Today I am staying put. I have shopped 'til I
dropped, made pots of jam and chutney, baked and froze sponge cakes, wrapped Christmas presents, decorated the tree, and had big brother and his wife up for lunch this
Week to boot. It's busy for everyone this time at this time year. However. I have done almost everything that needs doing. This morning I find that I have a tickly and annoying cough probably caught amongst the throngs of shoppers in town. Wet day here so I am missing nothing.

Damon lowercase, I am not offended in the least by no_one answering. Sometimes there's no need, so take note next time you feel unloved.

eh? No entiendo ann.

Eamon, if you're wondering why I've called you Damon, it's because when I use my Tablet, it has a device which interprets the word which it thinks you want to use - in this case Damon instead of Eamon. It's a bit of a nuisance if you don't keep your eye on what you type. It can be remedied by adding unusual words to the dictionary and then it recognises that word next time.

Ann Anya or whatever,

Can't seem to get started with the Christmas fare bustle. Maybe because we go to Sheena's the bother is taken out of cooking etc. Buy the luxury items in Aldi or Lidl'slike Christmas cake & pudding etc. Excellent.

Trying to get Joe to get the garland from the shed to decorate today for the mantlepiece, but that is a struggle as it is raining & his armchair is always occupied till late afternoon.!!!!!

Hope this weather improves soon as it is very depressing, rain rain for week,can't keep the place clean with Finn shaking himself after a run in the rain. Storms abound Mrs Mopp wouldn't be in it with me these days.

Spring is just round the corner after January here so we look on the bright side when the light comes back & the Spring has sprung.
Wishful thinking but better than despair.....Pat

Pat, my tub crocuses are coming up, just showing their green shoots.

Ann. My crocuses and daffodils are coming up too. It's. this crazy weather - 14 degrees in north London today. Hope we don't get any severe frosts later on. Charlotte Rosemary Marsden

Charlotte,London seems to get the best of the weather. I notice this especially in the summer months when we're getting soaked in the rain and London is bathed in sunshine.

Hi all,



Talking aout bulbs, our daffodil bulb shoots are showing already above ground & primroses are blooming in the big border, where they are sheltered.

There is a young Magnolia tree in bud too.Still some roses on the bushes.



Crazy weather & seasons this year. Pat

Hi Pat, My roses are still blooming as well. My brother Joe has daffs in flower for two weeks now. Do you think it's global warming? Happy Christmas Pam

Some of my roses are still blooming. In fact, some are budding again. It has to be the mild weather. Saw a garden in Somerset last night on the news. It showed daffodils in full bloom. Crazy or what.