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Hi, Rusty!
I have just finished talking to my cousin.
All is well up there.
The Northern branch of the family is away for Christmas.
They are heading up to Northumberland on Friday.
I have yet to buy a wreath, but we do not take it to the crematorium until the 21st., thus marking an anniversary.
My daughter phoned on their way home from Windsor.
BB and YB had a great time, visiting Santa in his Grotto in Legoland!
Both boys were utterly exhausted and fast asleep in the car!

Hello, Elle!
Where about in Northumberland do they go, Elle?
This rings a bell, did they do this last Christmas, too?
I am in two minds about the cemetery.
It is meant to be a bit milder on Tuesday, so I may go then.
Buy the wreath tomorrow and cemetery on Tuesday.
The boys seem to have had a great time at Legoland!
Seems to be very cold out!

Hi, Rusty!
I'm afraid that I cannot remember whereabouts in Northumberland they stay .
Yes, they have been there before, but I don't think it was last Christmas.
I rather think they spent Christmas at home last year, but went to Keswick (in the Lake District) for New Year.
They often go up to Scotland , too, last time staying somewhere near Ben Nevis.
They have no pets or other commitments and so travel about a fair bit.
We tend to stay put a lot more, because of the dog and the cat!
It is still wet here.....and chilly!

Good morning Rusty and Elle,

Thank you Rusty for inquiring after me - kind gesture very much
appreciated!

Yes, I know I am being rather absent from the Forum at present!
Basically, apart from saying 'hello', I have nothing of interest
to contribute, apart from moaning about the weather.........
dull, damp and miserable - gone mild now, after a week of
very very cold temps.

I am resting, taking it easy (very easy) and doing all that the Doctor's ordered; Feeling better though and back is slowly getting better too.
It is now at the dangerous stage when, because I feel that much
better, it is easy to automatically do something I should not do
quite yet, if you know what I mean?
Still difficult to stand for too long, or walk more than 50 metres or
so.

Not a nice time of the year for me with plenty sad anniversaries,
so Christmas preparations are way above my head - luckily my
brotherly friend from Cumbria is arriving tomorrow night, so
that should cheer me up, I hope.

Hope all is well for both of you - I envy you with all your family
commitments - I do keep in touch in a way as I read most of
your post-exchanges.

I promise I'll keep in touch more often and give you whatever
news I have! or take part in a discussion - I have been very lazy!

Hello, Pigale!
It is good to hear that you are gradually improving...yes, be sensible and take it slowly!
( Let your friend do the hoovering when he arrives!)
I realised that this is an unhappy time of year for you, so understood why you were absent from the Forum for a time.
It is good to see you "back"!
I am still chasing my tail, trying to accomplish things that should have been done several weeks ago had I been better organised!

Good morning, Rusty!
A lovely day here!
Bright blue sky and sunshine..... and a tad warmer at 5C!
I have been having a "tidy up", as friends keep dropping in unexpectedly to say "Merry Christmas!
Isn't it always the way that someone will arrive on the day that one hasn't combed one's hair (probably not applicable to men!) or hoovered!
Family coming around , too, but not till about 4. 30pm after school.
Have you bought your wreath and taken it to the Cemetery?

Good day, Elle!
Great day here too, and fairly mild.
Forecast was for much colder weather.
I usually comb my hair!
I have been out.
My usual flower shop has closed down, so I had to go further afield to find one.
Found one with very friendly helpful staff and reasonable prices, and bought my wreath there.
All set for the cemetery tomorrow.

Good afternoon, Pigale!
Glad to hear you are taking it easy as Doctor ordered!
Just take your time until you regain your strength.
Your friend from Cumbria should cheer you up and be good company for you.
I do understand that Christmas is a sad time for many folk, but good company will help you cope with that.

Hi, Rusty!
Well done on getting your wreath.
We seem to have a singular dearth of them around here.....
I don't know whether they have all been bought up already?
My husband has just volunteered to go up to Aldi, and see if they have any there.
I am in the middle of wrapping some presents.......
Another friend has just left after dropping round her card.
At least she got the benefit of the newly hoovered lounge!
The tree looks great......the grandchildren will be thrilled when they arrive!
I have (sort of) finished the crossword.......five clues that I cannot do ...mostly on the left hand side of the grid.
It was a hard one today, I thought?

Hello, Elle!
I prefer a florist for the wreath.
ASDA had plain"ish" ones but I prefer ones with flowers in the holly.
And it was a part of town that I had not been to in yonks.
So, that was fine.
Yes, the puzzle is hard today.
3d is a new phrase to me.
Have a break from it, then go back!