Hi Dita and all

[dita]

Hi Penny, Andere and all. Maybe gremlins have given up on you and OH now, peace will reign and give you relaxation for the rest of the week Penny certainly hope so. Andere is rubbing it in a bit too what do you think Dolly ? ' could have taken me so I could sort out those Belgium doggies' she says Andere, pleased you are having a great holiday Penny and I are looking forward so much to next year.
My sister in law rang us last Friday to say they had just got married, it was her partner of over 30yrs birthday too so it was us the family who had a surprise, neither had ever been married before and had bought wedding rings 15yrs ago but never got down to actually using them, infact his ring had to be extended cos he got a bit of middle aged spread since bought. They managed to keep it a secret from everyone. Just thought it a nice thing to share with a couple of nice friends. Keep your chin up Penny and enjoy your hol Andere.

[Penny]

Morning Dita and all. Still no internet, came on last night and i tried to catch up but we lost all power again. Fingers crossd at the mioment as I have just made a couple of loaves. Hope everyone is well. Sent hugs and kisses early as neither of us could sleep long last night. Weather lovely and sunny at the moment. Looking forward to Friday, going to see Singing in the Rain. A late birthday treat. Take care all and have a good day, plenty of rest Dita. That's an order. Cheers Penny

[dita]

Hi Penny and all. OH! my goodness how maddening for you, did think it maybe sorted damn and blast. Hope you got your loaves cooked ok, its only when things go haywire that we realise how much we rely on all this technical stuff. I have been wondering about Singing In The Rain knew it was an early birthday present but not sure when you were going to see it, think you deserve it after all that's been going on of late so enjoy yourself I am hanging in there health wise but may finish up at the docs again, it is a slow process despite me taking things easy. Going to go for short doggie walk then watch Andy Murray, Keep smiling Penny and take care all.

[Andere Richtingen]

Hi, all - lovely story about your SiL and spouse, Dita. So glad they at last tied the knot; it would have been a shame to waste those wedding rings after so many years I hope you and Dolly are relaxing a bit and enjoying the summer and that things are improving with Penny's internet and power supply. That's all a bit rum, and very aggravating for you. All I can say without trying to rub it in is that it's still fine and sunny here. Like the big stoopid overgrown kid that he is, OH decided to lie out on the beach yesterday and got sunburned.
Honestly!!!! Men!!!! His skin is still in such a fragile state after all last year's troubles, that's the last thing he needs but, of course, we all know that normal rules don't apply to blokes ... I'd spent the afternoon in the park under some trees with my Kindle because I don't do sun-bathing so I was fine. But who has to run to the pharmacy before they close for After-sun stuff? Yep, that's right .... I read him the Riot Act and have been nagging him all day today about staying inn the shade and being sensible and he's mostly listened. For now, anyway.
We've been around this year's sand sculptures exhibition; it's good but not as good as last year's and, although it opened 3 days ago, it's not nearly finished yet!! There will be pictures, later. In the morning, we're going to Kortrijk, a city we used to know quite well when OH spent some time working there in the 1980s, but haven't been there for ages so it'll be interesting to see how it's changed.

[dita]

Hi Andere and all. The newly weds are jetting off to Buxton for a couple of days tomorrow, not sure when they are due back and I got a problem, knowing they would be at work (little did I know)?? until the weekend I ordered a standard Hibiscus to be delivered at their home on Saturday, its a beautiful yellow and I thought they would enjoy watching it grow year after year. Have yet to sort that out. Like you Andere I am not into turning myself into a lobster, much rather find a bit of shade. It will be good to explore and see the difference after years of being away especially if you knew it well. Penny and I are making holiday plans for the 3 of us next year so input is very welcome Enjoy the rest of your holiday, great to hear from you Andere

[Penny]

Morning Dita and all.that was wonderful news re the wedding. I hope all continues to go well for them. Hope OH is not suffering too much today Andere. Men, they know it all.???? We have power today. Still no internet.Two men came yesterday early evening and still cannot say what the problem is, It has been decided that the Trickbox in the garage is now out of date an does not conform so we are having it replaced. Do hope all are well and getting plenty of rest. Off for weekly shop and meeting son., hopefully for lunch. Take careand forgive me if I miss some points, very frustrated at the moment. Hae sent hugs and kisses. Cheers Penny

[vannin]

Penny, how annoying for you. Glad the power is back on and I hope your Internet is soon restored. Dita, it is lovely to hear about your pair of newlyweds, bless them. I love Hibiscus and have a purple one near the window - too near at the moment as it is stopping me fully opening the window. Last year the deluges brought branches very low so I had to tie back. This year I don't want to chop branches so will try to tie them to the fence for now.

I don't like sunbathing either. Trixie, who has cut down on her daytime sleeping indoors, looks for cool spots outside. I am happy to find that the tiny crustiness near her ear was unlikely to be the start of nasties as it disappeared after I mentioned it here! The helpful greeting from the vets practice nurse when I popped in, was that the Stronghold Spot-on is now officially regarded as a real deterrent measure against Harvest mite. It was only late last Summer that I started using it because Frontline - our previous spot-on - started being made in a weaker ineffective form.

Then it was last October that they said Stronghold was good against mites as well as being a flea preventative. This was after Trixie had been subjected to about five visits for anti-inflammatory steroid jabs, the effectiveness never lasts the month, and so she was tearing at her flesh again within three weeks every time. We were both miserable.

So at the moment I am very optimistic that by using Stronghold every four weeks, visiting the vet may be put off unless or until there are signs of undue discomfort or infection. Right now her coat is glossy and beautiful.

Viv

[dita]

Hi Penny, Vannin and all. After a sultry sort of morning it seems to be brightening up, hugs and walkies later just had game of football doggie won while I pant and need a cuppa to recuperate. The newly weds are now on their way to Buxton, hope they visit Poole's Cavern its one of my favourite places. Did sort out the delivery of the Hibiscus their next door neighbour is kindly doing the honours. Pleased Trixie is keeping free from that pest mite Vannin, bless her last year was so horrible for her. Penny I do hope the new trick box means an end to your problems and enable you and OH get back to normal, enjoy your meet up with son today, also weekly shop, I'm waiting for my Tesco delivery we live quite a way from the store and it costs us much more than the £1 in petrol + tugging with the shopping so its well worth it. Also enjoy your night out tomorrow Hi Andere if you are around enjoying your holiday. Keep smiling Penny and take care Vannin and all.

[Penny]

Here I am at last, on line. Son came at 5.45 and has just gone. Thought I would let you know straight away. He is so busy I ticked him off for not getting enough rest. Just off to take daughter to a Brownie night, she is helping out with a camping night out for the young ones. Like her dad, always doing something. I am overjoyed with news re both children received from their schools today. Both have been awarded Certificate of the year for the most Academic achievement. makes all their fees worthwhile. Grandaughter is off next week to Malvern ?? doing a Duke of Edinburgh award and grandson is off to France for a week. Never stop. anyway, thought I would bring you up todate. Catch you all tomorrow, I hope, Take care all. cheers Penny

[Andere Richtingen]

Hi all - just a quick check-in to say 'hallo'; I probably won't stay long as the hotel wifi is very temperamental and keeps cutting me off. OH was purple with fury last night when he couldn't catch up with his on-line activities after supper. He's not very well today - says he only slept for about an hour and feels exhausted and he's definitely off his food which is practically unheard of. I was hoping we might find a peaceful river cruise today but it looks like it'll be raining soon so maybe not. I'll leave him to doze over a beer while I go shopping, instead as Kortrijk has endless shopping streets as well as an out-of-town mall. Actually, I hate shopping but it's different abroad!
.
Good news about Trixie and the Stronghold; let's hope that's solved her problems for good.

This is a weird hotel; it claims to be the oldest one in Belgium, originally built in 1328. It has been rebuilt since then, thank goodness, with decent plumbing etc and an elegant lobby and lifts that are direct from the Belle Epoch. we have a huge bedroom with hardly any furniture in it and the only place to sit is on the bed! My legs are getting hot from the laptop resting on them so I'll have to stop.

[dita]

Hi Penny, Andere and all. Good to see you back on line Penny last night, hope all ok today too. It is your special night out I do hope you have a good time, I know how much you have been looking forward to it. Been trying to catch up with a bit of gardening while the sun shines, had to almost force a pair of shears into the hands of OH. Dolly escaped out of the gate chased next doors cat I tried to grab her and slipped on my backside, OH then chased and thankfully caught her before she got on the road, my heart sank as I sit on the floor with sore bum. Hi Andere good you are enjoying your holiday sounds a great hotel but surely a little table to put your laptop on would have been nice, did you pick up anything good during your shop? do hope your OH has recovered. Enjoy tonight dear Penny and take care Andere and all.

[Penny]

Morning Dita and all, I do hope you Bum is not too sore today Dita, how awful for you. Sending extra hugs and kisses all round perhaps they might help. I was going to answer your post last night, guess what happened. Yes, another power cut. Just before we were going out., OH managed to put some of it right before we went. The Electricians want about £700.00 to change the board with the fuses on but they still cannot decide what the fault is. OH said, he is not paying that and still have the risk that the fault is still there.. Don't blame him. I quite agree, they should be able to locate the fault first. Anyway, fingers crossed. As for the show, OH made me cross before we went, insisted on going early, I told him there was no need as there was plenty of parking. Would insist, we got there no problems at all, only had to sit and wait 54 mins. I could have shot him. Went to the bar and I curled up laughing. For a treat on Thursday I bought a bottle of wine which was on offer at £6. per bottle. In the bar, a glass of the same was, £6.00. and a bottle £24. Beyond belief. Anyway, to the show. Had good seats and quite close tostage. The first hour we wondered if we were going to like it because we could not recognise anything similar to the film. Then it changed and was simply wonderful. I said to OH. in all the years I have been theatre going I have never seen the whole theatre full of folk standing at the final ovation. Simply out of this world. Even OH stood along side me. And that is a first. So, if you get the chance to see it, do go. Catch you later, take care. cheers Penny

[dita]

Hi Penny and all. Cannot believe that you still have power problem, I do agree to pay out £700 only to find the fault still there would be ludicrous idea. As far as the bottle of wine concerned they probably buy the wine for only £6 anyway and its a hell of a profit, we are in the wrong business. So pleased after all that the show came up to expectation I must admit I have not seen it advertised anywhere in our area but will look out for it. Going too early would be something my OH would do too because that's one of his habits. Not too many bruises on bum today I hurt my wrist more than anything but all things considering I was really lucky could have been much worse, it was a rather muddy walk today because of overnight rain so hugs were very welcome as we slithered around, thankfully the sun is drying the earth again now. Keep smiling Penny and take care all.

[dita]

Hi Penny and all just a quickie before doggie walk, hope you are ok Penny, wondering how the leccy situation is today, big hugs from our house to yours if they will help. Hope Andere enjoying her hol and finding plenty holiday bargains. How are you Vannin and Trixie hope the pests keeping well away from that lovely fur coat. Keep pecker up Penny and take care all.

[Penny]

Hi Dita and all, a bit late but in, thank goodness. Fingers crossed for rest of day. Hope everyone is well and having good weather. Hugs and kisses sent early. Hope your wrist and bottom have improved Dita. Sign of the times, we all have something or other don't we. My tum a bit off today. OH watching Silverstone at the moment. I used to love it but find it boring now. Take care all and have plenty of rest Dita. cheers Penny