Valkyrie Posted February 19, 2020 Share Posted February 19, 2020 Fab news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 19, 2020 Share Posted February 19, 2020 Oh no, I have met my nemesis! Not only have I discovered the joy of toast with Marmite and crunchy peanut butter, but I now find that there's Marmite CHEESE!!!!!! 🙄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted February 19, 2020 Share Posted February 19, 2020 Try Marmite drizzled over sprouts - fab (or is it just me 🙄?) I am known for standing in front of the 'fridge with a chunk of strong cheddar cheese and the Marmite jar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted February 19, 2020 Share Posted February 19, 2020 Marmite - I really don't like, but feel compelled to suck it off the outside of Twiglets - and then have another handful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 We're supposed to be going to Japan soon but it's beginning to get complicated. The virus is slowing down sharply in China but the authorities aren't sure about Japan and Korea now. We have changed plans already in that we were going to meet family in Tokyo but have decided we'll make our way to Hokkaido instead where it is colder and fresher and there are less people. We are just watching FCO advice now and if they advise against travel we'll cancel altogether. It'll be disappointing but sensible to postpone. As far as I can see unless the gov't make that statement we wouldn't be covered by insurance if we cancel. I'm still hoping we can go ahead. Marmite cheese is the best. Those little rounds are nice in lunchboxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 It's getting a bit complicated. The virus has spread to Hokkaido, in fact there are quite a few cases. We are not going to be able to meet because they want to keep as isolated as possible. We've done everything we can to cancel the holiday but basically if we don't use the tickets we'll just lose them. I do feel a bit sorry for myself because we bought the tickets with money I've been saving for years and I was super proud to organise this get together. Now I just feel a bit sad. As it stands we're going to Tokyo anyway unless the gov't advises against that which I don't think will happen. I don't know right now what will happen. As ever I love to rant and moan on this forum, sorry about that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 PL - I am so sorry to read this, I know how much you love seeing your family, and I can only guess at how much money you have invested in the trip. Sometimes life really sucks. I guess you have investigated whether you can change the flights in the sense of postponing them, perhaps for 6 months or more, I know sometimes this is possible with a charge. Anyway, I just wanted to show you some support at this very disappointing time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 Thank you Daphne. Yes, that was one of the things we tried, we thought November would be acceptable but the airline was very definite. I've always said to my kids that nobody ever promised that life will be perfect and you have to make the best. I guess I have to take my own advice this time. I believe the expression is, when it's dark look for stars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 Sorry to read this! Must be hard to have such a distance between you at times like this. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 Thank you Cat tails. Yes, generally I'm fine but right now, not so much. In theory we'll be close-ish which comforts me because if I'm needed for that short time I can get to them, just a short domestic plane flight away. Other than that, I'm off to Tokyo Disney which is the most pleasant, polite theme park I have experienced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 Oh PL this sucks. When are you supposed to leave? All you can do is enjoy what you can of the trip - there’s another saying I think about life getting in the way of your plans. I hope you get another chance xx 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 We've got a couple of weeks before we go. If we get there and get through the airport OK I'll definitely post a couple of photos. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 I haven’t been getting as many eggs as I was expecting the last week or so. There’s no way any of them would be laying outside anywhere at the moment I thought, it’s way too wet 🙄 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 Silly hens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 'wild eggs' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 11 hours ago, patsylabrador said: Thank you Cat tails. Yes, generally I'm fine but right now, not so much. In theory we'll be close-ish which comforts me because if I'm needed for that short time I can get to them, just a short domestic plane flight away. Other than that, I'm off to Tokyo Disney which is the most pleasant, polite theme park I have experienced. Just read that Disney in Tokyo will be shut for two weeks! Hope your visit is planned for after that period. ☹️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 PL, so, so sorry to hear about your dissapointment. Can only keep fingers crossed that things change in the interim. Do hope that, even if you don't get to see your lovely family, you can at least have a break and enjoy some new experiences in Japan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 It is hard to know what next few weeks will hold PL. I have flight to travel to London next week and have two theatre shows booked. Last week medical officer said UK has 8 cases or thereabouts and you have as much chance of being hit by a meteor as getting Coronavirus in UK now only a few more cases and they are considering closing schools and banning large gatherings. It seems a rapidly changing picture. If government ban travel to certain countries you hopefully wil get money back PL. Did you pay by credit card.? Is it worth trying them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 What is alarming about this virus is that while it is no more 'serious' fatality-wise than a bad 'flu, it is extremely contagious/virulent and spreading at an alarming rate. It is out-stripping SARS and all those other viruses which we have past experience of. If you are otherwise healthy, then my understanding is that it will be like a bad dose of 'flu, but small children, the elderly or immune-compromised will fare worse. What we have to prepare for is that is will infect large numbers VERY quickly, as happened in China; they were unprepared for this at first as there was no experience of this virus.... we know, through their experience, how speedily it can take over, so we must be prepared.... wash hands, don't touch face, avoid large gatherings or crowds where possible etc. Rosie is currently studying epidemiology and her prof is one of the leading experts on global pandemics (he has been in the news lately) it sounds odd, but they are quite enjoying studying a live epidemic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 3 hours ago, Cat tails said: Just read that Disney in Tokyo will be shut for two weeks! Hope your visit is planned for after that period. ☹️ Yes, I saw that this morning. In theory it should just have reopened so fingers crossed 🤞 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 2 hours ago, soapdragon said: PL, so, so sorry to hear about your dissapointment. Can only keep fingers crossed that things change in the interim. Do hope that, even if you don't get to see your lovely family, you can at least have a break and enjoy some new experiences in Japan. Thank you. I've seen some positive blogs and vlogs saying that it's quiet and warm in Tokyo and in many ways pleasant. 1 hour ago, Grandmashazzie said: It is hard to know what next few weeks will hold PL. I have flight to travel to London next week and have two theatre shows booked. Last week medical officer said UK has 8 cases or thereabouts and you have as much chance of being hit by a meteor as getting Coronavirus in UK now only a few more cases and they are considering closing schools and banning large gatherings. It seems a rapidly changing picture. If government ban travel to certain countries you hopefully wil get money back PL. Did you pay by credit card.? Is it worth trying them? I didn't think about the credit card. Definitely worth looking into. Thanks for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 16 minutes ago, The Dogmother said: What is alarming about this virus is that while it is no more 'serious' fatality-wise than a bad 'flu, it is extremely contagious/virulent and spreading at an alarming rate. It is out-stripping SARS and all those other viruses which we have past experience of. If you are otherwise healthy, then my understanding is that it will be like a bad dose of 'flu, but small children, the elderly or immune-compromised will fare worse. What we have to prepare for is that is will infect large numbers VERY quickly, as happened in China; they were unprepared for this at first as there was no experience of this virus.... we know, through their experience, how speedily it can take over, so we must be prepared.... wash hands, don't touch face, avoid large gatherings or crowds where possible etc. Rosie is currently studying epidemiology and her prof is one of the leading experts on global pandemics (he has been in the news lately) it sounds odd, but they are quite enjoying studying a live epidemic. Apparently they knew it would be a problem last year but during that time I guess thousands of Chinese people have been on their holidays all over the world. I can't help wonder if the rotten colds we've had this winter are this same virus but of course nobody was tested for it last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 Exactly! There's a Prof at Oxford who does the research into 'flu and Avian Influenza; she travels out to the far east regularly to gather samples, and I understand that she warned about it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 We've been told if we have the symptoms NOT to go to the doctor or hospital but to phone a number. They send a team out to test you and if positive you are taken away into isolation. Problem is, even with the excellent health service here and the large number of spare beds, the system will get swamped quickly. We had a serious flu 20 years ago when we were both in top health. It was so bad we were unable to get down the stairs to the kitchen to eat for days. I have no doubt that if I caught that type of flu again my chances of getting over it would be greatly reduced. Then there is the issue of looking after our chickens. All very worrying! Still yet to be confirmed that it was Pangolin being sold in the Chinese meat market that started it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 It would seem pretty certain now that the horrific 'wild animal' meat markets in China were the source.........no hygiene or welfare standards AT ALL so not actually surprising! Bats, pangolins and snakes all seem to be in the frame for initially carrying it. Apparently these markets have now been banned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
