Fish n Chips 56

Thats why I didnt tell you, I didnt want to be a bother...

cheers

Fish you have been holding out on us, I didn't know you had a trip planned.

Did you look at the price of some properties while you were there?

Glad you enjoyed yourself.

We went to the doctors yesterday. 612 miles there and 612 miles back?????

Cheers

Fish n Chips 56

Like you I'm always looking at properties in the UK, and yes I saw a few I liked, I must admit I love the fittings used in Kitchens and Bathrooms, the latest styles are lovely and not so expensive.

jasper123

cheers why do you have to travel over 600 miles to see your doctor? do you live in the outback/bush? in the old days in Oz when I was living there the northern territory was like that ---- unless you lived right in Darwin.

Perth

Rodney, I don't even like to drive here in Florida, where the roads are wide with many lanes. I used to drive in London when I was in my early 20's with no problems. But as I get older I find it difficult to feel comfortable on the road, especially at night as I suffer from night blindness.

Had no idea that Pompey was the most densely populated city - you would think that would have been London. You must live a bit out in the suburbs though, right, in order to not feel it?

OH and I struggle between city and countryside - and not wanting a car informs much of that choice. One reason for wanting to be out of the city is to be able to have a garden to grow veggies and flowers. Not likely able to afford it in the city, but hard to find a place out of it where there is decent public transport that you can be confident won't change.

Rock and a hard place comes to mind.

Perth

How very British of you

How did you feel about the trip back, Fish? Still as eager as ever to return home?

Fish n Chips 56

Oh yes I still want to go back, I see some negatives every time I go back I find a few but still I love the Old Country, its where I belong.

cheers

DW likes to go to the cardiologist who fitted her with the defibrillator. His practice is in the LA area.

Any rain in your area?

Cheers

jasper123

Thanks cheers for letting me know, I don't know if I told you but I had a pacemaker implanted a year ago here in Pompey, had it done at the main hospital here, the cardiologist that did the Op did a great Job, I have to go back to the hospital once a year and technicians check the pacemaker and do a few tests on it with there equipment to make sure its still doing its Job, But unless I have any more problems I don't have to actually see my Cardiologist anymore.

jasper123

Hi Perth,we live a 10 minute walk from a high street full of all the shops you will need, there are rough areas here, but thankfully where we live is a nice peaceful residential area, you talk about a garden, well the majority of houses here are terraced houses with really long gardens, with lovely rich soil where you could grow all your own veggies of every kind that would keep a family of four completely self sufficient for life it would be especially great for vegetarians
Goldie Hawn was one of the loose women on the british loose women show here today, it was really great to here her chat with the other women,

sallysimmons

Can't believe you were here and didn't let me know - we'd have had our kettle on too! I'm so glad you had a nice time and that you enjoyed our lovely Autumn weather. It's finally starting to feel a bit nippy - had my coat, scarf and hat on this morning when I went for a walk. Still, I do live up in the hills where it's always chillier than down below.

Just catching up with the posts after a long time away. Feelbritish, it's so good to hear that you got home!

It's three and a half years ago today since I moved back and I have been thankful every one of those days.

Yesterday while out for a walk, my husband and I stopped to chat to one of our local farmers. He's 71 and has never lived anywhere else - lovely man. Anyway, he was asking if we ever want to go back to America for a visit and was so surprised that we both instantly said no. I told him can't imagine I'll ever want to get on a plane again.

When we first moved back, I thought we would travel all over Europe, but it's like I've been planted here and can't move! I just don't seem to have the desire to travel anymore, which is odd seeing that I spent so much of my life on the move.

Earlier this year I went on a drawing course in Oxford (my first trip down south since coming home) and after it was over, my husband came down to meet me and we went to the Cotswolds. It was nice enough, but a bit of a letdown after the scenery around us and further north in the Dales and the Lakes. I thought Oxford was pretty and interesting but far too crowded. We decided we're done with holidays for a while and will stick to day trips

Sometimes I wonder if I made a mistake all those years ago when I blithely agreed to move abroad, too young and inexperienced to understand what I was agreeing to, but on balance I think not. Because I don't think I would love it here so much if I hadn't gone away.

Well anyway, it's been great reading everyone's updates. Off to catch up some more! Hope everyone stays well and happy.

sallysimmons

trottytrue, I am so sorry to hear about your husband. My mother-in-law has dementia and I think her husband is now starting with it. As the main carer, it's vital that you take care of yourself. I'm sure you know that, but people often try to do too much and then wind up ill themselves. Please take care of yourself.

Fish n Chips 56

Trottytrue.

So sorry to hear about your husband, My Mum had dementia, its an awful disease, I echo sallys comments about looking after yourself, It really is most important. Take Care.

ottotheboar

One of my daughters lives in London, Barnes to be exact.She has a small garden with her house but also has an allotment.She grows a lot of vegetables and there is quite an active group of people with allotments sharing seeds and tips for growing.They are managed by the local council I believe.

Perth

Allotments are great for people without gardens, but always a long waiting list. Still, something to consider. My husband is brilliant at growing veggies.

Last time I lived in London I was a carer for my grandmother. She had a lovely ground flat in West Hampstead with a sizable garden. My grandfather used to grow the most beautiful flowers that were the envy of the neighbourhood.