I’m a Pear/Apple - Part 4. Yabadabadoo !

MayBee I will arrive in Berwick on 6th May and leave on the 10th. Would love to see you if you are there then. Thank you for the information about places to visit. Because I have to plan ahead how I have always been . The tourist board sent me lots of brochures ,bus and taxi information. So I will plan where I want to visit before I get there. Will book my train ticket once they release the cheaper tickets usually 12 weeks before you travel plus I have a senior rail card which gives me third off. Hadn't been award PIP then so couldn't have a disabled one. It was £70 for 3 years but already saved that money going to see my brother and sister in law this year. I know I want to go to Holy island and there's a bus to get across the causeway. I will write all the information you have given me down and put it with my brochure pack. Thank you for doing that.

Well as much as I enjoyed the ginger nuts and made 6 cakes last week. Parkin for my craft group one of our members great aunts recipe thought it was her nans but doubled checked with her on Thursday who's recipe it was. It tasted even better than the Nancy Birtwhistle one and was lighter so that's my go to recipe from now on. The other 5 where for my grandson's Christmas fair. 2 gingerbread, a fatless tea bread, Marmalade cake and a chocolate one. My daughter said they all sold. In fact the caretaker asked her if she had brought in the marmalade cake. Told him I had made the cakes and even made the marmalade. He said it was the best marmalade cake he had ever eaten and to tell me. I know my cakes are good but it's lovely to know people like them.

Unfortunately the biscuits and tasting the cake mixes plus being cold and eating more put 3lb on but knew I would . So have been trying very hard since Monday to stick to my calories so far so good. Put extra welly into my sit fit exercises on Monday. We had to walk on our toes round the chairs twice. Which is always a killer but found I did it quicker than last time. Thankfully we don't do that exercise every week. We have our last class on the 11th back on 8th. But have started doing some of the exercises at home. So I don't undo months of work. 14 of us again and had a new member. Still don't know everyone's name🤦.

Will put my tree up on Friday add the lights and breakable bells my brother and sister in law brought me from Belgium on . Then my grandson's will decorate it on Saturday. They are coming for lunch and after the tree is done we are going to see Santa . My daughter has made it a tradition I go with them since I moved here. Also she takes a photo of the boys on my arm chair by the tree. The little one was month old his first Christmas. When my husband was alive we had family traditions . It's lovely my daughter has ones that include me also traditions which include her in law's and ones just for them. She says it's because of the ones we did and my parents did.

SachaMac how is your mom ? I hope she is recovering.

NanKate I have 2 good recipes which include plenty of ginger if you would like them ones a gingerbread cake and the other I call gingerbread rocks. Really you are supposed to roll it out and cut out shapes but I can't use a rolling pin so just spoon the mix on the the trays hence rocks. If the older of my grandson's mades them with me he rolls it out and cuts out the shapes. It's a tasty recipe and the it holds the shapes once cooked.

Well have a good week pears and keep warm they keep saying we will have snow soon. 🥶

You need to check tide times for Holy Island. I can never remember if it changes an hour later or an hour earlier each day! I’m trying to remember if the Premier Inn is the one next to Morrisons. When I had my rail card I used to travel first class. I got some really good prices and you get the added bonus of free food and drinks. In that Julie Walters series where she travelled round the country by train one episode featured Berwick. Villages by the Sea features several Northumberland villages including Lindisfarne. As does the Matt Baker series. And the Robson Green one. There are boat trips from Berwick which often see dolphins.

Great. The Premier Inn is right in the centre! It’s next to a lovely art gallery and tea rooms, next to the village walls and close to The Maltings ( I’ll check when The Maltings reopen). There’s a wonderful little cafe called Northern Soul and the shops round there are lovely. There’s a great second hand book shop on Bridge Street. The charity shops are great, too.

MayBee you have confirmed I made the right decision to go too Berwick. I am taking note of all your advice and suggestions. It will my first holiday since 2005. I can't wait . Thank you for taking the trouble to give me all this information. That's the lovely thing about this thread it attracts lovely people. 🌹

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To be honest, it isn’t the sort of place I would expect anyone to choose for a holiday unless they really know and love the place. Eg Alnwick is posher and more well known. Berwick is rather run down since some of the local factories like Pringles moved out. But the people are lovely and the shops in the side streets are getting nicer and nicer. The Ice House by one of the bridges was open a few months ago so we were able to go inside. People used to skate there I think. We love Chain Bridge Honey Farm which is a few miles from Berwick. There is a tearooms in an old double decker bus. Lots of old rusty tractors and engines and a beautiful garden. Check out the chain bridge. I think it’s the oldest chain bridge in the world: it’s just been rebuilt. Paxton House is nearby. A narrow alley near to the hotel urned down a long time ago. From memory I read that it should have been demolished but it was cheaper to prop it up: Lowry painted a picture of it, along with many other parts of Berwick. You often see dolphins at Spitall but we’re not usually there long enough to see them. I collect seaglass from there although it isn’t as good as the Seaham glass. We went to the Berwick Riding out ceremony last year and made friends with some people that had bought a house in one of the side streets. We just got talking to them because they had a lovely dog. I’ll take some pictures tomorrow. I think the Premier Inn is actually built into the city walls: there’s certainly an old wall next to it. This is a picture of the bridge as it was and the garden at the honey farm.

MayBee lovely pics. I did email Chain bridge Honey farm when I saw it was open to visitors but you need a car to get there as no bus stops near by. I wanted to go too the north east coast as it was somewhere I had never been with my husband. I didn't want to go to anywhere I had been with him as those memories are precious and want to make new memories.

Funny enough I live 10-15 mins from the beach but only been 3 times since I moved here in 2019 as there is no bus that stops near by. But when I have been I love it and collected sea glass. I live in the north west my nearest beach is famous for its sculptures.

I picked Berwick upon Tweed because I liked the name . It will take just over 4 hours on the train but only one change but I always have travel assistance and it takes all the worry about travelling . I could never go on a coach holiday would hate being closed in and would hate planned excursions.

My holidays will all be in this country as much as I want to go back to Ireland I can't . My daughter said are you kidding me when I mentioned I wanted to go. She was worried if I had a bad fall or was ill she couldn't get to me. Also thinking about I wouldn't beable to get up the plane stairs. Nor could I stand being hemmed in.

I love going on the train and found train passengers very kind and had some lovely chats with people. Before I moved here spent over 10 years getting the train to visit my family.

I booked the meal deal when I booked my room as it was cheaper doing it then. Breakfast and 2 course dinner. But will have lunch out or even an afternoon tea instead of lunch. See where I go and what I do. But I will eat what I want but will try extra hard to lose at least half a stone before I go as I know I will put on.

Hi all, just back from my SW group & have to confess things have caught up with me and it’s a 2lb gain I’m afraid. So difficult at this time of year!
Thanks to those of you who asked after my mum, unfortunately she is still in hospital. I was rather hoping they’d discharge her this week as it’s a bit of a trek visiting g. She has been taken to a hospital a little further afield as our local one is full! Ambulances are queuing for hours there again to get patients through to A&E!

We had some snow here this morning, hoping we don’t get anymore because I have difficulty getting out from where I live. The sun is shining though and beautiful blue skies now.

I love travelling by train too WhiffI went up to Edinburgh by train last year. I have a senior railcard MayBee70 it saves me quite a bit each year.

Have a great week folks. Think I’ll put my tree up this weekend. Keep me from raiding the cupboards for a while! Determined to have a loss next week.

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So, The Granary which is next to the Premier Inn has a lift that takes you up to the art gallery. They also show films there ( I didn’t know this). It’s a smashing little place. The Maltings hasn’t closed down yet. It is going to be rebuilt but not for a year or so. I don’t know if they have a lift up to the restaurant/coffee shop but if possible it’s worth getting to it for the view. I got chatting to someone in the Granary whose wife has set up a Turner Trail at Norham because, as Lowry painted Berwick Turner used to paint Norham. It’s impossible to go anywhere in Berwick without chatting to someone!

We will be up north that week, Whiff. Do you have a car disabled sticker? It crossed my mind that, if we took you anywhere it would make parking easier at some places. Eg if you wanted to go to Barter Books at Alnwick the parking is terrible and we have to park at the supermarket next door. If you work out the places that you want to visit we could work out which places we could help with. Matt Bakers Travels with Mum and Dad featured Ford and Etal this week which are places that not many people know about. We could take you to the Honey Farm which is one of our favourite places.

MayBee I have had a disabled parking badge since 1988 when it was orange and renewed every 3 years. I love to met up with you and spend sometime with you. But you are not to ferry me about a place or 2 would be lovely. But not everyday. You need time to spend together and I am very independent plus I can't always know how my mobility is going to be each day. It's so kind of you the want to do this for me. Nearer the time I will let you have my phone number and email and we can sort something out. But if you take me anywhere it will be my treat.

My weight has stayed the same again. But that's ok. Had a good workout at sit fit . Next week is our last week before Christmas. Our instructor is being in stuff for a hot drink and some mince pies and we are doing a dance routine so that such be fun . I am making my gingerbread rocks as a gift for every one. Have brought a pretty mug for our instructor. I asked the other week about Christmas but no one exchanges them . So that's why I am baking and brought some bags to put them in. I call them gingerbread rocks because I can't roll out. So just spoon the mix onto trays . But a woman I have helped for months said I don't want to lose another filling. But she was serious. If she said it jokingly I wouldn't have mind. I said they are rocks. None of the other women said a thing. We walked out together but as she said it in front of everyone else. Next week when I give them out I will make a point of saying don't worry you don't have to have them as I know you are worried about your fillings . I know it's childish but I treat people the way I want to be treated. If someone has made me something even if it's something I don't like I eat it because they made it. It would be rude not to.

I don't expect people to like my baking but all the things I have made haven't had anyone not like anything yet. Made marmalade biscuits for craft tomorrow and a black forest gateau for the librarians as they look after our box with our tea things in after someone stole our sugar and coffee. But it's my easy way . Doesn't look pretty but will be tasty . Has all the black forest elements just my way.

Hope everyone is keeping warm ..

Hi Folks how are you all doing ?

We were away last week with family and they produced a lot of high calorie food, which was delicious, but now it will take me till Christmas to get back to where I was 2 weeks ago ! 😳

PS I refused the hot ginger pudding with ginger sauce and had some tinned peaches instead. 👍

I’m in such a mess at home I’m not even thinking about what I’m eating. Having found a mouse in the kitchen I’m now having to clean it from top to bottom again. At least the flour mites weren’t a danger to health: this is far worse! I might risk the scales in a minute. I can’t cook so am living on sandwiches!

Hang on in there Maybe it sounds as if things are pretty tricky for you at present.

I risked the scales. I was a few pounds up but it was end of the day and fully clothed. Certainly not as bad as I’d thought it might be!

MayBe70 👍

The mouse has been living in my dogs crate. I now have to clean all the bedding in it ( there’s a lot as she feels the cold). It’s her kitchen crate that she doesn’t sleep in usually. Thank goodness I checked the bedding, though. Looks like a few more days of sandwiches.

🐭🐶🙈

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NanKate that took some will power not to have the ginger pudding and sauce.

MayBee when I moved into my bungalow they have cleaned it but didn't warn me about the mice in the loft and kitchen. Soon had the pest control out. Hate mice. Where I used to live there was a large allotment the back off us and we had mice a few times. I am a fanatic about keeping my doors closed. And have an electronic pest controller in every room permanently on.

Did have them again in my loft before it had the new insulation put down . I asked the pest controller to leave the bait up there. My loft is empty. But the worst when a squirrel got in I thought it was trying to come through the ceiling. My roofers put and hard hinged PVC which slipped under the edge of my roof tiles and goes into the gutter. Mice and squirrels can't get in. Plus they sealed the join between my roof and my next door neighbour. It's silver in colour and had to be heat sealed to the tiles. Trouble is if I see anything black on my floors have to check it's not a mouse dropping. Usually it's fluff off my jumper or a dead wood louse. Another thing I hate.

Well my weight is the same again so not expecting to lose any before Christmas now. Last sit fit class yesterday until January. Did a sit down dance routine to walking on sunshine much laughter but we did it. Then I gave out my gingerbread rocks which I packed into packs of 4 for people to take home. One made a mincemeat cake which was delicious. Nice to sit and chat.

Librarians loved my black forest gateau my way. It had all black forest ingredients kirsch soaked black cherries, kirsch on the sponges ,black cherry jam cream and but the top was covered in a chocolate ganache. I can't pipe anymore. My way of thanking them for looking after a tea etc supply box after someone from an other group stole our sugar and coffee. I don't do pretty hands won't let me but do tasty.

Have a good week pears and other fruits. Lot of baking this week and next.

Pictures of my black forest and gingerbread rocks.

What a Temptress you are Whiff 😀

Morning all….stayed the same. I’m hoping to stay the same over the next couple of weeks but very much got my doubts 😂😂.

Ooh whiff, lovely bakes you got there.

Hi everyone, I tried to eat healthily but kept giving into temptation, so I more or less stayed the same weight, everytime I came on here I weighed the same or had put on 2lbs which I then struggled to lose. .,Hadn't weighed myself for weeks as been so busy, then I put on a pair of jeans which used to cut into my waist, they were loose,weighed myself and I've lost 8lbs. I can't fully believe it. Down side it shows on my face a bit. My target weight in the land if dreams, is to lose another 8/9lbs, don't aim to be thin but there's not much likleyhood of that in my case.I love home made Christmas cake and shortbread, of which I have plenty. Agree the cold weather makes you hungrier Sacha Mac, do hope your mom is improving..
Whiff, I think you've made a good choice, I am going on a coach trip back to Newcastle next year as I like it,unspoilt beaches and lovely people.

Sorry - in mad dash today but just to report I have stayed the same in spite of our first Christmas Meal on Friday!
I'll take that - no so sure I'll be so lucky over the next couple of weeks tho!!!
Good luck fellow strugglers - ENJOY Christmas and we'll all start again in the new year!
Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!

Good idea More new beginnings in 2024 👍

Meant to say FourorMore.

Even fourormore 😀I’m losing the plot.