the consultant said he would do the op if OH really wanted we decided it really isn't worth the risks involved. Also the very kind and understanding consultant explained that the majority of the pain he has is resulting from his back issue not his hip. He has an appointment with the spinal consultant in March.
It is a quiet day weatherwise here today. Just rather grey an chilly but much less cold than it has been.
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Sorry to hear about OH having his hopes dashed @milliehull. Let's hope some good comes of his spinal consultation.
MiL spent an hour having various tests. They agreed with her Optician so want to keep her under observation every so often. So next visit in 6 months. Treated her to lunch on the way home. Long day for her.
Lovely winters day, sunny but cold, below freezing when we set off.
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Good to read that your MIL's eye problem does not need immediate attention, @Wherenext and hopefully it won't get any worse. Are you all sorted out with getting your and your MIL's medication when ordered?
I hope that the spinal consultant can sort out your OH's back problem and alleviate the pain @milliehull
It has been another fine dry day without any wind, not too cold this morning but did get colder as the day progressed.
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Very disappointing for your OH @milliehull . I think a vast bit about having an op relies upon general fitness factors like heart and lung function, as it’s often the anaesthetic that takes its toll. Mum was very lucky when she broke her hip at 93, physically she did ok, she got through against expectations, but it was life changing in other ways for her sadly. She’s still fantastic in the heart and lungs Dept, but other complications now. I hope that the spinal consultations give a better result.
Hope your MIL is ok @Wherenext that will have been a long day for her indeed.
We are plodding through January, out for a walk when it’s nice enough, doing indoor chores when it’s not. Yesterday I did a bit of a cull of stuff up in the attic, and then tidied up in there. There are now eight bikes up there, 4 hanging off wall, two in use on rollers, two just safe from thieving eyes. There’s wool I haven’t been able to reach as well…………🤣
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@milliehull as I’m sure you are well aware any major operation, i.e. hip replacement surgery, will come with some risk. On one of my physio sessions one person was saying she was having trouble getting around after 5 weeks post op, the physio laughed and said if she had any idea what is done to your body during this operation she would not be so surprised! It’s regarded as such a simple, common procedure these days but it really isn’t that easy for everyone. OH keeps getting fed up with his knees but I do hope he doesn’t have to go through any surgery at nearly 80, as seemingly fit as he is. It must be disappointing for your OH and frustrating for him to be in discomfort all the time; fingers crossed they can sort out something else for him soon.
I’m sitting with a cup of tea and paracetamol! As just mentioned OH will be 80 later this year and, being a dark, wet, day it has concentrated our mind to get some sorting out done. We have been trying to figure out our wills and all the jargonese gives you a headache. We made our wills 17 years ago and since then our eldest son (the one in Macau) has divorced and remarried and now has 2 more children. We now have 7 grandchildren and what do we do with our vast fortune (🤣🤦🏻♀️😳)! Per capita or per stirpes, and yes, we had to look that all up too! It will be ok if we both go before both our sons but if not …………… 🤯. I’m leaving it to OH for a while.
@takethedogalong (won’t go red) I know what you mean about plodding through January, it’s only the 11th and it seems a long time until Spring. Mustn’t wish our lives away so onwards and upwards. Like you we really must get some culling of ‘stuff’ done, it was a job we promised ourselves last year but still awaiting the impetus.2 -
I’m half way through a POA for myself, really need to get it finished and registered. Our wills are simple, no kids to think about and we sort of decided there’s so much we want to do, just get on with sensible spending. Whatever’s left will be divid up, with a few treasured possessions going to specific folks. Only the trusted will get the (future) pets and some money to care for them as we would want them looking after. I don’t feel old, although my hips occasionally tell me I shouldn’t be doing some things, OH might have to be helped onto a bike at some point, but once he’s on there, he’ll be fine🤣 Not sure about taking ex racehorses out onto Dartmoor anymore, but I would mind learning how to drive a horse and buggy. I’ve just asked OH not to buy me anything for my birthday, opting for something to do instead🤔
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Thanks everyone for your comments. OH had his right hip replaced over 20 years ago and that is what is now wearing out so the operation would involve taking out the old hip replacement and then putting in a new one which is a very long and complicated operation, probably taking twice as long and there is no guarantee that it would be as successful as his first hip replacement, which these days is quite a routine operation and usually very successful. We decided with the guidance of the consultant that the risks vastly outweighed the benefits. Disappointing but there it is.
We updated our wills and LPAs a couple of years ago and I have this week sorted out our funeral plans and put them together with the wills and told the 'children' where everything is filed away.
We have been over to our daughter's this afternoon to celebrate the 16th birthday of one of our grand-daughters. How time flies. Eldest grand-daughter and both our great grandsons were there as well so a lovely afternoon.
It must have been a long day and tiring for your MIL @Wherenext but I am pleased to hear that she doesn't have to be seen for another 6 months.
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@milliehull I think you OH does have a difficult decision regarding his hip. I am sure the Consultant has explained the Cons as well as the Pros? It's now nearly 16 since I had my original hip replacement and I no idea how I would react if it needed to be redone. Part of the problem is that they don't like us oldies using strong pain killers which can make things more comfortable. Since my stroke I have had a problem with my left knee. I know that if I could take some Ibuprofen it would ease the discomfort but because I am now on blood thinners I can no longer take them. I do use Ibuprofen gel which does give a bit of relief but unless you live in shorts it can be messy! It might be worth your OH giving it a try if his doctor agrees. It's not a permanent answer but it might provide a bit of relief? The version you get from your doctor is stronger than you can buy over the counter.
David
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So sorry to hear that your Mum's fall was life changing for her and she now has other health issues. Best wishes to you all.
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Not nearly so cold here today, but a lot of rain the last 2 days, particularly heavy yesterday. Not been out at all since Thursday, but this evening is my first woodturners meeting of the year.
The Touareg is behaving badly, a lot of intermittent faults, think it may be due to a dodgy connection on one of the wheel sensors, so trying to get it booked in for later this month for a , no doubt expensive, repair before the caravan has to go for service at the beginning of March. Then there is also the probably much more expensive problem with the infotainment system.
Have booked 4 weeks off (from grandparent duties) in April , and another 4 in June/July, just need to plan where to go now. We also need to have a couple of paperwork days very soon as we have neglected that over Christmas. We already have POAs and wills in place, but OH has suggested we should also organise funeral plans now, all a little depressing but needs to be done.
We have been saving, in monthly savers, for our grandchildren since they were born, and in the last 11 years moving it into investments, so now that oldest grandson is almost 20 we need to sort out selling his shares gradually to avoid CGT as they are not in an ISA. His Dad has set up a cash ISA for him, so the money can be added to that meantime. Just need to go through all the paperwork to ascertain what the buying cost was to see how many can be sold before the end of the tax year. Granddaughter is only 16, so no rush to sort anything for her yet. Hopefully her Dad will also sort out an ISA for her soon.
Callum has the same child saving plan, but it was no longer available when Nathan was born, so Mummy has finally set up Junior ISAs for both of them so we can gradually move their money into them now. Nathan has a lot of catching up to do, so he is getting some extra meantime, the theory being that when we have to stop paying in, all 4 will hopefully have ended up with roughly the same amount. After that it will be over to parents to look after. Just glad that OH is the one planning it all, she is much better at that sort of thing than I am!
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That sounds very much like the ABS sensors @KjellNN . We had both rear sensors fail within months. On each occasion there were lots of seemingly unrelated fault warnings. The sensors themselves were quite reasonable, about £25 each, probably around an hour to fit (total for both).
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Car sailed through its service and MOT. Not very costly either, which was a bonus.
A few years ago we arrived home from a trip abroad with the caravan. After catching our breath Mother-in-Law asked us both to sit down as she had some news to tell us. Yikes, we thought. Solemnly she delivered the news drip by drip to announce that whilst we were away she decided to buy her own funeral plan and make all of her funeral arrangements including where to eat etc. We tentatively asked if she had a timeframe in mind. Oh, no time in the immediate future, more like 10 years or so! she replied. She thought it might be a good investment. Right, time for a cup of tea then.😁
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@Oneputt love it!
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@Oneputt they look fantastic. You can’t beat having a pair of same litter pups, they are just so much fun. We had two Airedale litter sisters, they weren’t identical though, so easy to tell apart. Totally different physically and personality wise as well. Your two are proper twins❤️
Had fun sorting my birthday present out yesterday….trip to Edinburgh. Working on some itinerary ideas now, but will definitely be taking the train for a day out in North Berwick, just love that little seaside town. Trains there and back, hotel on Rose Street, so slap bang in the thick of things. Brilliant prices as well.
Long pause between typing this and last paragraph☹️ Our next door neighbour has passed away this morning, he’d been in hospital since Boxing Day, I had taken his wife and lads up to hospital a few times, we thought he was doing a bit better, but sadly no. We have been neighbours for well over 30 odd years. Everyone rallying around, very sad.
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Super photos @Oneputt the one of the dogs is very cleverly done. We did see a bank of flowering daffodils during Christmas week near Northwich, and a couple of weeks before that there were Snowdrops in flower at Wightwick Manor, near Wolverhampton.
Sorry to hear your sad news @Takethedogalong I hope the lady will be able to manage on her own. Your birthday treat sounds like a lovely present, no doubt you will find lots to do in and around Auld Reekie.
Pleased to read that OH's car passed it's MOT @Wherenext and that it was not overly expensive as anything involving work done at a garage is never cheap these days.
After a couple of rather dull but dry days today we heavy rain all morning, so it was a couple of rather wet walks with Flyte before lunchtime. Thankfully the sun came out and it has remained dry since then. I did manage to get the car cleaned on Sunday and perhaps, now it is a bit warmer, I can do the same with the caravan.
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