General Chat

Hello all, hope you are all ok. Just hoping that the winds are going to stay calmer now. We had it bad for us but others were much worse off than us here. We didn't have much damage just a few pots and a bit of fencing broken but daughter lost 7 fence panels and all were damaged in some way. They are expensive to replace but has to be done.
It is lighter now of an evening which I like just waiting for it to get a bit warmer.

Good afternoon chit chatters.
When I got up this morning, I realised I couldn't hear the wind! Yay for the first time in what seems weeks, it was all calm and not a bad day.

So after doing some laundry and dusting, I decided to go outside and put out the recycling rubbish. I thought it looked chilly so threw on a warm jacket.

Oh my, when I got to the corner of the house, the wind nearly blew me over and took my bag. I managed to grab the fence but the wind took my stick and I nearly fell over. Thankfully our 4 bins are in a wooden fenced enclosure so I hung on to that..
I made it back round to the front door and got back safely inside!

How deceptive, the wind had obviously changed direction, hence I couldn't hear it.

Think, I got my fill of fresh air into my lungs that will keep me going a few days...

Daughter away again so home alone until next week sometime but Im ok.

Made carrot & orange soup for tea today with crusty rolls, its very tasty with lots of black pepper.

More gales as I speak and for the rest of the weekend just wish they would go away now as had enough of the drone!

Hope everyone enjoys their weekend.
Stay safe

Florence in the hebrides

Well what a night last night!! Was rudely awoken at 1.25 am but the loudest clap of thunder and lightening I have heard or seen in a long time. My heart was beating so fast with fear, i thought it was going to burst.

Sadly just a few miles along the coast lightening struck a cottage and a fireball came down the chimney in the bedroom. The 2 occupants literally ran out of the house with their 3 dogs in pjs and wellies and a phone before the house was destroyed by fire.
4 different fire brigades had to attend and were there all night until 8am before deemed safe to leave. The gales didn't help as it was just fanning the flames.

At least noone died but poor people, the fright they got.

There have been a few rumbles still earlier but not seen any lightening so far but we are on alert for it.

Just been pottering about the house doing usual chores. Only post i'm getting just now is one from landlord increasing the rent and council tax going up 3 %. My electric rate first 2 units is going from 32p to 53p. All other units from 20p to 27p.

I worked out that if i can only use 10 units a day which by April is doable it will increase my monthly d/d to around £110 from £70. Everything going up at once but pensions etc unemployment monies dont go up much!!

Lets hope its a warm spring. hot summer, pleasant Autumn and mild winter.

Florence in the hebrides

Joan hope all ok if you are looking in?

Afternoon peeps. Hope everyone is safe & well.

Its very windy up here & tomorrow early morning its gong to be another storm with snow at 9am!! Its just one storm after another almost back to back but we are mid Feb now and it is quite unusual for the gales to last this long.

Today was recycling bin day, blue & green. Daughter put them out but they were starting to move and couldn't risk them hitting neighbours cars, so we took them in and will have to manage for another month. It's not always the same time they come and it was awful outside with heavy showers.

Have been just pottering about doing chores, some washing etc. I'm still getting sore pains in my lower back and left hip which is niggling me.
I cut my toenails earlier and promptly cut the skin on toe next to big toe and oh my the blood!! Never felt a thing, just noticed it bleeding but plaster on and it stopped eventually.

Haven't had any lunch yet so off to make crumpets and marmalade i think but no idea what will be for tea.

Take care all
Florence in the hebrides

Joan I know you haven't been vaccinated, but it's your daughter who has been in contact - has she been vaccinated? If she has, and tests negative, she can help you as usual.

Hi storm was pretty rough but it so far has not done any real damage here just a few pots over in the garden and a tree down the road. Apparently it is going to be bad tomorrow but we are down to amber warning.

Florence what a performance to find your ward. Glad that is over for you. Hope there are results to help your problem.

Joan Have you looked to see if there are any voluntary organisations that could help with shopping. Or you could try registering for on line shopping.

Ooh Andys mum, yes you are right. I had forgotten completely that the rules have changed. Here's hoping that Joan's family have been fully vacs and then with testing negative, her daughter may still be able to take her shopping...fingers crossed for Joan xx

Florence in the hebrides

Joan, have your daughter and family been fully vaccinated? If so, the following from the NHS Scotland website may be of interest.


Close contacts who are fully vaccinated

If you're a close contact who is fully vaccinated, you can take daily LFD tests instead of self-isolating. Fully vaccinated means you've received 3 doses of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before you last saw the person who tested positive.

Aw Joan, what a nuisance for you and hubby!! Blooming Covid interferes with everything. Just a thought, are there any voluntary organisations like help the aged etc that could provide someone to come and collect you to get shopping? Or how are you with online shopping, are you registered with Tesco?

I know that my local coop dont do online delivery out this far but if i email a list of groceries they will deliver them. Im not sure what area you are in otherwise id be happy to have a look for you.

Hope Ann and other folks are safe. Ive seen pics online of trees down etc and it was wild in Isle of Wight 122 mph, highest recorded wind in England apparently.

All calm here for a change but only 2 degrees and some snow forecast tonight.

I'm ok today but I am sore but it will pass in a few days hopefully.

ZZzzzz the MRI is ok and pain free. You just have to lay on the bed, shut your eyes and keep still. It may take anything from 20 mins to an hour, depends what they are scanning. My spine one was 35 mins about but this brain scan was 1 !/2 hours so its different for different things. What are you getting scanned?

Take care all

Florence in the hebrides

I'm in Berkshire we have an amber weather warning tomorrow and I'm due to have MRI scan, haven't had one before so a bit nervous, luckily (I think) for me I won't hear much because I will be taking my hearing aids out.

Evening peeps, I'm safely home!

What a trip .Arrived at the hospital and it was torrential rain and we had to walk from the taxi drop off to the main entrance so you can imagine my friend & i were both drowned rats. Anyway, trying to find my ward was a nightmare. After asking several people and being told different areas, we were told we were in the wrong building completely!!

So with me in the wheelchair, 2 cases, 2 handbags and my friend, we had to go outside and what seemed miles until we eventually found the neurology unit. I was nearly crying as I was soaked through all my clothes, my bags etc was just awful

Arrived on the ward and the nurses were fabulous. Went and got me a hairdryer straightaway so I could dry off.
Within 1/2 hour, i was whisked away for my MRI. This was around 1pm. It took 1 1/2 hours to be scanned and just about managed laying there. They stopped halfway through to put a contrast through a canula and then carried on.

Didnt get back up to the ward though until 4.30 and I had missed lunch! I was really starving.The tea trolley only had a jacket potato and a wee pot of cheese plus a tiny tub of ice cream but it filled my tummy.

Having seen the dr in the evening, he said the lumbar puncture would be done at 8.30 today. I did get it done but not without a few problems as he couldnt find the exact spot to put the needle in and also i was sick and nearly fainted!!

But all done now, missed the storm and i'm safely in my cosy wee house. I am exhausted and sore where the needle went in low down in dip of back but it will improve tomorrow hopefully . A good nights sleep will help too.

Consultant will send me a report or ask to see me at a follow up appointment in a few weeks.

For those in the south west...Ann I hope you will be ok tonight as i have seen the red weather warning and it looks awful. Will be thinking of all of you in the path of Eunice.

Looks like some snow is in the air, hope it rolls on by to Iceland!!

Stay safe everyone

Florence in the hebrides

Hope all goes well for Florwnce today and that her plane trip was not too bumpy.

It has been dry all day here but the wind has got up a bit this afternoon. Not looking forward to the storm on Friday. I have actually changed my hair appointment to next week as I didn't want to be walking for 15 minutes in the storm.

Joan all my snowdrops are up now, including the ones that T moved last year so it all looks very spring like with crocus, Helebores and miniature daffodils all blooming as well.

Judging from the weather here, Florence should have got to Glasgow OK, but it is now VERY wild, with the wind howling in the chimney and enormous waves bashing the shore. Quite spectacular from the safety of indoors!

Tomorrow is supposed to be a bit quieter before the next lot arrives.

I hope Florence got away alright this morning. Looks those of you up north & Scotland are really in for it today.
I am dreading Friday down here in the south as I have to go to a funeral. Having booked a hotel for the previous night we have had to book for the following night now as well.
Hope someone enjoys the money it is costing. :-|

Evening peeps.
Aw Joan sounds like you had a busy household! Lovely to have them but good to have the house back to yourselves.

Thanks Gwynn, yes im off at 6.45am to the airport tomorrow and plane is at 8.30. Thankfully, the storm Dudley is now missing us as its further south. So relieved as i was worried I wouldnt get away. Bag all packed and minimum of things lol Couple of magazines and a Bon Jovi CD for the MRI to take my mind off as im quite claustrophobic! Last time, I listened to the songs and counted them as each one was 3 minutes and i was in for 40 mins. The music blocks out some of the boom boom but boy it is really loud hence Bon Jovi might make a difference hehe.

Really noticing a stretch now in the days as its not dark now until nearly 5.30 makes such a difference.

I wont get any results tomorrow, i dont think but you never know I may get an idea.
Its just the Lumbar Puncture Im a bit worried about as I know its sore afterwards.
Tbh, i will just be relieved when tomorrow is over.

Take care all

Florence in the hebrides

Peace and quiet then Joan.!
Lovely to see them all, but a big change from your usual quieter lifestyle.


Hoping all is well with you Florence and that the storms don't affect your travel to hospital.
Take care.

Sorry to hear that you can't take pain relief tablets Florence. I can't take some due to my BP being high but can take Paracetamol when needed.

I used to knit years back when our children were young, OH used to joke about the click clack driving him to the pub, (any excuse) Then I tried crochet and did a few baby blankets and little hats with crochet flowers on. Good job I had girls .lol.
I found having something to do to occupy my hands helped me give up smoking. Couldn't knit and smoke.

Have a nice weekend all.

Good afternoon peeps from a wet and dreary afternoon but at least the wind has dropped now!

Last night about 5.30 my GP rang with my knee x-ray results. So I have wear & tear damage in both knees to joints, cartilage and bone but its not severe enough to need surgery at the moment.
So I asked about pain relief but sadly because of my Asthma, there is nothing they can give me. I am very allergic to Aspirin, Ibruprofen & Paracetamol.

So she has referred me to my Mr "Bone Man" who gave me steroid injections before for my Bursitus which worked well. Im so hoping I can get them for my knees as then I hopefully can get out of the house and go on a bus.

If he says no, then my outlook on life is awful. Having been housebound since last July, the thought of being cooped up indoors ufn is too depressing to think about.

So I shall have to wait now for an appointment(probably 12 weeks) and hope h's sympathetic towards me!!

I have taken up a new project to pass time. I have been crocheting headbands as my daughter says they are very trendy just now. Downloaded a very easy pattern and within an hour, its all done. I have 4 since yesterday and its good to use up some wool as I have loads. The one I started knitting with 5 needles, was taking too long so that got abandoned!

Well off to have food, just a few oven chips in a thick seeded sandwich with brown sauce! Appetite isnt good so this is comfort food.

Hope everyone else is well.

Florence in the hebrides

Good afternoon peeps from a very cold, wet & windy place. We did have a dusting of snow and sleet over the weekend but the rain today has got rid of all that.
My "carriage" turned up at 10am to take me to xray today for my knees. I arrived very early at 10.35 but they were not busy and so I got seen at 10.45.

As it was my knees, I did not have to undress into a gown for which I was thankful for. Takes me ages to dress & undress now and the cubicles are so tiny!
Anyway stood with trouser leg rolled up and she took 6 xrays at different angles of left. Then took just 1 of the right.
Results will be with GP in 2 days!! Its usually 10 days. I rather think there is something wrong as the number of pics she took is way more than usual.

I am in excruciating pain anyway so hopefully will get to the bottom of it soon. I rather think there is wear & tear and i need a knee replacement.

I bought some pointed knitting needles which arrived today and now trying to knit a headband which daughter says are all the fashion. Took me awhile to learn how to knit each needle as you have 5 in all so you have a square with 4 and then 1 to work with. Who knows what it will turn out like but its different!

Hope everyone else is ok. Joan your bench sounds wonderful, bet you cant wait until the spring is here and you can sit out.

Well off to make something for tea, not very hungry today so toast and Nuttella me thinks and hot chocolate mmmn.

Florence in the hebrides

Well, the engineer came and was here for about 2 hours. The pressure was low and think there was air in the system. He explained the things on the display which shows when water is on, the temp and the symbols beside it. Same for the heating so at least i know now what to look for.

The only drawback though is it takes about an hour for the underfloor pipes to heat up. At present the bathroom lino is just luke warm after 45 mins!.

Anyway its all working again, thats the main thing. Still stormy and hailstones blowing hard. So glad me & daughter are safe inside as I feel sorry for anyone out in this weather!

A new author I discovered at xmas is Marion Todd. Her first book See Them Run was really good. Set in St Andrews, Scotland, its about a female detective and the stories are based around there, Dundee, Coupar. She has only 5 books, so i ordered the 5 but have only read the first one so far.

With Peter James, its the Inspector Grace series I'm reading. New hardback out in April but have to wait for the paperback until Oct grrr. Its all paperback I have as hardback too big for my bookshelf! His first book in the series was Dead Simple.

Not feeling great today as had a very painful dose of cramp in right calf at 8am this morning and still cant put foot flat down so hobbling with stick and on tip toe. Had this many times and always in right calf but no sure why. I felt sick with pain and lightheaded as it was sooo sore. Don't want another dose anytime soon.

Better crack on with the next Tesco order which I shall go over with a fine tooth comb before heading to checkout!!

Florence in the hebrides