Today I've been mainly.......Volume 4

Thanks girls,although I'm at my grazing worst in the evening Carol!.
I usually only have a starter at lunchtime if I'm with my girl friend. We share 3 between us and that's enough.

Another bonus of this lovely weather is that I don't want to eat too much.

Went to the bank to pay the balance of our rent for the apartment in Perpignan (going in just over 2 weeks). Returned from the bank to find the postman at the door with a large Amazon box. Panic! Had I been ordering from Amazon without knowing? Was this incipient dementia? Tore the box open and found three items I had ordered from M&S on-line outlet. Wiped sweat off brow! Amazon must be handling their outlet orders.

I have just done half an hour's gardening to work off my irritation, after receiving an unexpected phone call from ex-husband - we divorced 24 years ago, and keep an armed truce for the times we are required to be in the same company. He was just wondering whether I would be prepared to be 'friendly' when we are next in family company (I am always indifferent, I have moved on). He went on to say that his (long-suffering from the same treatment) partner was unaware of his phone call. I listened patiently to what he had to say, then gave him a flea in his ear - advised him that as soon as I heard from our family that he had changed his mean ways, I would, in those circumstances, be more 'friendly.' Cheek!

carol some men really live on a differant planet don't they,always about them never in the wrong,I bet that your garden got a really enthusiastic going over to work off your irritation

At least all the leaves and weeds have been swept up and there's fresh compost prettying up the herbaceous border, so it doesn't look tatty any more (shame I can't say the same for ex - oh, Carol! you bitch!)

Just caught up with this thread and your Good Morning, jeni. I hope Swansea isn't tiresome today and that younhave a Good Afternoon!

I've done some mowing and some housework and have to go to a school council meeting in a bit. Asda man has been. When will I remember, when ordering grapes, to reduce the amount from 1kg?

How's your asthma Baggy? Mowing at this time of year can really bring it on.
Carol, some of my deepest cleaning is done when I'm in a quiet strop.

Hello, ga. How are you these days? I hope you've fully recovered from the bout(s) of illness you had.

My chest feels heavy today so I have come indoors even though there are a hundred jobs to do in the garden. My garden is never 'straight'. It grows with 'gay' abandon.

Fabulous day again 21 degrees in our garden. garden furniture clean and ready for use. Not moving far from the house as DH and I have dicky tummies courtesy of GC.
DD is 43 today, where did the years go ? Sadly she lives abroad so will not see her until Easter.

Swansea was very welsh. And hot. And trying! They are moving the tribunal to other premises tomorrow. Therefore of course the cleaners have not bothered to clean. There were no disposable cups to put the water in. And as weare moving out, they have repaired the lavatorys, and given them seats!
The claimants had no idea how far they could walk for, or how long they could walk for! The room was hot, so we had to have the windows open, this meant traffic noise+++ and the announcements from the railway station opposite!
Fortunately they let me back into England even though I didn't have my passport!

Ok rant over! Back to Bristol tomorrow where everything works. (I wish!!!)

Sitting down with stiff drink and iPad ready to listen to bbc news to make sure no one has stopped the world!

I have downloaded some photos from our visit to our projects in South Africa, but can't seem to add captions, so:
1. Juba Pre school - using old containers as rooms.
2. Ntzuma primary school where we provided water for a spring, so that they could grow vegetables to feed the children. (And their families twice a week) She, the head, is desperate for fencing so that Year R can go out to play. The roof of YR classroom had been stolen, as had her one computer.
3. Planting in one of the small holdings which we'd helped irrigate.
4. Can you see what these are? Thought you'd like this one.
5. What happened when I explained what a spritzer was!
6. St Thomas' Children's home: heartbreaking. Children with every disadvantage you could imagine - HIV, full blown AIDS, TB, abuse, trafficking, parents shot in front of them....and as ever, not enough money.
7. So trivial - me having a face paint.

I am still reeling from the experiences, from work in the townships, to our visi to Rourkes Drift and the battlefileds ("Zulu") to work being done by so many concerned people - Rotary International in particular. But such great, wonderful people, setting up these creches and schools and homes for their own people. Good to have been a very small cog.

But oh, I have eaten and drunk SO much. However, that's another story. I can however, vouch for SA white wine as never before...

Interesting photos, Ariadne. I would love to have been able to increase their size to have a good luck. What on earth was that row of toilets of every colour doing there? Is there more information about the projects you have visited on the internet? Sorry to fire these questions at you - I have been left wanting to know more about these children and how they are being helped.

Agree with Carol's comments and questions ...thanx for sharing

Thank you Ariadne. Great snaps. Could you possibly explain the toilets? Were you responsible for providing them? Like the face painting - could set a trend.

ariadne great photos same as everyone wish we could enlarge, have you thought about doing a blog as we would all love to hear more.

Good idea, glass! Yes please, ariadne!

I was sure I'd responded to your comments! Heaven only knows what I did wit the post...

I'd love to do a blog, and have consulted the GN oracles.

The toilets are actually potties with lids, at one of the crèches. Each has the child's name on. No, I don't know who provided them, but was amused to learn that, because it is so warm (and even warmer in a container / room) pottie time takes place outdoors.

The Juma crèche was started by a young black woman, who'd been a nursing sister at a local hospital and who wanted to do something for her urban township community, where troubles were rife.

No, there's nothing on the Internet as yet; Rotary is so bad at promoting itself! I really will try to do a blog. Will also put up a few more photos tomorrow. So glad you're interested - when the Internet went down I really missed being able to share each day with you all.

Good night, sweet ladies xxxx

What a crabby old woman I am! My SO took me for lunch yesterday to cheer me up, and I was really very tetchy with him. How ungrateful. Dad had yet another fall and had the doctor to see him, so I was (still am) rather wound up.
I know my SO understands but I hate being like that. [grumpy emot]
Just feel weepy today and that is nearly as bad!

Dad is in such a bad state but still thinks he is going to be better "next week"!
Sorry to unload, but it's heartbreaking.

nanachrissy ((((hugs)))). So sorry to hear about your trouble. Your poor dad too. Don't apologise for unloading on us. We're here for each other after all.

Oh nanachrissy, I'm sure your SO understands, you are so worried about your Dad, all those emotions have to come out somewhere. You are really feeling it all for your Dad and it is very difficult for you to see him like this. There are a lot of caring and understanding people on Gransnet, so don't ever feel you can't unload it all here. (((hugs))) take care, go and walk in the sunshine, it will feel a bit better then, it is a glorious day here.

Life can be tough, chrissy. I'm sure your SO understands, as do we. x

(((hugs))) nanachrissy. You must be so worried about your dear dad, and other trivialities pale into insignificance at times like this. Have a happier day today and I hope you are able to say things are settling down again soon

nannychrissie (((hugs))) take care

nanachrissy I echo all the caring comments from your GN friends. Please continue to share your concerns with us. Sunny and warm [hugs] from me.

chrissy sending a ((hug)), SO will understand you are worried about Dad.