Chit Chat Board Showing 401-450 of 1,758

[Kirsten]

I'm currently in Vindolanda (near Newcastle), just completed my first day of digging. I think every muscle in my body is sore! What an amazing site. The history here is incredible. Posting photos over on my Facebook page - Facebook.com/KirstenMcKenzieAuthor. Found my first (tiny) piece of roman pottery, and couldn't stop smiling! Two weeks of this. Hope the weather holds! Giving me lots of ideas for my next book, funnily enough!!!

[Lesley]

Kirsten wrote: "I'm currently in Vindolanda (near Newcastle), just completed my first day of digging. I think every muscle in my body is sore! What an amazing site. The history here is incredible. Posting photos o..."

I am envious, and I'm hoping you are making notes for your next book. I begun Fifteen Postcards Sunday night and all I can say is WOW!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

☆ Ｃａｒｏｌ ☆ wrote: "Nothing wrong with our old IMO - it was the spares that need replacing

Funnily enough, our mattress has just started to go wavy on one side! We have flipped it, as my husband's back much better yesterday.

Enjoy your dig, Kirsten. Even better that it is giving you inspiration. :)

[Lizzy]

I love Vindolanda. My Granny and Grandpa are from near there and we used to visit as kids. Hope you have a wonderful time. I can remember watching the digs.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Wine o'clock has just been entered in the Oxford Online Dictionary!

My mother was so ahead of her time!

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/def...

[Ace]

☆ Ｃａｒｏｌ ☆ wrote: "Wine o'clock has just been entered in the Oxford Online Dictionary!

My mother was so ahead of her time!

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/def..."

That is brilliant...

[Kirsten]

Wine o'clock has been a word in my house for a long time!!!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

It's wine o'clock here now. Spent the afternoon sorting out computer issues.Turned out to be connected to me downloading Windows 10. But drivers installed now so alls well that ends well!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

The Warehouse has some great specials on perfume until tomorrow. My husband going overseas in a couple of weeks, but it's easier to select myself than have him bewildered in the duty free!

I was menaced by a roaming dog last week. Lived her for 30 years & that has never happened to me before. Dog Control has given him an infringement (just for the one that snarled at me) & dogs now tied up. Phew!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

That's terrible! What happened to the dog?

They seem unusually tolerant here. Two of my neighbours have complained about these specific dogs & the Dog Control has spoken to him at least 10 times. I've never seen these particular dogs before though.

We have always been reluctant to complain because we once owned a roaming dog ourself. Come a thunderstorm she would smash through anything to get out. But our girl wasn't aggressive.

[[deleted user]]

☆ Ｃａｒｏｌ ☆ wrote: "The Warehouse has some great specials on perfume until tomorrow. My husband going overseas in a couple of weeks, but it's easier to select myself than have him bewildered in the duty free!

I was m..."

Oh dear, I hope you are alright. I still have a scar from being attacked by a rottie as a child.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Melissa wrote: "☆ Ｃａｒｏｌ ☆ wrote: "The Warehouse has some great specials on perfume until tomorrow. My husband going overseas in a couple of weeks, but it's easier to select myself than have him bewildered in the d..."

I'm fine - it just bared it's teeth & snarled. The Dog Control guy said because it's been allowed to wander up here freely it now looks on our track as part of it's territory & thinks I'm the interloper!

Awesome.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I wanted to watch Age of Innocence after so enjoying the book (& would recommend it for those tackling it in our group read) At the same time we got out The Terminal. What a self indulgent, overly sentimental mess with nothing to do with the original story at all.

[[deleted user]]

Kathleen wrote: "☆ Ｃａｒｏｌ ☆ wrote: "I wanted to watch Age of Innocence after so enjoying the book (& would recommend it for those tackling it in our group read) At the same time we got out The Terminal. What a self ..."

For example, "My Sister's Keeper". They destroyed that book with the movie.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Big Book Fair in town today. This is where the Good Reads app (& my to read list)should be helpful as I paw through the bargains!

& was somewhat annoyed yesterday. Our new bed was meant to be delivered, but they said they couldn't do it as they had too many deliveries "over the other side" I can't see why they couldn't have put our bed in last & dropped it over on the way out of town. We only live 5 minutes from the shop.

If local businesses want loyalty they should be loyal to us. We said my husband was having back trouble.

[Erica]

Have fun at the book fair Carol! Hope you find some great books. You'll have to let us know what you get.
Me and my partner ordered a new entertainment unit the other day but it won't be delivered till next weekend. Hope your bed turns up soon

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Erica wrote: "Have fun at the book fair Carol! Hope you find some great books. You'll have to let us know what you get.
Me and my partner ordered a new entertainment unit the other day but it won't be delivere..."

Thanks Erica- if I don't pop in to see them today, I will be going in first thing on Monday.

If we decide to replace the spare beds (I want to just put our old bed in the spare room for now) we may go out of town or to their competitors. We wanted Made in NZ though.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Bed coming 11am Monday.

Book fair jammed - they have reduced prices this year. I didn't think the selection was as good as last year, but a lot of the organisers will have cleared their bookshelves out.

I got - 2 Mary Stewart's
A Room Swept White - Sophie Hannah
Appleby's End- Michael Innes
The Murder Room - PD James
Perry Mason - The Case of the Mythical Monkeys
Novel About My Wife - Emily Perkins
Angelique, The Road to Versailles - Sergeanne Golon. Most hilarious cover https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3666/96...

Doesn't actually scream 17th century France, does it?

[Erica]

Nice haul Carol...the only one I've read is A Novel About My Wife which I really liked.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Erica wrote: "Nice haul Carol...the only one I've read is A Novel About My Wife which I really liked."

I had a quick skim when I was making my final selection - thought it looked really good!

[Darkpool]

Oh My, that cover is hilarious!

[P.D.R.]

Sorry everyone. I've been a total washout as far as Goodreads has been concerned.

Court case adjourned until September so I am still having to put together arguments. SO much wasted time I have not even finished my novel which was due for completion in Nov 2014.

[P.D.R.]

Yes, it is particularly hard as again I will not be able to plant my trees because I do not know if they will be safe from bad neighbour's depredations, sprays and stupidities.

The trees are my money earners and should have been in four years ago!!! Argh!!!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

The opportunity shop I work at was broken into over the weekend.
Sad when people steal from those who are trying to help.

[P.D.R.]

Yes, it stinks doesn't it?
Our church has an annual sale of household goods and furniture. Everything is around 50 cents as our way of helping out. Yet we have to mount a really sharp watch and have devised several systems to stop groups of people who come only to steal!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

P.D.R. wrote: "Yes, it stinks doesn't it?
Our church has an annual sale of household goods and furniture. Everything is around 50 cents as our way of helping out. Yet we have to mount a really sharp watch and hav..."

This is exactly why I don't like being out the front at our op shop. They have moved the desk/till to near the door to try to combat the thieves. Price swappers are an on going thing for everything but the clothing.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Oh boy it's wine o'clock here already.

My husband is off overseas with his 3 brothers on Tuesday (well, one brother already in Bangkok but you know what I mean) I'm now really worried about the 4 of them going anywhere without a keeper.

The latest is that none of them realised you need an international drivers licence if you are, you know, going to drive internationally! *headdesk* Lucky that was something we could do on the spot!

[P.D.R.]

Men!

[[deleted user]]

☆ Ｃａｒｏｌ ☆ wrote: "Oh boy it's wine o'clock here already.

My husband is off overseas with his 3 brothers on Tuesday (well, one brother already in Bangkok but you know what I mean) I'm now really worried about the 4 ..."

I don't travel much. I didn't know you needed an international one either, lol.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Kathleen wrote: "My son had an American friend who decided to come visit. She hopped on a plane and arrived here without a visa - had no idea about any requirements. Happily they gave her a 3-month visitor visa.

Haha! love it! I'll give one brother a pass because he hasn't travelled much. One brother drove Route 66 last year! Do you not need one for the States? I know when we went to Raro they had just changed the rules & you could drive on a NZ drivers licence.

Unless the brother in Thailand has a Thai licence (possible - he lived there a long time) it will just be 3 of them driving.

The same brother was adamant that you can't use your EFTpos card overseas. Since I had used mine in both Thailand & Raro I knew you could - at money machines.

It is so stressful dealing with know-it-alls - even nice ones. I have had to do way more help with this trip than I should have.

If they need help after they leave the country they will have to ring someone else! I'm off to see my sister. She has mentioned installing a coal range, electricity & carpet being laid. She hasn't mentioned plumbing (I'm hoping that is just an oversight!) or internet. & it is quite isolated.

So looking forward to this!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Boy - Stress City. My husband's EFTpos card stopped working. Fortunately the bank had changed the rules today & could issue him a new one on the spot.

My sister rang my husband - carpet has gone in today,but power not on till Wednesday. But as long as I'm warm I don't care!

[Ace]

Folks I'm coming to NZ to visit !!!!

Will land in Auckland on Saturday, grab a car and head to Paihia, then after a couple of days, will drive south to Tauranga, Lake Taupo, Wellington, fly across to Christchurch and then head to Timaru (Mr Ace's hometown)... We have 9 days all up, so really looking forward to seeing the North Island for a change.

Looks pretty cold on the weather reports, please tell me it's warming up??

[[deleted user]]

Ace wrote: "Folks I'm coming to NZ to visit !!!!

Will land in Auckland on Saturday, grab a car and head to Paihia, then after a couple of days, will drive south to Tauranga, Lake Taupo, Wellington, fly across..."

I am envious, Ace. I would love to go visit New Zealand.

[Lesley]

Not looking flash in the weather department this week, but if we get rid of this southerly and everything goes back to a northerly it should be warmer. Of course at this time of year it could also be windier with a move to the nor-norwesters! At least with a change to nor-westers it will surely be warmer in Mr Ace's hometown - fern effect.

I'll do everything I can to get an improvement in the weather for you 'cos I'm freezing right now. And to think last week I was in early summer gear because it was quite warm.

I do hope you have a great 9 days and get to see plenty of our wonderful sights.
Lesley

[Ace]

Ella's Gran wrote: "Not looking flash in the weather department this week, but if we get rid of this southerly and everything goes back to a northerly it should be warmer. Of course at this time of year it could also ..."

Thanks for trying EG, much appreciated. I find it hard to believe its going to be 'warmer' in Timaru, that will be a first.

On another note, it will be good to wear hat, scarf and boots for a change because it's been stinking hot and humid here for about 8months straight!

@Melissa, where are you living? Hope you get to visit soon!

[[deleted user]]

Ace wrote: "Ella's Gran wrote: "Not looking flash in the weather department this week, but if we get rid of this southerly and everything goes back to a northerly it should be warmer. Of course at this time of..."

Ace, I am Canadian.

I hope you have a fantastic trip. I have heard there are some beautiful sites to see in New Zealand.

[Ace]

Melissa, I've explored a fair bit of the south, I have the Milford Sound to visit one day which looks so amazing.

I have been to Vancouver but I am eager to see the rest of beautiful Canada. It's about a thousand times bigger, I might need a light aircraft to get the coverage I need LOL. To be honest, the scenes I've seen pictures of are very similar to NZ, fresh air, massive mountain ranges, aqua blue water lakes. Heavenly!

[[deleted user]]

Ace wrote: "Melissa, I've explored a fair bit of the south, I have the Milford Sound to visit one day which looks so amazing.

I have been to Vancouver but I am eager to see the rest of beautiful Canada. It's..."

I am from Vancouver. I have heard that Canada and NZ have some similarities. However, I will not lie, New Zealanders have much cooler accents lol.

[Ace]

Melissa wrote: "Ace wrote: "Melissa, I've explored a fair bit of the south, I have the Milford Sound to visit one day which looks so amazing.

I have been to Vancouver but I am eager to see the rest of beautiful ..."

Hilarious!!!!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

hi Im Nelson now which has been HOT! Flying to Ak tomorrow then home as long as my Auckland sister. is well again

[Ace]

Ahh, Nelson, so beautiful!!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Back home now & it's coolish here.

Had lunch in Auckland & Colin Mathura-Jefree was in the next booth! & I can tell you he looks just as gorgeous in the flesh as he does on TV! Also think I saw celebrity chef Michael van de Elzen getting off the plane in Nelson. Just a celebrity groupie I am!

South Island beautiful - of course! I was in The Luminaries country (not Hokitika but the general area) & Nelson.

I've read some terrible books, one very good NZ YA & a very good classic. Just trying to work up the energy to review.

[[deleted user]]

☆ Ｃａｒｏｌ ☆ wrote: "Back home now & it's coolish here.

Had lunch in Auckland & Colin Mathura-Jefree was in the next booth! & I can tell you he looks just as gorgeous in the flesh as he does on TV! Also think I saw ce..."

Welcome back, Carol. I hope you had a fabulous holiday :)

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

& my son has been taken on as permanent staff. Not sure if he still has to do the 3 month trial period as he was working for this firm, but as a labour hire employee! So relieved & just about to have a glass of wine to celebrate!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

So what is happening with the previous shop?

The Dorothy Butler was/is indeed a lovely shop! I saw on Wiki deaths that she had died. :( A remarkable lady.

[Ace]

Well it was an absolutely sensational day in Auckland yesterday when we landed. Had lunch at Massimo in Nuffield st then drove along the scenic road up to Paihia, I have posted a view from the deck our of friends house where we stayed (on the group photos page). It's so quiet here we slept till 9!!!!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Ha! I've never noticed the group photos before! Nice photo.

Enjoy your stay!

[Antonia]

Hello everyone,

My name is Antonia or Ant for short, I have self published two poetry books and am almost to publish through a publishing house an international art community project book, and I am at the moment working on one for writers and authors.

38 Interviews from amazing! Authors/Writers have been suceHello everyone,

My name is Antonia or Ant for short, I have self published two poetry books and am almost to publish through a publishing house an international art community project book, and I am at the moment working on one for writers and authors.

38 Interviews from amazing! Authors/Writers have been successfully added to my book project No Hidden Words, Am only looking for 12 more participants who would like to take part in my book project :)! who's in? :) if interested email me at ant.878@outlook.com

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I have had an amazing trip to SE Asia, but am still to groggy/jet lagged to talk coherently about it. (soon, soon!)

But on the way back I saw a most disappointing film of Madam Bovary. A very plain & lifeless actress in the lead.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2334733/?...

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I'm stuck in the kitchen making grapefruit marmalade. Other than doing the chopping & dicing for my parents as a child, I've never made marmalade before.

Soooo anyone want to talk about the changing of the flag?

Anyone voted for one of the new flags?