Nice people thread part 4 - sugar and spice and all things

vivatifosi

PasturesNew wrote: »

I had a genius idea that the Council must have a list on their website. Not really, this is the "parks and open spaces" page for what it's worth

http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=2759

There's a sort of list there, which seems to come down to a few National Trust type gardens.

There aren't many parks on there at all, really surprising. Round here they are everywhere, in every big town, little town, village... If you go to Welywn Garden City they've even managed to get a nice one in the middle of a very large roundabout.

GDB2222

LydiaJ wrote: »

Am at my parents' place. Kids are at school. Mum v sleepy. Now not eating at all, and can't suck to drink through a straw, but has been having her drink fed to her with a teaspoon. The respite carer is here today so I'm helping my dad with stuff while she sits with my mum for a bit.

I'll just repeat Michael's comment that our thoughts are with you. (That's not the royal we, by the way. I was just being presumptuous and speaking for the rest of the NP.)

vivatifosi

lemonjelly wrote: »

One for Generali to comment on.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15799571

I do think a big part of that will be pensioners. Pensioners abroad don't get pension rises on their UK state pensions, so to have that, and some inflation, and a dollar that has gone from something like $2.3 to the pound down to just over $1.5 has got to hurt.

My uncle has lived there since 1958 and only has a small amount of money in the UK pension scheme as he emigrated relatively young, but he's feeling the pinch. He came over to stay with my Mum for a bit to decide whether to come back but our summer was a bit cold here this year and he's from QLD so he's gone back again.

vivatifosi

GDB2222 wrote: »

I'll just repeat Michael's comment that our thoughts are with you. (That's not the royal we, by the way. I was just being presumptuous and speaking for the rest of the NP.)

Thanks for speaking on my behalf GDB, I didn't catch Lydia's post initially. Our thoughts really are with you.

chewmylegoff

vivatifosi wrote: »

I do think a big part of that will be pensioners. Pensioners abroad don't get pension rises on their UK state pensions, so to have that, and some inflation, and a dollar that has gone from something like $2.3 to the pound down to just over $1.5 has got to hurt.

I suppose there might also be the point that, with the exchange rate as it is, someone with not much in the way of UK state pension, but who does have a decent pension paying in AUS$ might find that money goes further in £.

Plus I reckon there will be some people who sold their house, for say, £300k, moved out there with the exchange rate at $2.5, used everything they had to buy a house, and suddenly find themselves in a situation where they have £500k and would rather like to move back.

In total it's only 7,000pa anyway. there must be something at least 2 million british born australian citizens.

vivatifosi

chewmylegoff wrote: »

In total it's only 7,000pa anyway. there must be something at least 2 million british born australian citizens.

Easily, and there has always been a percentage that moves back. I have a foot in both camps and could easily live in either country. There must be a lot of "ping-pong" families too. My lot just go between the two when they feel like it.

lemonjelly

chewmylegoff wrote: »

howay the glassboys. did they get a bye or something?!

They beat Plymouth in a replay in Stourbridge.

They play Stevenage in round 2!

zagubov

vivatifosi wrote: »

I do think a big part of that will be pensioners. .

I've heard that many expats retiring in Spain find it gets tricky when they get an illness that requires long-term care as in many countries that's the job of the extended family and the health service doesn't want to know.

There's legends of people being dumped on their lawn after the hospitals' finished and just being left to their own devices. The locals attitude is why should we be supporting people who turn up demanding care but without bringing their families to look after them.

Kind of spoils the myth that in mediterranean countries everyone is claiming state benefits all the time!

Davesnave

JonnyBravo wrote: »

Just bought in the last of my tomatoes from the greenhouse. A good last crop too.
Reckon its the latest I've ever been picking due to no hard frost yet. Plants now straight into compost. Not very healthy looking by this time of year.

Mine are still in the poly, but ripening is slow now. I took cuttings from the Gardeners' Delights in the summer though, and they're doing well in the conservatory, with one or two just turning red now.

I call them my 'Christmas Tomatoes'

Peppers look set to last well into December, unless we have a sudden plunge in temperatures. The Mexican ones are starting to go a bit mouldy at the edges, but the Europeans are fine.

PasturesNew

lemonjelly wrote: »

Have to say I found this story, & especially the letter astounding:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-15853088

Can't read it - they should have transcribed it.

I've only got a tiny screen.