make do and mend for tougher times

Popperwell

Thanks McCulloch,

It was really, really good.

I've lost the 7a too...and if wasn't for the 5 route(Bishop Auckland/Darlington)or the 7(Durham/Darlington)you cannot go anywhere much after 8.30pm(unless you get to Durham and change buses(but likley as not)there is not a bus to get you home, they all stop too early or the last buses all terminate 5-6 miles from our town so when they suggest using public transport...in the evening...forget it!

We only have the two routes. And that's it! So even if you are fortunate to be entitled to a bus pass or buy one...after approx teatime it's not much use...heaven knows what anyone needing to work shifts does if they cannot access their own transport.

I over heard the bus drivers talking and once again it is cutbacks in subsidies from the council. If you live further North or around Durham there are plenty of services and connections...they will probably notice little if any difference.

Taxi's are too expensive...uness you can share the fares...

I bet this happening all over the country. And could be even worse in some areas.

BTW Richard Digance is on again in Darlington in March 2013...if that helps...

Molly41

These bus changes can be challenged.
My DD goes to college in our county town 25 miles away so 50 miles return. Her bus started to terminate in Silverstone which in reality is a tiny village with no public facilities - despite being the home of British Motor racing. On about three occasions she has been propositioned and left waiting hours for a local bus to collect her.

It was totally un-acceptable and so I joined a big campaign as it affected so many people not just my DD - like older residents who had a hospital appointment which took all day to get there and back and youngsters stuck in a very precarious and dangerous position as said village has no cctv or shelters.

In the end after much campaigning, particularly by the Women's Institute, the through bus was re-instated and a much better service ensued. This was achieved despite the cuts.

mardatha

7 week wonder, the Gyle is too far for me. I stay down at my own end of the bypass Ikea and Costco is as far as I go.
Having a grumpy day today - have decided it's my turn. The RV has been a nightmare for 3 days and I've had enough of it. If you're stuck indoors 24/7 with a really negative person it does eventually rub off on you however hard you try to stop it. Will try to sit in my wee corner and work on xmas.

[Deleted User]

Morning everyone, firstly I would like to thank each and every one of you for your wonderful and much appreciated support and kindness to us, I've never in my life had such love and kindness come my way. You have to believe how much it is helping keep my feet on the ground and my imagination in hand. You are collectively the best people I've ever known. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!

I haven't heard anything this morning, but that is likely due to the time difference between here and the US, She texted her sister late last night and they were battened down and waiting for it all to happen. The arrangement is she will text or e.mail one of us and we'll share messages to conserve her phone battery. Some small consolation in the news that the hurricane lost strength as it made landfall and is now a tropical storm category, though that's scary enough. I will certainly post if I hear from her and thanks to all of you I am not quite as anxious as I was yesterday.

DOCKY sez fank yew veri muth fer alla mesigis frum ver frendz an ize alottt beta tuday an ize wontin sum brekfust - sew praps vey wiw givses me abit moor van a eggy tuday - Ize hopin vey wiw, cos Ize Hungri!!!!! Frum yer frend Docky xxx.

Cheers Lyn xxx.

Softstuff

I was trying not to post something negative, but I'm fuming angry and if I don't tell someone I'll burst.

Turns out that my latest kick in the metaphorical nuts is I now have shingles. From the stress. Oh the irony. An added inconvenience is it's my underarm and around my breast.

I'd go outside raise my head to the sky and scream "WHAT NEXT??"..."HAVEN'T I HAD ENOUGH YET???". But I'd be afraid a piano might land on my head.

On the plus side, I'm not upset, I'm stinking angry.

Oh, and we're booked to go away in a couple of days for a short break and a relaxing romantic time.....

7_week_wonder

Oh softstuff that is so unfair - so go ahead and rant, I'd join in if I thought it would help. If it won't hurt too much I recommend finding a couple of large empty cardboard boxes and jumping up and down on them til they're flattened. It works for me when I am seriously fed-up/p**ed off.

Nothing I can add will help, but take care of yourself and feel free to sound off here whenever you like.

[Deleted User]

you poor thing softstuff, our ds got shingles and it was the last straw for him. He was on a manic rollercoaster and living in SE so stress levels were high. One illness after another, then one day he stood back and took stock. He changed his diet completely and went paleo, and he also cut his exercise right down. He couldn`t do anything about work so he and his oh sold their tiny house and changed jobs and lifestyle. He is now extremely happy and relaxed and living in scotland and has a good job, finishing at 5 every working day with a proper lunch hour. It was a huge leap of faith and was the right one for him. So very important to listen to what your body is saying

Fuddle, I so so happy about your holiday and what a kind and loving mil you have. Enjoy every minute. Our best holiday ever was a coach holiday to lake garda, incredibly relaxing and lovely to roll on and roll off a ship, rather than queue at security after a long journey to the airport. We don`t go on many holidays but will be going to scotland shortly, on another coach trip. I get ill every time we fly and dh got very ill in malta last time, acute bronchitis on top of his asthma. A saga holiday and the plane was full of people coughing and 6 people in the hotel were hospitalised with pneumonia. I don`t want to fly again they are bug machines

Have finished a gorgeous pair of socks, made to fit, ie wider at the top and then made a lovely pouch with the remaining wool. So that is it then, I am well and truly hooked on socks lol even buying the right kind of indoor shoes, like slippers, so I can wear these socks comfortably. Too late for christmas now as I have finished buying but they are all getting socks next year

On winter thread(I think) I mentioned a major uk storm towards last week in november, probably nw and towards ne. 15% chance it might not happen but pc has been amazing this year.

I am so glad that any relatives in US are safe and also ecstatic about people getting jobs

Sunshine4

Congratulations to Mr P and Nutty on your jobs.

Fuddle What a lovely surprise enjoy

PAH Love your room and give them hellabout your garden

Lyn Hope your daughter and friends are ok and home soon.Lots of (((hugs)))

Softstuff Please take care you have been through so much

I have been reading but not posting, what Byatt said in a few pages back about making your house a home really stuck with me
. We have been here in this house for five years we were only meant to be here for 12 mouths.

I looked around and realised I havent made this our home, still lots of boxes packed and not using some nice things we have until we move.
So have decide when we get back from Manchester on the 5th Dec I will put the xmas tree up and then start with each room and empty boxes and start using some of the lovely things we have and make this our HOME.
I am now off to the Drs to see about my knee and shoulder.
Be back later:)

bettycrumble

kitty I wonder if the UK storm could have anything to do with the awful weather in America right now?

Shropshirelass

Hello everyone :wave: cant even attempt to catch up, hubby not so good at present and I have e-x-t-e-n-d-e-d duties around the place, so not much spare time.

Just want to say to softstuff so sorry about the shingles, but the medicine does help. You will probably feel absolutely exhausted, so just keep warm and go to sleep as and when you can. You are probably short of sleep, so really need to catch up.

All the best to other MDAM friends from lurking corner of Shropshire.:wave: