It's quite shocking that NHS beds have been cut by 50% since 1989 by governments. And these 'managers' that treat staff like they are automatons really need a reality check!

Exactaly the same in New Zealand....New government...cut huge amounts social services ..health services..etc...very scary....

Having boundaries around what you will put up with and what you won’t is really healthy and makes you a better employee in the long run as you won’t burn out or get overwhelmed. It’s hard to do in practice though and certainly doesn’t mean that you’re not helpful and willing to adapt, there’s a line that sounds like it’s being crossed. Set out your good reasons why you’re not able to take any more work on and then it’s up to managers to solve the issues. This is a system problem which will consume you if you let it. I work in public services and so glad I only do 4 days as I can stay healthy at that, I had got health issues due to stress when I worked full time but having more time to rest and look after myself means I stay stronger. I work really hard during those 4 days but if it can’t be managed in that time, it has to wait, be done by someone else or not get done. Glad you processed quickly and didn’t let it bother you for too long, life’s really too short. Loved the frosty walk x

It's been a bit up and down weatherwise here in Australia. Tomorrow is supposed to be about 34c or so... which will be interesting as it's Midsumma Carnival (the start of Pride month) so I will be out in the heat... but will be sunscreened and such). I did finally get myself a little sprinkler and I think that has worked wonders for the garden... especially the area I'm trying to grow new grass in. Happy New Year to you and Richard!

I get it. I worked for social services for 25 years. I was exactly your age when I quit. The stress was mounting every year. I was on call 24/7 and it became ridiculous. Simply because people were terrified of safeguarding issues. You were dammed if you did and dammed if you didn’t. Add all the admin on top and you have a stress soup. Glad I’m out of it.

loved the walk and beautiful scenery

I put bubble wrap on my windows in winter, what a life changer. I also fill my kitchen sink with boiling water and leave it in there until it goes cold. The steam helps my kitchen hoyas to grow rapidly. We also get wool wrap strips around "wild food boxes" I.e. venison, rabbit, etc and I put them around the house on the ground by the doors or windows. Hope this gives you both.

Hiya Richard, enjoyed a visit across the pond from 🥶south Ont Canada. Oh tis the season for all sorts of nasty viruses, I personally spent the full moon 13th in hospital hooked up to IV. Take care Luv🐝🇨🇦👋🏻

Gorgeous walk, Richard. Thanks for sharing.

-4.5 Would love this kind of cold. I live in Quebec,Canada

Same thing is happening in Canada. People are dying in emergency rooms waiting for care. Business's are always cutting staff. All that matters is making money for the share holders. Employees aren't valued. On a postive note, your walk was beautiful.

Everything looks so pretty covered in frost. Listening to you talk about what's going on at your workplace always makes me happy I'm retired. I don't miss staff meetings and urgent memos. Someday you will be able to say that too!

Lovely walk.❤

Great chat Richard. The frost looks so pretty. I haven't been out in this cold, not even up the garden. It's a good time to bake and comfort eat 😊 I have dried fruit soaking tonight ready for tomorrow, I will make a t loaf. I watch the KZbin meteorologist weather channel every day to keep an eye on what's to come. Bye 🙂

Friday after shift treat Thankyou Richard ❤

thanks for the lovely nature views and the shot of the moon, spectacular. Enjoyed the vlog, thanks Richard😊

So lovely by the canal Thank You for taking us love the birdsong.🎶your skin looks absolutely flawless in camera❤ and the moon breathtaking. Have a Blessed Week Richard❤

I loved Hart to Hart back in the day! Need to revisit ❤ I thoroughly enjoyed watching episodes of Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads over Christmas. Can't beat some nostalgic telly 📺

Richard you talked the most sense I have heard in years in my case I just had to give the look and that was enough manners and respect are not thought anymore and that should done at home not in school.

I presume that that the allotment comittee order the woodchip - is it always used up?

🤗 Thank You Paul! 🤗

Your

You garden looks like a real haven How beautiful 😊

I'm glad it's warmer this week Paul.

Have you found since getting slightly older(im 60 this year😮)that you cant cope so well with the cold? I really struggle recently. Thanks for another good video,so much gardening wisdom.

Thought the mouse attack put you a bit down in the dumps last time. Good to see you looking more chipper (geddit!)

Hiya Paul, do hope you are able to repair your tripod? Brr you were making me cold just watching! The bird did look as though it was standing on water magical. I saw 2 gorgeous foxes last night in the snow here across the pond in southern Ontario Canada. Take care see you later🐝🇨🇦

God Bless

Plot is frozen here too, has been all week. I think you mentioned ordering potatoes at some point, what variety/varieties have you chosen? I've just ordered mine this week.

Hi! I like this man. He is so smart and simple talking about his garden.

Good video

Hi Paul. temperatures here are hovering between 30C and 36C which for the time of year is not too bad. The rain however is another issue. I know I keep going on about it but it's becoming critical. We are in the grip of a terrible drought here in South Australia. It's been over a year now since we've had any significant rain. If it does rain it's barely enough to wet the ground. The last soaking rain we had was November 23. Most of our reservoirs are at less than half capacity. I'm thinking of trying a rain dance! lol

Lovely to see at the plot but you do look so cold 🥶🥶 Ive done nothing in the garden so far, the soil is frozen so looking forward to warmer times Thanks Paul 😊

We feared our parents' disapproval and that was what kept us, mostly, behaving ourselves. I am glad of the strictness that characterised our childhood, as it shaped us as adults who by and large know the behaviours that are expected of us in the outside world, including how we treat others and our surroundings. There was no smacking, just the threat of displeasing or disappointing our parents.

Lovely Paul,you have all your work planned out. I’m going to try and keep up with you in my garden. 😊🥰🥰

Thanks Paul! 🪻🌷

It’s lovely to see another of your videos! Happy new year to you both

I remember the blackouts of the 70s, I bought myself an electric throw & just received today, it is brilliant, one of the best thing that I have bought in a while

Thank you both, a good giggle as always and educational. I learn something new every week.

There is a common theme here - years ago school was about preparing you/the child for life, now it has become about hitting educational targets. Employers are no longer putting their trust in employees to work while at home, instead needing them to come in and be supervised. Where did taking personal responsibility and being judged on outcome go? As Richard so ably demonstrated in any workplace there are ways and means of doing very little! ( In catering it was 'searching in the larder for an ingredient' while others drained the huge pots of potatoes!) At school, children are invited to explore their creativity and given 'room to develop'. When my granddaughter was reteatedly hit by the (male) school bully I told her to him back harder. As she predicted, she got told off. My son and I went to the school with the attack line of 'where were the playground supervising staff? Why was a lad twice her size whinging about a punch from such a small child? Did the school condone male violence against females?' The supervisors upped their game ( took some responsibility), the lad was riddiculed by his mates ( learned to take responsibility for his actions), and my granddaughter got left alone. Some of the old ways - taking responsibility - it should start with the school and proceed into adult life and work. I became a teacher and always asked why child X had hit child Y and there was usually a good explanation for the action. Child Y was then asked why they were being nasty. This translates into the workplace. Why are you not working and carrying out your responsibilities? Because scools promised young people complete freedom and the media promised them something for nothing ( money for very little work). There are still hard working folk out there who are having to carry the burden of the lightweights. Sorry folks, rant over!

Richard, you need to break out your oodie! (are they called that there?🤔) I'd be lost without mine in winter.

I see kids now being overindulged with toys, electronics etc. They get the latest phone, tablet etc. Some control what the family eats. I believe this is a setup for the inability of these children as adults to cope with employment where you do not get your way, and not getting new equipment, when I was walking you were happy if you were given a better chair than you had even though it had been someone else's. New electronics only were replaced when the system was obsolete

Good chat tonight. 👍

Where would we be without Sunday Chat. Thanks guys!

Good Sunday chat

I thought with the new year you were going to rid yourself of the dreaded word of the day (week) book 😆 You could share a book of historical facts or quotes or even a word of the day book which contains less esoteric (and hard to pronounce 😉) words.

Love a Sunday whinge! Thank you both 😉

Our generation was very resilient (I’m a sixties child too). As regards having to incentivise people to go back to the office! Steamed coming out of my ears…. 😮

I did it, Richard! Not as quick and easy as you did, but a lot easier than how I used to stuff the duvet into the cover. And mine is queen size, not even as big as your king size. I'll probably get better at it....

Hello Richard and Paul... I fully agree with your whinge fest... I grew up in the 70's & 80's and was taught my actions had consequences. Now kid's do as they please because there is no consequences for their actions. They are trying to pass a law doing away with most homework if not all because it's mentally damaging to children... Really 🤔. No wonder kid's behave the way they do...and the parents are no better in my opinion. They allow it and in a lot of cases encourage them because they don't want to put in the time or work themselves of being a parent.... Richard hands & feet same problem myself and when it feels like the cold gets into the bones there is no warming up after that truly painful.... Much Love from across the Pond 💞