Thread 12 - TalkLair: “I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.”

[Kucinghitam]

(Previous thread 11).

The days are gradually growing longer, but the worst of the winter weather is not yet behind us. In the TalkLair, we remain hunkered down keeping cosy and warm. The hearth is glowing, the walls covered in dubious artwork, books by non-approved authors line the shelves, rugs are down on the floors (and assorted pets curled up on them).

We just won’t mention the gnawed bones of our prey over there in the corner of the cave…

All set, they think it's a pulled muscle and gave her some strong analgesics. This is after an ECG, an ultrasound (?) and some blood tests gave her the all clear.

Big relief!

She told me not to tell our girl, or go to the hospital. Obviously, if it had been bad, we would have.

That's a relief, hope she feels better soon! Gentle hug to you all.

We've just had torrential rain, hail, sleet and thunder and lightning all at the same time.

It's horrible here too, though it hasn't managed all that (yet). But it's a holiday weekend - what do you expect?

We have had blue sky, fluffy white clouds, and sunshine all day. I'm waiting for normal service to resume. But enjoyed it while it lasted.

By now I fully expect more of the same! Just lit the fire.

Just done the same! Tomorrow is the big Good Friday derby against St Helens. My normal plan is to go on my bike, but the forecast is poor. I had no Plan B, but just looked up the trains, I can get a train there and back I reckon. But if it's fine when I leave, I'll probably take the bike. Don't mind getting wet going home, but it's no fun watching a game soaked to the skin.

I have kept the wood burner lit all day, I'm not going to be duped by that sky into thinking it's summer.

My favourite weather site is ventusky.com - I'm especially fond of the "waves" button, which makes me think of an invasion of multicoloured space octopuses. I wouldn't like to be on the beach anywhere between about Plymouth and Bournemouth right now.

Ventusky is one I look at daily and the graphics are great, especially the waves. It does a not bad forecast too.

We've just past Newark on the train and the heavens have opened and it's almost dark!

Glad your wife has the all clear @SinnerBoy

The weather story here is all grey skies and noisy rain. I’m not enjoying it at all.

Glad your wife is OK @SinnerBoy.

Weather mostly cold, cloudy and windy here. The wind is particular has a distinctly chilly bite. But around lunchtime, just for a few glorious minutes, the skies cleared and the sun shone brilliantly on my sakura garden. (Naturally, I rushed outside to take photos).

Oh that’s lovely Kuc!

That's gorgeous Kuc. I'm sorry you guys are having all the bad weather over the holiday weekend. It's rained all day today but at least it's getting rid of the snow and temperatures are in the high 40s in freedom heat units.

So glad that it was nothing serious with your wife, @SinnerBoy . That must have been so bloody scary thobut!

The weather frankly mings. My time in the flat has been mostly spent under a heated blanket because it's f cold. On the way back from the hospital the rain went mad, the wind tried to eat my face and it felt like we were in the middle of winter and not about to celebrate bloody Easter. Enough of midwinter, I want spring to actually start, thank you please.

I spent less time at home than I would have liked because there was a BIG Francis emergency. I didn't see him at all yesterday but wasn't too worried as he'd eaten his breakfast and dinner and I was pretty sure he was hiding under the bed being a bit of a drama queen. Well, I think he was hiding under the bed but he wasn't being a drama queen. I finally saw him at about 15:30 this afternoon with a big swollen eye where I couldn't even see the eyeball just a big red lump of redness! Thankfully got an appointment with a vet, mine were closing at 16:00 so suggested another whose fees are reasonable (I beg to differ but vets can charge what they want and they do). He was as good as gold and what seems to be the problem is an abscess on one of his teeth which has cause the swelling. There's a slim chance that it is something wrong with his eye as we just can't see it to be sure, but I have antibiotics and antiinflammatories which should clear it up and they're open on Saturday if it gets worse. I hope it doesn't because I'm already down over £130.

My poor fat boy fat. The good thing is that he has been eating throughout it all which means that he's a lot better than he looks.

Oh poor Francis! Cat teeth are nearly as expensive as human teeth <looks hard at Reese>.

Radiotherapy is DONE!!!! The relief is huge. Two more visits to Brighton. Tuesday to have chemo pump changed, then the following Tuesday (9th April) to have that removed and then rest and recuperation. Nothing to do for the next three whole days.

And the weather is nice. Cold and a bit too windy when I was waiting for a bus in Brighton, but sun and blue skies which makes such a big difference.

I hope everyone else is having a good good Friday.

A lot better now, Mouse! That's great to hear, you can just rest up now.

Phew! So nice to be done with the radiotherapy, Mouse. I hope you have a good and restful weekend.

Easter weekend is weird over here. No bank holidays because it's a religious festival so we don't have Easter Monday here, though we have Patriots' Day on April 15th. So there's a lot of fuss about bunnies and chocolate on Sunday, and special dinners, but no large Easter eggs of the kind we get in the UK - plenty of little ones though, and Cadbury's Creme Eggs size, and chocolate bunnies. Good Friday is not even thought about unless you happen to be Catholic - at least I've seen no reference to it.

We do have a law that says "In no event, however, may any store having more than 5,000 square feet of interior customer selling space be open on Easter Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day" so the supermarkets, large stores like Home Depot (B&Q equivalent) and malls are closed, so everybody rushes to the store on Saturday to stock up as if for a lockdown.

I am making hot cross buns for no greater reason than I fancied baking. Sadly it was only when I’d mixed the paste for the crosses that I realised I have no idea what’s become of my piping bag so they are inexpertly piped from a freezer bag with a corner cut off and no nozzle. Very messy indeed.

So glad you’re through the radio therapy @MouseMinge - sending all good health vibes.

Hmmm. Hot cross buns have had less time in the oven than they’re meant to but are getting very dark on top. I have form for burning hot cross buns but I don’t want raw dough. We shall see…

And they’re out!

The texture is amazing but I think they could have done with more spice.

Wow, they look gorgeous! Commercial hot cross buns are always too pale and anaemic-looking - those are properly mouth-watering.

That's just reminded me that my very much younger sister, aged about 2, used to call them hop cross buns. Still does, for all I know. And she called pigs (piggies) "tiggies". I remember saying to her "p-p-p-piggies" and the response: "p-p-p-TIGGIES!"