Square Eyes, January 4-7

oooh am I first - thank you Scott Dear and a Very Happy New Year!!

Wooohooo a new home Scott dear you are a star, thankyou so much and a very Happy New Year!

Yippy found my pencil, thank you Scott, hope 2010 is a good one for you.
Another long wait at Heathrow, this time the plane couldn't dock (is that the word Pauline) but they did come back on the new Airbus very impressed they were too, but not with the weather.

Hi all. Happy New Year. I hope everyone had a happy and peaceful Christmas. In the end mine was good and it was lovely having my nephew and niece around although sad to see them leave.

I found my pencil too so I like this new home. Thanks Scott.

12 sleeps. Yay. I can't wait. Usually the new year can be a bit flat but I feel like there is a little light at the end of my tunnel and the GO is standing there in that light.

Back to w**k today. Someone who has worked with us for 10 years walked out after an hour! She and the boss had had issues for a while now and I was expecting her to leave in a couple of months as she will be 60 but was surprised that she didn't have the decency to work her notice. Not a good start but hey ho things can only get better.

Jill surprisingly enough you park an aircraft, well you don't and I certainly don't but the pilots do.

Alison so pleased Christmas was good in the end. Nice to have the GO to look forward to, helps ease the pain of them leaving a little I hope. That lady must have had some issues to do that!

Thank you Thank you Scott Dear for our lovely new home. All freshly decorated to greet 2010.

Now, how do I get a pencil? Will have to work on it.

Thanks Pauline apparently, because the Airbus is so big there are only a few parking spaces that it can park.

OOh a lovely, shiny new home and the pencils are back - thankyou Scott.
I finally finished the blasted i***ing after my iron gave up the ghost and I had to borrow my sister's. Never let me leave it so long again, 3 hours of pressing and folding is far too much and I'll bet the scollops will take their pile of clothes and stuff it in the cupboards anyway!!
OOh K2 you've got me excited now, squeeeeeeel! Hope you've got my ticket put somewhere safe?
I've always wondered about the correct terminlogy for parking a plane, another one I never get right is do you drive a boat, or is there another word?
Better start closing some curtains as its suddenly got very dark. Got a planning meeting tonight, fortunately it's only over the road at my sister's. She may open a bottle if we're lucky!
TTYL

Hello again all, and Scott dear,- you are a star! I'm liking this, no delays when I'm typing, so I can see what I'm doing.
I think you put us on this thread to make me green with envy, Scott dear! Missing, with Pauline Quirke (love her!), Hustle, Above Suspicion and Silent Witness,- all in one week? Do you want me to check how many old episodes of Heartbeat I can watch? No?

It's been a very busy and frustrating day. I tried to get some medication at the chemist, because I'm beginning to run out. Shortly after I arrived in Norway, I went to my new GP here and went through my meds list, translating everything into Norwegian brands. The only one there was a problem with, was the diabetes med I started with in April last year and which gave me some funny "turns" for a while. Not that they don't produce it here, but it's apparently very expensive, so the local NHS has to approve of me using it (and paying for it, the NHS not me). The GP promised to do the application, but when I checked today, HE HADN''T DONE IT! The one I have will last me for another 2 weeks, so I went screaming to the surgery, asking WHAT THE H*LL was going on. The receptionist wouldn't let me see the GP, said I could wait until Thursday when I have an appointment. I tried to argue, but she wasn't having any, just shrugged her shoulders and closed the little window. (Now I understand why they are sitting behind a glass wall!) Just as well that I'm such a calm and collected person, else I would have smashed that glass wall!

I wish my e-mail account would behave as well as the blog does. I've had such problems with it lately. Geting "Ooops! something is wrong" messages, and can't open the e-mails. When I finally can and I answer mails, I get the same stooooopid message when I try to send them. So if I should have answered any of you, please kick the Googlemail and not me!

That was two rants in one post. Terrible, I know, but I needed to get it out.
Something nice happened today too! Shirley called me and we had a chat. She told me that my friend Kari will pick me up at Gatwick when I arrive next Tuesday and will stay over at Shirley's until Thursday! This is something they've cooked up behind my back, but what a lovely surprise!

Alison,- I'm so pleased your Christmas with your family turned out well. How is the house-hunting going?

Yippee, pencils back and a nice new home, thanks Scott and Happy New Year.

Glad to hear that you had a good Christmas Alison.

I've been taking down dec.s and cards too Pauline and also done some ir**ing.

It's so cold, still with no sign of it warming up this week, in fact more snow forecast, just hope it'll only be a sprinkle, it makes travelling around such a nightmare.

Thank goodness we've got Windsor to look forward to or I might sink into a decline, btw do we have the arrangements for meeting up on the 16th yet?

Jan, I’m sure someone will have explained by now, no-one knows what the cryptic message from Karen is, something to do with her puter I think, it’s happened before. Then other people just carry on from there, you know what SLs are like!
As for the pencil, ages ago we had to choose sign in names and some went with myopenid and some went with livejournal, the livejournal people got a pencil. Some have still got them, Pauline for instance. It just made life a lot easier to sign in, we didn’t have to put e-mail addys or do the catchpa.
Not sure if I’ve explained that very well, so hope someone else has.

Oh good Jane has!

Diana, lucky you changed channels when you did, just a shame you didn’t catch the whole thing. Quite a long time to watch TV though, even for ADWD.

K2, thanks for the link to Johnnie Fox’s, sounds like a good pub. Love your story of the dog; I can really understand how his owner must have felt. God bless your brother for taking him in and going to the trouble of finding his owner. Reading that has quite made my day.
Re Dr W, I bet every one of the millions watching said we don’t want you to go either! The Dr W confidential showed us four versions of that emotive sentence.
Thanks for news of Suex. Ohhhmmmssss, as many as she needs, and for Fi, that she makes it to Windsor, for all of us that the ice and snow doesn’t stop us getting there, For Jo’s Elf, for Geri, and for anyone else who needs them.

Scott, you are a gem, thanks for the new abode. Does this mean I get my pencil back?

Alison, glad your Christmas turned out ok. Just need good news about your Dad now.

Eva, how frustrating for you, I think most doctor’s receptionists are a breed apart. I can’t believe you’re coming over NEXT TUESDAY. Oh this is exciting.

Better go and find something for Ploppy’s tea. He went out at 3.30 this morning, and doesn’t expect to be home till 7pm!

Will try to get back later.

Oh nearly forgot, if Brenda’s reading this Happy Birthday to you.

Yee hah, I've got my pencil back, thanks Scott.

Sue1,- thanks for reminding us: HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRENDA

K2,- that pub looks gorgeous. Maybe something for our next Dublinfest?
What a lovely man your brother is! That was such a fine thing to do, both for the dog and the old lady. Brought a lump to my throat.

Geri Thank you for that link. O yes, Happy memories.
Thanks Scott for our new home. Glad that the pencil is back. That will save time.

Yesterday another Mary was sent home. I included a link were all the remaining Mary are singing in a group number.
My favorite is the one in yellow. Here name is Noortje. She is very popular. A lot of co-workers agree with me that is the best. The one in red is now gone.

http://www.avro.nl/Pages/player.aspx?maid=tcm:8-209757

Hello from a very chilly Dublin, loppies. I was sooo lucky today -- the lovely Jeremy drove me home to my door, which meant I got home much earlier and also didn't have to risk life & limb on the treacherous pavements.

Thanks for the new home, Scott-the-Magnificent! And I got my pencil back too!! Ah, it's the little things that make life worthwhile, isn't it?

Only done a quick skim of the blog (trying to read & have dinner at the same time. Not recommended). Eva, far be it from me to give you advice of a questionably ethical sort, but since you'll be in the UK and you have, till recently, had a doctor there, seems to me he might call in a prescription for you to a pharmacy in Windsor. Just to tide you over till the genius you've got 'looking after' you now gets his act together.

Maeve, I asked that question yesterday in an e-mail, and Jo says Jill has booked a restaurant for us. I think she'll be e-mailing details later today (Jo, I mean).

E-mail from KK at work, and she had computer problems last night, which is probably why she left that cryptic message (though I'll grant you, with KK the improbable is always the best explanation!)

Someone (Sue1?) asked how I found those links. Well, most of them showed up as google-alerts, but I periodically visit sites like ALW's or Lee's just in case there's something new. Also, if you google Lee's name (in quotes), you can select from google what sort of site you want. I always check News and Blogs because that's where most of the good stuff is.

Oh dear, just watched the local weather forecast and it's not looking good!
Rant away Eva, we all need to let of staeam occasionally.
Hope your Ploppy isn't too frozen Sue, mine was when he got in but he seems to have warmed up now.

Geri,- trust me, I would have done what you suggested if I hadn't sent a note to my Deal surgery telling them that I'd moved abroad and would they please erase me from their register.

I've just watched the weather forecast for the next week here, and while there shouldn't be more snow, it will get colder again, down towards -10!

Anne,- again your link only take me to the program's homepage, not the song.

Cor,- it's absolute bliss being able to blog the old way!

...brrrr! It's cold out there - sadly I have to go out again (leading my planning group at church), would rather stay nicely tucked up and watch Hustle (will have to see it on i player sometime!). Ali, after yesterday I know exactly how you feel about the ixxnxxg!! Think Twin does too!!! Apparently we may get some more snow this week - deep joy!! As long as it is this week and not next!!!

Happy birthday Brenda!! 27 again!

Thank you for the nice new home Scott - I see that lots of missing pencils have been found (behind the sofa) I wounder if mine is there?

Alison - so pleased Christmas worked out well for you.

Eva - rant any time you like! But don't forget that tennis match!

Anne - I'm glad you're enjoying the search!

Aw Geri! I wasn't going to tell anyone that KK was having PC probs last night! Just that she's really mysterious.

Looking for pencil...

Hey all, hope you're okay!

Thanks for the new home Scott!

FOUND IT!!! Behind the sofa! Just as I thought!

Jan - to get a pencil use the 'sign in' link and it will give you a list of accounts you can use. Now I seem to remember (it was a long time ago) that if you click Live Journal you get the option of registering with them. If you do that you'll be able to sign on to the blog in the future - and you'll get a little pencil!

Happy Birthday Brenda!! Apologies I missed it first thing....blame wxxk!!! OK off out now so catch up later - have a lovely evening all!

Evening all. It is really cold out there, the ground looks like it has snow on it, but at the moment it is the frost. The car was showing -1.5 when I went out this afternoon!

Ali I definitely relate to how you feel, I had to do loads of Sloppys' ixxnxxg yesterday, my fault as I'd let it build up over Christmas, ughh. Worst thing is I now have to do my own!

Happy Birthday Brenda! Sorry didn't realise earlier. Hope you had a lovely day.

I think you deserve a rant Eva. Definitely worth taking up Geris suggestion and trying that anyway.

Eva I found you another link. Hopefully this one works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irSZ3DIaE18

Sorry, Brenda, happy birthday. I think I missed it in my quick scan earlier.

Sounds like that cold snap is going to be with us for another week or two. Ugh.

Speaking of missing pencils -- did I mention when I did some of the dreaded H-word this weekend I found (drum roll) 61 pens. Then I found an unopened packet of 12 more. And then a drawer with more (didn't dare count them at that point!)

Eva, since KB has played a Swede in Wallander, and The Dane in Hamlet, do you think he should do a Norseman next? And if so, which one?

I've given up with the pencil thingy, I keep getting a message about antispam and incorrect e mail address. I'll go back to using captcha

OOh had a "senior" moment - to how to sgn in , who I am (in Virtual ID terms). I came over all funny at thought of finding my pencil again:)

happy birthday Brenda

Big excitement -i finished my assignment. Wheee. Ok not too excited - only first draft but tutor already said in "right ballpark" so that good enough for me. i have to make some alterations (he asked me to expand some areas - tho as already 7 words over that means shortening some chapters - aaargh) and check all the references, appendixes etc BUT I think I might be able to do it all in time to come to Windsor. Wheee.

Jo - what do you do with all the sodden ice sheets on car. i have visions of me trying to get all these covers off and ending up covered with a pile of wet cold sheets:)

Thank you for new home Scott - even if you are very naughty trying (and very nearly suceeding:)to lead me astray with the trailers of new TV programmes - and I must get on with my studying. ...

Happy New Year ladies :)

Great things ahead in 2010 ... not least next week's issue of The Stage, young Scott's been busy. From Twitter:

scottm: Have just done a great interview with LM, talking about Wilde, studying in NYC & baby stuff for next week's issue of @thestage

Happy Birthday Brenda.
Thank you for the new home Scott.
Ooohhh! an interview with GO to look forward too as well.
Only 9 sleeps for me.
Oooohhhmmmssss for all in need and who are having to venture out in this cold weather and those having to do lots of ixxxing.
may be back later, now it's so quick.

Happy Birthday Brenda

Thank you Scott for the lovely new home. Strangely I didn't have any of the problems the others were having with the old one. When I typed it appeared immediately and I never lost my ID.

Dash it Ro beat me to it, with Scott's news that is.

K2, what a lovely story. The old lady and the dog will be very happy to be reunited.

Finally got a meeting with boss today with plans for my work. I had to say 'sorry I'm on holiday next week.' The training will have to wait, I have much more interesting things to do. Of course I didn't say the last bit.

Ro,- thank you for the info about next weeks The Stage.

Scott dear,- thank you for doing the interview in the week's issue when I'm in London! What? You didn't time it for my convenience?
Haven't we been good keeping schtumm?

Geri,- the first role that sprang to mind for KB, is Ibsen's Peer Gynt. It has been filmed once:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034010/,
and has been played in theatres all over the world.
I think KB would make a far better Peer than CH! (You know what I think of him!)
About Peer Gynt, the play:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peer_Gynt

The Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, has written music to the play, and in my opinion this is one of his greatest works. Here is a snipped from it, Morning Mood, which my parents always used to play on the grammophone while we had Sunday breakfast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAbwMGZtIsY&feature=related

I've always loved the Morning Suite, Eva. Grieg at his best, I think. Isn't Peer Gynt a play in verse? I remember it was mentioned when we did A Doll's House in one of my earlier lit classes. I have to admit, I prefer Hedda Gabler. He was a cranky old git, was Ibsen, and not nearly as big a supporter of women-power in his life as he seemed in his work.

Great :) I can't get a copy of The Stage here unfortunately :(

Me neither Chrissi - I'm hoping that one of my lovely, adoreable Loppy friends - grovel grovel - will get a copy for me.
Ro and Jo - thank you for the news! Oooo our landlord is sneaky! (But lovely!)

Well done on your writing Fi!

Jan - you might want to try Open ID instead.

Geri - I'm so suprised you have so many pens! (not!)

Sweet Meads all!

Have I mentioned that you lot (particularly the ones who can get copies of the Stage) are lovely and adorable?

OK! I'll stop grovelling!

You can order a copy by phone, to be posted to you, if that's of any help :)

I can't remember the number to call but must have found it on the website originally.

I'm going to have to hit the books for a while, so I'll need to bid you all sweet Meads now.

Forgot to say well done, Fi, on getting that draft done. You must be well pleased with yourself!

Thanks so much for the stellar interview, Scott. Yes, I know we haven't read it yet, but we know your calibre. May we hope for a splendid picture (or three) to accompany it?

Goodnight, all.

Geri,- Ibsen might have been a Grumpy Old Man, but boy! could he write! I suppose his most famous plays are A Doll's House, Hedda Gabler and The Master Builder, but personally I prefer The Wild Duck:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wild_Duck
You are right about Peer Gynt being written in verse, and as such a bit more difficult to understand, but to the Norwegian soul, it's a very important piece.

It's bedtime in the land of the Vikings, so I'll bid you all good night, sleep tight, have wonderful dreams and wake up happy.

Well interrupted by a long phone call from Aris' Mum. Put the world to rights and moaned about the weather!

Ro thanks for the news! Happy New Year to you as well. Thankyou our lovely landlord, did we mention we love you? Can't wait.

Jane grovelling will work if I can get a copy. Actually my local WH Smiths doe usually stock it now, fingers crossed.

All very intellectual aren't we? Ibsen eh? Well his plays are terrific if not a laugh a minute! Oh and Morning was one the first pieces of classical music I fell in love with. Beautiful.

Anne your lady in yellow is the best by a country mile in my humble opinion.

Geri, I can never find a pen when I want one, they must have all migrated to your place.

Oh Fi, jolly good!!!!!

Ro, thanks for the info, that’ll be a copy of the Stage needed next week then.

Eva, thanks for the link to that lovely music.

Jane, if Pauline can’t get a copy let me know, and I’ll get one.

Ploppy did manage to get home at 7pm, frozen and fed up. He’s now snoring ready for a 3.30am start, who’d be a lorry driver??

Oh well time to let the dogs out, set the kitchen fairies, and fall into bed. 12 MORE SLEEPS!! Nite nite Loppies x

...and I saw Peer Gynt at the National a few years ago and one of my solos for concerts is Solveig's Song. Very cold out there (-3) - inside of the windscreen icing up as I breathed! Great!! Still house felt nice and warm when I came back in. Oh Scott Dear you kept that under your hat!! Something else to look forward to next week - thanks for the heads up Ro! Fi I wondered about struggling with icy or snowy blankets too! Right off to bed now so Sweet Meads all!!

I can get some copies next week, as I seem to have the week booked off for some reason, if anyone wants me to. Just email me. I'll give them to you on Saturday.
A bit tired due to running around playing chase the dog.
Nightlee night

Thanks Ro for info re Scott's interview and thanks Scott, sounds as though you might have covered my question. What a week to look forward to!

I remember seeing the RSC Peer Gynt years ago with Alx Jenn., Eva, not my favourite Ibsen, though I do really like most of his plays, specially The Wild Duck.

Ok time for my bed as well so night night all sleep tight.

The roof man cometh - again! Been mad busy packing up the Christmas decorations early, I usually leave them all til 12th night. Hoping for rain overnight (yes really) so he can find the leak tomorrow. Getting rather worried about Sheffield as the Snape Pass is closed at present and no sign of a let up in the bad weather over that way. We still have no snow here and the gritting lorry trundles past religiously every night at ten thirty. What a great selection of programmes on this blog:-) just watched Hustle, brilliant. Looking forward to Silent Witness and Wallander was great last night. Isn't it nice to have the 'proper' programmes back again - I missed Eggheads over the holidays. I sent off some thankyou cards today and had a trip to the sales - bought some nice new warm boots and for a change they will probably be worn straight away! Happy New Year and may I be the first to wish you all a very Merry Christmas for 2010 (well Tesco had Easter eggs on sale on New Year's Eve so it won't be long!!!)

Morning. It’s a beautiful one here.

Glad to have you back, Geri.

Thank you for the new home, Scott. Hope you had a good Christmas and a Happy New Year to you.

Hopefully, got my pencil back ...

Yes! It's been so long took me a while to remember my password.

Belated happy birthday, Brenda, hope you had a good one.

Woo hoo I see there's something else to cheer me up when we get home. Thank you Scott.

Right, better look at w*rk emails. It has been lovely and quiet for the last 10 days but now everyone's gone back, it's a different story.

Have a good day all if I'm not back today.

Good morning, loppies. I see we're celebrating our new home by having very early blogging -- not often someone makes it in ahead of me, Diana! Thanks for the welcome.

Ohming that your road to Sheffield will be clear by the time you need to head that way, Carys. I know how paranoid I am at present about getting to Windsor (via Yorkshire).

I'm sooo looking forward to some Meady news. I can generally get my copy of The Stage on Thursday or Friday here, but of course I'll be in Yorkshire next week, so have to hope there'll be copies left by the time I get back home. At least having it waiting til after I return will give me something good to look forward to after the inevitable let-down following the show. Have we mentioned how good you are to us, Scott?

Morning all. It's another clear, cold and crisp day here. -5 degrees, so not bad at all.

Hello sweetheart. No, you won't need your t****s shorts today. I won't have time to practice with Sir Cliffy now. If there is time later, I'll let you know. I think those warm jeans with a woolly jumper over is the right wear for today. I see the fire is lit and I can smell the coffee. (I've finished my lovely Christmas coffee, so it's back to the old blend today.) Toast? Yes please.

Let's have a look at today's paper and see what we can choose for today's lesson. (Yes, the Wimp has braved it today. It might have something to do with me calling and complaining yesterday, saying that if he wasn't brave anough to try the hill with a little snow in the road, he shouldn't have a driver's licence! That wasn't too harsh, was it?)
Here is a good one:
" Ytringsfriheten må også gjelde retten til å støte."
"The Freedom of Speech must also include the right to offend."
This is a quote from a very wise lady following the carnage in Denmark where a man tried to kill the artist behind the Mohammad sketches.

I'm so pleased to read that so many of you appriciate Ibsen and his plays. Grieg's music to Peer Gynt is an extra bonus. Here is a link to YT where Sissel (I've spoken about her before) is singing Solveig's Song. I can imagine our very own Carol singing the same song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qwy6aLNlyY&feature=related

I was checking out the weather on Sky's homepage this morning, and it looks like cold weather for the rest of the week. I think all we can do is cross our collective fingers and hope for a) a thaw next week or b) no more snow.

Jo,- if you're buying up a lot of The Stage, please can you keep one for me? Thanks muchly. My e-mail is still out of sorts. I tried to open up a mail today, and got the "Ooops" message again!

Another busy day. I'm buying paint, brushes and other paraphanelia (sp?) for a paint-fest this coming weekend. There will be 5 of us painting my two new bedrooms on Saturday. No lack of volunteers. Do you remember earlier I used the word "dugnad"? Well, this is a typical dugnad,- friend/family coming together voluntarily to help with some work that needs doing. I'll cook a large casserole with something nice in, serve with bread on paper plates and plenty of drinks. That will be their payment, and everyone is happy.

Good morning all -

Yep! I'm late this morning - but I have a good reason for not going into w*rk just yet. Actually I have four. Having a blood test this morning; waiting for a plumber to ring back because our heating has died; the snow in the city is really bad and causing traffic delays (though there's not problem at home just yet); and I'm coming down with a cold that has to be gone by next week!

Thank you so much Pauline Sue and Jo for coming to the rescue with the Stage (sounds like a plot from a Western) and Ro thanks for the info about the contact number.

Carys - I hope you get your roof sorted out soon! Many many OOOHHHHMMMMSSS that you can get to Sheffield.

Crikey Diana! You're doing w*rk in SA???!!!

Hello BHB - it's nice and warm in here this morning! Warmer than my house! No tennis today eh? Eva's rushing off to buy paint is she? Well you've plenty of time for a lovely long snuggle with me before the CM and DCM arrive - Mmmmm - nice!

Morning, morning - see the early birds have been in already, the fires have been lit and it's looking very cosy. Not quite so cold out today, but clouding over and I think they have forecast flurries of sleet/snow. Currently talking about possibly overnight snow and then later in the week a large fall in the South East....lots of ooohhhhhhhhhmmmmmmsss for everyone that it's cleared by next week! Nadolig Llawen for 2010 to you too Carys - there are hot cross buns in M&S too...saw them on Saturday! Right Baby Boss in today so better get cracking. Just time to pop upstairs to the staff room - oh look the BHB has come down to find me. I'll grab this jug of mulled wine and a brie and cranberry panini and then we can go and await the arrival of the DCM.

Morning all. Must say Twin it isn't noticably warmer here! The world is still in the deep freeze and I see they are forecasting 5 to 10 inches, yes inches of snow overnight tonight, gulp! All I can say is better this week than next, but I don't want it at all. It means another spell of fighting my way round to Sloppy.In fact it is snowing here already. Not happy.

The Bistro looks lovely and cosy, morning BHB yes I am feeling a bit cold, ooohh I like his way of warming me up, that was a lovely snuggle. Yes I'm ready for the staff meeting, I'll get the jug of Mulled Wine and I think a cheese and tomato panini and up we go to join the CM.

Thank you all sooooooo much for the birthday wishes. Had lovely family meal on Sunday and opened presents, and went to cinema last night to see NINE. I enjoyed it, reminded me a little of the films Chicage and Moulin Rouge, bit strange in parts, half told in song - glitzy - but good. Was freezing though, as heat not working, I complained during the film as there was cold air blowing about, and then again at the end, and received some complimentary tickets!! The sad person I am enjoying one birthday present more that the rest - a lead to link my pc to the tv, watching vids of LEE ON THE BIG SCREEN!!! THUD, THUD, THUD, but Suex you know what that is like!
I subscribe to The Stage, and also registered for web-based digital copy so should actually have it on the Wednesday, wey hey, can't wait.
Had a reprieve today, supposed to be attending a Speed Awareness Course at 8am this morning. Snow really bad here and I spoke to the course instructor at 7.20 this morning and he advised me not to go in. Was caught speeding the day was rushing home from work to go to Longleat, so it's all Lee's fault!!!
Hope everybody is ok.

Ahhh, back to normality! I've managed to get loads of work done and feel a sense of normality has finally returned to the house after the madness of christmas etc. I just hope the schools don't suddenly decide to close due to the weather, as much as I love my boys they need to be back there!
I'm now patiently waiting for a BT engineer to come and sort out my vision box which has been out of action for several weeks! They have given me a slot between 1 and 6 pm!! Which means it will be at school run time or tea time no doubt.

YIPEE pencil is back thank you dear Scotty and thank you for the new home.
Girls I am very worried about Windsor cos they are talking about weather lasting the month.I do hope it will abate , we don't want the Go stranded or us going to se him.
Ro thank you for letting us know about the interview have emailed you Jo about it.
Brenda did not know it was your birthday so I wish you a belated one and am glad you had a good day.
Have undone Christmas decorations too this morning unsual for me cos I always wait the twelth night, but tree was blocking central heating heat and as we have not had chiminey swept I could not light a fire to compensate.
Better go down and finish it all.
Camelford and wadebridge and Bodmin bad here lot of snow that has now melted but I fear tonight for the wet to freeze.
Speak to you all later bye for now.xxxx

oh pencil thou art beautiful sigh of happiness!!!!!

Afternoon All
Happy New Year Scott and thanks for the new home. Thank goodness, everyone seems to have their pencil back, fingers crossed I’ll have mine at home also.

We were sent home from w**k early yesterday because the heating wasn’t up to scratch, nice big boss walked into the general office area in the afternoon and said he couldn’t have us all shivering at our desks so we finished at 4pm, good start to the new year. Heating is sorted today though so I don’t think we’ll have a repeat.

Sister, hubby and their 3 fly home tomorrow morning so ooohmmmms for the airport weather on this side and for their arrival. Going down to Mum’s this evening for a last visit, (big sigh..) hard to say goodbyes, I know how you feel Alison. As we’ve all been saying, thank goodness for our little lift in January, 2009 the Adelphi, 2010 the Theatre Royal, 2011... who knows?? But it is something I’m getting quite used to.

Still Christmassy at our house, but I think I’ll start taking the decs down from tomorrow night so that I can do a big clean at the weekend. Have something planned for the weekend after but can’t think what........ If anyone has a clue, could you remind me please?

And yes Ali, I have your ticket safe and sound, was checking them and my flight reservations the other day, seems like ages since I booked. Jill – I have yours also for the evening show.

Belated Happy Birthday Brenda – sorry to have missed it, sounds like you had a lovely day. Funny to hear about your pc/tv lead, just a little thing to some people, priceless to loppies!!

Oh dear Eva, you did need to blow off some steam yesterday, glad to see you’re calmer now. Great to have your team of helpers coming around to do the painting. What colours have you chosen?

Well done Fi on getting your assignment (almost) finished. Stick with it now and have it ready for next week. We just can’t do Windsor without our turquoise loppy!

Happy New Year to you too Ro – thanks for the twitter update

Jane – hope the blood test went ok and isn’t anything serious

Ooohhmmmms that Carys and everyone can get to Windsor ok, we’ll be watching the weather reports with fingers crossed.
Ooohhhmms also for any poorlies - keep taking those vitamins!!

Unlikely to be on tonight, be back tomorrow, safe home everyone.

Hmmm - still no phone call back from plumber. At least I got the blood test done.

Glad you enjoyed your birthday Brenda! That sound like a brilliant present you got!

Aw Chantale - waxing lyrical about your pencil! But I know what you mean - I'm delighted to have mine back! Try not to panic about the weather next week just yet. Even the BBC say that anything beyong 5 days is a 'stretch' for forecasters. We'll just OOOHHHHMMM lots!

Karen2, It wasn't me that you got the evening ticket for, because I already have my tickets, will e mail you.
Right I have been to Windsor today and confirmed my booking for the Restuarant, I have a list of 20 people , so if you don't get an e mail from me but want to come to Lunch please e mail me.

Sorry K2! didn't see you there. Glad to here your bosses send you home when it's cold.

testing...

Well I've booked train tiokets for Sheffield - seemed the sensible thing to do and even got some cheap advanced deals which is very unusual at the weekend. Shame it will be such a small gathering compared to the massive Windsor fest but anything with the GO is worth it. The roof man did not come - he is stuck in at Warrington under a foot of snow. We even have white stuff here - about an inch of hail sleet and snow fell this morning and the beach looked very festive.

Yay, Big Boss has just sent an email to all staff to finish early for the rest of this week and told us to "be careful out there" - awww....

Well have been to see Sloppy early and make sure she will be ok. If we get this enormous snowfall here it could be a struggle getting to her in the next few days. Grrrr! The traffic reports make it sound just awful, I'm dreading it. Just very glad it isn't next week I think there would be some frantic Loppies around!

Thanks again everyone for your birthday wishes.

Getting really worried, the weather is really bad here, snowed all last evening, and it hasn't stopped snowing all day. Supposed to be in London tomorrow watching Legally Blonde. It's a Whatsonstage special deal, ticket, drinks, promo cd, and after show Q&A session. If we make it and you can think of any questions to ask the cast, Sheridan Smith, Duncan James, Peter Davison, Jill Halfpenny or Alex Gaumond, let us know!! I believe the snow is going South though and heavy fall expected, maybe it will be cancelled.

Message for Chantale

Did you receive a reply to your email. I replied to you from your email a few days ago but have had a "failed" message twice!! At least you know I wasn't ignoring you.

Hi all

I HATE SNOW!!!!!!!

It's awful here, it's been snowing all day. I managed to get to w**k this morning by a very scary bus ride and then at 1pm I got a phone call from a colleague who lives near me to say that they had stopped the buses coming into the village. At 3pm we were told that we could leave if we wanted to but we would have to use our own flexi (in the olden days they used to say that if we made the effort to get in and worked for at least four hours we could count a full 7 and a half hour day - not anymore though, stingy s*ds!). So I got a bus that got me as near to home as possible and then I had to walk the rest of the way (only about half a mile or so but when there is several inches underfoot and it's snowing a blizzard it's hard work!!). Then, when I got home I couldn't open the gates as the latch had frozen!! I had visions of having to climb over the wall!! Okay, so it's not a very high wall, about 4ft, but I'm not a very high person am I!! Nor am I very nimble these days!! Still, at least it would have given the neighbours a laugh! Whilst I was wrestling with the gates one of the neighbours came home and we had to manhandle the gates until they eventually opened! Anyway, at least I'm home safe and sound - I hope everybody else gets home okay too.

I did manage to stop at the shop on the way home to stock up on Vodka supplies - even the snow can't come between a lush and her incohol supply!!!

Yesterday wasn't much better. My bus didn't turn up in the morning - nothing to do with the weather, just a cr*p bus service - so I was stood for nearly an hour in the freezing cold. It's the usual dilemma, do I stay or do I go, knowing full well that whichever decision you make will be the wrong one, and by the time you've decided to go, you realise it's nearly time for the next bus, so you end up staying!! Am I making any sense!! When I got to work I found that the boiler had broken over the weekend and there was no heating all day. We were sat with coats and scarves on all day and, as I said to Geri and Jane, if I could have typed with gloves on I would have worn them too!!

So, it's been an eventful couple of days!

I have to say, I'm getting really worried about the travelling situation next weekend! Lets keep everything crossed that there is no more snow!!

Btw, my cryptic post the other day was, as Geri said, because my laptop crashed (and it's sooooo slow tonight, I'm getting really frustrated with it!) just as I was starting to type (although I rather like the idea of being mysterious, thank you Jane!!). Anyway, it was a very witty and intelligent post (who sniggered!) about ball boys and short shorts (ok, so it was a gutter comment and perhaps best that it didn't come through!!)

Thank you for the new home Scott and for the interview.

Brenda - Belated Happy Birthday

Eva - hope you get your medication sorted out.

Sue1 - I feel for your Ploppy being a lorry driver in these conditions!! It must be quite a worry for you too, although I'm sure lorries are well equipped for adverse weather conditions, at least, I would hope so!

Jane - no, no, no. Mega ohmmmmmssssss for your cold!! We need you fighting fit for next week.

And I think we need mega ohmmmmmssssss for the weather!

Although we have no snow here it is forecast for later this evening and tonight and by all accounts it will fall in bucketloads. It is very very cold. Went to the town this morning and raided Sainsburys and the butchers so if we do get snowed in we are OK for food and incohol. My feet were so frozen that I could hardly walk. Chilblains playing up.

I am crossing my fingers like mad for all you frantic Loppies worrying about next week, surely all the white stuff will be gone by then.

Ohms for your cold Jane, get rid of that as quickly as possible and Sue1 I hope your Ploppy is OK in his lorry.

Eva dear, please get your e-mail sorted soon.

My neighbours are due back from Gibraltar at any moment now and oh boy - are they going to feel cold.

I think I read somewhere that Suex needs some ohms so lots of them on the way to her.

My paint shopping went very well (the shop assistant gave me a discount!) so I splashed out on some good brushes! Two colours,- one light, pearly grey for my bedroom and a very pale green for the guest bedroom. I also got some discounted ( you didn't think I'd changed just because I'd crossed a couple of borders, did you?) wall paper which I'm going to use on several wardrobes. Much cheaper than buying new wardrobes!
I've also bought some lovely Christmas decorations! No, I haven't lost the plot! They are for next year, of course, and they are selling for half price now!

Karen,- never mind whether you make sense or not! The important thing is whether we understand you or not, and of course we do! Our brains work like yours,............in a muddle!
Your travels to and from work sound like a nightmare. Our roads are properly maintained now, so even with snow, they are passable. The pavements are another question. No sooner have they been cleared, then there is a snow plough in the road, thowing new snow back on the pavement. You would have thought the two could talk to each other, wouldn't you? No such thing. One man who complained to the council got the answer that clearing the roads and clearing the pavements were done by two different departments, so they didn't plan together! Doh!

Sue1,- I'm not envious of your poor Ploppy having to drive day in and day out in these conditions. Give him my best.

JaneE,- you do not want or need a cold now. Vitamin Cs, Lems*ps, mulled wine, anything to keep it away.

Just made it home with only a covering of snow on the pavements.
Got to go and see elves, they have bought a laptop and MrT is due in hour.
Back later

Hi all. Eva - is mulled wine good for colds- hmm might have to try. My cold back with a vengeance - have very chesty cough and swollen glands. I need to be well this week so I can finish my assignment and then well next week so I can go to windsor.

Your post Karen reminded me of year in edinburgh the gritters went on strike. The year of heavy snow. No not easy walking in snow.

Carys _ think i might try and persuade Jules to take train to sheffield - she is driving but... tho when we last looked not any cheap deals.

Of to have hot toddy - or mulled wine...

Hi All, I hope you’re all safe and warm at home. I left work early because a workman was supposed to be coming to fix my front door. It's been sticking so badly that one day over the holidays it took me and my sister ten minutes to open it! Anyway, all that rushing & the stinker never showed. Grr!

Carys, did you get your roof fixed? Glad you’re going to get to the (Sheffield) ball!

I like your ‘dugnat’ idea, Eva. They do something similar in America, but there’s usually a large amount of incohol involved.

Oh dear, Jane, you didn’t mention you had a cold. Ohming loudly for you to get better, the weather to improve, the roads to get cleared, the planes to take off on time (and land safely) and us all to be under the same roof as the GO at our appointed times.

Hope the schools cooperate with you, Ali!

Ohms for your family’s travel to go okay, K2. Wish my bosses were as nice as yours. There was no heat at all in the main building yesterday, and my office is never warmer than 10 degrees when I get in and takes a good 2-3 hours to warm up. But do they send us home? Do they ever!

Hope your sloppy is okay, P2. I know you worry about her in this weather.

Poor KK, what a day you had of it! I hope you’re safely curled up with a tall glass of something bracing and the soothing sounds of someone curly-haired and gorgeous on the CD player.

And poor Jan, too. I hope you’re feeling better.

Hope Mr Elf is feeling better, Jo.

Ohms for you too, Fi. Feel better soon.

A loppy is born (read the whole bit, not just the first mention of ADWD): http://life-thegoodthebadandtheugly-life.blogspot.com/2010/01/first-weekend-in-2010.html

Brrrrr, the longest cold spell for thirty years! Thought I wasn't imagining it.
Lots of warnings of inches and feet of snow here tomorrow, done a shop this evening so may just batten down the hatches for a couple of days.

I was meant to be going to see the latest David Hare at the National tomorrow but might have to give it a miss. Hoping that things improve next week, will make a more determined effort to make that date!

Ooohhmms to you Fi and Jane for your colds and to all struggling to get around in this weather.

Another very belated Happy Birthday to you Brenda, our front line reporter of all things re GO.

Eva, I hope the dugnad goes well at the weekend.

Interesting link Geri. It appears that the writer doesn't realise that Joseph has opened and closed some time ago. Poor soul.

Karen2, going back to the pub you mentioned (was it Johnnie Fox's or something similar), it looks really good but pricey. The food sounds absolutely wonderful but I would have to win the lottery or mortgage the house to sample it.

Fi, get rid of that cold pretty damn quick. It sounds really nasty. Lots of ohms for a rapid recovery.

Karen, when I related to Ploppy the story of your awful journey home from work and the frozen gate he said "Oh dear. Poor Child". Made me smile. He says that when he really means it.

Thank you all for the OOOHHMMS for my cold, but it's being kept at bay so far with ecchinecia (sp?) so I shall pass on the OOOHHMMSS to Fi and Jan and poorly Loppies and Mr Elf(Pauline does your sloppy need some?) and loads an loads of OOOOHHHHMMMMMMMMMSSSSSSSS for the weather next week and all travelling Loppies - and for the week after Jo, Fi and Carys (glad you've got the train booked!)

Hope you make it to LB Brenda! And you make it to the national Maeve!

OMG KK! What a nightmare! I'm appauled that the LA don't give credits for bad weather! get some vodka down yer neck!

Thanks for the link Geri! Going to read it now.

If I don't get back on sweet meads all!

And

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmsssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just read the link - Awww your right Jan - the poor dear doesn't realise she's missed it! Should someone enlighten her about LASC I wonder?

New laptop all set up it wifi. It has Windows 7, oh dear. Seems to be working though. I've left the elves playing. The laptop mouse is a challenge to 2 people who have spent their lives doing hard manual work.
Poor dog was caught short while I was out, so I have a nice damp patch, luckily most of it was absorbed by a saddle cloth. MrT said I was the 2nd of 14 tonight, he was going to try to deliver the ones on the flat first. There are hardly any cars about and the road is covered.
I'll catch up before I put it all away.

Oh poor new Loppy. TK has helped me read that link, she seemed to want to find the word 'gggggggggggggfhh56', must be cat language. Or 'sorry mummy for leaving the mouse head in the middle of the carpet for when you came back from work today'. Sweet.

Well the wretched snow has arrived and it looks like as usual we are going to get the really heavy falls of snow. It is forecast to keep going till tomorrow afternoon! I don't think I'll be able to get out tomorrow. Thanks Geri you are right, if it was just me I would batten down the hatches and ride it out, but having Mum I can't do that, especially if as usually happens, the carers ring to say they can't get to her. I'm with you Karen, I HATE SNOW!

Your journey home sounds terrible Karen. I hope you have thawed out and tested that vodka thoroughly!

Ohhhhmmmmms for Fi, that cold sounds nasty. Lots of hot toddies needed I think.

Eva, a dugnad sounds like a good idea to me.

Oh dear Jane, not your day then? Ohhhmmmsss for the heating and the cold, hopefully the blood test is routine, and hopefully the snow won’t last.

Brenda, that’s my kind of birthday present, Lee on a big screen.

K2, safe journey home for your Sister and family. Bless your Big Boss.

Karen, I think we should all ohhhhhmmmmm like mad for a break in the weather for next week. We don’t usually get much snow in this neck of the woods, but surrounding areas can be bad. Sounds like Yorkshire is getting more than it’s fair share. You know what trains can be like, it only wants to be the wrong sort of snow and we’ll be snookered!!

Fi, get yourself off to the doctors, you need to be fit in ELEVEN sleeps!!

Jo, why oh dear for windows 7?

Pauline, ohhhmmmsss that the carers get to you Mum tomorrow, what happens to the people who have no relatives if they can’t make it?

I’d like some ohhhmmmsss for my Ploppy, and for anyone on the roads in this weather. (I passed on your best to him Eva.)

Time for hot water bottle and bed I think. Everyone stay safe tomorrow. Nite nite Loppies x

Btw Scott, I can't wax lyrical like Chantale, but it's lovely to have my pencil back!!

Oooohhhmmmmssss for good weather next week.
Ooohhhhmmmmssss for all those with colds, feeling poorly or in need.
Ooooohhhhhmmmmssssss for Pauline to cw able to get to her Mum's if she has to.
It is snowing here, so that means it probably is in Windsor too. We live 2.5 miles away!
Only 8 sleeps til I see GO.
Karen, be careful if you go out tomorrow.
Eva, the colours you've chosen for your bedrooms sounds just right.
THanks for the links Geri. My aunt who lives in SA says she watched ADWD and thought GO should win.
K2, hope your family get away OK. I see some airports are closed. LHR is open as I can hear a plane going over now.
Ploppy not home from work yet, bet he'll be cold when he gets in.

...of course mulled wine is good for germs Fi - it's good for anything!! We now have an inch of snow here and it's still falling - Twin and I were supposed to be meeting for lunch tomorrow in Town, but for obvious reasons have cancelled not the least because I might not make it in!! Flip they are just saying the cold weather is going to last until the end of January!! Help!! At least I didn't have to go out today as meeting at our house - someone else was the unfortunate that had to drive out in it. Hope you are all tucked up warm - lots of ohhhmmmmmmmsss for those in need!

Windows 7 is new for me, so as an EITS (Elf IT support) I have to work it out. I'm fine with XP, 2000 and Vista, then Microsoft just HAVE to bring out a new one.
Why is it when you're rushing to put stuff away TK just has to go into each cupboard as it is opened. OK, I know she is bored, as she doesn't want to go out in the snow. Just under 2 ins so far and it is still coming down. If we get the 15cm predicted it will be like the other Friday, when I was off sick.

Oh dear, sounding dicey over there. You will all get it cleared up before I fly to Yorkshire on the 13th, won't you? Ta much.

I'm headed off to bed. I've booked a taxi for tomorrow -- don't fancy doing a Sonja Heine (sp?) trying to get to the bus stops tomorrow.

Good night and sweet Meads all.

Just to say lots of oooohmmms for those travelling out tomorrow morning, above all, please keep safe, just hope this dammed snow stops falling soon.

Sue I think that they ring me to say they can't make it as they know I will manage something usually! Still poor things it can't be fun in this weather. Lots of ohhhhmmmms for your Ploppy. Rather him than me. Thank goodness they do keep driving though as we'd all be a bit hungry otherwise. I think we have about 3 inches of the vile stuff so far. Geri believe me we'll do our best. I think we should be grateful it is next week not this! I least I hope we should be, ohhhhmmmm!

...we have about an inch and a half and still falling - doesn't look like it will stop - mind you the garden looks pretty! Off to bed now, so Sweet Meads (and keep warm) everyone!

The first of the snow has arrived and I don't want any more of it. At the moment it isn't very much and I hope it stays that way.

Our neighbours arrived home from Gibraltar via Gatwick at about 8pm, I think they must have just made it before the airport was closed. I heard on the news that they are working flat out to clear the snow there.

Good idea to order a taxi for tomorrow Geri. Sonja Heine? I am far to young to have even heard of her. I am only 27 you know.

Keep warm everyone. Ohms for your Ploppy Sue1, must be a horrible job in this weather. Pauline, I hope everything goes OK with Sloppy tomorrow.

I am off to bed too . Yes Brenda I did get your email and answered wonder why you did not get it.Sorry about that.
Girls if you are venturing out tomorrow may you and your ploppies be safe. Ninite all Sweet Meads .
Carys i hope your roof is now ok.

Well I'm sick of looking at the snow so will go to bed and let it do it's worst! Thanks for your kind thoughts. I appreciate it. Night night all sleep tight.

3 ins now, yes I've been out and measured it. The A road outside my house is covered white. No cars. I've brought my laptop home from work so I can carry on tomorrow if required. (at least I have enough cat food for about 3 weeks)
Take care if you have to go out. Hope the heating carries on working for all.
Nightlee night

Oh Oh, I've just looked out of the window and the eagle has landed, sorry mean the snow has arrived, an inch or so at the moment, we'll see what it's like in the morning.

Night all and take care if you're out early tomorrow..

Morning.

We had a lovely evening with our friends, a nice meal and a few glasses of wine. After a very hot day, we had an exceptionally warm evening so sat on their veranda before dinner and had the doors open while eating. It was warm overnight, once of the warmest I can recall here and I didn't sleep too well so this morning I'm feeling a bit morning after the night before. It's going to be even hotter today, it felt like 25 degrees at 7.00 am as I walked over and there's very little breeze. I think it'll be too hot for me today so can certainly spare a few degrees, it's rather a long way to send it to the UK but I'm doing my best! Seriously I do feel for you all and the awful weather - keep warm and take care when out walking or driving. Lots of ohmmms.

I haven't caught up on the last 48 hours but did see the link Geri posted. That blog is by someone in South Africa. Wonder if Auds also watched ADWD.

Good morning all!

Thanks for the good wishes re our bolier and my cold. The good news is the cold hasn't come out (feeling fine this morning) the bad news is the boiler has now died completely - or so it seems and neither of the plumbers we use are answering our calls.

Yes please BHB a snuggle would be lovely coz I'm pretty pibbed off!

And I see it's snowing on everyone expect Diana and I assume Auds

Good morning all.

Sounds like winter is really shaking its pointy icy finger at us all. We had another sprinkle last night, more hail than snow. Unfortunately it's landed on top of a layer of ice so it's pretty dicey for anyone who has to travel. I do hope anyone who has to go out (like Pauline) will look after themselves. KK, no climbing over gates, if you please!

Oh dear, Jane, that's not good. You really can't be without a boiler during this horrible weather. I'm sure you and / or your ploppy will be on the warpath -- uh, I mean on case!

SA, Diana, that explains it. I couldn't figure out where she had posted from. Shame she'll never get to see Our Hero as Joe (not even in DVD format, blooming Really Useless Group!) Maybe she'll discover the goodies on Youtube.

Right, got to get myself sorted. Ohming that everyone has a good and safe day.

Morning all. It's clear with plenty of stars out and it c-c-c-c-c-c-cold! -9 degrees today!

Hello sweetheart. I see you've taken precautions, but if we stay inside the Bistro, you can take off the parka, the wollen, knitted cap, the big scarf, the warm trousers (!), the long Johns (! ! ! ) (He's undressing as I write), and.............no, you can keep the boxers on! (He's now putting on more appropriate indoor's wear.) PHEW! It got very hot here suddenly!
Yes, I think we could both do with a sobering mug of leaded and some toast with honey. Then the fire is winking at us to come and join it on the sofa. The paper is here again today (Maybe I'll change the Wimp's name to the Brave One? Naaaaa.)
Here is today's Norwegian lesson:
Folkeavstemning om milliardgjeld.
Referendum about billion debts.
This is of course about Iceland's president who yesterday refused to approve of the paying back of money lost to British investors (speculators ?) who lost money while the Icelandic bank collapsed. He says it has to be decided by a referendum. Fair enough, I suppose, because it will be the Icelandic people who'll have to foot the bill.

Geri,- the name is Sonja Henie, so you wer e almost right:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sjnfkEOpsE
Here is something about her life:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonja_Henie

I am too young to remember her too! Do you have to ask? But I have been to the art gallery, The Henie-Ohnstad centre, she and her third husband created outside Oslo.

I have to get the day started. I sincerely hope you all get through your day without too many difficulties. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for your Mum's carers, Pauline, and hope they get to her. All of you driving today:
BE CAREFUL

Mornign - feeling human again - but still human with a bad cold:) Jane you reminded me about echinacae - can you email me me with type you use. i always use it but have run out and had totally fogotten I use it (does that make sense) - and have forgotten what kind. Yours sounds as if working so might as well try that. he hot toddy def helped tho too:)

Going in to work late and hoping to come home early just not to overdo it. got to be well in 10 sleeps Sue! ooh its snowing again - just as I need to go to work. yes our authority like yours karen - if you dont get in or go home early you have to make time back.

Must dash - have a good day and hope everyone survives the snow.

Good mornin', oh that's so sweet. (What a smile). And a nice cup of tea too.

The snow is still coming down here. It can't have snowed too much in the night as it is about 5 ins, not measured it this morning.
I have my w*rk laptop, so I'd better get to it.
Take care if you are going out. Here more snow is forecast later today.
Jane I do hope you contact a plumber soon. It is miserable with no heating (I had 2 winters of it, when I couldn't afford to renew the c heating.)

Morning all, well it has just stopped snowing here, but as we are going to get another dump around lunchtime I think, it is but temporary respite! If I wanted this sort of weather I'd come and live with you Eva! I see all the schools are closed again. Why did they not close when it snowed when I was little? I distinctly remember trudging through the snow to school, it was over a mile away. Not fair! I will wait and see what the day brings forth, I think that looking outside things are moving, so I know that Mums' morning carer will get there, I will try and get round later if the snow allows, though I know she'll be ok for a day or so.

Morning BHB, oooh that was a lovely hug. You think I needed it? Aww you are so thoughtful. What has that Eva been doing to you, making you strip? Yes I'm sure she said it was in your best interests! Right we'll get the most enormous jug of Mulled Wine going, in fact we'll do vats of it as I think everyone would benefit! We'll take our jug up to the staff room and see if the CM has managed to get in yet.

Morning All
Brrr, another chilly one, either it’s not quite as cold out as previous mornings or I’m just getting used to it. We had a fresh covering of white stuff and little flurries on the way in, hope that’s as much as we get today.

Karen your travelling home story had me shivering just reading it. Hope today is better for you.

Eva your colour choices sound very nice, loving that you’re still getting discounts and bargains. I always say I’d love to be able to buy Christmas decs in the January sales but while my budgeting is good, it never seems to stretch to that.

Jan – Johnny Foxes is quite expensive to eat in, (they get away with it because it’s a tourist attraction)but unfortunately those prices aren’t very much over the odds. Dublin is extremely expensive, particularly for eating/drinking out.

Kathleen I’m glad to hear LHR is open, just hope it remains that way through next week. Dublin airport is operating normally this morning so that’s good for my sister & co.

Ok seems lots of ohhmmms are needed, for Fi’s cough and swollen glands, for Jane’s cold, for Brenda getting to the show tonight, for Pauline’s mum and other elderly parents,

And a whole load into the bank ahead of everyone’s travelling next week, oohhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmms!!

Off to check your “new loppy” link Geri.

Oops I spoke too soon!! Just looked out the window and it’s coming down heavy, oh dear.....

Morning all. still white outside! Hope you are careful when you go out in this weather. Oh pauline could do with some.
Eva you must feel nearer to us with this weather we are having.... not long now before we see you again YEHHHH
Geri I have just seen this link and I did think it might have been Diana but reading the profiles made me realise it was not still nie to know that are Go is popular over there too.
Ok Chantale you cannot put it off any longer go and start accounts ..... yuk yuk yuk. ok under durance ! Till later.

Oh Jane lots of oooohhhmmms that your boiler gets fixed soon, not the time for it to go wrong.
Dollop just phoned, all the power cables are down where she lives, and the road is closed as well, I did suggest they try and get to her M i L's but she said they are stranded, I just hope they are going to be OK,I feel so helpless.
I have just read Dianes post out to Ploppy, although I am due to be working the next couple of weeks we might well look out for a cheap flight to somewhere warm.
Please keep safe everyone, take care.

Morning all. The white stuff is still around but I don't think any more fell during the night although the forecast for later in the day and tonight is not at all good. Ploppy has insisted on going for his daily walk so I waved him off as he trudged down the road and retreated to the warmth of the living room. He will probably walk uphill and across the grassy cliffs where he will get a wonderful view of The Channel before heading off to his favourite watering hole.

The refuse collectors have actually come 3 hours early this morning which is just as well because those bl**dy seagulls are everywhere looking for plastic bags to attack.

Ohms to everyone who needs them, keep warm if you can.

Back after picking up most of my meds. I have ordered the other one, just in case, but I might have to pay for it myself this time around. (I'm going to strangle my GP when I see him tomorrow! Don't warn him, please.) At £130 a pop, it's a very expensive medicine, and I can't afford that kind of expence every month! It's just as well I'm the Queen of Special Offers!

Do you remember some time back I posted a link to a town in Norway called Røros? This morning they had - 41 degrees, and apart from a closed airport, life went on as usual!

Jan,- we have 10 Mountain Sense Rules here in Norway. I can't remember them all, but four of them are:
Tell someone where you are going.
Dress appropriately for the weather.
There is no shame in turning around and go back.
If you get lost, dig yourself a cave in the snow and wait for help!
Make sure your Ploppy follows them when he goes out on his walks! And that goes for the rest of you too!

Pauline,- I wasn't making BHB strip! I just told him to take off the very warm clothes. He was sweating, poor lad. (Never mind that I was sweating when he was taking them off!)

Jo, hope you won’t be reduced to eating cat food.

Oh dear Jane, I hope you get a plumber soon.

White over here this morning, and more to come I think. Ploppy had got the car off the drive for me, (we have a sloping drive) but was skating all over our lane, so decided not to venture any further.

Better get some h**sew*rk done then so it’s not an entirely wasted day. Back later.

It's been snowing here all night and still is, have been pondering all morning whether or not to go to The South Bank, was worried about getting home, however have just had a call from the group leader who booked the tickets to say that the theatre will give us a refund or an alternative date which is surprisingly good of them as the performance is going ahead.

Jane , I do hope you get the boiler fixed as quickly as possible, you poor things.
Chantale, good luck with those accounts.
Pauline I hope you don't have to go out today, or if you do, the roads are not too bad.
Fi, nurse that cold well, you must be OK next week.

Hope everyone travelling has safe journeys home.

...made it into the office just about an hour ago and been busy every since. We have about four inches of snow and of coures the tubes (despite website saying running fairly normally) were all over the place. Arrived in London looking like Nanook of the North to find not a drop of the white stuff on the pavements!! It is snowing, but it's wet snow so not settling here. Keeping alert to forecasts and travel updates as due another heavy fall mid afternoon and I don't want to end up stranded here!! OK BHB, here I am safe and sound. You've made me a hot toddy? How sweet! I'll just drink that then grab another jug of the mulled wine and we'll go up to the Staff Room where you can warm me up! Keep safe everyone.

Just testing: just implemented a minor upgrade to our blogging software. There should be no visible changes now that it's in place (although you may have had problems posting while it was happening). If you spot anything that's not right, let me know!

Over the next few weeks, we'll be making some changes to the page layouts using some of the new features we'll have available which should make long comment threads a little easier to manage, among other things...

Thanks Scott, this new blog seems fine, there were problems with the previous one, as you say, there are no visible changes.
Looking forward to reading the interview next week.

Thanks for the info Scott!

Oh dear - I see the snow is causing problems for lots of Loppies! OOOHHHMMSSS that it clears up (and stays clear all next week)

Thanks everyone for the good wishes for the heating (I don't know how you managed without yours so long Jo). I mananged to get in touch with a plumber who is going to try to fit me in today - but I've not heard back from him yet.

Any of that hot toddy left Carol?

Fi - I've e-mailed you.

Back, yes I have been w*rking. Rewritten a training session I'm going to give when I get back from my week off.
Sue1 MrT brought me food for me too. If I don't get to the stables at the weekend I have 7kg of carrots, lots of bread rolls, 20 chocolatebars and 24litres of sunflower seed to keep me going.
Still snowing, medium to light then back again.

should have added 'oil' after seed!
Right off to walk dog

...snowing heavily again. Not happy, well you knew that didn't you!

Jane I really hope you manage to get your heating back on, ohhhmmmm. Not liking the outlook round here at all!

I've been to the post office, dog refused to go out!!
Back to w*rk

Its horrid here as well, thick snowflakes

Glad you got your tickets changed Maeve. I wonder if Brenda will be able to? Unless of course she has braved the weather and is going tonight. Don't envy her the journey if so.

Oh dear like a blizzard here now, I really hope all our working Loppies arrive home safe and sound, lots of oooohhhhms for you all.
I have just e mailed Celia to tell her to ring me when she gets home, I hope her Boss lets her go home early, the road from her firm is horrible.

We had really heavy snow about an hour ago, the road which had been gritted is completely white again, everything looks beautiful with about four inches of snow on all the branches of the trees and bushes but I want it gone!

Hee snow is melting gently. Oh jane I hope your boiler will get done today tis horrid without heat.
Jo your doggy is no fool!!!!. Ploppy is doing dog duty for the moment as Idon.t want to risk an injury again so soon, bless him.
Yes I agree with you Meave snow is beautiful but a real pain in cxountries like us who do not get it regularly.

Hear Hear Maeve, it looks lovely from our Windows but I just want it all to go away.
By the way Ploppy has just phoned his Sloppy and they have hardly any snow in Bexhill.

Boiler is working! The lovely wonderful plumbers have been and we now have heat! Woo hoo!

Thank you for those OOHHMMs

Oops forgot - well done on getting those tickets changed Maeve!

JaneE has got her heating back so all is right with the world! Well almost,- now all you have to do is to get rid of the last traces of the cold, because we don't want you to breathe germs all over us next week! Who's selfish? Moi?
Seriousely, I'm glad you got it sorted.

I gather there is a lot of snow lashing down on you all. I don't like the sound of it, but still keeping my fingers crossed for next week.

Jo,- I think Shannon is a wise, old dog,- sometimes!

Jane you must be so glad you have heating now. Nice Mr Plumber.

You remember I live in the middle of the wilds, no ch5, no cable? The TV transmitter went down just after 2pm, so now no normal TV either. At least now with BrdBd I can watch on the laptop.
I have been working this pm, set up 12 meetings throughout the year and sent email for 55 people to chose which one they want to go to.
I was also ordered to go for a walk at 3.30, so we have been out. There was only light snow then. After I cleared the snow behind the car so hopefully I can go to work tomorrow. I do have about another 4 hrs work I can do from home, goody goody.
Measured the snow in the garden at 3 places, 8 ins, 6ins and 5 ins. This is definitely the most snow we have had here since 1963.
BB cat has just popped out the cat flap and shot back in again.

...home safely - started to snow heavily just before 3pm and settle, so we were advised to go whilst we could. Collected MM and we are now safely tucked up at home and don't have to go out again - hurray!! Hope everyone else is safely indoors too! Stopped off at the local shop to buy some bread and milk (just in case) - milk fine, but not a loaf to be had! May resort to making my own if necessary. Now sitting with a ginger wine for warmth!!

Evening. I spent the day at Sloppy's waiting for a delivery while she was at work. I lit a fire and watched the odd flurry, but we haven't had a significant amount - yet! The shopping fairy (my sister) phoned to say her scholl was closing early as most of the kids have to be bussed home. She was going shopping and offered to do mine to. I accepted very gratefully!
Oohhmms to those snowed in or poorly, stay warm.

Snow? what's that? Overnight our sprinkling of white stuff vanished though we still have a bitterly cold wind off the sea. The roof man is still snowed in at Warrington so let's hope the wind does not change direction as the leak only seems to happen when the wind is downhill. Tess decided to play in the sea - not sensible like Shannon at all though she is much younger. Even Jess got her feet wet but she is old enough to know better! I think all the sea foam blowing about got them interested. I am just seeing if the Christmas stuff will pack back into the same boxes - why does it seem to grow when you take it out?

I'm kinda creeping in, hanging my head in shame for being such an absent loppy ;(

Happy new year to you all - hope you all had a good one.

Sue asked if my fingers could find their way around a keyboard and give you guys their news. Sue and Brenda arrived in London safe and sound with no delays and are looking forward to seeing LB tonight.
Sue's had lots of RL stuff going on over the holiday period which has prevented her from getting onto the blog, she sends her apologies and will hopefully get back on asap.

Well, you're all probably in the grip of winter, hope it's not too bad where you are.
Penicuik has had snow for 3 weeks and quite frankly I've had enough, it looks very pretty and all but it's a nightmare to drive in - there's around 5" of compacted ice with around 7' of fresh snow on top - walking is a good option right now!

Sorry I've not been around - no excuse, it just gets harder the longer I've been away.
I'm not one for new year resolutions normally but on this occasion I'll make one and come on here at least once a week.
I'm not able to make it to the opening night ;( but will make it to Manchester in March ;) hope to see lots of you then.

Stay safe, love Lin

Hi all

Home at last, safe and sound! There are still no buses coming into the village so I have the half mile trek to the nearest bus stop in the morning and evening now!! I said I needed to get more exercise in the new year but this wasn't quite what I had in mind!! Still, think how fit I'll be when it's all over!!

Oh dear, just heard on the local news that this weather is here for another 10 days - NO NO NO!! I'm trying not to panic just yet!!

It always used to annoy me when the weather forecasters said "Don't go out unless your journey is necessary" because some people don't have a choice, but now I know what they mean. If you don't have to go out, stay at home, stay safe and keep warm!

Jane - thank goodness you've got your boiler sorted. It's no fun having no heating on in this weather.

Chantale - good for Ploppy, we don't want you injuring yourself.

Jo - my cat just did the same - shot out of the door and then shot straight back in again saying "Not on your nelly"!!!!!

Lynx - great to see you. Happy New Year to you too. Hope you manage to keep that resolution. Thanks for letting us know that Sue and Brenda got there okay.

Ohmmmss for Jill's dollop & for Celia and for Pauline's Sloppy. And also for anyone else who has family of friends they're worried about.

Evening all, so I have been round to see Sloppy she is ok at the moment. Goodness knows how we'll get on if it lasts for weeks round here which has been threatened. I think winter tyres could be a good idea. I know what you mean about not panicing KK, we'll keep thinking positive! I know that we are going to get snow from the east for the next four or five days. Not fair, we are getting it from every direction!

Hi Lin lovely to see you again. I'm amazed but pleased Sue and Brenda made it to London. Actually it was probably easier than getting the mile from her to my Sloppy! Now you just try and keep your resolution.

Very sensible animals you all have I must say.

Karen and Jo,- I'm impressed with your knowledge of cat talk! I'm not surprised though,- if I can talk to my car, you can certainly talk to your cats! Bonkers? Who?

Blimey,- we've just had the weather forecast, and today there hasn't been one place in Norway with temperatures above zero!

Hi Linx,- good to see you again. Please don't be a stranger. Diva misses her clashes with Gemma. She says this Norway malarky is too cold and white and she needs a Gemma to sharpen her claws on! (I suppose that sent Gemma screaming back to the Scottish mountains!)

Karen,- you'll be a trimmed and fit SL when we meet next weekend!

Glad to say Celia home safely, and all the Neighbours are home now as well, funnily enough Karen Celia and I were discussing about the remark about "only going out if your journey is necessary"what do you do if you have a job to go to?????????
Jo 4 our cat did the same to one look out of the cat flap dived out and was in again within seconds.
Keep safe everyone.

Hello Lynx (waives!) lovely to see you!

Karen - please don't panic just yet - remember the forecast for more than five days can't be entirely trusted.

Eva - I promise not to infect you! The cold does seem to be much better!

Well, I had a hideous journey home. Around 10am we got clobbered with a blizzard and it didn't let up. I got permission to send myself and all non-essential staff home at 2:45. The always lovely Jeremy offered to give me a lift as far as Phibsboro -- it's a 15 minute walk from there. The roads were so bad that bus drivers were ordered to pull over until the blizzard had passed. It took me 40 minutes to do the walk because the ground was so icy and I didn't finally get home till after 5pm -- soaking, freezing, and shaking with stress. I've opened a bottle of red, have something silly on TV, and plan on vegetating for the rest of the evening. I hope everyone in loppyland is safe, warm and at home with no need to travel. I haven't even looked at the blog yet (the hall, where to computer is, is pretty chilly so I'm trying to minimise time there). I doubt I'll make it back tonight so I'll bid you all sweet Meads now.

Geri, sounds a terrible journey home. You are right just to relax now.

I've just had a phone call from my friend who works in the company and lives in the village. He went to work today and said he got in quicker than usual. He left at 3 and it was fine too. I would feel really guilty if I hadn't really done hours of work today.

Hi Lin, good to read you are OK. You are an experienced snow person, not like us softies.

The cats are getting ever so slightly grumpy, BB and BG are not fighting each other. There is the odd yell, but not too bad. They are both taking it out on the furnishing in their own special way. I have lots of kitchen towel and disinfectant at the ready! TK is prowling about jumping on the little bits of rice cake, dog has left on the carpet, as if they are alive. Whitey is nailed to the carpet upstairs where the heating pipes run under the floor, she did move when I took her tea upstairs.

Hooray Jane for your wonderplumber who mended the boiler!

Good to hear from you Lin, keep up your NY's resolution.

I hope SueX and Brenda are spending tonight in London as it seems that most rail lines are closing down shortly after 8pm so no trains leaving after then.

Glad your Mum is OK Pauline and you were able to get to her.

Oohhmms KK and Geri and others that have an awful journey today.

It started to snow steadily here at about 8pm and is still going strong.

Just in case anyone is interested, BBC1 is showing an episode of New Tricks at 9pm because of the re-arranged schedules.

I hope everyone who should be at home are at home. Keep warm all.

Scott Dear, the only difference in the blog that I have noticed is that the captcha words are bi-coloured. Not so easy to read.

Thanks Jan for the NT info, I had spotted it, just didn't know it was new.
I've just watched (via itv player) the ep of The Champions where they get their special powers, I've never seen that one before.
Not snowing here now, just all white and very cold.

Aw Maeve! Wonderplumber sounds like a superhero! Well they both were to me!

Geri - I hope you are snuggled up now with a glass of red - and that goes for you too KK!

Don't feel guilty Jo! You never can tell just how the weather will affect things - you were right to err on the side of caution! Sounds like fun and games at your house!

I agree about that catpha Jan. Have you tried to get an open ID like Jo's and Eva's?

Sweet Meads! OOOHHHMMIng or the poorlies and improvememts in the weather!

I'm just waiting for eldest scollop to get home from cadets. It's safer for him to walk with his friends than for one of us to do the short drive as the hill (ok slight incline, we're in Norfolk afterall!) is VERY icy outside the cadet hut and down to the main road too.
He's a sensible lad generally but I still worry!
Talking of animals, Poppy just singed her whiskers on my scented candle as she jumped on the coffee table to get her to her usual look-out post on the window ledge. Willow was asleep on the other window ledge and fell off which caused Daisy to jump off the sofa and hide behind it!! Cats, I sometimes think they're more touble than the scollops!
Scollop home, good! He wants money for another training weekend, can't complain at £10. Unfortunately the numbers have dropped and their unit is under threat of closure. Hopefully they can drum up some new recruits, scollop has really benefitted from it.
Ooh he's offering me a cuppa, lovely!

Jo, glad you added the oil, I was wondering what you were going to do with 25litres of sunflower seed. Although I do order my bird seed in 25kg bags.

Jane, thank goodness for that, horrible to be cold.

Good to see you Linx, thanks for the info on Sue and Brenda. Oh, and a Happy New Year to you.

Karen, oh no, not another 10 DAYS, that’s no good at all.

Geri, what a horrible journey, hope you’re warm, relaxed and calm now.

Jo, sensible cat, Whitey.

Freezing well here, but at least no more snow. Heard from another of my old ladies that she is still at her daughter’s, so that means I don’t have to go out tomorrow, at least until I go to m-o-l’s tomorrow night.

Ploppy snoring, he had a rough day today, the driver he was with ran into the back of him, skidded on the ice. Fortunately not on the road, but at a works where they had gone to collect salt for the roads. Did quite a bit of damage to the other guy’s truck, he’s that shaken up he’s taking time off work, the other guy that is, not Ploppy.

Time to tidy the kitchen, set the fairies, and crawl under the duvet. All of you take care tomorrow. Nite nite Loppies x

Sue1 glad your Ploppy is OK.
Really tired, this w*rking at home is not at all the easy option. Maybe it would be easier if there wasn't odd skirmish, commands being barked and sound of spraying liquid from time to time.
Nightlee night

Glad everyone made it home safely! Good to hear SueX and Brenda made it down to the snowy wastes of London. Lin - lovely to see. Look forward to seeing you at least once a week from now on in! Not looking forward to battling with the frozen snow tomorrow morning!! Off to bed now so Sweet Meads all.

Poor Geri what an awful journey home. Hope tomorrow is a better day.

Ooohhhhmmmms as well for Twin's journey in the morning, take lots of care.

In fact all who have to go out and about tomorrow take care and safe travelling.

Jo I am not sure that the idea of spraying liquid is a sound I'd want to hear!

Night night all sleep tight.

It is still snowing, goodness knows what it is going to be like in the morning.

I agree with you Pauline, the sound of spraying liquid does not seem very attractive.

Jane, when Eva was having coffee with me before deserting us she tried to sign me in to the open ID without success. I think it is not meant to be.

Jo, the New Tricks this evening was an old one, we had seen it at least twice before but it doesn't matter, even old New Tricks is good is you get my meaning.

Good luck and ohms to everyone who has to leave home tomorrow. Keep safe.

Off to bed now. Nite nite all, sweet dreams.

Too much information there I think Jo!
I'm researching venues for my '0' birthday in september. I told ploppy that under no circumstances was he to give me a 'surprise' party, so he suggested we go away for the weekend. However, I've been persuaded to compromise and it looks as if a select group of family and friends will be going up to North Norfolk for a 1940's murder mystery on the steam train with a 3 course meal then stop over in a delightful guest house for the night. Just need confirmation of the availability and we're sorted. I'm now looking forward to it I think!!
Well, really should turn in I guess. Glad your ploppy is ok Sue. Stay safe everyone. Sweet meads

Night All
Just a quick pop in on the way to my bed, so tired!
This afternoon was going fine, we were told to head home just before 2pm, which turned out to be a good thing as the trip home was a little hairy and I was very glad of the daylight.
The luas was fine but when I got off and started the short drive home I couldn't get my car up one particular hill. The car in front of me was having the same problem and kept sliding backwards towards me. Eventually his two passengers pushed his car and walked with it up the hill but I was on my own so I did a terrifying u-turn and took an alternative route that was about four times longer. When I did get home I was so glad to park the car and I don't want to have to move it again while the roads are this bad.

Called around the family and was glad to hear that everyone was home and safe but that all changed at 8pm when we got a call from my sister to tell us that their flight, which we thought had got out at 12.30 had been cancelled. They were hours on the plane on the tarmac but were eventually were brought back to the terminal and had been there ever since.

I had been watching the 6pm news about the situation at the airport, feeling so thankful that they'd got away but with no idea they were still there! My brother went out to collect them and now they're back at my parents'. They've been told it could be earliest tomorrow evening but more likely to be friday before there's a flight, lovely to have them for another day but I do feel sorry for them.

Very quick skim of the blog, poor Geri - heard the buses went off and I did wonder how you were getting on, hope the glass of red did the trick. Glad to hear that everyone else seems ok but oohhmmmmms for the poorlies.

Hi Linx, always great to see you, and hope you will be able to pop in weekly. Penicuik is a lovely place anyway, I'd imagine it's gorgeous in the snow but I can see why you'd be tired of it after 3 weeks! (BTW - really looking forward to Manchester)

Ali - I love the birthday idea, sounds great.

Not sure what the morning will bring but stay safe everyone.
Oiche mhaith, xx.

Morning all. It's a cold day again, surprise, surprise, and it's been snowing again during the night. It's -4.3 outside and I have to make this a short post, because I have to do some shovelling before I drive off for an early appointment with my GP.

I don't think I'll wake up BHB, but will let him sleep on. The Wimp has wimped out again this morning,- no paper.

Another busy day ahead. After the doctor's appointment I'm heading off to Ikea to pick up a chair! I was going to buy it for my new hallway, so I decided to do it now, so that I've something to sit on while resting between painting bouts.

Then I had a text last night from a former colleague, telling me that there is a meeting today at lunchtime at the Police Pension Club, and could I come? Of course I said yes,- I have been looking forward to this, and it seems the swine-flu scare is over, at least for now.

Glad to hear that everyone got home safely yesterday.
See you all later.

Morning all

Ali - that murder mystery sounds fabulous! I'd love that!

K2 - sorry to hear about your sister's flihgt - hope they get safely away today.

Sue i hope youur Ploppy is OK.

Braving the journey into w*rk now! But of course I have time for a snuggle before I go BHB!

Good morning all. I've got my fingers crossed that there might be a taxi available this morning; there are none at present and I've been told to try again at 7am. My side roads are so bad I feel very unsafe trying to walk on them, and I'm not sure if the buses are running this morning or not. All in all a pretty unsettling start to the day. Nor am I alone: ohms for any of you who have to go to work or head out today. I hope the journey will be a safe one for all of us.

Found this little piece about how Lee (et al)'s armed forces support song is getting played: http://blog.bouhammer.com/2010/01/we-will-rememeber-them/

Have a safe and warm day, loppies. TTFN.

Well, I'm still here. There have been disruptions to all the bus services that I would use, and the taxis aren't taking bookings until 8:30 at the earliest. Sounds like most roads still haven't been gritted. If it keeps up I may have to take an emergency annual leave day.

Morning all.

I'm thinking of you all in this dreadful weather. Hope everyone's safe and warm.

Well so much for thinking it was going to be a scorcher yesterday – the early morning turned out the best part of the day. While I was in the clubhouse a very strong wind got up and temperature dropped, a little later clouds appeared and eventually it virtually clouded over though cleared again mid pm for a while. Today it's overcast and bit drizzly. As I’ve said before, the weather here can be very changeable and you never know what it’s going to do.

Hope your boiler’s working again, Jane; that the carers can get to your Sloppy, Pauline; ohms for your Ploppy and safe driving, Sue1; more ohmmms to Fi and other poorlies. And ohmming madly that the weather improves for next week.

ah well, the snow has reached us 'properly' it seems! The local High School is closed but the Primary is still open mush to Jack's disgust. Ploppy just phoned to say he got to work but slid round the roundabout and had trouble staying on the road.
Stay safe everyone

Morning all. Woke up to 6/7 inches of snow but the sun is shining and the sky is blue which means that there will be a thaw to be replaced by a freeze later on leading to treacherous roads. Ploppy has trudged off again muffled up to the eyeballs. Is he mad? Yes, I think he is.

Karen2, how frustrating for your sister but at least she has somewhere lovely to stay.

Enjoy your lunchtime meeting Eva. Sorry about no newspaper, Ploppy went out earlier to get ours but no local newspaper until later in the day. Most of the schools are shut. It's strange but I just can't remember my school(s) being shut because of bad weather when I was a kid. I can recall slipping and sliding to school and playing snowballs in the playground. Were we made of sterner stuff years ago or did the PTB have less concern for our welfare?

As I will not be venturing out today it's time to get the sewing machine out and do some much needed repairs etc.

Be back later.

Morning all, another day another batch of snow heading my way, sigh. I'm fed up with this game. Another minor irritant is that it is my recycle collection day and yet again the weather will stop them coming and I am snowed under with paper and glass! The bin needs emptying too. Note to self, if I ever move make sure I live on the flat and a four wheel drive car would be a good idea! I was thinking the main trouble is that there seems to be no end in sight to it all. Makes it much harder to deal with.

Ali I rather approve that there is a school open! I'm sure Jack wouldn't agree with me though. They were showing the snow of 1963 on the tv earlier and I know I had to go to school every day through that, and it was worse than it is now, well so far anyway!

Btw Eva it was -5 here this morning, we are giving you a run for your money! Have a lovely day.

Diana can you and Auds bring some of that weather back with you please? I'd settle for wet and drizzly right now!

Morning BHB, you look a bit down, oh I see you are worrying about being stuck here not able to see your family? Well it is a worry I know (him stuck here? Sounds good to me!). Never mind if we take our nice big jug of mulled wine up to the staff room I'll try and think of some way to cheer you up while we wait for the CM.

Morning Loppies still snow on ground here but only a sprinkle but it is perishing. Lin it was great to see you, and look forward to see you at least once a week.9 days left for teh waether to improve!
Got my new glasses they are ok but still difficult with the monitor of computer! i think I will have to get a slim and larger one soon cos I am forever closing muy eye that had the op to see better.
Oh Ali He should have stayed home, all those journeys sound terrible. hope your ploppy is ok Sue1.
ok back to you know what Yuk
Maybe i could join Eva to help her and avoid that task!!!!!. See you all later.

I have to say Pauline I was rather surprised the school opened, although there really is no reason why it shouldn't if there are enough staff able to get in. The only time I remember my schools closing was during the strikes in the 70's, and even then certain years would go in for the morning and use a few classrooms then they would go home at lunchtime and other years would go in for the afternoon. I definitely remember trudging through deep drifts to get to school and my dad digging the car out to drive to work. I guess it's the fear of parents suing the school if a child is injured?

I'll do my very best, Pauline.

Caught up with w*rk stuff and the tumble dryer should have finished so I'd better go back and do the i**ning whilst watching the weather reports on Sky News. It's stopped raining and looks brighter so the sun might come out later.

Take care everyone.

Managed to make it in, but somewhat delayed. Very icy underfoot (both at home and here in Town). Believe we have more snow forecast for this afternoon. Even worse they are saying this weather could last for a fortnight!!! Please no!! Auds and Diana we are relying on you to bring back some nice weather - we need it! BHB don't look glum, you know there is always the bed in the staff quarters if you need it. Right I'll just grab another extra large jug of Mulled Wine (very good in this weather), and we can start the staff meeting. Stay warm and safe everyone and fingers crossed all your journeys to work are ok. K2 your poor sister! Gatwick was closed all of yesterday and I think Luton and Stansted were too. Heathrow had some cancellations but did manage to get some flights out!

Morning All, got to work ok, 45 mins late but at least I'm here. It was -5 in Dublin at 8am, not sure if that has improved at all.
PB's school is open but the buses aren't running up as far as where we live so he can't get in anyway. Poor child had to go back to bed!!
Going to read back to check how you're all getting on, be back shortly......

Oh dear I wish all this horrid weather would go away.
Ali tell Jack all his Aunties are very proud of him getting to School in this weather, he is a little hero again.

Jane – I thought of you when Ali said about the MM, it does sound great and so suitable on the steam train like Murder on the Orient Express.

Geri – are you still here? Whatever you end up doing, take care.

Jan –your ploppy sounds like a man who likes his routine and not a wimp like Eva’s paperboy!

Pauline – hope all is well with your mum.

I do agree with you all about the schools being closed much quicker nowadays. It seemed to take a lot more to have them closed when I was younger, even if the heating wasn’t working we weren’t sent home but told to wear our coats inside.

Of course, depending on how you see it I was either a little angel or a stubborn br*t. My mum reminded me recently of an occasion when I was about 11 when there was a day off school for some reason but I insisted that the teacher hadn’t said it so I’d be in trouble if I wasn’t in. I was so adamant that she let me go ahead and walk (a good 25/30 mins) to school only to find that she was right and it was closed.

Ok, as I am here I suppose I’d better do some work, ttyl.

Hi all - there is very little snow here and bright blue sky:) BUT very very icy - I almost took a complete fall this morning and only by deft acrobatic footwork(!) did I remain upright:). I must have looked a wally but at least I didnt fall over - and I was wearing my special snow boots.

Feeling "tres tres desolee". Just seen oldest scollop off on train AND then had to come home for a study day to an empty house. never thought to have study day earlier in week when scollop home - mind you wasn't well enough then to study - but that only a slight hitch:). Think the mulled wine sounds just what i need Carol

Lin - fab to see you again - Happy new year.

I know you all think Scotland gets bad weather but I never had snow as child as lived on W coast in line of gulf stream so very mild winters. Loads of rain but no snow :(I remember once having enough snow to sledge (but only just) and we were all so excited but only the once.

Geri - snow sounds awful with you - hope you get time off. Think schools shutting is often due to teachers not turning up - or heads worrying that they wont turn up - at least that what my friends who are teachers tell me. I guess people live further from their workplaces than previously.

better get some study done....

Morning, it’s not often I get to say that!! Having a day at home today, so that means ir*ning and h**sew*rk Yeeuk.

Ali, that sounds like a wonderful birthday treat.

K2, your poor sister and family being stuck for all those hours on a plane, not so bad now they’re back at your Mum’s, but they must feel really in limbo.

Eva, enjoy your Ikea shop, and your lunchtime meeting. I’m sure you won’t enjoy the shovelling!

Geri, thanks for that link.

Pauline, I well remember the snow of ’63, and our schools weren’t closed either.

Thanks for the good wishes for my Ploppy, he is well and truly stuck this morning! No, not in the snow but at a salt mine, there are one hundred and fifty lorries waiting to be loaded!! He says he’ll be there for at least another four hours. Apparently the salt he is picking up is the white stuff which they have to take somewhere else to be mixed with brown stuff, (grit and the like) so it can go on our roads.

K2, what hardship for PB!! Stubborn maybe, but I’m sure you weren’t a br*t.

Back in a bit, take care everyone.

Morning all. I'm another one fed up and had enough of snow. I got the bus to work thinking it would be safer as my little car is rubbish on the side roads. I managed to get the driver with the death wish. A driver in front was going very slowly and the bus driver started tooting him and overtook! Unbelievable. Now I'm in work and obviously all my client's have cancelled. I can't say I blame them really.

I agree too that the schools shut very quickly. I can't remember ever having time off school for snow but then back then everyone went to their local school and walked rather than being driven miles in the 4x4. You don't feel the cold when you are young. We were even allowed to go out and play in it so would come in after break absolutely soaking and then sit in lessons and steam. We loved it.

K2 hope your sister got off ok. Mine went back on New Years Day. Their flight was at 10 pm and they were still in departures at 1.30 am because the plane had a technical problem. In the end they got put up in a hotel and left at 2 pm the following day. Not great with 2 small children.

Keep safe everyone and don't go out unless you have to.

Just seen your comment Fi, it's horrible when they go back, and it's even worse for you, I just miss knowing that my godson is just up the road.
We do get to see Jack at the end of the month, he is 21, and his sister is 18, so double celebration. They'll go out with their friends of course, but they've both decide they would sooner me cook than go out for a nice meal with us and their parents!

Ah ha! The mystery of why the roads haven't been gritted has been revealed!! In all seriousness though I hope your Ploppy is OK Sue and wil be able to get through with his (vital) load!

Eva - good luck at the Dr's

Geri - you're wise to take the day off!

Jan - yes your Ploppy is mad

Fi - I hope you'e not hurt yourself with the acrobatics

Pauline - ah, but if you moved to the flat would you then be at risk of flooding?

Major OOOHHMMMS that Diana and Auds bring back some good weather for next week!

Well after a lovely sunny morning we now have horrid clouds, so I guess it is here we go again any minute now! Think I'll stay in the staff room with the Mulled Wine and BHB!

Hummm Jane you might have a point there. Obviously no happy solution.

Sue I think the drivers like your Ploppy are unsung heros. I have been watching them deliver to Sainsbugs (yes I am that near, very handy right now) and think it can't be fun for them, but thank goodness they don't wimp out!

Your poor sister K2. However as I have been stuck in various places in the States because the airports were closed because of cold weather this is an international problem, not our inefficiency!

ooh its snowing - but not heavily.

Not much work done - phoned a friend! She came and had coffee _ i just couldn't bear the silence - and sorry but not even GO on new ipod speakers could dissipate the silence. However he is now keeping me company:) I still love "Raise me up"

ooops air travellers not doing too well. At least your sis got off Alison so ooohmms for yours now K2 + for auds and diana - but dont forget to pack the sunshine you 2 also.

Wonder how Suex and brenda got on last night

Sue - gosh you are a very well appreciated godmother - shows what an important part you (and your cooking!) have been in their life. well done..

really must do some study..

...had a call from the MM and went down to Oxford Circus to join him for lunch - made the mistake of not wearing my snow boots - the pavements on all the backstreets were just sheet ice....don't know how I didn't got over! Must have been the thought of the wine the other end! Whimped out and got the bus back (and even then had a couple of hairy moments on the short walk to the office). Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmsss for anyone in need, those travelling, the sicklies and poorlies (including my uncle who is still in hospital). Let's hope everyone gets home safely. Scott I find the two tone captchas much easier to read than the previous ones, thank you.

Hello again, finishing up and heading home shortly. Latest update is that sister & family are gone back out to the airport and if wishes would carry them they’d be half way across the atlantic by now. We haven’t heard anything for a few hours so we’ve got fingers and everything else crossed!

At least Alison, their three children are all big teenagers now and all had their laptops, books etc., not little ones like your sister’s two. It makes it twice as difficult when you’ve got small children to take care of during long delays and especially at night.

Sue I hope ploppy is getting on ok, he certainly is doing a valuable job right now. When you see him give him a loppy hug from us all.

Carol – Lots of ooohmmmms for your uncle, how is he doing now?

As for skidding over to meet MM at lunchtime - amazing what a LL will do for the promise of incahol! I seem to remember KK crawling up sheets of ice to get to the local last week! – let’s just hope we don’t have to do that in Windsor to see the GO. I can just visualise us all slipping and sliding our way to the Theatre Royal, perhaps if we all link arms we’ll hold each other up! It’ll be like the charge of the loppy brigade all over again!

Ok, I’m going home now before my imagination gets the better of me. Safe journeys everyone, ttyl.

Just been reading an interview with GO from a Maidenhead Paper about the opening of LASC and thought this quote was interesting as it's the most definite news about a Musical later this year although we'd heard rumours.

"He also remained tight-lipped about a brand new musical which he is set to star in this year. But was happy to talk about becoming a father for the first time."

I hope this is the link to the whole interview, I've been having problems with linking lately.

http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/news/article-14422-lee-mead-to-star-in-wilde-play-in-windsor/

Well done to your Ploppy Sue1 and fingers crossed for your sister's family flight K2.
Do be careful Carol, I didn't relise it was so icy in Central London, it's awful round here, I ventured out this morning and did go flying, luckily it was a soft landing in about 6 inches of snow rather than ice. I like the idea of a line of linked loppies sliding around Windsor nex week K2!

We managed to clear our front drive this morning, with help from a Neighbour, he has a 4 x 4 and also offered to take us shopping if Ploppy couldn't get the car out.
Fi I could almost feel your sadness at your silence way down here, as I have said before I do know how you are feeling, lots of hugs coming as well.
The roads here are not very nice we went down to Langley and it was quite icy in some parts, please take care all of you that have to get home from work.
Perhaps we ought to make a sledge for Windsor next week, Oh I just hope and pray ithe snow goes away before then.

Hope you're all keeping well and warm! Can't wait til Windsor. Don't want to be sliding around really, haven't fully recovered from knee surgery. I'm off the crutches but the knee is still weak. Saying that, I managed to see Lee in Joseph when I was on two crutches and had a leg braced! The things we do.....

Hugs to Fi, Oohhmms to K2's family for their flight and to all others who need them.
It had started to thaw here and the roads were clear, we even had thee gritter go through the town and up School Lane! However, it's snowing again now. Ploppy has just arrived...
... he's frozen and tired, better go and make him a cuppa. Back later!

Well, I spent the day at home and got a fair bit of studying done. I hated having to ‘waste’ an annual leave day, but since I wrote 1500 words of my essay it wasn’t a total loss.

Sorry to hear about all the schools closing, but I’m sure the children were thrilled. I hope everyone stayed safe today, and that includes those ploppies who seem to think nothing of forging ahead in the middle of snowstorms.

Hi Linx, I see you were here yesterday. Lovely to have you back again. Please convey our love to Suex. Sorry she’s had such a rough start to the year; I hope it improves soon.

You’re a dedicated lush, Carol. At least the snow gave you an excuse to be unsteady on your feet! Lalala – not listening to any stories about this rotten cold and white stuff being around much longer! (Hope Diana & Auds are taking note about bringing the sun home with them!) BTW, I hope your uncle is improving.

Glad you made it safely to your office, K2. It was -6 when I first posted this morning; I see it wasn’t much better by 8am. I hope your sister got off okay.

I hope you’re feeling a bit better and not so desolate, Fi. You’ve had a wicked time of it lately. Lots of ohms. Jane & I were talking about You Raise Me Up yesterday and saying we’d love to hear Lee do a solo version of it.

Yikes, Alison! That bus driver sounded horrible. It’s awful when you have to trust to a stranger to get you places in bad weather – well, anytime at all, really.

I agree with you, Pauline, that people like Sue’s ploppy are unsung heroes. Would you believe I got told off in work yesterday for thanking people for coming into work? “What are you thanking them for – it’s enough they’re getting paid!” is what I was told. Incredible.

Thanks for the link, Maeve. The GO being tightlipped, huh? There’s a shock! Maybe our Scott got more out of him!

Jo, I hope your elf is on the mend, too.

Safe home, KK, Jane, and anyone else who’s trying to get home from work.

I'm home - no real problems getting back - OOHHMMS for anyone with travel difficulties or poorly - and OOHHMMS for you Fi! And for the family getting off safely K2.

Lovely link Maeve thank you!

Oh dear Chrissi! I hope you don't have to skate in Windsor!

Glad you managed to get so much essay done Geri.

I have thought of you ploppy throughout the day Sue1 - please give him, and others like him, our heartfelt thanks for collecting the salt for our roads.

I feel so lucky and privileged to be able to stay indoors in this awful cold weather. I suppose I have done my share of struggling to work in adverse conditions but it is NOW that matters. I went off the sewing machine business I intended to do and made hearty thick vegetable soup instead. Just right for some mad person I live with when he came home from his snowy walk. He said it was wonderful.

Carol, do be careful in those shoes dear. No sprained ankles or bruised knees please even though the alcohol would have taken the edge off the pain. Put your boots on.

Auds and Diana are going to feel very very cold when they return from SA. Which reminds me - how on earth our cricket team managed a draw I just don't know. They are masters of escape.

I don't need to read the news and weather reports from England on BBC and Sky's wesites. All I have to do is read the blog! I now have a full overview from South East Kent to Scottland, and of course from our Dublin reporters. With Ann reporting from Holland, Diana from SA and myself from Norway, we really do cover a lot of ground!

Jan,- what was wonderful? The snowy walk or your soup? Both? I'll have some of that soup, please!

I've had a busy day which started with a fair bit of shovelling of snow before I could start out. It wasn't too hard, because the snow was very powdery and light. When I got to the doctor, I let him have it about my medication. He looked faintly surprised, then looked at my records, realised he had forgotten to send the application, hemmed and hawed a bit and said:" Don't worry, I'll sort it". I made it clear that I didn't trust him to do it, and I just stared at him until he hemmed and hawed a bit more and said he'd do it right now! So I sat there and waited while he filled in the form and ticked all the right boxes. Then I asked him to print it out and give it to me so that I could post it myself. I said I'd even pay for the stamp! Then we went briskly through the rest of our business, and I think he felt quite steamrolled when I left! Besides, he's one of those doctors who never look at you when they talk to you, just stare at the computer screen and fiddle with the mouse. I hate that!

Then I drove to Ikea, got my new chair into the back of the car, bought some door knobs and headed for the City Centre for my meeting. It was in the cantine in the Central Police Station where I worked for almost 20 years, so I had no troble finding my way. More old colleagues I haven't seen in years were there, and again I was hugged and kissed and told how lovely it was to see me. If I was guaranteed such a reception every time I go away, I'd do it more often!

I was tired when I got home, so I had a rather long Eva this afternoon. I'm getting excited about tomorrow and the completion. That will happen at 2pm when I go and inspect the flat, see that it's properly cleaned before I accept the keyes. Oh yes, that's how it's done here. If I'm not satisfied with the cleaning, I can call in a professional cleaner and send the bill to the seller! Not quite the way it's done in England!

Fi,- I understand that your house feels so much quieter now that both scollops are back at Uni, but think of it this way: No more unknown, strange lifeforms to be found under beds, mattresses or inside wardrobes! I know it doesn't compensate, but at least it's one positive thing!

Talking about schools closing because of the weather. It happened only once in my school "life". It was one morning when my father came home from night duty and told us not to go to school because it was so cold. It was -16 degrees, and in a coastal climate that is very, very cold. I'm sure you agree, Fi? When my father called the school to tell the headmaster that we wouldn't be in, he said that they'd had to close the school anyway, because they didn't have wood enough to heat the class rooms!

A quick hello before I get dinner for Ploppy. At m-o-l's tonight so may get back, but I'm not holding my breath, I'll do my best anyway.

Evening people, managed to get to Sloppy today, so today was a good day! Trying to think day by day as the weather forecast is just sooo depressing.

I can believe your schools don't shut Eva, nobody would be educated all winter if they did! Mind as I said before, it didn't happen in my day (sadly!). Way to go with your Doctor. I think he'll soon learn you are not a lady to be messed with, and he hasn't even met Diva yet!

Poor Twin, skating round Oxford Circus. Hope you are home safe and sound, having worn snow boots! Lots of ohhhhmmmmms for your Uncle of course.

Ohhhmmmms for Fi as well. It must be hard saying goodbye.

Glad you spent the day in the warm Geri. It is galling that you have to lose a leave day when you just can't get to work. Well I think their reaction to you thanking people just says it all!

Hope your sister et al are well under way K2

Go Eva!
Fi, I was rather surprised that you didn't get snow in the W Isles, I'd always assumed it to be cold and frosty at least there in the winter!
Well I would have appreciated being thanked for getting into work Geri. I'll stick 2 fingers up to the miserable so and so's who disagree!
My sister has had a call to say her school is closed again tomorrow, we've arranged to walk into town for coffee as we're both bored!
Looking forward to Silent W later tonight, I do love a good post mortem!!

That soup sounds lovely Jan!

Eva - you go for it girl! show that doctor what for!

Glad you got to see sloppy Pauline - as you say, one day at a time.

EEK! I don't like the thought of Carol ice skating - though I like the thought of KK doing it even less!

I don't know if I'll be back on tonight so sweet meads all!

Ali,- I will, Go I mean! Oh, Silent Witness, eh? I love it!
I've been wtaching a DVD about Max Manus, a Norwegian saboteur and resistance fighter during WW II in Norway. I read his books when I was a teenager, and his life story has always fascinated me:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Manus

A film about his life was released in 2008. Here is a trailer from the film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbK4WTQFf9U

It's very good. The comments to the trailer is just rubbish. Ignore them.

Geri,- those people you work with/for,- prats!

Thanks for the link Maeve.
I reviewed my 'ticket' for next week and realised there was a note on the website re Weds mat to contact the box office. I have just done that, it is not running.
I had an interesting time this morning. Took me ages to get the snow off my car as it had all frozen. I was therefore late, so I went up the big hill. It had not been cleared, but made it easily, very slowly. It took me less time to get to work than to clear the snow from the car. I came back the long way, to miss out coming down the hill.
K2, your poor sister. On the news there was a woman saying they had been on a plane 5hrs and then told to get off, she wasn't happy either.
Eva, a nice welcome from your old colleagues.
Re the weather here for next week. They forecast it will stay cold and a little more snow. I should think that W will not be too bad. There is a hill, but in my experience W council are usually quite hot on the maintenance as they get so many tourists.
I have been in for ages, just had a very long phone call from a friend, so didn't manage to press submit.

Glad your journey to work was OK Jo.

Do you mean they've cancelled the Wed. mat. Next week?

That's what the girl at the box office said.

Jo, is that the only performance cancelled?

Re the people I work for, I concur completely.

Glad you gave that doctor what-for, Eva. That'll teach him.

I had to call around, but I have a taxi booked for tomorrow morning. Now fingers crossed they show up!

Going to have an early night. Sweet Meads, all.

It was the only performance on the website where you had to phone the box office so maybe it was a place holder if the others got full. Geri, do they do that? I'll go and check the sales for the other perfs

There are lots of tickets available for Weds evening, so maybe they didn't think they'd get enough sold to cover running costs

Oh dear that is bad. Wonder why they cancelled.
I do hope it will all improve we did not get a lot of snow here but our drive is trecherous. tried to go to the shops this morning as all was clear but alas for our drive and some part of the lane I was beaten back Car is now at the bottom of drive near the gate and that is in spite of sat we put doen ggggggrrr. I would be devastated if we had to cancel.
I would not mind but out of twelve houses we are the only ones in this spot, because it goes steeply down and then straight up on the lane.
It is the only time I curse living on a private lane tis only 600 yards to the road but in extreme winter it is a b.....!
I do also hope that Go will be able to take his first bow on the twelth, he must e getting fretful, poor him I remember he had all things going wrong at the opening of Joe so lets hope the weather will be kind to him.
Ok K" I do feel for your sister.
On that note it is time to go to bed cos I am freezing here.
A lot of OHMMMMMsss required for Sebastien as you know he is a gardner and has not een able to go to work for days now and he is beginning to feel the pinch he can get to his clients but the ground is too hard to work , but then I just realised you girls and ploppies must be in the same boat.
Ninite loppies Sweet meads all.

Evening

I don't think there ever was a Wednesday matinee on sale - it's always been 'Call Box Office' on the online booking page.

There are matinees on both Thursday and Saturday - I think perhaps the Wednesday was provisionally scheduled to make up the usual 8 shows given that they're starting Tuesday rather than Monday, but it never went on sale.

Interestingly, and I suspect normal practice for a mid-week regional matinee of a straight play, the Circle is not on sale for the Thursday matinee ... but the Stalls are pretty much sold out :)

....just seen this is going to be the coldest night of the recent cold spell - oh joy! That means it will be even more of a skating rink tomorrow. Have cancelled tomorrow night's choir practice as don't think I can ask people to come out with the roads and pavements so treacherous. Thanks for all the links and info ladies. OK off to be shortly so Sweet Meads all.

That is quite unusual Jo but as there is a mat. on Thursday perhaps the Wed. one was an extra if needed, as no performance on Monday.

I have a feeling that things will be better by the end of next week, chin up Chantale!

Yes Ro, I saw it was call BO from the beginning, I just forgot to call until a couple of days ago, when I double checked my ticket confirmations. (I'd missed one when I'd originally booked) I thought at the beginning that it looked like a 'place holder'. We do that regularly at work, so if we get fully booked we open up the place holder. Not that we are a theatre, but we have to have venue, 'customers' and at least one 'performer'. (OK they are, training room, trainees and a trainer.)

The matinees at Windsor are always on a Thursday and Sat, they only add an extra one/s if its something like High School Musical and half term week/school holidays to cater for high ticket demand. I was surprised the Weds matinee was offered and I guess it was a try it and see operation and that demand for tickets was low so they have axed it. The normal Windsor matinee audiences would expect to go on the Thursday as usual, lots of them are set in their ways, probably didn't even notice there was a Weds mat!

Amazingly I’m on line!!!!! Just hope it lasts.

Carol, how come you've not got a pencil? Hope you had a good lunch after you had braved the skating rink that most of our pavements have become. More ohhhmmmsss for your uncle.

Maeve, thanks for that link. I’ve got everything crossed for him playing Marc B.

Jill, you do have lovely neighbours.

Hi Chrissi, you make sure you take extra care this icy weather.

Eva, well done you for taking on the doctor, and with such a good result. That sounds like a very good way of dealing with a house move to me, I wish we could have sent the bill for all the hidden disasters we found to the people we bought from. We should have been more aware I guess, but would anyone for instance ask for a fridge freezer to be moved to check behind for black mould? Our fault entirely for not having a full survey done, not a mistake we’ll make again!

Chantale, ohhhmmmsss for Sebastien.

Ro, thanks for the info. Are you there on the Saturday?

Ploppy says it’s good to know people are thinking of him, but the worst of it is getting up at 2.30am these bitter mornings. He takes his load of salt to Essex in the morning. He was stuck for 5 hours waiting to be loaded, but his mate who was behind him was still there at 8pm tonight, from midday!!

Time for the hottie bottles and the duvet. Stay safe tomorrow folks. Nite nite Loppies x

PS meant to add there is never a performance on Monday for the first night, its always the Tuesday (occasionally they fill in the Monday with a one-off concert or something) - I think they must have a dress rehearsal or similar as the previously show would only close on the Sat eve before so they only have Sunday/Monday to pull down previous set, build new one and run through the next production

Well just seen an item on the news assuring us that we do indeed have global warning. If I'd had a brick it would have gone through the screen! Not the best timing for that particular item I think! Enjoyed SW, second part tomorrow. Eva you would have been cross if you were here as it was on at the same time as The Bill!

Thanks for all the info and links all. Ohhhhmmmms for all who are sickly or sad, including relatives.

Bed for me as well soon I think so night night and sleep tight all.

Didn't refresh, Ro!

Thanks Shirley for the info, as suspected.
I've been having a play with some new software and 90mins have flown by. I've got to the stage of 'when in doubt read the instructions'. So I'll leave it until tomorrow.
Nightlee night

Morning. The clouds appear to be clearing so hopefully going to be a sunnier day.

Good to “see” you again, Lin. I was only thinking the other day it had been some time since we’d heard from you.

Your birthday celebration sounds lovely, Ali.

Sorry to hear about your sister’s delayed flight, K2. Hope they get a flight home soon but at least they’re not having to stay at the airport all this time.

Hope those of you who had to go out yesterday, got home safely and ditto today. Looks like the weather’s still going to be horrible for our return and for several days after. If it wasn’t for Windsor (fingers, toes, etc. crossed & recrossed!), I’d be very tempted to see if we could delay our flights for a few days.

It's currently -7 in the city; heaven knows what it'll be like when I get to the hospital which is in the middle of open country and always a few degrees colder than here. Brr! I hope the taxi shows up on time.

Looks like blog activity is picking up the closer we get to the coming of The Lord. The buzz is like the early days of Joseph. Our boy has come a long way.

Safe journey today to anyone who has to venture out -- that includes ploppies and off-spring. Hope everyone stays warm. TTFN.

Ploppy has gone to work it's -12 here and we've had 1=2"

Oops, submitted by mistake!
We've had 1-2" of snow overnight. I'm now checking the schoolclosure website regularly, High School is closed again but Primary still open so far!
Take great care today and stay safe everyone

Morning all. It's very cold here this morning, -10, but I see I've been beaten by Ali. I don't mind, honest! As we've had no more snow since yesterday, I'm rather pleased. Even the Wimp has braved the hill today, so the paper is safely on the table. I was sprinting to the mailbox in my nightie, boots and coat! -10 is rather chilly on bare legs!

Hello sweetheart. I see you've prepeared yourself for another cold day, with all kinds of winter clothing on the bench. As you've been good enough to start the fire ( you did that for Geri and Ali ?), it's really snug and nice in here, so let's get the coffee going and exercise the brain:
La bilen stå,- jobb hjemme.
Let the car stay,- work from home.
This is big headlines in today's paper. Because of the cold, the pollution in the city is extreme, so TPB are urging people who can, not to drive into work, but work from home.

I've decided to stop worrying about the weather in the UK, this week and next. If I do, I'll be a nervous wreck. What if the airport is closed on Tuesday? What if we can't drive up to Windsor on Saturday? See, if I think about all that, I'll go more barmy than I already am!

Ali,- please tell my Hero, Jack, that he's a brave lad to go to school when the Wimps stay at home!

Another busy day ahead. I know the completion won't happen until 2pm, but I have to pack the car with things I want to take there later today. I've done rather a lot of shopping! I also have to cook the casserole we're having at the dugnad tomorrow. It'll keep fine if I leave it to cool in the shed!

For anyone having to brave the weather today,- take extreme care and leave the stilletoes at home, Carol!

Well no more snow in Windsor overnight (or yesterday) but no thaw at all so what is on ground has stayed and frozen - about 4 or 5 inches. However, I can see from upstairs window that main A308 from road is running fine and I think trains are OK so fingers crossed for no more significant to fall and we might be OK. Eva, Heathrow was open yesterday, one of the only ones that was although there were delays etc - is it Heathrow you are coming in to - if you get there, you'll certainly get to Windsor as M4 is clear and its only about 15 mins drive along there normally

Hi Shirley,- thank you for the info. No, I'm not coming into Heathrow, but Gatwick. Arrival on Tuesday 12th and the plan is to drive up from my Shirley's in Eltham to Windsor on the Saturday.
If we have to take the trains, where can we change from in London? Our train will be coming in to Ch.X via London Bridge, so if we could make the change there, it wouldn't be too complicated. Any advice will be gratefully received.

Eva - if your train stops at Clapham Junction just before going into London you can change there for the Windsor & Eton Riverside train (about 45 mins its the last stop on that line), this will save you going into Ch X. Otherwise go into Char X and walk across river bridge to Waterloo to pick up the same train from there (about 50/60mins to get to Windsor Riverside) they are every half hour. The other way of getting to Windsor from London is from Paddington to Slough (more frequent and faster trains, some only 15 mins non-stop)and then a taxi from Slough (about £7 I think) or a the shuttle train from Slough to Windsor Central station whihc is one stop (Windsor has 2 stations but they are close to each other) Paddington to Slough is a much better service but then to have to get to Paddington and from Slough so maybe not much in it. As you are at Ch x I would get the one from Waterloo.

Eva, if your Charing Cross train stops at Waterloo East, you can walk through to the main Waterloo railway station from there. All undercover too, which is a bonus in this weather.

Hope everyone is keeping well

Shirley and Ellie,- thank you so much. Our train stops at Waterloo East, so walking across undercover, that's an excellent solution. Which train company covers the Waterloo-Windsor line? (I can do the necessary researches online before I leave for the fozen UK)

Eva, I think it is Southwest Trains.

Morning all, well it is snowing here again. Grim as it could be quite a bit apparantly. Deep Joy. Just when my road was getting a bit more manageable as well! Oh well let's get it over and done with and have clear weather next week, that would do! Think we need huge ohhhhhmmmmmms for travelling Loppies everywhere. Wretched weather. Why didn't they do this tour in the Spring?

Morning BHB, yes I know it is a bit late, I'm finding hard to get motivated to get going in the mornings at the moment! Oh look he has a huge vat of Mulled Wine going for us, clever man, just what we need this weather, so let's take a large jug of it to the staff room and see if the CM is there.

Made it in safely about an hour ago (use the snow boots for the journey - just change to shoes when I get here!), but been busy since I got here. MM working from home today (he is fighting a cold, which I hope he will keep to himself). Sue1, I don't have a pencil in the office, but I do at home (we have all kinds of restrictions on sites we can use here in the office, so safer to just post without signing on). See Twin has snow. Saw the forecast and we may have flurries this afternoon, tomorrow and Sunday. Ooo goodie, see the BHB has got the Mulled Wine all ready - I'll just grab another jug and we'll go and join the DCM. Stay safe everyone.

Cold hello from me this morning Eva glad your journey is being sorted .We probably will jave to leave here on the 15th afternoon to go to plymouth if waether does not change, stay at a B&B there and take the train at 9 am the next day cos roads may not be ok form here on Saturday morning as we would have to leave at 6.30AM .
May all loppies and family be safe today. Sue1 your ploppy is brave!.
ok see you all alter
Eva good luck with your packing.
Ro will you be there on Saturday?

Morning All, made it work on time this morning. Left the house to -9 degrees at 7.30am, I don’t know what it must have dropped to during the night. Here in the city centre we’ve just had a short but heavy snowfall.

Sister and family got up and away yesterday thank goodness, their route should have been to Minneapolis via Chicago but they had to settle for a flight to Atlanta and see what they can get from there. We’ve yet to hear from them that they’re back home but it’s a three hour drive from Minn to their town so they may not be there just yet.

My heart sank when I watched the weather reports last night and they said that this is to last at least another 10 days!! I don’t mind being cold and I’ll do whatever it takes to get to the airport next Friday but I can’t control the flights so I’m terrified now that we’ll have problems getting over there. I’ll try to follow Eva’s example and stop worrying about it.

Geri I had an early night last night also and feel so much the better for it today, will have to start being more sensible about bedtimes.

Carol – I’m sure your choir’s singing is good enough to stand a few less practices, God certainly won’t mind!

Back to w**k, ttyl.

We had a powercut here from 7.30-9.30am. Texts were flying back and forth between family, friends and neighbours. A high voltage cable had come down and taken out the supply to 2 local postcodes involving our town and several large villages in a 6 mile+ radius. We went across to my sister's to have brekfast as she has a gas hob! Needless to say, Jack get his longed for day off school! However, I think everyone is rather bored. I'm going to drag them all out for a walk via the town to get some cash and do a bit of shopping. It's beautiful out there and sunny too but really cold!
I'm still umming and ahhing about my journey next week. I'm hoping the engineering work will be postponed so my usual route to London will be viable. Either way I'll probably go to Windsor via Slough and Paddington. Ploppy did offer to drive me there but it seems silly really!
Fingers crossed the completion goes smoothly Eva.
Glad the family made it back home K2.

Hi all!

Good luck with your completion Eva. And with that powercut Ali - hope it comes back soon.

Shirely and Ellie - thanks for all the info about trains to Windsor - we'll be coming in at KX and it's nice to know what our options are.

Mega OOOOHHMMMMMMSSSSS for all travelling loppies next week -especially the ones who'll be flying into England!

Any of that mulled wine left BHB? Of course I know CM and DCM will have made plenty!

I think its South West trains too... though if you go to www.nationalrail.co.uk you can just put in the to and from stations without knowing the line and that will give you all the possible routes. Waterloo East sounds perfect though...

Well at the moment the snow has stopped, but this wicked wind has started and it is icy cold out there.

Jane of course there is Mulled Wine, we have an ongoing supply while this weather lasts.

Freezing cold here and by the look of the sky we are in for even more snow very soon.

Crossing fingers and everything else like mad that everyone can make it to Windsor next week - have faith my friends!

Eva, I will be thinking of your at 2pm when you finally take possession of your lovely new home.

Oh Eva hope all goes well with the completion of your home, do we know your new address?????
We managed to get to S.......ys to get the important supplies, milk, brad, toilet paper and VODKA, the roads round here still have been gritted, our road is like a skating rink again.
One good thing I hope it's true, Ploppy's Sloppy said she gets an extra £25.00 a week when the temperature drops to minus, that will help her keep warm.

Lee's on BBC Breakfast on Monday and he's going to be in The Times. :) Thanks to Twitter!

Ooo do you think Eva is now the proud owner of a new flat?? Shall we all offer to go and decorate it for her (after all we must be used to the minus temperatures by now!). Ali, did you see the item on the news yesterday (actually you might not as it could have been the London & S East news) about a village in Hampshire which doesn't have any gas supply and has been without power for three days? The landlord of the local pub has opened it to the villagers and has a log fire burning and candles - looked very romantic actually. We had a small flurry here lunchtime but now have clear skies so I guess that's another frost tonight! Thanks for the info Chrissi.

Thanks for letting us know about Lee's activities Chrissi, Twitter seems to be the first with the news these days.

Good luck with the move Eva, hope you're in there now.

We had a short flurry of light snow here this morning, since when it's been sunny, sun now setting so it'll be even colder soon.

Off to try ringing TRW again, engaged all afternoon, to check my booking as didn't get a confirmation e-mail.

I did see that on the National news Carol. Fingers crossed it doesn't happen here, 2 hours without power was bearable but 3 days!!! I guess it does bring out the community spirit in people.
Josh dragged Jack up to town on the sledge and then we both dragged him home + the shopping. It's now snowing quite hard so I hope Ploppy has managed to finish early and will be home shortly.
I've checked the train timetable again and there are still engineering works but it's been modified so 1 less change and if I split the ticket then I can save £10!

You are now looking at a proud new flatowner! The completion went without a hitch. The place was so clean you could eat off the floors,- just the way I like it! Not the eating off floors bit, but the clean bit.
I have moved in the paint, brushes and bits and bobs ready for tomorrow's invation of family and friends for the dugnad. The casserole is in the pot ( a large one!), or it's more like a scouse, full of all kinds of root vegetables, smoked sausages and a nice gravy.
The reason I'm not back until now, is that I've been hunting for a towel holder, one of those you can stand on the floor so you don't have to drill into tiles or walls. I found one, finally, but the shop assistant wanted £200 (! ! ! ! !) for it. I said it was far too expensive and was told with a sniff that:" Quality costs". "So does stupidity", I said and left. In case you're wondering, I have read the book How To Get New Friends, but think it's a load of rubbish!

Jill,- I see you bought " brad" today. Was that the Pitt kind of brad?

It's been a very busy day and I'm knackered, so now I think I'll sit down, have a calming camomile tea and read the paper.

Congratulations Eva!

Hi all, I'm home early thanks again to the lovely Jeremy. I think I need to bring him back a good pressie from Windsor!

There was another big snowstorm this morning around 10am again, but it didn't last long and the sun came out. Skies were clear and blue and a lot of the ice melted from the roads making the journey home much easier. I hope that's a sign of good things to come!

Thanks for the updates and news; haven't done more than a quick skim. Congrats on the new digs, Eva!

Eva good to hear that all went well with the flat
Actually I did buy bread for the freezer Eva, wish I could have bought Brad Pitt, won't make the obvious comment about trading Ploppy in for a younger model!!!!!!!!
Maeve I don't know whether you have got through to WRT I had terrible trouble the other day eventually managed about 8 0' clock, spoke to a very amicable young man, as Karen2 will agree.
Going back to the bread I bought for the freezer wish I hadn't now, my next door Neighbours fridge and freezer have packed up so we have been trying to squeeeze all her stuff into mine.

Congradulations Eva!!!! Now watch out - you might be invaded by Loppies painting your flat!

And thank you Chrissi for that info!

Glad you got home nice and early Geri.

Not going to the pub tonight - keeping warm indoors - poss with more mulled wine! (Pass the jug Pauline)

Well Done Eva. Of course everything went swimmingly, what else did you expect with Diva at the helm? Congratulations. The casserole sounds really delicious and scrummy.

Like Jane, I am not going to the pub this evening either. The pavements are like ice rinks and I can't find my skates. Keeping warm indoors is a much better idea.

Jan,- I've got you these skates:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=12346548
so off you go to the pub! Have one for me, please.

Evening all, have been in to town to see how it was, well to do various things actually, but they are coping quite well. Pavements have nice clear paths along that have been gritted. The car parks were ok as well. However as we are getting another dump of snow this weekend it may not last!

Eva congratulations on your new purchase. I'm impressed how well it has all gone for you, I feel if I moved it would be a tad more comfortable. Hope the dugnad goes well. The food sounds delish.

Geri thank goodness you had an easier journey today.

Chrissi thanks for the info, a good reason to get up on Monday.

Jill I think your neighbour could leave the food outside in cold boxes and it would be fine!

Jane don't hog all the wine now! Mind BHB has made lots for us.

Glad everything went smoothly Eva, good luck for the painting party tomorrow.
Yes Jill, I did get through eventually and the booking was confirmed OK, thanks.
How good that it's the weekend and no one has to worry about getting to work in the morning.

Congrats on flat purchase Eva. Ploppy can help with the painting and any DIY - but NOT the electrics:)

I feel a fraud. Only minus one scollop. i love both my scollops but UB scollop so busy we never see him - that is way it should be but means that I dont have quite same wrench as when oldest goes. UB scollop still here - but not - as btwn work and socialising he is never (and I mean never ) in.

Got one last reference to do for assignment and then will be finished. Have said I can buy tic when finished totally so plan to do tonight - another one not going to pub.

Chrissi - ohhms for quick recovery - you do sound as if have been in wars.

Hi all

I'm so glad the w***ing week is over!! I just wish the snow was over too. I'm sick of it now! I fell yesterday morning on the way to w**k and now I ache in places that I didn't even know I had! The worst thing is it's really knocked my confidence, I have trouble staying upright at the best of times (and no, nothing to do with incohol before anyone says anything!!), but now I'm just so wary and worried all the time. It makes it hard work!! I think on Friday when (not if) we arrive at Windsor I think I should go straight to the theatre and stay there for the duration of the weekend, just to be on the safe side!!

I haven't had a proper catch up from the last couple of days but I see that Jill has Brad Pitt in her freezer (is he hot stuff Jill? btw, good to see that you got the important V item in!!) and Eva has completed on the flat. Congratulations Eva. Hope you're going to take loads of pictures to show us when you've moved in!!

Love the sound of a log fire and candles - add incohol and the BHB and it would be a perfect way to spend the evening!!

Hope everybody is keeping warm and safe!

Well done Eva - does Diva like her new digs?? Home safely, although ther was a small snow flurry as I was leaving. Weather forecasters saying tonight will be colder than last night - yipee (not). Trouble is there is no thaw - arrggh. Jill I was reading today that people are using the sub zero temperatures to take the opportunity of defrosting and lcearing out their freezers - they are outting the food outside as it stays frozen - perhaps you should tell your neighbour!!

Poor KK lots of ohhhmmmms for you. I know what you mean about not being confident. Big drink in order I think, to help. Maybe we could pop you in the GOs' dressing room for the duration? There was aletter in my paper the other day that said that we are all walking like Poirot in this weather. It's true of me certainly.

Pauline - I like the way you're thinking (the drink and the GO's dressing gown!!)

Oh no, it's snowing here again!!

Steady on Karen I said dressing room....oh I don't know though! Bit of a Freudian slip there eh?

Well done Eva, the new home owner. Sounds very clean, just let me and my crew at it!! Or perhaps not.
I took the long way to work this morning, flatish. The river was almost frozen over at one point. On the way back from work I called in at a small shopping park. I need to get 2 new duvets. (Dog has really ripped one and has a new game 'pull out the stuffing'. The other one has a small rip, so that one will be part of the game next. She doesn't eat it, just throws it about the room.) Lots of the shops were shut and the car park was packed white snow. I just went really slowly.
Carol, I have snow shoes too. When I get to work I change them. Take off my second pair of trousers, my coat, my hat, my gloves and my scarf. It's just like a strip tease, just no flesh. I don't take off the 4 tops, the fleece and the extra (large size) top.

Carol, between us and the Neighbours we have 3 freezers, 2 of them are out in our shed and they could all do with defrosting, but I afraid I am a bit of a wimp as Eva would say, not sure I want to start defrosting this weather. My Neighbour has put the rest of her stuff from the freezer out in the garden, in a case she keeps the beer in.

Ticket comp for Cheltenham
http://www.soglos.com/competitions/27766/Win-Lord-Arthur-Saviles-Crime-tickets

Carol, what a very good idea to defrost the freezer in this weather. Why didn't I think of that. Right then, that will be my first job tomorrow morning - after toast and full leaded of course.

Eva, thank you for your kind thought and the link re skates. Do I have to decided straight away?

KK do be careful. I know just what you mean by losing your confidence in the icy conditions. No suggestions I'm afraid except take a strong man with you to hang on to.

I have just discovered that I have a collection of Oscar Wilde stories. I inherited the volume from my aunt who died some years ago. The strange this is that when I read the fly leaf I discovered that I had given it to her for Christmas when I was only 16, my writing has changed somewhat over the years - well 11 years seeing as I am only 27. Anyway, what I meant to say was that I am now reading LASC - the story not the play - and imagining a certain person playing LA.

Time to exercise my brain with Mastermind. Ploppy and I are very competitive.

Think I’ve caught up finally. Had to wait for the hallway to heat up enough for me to be able to sit here and read it.

Thanks for the Windsor directions, Shirley. I’m sure we’ll need them. Well, I suppose we could just follow the trail of loppies…

Glad your sister & family got off safely finally, K2. You must all be relieved.

Oh dear, Ali, that powercut isn’t good. I hope everything is back to normal now.

Thanks for the positive thoughts, Jan. What a shame you can’t join us, but you know we won’t forget you or any of the other cinder-loppies; we’ll drink the customary toast(s) in your honour.

Well done on completion the purchase of your new home, Eva. Glad it went off without a hitch. Are you sure you’re not Irish? You certainly seem to have the luck!

You must be thrilled to be coming to the end of that assignment, Fi. Hope you’re feeling better too.

Oh dear, KK, that’s awful. I’ve a recurring nightmare that I slip on the ice, break a limb, and miss the show. Or the planes don’t take off… or the trains aren’t running… I won’t go on – you get the gist. But I hope you’re feeling better. Jane & I will look after you on the trip to Windsor. OK, we might not be big enough to stop you falling, but at least we can give you a soft landing!

Good thinking about using the cold to defrost the fridge, Carol, though in my neighbourhood the various animals would probably eat up anything I left around!

Walking like Poirot, Pauline? Well, I do that all the time! Of course, my centre of gravity is closer to ground level… Ooh, can I wrap up in the GO’s dressing gown – while he’s still inside it, of course? I don’t take up much room; I doubt he’ll notice me. Much.

My ploppy and I 'play' Masterm*nd too Jan with the scollops keeping score. We're about even this week but forgot it was on tonight. We're watching a re-run of the TG Bolivia challenge then QI then SW, all with a nice glass of incahol. I should have been out for dinner tonight with a group of friends but we had to postpone. Glad we did as it's snowing hard again and the temp is dropping fast.

I have been trying to find out the timetables for the 16th just in case, and it's OK for us if we can catch a return train at 10.23 pm from Windsor & Eton River Station. This goes to Waterloo and we can get a train from Waterloo East. Is this station in Windsor a good one for the theatre, and do you think we can make it? Just in case. I'm appealing to Shirley or Jill.
Sorry to go on like this, but because I can't do this when I get to England (no computer access), I have to try to sort out all eventualities before I leave.
This line will work perfectly for the journey to Windsor too.

Ali,- I'm going green again. Mastermind, QI and SW? And all in one night? You lucky people!

Geri,- I sthink you should gild ( Is that the right expression for covering him with gold?) the lovely Jeremy. Anyone who can save a Loppy time after time deserves that.

K2,- glad to hear your family at least made it across the Atlantic, even if they have to brave it out in Atlanta for a while.

KK,- I wonder what it would take to make you disaster proof?

I know it's early, even here in Norway, but I'm so tired, and I have a busy day ahead tomorrow, so I'll bid you all good night, sleep tight, have wonderful dreams and wake up happy.

...snowing again here - but only lightly. Have just installed new TV (MM and I decided to buy one as a joint Christmas present to each other). Now watching the DoI programme (as we had missed SW last night). Hope everyone is tucked up nice and warm with a large glass!

Eva, you're correct about gilding the lovely Jeremy. I'm going to look for something Cliffy to bring him back (he's a big fan. See, nice guy and he has taste too!) And did I mention he also walked up to the pharmacy for me to pick up my prescription today? He's my hero!

And speaking of Sir -- he's on BBC4 at 10pm doing something in 'Sings Elvis'. I'm thinking how lovely it would be to see the GO on that, but I know there's slim chance.

Carol, I'm watching Silent Witness with my large glass and I'm warm, finally. Cheers!

I’m at m-o-l’s and still on line!! Ploppy’s in the pub, having a well earned pint or three.

All this talk of journeys is exciting, it would be even more so if this bl**dy snow would go away.

Ali, what a kind Ploppy you have.

Chrissi, thanks for that, Sky+ set.

Eva, congratulations on the completion, do we have an address yet? Promise we won’t ALL descend at once!! £200 for a towel holder? Daylight robbery!

Fi, so glad you’ve finished that assignment.

Karen, ohhhmmmsss for your aches.

Pauline, if KK is staying in the GO’s dressing room, we ALL are!!

Jo, our Little Dog is just like Dog, we use cut up duvets for the dog’s beds, she chews them to bits and spreads the filling around the house. She also has to bring something when we come in, so both dog beds and duvets end up in the lounge, or socks or tea towels, anything she can get in her mouth, Big Dog just sits and shakes her head in despair.

Geri, you sound much better tonight, and of course it’s Friday.

When do Diana and Auds get back?

Found some vouchers today that I’d forgotten I had (from my birthday.) So I bought some warm trousers, Ho*se of Fr*zer, a jumper and a tee shirt, M&S, and some makeup and nail polish, B**ts. Lovely to get something for nothing.

Just watching the news, there is a town in Scotland, Altnaharra where the temperature has dropped to -22.5, that is flippin’ ccccccold.

Time for bed I think. Stay safe, stay warm, nite nite Loppies x

...glad your Ploppy enjoying some well earned incohol Sue1 - he deserves it after this week. Off to bed so Sweet Meads all.

Right behind you, Carol -- in a manner of speaking, of course. Sweet Meads, all.

Sue1, does this mean your dongle is working? The dog across the road gets dirty socks out of the wash basket and gives them to you when you visit-nice.
I've just made a short dvd for uncle in Essex. Pics of the animals and the snow video, with the sound. I went to check it on the dvd player in the kitchen, found it doesn't work. I'll leave it for a few days, as it probably needs to dry out. If it doesn't work I'll get a little one, so I can put is safely away. Naughty naughty BB or BG. (I got it for nothing, it has survived 5 years, so not bad.)

Yes Shirley it is a SW train we are taking it from Plymouth change at reading then slough.
Pippa the puppy was funny today we at long last cleaned the chimney so we had our 1st fire in ages and the puppy could not make head or tail of it it was so funny. We also cleared the drive so we went to Tintagel for the first time today.
Eva congratulations on acquiring your flat, it must be a great feeling to have.
For all who need ooooohhhmmssss I am puting lots in the bank.
Wow Sue 1 th\t reminds me of 1978 or 79 when we were in Belgium in the Ardennes for new year in our old banger, father's merc your not satart as the diesel had frozen -22
so we took our old van to go and see grandmother in Liege only to have a twit who had drunk too much skidding into us and the car was a write off, we fortunately were ok, but as it was our first trip by car we had taken kitchen sink with us!!!! so you can imagine the journey back by train it was a nightmare. and on top of uit all we did not have a euro AA insurance so we lost the price of the car!
Time for bed 8 days to go. !!! Sweet meads all xxxx

Eva - I'm skim reading so sorry if this has already been answered, but Windsor & Eton Riverside station is just a few minutes walk from the theatre:

Google Maps walking directions

So I'm going to play one upmanship here! The coldest air temperature I have been in was -40, oh yes! It was in Alaska! You couldn't stay outside in it for too long as even our best winter clothing wasn't enough. Mind the coldest I've ever felt was in Chicago. I tell you in winter when it has snowed and the wind whistles through those streets it is bitter. From the sound of it that is what it will be like round here over the weekend. I'm so looking forward to it!

Agree with Twin Sue, your Ploppy deserves every drop of incahol he can get. Oh and I'm all for us all being in the GOs' dressing room! Mind Lepry will be in his dressing gown with KK, should be interesting.

I see Ro has supplied the walking map Eva, but I think Windsor is small so nothing is very far from anywhere!

Bed for me as well so sleep tight all Night night.

Congratulations Eva. I hope you will be very happy in your new flat.
I'll raise my glass to you. (Only diet cxkx).
All the main roads around Windsor have been cleared so there is easy access from the M4, M25 and along A4
All the Windsor carparks are here.

http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/parking_windsor_area.htm

I think the theatre is about half way between the 2 stations, just a few mins walk away from both. Also the lunch restaurant is nearer to the RIverside station.
We haven't had any snow today.
Ploppy has been home early each evening as Sainsbugs has closed at 8o'clock!
We haven't had any post and the