@Piglet, That would be a fairly uncommon combination of temperature and ‘feels like’ here in the ACT and thereabouts. In summer they might be very close on a still day, but in winter it would more common to have something like the current combination, 2.7°C feels like 0.4°. That’s at 9am. Maximum is predicted to be 13° and overnight minimum was -3.7°. Below freezing nights are often followed by sunny if slightly chilly days. @Zappa, good to hear from you. 4° is bit lacking in the maximum department. I don’t think I’d be a very good Canadian.
@Mary Louise, I am loving the sound of those pastries and I am sure there was plenty of stuff even if you couldn't make a contribution this time. I am sure you have done your fair share in the past!
@WormInTheGrass I do miss the days of the "wind chill factor", which was dropped a few years ago, The day is looking good with blue skies and as long as there is no wind we will be ok and 13 will be very pleasant.
My Canadian/Australian friends combo seems to have a good balance - she can't cope with the -40 winters and he can't cope with +40 Christmases when they come here to celebrate!
I can see how melkert is a custard tart, but have trouble with koeksisters. Any clues?
What @Firenze said. Often plaited or twisted like a pretzel. See here.
Thanks, but I was thinking more of the name
Oh I misunderstood you. The name refers historically to gossip among groups of slave women (sisters or susters) over cake or cookies (koe or (koekje) as they worked together in Dutch kitchen at the Cape.
I can see how melkert is a custard tart, but have trouble with koeksisters. Any clues?
What @Firenze said. Often plaited or twisted like a pretzel. See here.
Thanks, but I was thinking more of the name
Oh I misunderstood you. The name refers historically to gossip among groups of slave women (sisters or susters) over cake or cookies (koe or (koekje) as they worked together in Dutch kitchen at the Cape.
Many thanks. Not one of the most important questions but one which goes towards a rounding out of our commonality.
@BroJames, it might be a contested etymology and I'm interested in the onomatopoeic hiss in 'sis-ter'. Many old terms have variant histories and definitions, especially in the Cape.
Back to report that yesterday's outing with friend actually came off - one out of three organised and very enjoyable! We arrived late morning which meant we began with coffee and cake and followed that up with a yummy lunch. I always go for the zucchini puffs and very nice they were too! Three and a half hours passed very quickly and I would have been happy to stay longer, except the shade of the building came over us and my legs were getting very cold. When I got home, a mug of hot tea, a cozy throw and a bit of TV streaming made for a very pleasant end to the day. While the sun lasted, it was glorious, only about 13, but quite still and lovely in the sunshine!
Today I've managed a little bit of weeding and have to make a decision about woodchips as the ones in our garden need topping up and I might do a bit of online homework to see if I can get something similar to those already in the garden. Possibly not the cheapest option, but I might be surprised!
I am going to hibernate. Apparently the current cold weather is caused by a polar vortex an it may last for a month. My power bill is going to be horrendous. I may have to send Aroha out to work.
I wrote the above yesterday then was interrupted. My bill has arrived since then. EEEEKKKKK!!!!!! I think I have set an all time record. It's an automatic payment so I must do a quick check on Monday to make certain. This would not be a good time to have power cut off.
Yikes, @Huia, I hope there has been some clerical error.
Sunshine here before tomorrow's expected deluge. I am making my final move into what is euphemistically called a studio flat and I never, ever want to have to move again. Realised I have no aptitude for spatial visualisation and what I imagined would look and feel spacious and appealing resembles a church junk sale. Unable to get John Lennon's lyrics for Imagine out of my head, a song I personally have never cared for:
It's always like that after a move. But gradually everything finds its place. The proper geography of the room emerges (I believe every space has an optimal layout). You get rid of all the boxes things came in.
@MaryLouise, I'm fairly sure it's accurate because I went to sleep with an electric heater on a few times. I can cover it mainly because my neighbours kindly included me on their powerful wifi and say that as it doesn't cost them any more I shouldn't pay. I know they do the same with their other neighbour. I'm having some difficulty with their line of argument, but I'm working on it.
There are other neighbours for whom I collect pinecones and newspapers for burning, but next door run on gas and electricity, so those options aren't available.
What wonderful neighbours. But yes, power bills hurt, and we are running two houses at the moment - both in cold climes. And I'm trtying to get used to the notion of gas in big bottles that come on a truck. And run out, mid shower.
Glad you have such kind and friendly neighbours @Huia. I note here, that some people have noticed their bills are estimated rather than based on a meter reading. I don't know if that happens where you are.
Today is very grey - not exactly rainy, but a tiny bit of mizzle when I took the recycling out earlier. Very few birds around and the day feels strangely balmy and a bit wrong! In the next day or so I'll have to get out and prune the roses otherwise they will totally get away from me.
Feeling very pleased as I managed to locate a couple of items for the daughter's birthday next weekend. Now that she's a 30 something and working, it's harder to find things, but I'm hoping that those I've located will be well received, fingers crossed!
@Cheery Gardener a few years back there was a technological change and we no longer have people reading the meter, it's all done remotely. My power provider is based in Auckland. They also have the friendliest and most competent call centre staff I have ever come across. Earlier this year when my bank decided to change all my account numbers a couple of payments didn't go through. When I rang to sort it out I was worried I might be cut off, but they reassured me, explained their system and made the whole process easier.
I think a good relationship with neighbours can make such a difference. I think that message was driven home to us all during the earthquakes. I still remember the young man who offered help that I didn't think I needed unti; I realised my hearing aids were trapped in an overturned chest of drawers that was too heavy for me to lift, and various other people that supported me and whom I supported.
I'm glad the power people have a helpful call centre @Huia, that makes a big difference. Sounds as though the expense of the tech innovation has to be paid for by consumers. Bler.
Good neighbours do make life a lot more pleasant. I still miss ours from the old neighbourhood, they were so quiet and easy to get along with. We shared the insurance bill as we lived on a unit plan and there was never a problem about splitting that and when I locked myself in the house when painting it, a passer by alerted my neighbour who phoned the husband to come home and let me out. It's great to have reliable people about.
Meanwhile, partially apropos of Huia's call centre, I am struggling with a weird regional (bottom half of the country that is) system of bottled gas delivery. Rented house. I hate gas at the best of times, but no one warned me it runs out mid shower on a winter's morning. (-4C outside). So I eventually worked out how to get more, once I had sorted out who the client is - (me, the church, the owners of the house, my ex wife's grandmother's second cousin thrice removed's cat's?).
That was Monday.
In the middle of last night during a bout of isomnia I discovered there was no hot water. Much checking of valves, taps, switches. Nope.
I rang the energy company. Much sorting of out of date client information on their data base, despite the fact I've spoken to them a few times in the last several month. No I am not my predecessor, or a church worker who had long gone even when I was here seven years ago.
Sorted. But guess what? Not the suppliers' problem. Together we realized that the power cut across the district last night had blown the pilot light.
So these days a match and taper does not suffice. A plumber has to be called to "reset" the bloody thing. Since the power cut was district wide I'm guessing I should have hot water by next Easter.
Zappa, that's horrendous are there no plumbers in the congregation you could threaten with hellfire or something?
Although I'm warmer ( lovely sheepskin slippers from a local factory shop) things have kind of fallen apart with my oldest and youngest brothers in Wellington. Both of them have day surgery scheduled this coming Monday at different hospitals. Originally I was going up to be there for my oldest brother, but a nurse from his care home will be there instead. I am so grateful as the thought of trying to find him in Wellington Hospital was quite daunting .especially as it has completely changed since I used to visit Grandad there about 55 years ago. Instead I am going to do a lightening one day visit to his care home the following week.
I had planned to go for longer, but the logistics of getting the cat vaccinated so she could stay in the local cattery and finding somewhere to stay (youngest brothers house is too far away. has a lousy bus service and he is forbidden to drive for a while) utterly defeated me.
I'm not looking forward to going, I don't mind actually being up in the air, but I hate airports. Also he has Parkinson's and I always worry that he won't recognise me.
Sorry to whinge,but I'm a bit overwhelmed. Hopefully by the 20th I will have taken a few deep breaths and got my head together.
Complications you never thought you'd have to deal with. Our thoughts are with you, and your brothers.
As to flying - we have no problems with it, no air-sickness, not scared of it, or anything like that. But airports are surely the work of the devil in a strongly anti-human mood.
Hope the visit to your brother's go well @Huia. I don't like airports either. The last time I flew I spent longer in the queue for security than I did in the air.
Settling into new flat with stormy weather lashing windows and no fibre for desktop PC connection. New Salton mini oven a great consolation but have mislaid new bottle of dishwashing liquid, so living in culinary comfort and squalor.
Happy to hear that you are settling into your new flat, @MaryLouise. Hoping for culinary comfort to continue, and dishwashing liquid to turn up, pronto.
Best wishes for your new place @MaryLouise - I hope the bottle of dishwashing liquid turns up soon. When I'm distracted I often put things in the weirdest places, and often find them again purely by accident,
I had a lovely conversation with my middle brother and his partneson the phone yesterday.
Some time ago I bought my oldest brother a furry elephant (he loves elephants) that has space inside it in which to put a heat pack. I didn't send it to him because I realised after buying it that it might not be safe for him. Instead I am going to put stuffing where the heat pacl goes and sew it up for him. I was going to take it up when I go next week, but instead I will post it as that will mean more space in my day pack.
@Huia, loving the sound of that elephant, I am sure your brother will love it!
@MaryLouise I hope the squalor side of house moving soon resolves, and that you will enjoy your new place.
Beautiful sunny day here today and I can't believe I've been wearing summer t-shirts in August. Cheery son and husband had an early GP appointment this am, so son has gone back to bed and I'm enjoying some peace and tranquility by myself!! Off to shower and then into the garden!
I'm envious of your weather @Cheery Gardener . There was a reasonable start to the morning here, then gale force winds and driving rain. The temperature dropped 8 degrees in an hour. Fortunately I had a late start to the day, so wasn't out shopping when it hit. Aroha raced inside and went to sleep, positioning herself in the stream of hot air hot air coming from the heat pump.
The forecast for tomorrow is much better thank goodness.
Aroha is a very smart kitty, @Huia! I'm with her when the temperature drops that much so quickly!!
I wish I could say I'm enjoying the warmth, but I keep worrying about what this might mean for the summer ahead of us. It's just been so weirdly warm and yet some days have been really grey and cloudy, just not what I expect at this time of year! We are supposed to get some rain in the next few days and I'm really looking forward to that!
Clarence has just rushed off to Zambia to be with her cousins and help conduct a funeral service for their father, very much a father-figure for her, too
Safe travels for Clarence (the old Great North Road through Zambia?) and sympathy.
Dishwasher liquid where it was supposed to be, staring anyone more perceptive than myself in the face. The obvious escapes me these days. Elizabeth Bishop's poem comes to mind, "The art of losing isn't hard to master..."
Glad you found the washing up liquid @MaryLouise. There must be some degree of overload at present with all your unpacking and stuff being in new and unfamiliar places.
@Huia, I would panic too if my glasses were lost, these things are such a pest to replace and mega-expensive!
Thinking warm thoughts for Clarence, I hope all the travel is smooth and the service is everything the family hope for.
Oh ... looking up-thread I notice I've despatched the wrong woman to Zambia. Ah well ... the Zambian famdambly will be a little surprised by now. They were expecting Kuruman.
Oh ... looking up-thread I notice I've despatched the wrong woman to Zambia. Ah well ... the Zambian famdambly will be a little surprised by now. They were expecting Kuruman.
Hmmm. I hope Clarence got her visa!
I did wonder what was going on, but was too polite to ask!
Battling with erratic internet access in an old building, but otherwise settled in and able to read and catch up with news on the Ship and elsewhere. Spring blighted by frost but hopefully we'll see some warmth at the beginning of September.
Glad to know you are back online @MaryLouise and settled-in, that's very good news. Also, I'm thinking of you @Huia in your travels to see your brother.
Things have been unseasonably warm and I'm hoping the promised rain will turn up! The daphne are almost finished and some weed attack was achieved at the weekend. I had hoped to do more but not feeling the best.
Sore throat nose dripping like a tap and a very unsettled night. I think daughter has shared this with us, so not best pleased. Fortunately RAT -ve at this stage, but will test again in a day or so. If daughter succumbs, then I probably won't have to bother!
Had a very nice chat with a former school pal, not seen for about 14 years last week. It was very nice to hear their voice! Some people, you can just pick up where you left off and that's really nice.
I know I am not myself today as I opened the fridge to find the milk for a cup of tea and after searching frantically, discovered that I'd put it in the pantry when I made the first cuppa of the day. The two are side by side, so not a huge error, but have decided definitely no driving today!
Wonderful views Monday evening of a full blue moon rising through trees at night and then setting as the sun came up the next morning. One of the rarer rewards of insomnia...
I was on the bus heading east from the airport to home as the blue moon was rising. As I was first on I took the raised seat opposite the driver. The sky was totally clear and it was magnificent. It felt like a gift after the difficult day.
Comments
@Zappa, good to hear from you. 4° is bit lacking in the maximum department. I don’t think I’d be a very good Canadian.
@WormInTheGrass I do miss the days of the "wind chill factor", which was dropped a few years ago, The day is looking good with blue skies and as long as there is no wind we will be ok and 13 will be very pleasant.
My Canadian/Australian friends combo seems to have a good balance - she can't cope with the -40 winters and he can't cope with +40 Christmases when they come here to celebrate!
Oh I misunderstood you. The name refers historically to gossip among groups of slave women (sisters or susters) over cake or cookies (koe or (koekje) as they worked together in Dutch kitchen at the Cape.
Many thanks. Not one of the most important questions but one which goes towards a rounding out of our commonality.
Whatever the roots of the word, they look delicious.
Today I've managed a little bit of weeding and have to make a decision about woodchips as the ones in our garden need topping up and I might do a bit of online homework to see if I can get something similar to those already in the garden. Possibly not the cheapest option, but I might be surprised!
I wrote the above yesterday then was interrupted. My bill has arrived since then. EEEEKKKKK!!!!!! I think I have set an all time record. It's an automatic payment so I must do a quick check on Monday to make certain. This would not be a good time to have power cut off.
Sunshine here before tomorrow's expected deluge. I am making my final move into what is euphemistically called a studio flat and I never, ever want to have to move again. Realised I have no aptitude for spatial visualisation and what I imagined would look and feel spacious and appealing resembles a church junk sale. Unable to get John Lennon's lyrics for Imagine out of my head, a song I personally have never cared for:
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can...
It'll happen.
There are other neighbours for whom I collect pinecones and newspapers for burning, but next door run on gas and electricity, so those options aren't available.
Today is very grey - not exactly rainy, but a tiny bit of mizzle when I took the recycling out earlier. Very few birds around and the day feels strangely balmy and a bit wrong! In the next day or so I'll have to get out and prune the roses otherwise they will totally get away from me.
Feeling very pleased as I managed to locate a couple of items for the daughter's birthday next weekend. Now that she's a 30 something and working, it's harder to find things, but I'm hoping that those I've located will be well received, fingers crossed!
I think a good relationship with neighbours can make such a difference. I think that message was driven home to us all during the earthquakes. I still remember the young man who offered help that I didn't think I needed unti; I realised my hearing aids were trapped in an overturned chest of drawers that was too heavy for me to lift, and various other people that supported me and whom I supported.
Good neighbours do make life a lot more pleasant. I still miss ours from the old neighbourhood, they were so quiet and easy to get along with. We shared the insurance bill as we lived on a unit plan and there was never a problem about splitting that and when I locked myself in the house when painting it, a passer by alerted my neighbour who phoned the husband to come home and let me out. It's great to have reliable people about.
That was Monday.
In the middle of last night during a bout of isomnia I discovered there was no hot water. Much checking of valves, taps, switches. Nope.
I rang the energy company. Much sorting of out of date client information on their data base, despite the fact I've spoken to them a few times in the last several month. No I am not my predecessor, or a church worker who had long gone even when I was here seven years ago.
Sorted. But guess what? Not the suppliers' problem. Together we realized that the power cut across the district last night had blown the pilot light.
So these days a match and taper does not suffice. A plumber has to be called to "reset" the bloody thing. Since the power cut was district wide I'm guessing I should have hot water by next Easter.
Although I'm warmer ( lovely sheepskin slippers from a local factory shop) things have kind of fallen apart with my oldest and youngest brothers in Wellington. Both of them have day surgery scheduled this coming Monday at different hospitals. Originally I was going up to be there for my oldest brother, but a nurse from his care home will be there instead. I am so grateful as the thought of trying to find him in Wellington Hospital was quite daunting .especially as it has completely changed since I used to visit Grandad there about 55 years ago. Instead I am going to do a lightening one day visit to his care home the following week.
I had planned to go for longer, but the logistics of getting the cat vaccinated so she could stay in the local cattery and finding somewhere to stay (youngest brothers house is too far away. has a lousy bus service and he is forbidden to drive for a while) utterly defeated me.
I'm not looking forward to going, I don't mind actually being up in the air, but I hate airports. Also he has Parkinson's and I always worry that he won't recognise me.
Sorry to whinge,but I'm a bit overwhelmed. Hopefully by the 20th I will have taken a few deep breaths and got my head together.
As to flying - we have no problems with it, no air-sickness, not scared of it, or anything like that. But airports are surely the work of the devil in a strongly anti-human mood.
Sometime in the weekend I will talk to my middle brother who lives in the US, and that will help too.
Settling into new flat with stormy weather lashing windows and no fibre for desktop PC connection. New Salton mini oven a great consolation but have mislaid new bottle of dishwashing liquid, so living in culinary comfort and squalor.
I had a lovely conversation with my middle brother and his partneson the phone yesterday.
Some time ago I bought my oldest brother a furry elephant (he loves elephants) that has space inside it in which to put a heat pack. I didn't send it to him because I realised after buying it that it might not be safe for him. Instead I am going to put stuffing where the heat pacl goes and sew it up for him. I was going to take it up when I go next week, but instead I will post it as that will mean more space in my day pack.
@MaryLouise I hope the squalor side of house moving soon resolves, and that you will enjoy your new place.
Beautiful sunny day here today and I can't believe I've been wearing summer t-shirts in August. Cheery son and husband had an early GP appointment this am, so son has gone back to bed and I'm enjoying some peace and tranquility by myself!! Off to shower and then into the garden!
The forecast for tomorrow is much better thank goodness.
I wish I could say I'm enjoying the warmth, but I keep worrying about what this might mean for the summer ahead of us. It's just been so weirdly warm and yet some days have been really grey and cloudy, just not what I expect at this time of year! We are supposed to get some rain in the next few days and I'm really looking forward to that!
My oldest brother has been moved to another hospital, but is expected back in his care home later today.
Dishwasher liquid where it was supposed to be, staring anyone more perceptive than myself in the face. The obvious escapes me these days. Elizabeth Bishop's poem comes to mind, "The art of losing isn't hard to master..."
I am interested because, if the Universities granted them, I would have a Ph.D in losing things - it is my most annoying talent.
I totally panic when my hearing aids are lost, even if it's only for a minute.
@Huia, I would panic too if my glasses were lost, these things are such a pest to replace and mega-expensive!
Thinking warm thoughts for Clarence, I hope all the travel is smooth and the service is everything the family hope for.
Flying into Lusaka, then either driving (as we did last time) or her cousin flying her north in his private plane.
Hmmm. I hope Clarence got her visa!
I did wonder what was going on, but was too polite to ask!
Battling with erratic internet access in an old building, but otherwise settled in and able to read and catch up with news on the Ship and elsewhere. Spring blighted by frost but hopefully we'll see some warmth at the beginning of September.
Things have been unseasonably warm and I'm hoping the promised rain will turn up! The daphne are almost finished and some weed attack was achieved at the weekend. I had hoped to do more but not feeling the best.
Sore throat nose dripping like a tap and a very unsettled night. I think daughter has shared this with us, so not best pleased. Fortunately RAT -ve at this stage, but will test again in a day or so. If daughter succumbs, then I probably won't have to bother!
Had a very nice chat with a former school pal, not seen for about 14 years last week. It was very nice to hear their voice! Some people, you can just pick up where you left off and that's really nice.
I know I am not myself today as I opened the fridge to find the milk for a cup of tea and after searching frantically, discovered that I'd put it in the pantry when I made the first cuppa of the day. The two are side by side, so not a huge error, but have decided definitely no driving today!
Wonderful views Monday evening of a full blue moon rising through trees at night and then setting as the sun came up the next morning. One of the rarer rewards of insomnia...