Good morning early birds!

[waterboatman]

It's the last Friday of 2011. A new year is just a couple of days away.
have a happy day everyone.

[Jan1957]

Morning waterboatman. Just off to bed myself as haven't been sleeping too well over christmas apart from an alcoholic stupor now and again. Hope you have been ok and family have looked after you. Thinking of you. xx

[waterboatman]

Morning Jan. xxxx I don't sleep a lot either. The family are doing a great job thanks. Had a phone call from one of my sisters-in-law yesterday making sure I'm OK. Eldest lad and his lovely wife keep an eye on me too.
It's strange, I was thinking about you yesterday and wondering why you hadn't been on for a while. It's nice to know you are there.:o}

[Jan1957]

Glad you have been ok and have got family looking after you.

Unfortunately I have been the opposite and not seen anyone since christmas eve. Spoke to my sister and a friend on christmas day but been feeling very lonely and let down by all those people who said they would be there for me and really struggling. Absolutely dreading New Years Eve.

[waterboatman]

Oh Jan. I wish I could hug you. xxx It's not good to make promises like that and then not keep them. Being lonely at any time is not good. I hope things pick up for you. New Year's eve I shall be here on my own too.

[Jan1957]

Thank you wbm. I will be thinking of you too. Off to bed now to get some sleep as tired out. xxx

[waterboatman]

Sweet dreams sweetheart. xxxxx

[lcg]

hi wbm! thought i was the only crazy awake at this hour. the stroud contingent were down yesterday as it was my dad's birthday so we had a little shindig. other than that, it;s been quiet - which is just the way i like it. this is also the first christmas in 17 years when i haven't worked (i'm a nurse), so it feels a little weird. how's the weather this morning? x

[waterboatman]

Morning icg. The weather report was missing 'cos I hadn't looked out then! :o{ I have now and it's calm, but there is a threat of rain in the air.
Is that the Stroud in Gloucestershire? It's 11 miles away from me!

[berniecuddles]

morning wbm and all. nearly the end of a cr@p year for you all lets hope next year is so much better for you. thinking of you all take care off to work soon .

[waterboatman]

Morning bernie. Thanks mate. You're right: it has been a crap year. One I would like to forget but never will. I hope the next one is better for everyone.

[lcg]

hi wbm, yes it's stroud in glos. they live down by the bowbridge section of the canal. like you, they one day wish to be permanent boaters, but my dad has to retire fisrt! he is also a keen supported and activist in getting the canals back to their former glory. he likes cycling the whole length of the towpaths to stonehouse and beyond, bless him. so, if yu ever come across a grumpy old man on a bike, it'll probably be him x

[waterboatman]

I can think of one or two that fit that description! :o} I know Bowbridge and the rest of the canal system! Have you seen the new bridge in Stroud? Where abouts are you?

[lcg]

i live in southampton now, but did grow up in stroud. my dad has very proudly managed to e-mail me the pictures of the new bridge and i looke online in the citizen for further info. it looks lovely and it's about time they made a start on that great piece of waterway. i remember when i was a child (many moons ago) there was a lot of talk of doing things up then, but it really looks like it's beginning to happen. each time my dad goes on a bike ride, he finds something new to photograph and send me as the waterways really are his passion. his little grandson (my brother's sprog) has also taken a shining to the waterways, so there's a new fan out there too! x

[albaqwerty]

Good morning one and all. xx

Sending belated cyberhugs to Jan

Hope all is relatively well with each of you.

[waterboatman]

Wonderful! I used to live in Cowplain in a previous life, so I know the area well.
I don't know if you have this one.
http://www.cotswoldcanals.com Worth a look. I'm a member of the trust.

[lcg]

cheers, wbm...that one is one of my favourites and my dad supports the trust too. he fundraises at work to contribute to the cost of the whole project and does his little bit. i'm off to clean my cooker now (!) so i'll catch up with you again. hope you have a pleasant day and a fresh new year if i don't speak to you before. lisa x

[waterboatman]

Have a happy day lisa xxx
Morning alba xxx Jan is not happy is she. How are you my little flower?

[albaqwerty]

oooh ICG, cleaning cookers at any time is scary, let alone this time of the morning :)

Feeling better thanks Boaty, throat is not as raw but the watering eyes are interesting :D
How's your shoulder doing?

[DrFilth]

morning all

[waterboatman]

Not liking the cold and damp alba. when I finish my sessions at the hospice our GP has arranged for me to go to the physio clinic just down the road from here.