The Compers Inn (part 49)

indie

Morning, it's a wet one here today. But not too bothered as not going out. Well done on the wins leanfun. We haven't put any tinsel or lights on the tree as knew that Obi wouldn't leave them alone. I normally find my lights get tangled when I take them out the box and have to spend ages untying them, lol. 
I know what you mean about people shopping at M&S Duncan there are so many cheaper food shops around now. I will be getting my veg from Lidl next week as it's only 14p a bag, I hope the freegler picks the books up today.
We are now in tier 3, which means the Odeon has to shut down tonight and my son was working tomorrow so he has the day off
He was due in today but whilst at the other job yesterday the manager had to go home as his little boy has suspected Covid so he and his family drove to Dover over 2 hours away to get a test..He told his manager at the Odeon and she said not to come in till the bloke had his results as he has been working with him. So instead of 1 day off between jobs, he has now got 3. At least he is furloughed with the cinema so loses no money. On a good note (i think) I had a text early this morning telling me my parcel will be with me between 12.45 and 1.45. I am not expecting anything so it could be a win.
Hope you all have a good day
Stay safe

sheils6

Well done on the wins leanfun. I won 50p with Topcashback which is more than I have won for a while! TBH not been entering that many comps. I start off with good intentions but seem to lose interest these days.

Saw you had been put in Tier3 indie. I haven't noticed any difference being in Tier 1 but nice to see the pubs being able to open.

I feel for all the businesses. I am sure our FM will soon have us back in lockdown after Xmas so haven't booked any more breaks.

Next one is just a night in The Lakes at the end of March which was transferred from when England went into last lockdown and can be transferred again. Hoping things will stay ok though as figures aren't too bad here although they are using scare tactics to try and stop people travelling at Xmas.

It has been raining all day here so been getting a few things ready for the family coming at Xmas. We are going ahead as planned as it is just DH and I who will be at risk, we won't go near anyone else as family from Tier 3. DS3 and GF especially really need a break from their flat and some free food and drink!

Good luck with the comps anyway everyone. x

indie

Morning, well the parcel was from the salvage company, something I left in the car.No note with it but it was nice of them to return it. I think we will be in lockdown after Christmas as well sheils, not a lot we can do but get on with it. I brought some bubbles yesterday to play with Obi as he is fascinated by bubbles disappearing down the plughole and sits and watches me when I wash up. When I blew a few Charlie walked over then ignored them but Obi tries to catch them, lol. That's another way to keep him busy. I am picking up my car today, then may pop to shops to get a few bits.
Hope you all have a good weekend
Stay safe

203846930

Good Morning
Hope everyone survived the heavy rain, we have had a heatwave here up to 12 degrees yesterday.
Dad had to go back to Lidl today as we got all the way down there yesterday before he realised that he did not have a facemask with him.
The Freegler came for the books so Spike Milligan's war diaries now have a new home, Dad got the first one when he was still living with his parents so that was over 40 years ago, he collected the rest over the years.
We saw a rare sight on the road yesterday, a coal delivery lorry, tend to forget that we live in an ex-miners community.
Indie - you have not said what kind of car but good luck with it.
Sheils - I hope you get your break sorted one way or t'other.
Take Care

leanfun30

Evening All.    Well it’s as we thought all along we will be by ourselves for Christmas for the first time ever.  Just made myself smile remembering our first Christmas we had five adult members of DH’s family here and my sister.  We had a big Turkey and I had never cooked one before and didn’t know about taking the giblets left in the back out!    There were some choice comments when DH was carving  can’t remember what we did at the time. 

We were going to go down and visit DS tomorrow near Dover but he didn’t really want to come home with us so that’s off, although we are in a bubble with him.   On a plus side we won’t be caught up with lorries.  He’s near the A2 so not as bad as M20 but he says there have been lots of holdups with lorries.  One Lorry tried to avoid queues and go through village but became stuck near the ancient church caused no end of trouble.

We are not surprised or upset about Christmas but I’m really sorry for DD1 and GS she thought a friend was coming for some of Christmas to them but now it’s just the two of them as friend is in a different tier.  The two of them are in a bubble with friend so don’t  know how that works. It’s been such a hard time for them and where we have always helped we cannot put DH at risk.
On a positive note I had a phone call from a friend in Southampton today and her and her DH were going to have the vaccine today.  They are both 80.     As Duncan has said before roll on the time when the Oxford vaccine is available.

Indie I hope you are pleased with the car and have been able to pick up some shopping.  Sorry to hear about you being in Tier 3 and your DS not being able to work again.  It’s sure difficult times.
Sheils well done on the 50p TopCashback I haven’t been doing it much so no win so far there.
Take care all.

indie

Morning, we are in tier 4 now, we were not having anyone here over Christmas but I feel for families that can not meet. For some, it was going to be the highlight of the year.
 I was shocked to see the news and everyone trying to get on trains before the new tiers came into force. But that's human nature for you.
My car is a Kia Picanto, it's 4 years old so still under warranty. They filled it up with petrol for me. it's going to take a little get used to as all the things my other car didn't have, Power steering, electric windows ect. I was surprised as it's only £20 a year to tax and my last one was £150. It was like I had kangaroo juice in when I first drove it as the brakes are ferocious,and I have to learn to touch them gently lol. but it won't take me long to get use to it. I am just going to pop to the shops now.
Hope you all have a good day
Stay safe

sheils6

Glad you got your new car indie and hope you get used to it soon. If you don't change cars regularly you do get a shock when you see the new gadgets etc. I must admit I don't drive very often and should do it more.

DH loves driving and has driven everything from double decker buses to post vans in his jobs but it means I seldom do.

Car usually sits on the drive all the time except when we go on a break or a weekly shop.

We go into Tier 4 on Boxing day which is really annoying since we have some of the lowest rates in UK. I am really worried about coping with it as we love to travel about. We are allowed to have family on Xmas day though.

It is a shame your son doesn't want to share Xmas with you leanfun. He must be upset not seeing his kids ths year.

We have a coal delivery lorry here Duncan but we have gas central heating so don't use it. Used to love a coal fire and being able to make toast on it! So many areas of UK seem to have a mining history. My dad's father was a miner, in Lanarkshire (I think)

Still can't get my head round there being a village under Strathclyde Loch!  Love a walk around Loch Ore.

leanfun30

Morning very dark here this morning.  Indie I’m sure you will get used to your new car quickly.  My DH has always liked driving too but we don’t do very long journeys any more.  It was strange not going to see DS yesterday.  When we went for his birthday there were a lot of lorries on the M2 and they overtake one another and bring the traffic to a holt. They try to avoid the big pile ups on M20 where they should be.  We did once have an accident on the M20 involving a lorry. Fortunately we were not hurt but car was a right off.  Yes, it’s upsetting about DS’s children.  Our daughters are upset that he will be by himself but it is what it is.  When he was here in March and October he didn’t go out but where he is it’s in the countryside and he does go out for walks. It’s his choice.

Sheils it will be difficult for you not going away.  It made me think of years ago when I retired.  I was working with lots of people each week, too many and then just home with husband and DS. Then within a month DS went to America.  DH does not talk a lot and it took a lot of getting used to.  

You have to think of things you can do.  You are fortunate that you both are keen walkers and have beautiful places near by but after Christmas weather is usually not so good. On the positive it’s good you don’t have many virus cases your way.  Hope it stays like that.

Sheils we had coal at home when we were growing up.  My stepdad was a miner. He had worked in mines all over the country and ended up in the Kent mines. My memory was you were either too hot by the fire or cold.  We had relatives who had a coal haulage business so we were very popular with the neighbours.

Duncan pleased to hear you had a ‘heat wave’ your way that’s good even if it rained.  We made it out for a walk around yesterday. Unfortunately our local parks are at the top of a hill and we wanted to drop some spare veg off to a friend but we did manage a walk in the sunshine but I was pleased I put my bobble hat on.  Great to hear Dad found a good home for the Spike Milligan books.  

Take care all.

203846930

Good Morning
The cold weather has returned for the winter Solstice, Edinburgh is the European capital with the shortest hours of daylight, less than 7 hours today and we are further north than that :eek:
Dad is in a bad way financially this month with no money left to do us until Jan 5th so belts will be tightened and the penny jar has already been raided to the tune of £18, Dad will take the coins to the bank tomorrow and change them for 'real' money, not that I am worried, my CC is clear and I have plenty of food in the cupboard to last well into next year.

If you have clear skies at sunset, look out for the 'Great Conjunction' to the south, Jupiter and Saturn will be within 0.1 degree of each other and will appear as a bright light low in the sky to the right of where the Moon is.
Take care

compchomper

Hello, I want to subscribe to the competition board so I get a daily email of the new competitions but don't know how to do it on the new forum layout? Can anyone tell me how, cheers