Canny lass

Your right there, Malcolm. There's far too much 'reporting' of all things negative. I hadn't heard of half of those positive happenings.

... and I personally would like to add to that list ... Ukraine walloped Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest!

Received this yesterday. It certainly made me think So you think 2016 was terrible? Think again. It wasn’t all bad. Sure, some famous people we liked are no longer with us but some good – even fantastic – things happened: Ebola vaccine now available Child Mortality - Down across the globe Survival rate in pancreatic cancer sufferers is up 9% Gene responsible for ALS found Volunteers in India planted 50 Million trees in 24 hours Suicide rates down globally The Ozone layer is repairing itself The Rabbinical assembly issued a resolution affirming the rights of trans and non conforming individuals Mind controlled robot arms available Wild tigers numbers up - for the first time in 100 years! Giant Pandas - No longer endangered A solar powered plane did a world trip Global Malaria down by 60% Measles eradicated from the Americas 93% of the world's children learned to read and write - the highest percentage in human history China plans to be completely renewable by 2020 and has a global plan for by 2050 Huge global push in renewable energy Norway committed to 0 deforestation Every major grocer and fast food chain in the U.S pledged to use only cage free eggs by 2025 Manatees - No longer endangered Wild Wolves - Back in Europe Wild Salmon spawning in the Connecticut river for the first time since the American revolution Columbian white tailed deer - no longer endangered Green Sea Turtles - no longer endangered Sea World no longer breeding captive killer whales Humpback Whales - no longer endangered Global aid - up by 7% Americas most generous year ever in charity and aid China's most generous year ever in charity and aid at $15 Billion Take some time to look at the good and beauty in this world, good things are happening, support them, be part of them.

DO NOT DISTURB UNTIL 2017! Merrymakers, make merry quietly. Revellers, revel softly. First Footers, please enter in your slippers. See in the New Year for me please, and bid it wait until breakfast, when I shall be ready to greet it. Tummy bug stopped play for me but Happy New Year to Bedders' revellers whereever you may be!

Very popular here as well, Pilgrim. The youngest son has one and, as you rightly say, a bigger, dafter, more affable dog you couldn't find. Unfortunately, their life span isn't much longer here - 8 years.

All over bar the shouting here! Christmas dinner eaten and just watched the 'traditiona'l Donald Duck cartoons (true - it's a must here, bit like the Queen's speech in the UK). Now waiting patiently for Santa to knock on the door. He must be coming soon because my old man has just gone out to buy a newspaper. He always misses Santa, poor soul. I had thought of adding a picture of a typical Christmas dinner here but my mission failed.

Can't help I'm afraid. I wasn't living in the North East most of the time she worked for Fenwick.

And for the language lovers among us ...

39 Could it be something as simple as 'sugar paste' (What we call fondant)?

... and you think I'VE been drinking!

What's that? Chocolate, toffee, sweets? It doesn't ring any bells with me.

Me too! Can't get it here and I haven't seen it for a long time on my visits to Blighty - mind you, I haven't been looking. Did you know that there's a Norwegian cheese that tastes just like Caramac? It's called 'Brunost' (Brown cheese) or sometimes 'Mysost/Mesost'. If you like Caramac you'll love it. It's not like any other cheese I've ever tasted. Made from the whey, rather than the cream, of milk from any animal. I'm particularly fond of the goatsmilk one. The whey is boiled and reduced until the sugar in it caramelises then they add cream. Tastes wonderful!

That just leaves the 'sweet tooth'. It's got me stumped! I'll kill that Eggy if he posts anymore of these before midnight 24/12!

A man was on a game show. He was on his final question; all he had to do was answer that question right, and he would win 1 million dollars! The game show host said, "All right, for your final question: 'What are the names of three of Santa's reindeer?'" The man grinned and said, "Dasher!" The game show host said, "Correct!" "Comet!" "Correct! What is the last name?" The man yelled, "Olive!" The game show host was confused and said, "Why Olive?" The contestant looked at him strangely and said, "Oh, don't you know? 'Olive, the other reindeer, used to laugh and call him names...'"

Very good! I'd never have thought of that. I've never heard of it but much better than Relay. 29 Could it be Drifter?

33 Must be 'Relays' 38 Could it be Acid drops (horrible things!)

10 Kit kat 20 Twirl 25 Galaxy 26 Milky Way 33 penny whistle 35 Bounty 37 Wine gums 38 possibly chocolate/pear drops 2 We always called these mint imperials

What's the most popular wine at Christmas? "I don't like sprouts"!

Oops! Minstrels should have been 30 - not 29. Sorry! 27 should have been Lion bar. 40 could be Skittles 23 All Gold (Terry's) 4 Mars bar 9 or 35 could be Treats - probably 9 as it's in the plural form This not getting my Christmas baking done!

There's no answer to that! I'm not going there!

How can Bedlington have "Haze" at 4.30 on a December afternoon?

It lights up my life after 6pm!

Well, if you're allowed to 'adjust' the answers, then 12 might be Dolly mixtures, 15 is definitely Chocolate Buttons, 19 could be Fruit gums 29 must be Minstrels and 22 is probably a Yorkie. You will be forgiven for thinking that I have a sweet tooth. I daren't answer Nr.8

PS: 1. Quality Street and 6 Liquorice allsorts

Do you think we've nothing better to do the week before Xmas! 3. Black magic 11. Roses 16. Jelly Babies 17. Whispers 21 Edinburgh Rock 24. Turkish Delight 27 Tiger bar 32. Picnic 34 Maltesers 36. Dime (Daim?) bar