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[Gordon]

Helen The Melon wrote: "I'm originally from Shropshire, Gordon."

Whereabouts, Helen?

We used to come to Shropshire (Ironbridge, Bridgnorth, etc.) on school trips.

[Helen The Melon]

I was born in Wales (Mum is Welsh) & moved to Newport when I was about 1. Lived there until I was about 26 - with 3 years away at Uni. I also did further study at Harper Adams, and also worked there. My Dad is from Whitchurch, a Shropshire lad ;-)

[Gordon]

I've had some involvement in the development of the new veterinary school at Keele/Harper Adams. So I've had quite a few visits to Edgmond/Newport over the past year & a half. What did you study at Harper Adams? Are you an agricultural person?

[Helen The Melon]

Gordon wrote: "I've had some involvement in the development of the new veterinary school at Keele/Harper Adams. So I've had quite a few visits to Edgmond/Newport over the past year & a half. What did you study at..."

I studied Rural Environmental Management there (after 3 yrs of Biology at Uni). I'm sure it's changed a lot since I was last there.

[Lez]

Well, I've got a Xmas present I could do without. A mouse under the sink. I'm not scared of mice but I certainly don't want any in the house. Don't know how to get rid of it, I don't like killing any creature but I can't use one of those traps which can release them outside as I'm housebound these days. Have to get professional help and also get the holes blocked up. Aarrggh!

[Collette]

I sympathise, Lez. My Mum had the same problem the year before last. Found a wee mouse asleep on her bedroom rug, nearly had a fit to herself, and had to call D and I to come and get it at 10 at night. We caught it in a Tupperware box and released it at the bus stop outside our local whisky bond. The hole they were coming in from got blocked up with some special foam stuff, and she now keeps the likes of biscuits, crisps etc well away from floor level. If you have a friend or neighbour who's able to catch it for you, they'll have to release it well away from your house so it doesn't come back. Good luck. 🙂

[Qashqai 68]

Wishing everyone on exiles a very happy Christmas, hope all is well with you all. 😊

[Post Soviet]

Lez, Collette,
My white cat Barsik is very good on catching mice & birds, the problem is: he brings mice alive from outside into the house, dashes to the second floor bathroom, leaps into the bathroom and plays there for hours as mouse isn't able to escape from the bath. I can't stand sadistic games like this and make it quick. With a slipper.
Sorry for so unchristmassy tale this lovely morning, I know it sounds like a story of dysfunctional family from The Hills Have Eyes.

Anyway, have a nice Xmas everyone! '0)

[Gordon]

Merry Christmas all.

[Collette]

Post Soviet, I remember staring out of the kitchen window a couple of years back in horrified fascination watching my neighbour's cat playing with a poor wee mouse on the back drying green. They can be right wee clats, can't they!! And you'll have the added pain of having to clean out the bath afterwards. 😬

MERRY CHRISTMAS, everyone. Enjoy your Newcastle, Gordon. Baileys for me. 😬

[Anita]

That's a crafty cat taking them in the he bath.Treacle just brings hers into the lounge and chases them around ,cat out then I have a go at catching the mouse alive,no luck,so then I have to get her back in and it's a case of "catch it!!"Happy Christmas everyone.

[P]

Gordon wrote: "P wrote: "Do you know the area well, Gordon? "

Grew up on the southern edge of Birmingham. Now live in Shrewsbury (via London, Basel, London again, Hamburg & Southampton). Drive through Kiddermins..."

You'll be pleased to know that after 2-3 years the dreaded Oldbury J2 roadworks seem over!!! Yee-ha! Just with a 50mph speed limit for the time being.

Hope all had, and still are having, a great festive season.

[P]

Happy 2020, all, and hopes to Oz that you are soon blessed with some of the rain we are fed up with, here.
Certainly hope the crittur population can speedily be restored, and that people can rebuild their lives.

[Val]

Thanks P and all the best for 2020 to you and your family.

Ironically, here in Melbourne we have had good rain in the last few days and temperatures worthy of a jumper, but outside it is very hazy and there is a strong smell of smoke. Today and tomorrow will be in the 30s and we can only hope that the fires don't flare up again. The relief efforts from around the world have been truly amazing and there are still a lot of events to come - tennis professionals here for the Aus Open are staging an event, Shane Warne & Ricky Ponting are organising a cricket greats game, there will be an Aussie Rules footy game - Victoria v the Rest of the Country, Rugby League has a fundraising event planned, and as for the gigs by musicians, comedians, etc - they are sold out as soon as they're announced. Comedian Celeste Barber raised over $50 million on her Facebook appeal - from 75 countries!

I just hope our native flora and fauna can recover. There were devastating fires on South Australia's Kangaroo Island which is the only home of koalas that are not infected with chlamydia.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-0...

We also have to worry about how many bees have been lost.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/202...

It was heartening to see on last night's TV news how aerial food drops of carrots and sweet potatoes are taking place to help wallaby populations whose habitat has been burnt out.
https://www.smh.com.au/environment/co...

Fingers crossed for no more fires.

[P]

Val: I think you have the sympathy of great swathes of the world. Obviously, many Brits have family in Oz, myself included (Brisbane and Toowoomba), so your nation's plight is featured quite heavily on the news, here.

Heartening to see fresh shoots springing up through the scorched, hell-like landscapes, but heartbreaking to see the burnt paw pads of so many rescued creatures.

You're right about the unknown long-lasting effects - it hadn't occurred to me about bees, and guess even mozzies and bugs that are not wanted are preyed upon by dragonflies, birds and bats. So, a shortage means they go hungry.

Hot, dry spells affect most countries. Certainly we get the perishing forest and moorland fires here once the vegetaion is dry, many caused by human idiocy.

Meanwhile, yesterday we were struck by named storm, Ciara, which was strong enough to bring down trees and rip up anything not well screwed down. Some amazing photos exist of the rough seas around our coast, and rivers in massive flood. We had quite torrential rain where we were, but the damage seemed limited to some trees, but mainly wheelie bins blown over, fence panels down, and trampolines being transferred from one garden to another, possibly some considerable way away.

[P]

How did the storm affect everyone else?

[[deleted user]]

P wrote: "How did the storm affect everyone else?"

We got off fairly lightly here - I had to shut the bedroom windows for an hour or so because the wind was driving the rain in through one window and trying to suck the blind out of the other!
Once things calmed down I opened the windows again but I've left them on the latch for now so any more wind won't wrench them wide open whilst I'm asleep.

Out and about hasn't been too bad - suffered a bit of buffeting in my truck but I've had to contend with worse. I have only seen the one displaced trampoline which, if it goes much further will end up swimming in the river.
It had been dry overnight but the rain has just decided to put in an appearance. So long as it's stopped by 1 A.M. I don't mind :)

[Helen The Melon]

Yeh, wasn't too bad up here at all. V v windy and wet yesterday and the river behind my house almost flooded, was right at the top of the banks. Not so windy today but been snowing all day (& cold, obvs.)

[Sera69]

V windy here, and some extreme hail about 10.30pm that looked like a snow drift for 10 minutes. Snow in Nottingham now brrrrr

[Helen The Melon]

Sera69 wrote: "V windy here, and some extreme hail about 10.30pm that looked like a snow drift for 10 minutes. Snow in Nottingham now brrrrr"

Are you a midlander, Sera?

[Sera69]

Helen The Melon wrote: "Sera69 wrote: "V windy here, and some extreme hail about 10.30pm that looked like a snow drift for 10 minutes. Snow in Nottingham now brrrrr"

Are you a midlander Sera?"

I would never admit to anything so scandalous or northern :)

[Helen The Melon]

Oh crikey, so sorry to have caused offence! ;-)

[Gordon]

Anyone else have snow today? We were all advised to leave work early in case we got stranded.

[Lez]

Gordon wrote: "Anyone else have snow today? We were all advised to leave work early in case we got stranded."

Yep. Horizontal snow followed by sleet and rain. Trains delayed.

[theDuke]

Snow? That cold white powdery stuff? Nah...rarely ever see that stuff down my way! :)

[[deleted user]]

We've had a light dusting while I've been asleep which has now frozen. Going to have to scrape my car in a minute.

[Helen The Melon]

Random question of the day time......does anyone use these beeswax food wrap thingies? I've been meaning to try them for a while but not got round to it & I don't know anyone who's tried them. Eg. - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Navega-Beesw...

[Lez]

Sounds a great idea. I very rarely use cling film and then only in the microwave so it wouldn't be any good to me. I use foil to wrap things as it can be cleaned and recycled.

[Isabella]

Sorry, I hadn't heard of these but when I checked, the reviews seem to be split between 2* and 5*, so not really helpful...

A question that I have, is why the all over print on the sheets? I try hard to avoid printed and dyed products, because of pollution issues in manufacturing and disposal. It's not easy as, somehow, even so-called "environmentally friendly" products often seem to be bleached and/or dyed.

[Lez]

Isabella wrote: "Sorry, I hadn't heard of these but when I checked, the reviews seem to be split between 2* and 5*, so not really helpful...

A question that I have, is why the all over print on the sheets? I try h..."

Completely agree, it's ridiculous there's still coloured bog-roll and printed kitchen roll.

[Val]

I have and still do use them. In fact my daughter makes them (just for her own use) - I think there are plenty of how-to vids on Youtube. And if you don't want to use beeswax for any reason, there are plant-based waxes available to buy as well as finished products using the non-animal alternative. I use them for cheese, cold meats, half an avocado, etc. but still prefer an elastic band to seal them. I've only used them for products kept in the fridge. I haven't tried using them on bread. I bought some local Aussie ones for Christmas presents and they seem to have gone down well.

https://wrappa.com.au/
https://wrappa.com.au/make-your-own-w...

Re the printed materials used, I would think people are using up scraps or offcuts. I'm sure undyed calico ones are probably available.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/60725861...

[Helen The Melon]

I hardly ever use foil as there is no facility to recycle it round here: we can't put it in our recycling bins & there's no where to take it for recycling either. I try not to use too much clingfilm & the bits I do use I try to re-use but I've been looking at alternatives for a while.

Lez - I use pyrex casserole dish lids to cover bowls of soup, porridge etc. in the microwave.

Isabella - I don't know why things have to be printed/patterned either, to make them "pretty" I s'pose.

Val - thanks for response. I would use them for stuff in the fridge too, covering bowls of food, half an avocado, half a lemon etc. They would be suitable for this purpose?

[Val]

Helen The Melon wrote: "Val - thanks for response. I would use them for stuff in the fridge too, covering bowls of food, half an avocado, half a lemon etc. They would be suitable for this purpose? ..."

For covering bowls and some plates, I use the shower-cap type covers - I know they're plastic but I bought two packets at Aldi some years back and they're still going strong. The beeswax wrappers could probably be used for that purpose if large enough. I still would use an elastic band or string (slip knot) to secure the wrap.

This article is from the Australian Choice magazine but you might find some useful stuff in it.

https://www.choice.com.au/food-and-dr...

[Helen The Melon]

Thanks Val. Yeh, I don't really want to use those shower cap type covers so I'll probably give the wax wrappers a try when my current roll of clingfilm eventually runs out. Bit worried tho' as the article says that the heat from your hands warms up the wax to make it cling - I am cold blooded!! I have extremely poor circulation (Raynaud's) so my hands are always icy cold & I wear cashmere hand warmers around the house to keep them warm. Sounds like I'll have to use string or elastic bands.

[P]

And so Storm Ciara makes way for Storm Daniel., bringing the rain Oz really needs. It apparently stalled over the Welsh Mountains, so they REALLY copped a dousing. What falls there then ends up in the River Severn. There are currently amazing scenes at the usual hotspots along the Severn, especially in the Midlands.
Yesterday, the one and only bridge over the Severn in Worcester was closed, but open today. Bewdley has its flood defences installed, but it is anticipated that they will be breached tonight. Ironbridge has amazing scenes. Their flood defences are under max strain, and will not peak until tomorrow. Upton upon Severn has glass flood defences, and it was anticipated the river level would overflow. It just about hadn't yet, but should get worse tomorrow.

Gordon: how are things with the Severn in Shrewsbury?

[P]

Also on the news, I travel at intervals to visit family in Sheffield, and usually take the main A38 dual carriageway arterial route past Lichfield, Burton and Derby. Currently closed due to the River Trent bursting its banks and flooding both carriageways with millions of litres of floodwater. Never known to have happened before. This is a major traffic disruption as it is as busy as a motorway, and the main route from East to West Midlands. They can't pump the water cl;ear as there is nowhere for the water to go, so they are simply leaving it to recede naturally.

[Lez]

P wrote: "Also on the news, I travel at intervals to visit family in Sheffield, and usually take the main A38 dual carriageway arterial route past Lichfield, Burton and Derby. Currently closed due to the Riv..."

Whereabouts in Sheffield are your family, P.? I lived in Crosspool from 1972 - 2006 and worked in Firth Park.

[Gordon]

P wrote: "Gordon: how are things with the Severn in Shrewsbury?"

I've posted about this in the "Today, I shall mostly be..." thread. The water was very high on Monday night, with the road around the corner from me under water and a couple of roads into/out of town closed. By yesterday evening it had fallen a lot but low-lying fields & parks around the river (including the showground) are still completely under water. They were expecting more rain in North Wales yesterday & today, so that will come down the river to Shrewsbury over the next couple of days and the level will probably rise again.

[theDuke]

With the new season of Aussie footy rules to begin soon...i wonder if our dear Suzy will return? It's been 6 months now.....it's quiet on here without her sweet 'n' cheerful postings.

[Craig White]

.............it's quite,.................too quite!

parp!

[theDuke]

Tech XXIII wrote: ".............it's quite,.................too quite!

parp!"

I always get those two spellings nuddled up with amother! :)

[Craig White]

i know. i just can't control the over-riding condition i suffer from - cheekybastardism!

[P]

Lez wrote: "P wrote: "Also on the news, I travel at intervals to visit family in Sheffield, and usually take the main A38 dual carriageway arterial route past Lichfield, Burton and Derby. Currently closed due ..."

Sorry for the long delay in replying, Lez.
My daughter lives not far from the Hillsborough Footy ground, close to the terminus of the tram in Middlewood.
She is expecting her first child, our second grandchild, in July - a worrying time to be pregnant and thinking of bringing a little one into the world currently.

[P]

theDuke wrote: "With the new season of Aussie footy rules to begin soon...i wonder if our dear Suzy will return? It's been 6 months now.....it's quiet on here without her sweet 'n' cheerful postings."

I hope our Suzy is hunkering down and keeping herself isolated.
What a crazy time it is outside at present. Battle royales over bog rolls, people getting the jitters over hearing the slightest of snuffles, every medical and non medical appointment being cancelled, schools about to close affecting kids GCSEs, A Levels and Universities shutting early, too. Rumours all pubs, bars and restaurants due to be closed.
Reckon we are about to find out what it is like for animals who hibernate.

[P]

Gordon wrote: "P wrote: "Gordon: how are things with the Severn in Shrewsbury?"

I've posted about this in the "Today, I shall mostly be..." thread. The water was very high on Monday night, with the road around t..."

Week and a bit ago we went to Worcester. River level had dropped to about 2 foot below esplanade walkway. Swans were practically able to swim onto walkway. Promenade was covered in mud deposits, opposite side of Worcester's main bridge over the Severn had a dam of tree branches and assorted wooden debris blocking each of the arches, and the route from esplanade up steps to cathedral was all silted up and padlocked. The fields on opposite side of the river, ie a flood plain, were exactly that, still flooded. The river level had been at record height for them, but the people of Worcester seem to take it in their stride and carry on.

[P]

Was due to work on the May Elections as presiding Officer again, and possibly on the count. Now cancelled until next year.
Due to work on Exams invigilation for GCSEs - very likely they will be put back.
So, that's me without any work for the foreseeable.

How are the Coronavirus measures affecting everyone else?

[Val]

P wrote: "every medical and non medical appointment being cancelled..."

I suppose different governments have different strategies for combatting COVID-19. I am pleased that our State government (yes, we get to vote for a Federal government, a State government and local government) has announced a £50 million package to fast track elective surgery ahead of the peak of the pandemic. My 3 year old grandson, who was waiting on tonsils, adenoids and grommets, has been offered surgery next week (or the week after if they'd prefer). I am very happy.

[Isabella]

Went to Tesco this morning for a few bits and bobs (we tend to treat it as a corner shop as it's only a ten minute walk and so we avoid using the car). It was a bit like Christmas week, with lots of 70+ customers. It all seemed good-natured, no grabbing or moaning but the food bank donation box was at a low ebb.

On the other hand, what can you expect when they suddenly make statements about the over seventies having to self-isolate for weeks on end? And has anyone thought about the (non-COVID) consequences for physical and mental health of such a régime?

[Isabella]

A ray of sunshine...
Just got in, having driven down the M50 in the rain. There are whole sections of the motorway where the banks are lined with literally thousands of tiny wild daffodils. Utterly lovely.

[Val]

It's always good to come across some light relief in the midst of the current crisis.

On Facebook:

Waiting for new Aussie slang to be born in the next few months.

Early guesses:
Sanny - hand sanitiser
In iso - self isolation/lockdown
the Rona - self-explanatory
Magpie - supermarket hoarder

In a sentence:
Me boss tested pozzi for the Rona so now I'm in iso. Popped down to Woolies for some sanny but it's been bloody magpie'd.