Thread: English Spoken Here: 2013 Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
The thread for those in the British Isles, and beyond the seas, and indeed anybody...

Firenze
Inclusive All Saints Host

[ 13. February 2013, 07:27: Message edited by: Spike ]
 

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Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
I'm gonna hang out here until the colonies have officially seceded.
 

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Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
All this talk of new threads reminded me I needed to do something about my dilapidated sewing box... so, the contents of the 25 year old chocolate box, have been transferred to a new biscuit tin.

No, I've still not done the sewing that needs doing, but I have a splendidly tidy box now.

Happy New Year
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Very wise. This whole independence thing could well fizzle out.
 

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Posted by Miffy (# 1438) on :
 
Happy New Year!

I, too, have a brand new biscuit tin and an overflowing sewing basket that needs tidying. The only snag is that I'll need to eat up the biscuits first.
 

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Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
I'd eaten the biscuits.

This gave me incentive to finish them.. though, I may need a label on the tin to remind me there are no biscuits there.
 

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Posted by Darllenwr (# 14520) on :
 
Something of a tragedy to go to a biscuit tin expecting a swift (if illicit) snack and find only the indigestible ...
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Darllenwr:
Something of a tragedy to go to a biscuit tin expecting a swift (if illicit) snack and find only the indigestible ...

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quote:

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Originally posted by Japes:
... transferred to a new biscuit tin ...

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Do you need any more? I discovered four Quality Street tins and two Other tins when clearing a set of shelves we're ditching ...

Just back from taking in the New Year with friends from the choir - jolly evening had by all.

Happy New Year to all my chums Over There (and in Wodders' case, Really Far Over There).


 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Turned on my mobile phone last night just after midnight to find it had reset itself to 1980 and lost connectivity. Half a searing hour later it was sorted out, but by that time I had the beginnings of what felt like a migraine and the fireworks were going off.

Looked out of the window to see my neighbours setting light to a huge Chinese lantern in the car park, which drifted erratically just over the roofs of the parked cars, threatening to settle. However it gained height and drifted off in the vicinity of the railway station - there are fields around there - a beautiful burning light in the sky, but so dangerous for anything underneath.

Dawn now - you can already see that the nights are shorter, and believe that spring will come; the sky is already paling. The stars are still out and it looks like clear skies so far. The birds are alive and very vocal, next door's cat is exploring the car park, and the world is still. Happy New Year!
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Indeed, Wodders! Just another day. In Canada, it is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, one of only two Holy Days of Obligation in Canada (The other being Christmas*). So an almost full set of masses, starting with last evening. I'll be off to the 9 am Mass in a few hours.

Greetings to ex-pats and pats. And Maureens too!

*I think they've forgotten Easter.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Happy New Year all!

There is something pale and yellow in the sky, so I'll take that as an omen for better weather this year.


 

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Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
Happy New Year to all!

I don't post that often on this thread, but I enjoy everyone's witty/erudite/informative/just plain daft comments. So thank you all for sailing with me on this Ship of Fools!
 

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Posted by Starbug (# 15917) on :
 
Happy New Year from the soggy South-West coast of England. Although today looks to be quite - dare I say it? - DRY! Thank You, Lord, after the continual depressing grey soaking we've had for the past weeks. I'm actually sitting in our living room without having to put the lights on!

[ 01. January 2013, 08:44: Message edited by: Starbug ]
 

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Posted by Arethosemyfeet (# 17047) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Firenze:

Inclusive All Saints Host

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Not that inclusive, given the implied moratorium on Welsh and Gaelic speakers.

Bliadhna mhath ùr!

Blwyddyn newydd dda!

[ 01. January 2013, 08:52: Message edited by: Arethosemyfeet ]
 

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Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
Happy New Year, from the soft embrace of my beloved duvet (start the year as you mean to go on, I say!). Thinking about a trip to the Natural History Museum today if the boy wakes in time. His bedroom window and vent is right next to the noisiest part of the pub so I'm not banking on him waking early this morning.

Wodders, I tend to agree with you about the arbitrariness (is that a word, and if so, did I spell it correctly, I wonder?) of the new year. (Now there's a start to the year which won't continue long, me agreeing with Wodders!). But it is a good excuse for having a quick audit of your hopes and dreams for the months to come.

Mine are to get a new job, preferably earning a bit more to make month-end slightly less stressful; to have a holiday seeing as for a long time we haven't managed a proper one which was not based around visiting people and either staying in their homes or *shudder under canvas; and to get my Smudgelet sorted with his college plans for next year (how can he possibly be that old?). And definitely I am intent on being more sociable this year - there are far too many people on my "must get together for coffee sometime" list.

So, my friends, while we can't in all honesty expect a completely good and trouble-free year any more than we can expect sun every day (with the exception of smug ex-pats), here's to some excellent moments for each one of us in 2013
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Arethosemyfeet:

quote:

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Originally posted by Firenze:

Inclusive All Saints Host

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Not that inclusive, given the implied moratorium on Welsh and Gaelic speakers.

Bliadhna mhath ùr!

Blwyddyn newydd dda!

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quote:

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Originally posted by PeteC:

quote:

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Originally posted by Arethosemyfeet:

quote:

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Originally posted by Firenze:

Inclusive All Saints Host

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Not that inclusive, given the implied moratorium on Welsh and Gaelic speakers.

Bliadhna mhath ùr!

Blwyddyn newydd dda!

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Translate please.

PeteC
Soon to ex-temporary All Saints Host

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"Happy new year" in Scottish Gaelic and Welsh.

Have we no Irish Gaelic speakers? Last time I looked the north was still part of the UK.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I speak some Irish Gaelic, as first learnt in Dublin. It's quite rusty now and I couldn't tell you how to say Happy New Year in Irish without googling it.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
A gloriously sunny new year here in Cambridge. We might even get to go on a family walk at this rate.
Last year was the year I kick started my life, after years of mild depression and apathy. We decluttered and tidied and then hosted our first dinner party for 8 years! This year I want to build on that, to make a home sociable again and build lasting friendships.
Oh, and I need to lose some weight. luckily I prefer tins of buttons to biscuits any day.
What plans do people have for the day?
 

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Posted by Starbug (# 15917) on :
 
My plans are:
- Write birthdays and appointments in this year's diaries.
- At 12:30, collect Mother and bring her over for a roast beef dinner, followed by one of Mr Bug's homemade Christmas Puddings (he's cooking and I'm on preparing veggies and washing-up duty).
- At approx 3:30, Father-in-Law will arrive and he and Mr Bug will disappear to The Football (it's on Sky, hence the late match start). I'm hoping to find a nice film for me and another to fall asleep in front of, after they've gone!
- Then this evening a friend has promised to ring, to arrange a day out at the sales tomorrow.


And my New Year's Resolution is to start proof-reading posts, so that I don't have to keep editing!

[ 01. January 2013, 10:26: Message edited by: Starbug ]
 

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Posted by Darllenwr (# 14520) on :
 
Plans for the day seem to have gone out of the window. We had bought tickets to see The Hobbit at one of the local cinemas - tickets that are going to go to waste by all appearances. Thanks to a wrenched knee (fall on Boxing Day evening; MS makes such things very easy, no alcohol involved) St Gwladys can barely walk and I have contracted some delightful stomach bug, making it advisable to have a very short run to the toilet. I don't think that Showcase Cinema in Nantgarw is going to see us this afternoon.

Oh well - Happy New Year, anyway!

And, just as a thought, didn't the Roman Republic calculate its year from the beginning of March?
 

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Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
Happy New Year! Having just started off the 2nd diswasher load of the day, following last night's festivities, I plan to hurtle into the sunshine in my little red fun machine & get the engine ticking over - opportunities for winter jaunts are few and far between because I'd rather not put the roof up.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Praying for a quick and smooth recovery for those in need.
I've just made a chicken and ham Wellington for lunch, using up some chicken fillets, ham and the remainders of some venison terrine for the filling, with red currant jelly and salad leaves thrown in for colour. Other half popped to B&Q ages ago and I suspect is enjoying some peace and quiet somewhere.
 

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Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
Happy New Year! I spent a happy 6 weeks in Autumn with a Welsh speaker, it took me a while to work out that English was her second language cos she was so bloody good at it - when she called her family she spoke Welsh.

I don't think there was any reference in the OP to banning the bilingual, was there? So anyone who can understand and write English is welcome.
 

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Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by piglet:

quote:

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Originally posted by Japes:
... transferred to a new biscuit tin ...

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Do you need any more? I discovered four Quality Street tins and two Other tins when clearing a set of shelves we're ditching ...

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quote:

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Originally posted by Gussie:
One new year's resolution is Boeing more sociable, starting with contributing to this thread more often.

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Can we expect some plane speaking from you then?

Happy New Year to you too and welcome aboard this thread!
 

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Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
I don't often post on this thread, as it grows too quickly for me to keep up with, but I'm just popping in to say Happy New Year to all.

When did we start having fireworks for New Year? I only recall it in, say, the last 20 years or so (I don't recall it when we moved into this house, which was 25 years ago later this year).

When I was a child, everyone ran into the street and made lots of noise - which usually meant banging dustbin lids together. I suppose no-one has metal dustbins any more. And lids don't come off wheely bins, of course.

I was bell ringing at midnight, which is always fun, although it never feels as though it's going to be.

And on Sunday, Macarius and I went to see Matthew Bourne's 'Sleeping Beauty' at Sadlers Wells, which has to be just about the most wonderful thing I have ever seen anywhere (just wanted to tell someone how wonderful it was!)

M.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Matthew Bourne is a genius! I love his work, plain brilliant!
 

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Posted by Starbug (# 15917) on :
 
Ah, bliss! A post-prandial cup of tea and Mary Poppins. All together now, 'Oh, it's a jorly orliday with Mary'....
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I'm rather pleased to say that I have never seen that movie all the way through.


 

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Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 

quote:

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originally posted by Welease Woderwick

movie

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English spoken here
 

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Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Some of you have got sun?

Nothing like that here. Its not exactly wet, in that it isn't actually coming down, but it is very wet underfoot (and paw) and decidedly damp in the air.

However, its 2013, the world is still with us, so Happy New Year, everyone!
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by moonlitdoor:

quote:

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originally posted by Welease Woderwick

movie

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English spoken here

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quote:

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Originally posted by PeteC:

quote:

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Originally posted by moonlitdoor:

quote:

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originally posted by Welease Woderwick

movie

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English spoken here

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You tell 'im, Moonie!

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I offer a completely and utterly abject apology
 

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Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
The Smudgelet and I did Wisley this afternoon. It was a beautiful day, although that didn't stop the boy complaining about the cold of course. The gardens are fascinating in the winter and it was lovely to see the first signs of spring peeping through. Of course, the glasshouse was in full flower - much to the Smudgelet's disgust as we hadn't thought to take any antihistamine for his outrageous hayfever.

I like having a son who likes photography. It means he still enjoys accompanying me on trips out which most teenage boys would grump about!
 

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Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
West Kirby* is the most wonderful place to blow last year's cobwebs out of the way (and get rid of a hangover, should one have one.) There is a pedestrian walkway between the marine lake and the sea, and from the beach it looks as if people are walking on water. Welsh hills in the background, blustery wind and plenty of sun: what's not to like?

*on the Wirral, twixt Mersey and Dee.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
We took a stroll to the little local nature reserve where we played pooh sticks and my 8 year old discussed 'Boggles' (little folk who live in bogs). We even found a Boggle nest .
 

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Posted by Qoheleth. (# 9265) on :
 
Happy New Year from Hampshire, where the sun came out for a day! Another bell ringer here; we rang the old year out, drank champagne, then rang the new year in. The second touch was better than the first. Funny, that .

Today, friends motivated me to go out for a long muddy but sunny walk.
 

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Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
We walked to Stirling Castle and went to a concert (folk music) in the Chapel Royal. The sky was a really deep blue and the colours were just fantastic. Once the sun started going down it did get really quite chilly though.

Happy new year folks!
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Boogie:
... There is something pale and yellow in the sky ...

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In Boogieland? Are you sure?

quote:

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Originally posted by Japes:
Actually, the set of shelves would be more useful, thank you piglet.

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If you can get them over the Pond, you're welcome!

I've had a very lazy day so far; got up late morning to watch the Top Gear India special*, which hadn't been shown here before (and featured an Austin Allegro exactly the same as the one D. had when I fell for him )

I'm now messing about here while waiting to go to friends for Roast Beef And All The Trimmings™.

One day I might stop eating ...

* Blimey, what an amazing country!
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
As Darllenwr said, we were going to see The Hobbit - it's become a New Year's Day tradition to go to the cinema. At least the cinema involved has agreed to delay our tickets, so we should be able to see it latyer in the week when we're both feeling better.

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Sorry to hear about your dismal start to the new year - but that's great that you haven't lost out on your cinema tickets after all. Hope you enjoy the film when you do get to see it.

A few centuries ago when I was at school, as a special treat on Friday afternoons, one of the nuns would read a chapter of The Hobbit to us. You could have heard a pin drop as the adventures of Bilbo unfolded. I asked my mother for a copy for my birthday. Of course, it spoilt the surprise of having it read in instalments, but it was a great read. I got very into learning to write in runes, as well.
 

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Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
What's a little inconvenience like the Pond to a resourceful piglet, I ask myself?

Ah well, I shall contemplate the issue of shelving another day.
 

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Posted by Darllenwr (# 14520) on :
 
As a matter of interest, Ariel, did you succumb to Tolkein scripts as I and a number of friends did? Like most, I started with the (Norse) runes used in The Hobbit, but then I progressed to Tolkein's own runes (appendix F of The Return of the King) and then to the Feanorian letters from the same source. These last took rather more working out, but a number of us took to using them to scrawl gafiti on various blackboards throughout our school, comfortable in the knowledge that only those 'in the know' (not including any of the Teachers, obviously) could read what had been written very publicly.

It was all rather sad, really ...
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
I think you were deluding yourselves. Your teachers might have equally been fans.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Darllenwr:
As a matter of interest, Ariel, did you succumb to Tolkein scripts as I and a number of friends did?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Ariel:

quote:

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Originally posted by Darllenwr:
As a matter of interest, Ariel, did you succumb to Tolkein scripts as I and a number of friends did?

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Oh, yes! My schoolfriends and I used to write notes to each other in runes (and yes, chalked messages on the boards to annoy other classmates), and my best friend and I got into Elvish script. I even bought a calligraphy pen and spent ages copying out the letters at the back of LOTR.

(I also copied out and handcoloured an entire set of maps from the books, but nobody needs to know that.)

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Now that is sad ...
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
My brother and I used to write letters to one another in Elvish script
 

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Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
The pastor's son (in my Lutheran Youth) and his best friend got really good at slipping elvish rune notes to each other in church. Every once in a while you would turn up scraps of their correspondence tucked in a hymnal.
 

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Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
Down here in the Soft South, the sunrise was fabulous! The whole sky was lit up in orange and red and gold reflecting off the (appropriately) soft cloud cover and if Taking Pictures on One's Mobile Phone While Driving wasn't frowned on I'd have a picture to post here.

What struck me was how the sunrise made all the Christmas lights look cheap and tawdry

Mrs. S, now glad she had to get up and drive to w*rk
 

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Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
I had a friend I used to write to in runic, but I've never read the Tolkien books, I was just into runes... during my Pagan days, doncha know.


 

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Posted by Eigon (# 4917) on :
 
I, too had notebooks full of Elvish in my teenage years - including some embarrassingly bad poetry.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Couldn't have been much worse than the tale of Tinfang Warble (one of Tolkien's less stellar poems), surely?

"O the hoot! O the hoot!
How he trillups on his flute!
O the hoot of Tinfang Warble!"

In other news, first day back at work today. I woke up with just 7 minutes to get ready and leave for the station. I amazed myself by actually catching the train as intended

[ 02. January 2013, 11:30: Message edited by: Ariel ]
 

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Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
I had a fall at home on Boxing Day (No alcohol involved, honest) and wrenched my knee, so walking is difficult. Safadin-cat thinks it's wonderful - I've been spending a lot of time in the recliner chair, and he's been spending a lot of time sleeping on me! Thankfully, my doctor is sensible and has given me a sick note for 7 days, so Saf will be able to sleep on me for a few days longer.
 

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Posted by Darllenwr (# 14520) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Ariel:
Couldn't have been much worse than the tale of Tinfang Warble (one of Tolkien's less stellar poems), surely?

"O the hoot! O the hoot!
How he trillups on his flute!
O the hoot of Tinfang Warble!"

In other news, first day back at work today. I woke up with just 7 minutes to get ready and leave for the station. I amazed myself by actually catching the train as intended

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quote:

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Originally posted by St Gwladys:
I had a fall at home on Boxing Day (No alcohol involved, honest) and wrenched my knee, so walking is difficult.

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Snap! I had a fall at home the week before Christmas. Got up out of my armchair and somehow managed to fall sideways and tear a ligament in my right foot. I've only just got back to walking this week.

Likewise, no alcohol involved. Wish there had been - I might not have felt so stupid.

Glad you've got a cat to sit on you and keep you cosy while you heal. The cat, of course, knows you did it especially for him.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I hope and pray that you both make a smooth recovery

[ 02. January 2013, 18:51: Message edited by: Heavenly Anarchist ]
 

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Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Darllenwr:

quote:

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Originally posted by Ariel:
"O the hoot! O the hoot!
How he trillups on his flute!
O the hoot of Tinfang Warble!"

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Strewth! Is it all as bad as that? Tinfang Warble, I mean.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Darllenwr:
Strewth! Is it all as bad as that? Tinfang Warble, I mean. I thought I wrote some pretty bad poetry in my youth (I did) but then I never had any pretentions to being any sort of Author (that's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it!). I take it that this epic of modern verse was one of his earlier efforts?

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Yes, written in 1914, as Balaam has said above. Here you go.

(And what the Inklings must have made of that, when they were all sitting round the fire reading out their latest efforts to one another, one can only guess.)

[ 02. January 2013, 19:08: Message edited by: Ariel ]
 

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Posted by Darllenwr (# 14520) on :
 
Right!

Having read that piece of remarkable modern English Literature, I feel rather less ashamed of my 10-year-old efforts.
 

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Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Wwriting in Tolkein runes? I remember it well. Unfortunately I also remember a GCSE French project in which we were asked to make up identities and write about where went on holiday etc...
"Je m'appelle Frodo, Je suis un hobbit".
Oh my.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
"During my holiday I visited Mordor with a good friend and we went mountain climbing. We were followed by this really creepy guy who kept talking to himself! The spiders are really huge in Mordor and the food isn't very good. We had to bring our own. I lost my ring somewhere on the mountain but by that time I was feeling a bit unwell and all I wanted was just to get home..."
 

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Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 

Yep, something along those lines. You weren't an invigilator in the 90s were you, Ariel?

[ 02. January 2013, 20:43: Message edited by: ArachnidinElmet ]
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I once translated the chapter from Pooh about the rainstorm and flood for a French essay at school - Mr Evans, the teacher, [who must be about 210 by now] was obviously not an A A Milne fan and said it was unreadable rubbish.

I was devastated.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
When a friend of ours graduated in Latin, French and Byzantine Studies, we and another friend* gave her Winnie the Pooh in Latin and Latin for All Occasions, which contains invaluable phrases such as "I have a fax machine in my Audi".

We saw a copy of The Hobbit in Latin the other day in Chapters bookshop.

Today started off beautifully: cold and brilliantly sunny, but it's done a spot of sn*wing since then, and we've now got a Light Dusting.

Out of curiosity, does anyone else keep forgetting that this thread isn't called Perfidious Albion any more and take ages to find it, or is it just me?

* I can't remember which of us gave her which book - it was quite a while ago.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Me too, piglet - and in theory I am supposed to know what I am looking for.*

*or ...that for which I look.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Don't know about the rest of you, but post-Christmas satiation has set in - can't face any more mince pies, fried stuff, sweet stuff, booze, or even chocolate. Gimme salad.

Ah well, Xmas decorations will be coming down this weekend too, I suppose, as we head further into January and towards Lent which is only about a frightening 6 weeks away.
 

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Posted by Starbug (# 15917) on :
 
I feel the same. I had a healthy, low fat lunch today for the first time in several weeks and it felt great. There's a half-full box of Milk Tray in the corner and neither of us has even opened it.
 

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Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
Whilst I'm happy to have salad (and did have fruit today), I must admit I'm not really relating to the 'no more!' feeling - the only reason I've stopped eating fruit cake is because there's none left

Back to work today - it's been a while since I've seen 6am, now it's just gone 9pm I'm feeling ready for bed already. I'm such a lightweight.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Ariel:
... Lent which is only about a frightening 6 weeks away ...

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That is quite frightening. D. went off down to the Cathedral this evening and his parting shot was "I'm off down the road to think about Candlemas". It's not even Epiphany yet ...

In other news, our builder's expecting to finish the indoor bits of our renovations tomorrow (except for the painting, which we'll do ourselves), and he's going to take the old shelves (and possibly the defunct microwave-trolley) off our hands.

Now what did I do with that duster?
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I forgot to mention the Main Event on New Year's Day - one of the local temples has had a festival going on this week and on Tuesday there was a procession from there into town and back involving 5 fully caparisoned elephants and a panchavadyam band - thankfully the musical interlude in town took place [just] off the main road and the procession was only on major roads for about 100 metres each way - it still caused traffic chaos, twice, but not for very long.

I, of course, took a whole load of photographs, some of which aren't too bad.

[ 04. January 2013, 10:22: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

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Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
I have a similar problem… Due to work-related stress I have lost about 5kg since September, without doing anywhere near so much exercise as before. This is a bad thing.

Now I know some of you would kinda like to have this problem, but I wasn't overweight before, my clothes are getting too big, and the My-Boss-Has-Temper-Tantrums diet is not really the healthiest one anyways and I wanted to put some of it back on. So I made every effort to eat like a trooper over Christmas, and glugged suitably festive quantities of wine at every meal. And even between all the cheese and trifle and alky calories, I don't think I've got any fatter. What's wrong with me?

And now I'm all fooded out and all I really want is salad and vegetable soup and the like.

Who knew you could get bored with chocolates?
 

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Posted by Cara (# 16966) on :
 
I never really understood what the Perfidious Albion thread was about, and I'm not sure what this one is about either, but it sounds like my kind of place! Happy New Year, everyone. I am in the Cotswolds at the moment and it is not actually raining. The sky is cloudy but the clouds have a sort of brightness to them...I wonder if the sun of New Year's Day might make a reappearance?

Well, if one can't be a bit optimistic at the New year, when can one?!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I had a lovely weekend in [or near] Winchcombe when I was over in November - The Cotswolds are one of my favourite soft places in Britain - gorgeous countryside. Although towards the end of November the area can be a tad chilly!
 

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Posted by Cara (# 16966) on :
 
Yes, the Cotswolds are very beautiful. It's lovely around Winchcombe.
And of course very green everywhere. Well, we know why that is! But I love the look of it on the eye.
 

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Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Welcome to "English spoken here" Cara! The Hosts come up with the crazy names for this thread, but basically, we are all crazy English speaking but by no means all English inhabitants who like discussing the weather, food, the weather, oh, and food!

And the sun is sort of out here - coming your way, I hope, Boogie!
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicodemia:

And the sun is sort of out here - coming your way, I hope, Boogie!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
I'm sat at the PC at the moment,

---

You'd need very long arms to post if you weren't

quote:

---

That he's still in his dressing gown at half past three makes me feel relatively organised (I'm dressed! I've been to the shops!).

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by balaam:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
I'm sat at the PC at the moment,

---

You'd need very long arms to post if you weren't

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Darllenwr:
As a matter of interest, Ariel, did you succumb to Tolkein scripts as I and a number of friends did? Like most, I started with the (Norse) runes used in The Hobbit, but then I progressed to Tolkein's own runes (appendix F of The Return of the King) and then to the Feanorian letters from the same source. These last took rather more working out, but a number of us took to using them to scrawl gafiti on various blackboards throughout our school, comfortable in the knowledge that only those 'in the know' (not including any of the Teachers, obviously) could read what had been written very publicly.

It was all rather sad, really ...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicodemia:
Welcome to "English spoken here" Cara! The Hosts come up with the crazy names for this thread, but basically, we are all crazy English speaking but by no means all English inhabitants who like discussing the weather, food, the weather, oh, and food!

And the sun is sort of out here - coming your way, I hope, Boogie!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
... Now what did I do with that duster?

---

I found it, and used it, although the sitting-room's still not really usable; it needs to be painted (the builder has offered his services, which we're contemplating), so there's no point in putting everything back where it should be quite yet.

Decorations are coming down gradually; I put the tree away because there was a bit of sanding to be done behind it. I'll put the rest away on Sunday, although I'm tempted to leave the candle-bridges up until Candlemas - does anyone have any thoughts on the matter?
 

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Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Our Christmas was so sad I s tripped the house of all Christmassy things as soon as decently possible.

I even hesitate to make mince pies, though I did use the last of some mincemeat (bought, I'm too old to faff around making my own now! ) last night with the only pastry that was a small enough amount to defrost in the microwave and then use all up. It was puff pastry, and I am never very successful with that - soggy underneath and tough on top.

I won't make the mistake of buying any more - it pays to examine the packets before you fling them into your trolley!

On a happier note, it is distinctly brighter in the west, so hopefully it will be a better day.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I was up early taking my son's GF to the airport. He leaves tomorrow as they couldn't get the same flight. It has been great to have them over - I'll miss them both.

We are going to visit them in Heidelberg over the Easter weekend so that will be great

Today is a day for putting everything away and making sure my son eats all the mince pies so that I am not tempted. His waist remains size 30 however much he eats. Grrr!
 

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Posted by Darllenwr (# 14520) on :
 
Finished stripping and packing all the Christmas decorations around 11:15 (we're out this afternoon and evening), so went to stow it all back in the roof. This entails going into Lord P's bedroom, the location of the lofthatch.

I don't remember exactly what it was caught my eye, probably a discarded chocolate wrapper on the floor, but I started to examine the mess in more detail.

I am considering taking close-up photographs (in stomach-turning detail) of some of the things I found and posting them to his girlfriend - "This is what you could be taking on - are you sure it is wise?" The mess is horrific. There were bits of chocolate brownie chunks ground into the carpet, comminuted into the spare bed. It is probably a good thing that he returned to Horsham last Saturday, because otherwise I would be standing over him with a horsewhip whilst he cleaned up.

Kids! Why do we have 'em?
 

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Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
... Now what did I do with that duster?

---

I found it, and used it, although the sitting-room's still not really usable; it needs to be painted (the builder has offered his services, which we're contemplating), so there's no point in putting everything back where it should be quite yet.

Decorations are coming down gradually; I put the tree away because there was a bit of sanding to be done behind it. I'll put the rest away on Sunday, although I'm tempted to leave the candle-bridges up until Candlemas - does anyone have any thoughts on the matter?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicodemia:

And the sun is sort of out here - coming your way, I hope, Boogie!

---

Yes - I hope so too! We spent the day in Chester yesterday and it was a nice, bright day. But we drove back into the rain coming home.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sergius-Melli:
I always sort of liked living in Chester - despite the railway station seeming like an age away from anywhere,

---

But a free bus to the city centre!

I like Chester too. At its best in the autumn or on a clear crisp winter's day. Here on the banks of the Mersey, rather than the Dee, it was like spring today with warm sun and uncharacteristically windless air.
 

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Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
A long long time since I've been to Chester. I'm hoping this might be the year I get to see a bit more of the country again. I have lots of places I'd like to go and Chester's definitely one of them.

Meanwhile I've had a delightful day out in the Surrey Hills - one of those walks where you head in the general direction and could end up anywhere. A couple stopped to asked us directions - mad fools - I had to tell them we were just as lost as they were, although fortunately my sense of direction and distance was pretty accurate. Feel rather pleased to have found a nice walk which starts and finishes with the nicest little cafe and remarkably inexpensive cake.
 

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Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
I lived in Chester for six years, in the 1980s, and still have friends and godchildren there who I visit very regularly.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I went to Chester once for the day, by train, when I was staying in Shrewsbury, and enjoyed it. I don't think I've ever been so far north. Loved all the old buildings and the city walls, but especially the cathedral - that was very interesting. It's on my list of places to revisit next time I'm in the area.

Just came back from London today and have seen the Marmite Christmas lights in Oxford St - delightful and amusing with the Santa turning green, the elves having a tug of war over a sandwich, and a pair of reindeer butting an exploding pot of the stuff. But I do hope next year's aren't going to be heavily commercial. ("These Christmas lights are brought to you by Your Usual Supermarket.")
 

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Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
I went to Chester once for the day, by train, when I was staying in Shrewsbury, and enjoyed it. I don't think I've ever been so far north.

---

We don't bite you know. Next time come a little bit further and see Liverpool. To a Geordie we are the deep south.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
To an Orcadian, everywhere except Shetland is "sooth".

Lamb-shanks for tomorrow's lunch are merrily marinating in the slow-cooker ready to be seared and then set going at bed-time; I'll cook them on "low" overnight and add the potatoes before I head out in the morning.

We're going to an "Old Christmas Day"* bash in the afternoon at the home of a couple in the congregation, which'll be a nice way to finish off the season.

* Local term for Twelfth Night
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
We went to Epiphany Mass this morning on our bicycles and then rode back another way and found the local snake temple and a few other interesting things - have I ever said how much I love living here?

Not long until Lent now - has everyone got their discipline sorted out?
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
OK, who on earth goes skateboarding at 6.30 am on a dark Sunday morning in January?

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Not long until Lent now - has everyone got their discipline sorted out?

---

Yes, of course. And yourself?
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Yup, I'm giving up penances!
 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
New to this thread - I never really explored the Perfidious Albion one, and obviously missed a trick.

Off to church and shared lunch shortly - some leftover mince pies will be taken there and consumed by others. Better on their hips than mine. Then the decorations will come down; the house always looks dull and bare for a while after that.

Thanks to those of you who reminded me of the name of the round yellow thing in the sky. I saw it on New Year's Day and hadn't seen it for so long I'd forgotten what it was called. Haven't seen it since.

Nen - sad to be saying goodbye to the beautiful Christmas tree we had this year.
 

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Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
We spent the first night of our honeymoon in Chester, en route from Liverpool to North Wales. I've been back once or twice since then - it is a lovely little town.

I've planned and blogged about next week's menus, + recipes. Now I'm hungry so I'm off for my soup & quiche lunch.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I can't be bothered doing anything useful. I'm eating chocolate and playing a game on my mobile phone. I've got to Level 16 and built half a pyramid. I'm hanging on because I need to know whether the mummy comes alive at the end.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
sounds our house all over, we have family tournaments on my iPad. We were all playing Froad last night.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Welcome to the thread Nenya

I was also sad to take down our lovely tree - I'm usually glad to get back to 'normal' but this year it was an especially gorgeous one.

I have spent the afternoon with my girlie mates chatting and booking a girlie holiday. So that's six of us off to Rome for four days in May - wayhay!
 

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Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
Taking down the tree etc gives the same sense of liberation as going into green vestments after Pentecost!
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I won't feel liberated at all. The room is going to look very bleak and January-ish without the sparkles, glints of gold, the warm glow of the lights and the colour of decorations.

It's not so bad when it's a bright sunny winter's day and you can believe that spring is round the corner, but this still feels like winter.
 

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Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
It's been really murky here today. I went for a walk and came across a young wild boar caught in a veggie plot. He was throwing himself against the fence, desperate to get out. When I returned he'd gone, but I don't know if he'd escaped or was just further up the hill. I hope the hunters didn't find him.
 

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Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
No church this evening, as the heating has Gone Wrong.

Is it very bad of me to be so pleased I've got a rare Sunday evening at home?
 

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Posted by Starbug (# 15917) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Angloid:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
I went to Chester once for the day, by train, when I was staying in Shrewsbury, and enjoyed it. I don't think I've ever been so far north.

---

We don't bite you know. Next time come a little bit further and see Liverpool. To a Geordie we are the deep south.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Starbug:

I will be venturing North again in February for the UNISON Women's Conference at the new arena at the Albert Dock - can't wait!

---

Do we feel a Shipmeet coming on? It's a hop, skip and jump for me to Liverpool.


 

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Posted by Starbug (# 15917) on :
 
Ooh, yes please! I could do Wednesday 13th or Friday 15th Feb.

I'm already booked for the UNISON 'getting to know you' dinner for conference delegates on Thursday 14th, so couldn't do early evening. However, I'm hoping to slip off to the Cavern for the 10pm Beatles tribute band after that, if anyone fancies going!

It would be great if some of us could meet up. I've never been to a Shipmeet before.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Starbug:
Ooh, yes please! I could do Wednesday 13th or Friday 15th Feb.

---

Wednesday 13th is good for me - should I start a thread?
 

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Posted by Starbug (# 15917) on :
 
Yes, please.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I find taking the tree down liberating too, a chance to give the room a good tidy and have some space to move around. My mind feels far less cluttered when there isn't clutter around me.
 

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Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
I won't feel liberated at all. The room is going to look very bleak and January-ish without the sparkles, glints of gold, the warm glow of the lights and the colour of decorations.

It's not so bad when it's a bright sunny winter's day and you can believe that spring is round the corner, but this still feels like winter.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Starbug:
Ooh, yes please! I could do Wednesday 13th or Friday 15th Feb.

---

Wednesday 13th is good for me - should I start a thread?

---

Apart from the fact that it's Ash Wednesday! Friday would be OK though.
Do start a thread please.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Afternoon Epiphany bash v. nice - good company, just the right sort of food (although we weren't really hungry after the lamb shanks) and good wine including the first (and presumably last) glass of mulled wine of the season.

After consultation with my Liturgical Advisor™ (aka D.) I'm leaving the candle-bridges up until Candlemas - let the neighbours think what they will. I took the rest down when we came in after Evensong; the place doesn't look quite as bare as usual because I didn't put very much up in the first place.

Now, next year, when the sitting-room's all painted and nice ...

Oh well, back to old clothes and porridge* tomorrow, as my Dad would say.

* Not actual porridge, you understand.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I am always a bit amused/amazed by your aversion to porage, piglet but then I love the stuff. Do you like oats in anything or are you just a non-oaty person?

Surely you most like oatackes and cheese?

No?

Oh well.
 

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Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
Ooh, I love porage too! The only good thing about today (not actually first day back at work, but it feels like the first real day back for some reason) is that I can have porage and fruit for breakfast.

It's the highlight of my day.

M.
 

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Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Another vote for porridge, of whatever spelling.

There is no better start to the morning than getting your oats.

AG
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Angloid:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Starbug:
Ooh, yes please! I could do Wednesday 13th or Friday 15th Feb.

---

Wednesday 13th is good for me - should I start a thread?

---

Apart from the fact that it's Ash Wednesday! Friday would be OK though.
Do start a thread please.

---

Oh dear - sorry - tis done.

I really hope the evening of Ash Wednesday will be OK for you?
 

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Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
I wish I could be there! I was in Liverpool just before Christmas visiting my mum. Do you know Lunya ? It's a really nice tapas bar/ Spanish deli/restaurant. It's on the outskirts of Liverpool One. I treated myself to a meal there when I was shopping - delicious!
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Piglet, I'm totally with you on the anti-porridge front. Colour, taste, texture, there's no more depressing way to start the day.

I quite like homemade oatcakes, still hot and straight off the griddle, with melting butter and a sprinkle of salt, but flapjacks you can keep. An oat is just never going to be exciting by itself without being heavily disguised by something else.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Angloid:
Where are you, Ariel? It's been like spring since New Year's Day here.

---

It's certainly mild in this corner of Oxfordshire, but the skies are grey, the trees are bare, there are no spring flowers (or spring lambs), the mornings are dark and the nights are long. It could be November.

Having said that, there were Hot Cross Buns in the supermarket at Christmas, along with daffodils (and strawberries), and the day after Boxing Day the Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies appeared "by popular demand". I don't know who's been demanding them.
 

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Posted by Chamois (# 16204) on :
 
I cannot understand how some people don't like porridge. To me it's the ultimate comfort food. Sometimes I have it for supper after a stressful day at work - with sultanas cooked in it if I feel I deserve something sweet. Yummy!

It's very dark and grey here in London, especially in the mornings. Hate those dark, dark mornings in early January. But (whisper it) it hasn't rained yet today. Not once. How about that?
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Mmmmm, porridge with milk and honey, cream as a special addition.
Dismal weather here. This morning I caught up with my OU work and baked bread and I spent the afternoon testing out my new sewing machine making some slippers for dh's birthday tomorrow.
Just making lentil and coconut soup for tea.
 

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Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
Very jealous Heavenly Anarchist, I'm still trying to catch up with my OU work. I had such good intentions to get it all done before I started back at work last Thursday, but we all know where good intentions lead (sigh). Hopefully if I can mark 2 today and 2 tomorrow I will be just about caught up, but after a 6am start and a day's work, 2 essays are the last things I want to read (which is why I'm here).
 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sandemaniac:
There is no better start to the morning than getting your oats.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
It's certainly mild in this corner of Oxfordshire, but the skies are grey, the trees are bare, there are no spring flowers (or spring lambs), the mornings are dark and the nights are long. It could be November.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:

Having said that, there were Hot Cross Buns in the supermarket at Christmas, along with daffodils (and strawberries), and the day after Boxing Day the Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies appeared "by popular demand". I don't know who's been demanding them.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I am always a bit amused/amazed by your aversion to porage, piglet ... Do you like oats in anything or are you just a non-oaty person? ...

---

Just porridge. Having been more-or-less force-fed it every winter when I was a kid, if I never eat it again it'll be too soon.

I like oatcakes: one of the pleasures of going home is Stockan's Orkney oatcakes and Kirbister Farm cheese. I quite like flapjacks (I've even made them once or twice) and the only pudding I ever make is Cranachan, which is topped with toasted oats and brown sugar.

Back to w*rk today on a brilliantly sunny but v. cold (-12°C) day.

The builder has nearly finished clearing things up, helped by the fact that the house two doors down has just been sold (having lain empty for about three years since the previous owner died) and is being practically gutted; they're very kindly letting us put stuff in their skip at the end of the day. The old windows have gone, along with a good deal of the old wooden siding which was piled up outside the front of the house, and with any luck we should get rid of the rest tomorrow.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
For the last several years of my working life, except for the final 3 months when we had moved buildings, the windows in my office started about chest height so that even if my desk was right by the window if I looked out I could only see sky - and in the winter it was grey and dull and never/rarely really light BUT I did force myself to take a walk at lunchtime which helped but the going to work in the dark, coming home in the dark was something I hated with a vengeance - but by leaving home at 07.30 I could be at my desk in 12 minutes, if I left at 07.35 it could easily take 40 minutes, longer if something had broken down in the tunnel! Those who know Islington in Liverpool will understand!
 

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Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
My office is in the basement and my window looks out onto the 'area'. If I look up, I can sometimes see legs through the railings. It can be a bit miserable!

You also get to hear the porters' conversations a lot. Best one (in the interests of honesty, I admit it was heard by colleague in office next door, not me) 'I went to see that Pavarotti (imagine glottal stop) last night. I like that Pavaro-i, much better than them foreign singers'.

M.
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
A quarter to eight and the only light outside is the street lamps and the occasional window in the houses opposite. Remember those days of out in the dark, eight hours of staring at a screen under strip lighting, home in the dark, stare at screen...

Quite a lot of light exposure, but the Wrong Sort of Light.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
The sky here is pearly blue-grey with beautiful bright coral around the clouds, quickly fading away to daylight.
Need to get back into routine again, with the school run followed by shopping before planning a tutorial. Hopefully get time to play with my new sewing machine later but I think the housework may have to come first.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Angloid:
It's been drizzly in Liverpool today but the last few days have seen a lot of (sometimes hazy) sun. And the daffodils are budding if not flowering.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
For the last several years of my working life, except for the final 3 months when we had moved buildings, the windows in my office started about chest height so that even if my desk was right by the window if I looked out I could only see sky - and in the winter it was grey and dull and never/rarely really light BUT I did force myself to take a walk at lunchtime which helped but the going to work in the dark, coming home in the dark was something I hated with a vengeance - but by leaving home at 07.30 I could be at my desk in 12 minutes, if I left at 07.35 it could easily take 40 minutes, longer if something had broken down in the tunnel! Those who know Islington in Liverpool will understand!

---

Possibly trhe only joy of having had to find a new job this last year was the reduction in commute time: it went from an hours drive (on empty roads) to a five minute walk - I love it!
 

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Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
The BBC broadcast a prog this evening about astronomy, encouraging is all to get a pair of binoculars and look at the stars and planets.

It always rains whenever they broadcast a popular astronomy prog...and tonight was no exception. I didn't bother.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I understand the Beeb is considering replacing the late Sir Patrick Moore with Brian May from Queen on The Sky at Night. Good choice, if you ask me - not that I'll get to see it on this side of the Pond.

I can sympathise with the "never-seeing daylight" thing - having grown up in Orkney, there was quite a chunk of winter when you didn't see much in the way of daylight. I didn't mind though; it was nicely balanced by the chunk of summer when you didn't see any proper darkness.

My office has no windows, and hence no weather, but as my work day is usually 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. it's still daylight when I leave. I did a couple of extra hours one day before Christmas and didn't leave until after 4 p.m. and was quite confused by coming out into darkness.

Talking of weather, we're forecast to get about a foot and a half of it on Friday.

On the up-side, if it falls at the right time, I might get a sn*w-day.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Talking of weather, as is our wont, I woke during the night and thought i heard some gentle rain over the sound of the ceiling fan and woke this morning to find that I had - it was little more than a sprinkle but anything is welcome and twice in 24 hours doubly so.

Tired again this morning so possibly a little lie down before I tackle anything too drastic, like picking up a book!
 

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Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
I will know I have recovered from the Virus from H**l when I am interested in proper coffee (or indeed, any coffee). In the meantime, there is tea in the pot...help yourselves.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by St Everild:
I will know I have recovered from the Virus from H**l when I am interested in proper coffee (or indeed, any coffee). In the meantime, there is tea in the pot...help yourselves.

---

Yes! I went off coffee and seem to have given up milk in my tea since I had the flu.

Odd.
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Boogie, I had that happen once too and the doctor said to give it a couple of weeks with no dairy and then add the milk back to my tea. It worked great. It just isn't tea without the milk!
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Interesting lily pad - I will do that!

Great news, Boogielet2 has found out where he will be based when he starts as a pilot in February - Bristol. He will look for a place to live for him and his GF in Bath. Brill, we are all really pleased - he was dreading having to be based at Gatwick (Where he is training to fly the A320 at the moment).


 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Glad he's got what he wanted, but why didn't he want Gatwick? I'd have thought it would be an exciting place for a young pilot, with all those exotic flights to far flung places. Though I suppose it is a very busy airport and the long haul flights would be tiring.

Bath is a lovely place though, with lots going on, hope he manages to find somewhere good (and affordable!) to live.
 

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Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by lily pad:
It just isn't tea without the milk!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by balaam:
A good strong brew, like Assam or English Breakfast need both.

---

Personal taste is a funny thing. I dislike having milk in my Assam, and in general dislike that much milk - the thicker the tea the better.

But at no point will I introduce sugar - sugar in tea is the invention of the Devil to cause the downfall of Christ's Church!
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Years ago I read that the Tibetans put yak butter in their tea, but I suppose milk is an equally odd thing to put in tea if you stop and think about it.

Foggy tonight. I went out in the mists to go to the supermarket, and came back in the fog - glad I wasn't having to drive far. It's coming in nicely now.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Boogie - that's great news about Boogielet. Bristol and Bath are gorgeous, and let's face it, unless they're earning £squillions they won't be able to afford a house anywhere near Gatwick.

Sn*w isn't happening yet, but people are talking about it, and we're already getting red weather alerts - it seems to be expected to start tomorrow afternoon and carry on for rather longer than I'd like.

The trouble with a really big fall of sn*w is that it's likely to last until Easter.


 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Bristol and Bath are not exactly cheap, either! - but then compared with Merseyside most places seem expensive although I believe the North East isn't too bad in terms of house prices.

Isn't paying bills over the interwebby thing wonderful? I just sat here this morning and paid a bill in just a few minutes, got my receipt by e-mail and now no worries until next month. Some months when I log on the system is down, which is a pain and sometimes it lasts a few days and I end up having to go into the city on the bus.

Himself and Herself are off to the city today as her mum has to go into hospital for a few days so they will escort her there and see her settled - I am going to have a lazy day at home reading before Sunday comes and we have to be kowtowing to a guest for 3 months.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
Years ago I read that the Tibetans put yak butter in their tea, but I suppose milk is an equally odd thing to put in tea if you stop and think about it.

---

I had it in Nepal too, it tastes foul. Greasy tea, yuck (or yak).
I did some early morning work so can now spend the day sewing, with a pop to the shops. But I appear to have developed a stray essay to mark in my inbox so I might have to look at that later.
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
Great news about your son, Boogie, glad he's pleased.

One of my work colleagues comes from Jamaica where they seem to drink tea with evaporated milk and five sugars.

Nen - starting to think about morning coffee but needing to do the weekly food shop first.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
Glad he's got what he wanted, but why didn't he want Gatwick?

---

Expensive housing, and he'll be flying for EasyJet - so European destinations only. Which is good as he'll be home to his GF every evening. They both love Bath and visit often for holidays, so they are thrilled.


 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Housing is expensive in Bath but have they anywhere to park?
 

---

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
Condensed milk or yak butter, there's a choice.
I have drunk tea with ghee, in the home of Pakistani immigrants, but that wasn't bad compared to the way the tea was made, a large pan on the stove all day. I like my tea strong, but not stewed. Yeuk.
 

---

Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
When I was doing my PhD fieldwork in furrin parts, I woke up one day with a migraine (heat related), and the family I was staying with said they'd make me a special tea that was really good for headaches. Imagine my joy when not only was I presented with a cup of camomile tea (which makes me want to at the best of times) but then they proceeded to stir in a spoonful of raspberry jam.

As if that wasn't bad enough, it didn't do a damn thing for the headache!
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by balaam:
Condensed milk or yak butter, there's a choice.
I have drunk tea with ghee, in the home of Pakistani immigrants, but that wasn't bad compared to the way the tea was made, a large pan on the stove all day. I like my tea strong, but not stewed. Yeuk.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by balaam:
Condensed milk or yak butter, there's a choice.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nenya:
... tea with evaporated milk and five sugars ...

---

If you're ordering tea or coffee in Newfoundland you have to specify "fresh milk", because until relatively recently the default was evaporated milk (ugh!), especially out "round the bay" where they couldn't always get fresh milk. Church events always have jugs of both: caveat imbibo.*

D. said when he ordered "tea with fresh milk" in Timmy's in Ottawa Airport he got a very offended look from the person behind the counter.

That sn*w that we've been waiting for has arrived with a vengeance: I'd say we've already got well over 6 inches, and it's forecast to go on all night and into tomorrow.

Sn*w-day seems likely tomorrow: schools, and the university where I work closed this afternoon (I only work until lunch-time, so it didn't affect me), and I'll be checking the web-site first thing in the morning to see what's what.

Then shovelling. Oh joy.

This cold-loving, hyperborealian piglet is contemplating offering to carry Uncle Pete's suitcase ...

* let the drinker beware.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Piglet, send some snow down here, please. Sydney forecast for tomorrow is 39° C. A southerly in the early evening, hopefully.

It will be several degrees higher in western suburbs.
 

---

Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
When we were in Sri Lanka we visited the Tea Factory Hotel in Nuwara Eliya* and had a tea tasting tour. They were so sniffy about tea bags (they contain sweepings from the factory floor, apparently) that I was expecting delicate infusions of their expensive whole leaf tea. None of it - brewed orange and served with milk and (lots of!) sugar. Yuck indeed.

*Candidate for my favourite hotel EVER and I don't even LIKE tea

Mrs. S, dedicated coffee drinker
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
As Pete will tell you with some delight, but he may not log on now until his arrival here, top quality whole leaf tea up in the mountains near here, where they grow the stuff, is under three quid a kilo!
 

---

Posted by Sergius-Melli (# 17462) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by The Intrepid Mrs S:
When we were in Sri Lanka we visited the Tea Factory Hotel in Nuwara Eliya* and had a tea tasting tour. They were so sniffy about tea bags (they contain sweepings from the factory floor, apparently) that I was expecting delicate infusions of their expensive whole leaf tea. None of it - brewed orange and served with milk and (lots of!) sugar. Yuck indeed.

*Candidate for my favourite hotel EVER and I don't even LIKE tea

Mrs. S, dedicated coffee drinker

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
I think a hotel combining tea and chocolate might be my idea of heaven, with perhaps an independent cheese shop next door to provide the main course.

---

You can have their cocoa tea whilst you stay! My mother says it's wonderful, I'm yet to try it, part of me views it as some sort of heresy against both chocolate and tea...

As for cheese, well I'm not sure, take some Chocolate Philadelphia with you...
 

---

Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sergius-Melli:

quote:

---

Originally posted by The Intrepid Mrs S:
When we were in Sri Lanka we visited the Tea Factory Hotel in Nuwara Eliya* and had a tea tasting tour. They were so sniffy about tea bags (they contain sweepings from the factory floor, apparently) that I was expecting delicate infusions of their expensive whole leaf tea. None of it - brewed orange and served with milk and (lots of!) sugar. Yuck indeed.

*Candidate for my favourite hotel EVER and I don't even LIKE tea

Mrs. S, dedicated coffee drinker

---

Sorry to disagree but this is the best holiday in my mind.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sergius-Melli:
[QUOTE] As for cheese, well I'm not sure, take some Chocolate Philadelphia with you...

---

What a shocking thought! I'll bring my own Stilton
 

---

Posted by Starbug (# 15917) on :
 
You don't like hotels, Mrs S? Mr Bug doesn't beleive it's a proper holiday unless someone else is making his breakfast and washing up. This is one of the best hotels we've ever stayed at. The Hotel Chocolat looks gorgeous, though!
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I'm still getting over the discovery I made recently that the ancient Etruscans used to grate cheese into wine (and even buried a cheese grater with their dead so they could go on doing that in the afterlife). I'm all for wine and cheese but not in the same glass.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
I'm still getting over the discovery I made recently that the ancient Etruscans used to grate cheese into wine (and even buried a cheese grater with their dead so they could go on doing that in the afterlife). I'm all for wine and cheese but not in the same glass.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
......Sn*w .....

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by The Intrepid Mrs S:


...
They were so sniffy about tea bags (they contain sweepings from the factory floor, apparently)
...

Mrs. S, dedicated coffee drinker

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by The Intrepid Mrs S:
...
They were so sniffy about tea bags (they contain sweepings from the factory floor, apparently)
...

---

My older relatives totally believed that and to this day will still not buy any teabags. It may have been true at some time somewhere, possibly, in less scrupulous days. I remember reading that the Adulteration of Food Act was introduced to stop a number of things, including the adding of ground chalk to loaves to make the bread look whiter and sawdust to bulk it out. This is quite an interesting article about the sorts of things that used to happen.

In other news, sleet's lashing against the windows this morning. Probably not the best day for going far.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I'm still off milk in tea, but enjoying it without. Also, since I'm still on my weight loss diet, I am saving about 200 calories a day. So that's a silver lining.

The sun is trying hard to peep out here - hurrah!

My new year revolution is to keep my work to four days so that I can have three off. I used to spread the marking and preparation out - which was very nice compared to doing it all evening every day. But it meant I worked every day of seven. So now I teach Thurs, Fri. mark and prepare Sat, Sun and have Mon, Tues, Wed off for my painting and photographing and visiting family and friends. Seems like a plan.


 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
That is a great plan Boogie, hope you can stick to it, and eschew all attempts to undermine it!!

Freezing cold here, wicked wind, but the sun is out! Makes life look a lot better.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Today has been unseasonably hot here - I was intending to go to larger local town but that is usually a degree or three hotter than here so I chickened out and just went to far closer small town instead and couldn't get what I wanted - next week will do!
 

---

Posted by Eigon (# 4917) on :
 
I don't use teabags because the teabag material contains a small amount of plastic. Apparently it's become the industry standard, which is why teabags don't decompose in compost heaps so well any more. So I use loose tea (which is getting a lot harder to find these days) and a little sieve over the cup.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Ah, tea as God intended!

Herself gave my friend M a cup of coffee this morning so I had to explain to her that, like me, he is allergic to tea, coffee and chocolate - I think he was about to drink it out of politeness when I told him not to!

Like me he loves chocolate but it really isn't worth it.
 

---

Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:


My new year revolution is to keep my work to four days so that I can have three off. I used to spread the marking and preparation out - which was very nice compared to doing it all evening every day. But it meant I worked every day of seven. So now I teach Thurs, Fri. mark and prepare Sat, Sun and have Mon, Tues, Wed off for my painting and photographing and visiting family and friends. Seems like a plan.

---

I find that now I'm not working, my days are too occupied!
Monday - preparing
Tuesday - in Clermont having French lesson and avoiding swimming. Teach on way home
Wednesday - teach all day
Thursday - do unemployed things (apply for jobs etc) in the morning, chiropractor & teach in the afternoon
Friday - clean house (urgh!)
Saturday - it's the weekend!
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
My house cleaning is spread out as I can't bear to do it all at once. We had a cleaner until I semi retired, I miss her!

So I clean the downstairs bathroom Monday. Upstairs bathrooms Tuesday, lounge Wednesday and Kitchen Thursday. Mr Boog does all the floors.


 

---

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
It's snowing
 

---

Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
According to Eigon:

quote:

---

So I use loose tea (which is getting a lot harder to find these days) and a little sieve over the cup

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by M.:
According to Eigon:

quote:

---

So I use loose tea (which is getting a lot harder to find these days) and a little sieve over the cup

---

Not a tea strainer?

Sainsbury's do loose tea.

M.

---

As do reputable independent tea shops - such as Betty's in York - though I don't know if they'll deliver...
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
There's plenty of loose tea to be had on amazon too
 

---

Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Bettys will deliver but my favourite online seller is Nothing but Tea which reminds me that I must soon get around to ordering some more from them.

Jengie
 

---

Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
One branch of my favourite teashop, Botham's of Whitby is a tea specialist. It has several different kinds of hand-packed teaballs of the kind that turn into swans or chrysanthemums on contact with hot water. It makes me very sorry that I only like the kind of tea with no tea in it (chamomile, etc..).
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
Swans swimming in a cuppa sounds great. At the moment my hot drink of choice is ginger and lemongrass cordial, made with hot water.

Today my electricity statement for December arrived, and from the size of it I can only think that the Advent and Christmas lights are not low energy ones. I have now ordered an energy usage monitor, just in case it's a fridge or freezer on the blink.

[ 12. January 2013, 22:49: Message edited by: daisydaisy ]
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... unseasonably hot here ...

---

Bloody hell, Wodders, what do you call "unseasonably hot?"

No such problems chez Piglet - that sn*w-storm lasted through Thursday night and well into Friday, dumping between 1 and 2 feet of snow, most of it outside our house.* To add insult to injury, our power went off at about 7 on Friday morning and didn't come on again until 7 on Saturday evening (although most of the town seemed to have got theirs back by Friday night), by which time I was bloody cold** (despite snuggling up under a blanket on the sofa with sundry generously-proportioned teddy-bears) and had nearly run out of candles.

We very rarely get power cuts - we're quite close to a hospital, a fire station and a police station and if the power goes off, it doesn't usually stay off for long. However, this time I reckon Newfoundland Power hadn't noticed that we were still without power; when I phoned a friend to see if hers was back on she checked their web-site and our road wasn't listed as being without, so D. contacted them and said "what about it then" or words to that effect and we were sorted within a couple of hours.

When the power finally came back on, we celebrated by going out and blowing whatever we'd saved in unused electricity on a rather good dinner.

* The other side of the road has very little accumulation of snow, but they've ploughed up a bank of the stuff about 3 feet high on our side.

** Yes, you read that right - I was cold.

[ 13. January 2013, 01:53: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I was cleaning windows about 6.30 this morning - with The Master arriving at lunchtime it just had to be done and I wanted to do it before the sun was shining on the glass - that's what my mum always told me, never clean windows in direct sunlight! It is probably complete tosh but old habits die hard.

We are now about as prepared as we can be, the bed is made, the clothes he keeps here have all been washed and are in the wardrobe, his computer is set up and working.

It's all go!

eta: I heard yesterday that as last year's monsoons were so bad we are going to have rotating power outages across the state - everywhere will lose a day's power a month, starting next month - the power will be off from 09.30 until 16.00. This is in addition to the half hour in the morning and half hour in the evening already in place. It makes me even more keen to save up some cash to invest in an 8 or 12 square metre solar set up to make us pretty much independent of the grid.

[ 13. January 2013, 02:32: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Hello, fellow subjects of Her Maj, I'm just wondering something that doesn't seem quite fit for the miscellaneous questions thread and am hoping you can help me out. Do English people call their mobile phones uhm mobile phones or something else (those things the Americans call cell phones)? Thanks muchly.
 

---

Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
Mobile phone.

Or mobile, or phone, depending on context. Such as -

"Turn your phone off and put it away, now, please." is my most oft-repeated phrase during the working day. (Reduces to "Phone. Off. Now.", and the incarceration of said device in Mobile Phone Prison until the end of the session on bad days.)

"I'll give you my mobile number./What's your mobile number."
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Mobile. Mob. Smartphone. iPhone. Phone.

It took me a while to work out a cell phone wasn't what you got to make a call to your lawyer.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I heard yesterday that as last year's monsoons were so bad we are going to have rotating power outages across the state - everywhere will lose a day's power a month, starting next month - the power will be off from 09.30 until 16.00.

---

We have dear friends in Uganda who get this all the time - they call it 'Power Sharing'

I hope the Master finds all to his liking!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Here the technical term for a power outage is load shedding which makes sense in a convoluted sort of way.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by ArachnidinElmet:
One branch of my favourite teashop, Botham's of Whitby is a tea specialist. It has several different kinds of hand-packed teaballs of the kind that turn into swans or chrysanthemums on contact with hot water. It makes me very sorry that I only like the kind of tea with no tea in it (chamomile, etc..).

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
... they've ploughed up a bank of the stuff about 3 feet high on our side ...

---

Make that 4 feet - after D. digging out a neat little path from the foot of the steps to the outer edge of said snow-bank, some brain-dead troglodyte from the council came during the night and ploughed it back in.

However, we returned from Evensong to find that our neighbour/friend/builder from over the road had come over and dug out a really decent path for us, for which Good and Heroic Deed I'm nominating him for immediate sainthood.

Things should be back to normal tomorrow, and as D. is back to his usual Monday hours at Queen's, I'll need to be up early so that he can drop me off on his way to start at 9 o'clock.
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Well, it snowed here over night, and its snow/sleeting now. We have at least one whole centimetre - so I imagine English traffic will grind to a halt and mayhem take place.

What is it about England and snow - anyone would think its a once-in-a-hundred-years event instead of perfectly normal weather for the winter!
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Snow here too - but nothing like snow plough quantities!

I stuck to my revolution of keeping 3 days work-free and am very pleased. Today I will visit Mum and (hopefully) take lots of photos.


 

---

Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
Woke up to heavy rain and the sun is shining now. Maybe the only part of the UK without snow.
 

---

Posted by Sergius-Melli (# 17462) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Angloid:
Woke up to heavy rain and the sun is shining now. Maybe the only part of the UK without snow.

---

We're without snow as well It was raining earlier, but the sun is trying to come out at the moment.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Woke up to snow (enough for small boy to unsuccessfully attempt to make a snow man) but it has rapidly melted. The occasional snowflake falling now and we're expecting more soon.
I've decided not to work today as I was teaching on Saturday so just having some soup before doing some sewing (I'm making pretty knickers today!).
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ann:
Ariel - are your photos on card memory on your phone - and can you eject the card? If so, can you buy a USB card reader which will take that card (if it's a mini/micro SD you may have to get an adapter as well) - you *should* then be able to read the photo files as if it were a USB drive. (the photos are likely to be in a directory called DCIM if they aren't in a directory simply called Photos.)

---

Thanks for that suggestion. A colleague has helpfully had a look at my phone and says I don't have a card for these, so if I got one that should hopefully be a step in the right direction.

In other news, woke up to a light covering of snow today. Just perfect – we got the look of the thing without any of the hassle, and all rained off now. Very bleak and January-ish sort of day now, but it was pretty on the way to the station this morning – all white and silver and amber from the streetlamps before dawn, and blackbirds hopping around in the snow leaving footprints.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Snowing quite heavily here now.
I've ended up doing some OU work despite taking the day off.
 

---

Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
It's snowed here (but we're 600m up) and is clear, blue and sunshiney now. If I get my head round my work (and stop procrastinating on The Ship) I may go out for a stroll. But, then and again...
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Pete arrived yesterday afternoon, hours late as his final flight was rescheduled - we are convinced it was HIS FAULT but he is denying responsibility.

Today we had to take him to a local dentist and he will need a root canal doing, lucky him!
 

---

Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
I went for a run in my lunchbreak today with a couple of colleagues. Slushy snow was steadily falling but it did not seem too cold. However on getting back and having a hot shower, my legs from mid thigh to mid shin turned bright pink like a horrendous case of sunburn. They really did look quite alarming, but back to normal now.
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
I bought some "Christmas tea" in Whittards sale today, complete with an infuser. (I am currently off coffee because of the Bug from H**l, which is making things taste...different, and I am bored with ordinary tea, which I take very weak with no milk).

This Christmas tea is very nice...anyone like to sample it? I'll get the kettle on...
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by St Everild:
I bought some "Christmas tea" in Whittards sale today, complete with an infuser. (I am currently off coffee because of the Bug from H**l, which is making things taste...different, and I am bored with ordinary tea, which I take very weak with no milk).

This Christmas tea is very nice...anyone like to sample it? I'll get the kettle on...

---

Always willing to share a cup of tea, I've not tried that one though I have some Whittard's Christmas coffee. Their Afternoon tea with rose and jasmine is lovely.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
How about coffee tea? It's supposed to be very good for you!


 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
The Bug from Hell has been doing the rounds here. It's an odd one: one day you're fine, the next day you're pretty definitely not. Two colleagues came down with it on Friday having caught it from someone who had had it the day before, and a third got it over the weekend. I'm beginning to feel like a plague survivor, with people around dropping like flies.

Get well soon, St Everild. It takes a bit of time to get over this one from what I can see.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
How about coffee tea?

---

Wouldn't that be "toffee" in a cup?

[ 14. January 2013, 18:30: Message edited by: Ariel ]
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
for everyone suffering Horrid Wee Bugs, and also for Pete - I escaped a root-canal a few years ago because the dentist decided the tooth wasn't actually saveable, so he sent me to a different one to have it taken out, which was considerably less painful to both jaw and wallet.

Things back to normal here today - it was a beautiful, sunny day and although it was treacherous underfoot in the morning, it actually got up to +6°C this afternoon.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
The pills Pete has been given to clear the infection so the root canal can be done are knocking him sideways but, as he reminded me, he travelled 10.5 time zones from Friday night to Sunday afternoon so no surprises he is sleeping a lot.

It seems to be the wedding season here at the moment, we got another invitation this morning but we are already busy that day [coming Sunday] and then we have several more over the next few weeks. Neighbour boy went to two weddings last Saturday and two on Sunday but then 16 year olds can just keep eating with no side effects.


edited so it might make some semblance of sense!

[ 15. January 2013, 02:39: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I hope Pete gets a good rest.
Minimal amount of snow on the ground now and the promised fresh snowfall hasn't happened. I've had a productive but dull day doing OU work and housework, with a little exercise squeezed in. But the afternoon is my own until the school run so I might make myself a winter dress (a craft a day keeps my blues away).
Need to make fish parcels for tea later.

[ 15. January 2013, 11:51: Message edited by: Heavenly Anarchist ]
 

---

Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
Hope you're feeling better soon Pete.

I have to plan a telephone tutorial for the OU tonight (it's on Thursday evening), so obviously I am here working really hard ...
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
... I might make myself a winter dress ...

---

I really admire people who can do that sort of thing.

Another beautiful sunny day here - if it weren't for the 6-foot snow-heaps lying about, you'd almost think it could be spring ...

Paint has been bought for indoors and our splendid builder/friend/neighbour/snow-shoveller/painter is coming in tomorrow to start applying it.


 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Bitterly cold dark morning with ice and fog after a clear night with the stars blazing in the sky, and the air so crisp it smelt much clearer than of late. Hello November.

(Does this mean we can have Christmas all over again?)
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
...(Does this mean we can have Christmas all over again?)

---

Couldn't that be the basis for a very popular Hell thread?
 

---

Posted by Chapelhead (# 21) on :
 
Fields so white with frost it almost seems like snow, and hardy plants that look as though they aren't.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Arrived at the office after a bus ride where the windows were so misted and iced that I couldn't see anything, to find the place covered in light snow and looking like a winter wonderland. The bus journey must have been quite scenic; but it was quite nice to be surprised. (I think it's snow. If it isn't, it's an exceptionally heavy frost.)

Intrigued by the man at the bus stop who had rather a lot of it in his hair. Had he been waiting long, I wonder?
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Very heavy frost here and fog hanging over the fields.
Nothing much happening here today, I need to finish the plan for a study day and I might plan my tutorial for that day. I could start looking at the course I am studying in a few weeks, it's the last course on my history degree and it is about the 2 world wars.
I need to finish the dress too. It is in a lovely golden brown cotton herringbone weave suiting material, soft and smooth to work with and wear.
My poor chickens, their water is frozen and they look miserable. They've not enjoyed this year's weather, their run seems to have been a permanent mud bath with all the rain.

[ 16. January 2013, 08:09: Message edited by: Heavenly Anarchist ]
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
A Certain Canadian, who I shall not name as we are all entitled to some anonymity, has been complaining of how cold it is here in the mornings - one of the elderly women in the village thinks he should wear a woolly hat or similar to protect his naked scalp during his morning constitutional. I think I have a fleece toque somewhere that I can lend him, the poor lamb.
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Gloriously sunny day here, everything all sparkly, and views across to the snowy Pennines.

Still very cold, though and lake all frozen, so there are a lot of cold-footed ducks!

MUCH better than grey skies, though
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicodemia:
Gloriously sunny day here, everything all sparkly, and views across to the snowy Pennines.

---

Same here, and same Pennines - just higher up! Must get out with my camera instead of languishing on the Ship!



 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
At the feeders in my garden I can see a blue tit, a robin and a great tit, as well as the usual sparrows and dunnocks, and there's a female blackbird and a pair of collared doves hopping around. No sign of the long tailed tit which was around last week. I love watching the birds in winter, they seem the only life in a barren garden.
 

---

Posted by Sergius-Melli (# 17462) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
At the feeders in my garden I can see a blue tit, a robin and a great tit, as well as the usual sparrows and dunnocks, and there's a female blackbird and a pair of collared doves hopping around. No sign of the long tailed tit which was around last week. I love watching the birds in winter, they seem the only life in a barren garden.

---

Which reminds me I need to fill up my feeders in the garden after work...

I have to be careful about placing them in the garden though, there are at least two robins whose territory converges on my garden... there used to be three, but one stopped coming, I like to pretend he went on holiday but the reality is he probably was torn apart in some territorial dispute

Also need to put some bits our for the squirrels that come and say hello too!

My inner town garden is a joy, mainly because of all the species that frequent it!
 

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Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
I love watching the birds too. We have a positie army of Blue Tits, Great Tits and Coal Tits coming to our feeders, plus Greenfinches and Sparrows, and today we had a pair of Bullfinches inspecting the Honeysuckle, and two Redpoll on the nyjer seed which has been out for ages, but these are the first to appear.

And that lot doesn't include woodpigeons, feral pigeons, squirrels and a woodmouse!

I wish I had a better zoom lens on my camera - I'd love to sit quietly at the window with my camera watching, and capturing them, in the nicest possible way!
 

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Posted by QLib (# 43) on :
 
I've not seen blue tits in my garden much until this last cold snap - I hope now they'll keep the habit up when the weather improves.
 

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Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
I love watching the birds (and other assorted wildlife) in my garden. We've had a visiting song thrush in the last couple of days, plus today a hungry lip-licking cat. Will have to see how that situation pans out.

Any other couch-surfing birdwatchers might consider doing this . An excellent way to spend an hour.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
We have a blue tit nest box with a live cam. Obviously nothing on the cam at the mo but we have some highlights from last year and the whole hatching/leaving the year before on the site http://littlebluetits.com/highlights.html
(Yes that really is the name of our blue tit site and not some dodgy website )
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by ArachnidinElmet:
I love watching the birds (and other assorted wildlife) in my garden. We've had a visiting song thrush in the last couple of days, plus today a hungry lip-licking cat. Will have to see how that situation pans out.

Any other couch-surfing birdwatchers might consider doing this . An excellent way to spend an hour.

---

We did that last year
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
A beautiful deep frost here this morning with brilliant sunshine (not the predicted fog). It gladdens the heart.
 

---

Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
Not sure what the weather's doing here yet as I haven't quite got as far as opening the curtains!
We don't tend to see many birds here - too many cats I guess, and a garden you have to go into to see - so I hope anywhere I may move to in the future will have a big garden that I can see from my window and where I dare encourage the birds. Still, I guess the latter will depend on who our next feline companion turns out to be.

I've got a busy day ahead with lots to fit in before work this afternoon. If you see me pootling around on here, kick my backside and send me on my way. I feel too disinclined to do sensible things today.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
It was certainly worth spending the extra on the Industrial Strength Ear Protectors for when Pete was in the dental surgery this afternoon as the screams rang out across the building - I think they could hear the noise in the mosque across a rather busy main road. When the blood started pouring under the surgery door I gave a hand with the mop and bucket.

The dentist looked a bit like Steve Martin.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Stopped off at the supermarket after work when I got home and wondered for a moment if I'd missed an announcement that they were closing down. Nearly half the shelves were completely bare in a normally very well-stocked supermarket. No bread, no potatoes, no staples, huge gaps where other things had been.

I can only assume people have been panic-buying, faced with the prospect of The Snow, but as one woman said to me, she'd never seen anything like it. Neither have I: not even in the pre-Christmas spending binges.

Well, it's snowing, anyhow, and has been for a while so here we go, I guess. Good luck everybody.
 

---

Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
We have a blue tit nest box with a live cam. Obviously nothing on the cam at the mo but we have some highlights from last year and the whole hatching/leaving the year before on the site http://littlebluetits.com/highlights.html
(Yes that really is the name of our blue tit site and not some dodgy website )

---

Too cute
 

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Posted by QLib (# 43) on :
 
Yes - lovely!
 

---

Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
It was certainly worth spending the extra on the Industrial Strength Ear Protectors for when Pete was in the dental surgery this afternoon as the screams rang out across the building

---

But whose screams, I wonder. Pete's, or the dentist's!
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Poor Pete - I hope you feel better soon.

It seems to me that the British papers (even the "quality" ones like the Torygraph) have a lot to answer for when it comes to making people panic about the weather.

Headlines like "BRITAIN PREPARES FOR BIG FREEZE" followed by something like "temperatures are set to plunge to -2°C and up to two inches of snow is expected" make people here fall about laughing. I suppose it's a matter of what you're used to: here everyone has winter tyres and snow shovels and scrapers because for it to make news there has to be about two feet.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Pete

(Passes over a cup of tea with straw)
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I hope that wasn't the last straw!
 

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Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
You don't mention the panic buying of bread and milk, Piglet...

It may be awful in Wales, but her in Bethnei I can still see the tops of the grass stalks in the back garden. And I hope it doesn't get any worse, because I am waiting for an engineer to come and replace the central heating pump, it having failed this morning...the DH can remember the Big Freeze of 1963, but I cannot remember it, being as I was too young...and people coped the in houses that were not was we'll insulated, and with no central heating.
I am thinking about all refugees in tents in freezing weather, and trying to be grateful for a roof, and a gas fire, and three cats to keep me warm.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
No snow here yet but you can feel it coming.
 

---

Posted by Sergius-Melli (# 17462) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
No snow here yet but you can feel it coming.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by St Everild:
the DH can remember the Big Freeze of 1963, but I cannot remember it, being as I was too young...and people coped the in houses that were not was we'll insulated, and with no central heating.
I am thinking about all refugees in tents in freezing weather, and trying to be grateful for a roof, and a gas fire, and three cats to keep me warm.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:

quote:

---

Originally posted by St Everild:
the DH can remember the Big Freeze of 1963, but I cannot remember it, being as I was too young...and people coped the in houses that were not was we'll insulated, and with no central heating.
I am thinking about all refugees in tents in freezing weather, and trying to be grateful for a roof, and a gas fire, and three cats to keep me warm.

---

Precisely. The 1963 winter is one of my earliest memories - it was bitterly cold for weeks on end and we sat round the fire, but while the heat was wonderful as you faced it, your back still felt the chill of the winter. You could see your breath in the air indoors and the insides of the windows were sometimes ice. Yet we coped. This current spell is only for a few days. The panic-buying really annoys me, but there are a lot of people now who never grew up with coal fires, ice on the windows etc., so aren't used to this sort of thing.

(I still feel embarrassed about the time I opened the curtains too quickly one morning and they ripped, because they were iced to the window.)

We have about 4+" of snow here now and more coming down steadily. Cars going at about 2 miles an hour.

---

- I was watching that Vicar of Dibley episode last night!
 

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Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
I think of that episode every time anyone's talking about extreme weather and have to suppress a giggle.

They've sent my boy home from school - honestly, a big tough fifteen year old boy, and the snow is only about an inch deep. Mind you, not so sure about the "big tough" bit - his friends had a snowball fight on the way home and he wimped out! He should be out there, trying to gather together enough snow for a miniature snowman or something.

Me, I'm going to raid my secret santa present and curl up under the duvet with a hot chocolate with marshmallows. A sermon to write and a couple of application forms to fill in, then I think we'll be indulging in a bit of Harry Potter or Death in Paradise.

Or should I nip out to the shops and panic buy chocolate and biscuits first?
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
The pair of you could nip next door for a warming glass of something

On second thoughts hot chocolate might be good - as long as you make that poor, long-suffering, cold boy one too.


 

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Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by St Everild:
You don't mention the panic buying of bread and milk, Piglet...

---

What amuses me is the people who buy huge quantities of toilet paper before a storm.

Moo
 

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Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
I still live in a place like St Everild and Ariel were describing. Not a coal fire but there's no central heating, and the condensation sometimes freezes on the inside of the windows on a really cold night. I've stuck some bubble wrap to the bedroom window as a sort of double glazing, which seems to be quite effective.
 

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Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
I can remember the big freeze of 1963 - we had got married in 1960 and lived in a little bungalow, with no central heating! But few people had CH then, and we all coped merrily! Mind you, I had come off my bike just before Christmas, going over the handlebars, and ending up in Hospital. I suddenly got worse on Boxing Day and had to be admitted again. that night the freeze set in, the sister who had gone off duty came back in again with a broken led, and they pushed me off home because they needed my bed.

I will add, very quietly, that I remember the big freeze of 1947, it was a very difficult time, food was still rationed, and we wore our outdoor coats in school as it was so cold. And that was the Grammar School, a newish school, but I think the problem that year was that there was no fuel, it being rationed. And big girls and boys could jolly well wear their coats, and walk to school. Which we did. No-one thought of closing schools then!

Having said all that, we've only got about 2 centimetres here, enough to make it all white and pristine.
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Even with CH... This house was built c 1928. Radiators in this room are under the bay window, which is not double-glazed. Usually the updraft of warm air is enough to counteract the cold coming through the glass - but not today.

Snow forecast for tonight.
 

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Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
I have bread and milk but, looking at the snow, I wonder whether I ought to don my wellies and go out to panic buy chocolate and biscuits! After all, we can't go running out of essentials, can we?

The central heating is beavering away but it's doing nothing to keep my toes warm. A while ago I began to wonder whether the temperature was finally rising, then realised it might have something to do with the fact that I'd noticed the bathroom window was still open and had closed it!

Still, though I'm really disappointed my visitors aren't coming, the lack of urgency with the housework has meant I could concentrate on getting a few more application forms under my belt.

Anyone else want a cuppa - I'm just off to the kitchen to stick the kettle on.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Smudgie:
I have bread and milk but, looking at the snow, I wonder whether I ought to don my wellies and go out to panic buy chocolate and biscuits! After all, we can't go running out of essentials, can we?

---

No, this is why I went out specially today to panic-buy chocolate. The shops seemed to be keen on closing early today but there's always tomorrow. And I stockpiled mulled wine around Christmas for an occasion just such as this.

Incidentally, I'm guessing I'm probably the only person in the country who's never watched The Vicar of Dibley.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
No snow here - just a light flurry around lunch time which didn't stick. So no excuse for panic buying chocolate!


 

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Posted by Sergius-Melli (# 17462) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
Incidentally, I'm guessing I'm probably the only person in the country who's never watched The Vicar of Dibley.

---

 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:

Incidentally, I'm guessing I'm probably the only person in the country who's never watched The Vicar of Dibley.

---

There is at least one other.
 

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Posted by Eleanor Jane (# 13102) on :
 
Snow! How exciting for this New Zealander!

I really didn't think it'd snow in Bristol 'cos we're central and near the harbour but we woke up this morning to a winter wonderland! So pretty!

I happily stomped to work in my wellies through several inches of powder. It's snowed most of the day - very quiet in the office and hardly anyone on the roads.

Not looking forward to icy pavements when it freezes, but still, I'm thrilled.

Cheers,
EJ
 

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Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
I was meant to fly to the UK tomorrow for my Grandad's 90th birthday and now I can't go anymore because they've closed the airport.

(Why yes this is a shameless plug for a sympathy trip)

[ 18. January 2013, 17:40: Message edited by: la vie en rouge ]
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
How's the Eurostar looking, would that be an option?
 

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Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
Incidentally, I'm guessing I'm probably the only person in the country who's never watched The Vicar of Dibley.

---

No you are not!

Jengie
 

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Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Don't think Eurostar's a goer either, someone I know spent seven hours getting from Paris to London the other day (speed restrictions in Northern France). And I would still have to get from London to Birmingham, for which I have doubts about the reliability of Mr. Bransen's trains.

I am very, very bummed out.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
And I would still have to get from London to Birmingham, for which I have doubts about the reliability of Mr. Bransen's trains.

---

Birmingham Airport isn't closed, if that's where you were going. They just said on the news that flights have resumed. OK there will be delays but I wouldn't give up hope completely. Tomorrow is another day - we're not expecting heavy snow so if you want to go, don't tear up your ticket just yet, check in the morning and see how things are looking.
 

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Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
This part of South Wales is under a thick blanket of snow. I can see that there has been one vehicle across the street, but there is very little moving. We live opposite the very aptly named "Hill Street" and so we can watch the antics of the idiots who try and drive up it in snow and ice. There's so much snow around that no-one's tried it yet. (We give them points for the elegance of their backwards slide back down when they get stuck, and extra points if they manage to miss the lamp post at the foot of the hill).
 

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Posted by Drifting Star (# 12799) on :
 
We're also under about 5 inches of snow. We went for a walk this afternoon and came across a car apparently parked diagonally across the road (a very small lane).

As we came up to it the owner rushed down the adjacent steep driveway saying 'That's not where I parked it!' It had slid down the drive after being parked, and settled comfortably where it was, with no damage to anything - just blocking a road that most people were avoiding anyway.
 

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Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Heating engineer came and fixed our heating...yay! So I have watched the snow from indoors in the warm!
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We got a bit more snow here today too - about six inches on top of what we already had. Not nearly enough to close anything, although when D. phoned me to say he was on his way to pick me up from w*rk he said he'd be a wee bit late as the roads were a bit iffy.

It worked out well though, because the extra few minutes meant I was able to finish the piece of work I was doing and make the person I was doing it for very happy.


 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
No snow here

Though it is a little cool in shirtsleeves first thing in the morning.
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Yes, we receive a lecture every morning from an elderly lady castigating us for not wearing hats or other head coverings when it is so cold!


 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:

Incidentally, I'm guessing I'm probably the only person in the country who's never watched The Vicar of Dibley.

---

There is at least one other.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
Even with CH... This house was built c 1928. Radiators in this room are under the bay window, which is not double-glazed. Usually the updraft of warm air is enough to counteract the cold coming through the glass - but not today.

Snow forecast for tonight.

---

Mind if I dive in here as a voice of hard-earned experience?

if you have big heavy curtains, close them and lean something against them so the heat doesn't just blow behind them, keeping the glass warm and the rest of the house cool. alternately, hang a big blanket over the leakiest of windows and doors. just tack or nail them up, and tack again at the bottom. it makes for a bit of a cave effect, but the insulating factor is big. wool blankets or big fluffy comforters/duvets are the best. for your doors, just tack the blanket at the top of the framing and let it drape down. you have to adjust it when coming and going, but it can be a big heat saver. also, roll a towel and put it across the bottom of your door, which is a place lots of cold gets in.

When I was living the tent life I went to our version of goodwill and bought a whole bunch of comforters on the cheap, and then lined our wall tent this them. it looked like a crazy circus tent inside but it was a 20F difference in interior temps!

another favorite trick for dinner time or other at-the-table time - cover your table with a blanket so it drapes to the floor, and stick a little electric heater underneath. everyone sitting at the table has their legs under the blanket and it's TOASTY.

anyone want driving/walking/dressing tips? I could do this all day. stay warm and dry folks, and enjoy the winter wonderland!
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Cold spells here are seldom so severe and protracted as to make turning the place into a sort of yurt worthwhile. (This, in general, is the problem with the UK - weather extremes are not reliable. Though global warming could change that.... But regards snow, for example, prior to the Great Winters of a couple of years ago, there was about a decade of virtually snowless ones).

I do do the woolly things at the bottom of doors though. But in general, it's easier to insulate me rather than my surroundings, so I just put on more clothes.
 

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Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
agreed. layers is always the place to start!
 

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Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
We've had more snow here, Boogie, so now its fresh powdery snow on top of unseen ice. Bit tricky for me!

But daughter said she might bring her granddaughter over tomorrow to sledge down the hill in the park. if there is any snow left after the children have pounded it to bits today!

Its a regular sledging hill, and when the grandchildren were small, they used to come over and have the whale of a time. One year there were clear skies and a full moon, and some older children were sledging until midnight or so!

I like watching them - my sledging days are long over!
 

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Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
A bit hard to assess the snow from here, but my, my duvet's nice and warm Not that I can stay here for long. I've passed the tickets for our missed play on to another family and they're coming round to collect them in about twenty minutes. I don't know them, so they might be a bit worried if I open the door dressed like this!!! These fleecy pyjamas do a good Mr Blobby impression!

My day looks like this: write a sermon, clean the kitchen, make a snowman.

How's your day looking?
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I'm liking what I see from the window. It's all covered in white, and the hills and fields are looking very pretty, but there are signs that it's melting: dark patches are appearing steadily on rooftops and increasing with time.

I don't have to go out for anything. I can stay in by the fire with a mug of cocoa and carry on reading Masefield's wonderful book "The Box of Delights". I've had this copy since 1966, and it's missing a few pages now, plus part of the cover, but is miraculously still intact otherwise.

Lovely weekend so far.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Still just flurries here - but all the grass and hills are covered in white from the snowfall earlier in the week. It has been below zero since then so nothing has melted - very pretty.

I was very disciplined last week and kept all my work to four days. I found I had a much happier, more balanced week. So shall do the same this week. This takes self-discipline, which I don't have much of!


 

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Posted by Eleanor Jane (# 13102) on :
 
Our snow has frozen overnight (and bits of it have melted, sadly). We're seeing lovely birds on our feeders (husband has just been out to refill them). So far: Robins, Blue tits, Chaffinches, Great tits, Goldfinches, a Blackbird.

I do hope I don't have to cancel my meeting on Tuesday 'cos it was blimmin hard to get everyone together, but it's a long drive cross country... We'll see.

Right, time to put on some wellies for a stomp outside!
 

---

Posted by QLib (# 43) on :
 
Got in and out OK yesterday - though being allowed to leave work early was a help. Today, shovelling snow to clear my drive has been easy - frozen enough for it to break up in light slabs, but not so frozen that it sticks to the ground. However, with frozen snow slush all over the minor roads and around the shops, I may not actually go out.

As we left w*rk yesterday, a colleague said to me: "We are now officially little old ladies - there's snow everywhere and all we're saying is 'Take care', not 'Have fun'!" But what I was thinking as I shovelled snow this morning is that, when you're a child, a lot of play - including snow play - is about challenges. In mid-life there are real challenges - at the risk of sounding like Mary Poppins, the trick is to see meeting those challenges as play, rather than w*rk. So I'm playing at bread- and soup-making today.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by QLib:

As we left w*rk yesterday, a colleague said to me: "We are now officially little old ladies - there's snow everywhere and all we're saying is 'Take care', not 'Have fun'!"

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
This part of South Wales is under a thick blanket of snow. I can see that there has been one vehicle across the street, but there is very little moving. We live opposite the very aptly named "Hill Street" and so we can watch the antics of the idiots who try and drive up it in snow and ice. There's so much snow around that no-one's tried it yet. (We give them points for the elegance of their backwards slide back down when they get stuck, and extra points if they manage to miss the lamp post at the foot of the hill).

---

Lucky devil!

Whilst the hills around are covered in snow, town in snowless, and the sun has made an appearance today.

With any luck it will dry out all the surfaces, allow the ground to reach a nice cold temperature to allow any further snow to actually settle.

If only the council would stop throwing grit on the ground we would probably already be in a better position where snow had fallen and stuck in town.
 

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Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
A thin scattering on pavements and the side-roads with not much traffic. But no sign of even a slight thaw so it's still a bit tricky avoiding the ice. If it was sunny I might just be tempted outside with my camera but as it is I'll stay indoors with the radiators turned up.
 

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Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
This morning there was an icing sugar-like dusting which was long gone by lunchtime, and I've just now noticed a few more half-hearted flakes appearing. Don't know what all the fuss is about!
 

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Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
I made it to Birmingham

(let's just hope I can make it back again on Monday (more snow forecast tomorrow)...)

It's not as bad as it thought here. On the phone last night my mother made it sound like an Arctic wasteland under about a yard of snow and it turns out not to be quite that bad.
 

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Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
Two inches is an Arctic wasteland!

Seriously, I am so glad you made it, red-lady.

Sermon now finished, and the boy is busy baking shortbread in the "somewhat cleaner" kitchen. We avoided building a snowman, though. He interrupted me so many times that my sermon writing took all day.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
I made it to Birmingham

(let's just hope I can make it back again on Monday (more snow forecast tomorrow)...)

---

Excellent! and if you are stranded at least you'll be with your family. Hope the party goes well!

Waiting to see what tomorrow brings here, too. We have 6 hours of snow forecast, but you never do know.
 

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Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
I braved the snow to go out with a couple of friends. The South Bank was certainly a bit quieter than it was before Christmas.

My son is in the middle of cooking a large batch of melanzane Parmagiana( sp?) for tea at present. The Tiramisu he made earlier is chilling in the fridge. Looking forward to eating it later.
 

---

Posted by sophs (# 2296) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Smudgie:

Sermon now finished, and the boy is busy baking shortbread in the "somewhat cleaner" kitchen. We avoided building a snowman, though. He interrupted me so many times that my sermon writing took all day.

---

I love shortbread, but don't make it very often as it's one of the few things that I bake that I could eat all day!
 

---

Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
The shortbread's rather nice but one piece was enough to put me off eating anything else this evening.

I rather like second Christmases - our presents from my sister have just arrived. The boy is now frantically trying to get his new powerball working and we're both in eager anticipation to fire up the Wii and try out the Abba dance routines Good job there's no video link on the Ship!

Anyone else for a piece of shortbread?
 

---

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Smudgie:
Two inches is an Arctic wasteland!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Smudgie:
The shortbread's rather nice but one piece was enough to put me off eating anything else this evening.

I rather like second Christmases - our presents from my sister have just arrived. The boy is now frantically trying to get his new powerball working and we're both in eager anticipation to fire up the Wii and try out the Abba dance routines Good job there's no video link on the Ship!

Anyone else for a piece of shortbread?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jengie Jon:
My elder wants to celebrate communion with port and shortbread!

I would have thought it should have been Claret but port is what he wants.

Jengie

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Smudgie:
... These fleecy pyjamas do a good Mr Blobby impression! ...

---

You could always emulate Mr. Clegg and get a onesie - whatever that is.

EJ, you'll be delighted to know that Bristol's snow made it on to the "wild weather from around the world" feature on the Weather Channel here in Canada this morning.

La Vie - glad to hear you made it - hope your grandpa has a wonderful party.

It started off beautifully today - cold and sunny - so I went out and cleared the wee bit of extra snow from the front of the house, impressing D. no end. Then down to the Cathedral to produce the bulletin, which I usually do on Thursdays, but the office computer was banjaxed and the new one wasn't co-operating until today. At first I was having to use a lap-top, which caused much swearing.

When I come to power lap-tops will be illegal.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Still no sign of snow here

Mass this morning and the priest came out at the end to meet this strange guy in a wheelchair who had appeared along with us; I didn't remind him that he had already met him last year!

Off to an engagement event in the village in a few minutes - my friend M's sister being the 'victim'. i shall take a camera, I have already lent M one, and will doubtless be expected to take loads of photos.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Still no sign of snow here

---

I've just scraped 5" of it off my car. Let me know if you want me to box some of it up and send it to you, it's good Oxfordshire snow, only one previous owner.

I wasn't going to scrape it off but we're due more today apparently. The Met Office site says it starts at 9am and goes on until midnight, though it's now 15 minutes late, which should all add to the joys.

It's so good to be in a warm flat with a hot drink right now and not have to go out again today. The pavements have reached the lethal stage now where the snow's been trodden into a compacted, uneven mess of ice, and going is very slow.
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
We seem to be set for a sequence of Spin, Rinse, Repeat here too. Evening/ nighttime snow, followed by partial thaw, followed by fresh fall.

Getting across town to my art class tomorrow could be interesting.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Ah, it's started. Here we go. Are we really going to get 18 hours of it?

There's a lovely snowman out in the car park - carrot for a nose, two black eyes, buttons all down his front, and wearing a very fetching grey flowerpot hat. Built in someone's parking space, but cars aren't really travelling much in this weather anyway.
 

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Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
I was secretly delighted to get the phonecall to say that the service I was supposed to be preaching at has been cancelled this evening.

Then I remembered my own church is running a night shelter tonight and my conscience tells me, if I'm not preaching at one church, I really ought to be volunteering to do the washing up at another. I am so fortunate to have a warm home to curl up in day and night.

Still, while the boy is out throwing snowballs (and hunting for the oyster card he's gone and lost somewhere in the snow!), I have the flat to myself and unhindered access to the biscuit barrel.
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Considering how many of those cards he has lost have you considered a forehead tattoo? Or in an old fashioned way, you might remember how Mother used to make sure we didn't lose our mittens.


 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Snowing all day here, we went to the second service today and were greeted with coffee and loads of pastries
DH has just de-iced the chickens' water and fed the birds so happiness has spread around the garden. Dinner is cooking and the boys are doing their homework. Later DH will take the boys to his parents and I'm going to have an afternoon studying in peace.
I'm guessing my eldest might be home tomorrow as the school closes if the school buses are cancelled ( a lot of the pupils live in little villages with no other buses to school).
 

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Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
He was most insistant that I don't put it down to carelessness on his part this time (though I didn't quite understand his reasoning on why not).

When I rang up to order a new one before - £10 a time, I'll have you know - the person on the other end of the phone asked me if I wanted to know precisely how much I'd spent on replacements so far....
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I'm sure you can buy Oyster card holders with one of those springy leads on a key ring to attach to a bag or belt.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
The engagement "do" we went to went off really well and Pete and I got both sung to by a young cousin of the bride-to-be. The food was good and plentiful, we spent most of the time surrounded by kids wanting to practice their English or whatever. I saw some lads there I haven't seen for 5 or 6 years and they seem to have changed a bit - or a lot!

I only took 31 photos and some video of A singing to Pete so I was quite restrained but then M was dashing around with my compact camera photographing anything that moved, or that stayed still. He will come round later, I think, to return the camera and see the results downloaded. If he doesn't come round soon I will suggest he leaves it until tomorrow as I am heading for bed in the not too distant future.
 

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Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
I was watching a family (not my family, the family of a child I know) DVD of a Hindu wedding in Pakistan. It was fascinating and I learned so much from watching it - three times, as it turned out, as the child rather enjoyed sharing it with me! I thought of you, Weasel.

But go on, get yourself off to bed for an early night. You older folks need your sleep.
 

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Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
It's been slizzling all day until about an hour ago. But most of the significant snow has gone now. The worst scenario is another layer tonight followed by frost. But it shouldn't stop the trains and buses.
 

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Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
Light snow all day. I decided not to go to church, it's a mile's walk away and I am not very good at walking on slippery pavements. On the other hand my son, husband and a family frend have gone for a long walk across Richmond Common. I'm expercting them back shortly and have made them some soup.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Cleared 5" of snow off the car this morning.
Cleared the steps of snow and ice.
Cleared another 2" of snow off the car after that.
Lent my shovel to a neighbour and we then cleared his car of several inches of snow.
Looked at my car which is now steadily accumulating more snow, and have gone back in and am sitting here with a glass of mulled wine.

Tomorrow is another day.
 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
I was a pre-schooler in the winter of '63 but my father was a teacher and he donned his wellies and walked there.

I didn't think I remembered a great deal about it but on a TV programme about it last night they showed someone melting snow in a saucepan on the stove because the water pipes had frozen and I thought - "I remember my mum doing that!"

Nen - now in the mood for a glass of port.
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Back in lit - but chilly house - after sheltering at friends for the evening while a broken transformer was fixed at our local sub-station.

TBF to Scottish Power, they texted regularly to update on progress.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Still no sign of snow here

---

I've got considerably more than I need, and the Weather Channel says there's a lot more on the way - unfortunately mostly next weekend.

What the hell's the use of snow at the weekend?
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
Back in lit - but chilly house - after sheltering at friends for the evening while a broken transformer was fixed at our local sub-station.

TBF to Scottish Power, they texted regularly to update on progress.

---

The linemen here are fabulous! Early in monsoon transformers often blow as accumulated dust gets wet and blows circuits but generally power will be restored within hours - and they work in all sorts of horrible weather, too.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
About 10cm of snow and lots of ice here, my eldest is home for the day due to cancelled village buses, not sure about my youngest yet as his school is local. I'm just watching a chaffinch eat wheat in a little clearing in the centre of a snow-filled picnic table.
My eldest ( eleven years old) has got to do an English exercise and then play with a circuitry kit before playing on the computer - I'm a mean mummy
Off to make some banana and blueberry bread.
 

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Posted by The Weeder (# 11321) on :
 
Still fairly deep. The birds and sqirrells are empyting the 6 bird feeders as fast as I can fill them.

The Sunday papers were delivered yesterday, much to our suprise. The 2 little girls who bring them seemed quite happy plodging through the snow. Cannot help but wonder if the Chritstmas Box we gave them encouraged them to climb up to the house.

I will go up to the village later, for my Guardian, more bird food, and Mr. Weeders tobacco.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
The snow has arrived, about 7 inches and still snowing (we are right at the foot of the Pennines) - I have just spent an hour digging the drive, good aerobic exercise!

We'll make it round town OK but I won't make it over the hills to visit Mum - hopefully tomorrow.

Now to go and clear the shelves at the shops
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
The county website said my youngest's school was closed so I got him changed to ordinary clothes and he happily planned on doing some baking. Then our neighbours' come past and say they've had a text saying it is open he's now disappointed and changed into uniform again to go to school.
(Edited to add, our neighbour has phoned and the the council is wrong! Off to school.)
I'll have to bake by myself.
 

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Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Lots more snow here and still snowing gently. Unfortunately it has all settled on yesterday's ice.

Its very pretty though. But aesthetic considerations can rapidly be bogged down in practicalities.

Now to clear the top of the water butt again and more food for blackbirds.
 

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Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
I've just refilled the birds' feeder. So they will be happy.

I've paused for a cup of coffee (which I've now finished) so it's Off the Ship for me and back to lesson preparation. I have another 3 hours of teaching (in 30 minute telephone lesson slots) starting this week - I know absolutely NOTHING about the levels, so it's a tad difficult to plan. Luckily, for this time at least, it can be the same lesson repeated...so I only have to plan one multi-level lesson! Off we go!
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
We were meant to be having a whole new roof this week

Thank goodness we put it off
 

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Posted by North East Quine (# 13049) on :
 
We will be needing a whole new roof at this rate - we were supposed to be having rotting patches of our soffits replaced last summer, but it's been constantly wet since then, and the joiner has been steadfily delaying (not unreasonably, given the weather). The paint is flaking off further along the soffits and the rotten area appears to be extending. We have a signed quote for the work, so I hope that they do the (now more extensive) work for the price they quoted and we signed for. (I don't mind paying for extra materials at cost, but don't want a significantly higher bill.) We originally hoped to have the work done during the third week in July.
 

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Posted by Sergius-Melli (# 17462) on :
 
Anyluck with that vase yet N.E.Q.?
 

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Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
The snow more or less cleared yesterday, but overnight there has been more soft wet snow, not amounting to more than a thin coating on the ground. Miserable enough not to want to go out in it though.

Strange phenomenon of considerably thicker snow on the railway bridge: my theory is that it's prevented from melting by the frosty air underneath, whereas the solid ground is comparatively warm.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
We need our soffits doing too, the one at the back of the house is rotten and starlings keep nesting in it!
I've been virtuous this morning, I've supervised some some home study (my 11 year old produced a circuit which lit a bulb when it came into contact with water), and done some housework and a little OU work, as well as baked a seeded loaf and banana bread (which I cannot eat today as I'm on a semi fast).
 

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Posted by North East Quine (# 13049) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sergius-Melli:
Anyluck with that vase yet N.E.Q.?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
I've been virtuous this morning, I've supervised some some home study (my 11 year old produced a circuit which lit a bulb when it came into contact with water), <snip>

---

Could I borrow your bulb please when teacher's finished with it? The one in our hallway's gone and the ends of the fitting are bent so I can't get a new one in.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Returned to work today. No problem with the trains, I thought the points might be iced but we just went straight through.

If anyone can advise me about cars in cold weather that would be helpful. The last time it was out was on Thursday, so I ran the engine this evening for about 25 minutes while I cleaned off the snow and ice. I really have no idea whether I've done the right thing or not (battery is 3 months old but car not used much), and equally have no idea whether it'll be possible to take it out on the roads this week. The car park's like a skating rink at the moment, though the main roads are fine.
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Eventually got to work today. A two hour journey instead of the usual 40 minutes. I get two buses to work and they were disrupted on the way into town then the bus station appeared at c 9 am, only for 4 (FOUR) Cardiff buses, of various description to show up within five minutes, between 25 and 45 minutes late. Travel home was, for once, better but If there is the slightest inkling of snow in future, I'm getting out.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
It's apparently minus 9 here in Cambridge this morning - bbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
 

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Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
Nothing to stop the wind from Siberia, HA!

Mrs. S, ex-resident of the Isle of Ely
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Yes, our location and geography does give us odd extremes, bitterly cold from the North Sea yet the driest region in the UK. It's now a more manageable minus 4 and I'm having good, hot porridge with honey after the school run.

[ 22. January 2013, 08:30: Message edited by: Heavenly Anarchist ]
 

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Posted by Ronald Binge (# 9002) on :
 
Light snow in North Kildare yesterday, gone now but replaced by -1c temp. A bit brrr!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
In the evenings here we have to close the windows to keep out the bugs [must make flyscreening a priority sometime soon] so have to have the fans on to keep cool.


 

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Posted by Tree Bee (# 4033) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
In the evenings here we have to close the windows to keep out the bugs [must make flyscreening a priority sometime soon] so have to have the fans on to keep cool.

---

You can go off people.
 

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Posted by Sergius-Melli (# 17462) on :
 
Sleet today!

I have rather disliked this recent spate of snow over the UK, it has stuck in this tiny patch of Wales!

On the up side I'm off to see a dog that needs rehoming this evening (I am sure that I will make the back roads of Wales safetly!) with the hope that we are compatible and that they are willing to take me as their pet.
 

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Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
Bright and sunny today. Most of the snow has gone but it's still cold. I just hope we have seen the last of it (not that it stayed long).
 

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Posted by Starbug (# 15917) on :
 
It's fine here, with just a bit of rain. My mum's house, however, might as well be n a different ecosystem. She lives half a mile away but her road is covered i. snow again, having only thawed earlier today.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I've just spent 45 minutes shattering impacted ice with a spade in the car park, to try to get the car out, only to realize that the area around the car is like glass (the ovenproof, specially toughened sort) and seriously hard going, so have given up. And now it's just started snowing again. Apparently we're going to have hours of it.

[ 22. January 2013, 19:03: Message edited by: Ariel ]
 

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Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sergius-Melli:

I have rather disliked this recent spate of snow over the UK, it has stuck in this tiny patch of Wales!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
... I'm getting fed up of snow days.

---

I don't mind snow-days; the novelty of a day when I don't have to w*rk but still get paid hasn't yet worn off.

What I can't be bothered with is days like today when it waits until lunch-time (when I finish w*rk anyway) before it starts to snow, and then dumps another six inches on top of the 2 or 3 feet we've already got. Then it'll stop in time for them to plough the roads before w*rk tomorrow, negating the need for a snow-day, but leaving a four-foot bank of packed snow in front of the house which has to be shovelled before we can get anywhere.

PS For those of you needing Inner Warmth, I've just made a pot of veggie soup.

[ 23. January 2013, 02:52: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

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Posted by Martha (# 185) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Angloid:

Strange phenomenon of considerably thicker snow on the railway bridge: my theory is that it's prevented from melting by the frosty air underneath, whereas the solid ground is comparatively warm.

---

I think your theory is right. Every bridge in the USA has a sign on it saying "Bridge ices before road".

Sat here watching endless versions of The Wheels on the Bus with my 2-yr-old (who knew there were so many on YouTube?) but will wrap up and venture out into the snow shortly.
 

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Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
After a great deal of soul-searching went out as planned with some friends last night. If either of them had cancelled I wouldn't have minded but an element of 'you can't just hibernate from November onwards' came into play and we all had a lovely evening in a pub with a log fire

I was glad I didn't have to drive, as on my way home from w*rk through the sleet a full-size deer suddenly appeared on my near-side wing Mercifully she seemed to have turned back straight away - most of the time they just dash across regardless - so we both survived albeit a little chastened.

Now at w*rk, looking out of a north-facing window and thinking 'if the snow settles at least I can see it'. I've loathed snow ever since I spun 180 degrees in my little sports car with wide wheels, and was so panicked I just drove off again in the wrong direction

Mrs. S, still blushing and that was >30 years ago
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
It hasn't snowed since Monday here but none of it has melted. The weather forecast says it should be slightly warmer today (1 degree at lunchtime!) but it still feels bitter. I'm off for a trundle to Waitrose before settling in to writing Saturday's tutorial and doing a moderators training course for work.
 

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Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Snow has got to the horrid-looking sort, and most of it is impacted anyway into ice. Hard-going for me on the paths, and even harder-going trudging through thick snow on uneven grass.

Being, as we are, backing onto, and with a gate opening into, a pitch and putt course, you have to keep a careful watch where you are going as it is easy to fall into a bunker!

Our dog has suddenly discovered he rather likes snow (think he must be a late developer, as he is 10 now!) and took off in the park yesterday, meeting me with a silly grin on his face much nearer home!

On another track - how come we've reached 8 pages of chat, and its only the 23 January??

Could it be the weather?
 

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Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
It's either the weather or cake!
 

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Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by St Everild:
It's either the weather or cake!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicodemia:
Snow has got to the horrid-looking sort, and most of it is impacted anyway into ice. Hard-going for me on the paths, and even harder-going trudging through thick snow on uneven grass.

---

Same here, the paths are lethal and there's ice hiding under the snow. I've been dragging a shopping trolley through it and it was like pulling it uphill whilst on skates.
 

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Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
A lot of dogs seem to like snow. We often see dog walkers on our lunchtime run in the park behind the office, but normally the dogs don't take much notice of us. The last couple of days though many dogs have run up to us in a very playful mood wanting us to join in their fun.
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Yay for t'interweb!

For the third time I'm stuck at home. While some buses are running I didn't want to get stuck four miles away to traipse home, mostly on icy pavements.

The good news is that I have work to do. The less good news is that assessing Enterprise Architecture tools makes ones eyes glaze over after about an hour and a half, so it's a routine of drink coffee, read & make notes for about an hour, pee, Host and post a bit, get another coffee, read & make notes ..... You get the idea.

I'm on water now, as I'm getting buzzy.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I like you buzzy Sioni Sais
 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tree Bee:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
In the evenings here we have to close the windows to keep out the bugs [must make flyscreening a priority sometime soon] so have to have the fans on to keep cool.

---

You can go off people.

---

I don't know... I'm not good with heat or bugs and would rather be here in Blighty, for all its ice and snow.

So, for those bored of weather discussions let's talk Cake. Our office manager had a big birthday last week and as he's a personal friend as well I've been involved in both work and family celebrations. At work last week we had home made madeira cake. At home group last night we had lemon sponge with lemon curd filling. No chocolate cake. If you could have your choice, which cake would you choose for your birthday celebrations?

Nen - enjoying a lifetime of confectionery.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
We have banana bread with blueberries on the go at the moment.
I don't really like fruitcake but like most others. I love carrot cake with vanilla frosting but on the whole I'd prefer a soft flapjack.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Actually, I quite fancy that lemon sponge with lemon curd!
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nenya:
If you could have your choice, which cake would you choose for your birthday celebrations?

---

I sometimes make a rich dark sort of ginger cake with chopped stem ginger, treacle, brown sugar, etc etc. It has lemon drizzle icing. I made that for my last birthday.

Am now very sick of compacted ice on pavements. My boots have split, as well, which is annoying as the soles are really good for walking quickly on snow and ice.
 

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Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
You might like Torfaen's ice warning video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6UerjFCLdI&sns=fb
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I did, thanks! If only ours were like that... don't think I've even seen any gritters this year.

Anyway, I'm now a happy sprite. I just found a Christmas pudding I'd set aside in case we had a spell of really cold winter weather, and then forgot about until now. Nothing like a helping of hot Christmas pud to brighten up a dreary January evening and bring back a little of that Christmas feeling.
 

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Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
Am now very sick of compacted ice on pavements. My boots have split, as well, which is annoying as the soles are really good for walking quickly on snow and ice.

---

Sorry to hear about the boots I have been a bit of an evangelist for these which are brilliant on compacted snow/ice (although they're not good when you suddenly get on a bit of bare concrete, that will wear them out sooner than they should).

As for cake, I'm quite happy to relieve Heavenly Anarchist of the fruit cake she doesn't want. You're welcome
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Yum!

I take a cake to school every Thursday. I am now into making up my own recipes. Tomorrow's cake is a tropical fruit cake. I soaked the fruit in scotch before mixing it in.

The cake is goooood!


 

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Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
Wnderful! Just had a look at the met office forecast - no yellow warnings for snow on the weekend but then we get a yellow warning for rain! At least it's easier to get around in than snow.
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Today was a sn*w day indoors too. Mrs Sioni made rolls, cheese scones and for right now this very moment, proper chocolate mousse made of nothing more than chocolate and eggs.
 

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Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Snow suddenly fell...choir cancelled. (Snow fell too late to tell people not to go but people decided to go home having got there.)
An unexpected evening in...
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
... no yellow warnings for snow ...

---

I read that as "warnings for yellow snow" - your Elfin Safety boffins really are getting silly ...

We've got Patches of Frozen Treachery hiding under our snow now - D actually slipped and fell while digging out yesterday's additions. Hurrah for Bill across the road who came over tonight and re-dug the path that got ploughed in this morning.

I'm in for a busy couple of days: we've got an Ordination and the installation of an archdeacon on Friday evening, which will require the production of many orders of service (which we wouldn't need if they'd use the Prayer Book, but the Bishop will insist on using the horrid modern book ).

Then we heard today that one of the regulars at D's Wednedsay organ recitals died on Monday, and his funeral is on Friday afternoon; D. is thinking of contacting his church to offer to play Wachet auf - he was a huge fan of Bach.

As I'm typing this, there's a bloke in a huge snow-plough going back and forth shifting snow from the pavement outside the house; when I looked out he'd blocked our newly-dug-out path with a snow-boulder the size of a small sofa. If it's still there in the morning there will be Much Cursing.

Did someone mention CAKE?
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I'm feeling cake deprived as I seemto be surrounded by diabetics so there is no call for me to make any any more and I can't be bothered to make it just for me - so sad!




eta: I love that little video, St G.

[ 24. January 2013, 03:57: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

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Posted by Starbug (# 15917) on :
 
I'm rubbish at making cakes - they never rise. Unlike Mr Bug, who makes a wonderful Victoria Sponge and also made our Christmas cakes. One was iced and the other was covered in Cadburys chocolate.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I'm feeling cake deprived as I seemto be surrounded by diabetics so there is no call for me to make any any more and I can't be bothered to make it just for me - so sad!

---

That's why I make them for school, nobody eats them here and I'm on a diet.


 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Pooh! Wodders!

That's why God gave us sugar substitute for the occasional treat!


 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Yes, but there is no jaggery substitute - I'll see what I can do after 13th February.


 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Today was a sn*w day indoors too. Mrs Sioni made rolls, cheese scones and for right now this very moment, proper chocolate mousse made of nothing more than chocolate and eggs.

---

I thought this was going to be a reference to the state of the kitchen after Mrs Sioni's baking - icing sugar everywhere.

Nen - feeling the call to work at Boogie's school on a Thursday.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
The snow's finally begun to melt here and the paths are less treacherous, even the chickens' water wasn't entirely frozen. There are occasional patches of blue sky appearing and I can see the chaffinch hopping around on the table.
I'm spending most of the day sorting through emails so that dh can get my tax form submitted. The excitement of my life....
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Allowed extra time this morning for the walk to the station, came out of the flat and the pavement was solid ice while the road was a mixture of visible ice and black ice. One step and you risk being flat on your back. I eventually managed by walking on the 2" of snow left in the shade of a wall and holding on to various fences, posts etc., nearly fell over three times, and had the pleasure of waving goodbye to my train as I arrived at the station.

At my destination all the pavements are clear and the place is well thawed, hard to believe that conditions are the way they are elsewhere. Nice to have a break from it but I'm not looking forward to the walk home from the station tonight.
 

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Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
I went to a shop in town to enquire about those rubber and metal grip things you put over your shoes to stop slipping on ice and snow. And was told they cost £20, which seemed rather a lot. Perhaps I'll go back to the original idea where you put old socks on over your shoes.
 

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Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chorister:
I went to a shop in town to enquire about those rubber and metal grip things you put over your shoes to stop slipping on ice and snow. And was told they cost £20, which seemed rather a lot. Perhaps I'll go back to the original idea where you put old socks on over your shoes.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chorister:
... those rubber and metal grip things you put over your shoes ...

---

According to one of my (British) Facebook friends, you can order them from Amazon for £2.50.

[ 24. January 2013, 15:05: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I have just ordered some! £3.99 and free postage. Here they are, they get good reviews - I'll let you know.

Great idea for when I need to be in my posh boots which are totally unsuited to icy pavements (like today, for example)



[ 24. January 2013, 15:38: Message edited by: Boogie ]
 

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Posted by Thyme (# 12360) on :
 
My daughter was singing their praises the other day. But I think the snow will have gone by the time I get round to getting a pair. I keep forgetting to do anything about it.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Thyme:
My daughter was singing their praises the other day. But I think the snow will have gone by the time I get round to getting a pair. I keep forgetting to do anything about it.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
I have just ordered some! £3.99 and free postage. Here they are, they get good reviews - I'll let you know.

---

Right, ordered. They won't arrive until the snow's over but it'll probably snow some other time during my lifetime.

Threw a few handfuls of rock salt onto the compacted ice this evening. A very pleasing sound of fizzing and cracking as it landed. But hasn't made much difference to the ice otherwise.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Give it time, Ariel - I'm always pleasantly surprised at how effective road salt is (we buy it in 10kg bags and keep a bucket of it by the door). There's a sort of "temperature window" when salt will be effective; if it's much below -10°C it's too cold for it to work, but I'd be surprised if you're getting sustained temperatures as low as that.

While you're all feeling cold, spare a thought for people in some parts of The Rest Of Canada™ where it was -40°C with a wind-chill of -50 today.

When I see temperatures like that, I begin to understand why Pete goes to Sunny Climes in the winter.

**brrrrr**

Memo to self: don't forget to do the cream-cheese/red-pepper-jelly thing for the post-ordination bun-fight tomorrow.

[ 25. January 2013, 02:38: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Gave it overnight and found that rock salt has made virtually no difference, but maybe I should have used more. Anyway, it's supposed to be the last day of snow and ice today with one last deluge of snow before it starts to rain. I'll be really glad to see the back of it.

"We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website." Thanks. Mine's a chocolate chip and ginger, with a large chunk of real preserved ginger for garnish.
 

---

Posted by Thyme (# 12360) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Thyme:
My daughter was singing their praises the other day. But I think the snow will have gone by the time I get round to getting a pair. I keep forgetting to do anything about it.

---

If it doesn't snow again put them in a safe place and, unlike me, remember what that safe place was.

---

This is why I don't buy Christmas presents early!

I've ordered them and Amazon says they have been dispatched. So I am sure the snow and ice will disappear soon.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Snow still on the ground here, patches of path are clear but lots of ice still around. Some snow and sleet expected tonight and I'm supposed to be teaching tomorrow ( the OU hires rooms at local colleges), there's no problem getting there for me as it isn't far but I hope they don't close the college!
Need to do some more work on my taxes today and finish the course I've been sent on. I also want to make some salmon filo pastries to eat for a late lunch tomorrow when I've finished teaching.
 

---

Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
I ended up cancelling tomorrow's OU tutorial, I think the weather in Glasgow (where the tutorial is) isn't too bad, but here in Stirling it's (finally) been snowing all day, and there's an amber warning for much of the central belt tomorrow, so the powers that be made an executive decision that we should cancel. I'm still going to have to go over to Glasgow as we have the gasman coming over to inspect the meter (I have such a rock and roll lifestyle, clearly), but at least I don't have to hare over there for the tutorial and can go by train instead.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I just find the uncertainty annoying, there's still snow on the ground here but roads are clear. Snow is expected overnight. The college should be open, it's on the main thoroughfare, and I live less than a mile away, although it's a team tutorial and other tutors are more distant. But students may avoid coming due to their own localities and the uncertainty of ours.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
There's a big snow-removal operation going on outside Château Piglet at the moment: they lift the snow from the big heaps into lorries and take it away. They used to dump it in the harbour, but I have a feeling that the eco-mentalists objected to the road-salt polluting the ocean or something (what sort of water do they think the ocean is anyway?), so I'm not sure where they put it now. As long as they take it away from here, I don't much care.

Very well-attended funeral this afternoon, and D's playing much appreciated; also a good crowd at the ordination this evening. I don't think I'll need to be rocked to sleep tonight ...

sleepy piglet
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
This morning the local lads who are in a percussion ensemble had a date at a new shop opening nearby so they came by here first to have a practice and to show Pete what they can do - it was great fun with some great photos and some nice video of the lot of them. We then gave them and their [heavy] instruments a lift to their venue.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I have never seen snow so deep!

I will get my tape measure out when I get out of this dressing gown and into my wellies.

I don't think we'll dig the cars out as heavy rain is forecast later, so hopefully it will get washed away.


 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Bright, sunny and snowless here - with temperatures set to soar to 4C later.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Well, we appear to have had no snow or rain here despite the amber alert. The sun is shining bright now. Good job we didn't cancel our tutorial then.
I'm going to spend the morning discussing healthy neighbourhoods and social exclusion, followed by essay writing skills. Then back home to assist dh in clearing the outhouse as he appears to have bought a metalworking lathe from work. It is apparently huge and heavy and I have no idea how he's going to move it here.

[ 26. January 2013, 07:19: Message edited by: Heavenly Anarchist ]
 

---

Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
I'm in two minds about my cancelled tutorial. I'm pretty sure that there is no (or not enough to be problematic) snow at the tutorial location, and there is no new snow here at home (although yesterday's snow is still lying, and the road looks like a skidpan). I'm sure I would have made it no problem by train, and probably most of the students would have too.

On the other hand, I have managed to wake up with what feels like a cold well and truly on the way, so I'm quite relieved as well that I don't have to 'perform' today. I don't get colds very often, and there was no hint of it even yesterday, so it was a bit of an unwelcome surprise.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I got the tape measure out - 11 inches!

It's thawing like mad now 'tho
 

---

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
I have never seen snow so deep!

I will get my tape measure out when I get out of this dressing gown and into my wellies.

I don't think we'll dig the cars out as heavy rain is forecast later, so hopefully it will get washed away.

---

Or it could turn it to slush which freezes, making the digging out even harder. Best practice is to remove the snow while you can, one snowball at a time if necessary.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
We had 9" of snow in all - most of which is now compacted ice. But it rained last night and the snowman in the car park is looking a bit headless this morning.

It's been really strange drawing the curtains back today to see a flood of sunshine and a blue sky, after days of getting up in the dark and seeing a grey sky at lunchtime before being plunged back into night at leaving work. The birds are very vocal this morning and although we still have ice (the postman has nearly had to skate across the car park) there's a real feeling of spring on the way.

It's early days, of course, but you start to remember flowers, and warmth, and gardens coming to life, and colour returning to the world.
 

---

Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Measuring snow in inches...
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by lily pad:
Measuring snow in inches...

---

I assume you measure in feet?
 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
The snow's all melted here today and it's relatively mild outside. I've uncovered my camellia for the first time in about a week. And small bits of the sky are that weird colour again... almost blue... sounds crazy I know...

I feel like eating cake to celebrate.

Nen - glad to see the grass.
 

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Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
Lots and lots of wet snow fell between about 9pm and midnight last night. Driving was a pain, but worse for those stuck on the M6 for twelve hours. It started to thaw almost as soon as it fell, and it's sunny and perceptibly warmer today. But there is so much of the white stuff that it is only thawing gradually. Hopefully rain overnight will get rid of it.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Went out today and found we have pavement. I don't think I've ever been so glad to see one.

We also appear to have the beginnings of what looks like a small pothole in the car park - the rural roads are probably going to be full of these come the thaw. This is what happened last time, though some weren't exactly small... and it was some time before they were mended.
 

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Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
There were lots of drippy, drippy noises last evening, and we actually had sun today. Darllenwr managed to clear the pavement and the car of ice and we even had post.
To celebrate, we went out. Only up to Abergavenny, but it was so good to get out! We've now had a little rain, more is forecast, and it's well above freezing, so hopefully, goodbye snow!
(Thankfully I had had a few craft projects I could get on with as I was, in practice, housebound by the horrid stuff, and I've actually finished a piece I started in the snow two years ago.)
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
The snow-clearing has removed quite a bit, but as there's a lamp-post outside our house, that's the only bit of the pavement they haven't cleared.

And they've left a snow-boulder the size of a Newfoundland dog* at the foot of our steps.

Talking of dogs and snow, I thought those of you who aren't on Farcebook might have missed this.


* but not nearly so cute.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Grey here this morning but the snow has all gone. The chickens run s a complete mud bath though.
Just off to church in a few mins, then a quiet family afternoon of food and board games.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Today has been A BUSY DAY!

Up for mass early this morning, as per usual Sunday routine then dash home and a quick breakfast then off to the temple for the beginning of Pooyam Day then follow the procession down into the main village - this is the biggest thing all year in the village and is really testosterone unlimited, although some women do take part. We stayed down there for a while until it got too hot then home for a quick shower and change then off across town to a [Christian] wedding then home for a quick snooze before we headed back down to the village for the evening bit of Pooyam where several friends and neighbours were taking part - much clicking of the shutter and lots of video.

I am now shattered but still a bit hyper so am winding down, and rehydrating, before I head to bed.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Today has not been a busy day.

Morning spent mostly lying on the couch reading a book and enjoying the novelty of doing this in full sunlight. Too delicious to want to break off to do anything else.

In the afternoon I went to the allotment and found half of it very soggy indeed, but still managed to spend half an hour doing some clearing. It felt great - so peaceful just digging up some weeds, nobody else about and the birds calling to each other overhead as another bunch of dandelions land on the compost heap.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Boogielet2 is home from Gatwick and has passed his type rating for the A320. He'll be moving to Bristol in two weeks time. Then he has various other pieces of procedural, line and base training.

Next all eight of the new trainees take off and land 10 times each in a real A320 - if he passes all ten he's up, up and away on the 11th March.

Exciting times!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
11th March is always a day of exciting events, back in 19-something-something that was the day I was born!
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... until it got too hot ...

---

Mark your calendars, folks - Wodders said it was too hot.

Not really a problem here although they're forecasting -7°C on Wednesday and +5°C on Thursday - that's a rise of 12° in one day.

Better look out my sandals ...
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
...Mark your calendars, folks - Wodders said it was too hot. ...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
11th March is always a day of exciting events, back in 19-something-something that was the day I was born!

---

Wayhay!



 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
My mother, I am told, was, at least initially, much relieved.

I think today will be the last day of the people next door having new floor tiles, etc. fitted - the sound of the tile cutter and angle grinder has gone on quite long enough!
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
A grey day here, though not too cold. I have a stack of marking to do so the day is unlikely to cheer up.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
A grey day here, though not too cold. I have a stack of marking to do so the day is unlikely to cheer up.

---

Awww - sympathies! (Do five followed by a reward, the repeat)

The sun is trying hard here - hope it wins!


 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
A grey day here, though not too cold. I have a stack of marking to do so the day is unlikely to cheer up.

---

Awww - sympathies! (Do five followed by a reward, the repeat)

The sun is trying hard here - hope it wins!

---

It'll be 2 or 3 then a break, the first stack is of 2000 word essays.
It'll be fine once I start, I always quite enjoy it when I get going.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
No tile cutting or angle-grinding is bliss but instead woke up at 04.00 with a rahter assertive allergic reaction to something or other in the atmosphere at the moment - I think it is teak flower pollen but not sure. All I know for definite is how much happier I would be if it went away. I am just about to down yet another antihistamine.

I am also having trouble accessing the page I want in an Indian government website for a neighbour of ours - I am sure it will be quite logical in the end but at the moment it is driving me crackers.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
13 essays done today, 11 more tomorrow...
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
WW - Hope your allergen (whatever it is) goes away.

HA - That's pretty impressive!

I indulged in a spot of Retail Therapy this afternoon; I'd been fancying a pair of long boots - not easy to find when you're 5'1" (the long bits are too long) with legs like tree-trunks (the zips don't do up).

However ... after sort of giving up, someone serving me in another shop said the shop I'd been looking in was having a 50%-off-the-lowest-price sale, which I hadn't taken into consideration, so I went back, and got a perfectly-fitting pair of knee-length boots for $48 (about £30).

happy piglet
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Good for you, piglet

Allergic thingy has morphed into a cold but we had all agreed to go out shopping and for lunch today and I fully intend to go along, perhaps I'll rattle with all the pills I've been taking but I WILL be there!
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Good for you, piglet

Allergic thingy has morphed into a cold but we had all agreed to go out shopping and for lunch today and I fully intend to go along, perhaps I'll rattle with all the pills I've been taking but I WILL be there!

---

You darn well better be ( and it's time for you to waddle downstairs)


 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
That is lucky piglet. I'm 4 foot 11 and getting long boots is pretty much impossible, not helped my the fact they are never the right shape for the lower position of my calves.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Get well soon Wodders.

Well done HA!

I can fit long boots but don't like them, I find them too warm - even in minus temperatures. I love boots 'tho, so wear ankle boots all winter.

I have decided I could easily retire. Never thought I'd say that - when my kids were small I had six months per child off and that was more than enough. But now I love getting up when I wake up then pursuing hobbies - who wouldn't? But my two days at work do keep my brain alive - I find it really cotton wools up on the four days I'm not working. So I mustn't mumble when the alarm goes at 6:15am tomorrow!



PS - I have fresh lemon drizzle cake for all who'd like a piece.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Calorie-free lemon cake, mmmm
I'd like to go for a walk today, to break up the monotony. But showers started during the school run and the sky is now very dark and miserable. I'll have to make do with my exercise DVD.
 

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Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
I don't know - I'm whisked off into hospital in the wee small hours of Saturday, and I come back today and what do I find - you are all still talking about the weather!

Apart from WW that is, who seems to have been seeing some interesting events.

And Boogie, whose Boogielets are doing so well (congrats to said B'lets!)

And here Spring seems to have come, the bulbs are sprouting busily, the grass looks a lot greener than last week (and so it should after all that rain!), the sky is blue and I'm busily getting the house back into a reasonably tidy shape, and beginning to reduce the rather huge pile of washing waiting.

And yes, I'd love a piece of lemon drizzle cake. Virtual cake is so fat-free!
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Thank you Nicodemia - I am sorry you had an unexpected visit to hospital, hope you are well on the mend.

The lemon drizzle cake was an experiment. I had forgotten to get the butter/marg so used olive oil, guessing the amount. As I didn't have time to trot off to the shops if I'm going to fit my daily swim in. The cake is very good too - nice and light 'tho quite a different texture with a 'crunchy' top.


 

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Posted by QLib (# 43) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicodemia:
And here Spring seems to have come, the bulbs are sprouting busily, the grass looks a lot greener than last week (and so it should after all that rain!), the sky is blue and I'm busily getting the house back into a reasonably tidy shape, and beginning to reduce the rather huge pile of washing waiting.

---

Yes, despite the playfully boisterous wind, I was glad I took the bike into work this morning, as I only do a half-day today and the ride home was ... hmmm ... refreshing would, I think, be a good word.

Devastated to find that the Comic Relief Great British Bake-Off book is sold out - that kicks quite a few of my plans into the long grass. However, I do have banana bread on offer - would go rather nicely with lemon drizzle, I think.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Nicodemia - hope you feel better soon.

Lemon CAKE sounds lovely - I was just thinking I haven't baked for ages, and there's a lemon in the fridge that could do with being used ...

Tried out the new boots today; they were quite comfortable, but they have very little in the way of traction control, so I'm going to take them to the cobbler and get him to put rubber non-slip bits on the heels and soles (he's done it on other shoes for me). The corridors at w*rk tend to be rather highly polished, and I don't want to go base-over-apex, with the concomitant loss of dignity.
 

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Posted by QLib (# 43) on :
 
Yes, sorry Nicodemia - my last paragraph got lost somewhere (in the hills and valleys of my brain, probably). Hope you're OK now.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicodemia:
I don't know - I'm whisked off into hospital in the wee small hours of Saturday, and I come back today and what do I find - you are all still talking about the weather!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
The food was good. The bride looked lovely, of course and the groom looked terrified, also of course. It all seemed to go well - on the whole a success.

---

I fixed your last paragraph for you.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Pete, I think people here are well aware of your priorities.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Pete's priorities, Wodders??

Our roller-coaster weather continues apace - there was enough rain and warmth today to clear a good lot of snow from the pavements (although not enough to make much impression on the heaps). As I'm writing this (at about half-past-midnight local time) Environment Canada says it's +10°C and windy.

Yes, you read that right: plus 10° in the middle of the night. In Newfoundland. In February.


 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
There's rain up there - I can see it in the dark slate of the sky. But the houses below it -pale sandstone and white paintwork are glowing in the low morning sun.

Very pretty.

However, I wish it would make it's mind up, as I was thinking of bussing down to the fabric shop to see if they have Chinese silk for a kimono (certainly) and something I could make into smart trousers for going to Paris next week (less certain).
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I've finished my work for the week and am now contemplating if I can be bothered to study ( I start an OU history course tomorrow).
I might just paint my nails and browse instead
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Why would anyone paint their brows?


 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

 

---

Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Why would anyone paint their brows?

---

Alopecia? Over-enthusiastic eyebrow shaping as a teenager? There could be reasons, Wodders!

(The Elizabethans used to use stick-on mouse skin as fake eyebrows! )

Mrs. S, not reduced to any of the above expedients!
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I know lots of old ladies who do.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Years ago the hairdresser I then used here convinced me to let him thread my eyebrows - NEVER AGAIN!! Mine tend to grow a bit unevenly so I do keep them trimmed but threading HURT!
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by The Intrepid Mrs S:

(The Elizabethans used to use stick-on mouse skin as fake eyebrows! )

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Years ago the hairdresser I then used here convinced me to let him thread my eyebrows - NEVER AGAIN!! Mine tend to grow a bit unevenly so I do keep them trimmed but threading HURT!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
... fish that nibble your feet ...

---

I can't quite decide which would be worse, having my feet nibbled or my eyebrows threaded (waxing is about the limit of pain I'm prepared to endure for vanity).

Meteorologically, normal service has been resumed: it's 0°C and we're expecting about 6 inches of sn*w tomorrow. Unfortunately, the cobbler is going to take until next Thursday to fit the traction control on my new boots ...
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
There were fish foot nibbling places in Singapore when we were there and folks sat in the window with their feet immersed - it all looked very odd and no, we didn't try it.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
There's one of those fish places here. I can't see the attraction myself, I even worry about the health effects on the poor fish let alone disease transfer.
Lovely sunny day here, I've decided to opt out of my family and do some shopping in town. My sons HATE shopping!
But first I think I have to help dh move the ridiculously heavy lathe he bought from work last week I hope it doesn't damage my newly painted nails.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Lovely sunny day here too. I'm off for a Spanish lunch later - hmmm, my third this week We had a tapas day at the office yesterday where people brought or made contributions. It wasn't exclusively Spanish, but it really worked very well. One colleague made these which I will definitely be making at home myself at some point.

By the way, the Queen is coming to Oxford in March, just thought I'd throw that in. It'll be for the Maundy Thursday service at Christ Church, and I'm half tempted to take the day off and go into Oxford. (Yes, I know I won't get near it but still.)
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Those chicken skewers look good
My other half met the Queen a few weeks ago, at some business innovation awards reception. I think he had a long chat with Prince Edward as well as meeting Prince Philip. But his favourite bit was looking around the rooms and seeing loads of famous and beautiful paintings.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
My better half met the Queen 25 years ago when she came to St. Magnus Cathedral to unveil the stained-glass window we'd had commissioned to mark the 850th anniversary of the founding; they were a bit short of VIPs, so the organist got presented. Unfortunately the shortage didn't extend to his fiancee, which I was then.

We got the snow that was forecast (and some), and have now been ploughed in (although not as badly as last time). I haven't been over the door today; I've been rearranging the newly-painted sitting-room, and I can't tell you how nice it is having it not look like a building-site.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I was at university in London during the Silver Jubilee. We stood two yards from the queen outside St Paul's.

I'm a raging republican, but didn't throw any eggs

Dull and rainy here - not what they promised! I'm off to Church soon, must just finish this lovely cuppa tea. Then my friend is coming round, we'll go for a walk if it fines up - otherwise we'll put the world to rights over more tea :0)

My son is 27 tomorrow - where did that time go?? We bought him some (very) expensive jeans for his birthday while he was home over Christmas. He's busy now on an intensive German course. His spoken German is perfect (C1) but he will have to write in German for his nursing course - so he's brushing up on grammar etc.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
A newly painted room sounds lovely, I wish we had some!
Overcast here too. I'm skiving off church as my youngest is going to a party soon this morning and I need to take him there. I think I'll get some study done while alone here as I don't need to collect him til 2pm and dh and eldest won't be home til 1 pm. Then both my boys are at a party this afternoon. They'll be buzzing by the time they get home!
 

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Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
I'm skiving church too as my brother is here for a visit until Tuesday and I'm spending most of Monday and Tuesday at work. This is my one chance to see him.

Last week got a bit crazy with work and job interviews, and next week is looking the same, so I'm taking a well earned (and much needed) break this weekend and doing lots of nothing whatsoever.

My biggest downfall when my brother is here is biscuits. Coffee, and biscuits. Which reminds me, it's a good ten minutes since our last cuppa, so I'd better go and put the kettle on, hadn't I? Anyone for a biscuit?
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Wave Hi to him from me, Smudgie!
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I haven't met the Queen, but have seen Charles several times. He's much shorter than you think.

Spent the morning on the allotment. Progress has been made - have dug half of it over now, but it'll take another couple of weekends yet. Came home with some newly-dug potatoes and a mystery vegetable. I can't work out whether it's golden beetroot or some sort of turnip.
 

---

Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
I met the Queen on the Golden Jubilee weekend. We were at the front of the crowd in Windsor and she came and said hello to us. She is *charming*.
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
I met the Queen on the Golden Jubilee weekend. We were at the front of the crowd in Windsor and she came and said hello to us. She is *charming*.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
... Charles ... is much shorter than you think ...

---

Didn't he have to stand on a box when being photographed with Diana, as she was taller than he was?

Lovely Candlemas procession this morning, with music by Osiander, McKie, Vaughan Williams, Eccard and Gibbons (with solo piglet ). Dean suitably impressed and grinning a lot.

Candle-bridges coming down when I go to bed - Christmas is now officially over.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
A beautifully sunny day here with a bit of a fresh breeze blowing.
I've got a few hours to spare this week so I'm doing lots of housework and decluttering, starting with the work and study cupboard in the kitchen and under the desk in the study/ sewing room. Might even haul some books down to the recycling area.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
... Charles ... is much shorter than you think ...

---

Didn't he have to stand on a box when being photographed with Diana, as she was taller than he was?

---

Yes, the royal soapbox. A lot of people are shorter than you think - television makes them look bigger. I stood next to Jeremy Paxman once outside a restaurant and he wasn't anything like as tall as I'd expected either.

(Though I suppose it could have been a much shorter lookalike.)
 

---

Posted by Chamois (# 16204) on :
 
I once met Fergus Walsh, the BBC medicine and science correspondent. He's tiny. You wouldn't guess it from the television.
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
I'd also heard that about TV making you look bigger; unfortunately it also accentuates things if you're a bit overweight.

Nen - who would fill your screens...
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chamois:
I once met Fergus Walsh, the BBC medicine and science correspondent. He's tiny. You wouldn't guess it from the television.

---

Well of course they have to be tiny - how would they fit inside otherwise? (And these days, they have to be no more than 3 inches thick).

[ 04. February 2013, 21:22: Message edited by: Firenze ]
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 


We did a Songs of Praise in Belfast which was presented by the newsreader Martin Lewis; we met him at the post-filming bunfight and I remember thinking he was impressively tall* (and a rather nice bloke IIRC).

Absolutely filthy day here today; chucking down rain (good - it's got rid of most of the non-piled-up snow) and blowing a gale (less good).

* at this point D. would say, "but from your perspective, Piglet, everyone's impressively tall".

Can anyone introduce me to Richard Hammond?
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I had the same thoughts about height when reading this, as far as I'm concerned everyone else is tall.
Sunny here but it cold. I'd like to just huddle back into bed but the school run is beckoning.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I woke up to a couple of inches of snow - but on closer inspection they seem to be hail stones, very odd.

I foolishly left last night's washing up festering in and around the sink - and we had guests for tea so there is a big pile now glowering at me over the edge of the laptop.
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Light fall of snow here and a sort of stand-off in progress between loomy snow-bearing cloud and rising sun.
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Snowed overnight here, not much, but coming down again. But then it stops, and starts again.

Not the sort of weather for long walks!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Himself and Herself were off to church this morning so dropped Pete and I off a couple of kilometres away so I could take Pete to a riverside temple I am fond of then gave him a good hike on the way back. I am not quite sure how grateful he is to me for that.

Later I went in to the ATM for both of us, got his money out first and that emptied the machine so there was none left for me!



I'll go in again later, when it is cooler, and get mine then.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
We had snow today - there was a snowflake when I went out and another one about 20 minutes later.

Have just returned from the dentist. I haven't been for some years - it all seems much less painful than I remember, since the days when they'd advance on you, grimly, with a syringe about a foot long that went into your gums and out of the back of your neck, and you got no explanation of anything they were doing.

Anyway, more snow due on Friday, but nothing like last week, I hope.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
We had snow today - there was a snowflake when I went out and another one about 20 minutes later.

---

I wish what the Weather Channel is threatening us with would be like that; sadly, it looks as if it's going to be more in the region of 6-8 inches, with more at the weekend.

Roll on getting my boots back from the cobbler ...

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:

[Pete] emptied the machine so there was none left for me ...

---

How impressive is that?
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
It's even more impressive that they haven't even notified my bank yet. The withdrawal usually shows up in my account before Wodders gets home.

Here's hoping...?

[ 06. February 2013, 03:55: Message edited by: PeteC ]
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
We had snow, now we have no snow. Or ice. But a very cold wind.

Will just have to make the best of it - at least I can get the car out of the garage without slipping back in again!

And I think I saw a gleam of sun just then!
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Too cold here and the overcast sky makes me reluctant to go to the shops. I might spend the morning decluttering the main bedroom before planning Saturday's tutorial.
But first a cup of tea
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:
It's even more impressive that they haven't even notified my bank yet. The withdrawal usually shows up in my account before Wodders gets home.

Here's hoping...?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
We had a tiny, miniscule sprinkle of rain just as I rode back from the ATM this morning - I got my money - but it only lasted two minutes. We are all hoping that we will get a load more tonight.

---

Was it your money or the rain that only lasted two minutes? I hope it's the money that you're hoping for a load more!

 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Indeed it was the rain that was shortlived, I have yet to transfer the money from my trouser pocket to the drawer where it lives so must do that before bed, in a few minutes.

This morning I received a gift - a Friend from my Quaker Meeting sent me a copy of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel so I have indulged myself this evening - a lovely movie that frequently brought me to tears, again! Great cast so it had a head start but tonight I was particularly impressed with Penelope Wilton as the insufferable wife - she had some great lines!

[ 07. February 2013, 12:32: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Cold and grey - but mercifully not raining today.

I messed up my diary and thought I had a meeting in (nearest big city) this morning...but meeting is actually for 7th MARCH.

A blessing of time in which to catch up and get stuff done!

Coffee, anyone? We have no cake (as I am not allowed to eat cake for the sake of my waistline) but I could let you into my secret chocolate stash (which I am also not allowed to eat, so you would be doing me a favour as it has a very loud voice at times...it says "Eat Me"!)
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I have a small chocolate stash here too - Green and Blacks milk chocolate with sea salt, hmmmmm.
 

---

Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
Oh, I've not done the muddle February and March dates things for a few years now, but I'm sure one of the reasons I dislike February so much is the chaos in the diary potential!

I've been really brave and tackled the new on line holiday booking system at my main place of employment. 3/4 of an hour, and 25 automated e-mails later, I think we've got all my holidays sorted, and booked in. At least, the system and I agree as to how many hours I have left to take!

Shame my next lot of "holiday" is going to be Holy Week, I could do with a week's sleep now.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I don't think I'm planning any meaningful holidays until about August. They're very big on public holidays here - we get about 15 of the bloody things, but they're un fat lot de bon if your Nearest and Dearest live on the other side of the planet. Having said that, my boss (who's also British and shares my predicament) is very flexible about me working P. hols and taking the time when I want to take it - another reason I love my job.

Had a nice afternoon today - haircut followed by retail therapy. There's a chain of clothes shops here whose loyalty card scheme sends you a voucher for your birthday (mine's on Sunday) giving you 40% off any one item of clothing, so I got myself a sweater. Actually I got two, as there was another that was so much reduced in the sales that it would have been criminally stupid not to buy it ... Then when D. came to pick me up we went and got one of these for the kitchen.

Things chez Piglet are beginning to look up.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Sounds like a good day piglet.
We're off to Edinburgh to visit relatives next week but no plans later in the year. We usually go camping on the Norfolk coast or hire a cottage on the broads in the spring. Last year we had our first family summer holiday abroad, a trip to Sorrento so we could visit Pompeii and Vesuvius. Not sure what we'll do for our main trip this year.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
One of the drawbacks of being retired is that there are no holidays entitlements, no provision for sick leave, even - no little perks at all.

It's Hell.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
One of the drawbacks of being retired is that there are no holidays entitlements, no provision for sick leave, even - no little perks at all.

It's Hell.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
I don't think I'm planning any meaningful holidays until about August.

---

What about planning a totally arbitrary and hedonistic one instead? - could be fun!

[ 08. February 2013, 11:13: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
There's an idea now, BT.

I had another rather good day - picked up boots from cobbler on the way to work (just as well, as the temperature was -12° and -20 with the wind-chill and we're expecting another 8 inches of snow tomorrow). Then after a truncated work-day, went out for lunch with the lab staff to a v. good Indian buffet, where I ate too much (as you do at buffets). At least I wasn't tempted by the rice-pudding - nothing could tempt me to rice-pudding.

Then a spot of volunteering at the Cathedral office followed by an abortive hunt for new curtains - why do they assume that you've got ceilings high enough to accommodate 7-foot curtains?
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Indian "rice" pudding ( made with vermicelli) is a sugar-laden food of the Gods.

Himself (and now, Herself) make if with Equal ™ just for me.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
At least I wasn't tempted by the rice-pudding - nothing could tempt me to rice-pudding.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
...why do they assume that you've got ceilings high enough to accommodate 7-foot curtains?

---

Because it is easier to take curtains up than it is to extend them?

Saturday morning walk to the little mosque and back earlier and the lad I wanted to see there was indeed there and saw me and came over to collect his photos - nice lad, 14 years old BUT his colour co-ordination skills are still to be honed - bright orange trousers and a shocking pink shirt created a bit of a clash! I hope the poor teacher was able to either do the class in the dark or seat the lad at the back as looking at that for an hour could have been a bit migraine inducing.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I love rice pudding
Teaching today and I feel sooooo tired.
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
.... why do they assume that you've got ceilings high enough to accommodate 7-foot curtains?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
... snowing on and off most of the day ...

---

Here it snowed on and on for most of the day.

We've probably had at least a foot of it, most of which has either drifted or been ploughed over towards our house.

Had a lazy, indoor day: after a v. long lie coloured my hair (the grey ones always show up more when it's been cut), made macaroni cheese for supper, and cleared all the bruck* from the dining-table. Then D. assembled the new butcher's block thingy, which suits the space very nicely.

* bruck, n. Orkney word for rubbish
 

---

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
Snowing here right now. Good morning everyone

Soon it will be time to get up. Then church followed by a very late Christmas dinner with friends.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by balaam:
Snowing here right now. Good morning everyone

Soon it will be time to get up. Then church followed by a very late Christmas dinner with friends.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
Then D. assembled the new butcher's block thingy, which suits the space very nicely.

---

You have a butcher's block in your dining room?

Nen - thinking she may have missed something.
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
No snow here...yet...but it hasn't stopped raining all day and is a very overcast louring sort of day. Horrid. And cold.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Rain all day and the sleet is now settling into snow. Apparently we're due for 15 hours non-stop of this, which is likely to make the morning commute "interesting".

I keep checking the weather forecast in the hope it might change, but no joy so far.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
No sign of the predicted snow here and I'm very glad of it as I have to catch a train to Edinburgh in the morning and don't want any interruptions to my connections.
 

---

Posted by Chamois (# 16204) on :
 
It's been raining here all day, but it's not nearly cold enough for snow.

Very depressing. On and on for hours and hours.

But I spent a very pleasant afternoon cooking so it wasn't all bad.
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
You should be in s*dding Paris. Cold and extremely wet. We researched our restaurant, checked it offered evening and weekend meals, and set off. A few missed turnings and we eventually found it - closed.

Fortunately the cafe where we lunched was still open, and offered perfectly good moules and frites.

It's been a classic dish sort of trip. Quite a lot of Croque Monsieur, steak in a Perigord sauce, and coq au vin. Our one misfire was the classy burger place - they should stick to their own cuisine.
 

---

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
Yes we had turkey. But by then the snow had become first sleet and then rain. As it has got colder this rain has turned back into snow, and there is a thin covering of white outside now.
 

---

Posted by Ye Olde Motherboarde (# 54) on :
 
Watching the BAFTA awards and trying to figure out what the heck does EE stand for?
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ye Olde Motherboarde:
Watching the BAFTA awards and trying to figure out what the heck does EE stand for?

---

EE is the sponsor of the BAFTAs. It looks like it's taken over Orange, T-mobile and one or two others.

I'd never heard of them either.
 

---

Posted by Ye Olde Motherboarde (# 54) on :
 
Thanks, Sioni,
I tried google, but all I got was a shoe company! Obviously, I don't do searches well.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nenya:
You have a butcher's block in your dining room?

---

Not exactly - the kitchen and dining-room are one space, and as it's on casters, the butcher's block (over here it's called a "kitchen cart") can serve either as a divider between the two, or as a small island unit in the kitchen. Coming from a Small Island™, myself I can appreciate its usefulness ...

Had a nice birthday - because of the weather, the choir and congregation were both a bit thin on the ground this morning, but we had enough to do a choral service during which D. managed to work in "Happy Birthday" as the choir was processing in. Then we had planned to try out a new restaurant for lunch, but it was closed because of the weather, and we ended up at a hotel restaurant where the food was unimaginative but not bad (decent steak and eggs, not bad fish and chips), but the wine was awful - Pinot Grigio at warm room temperature and I suspect from a bottle that had been opened rather too long ago.

After Evensong the choir had a wee bit of a do to mark the last Sunday before Lent, D's 10th anniversary as organist here and my birthday. It was very civilised and included CAKE, some of which we brought home, so please help yourselves.
 

---

Posted by Ye Olde Motherboarde (# 54) on :
 
So sorry about all the terrible weather. I hope everyone is safe and warm.
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
I know I'm getting more confused as I get older but it took me a looooong time to find my usual weather station.!

Cold here, biting wind, but just a dusting of snow. I really don't want it any thicker.

Can't think of anything cheering this morning, so I'll just offer coffee, tea and a choice of hobnobs or digestives. Take your pick!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
We have Butterscotch Cookies that a Certain Canadian Diabetic seems to rather enjoy and, so far, they haven't mucked up his blood sugar too much - which is a bit sad as it means there are fewer for me! They'd be superb dunked in hot almond milk, which I really must try sometime soon.

eta: being lactose intolerant he eschews the hot milk bit and somehow I can't imagine dunking them in black tea!

[ 11. February 2013, 08:02: Message buggered about with by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Do I spot a Hellions and Angels' Bouncy castle on the poop deck just over there WW? →

<edited because H&A's are cleverer than anticipated!>

[ 11. February 2013, 10:16: Message buggered about with by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

 

---

Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Sorry Firenze, this was a miserable weekend to visit Paris. My parents were here too. We went to the market on Saturday morning so most of the delicacies were produced at home (we got mussels for Saturday night and a bunny rabbit for yesterday) and also got some very fine patisserie out of Fauchon (obscenely expensive but worth it). We also went for galettes because we were in Montparnasse which is where all the best creperies are.

Yesterday we wandered round the Musée d'Orsay because it was too cold and rainy and sleety to go anywhere outdoors.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
My head now hurts with this bouncy castle day - It makes me appreciate the usual orderly decks here!

Meanwhile I have lemon drizzle cake, tea and coffee for all in need! ☕☕ ☕☕ ☕☕
 

---

Posted by rosamundi (# 2495) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
I'm a bit put off by the thought that the Eurostar often seems to feature in the news as having got stuck in a tunnel for hours,

---

It makes the news because it actually happens quite rarely. The nature of the company I work for means someone catches it at least once a week, and none of them has ever been stuck on a broken down train.
 

---

Posted by Loveheart (# 12249) on :
 
Completely off topic, but I was drawn back to this thread, because at the moment I feel like a sad person with no real friends locally. Mainly because someone I thought was a friend had a party, invited our other friends and left me out. Billy no-mates, thats me
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
Can't say I am a great fan of the thread's new title but sorry to moan twice on two threads, h*** that isn't a banning offence, and have no idea why the word I've typed there and any other word I've tried ending in o and p and e comes up with three asterisks. Think I must be missing something and am tired and haven't the patience to work it out.

Nen - off to cook the tea before she gets herself into more trouble.
 

---

Posted by Cthulhu (# 16186) on :
 
NENYA. I'LL BE YOUR FRIEND. YOU'RE MY BITCH NOW.
 

---

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
'kin brilliant. Can we keep the new thread title?
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Nenya, don't worry. The mysteries of H and A days are quite beyond the understanding of us mere mortals.

You learn something new every day - I thought lactose intolerance referred to cows' milk, and that almond milk would be a good substitute.

My mother-in-law uses soy milk (which is absolutely horrid) as she was told to avoid dairy products as part of a rather odd arthritic diet.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
AHA!! Almond milk is made with cow's milk, sugar [or equiv.] and ground almonds, cashews and pistachios. It is VERY tasty and I often have it at breakfast.
 

---

Posted by Cthulhu (# 16186) on :
 
YOU SHOULD TRY CTHULHU MILK. IT'S VERY TASTY.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
awwww Cthulhu, you are 100% kind.

❤❤((huggles))❤❤
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Loveheart - I feel the same way - plenty of friendly acquaintances, but no real friends. And not even a sniff of a party!

I thought almond milk was all almonds - had no idea it was part cows' milk. As I'm lactose intolerant as well, I use soya, (soya light now as been told to have low-fat diet ) You get used to it.

Mr.N is diabetic. It all makes for difficult menu planning!
 

---

Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
You learn something new every day - I thought lactose intolerance referred to cows' milk, and that almond milk would be a good substitute.

My mother-in-law uses soy milk (which is absolutely horrid) as she was told to avoid dairy products as part of a rather odd arthritic diet.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
Nenya, don't worry. The mysteries of H and A days are quite beyond the understanding of us mere mortals.

---

Thank you; yes, I'm realising that.

Nen - keeping her head down as much as possible.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
My mother-in-law uses soy milk (which is absolutely horrid) as she was told to avoid dairy products as part of a rather odd arthritic diet.

---

Depends which kind you get, IMO. The unsweetened kind takes a bit of getting used to. The sweetened kind is sweetened with natural apple juice, and I used to buy that and enjoyed it. Soya milk doesn't do well in hot drinks, though.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I've only ever had it in tea, and that very rarely: she usually gets in some Real Milk when we go over (bless her).

It would appear to be sn*wing again - I think we're expecting another 6 inches or so before the morning, but probably not enough for a sn*w day. Mind you, the forecast for Sunday night's looking interesting ...
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Ash Wednesday mass was at 07.00 but we made it and both Himself and Uncle Pete got smudged, which has to be better than being Smudgied!

I think I'm heading back to bed in a minute.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Ash Wednesday mass was at 07.00 but we made it and both Himself and Uncle Pete got smudged, which has to be better than being Smudgied!

I think I'm heading back to bed in a minute.

---

psst: He's not up yet!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I am now! Just making a hot drink then might read a bit - you have no idea how tough retirement can be!
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
We've got our title back - hurrah!

Snow is falling here and the window cleaner has just arrived I suppose they have to earn a living but ...

I'm supposed to be going to visit Mum but we are being warned off the motorways and the other choice is over the hills, hmmm ...

The birds are loving the warm water I put in their bath and splashing away as the snow comes down
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
I wouldn't go over the hills, Boogie - its getting quite nasty here, and you are higher than us, I think! Had to go out for a 9.0 am appointment and traffic was quite mad. A couple of flakes of snow and everything goes into mayhem mode!

Good day to stay indoors with hot drinks!
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Snowing here in Edinburgh too, the boys are just off swimming but I'm going to stay cosy here.
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Snowed, cold but thawing today.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
The heap of snow outside Château Piglet seems to have turned into a solid, undiggable boulder. I really ought to put some salt on it, but it's late and I'm indoors ...

Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes safely dispatched this evening with the help of music by Byrd (Mass for Four Voices and Ave verum).

D's lunch-time organ recital today wasn't the least bit Ash-Wednesday-ish: he decided to mark the 10th anniversary of his taking up the post by playing some of his own favourite music, so we had Susato, Praetorius, Scheidt, Bach, Howells and Mulet. Very nice it was too.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Yesterday evening I was standing on a station platform shivering on a cold winter's night as sleet, turning increasingly to snow, whirled around. My fingers had gone numb and the wind was cutting effortlessly through my clothes. I got home to find my car, which I'd cleared of snow the night before, under another three inches of it.

This evening I was standing on a station platform on a mild spring evening, and there was still sunlight, blue sky and clouds with a rosy tint. When I got home the sun was setting, the stars were out and a clear crescent moon burning brightly in the sky. There was no trace of snow. At lunchtime there had been snowdrops, buds on the daffodils, and the first tentative blossoms on trees: from unmistakable winter to unequivocal spring, overnight.
 

---

Posted by QLib (# 43) on :
 
Yes, suddenly it even smells like spring.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
While the afternoons have become lighter since the turn of the year it's only in the last fortnight that the mornings are noticeably brighter.

Mornings like today are particularly welcome.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I woke in the night to the sound of torrential rain, I was so pleased to hear it! I then woke up this morning to find it was all a dream!



Ah well, worse things happen at sea - but perhaps I shouldn't say that when we are all at sea anyway!
 

---

Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 

quote:

---

originally posted by Sioni Sais

While the afternoons have become lighter since the turn of the year it's only in the last fortnight that the mornings are noticeably brighter.

---

It starts getting lighter in the evening about 3 weeks earlier than it starts getting lighter in the morning. Earliest sunset around 12th of December, latest sunrise around 4th of January.

so I'm just about to leave work in the daylight for the first time this year.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
That has yet to come, but I do now arrive home around sunset.

Friday night, and a difficult decision to make: Indian or Chinese? The trouble is when you're walking home past various outlets, and are hungry, everything smells good...
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
We have the most fabulous new Indian very near us (well, Sri Lankan really) I would eat there verey day!

No so keen on Chinese - too much monosodium glutamate for me.


 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
We have the most fabulous new Indian very near us (well, Sri Lankan really) I would eat there verey day!

No so keen on Chinese - too much monosodium glutamate for me.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
While the afternoons have become lighter since the turn of the year it's only in the last fortnight that the mornings are noticeably brighter.

Mornings like today are particularly welcome.

---

The morning commute is now fully in daylight. it will be a few weeks before the evening commute can even start, let alone finish, in the light. Fully commuting in the light will have to wait until BST is upon us.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Being of a certain age a few weeks ago I filled in the online form for the Department of Work and Pensions and yesterday an envelope arrived giving me my estimated State Pension that I can claim staring in just over 12 months time. I was pleasantly surprised by their working out and look forward to receiving it when the time comes. I shall claim it as soon as is possible as I can't see the point in not doing so - who knoweth the hour, and all that. My calculations were a bit off, or perhaps overenthusiastic, to start with but then I realised that I will have to pay tax on it but even after it is reduced by 20% it will still make a difference to our lives - and I am old enough and, perhaps, wise enough to see taxation as ultimately a Good Thing, even if I don't always approve of the way HMG spends its income.
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
Wonderful sunshine has drawn me out into the garden for the second half of the first real tidy up of spring. A quick cuppa then a trip to the dump & look for some potted spring flowers to cheer the garden up a little.
Anyone care to join me for tea & biscuits?
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Same here daisydaisy - and as I was sweeping then pressure washing the patio I heard all around me doing the same!

Yes please to the tea
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
A 12 year old and a 13 year old came around this afternoon wanting some music downloading from the internet - they need it for school tomorrow! Anyway they asked what other music I have so I replied mostly Western Classical so they wanted to hear some and I played them one of Strauss's Four Last Songs sung by Jessye Norman - tee hee. They were not impressed!
 

---

Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
Maybe you should have played them Kirsten Flagstad.

There seems to be some contest between UK and India to see who can charge most for a visa. I was vaguely looking into a holiday to India but £92 just to enter the country has rather put me off.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Ah yes, it is expensive but think of it as paying to meet some lovely, charming people!

...as well as me, of course.


 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I feel very proud of my little self - I have just reduced my PM box to be holding just 10 [8 in and 2 out].



Last night my dream of rain wasn't a dream! We had a great storm and loads of the wet stuff - we still want more, of course, but at least it is a step in the right direction.

Now I must change my bedlinen and put a load in the washing machine - it is all go!
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:

Now I must change my bedlinen and put a load in the washing machine - it is all go!

---

It rained in?

It does here - our Chicken Licken situation continues, luckily only when the wind is in the right (wrong) direction. The whole roof needs replacing so we are waiting on the builders.

My thoughts on the matter? Lots of great photo opportunities coming up - hehe!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
We all have scheduled wash days here - in this climate bedlinen and clothes all need changing frequently so I have Tuesdays and Fridays, Pete has Wednesday and Saturday and the other two have Monday and Thursday.

We now have a bright and sunny afternoon so my stuff should be all dry soon, probably by now but I'll get it in when the day has cooled a little.

eta: ...then head into town after dark to pick up more tablets for my poor arthritic knees!

[ 19. February 2013, 09:18: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Bright and sunny here but with a touch of frost. I really should be writing an essay (nothing too taxing, just a short analysis of a primary source for my history course) but I really can't get motivated....
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I know how you feel, HA. I should be typing the minutes from the Anglican Cemetery Committee meeting I've just come from, but as we were without interweb from Saturday evening (new deal with cable provider) I'm so pleased to be with it again I had to call in to the tea shop to say hello.

I'll put the kettle on - has anyone got any CAKE?
 

---

Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
I could do with a cuppa, though it's a bit early for cake.... did I really just say that? I may get into the mood for baking some later, though. It's going to be one of those days - I've got to sit in for the men coming to deliver my new fridge freezer some time between 7am and 7pm. It'll be nice to be able to store food again! Knowing my luck, they'll arrive during the 20 minutes it takes for me to nip round to my friend's house and give her cat a tablet.

Talking of cats - we now have a new member of the family.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:

I'll put the kettle on - has anyone got any CAKE?

---

Yes - a new experiment, almond and white chocolate You are welcome.
 

---

Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:

I'll put the kettle on - has anyone got any CAKE?

---

Yes - a new experiment, almond and white chocolate You are welcome.

---

Almond and white chocolate sounds yummy, Boogie - my recent cranberry and white chocolate blondies were a real treat too, though I remain to be convinced that they are better than Jamie's 30 minute brownies with stem ginger, pecans and sour cherries

Talking of food, the woodpecker was rattling away in the trees behind our garden when I cam out to come to work this morning. I love to hear him then, it cheers me that someone else is working for their breakfast!

Mrs. S, misery loving company
 

---

Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Smudgie:


Talking of cats - we now have a new member of the family.

---

Tell us more, Smudgie! Name, colour, nature, size. All details please!
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Any cake sounds yummy, though almond and white chocolate is more than heavenly!

Unfortunately, more than just a morsel of cake is a no-no for me, having been put permanently on a low-fat diet.

The older |I get the less fun there is in life!

I do have the excitement of a plain digestive biscuit with my coffee though!
 

---

Posted by blackbeard (# 10848) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicodemia:
...permanently on a low-fat diet.

The older |I get the less fun there is in life!

.....

---

On a low-fat, low sugar diet too (well, sort of), but still having fun ....

Blackbeard, 69
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Almond and white chocolate sounds fantastic I'm on the 5:2 diet (intermittent fasting) and can have cake today. Re: brownies, chocolate and peanut butter are yummy.
I'm having a rather dull housework day - I've done the weekly shop, fed chickens, done laundry, tidied the veg rack..... reaps I should do some baking to cheer myself up.
I miss having cats around, I always had cats until I was married but dh is less keen.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Yesterday I was very naughty and had a small portion of fruit cake and Wensleydale for breakfast.
 

---

Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
Some cake recipes work well if you use natural yoghourt instead of margarine. I haven't tried the fat free yoghourt but if you are allowed the small amount of fat in ordinary yoghourt it's worth trying.
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
I've found some cake recipes that use puréed apple instead of fat. I would think both apple and yoghurt would make a cake nice and moist. (I don't mean together!)

I must have a go next time I'm feeling creative!
 

---

Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
If you can find a recipe for a 'brack' (Not sure of one off the top of my head, sorry), they often don't have added fat in them. Some just soak the fruit in tea for moistness. Not pure diet food because of the sugar, but more so than a chocolate fudge cake and just as tasty.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Brack is always good. And you can toast the slices and have them with butter.

Have spent much of the day in and around bed staving off a chest infection - seems to have been successful, but there clearly isn't much truth in the theory that eating a lot of oranges and ingesting extra Vitamin C in various forms on a daily basis will stop you catching a cold.
 

---

Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
[science tangent]
Eating oranges only works if you are short of vitamin C. Above a certain amount, the body gets rid of any excess of the vitamin. That's why you can't be poisoned by megadoses, unlike vitamin A. I believe hot fruit juice reduces some of the symptoms though, so hot lemon or blackcurrant might make you feel better. Also, tasty.
[/science tangent]
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
ingesting extra Vitamin C in various forms on a daily basis will stop you catching a cold.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... it was a festival with a difference as the main activity was ... cooking.

---

Yeah, right. I thought the main activity in all your festivals was cooking.

Today was cancelled - we had a snow-day and the campus was closed, so L's PhD defence had to be postponed (as is the party). I felt bad for him, as it had already been postponed from last week (for some other reason), and his mum had changed flights from the other side of the island to get here for the celebrations.

However, I used the time to put a coat of primer on the little drawer-unit, and with any luck we'll get paint and new drawer-handles for it tomorrow, so I don't feel as if I've wasted the entire day.

[ 23. February 2013, 00:56: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I will cheerfully admit that one of the main activities of most of our festivals is eating but this sort of communal/individual cooking is interesting to watch. There was an Alms Feast going on as well which was much enjoyed by the kids from the two local secondary schools who descended en masse to have a free lunch. We were accosted by several kids who live locally to us but attend one of these schools - "Hello Uncle" rang out regularly across the temple precinct.

After we had partaken of the Alms Feast [only out of politeness, of course] Pete was still hungry so he and I had a couple of battered hot peppers each - complete with spicy sauce.



Spike, you'd love them - a 6 inch long hot pepper that has been battered and deep fried, amazingly bad for you, I'd guess, but they taste wondrous!
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
First week of Lent and the cravings have kicked in. Bizarrely, what I really want is a bowl of Butterscotch Angel Delight, though one of those chocolate-covered mallow things with a jam centre would be good too. Which are things I've not had in 20 years, don't know why I should be thinking of them now.

Meanwhile I'm making do with clementines, and it's snowing again, though not settling. More a weekend for staying in by the fire with a good book than anything - nice to have two whole days to do just that if needed.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I'd forgotten all about Angel Delight!

(Just think of it as a bunch of gloopy chemicals - that'll put you off!)

Flurries of snow here - and freeeezing! I have a pile of marking and will get on with it just now ... yes really I will ...
 

---

Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
I think that this ending to Newsnight belongs here.

Jengie
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
A light snow here earlier. I've been teaching all morning and am now feeling rather lazy though I might have to do some housework soon. I'd rather be at a nice celebration eating battered hot peppers
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
That was a delight Jengie, thank you.

We have just had supper - a rather garlicky soup [scrumptious] and some Kerala style potato cake things that are made with mashed potato, a little plain flour and a little rice flour then rolled out to a millimetre or so thick then cooked quickly on a dry medium griddle.

Yum, yum, yum...
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jengie Jon:
I think that this ending to Newsnight belongs here.

Jengie

---

I must re-watch all of these.

Wonderful
 

---

Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Am now stuck with the Roobarb and Custard theme going round in my head. Hoping that they show some repeats, as it would qualify as a Richard Briers tribute (conspicuous by it's absence on tv this week).

On a theme, I've been to this today; I'll be having rhubarb and chilli pork pie and rhubarb brack for tea.
 

---

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
First week of Lent and the cravings have kicked in. Bizarrely, what I really want is a bowl of Butterscotch Angel Delight,

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jengie Jon:
I think that this ending to Newsnight belongs here.

---

I have to confess that - meaning no disrespect to the memory of the gentleman who created it - this reminded me of why I didn't like Roobarb and Custard: the jiggly animation made my eyes hurt, and it still does.

Made a batch of red-pepper jelly this afternoon (one of my colleagues in the choir has just had a birthday, so present was required). I bought a big bag of something called "ancient sweet peppers" the other day, mostly because they came in a packet that was all red peppers, and I really didn't want orange and yellow ones, so I hope they've worked. They look like hugely over-sized red chillies, but I had a taste of one and they don't seem to pack too much heat, so I hope they've worked.

Just back from v. social party celebrating M's retirement. When we arrived, his grand-daughter presented us with two bar tokens each, and D. was drinking tea, so I've had rather a lot of wine ...

Now what is it I've got to sing tomorrow?
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
On the subject of Wakefield I once met a distant cousin, this is a LONG time ago, who was chaplain at a large psychiatric hospital somewhere in that vicinity but, sadly, it is a place I have never visited but have heard good things about - that is Wakefield, not the hospital.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
❀❀❀ Good morning all! ❀❀❀

I thought I'd post some flowers to remind us that spring really is just round the corner - even 'tho it's freeeezing outside!
 

---

Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Welease Wodderick

The hospital was Stanley Royd. Well there is just a dim chance that your cousin knew my father, but then given the depth of the dim and dark past my Dad may have been before his time. Dad was minister of a local church in Wakefield and ever so often did pastoral visiting at Stanley Royd. At least one inmate was connected to his congregation.

Jengie
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Bitterly cold again today with more tiny snowflakes. You have to love the subtitles on the BBC, the weather forecast just produced this gem:

"The wind strengths in the southeast corner the Dean in the showers."
 

---

Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
All my "Good Morning"s are being replaced by "It's Freezing" today. It's cold out there.

Re: Stanley Royd. Yep, that's the one. I'm wondering if I may also know of the cousin/chaplain of which you speak as about half my family worked there at some point during the 70s and 80s. Was he a fan of amatuer dramatics? Sadly the hospital was closed down and converted into flats not that long since.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Yes indeed, Stanley Royd - and does the word Pindisfields bear any relation to that?

I can't remember the cousin's name but he was of my dad's generation, roughly, so would be about 100 now, give or take a bit.
 

---

Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Yep, that sounds about right. I believe he was in place for a very long time, and then stayed on to look after the hospital museum for a bit.

Pinderfields is the main general hospital, just refitted into something that resembles an airport waiting lounge, complete with 'gates'.

The world is quite scarily small.
 

---

Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Pinderfields ismain general hospital in Wakefield.

Dad was minister of Zion Wakefield, which will out me to those that know, but I am pretty out anyway.

Jengie

[ 24. February 2013, 16:23: Message edited by: Jengie Jon ]
 

---

Posted by North East Quine (# 13049) on :
 
Re Angel Delight; when my son was about 4 I was called to his nursery school. He was in tears for no reason that the nursery teachers could fathom, and was flinching away from them, refusing to speak. When I got there and asked what was wrong, he sobbed "They're trying to make me eat a dead angel!"

Yup, guess what that day's snack had been?
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Aaahhh - poor little Quinelet*.

* I know that should be "loonlet", but you get the idea.
 

---

Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Can't offer cake on account of lent, but I did feel extremely motivated this weekend and made my own bread

Normally I never make bread myself because the stuff from the French boulangeries is so good but this weekend I had a major burst of domesticity.

You'll have to be quick because there's not much left.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We got a bread-making machine a while ago, and D's getting really good at it. I love coming into the kitchen to the aroma of baking bread.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
We use a bread machine, we usually use it make dough and then bake it ourselves as this gives the best result. Freshly baked bread is delicious
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
We've got a bread machine - well, I've got it actually, Sir never goes near it - and it makes lovely bread, but I do notice the size and shapeliness of the loaf varies a lot. I've come to the conclusion that the age of the yeast and the flour makes a difference.

However, that just adds to the charm. The taste is always excellent.

And the aroma is simply wonderful!
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We haven't tried any of the ones where it does the kneading but you have to bake it in the oven; it seems to rather defeat the purpose of having an all-in-one machine. Having said that, I'd like to try making my own French sticks.

One of these days ...
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
okay gang, help me out here. We have a television crew spending the winter here (another %^$%& Alaskan reality show) and they're all from the UK - 6 Englishmen and a Scot. I was just talking with one and he's homesick but here for another 7 weeks. What can I do to do something nice for them? keep in mind it's hard to get good tea and we already have pasties. I offered to microwave his beer for him but he didn't think it was funny.

if you were a long way from home and in what appears to be Father Winter's left armpit, what would make you feel at home? that one bartender can do, anyway?
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
We haven't tried any of the ones where it does the kneading but you have to bake it in the oven; it seems to rather defeat the purpose of having an all-in-one machine. Having said that, I'd like to try making my own French sticks.

One of these days ...

---

Dh sometimes let's it bake in the machine so we wake up to bread baking but we have a dough only option (we also have a jam making option!) and as I'm home all day I use this one to make loaves and rolls in the shapes I want. I don't have the upper body strength to make good dough myself.
Comet, will think on what I'd miss, though it would probably be the decent tea!
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Oh yes - I love my bread maker, it makes a small, one pound loaf so I put it on every morning. Bought bread now tastes of chemicals in comparison.



Comet - on a cold winters day a really nice casserole with dumplings is great homely comfort food.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
...and put some dried herbs in the dumplings so they taste even better!
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:

Comet, will think on what I'd miss, though it would probably be the decent tea!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by comet:
if you were a long way from home and in what appears to be Father Winter's left armpit, what would make you feel at home? that one bartender can do, anyway?

---

Can you arrange a "UK-themed evening" at your bar or is that too much? You could ask them to help arrange it. With luck it should get them perked up a bit, but even if it doesn't take off they might still have a few laughs suggesting appropriate things for it.
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
I was thinking of that, Ariel. I can get live English/Scottish/Irish music pretty easy, would that be too cliche?

I'm afraid this time of the year, the beer will be chilled no matter what, as our keg room isn't heated.

We don't have a kitchen, but the ladies and I can prepare stuff at home. Pub food would be....? I've watched a lot of Midsomer Murders but didn't pay attention to the food.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Taylor's of Harrogate make both Yorkshire Tea and Yorkshire Gold - many people prefer the plain Yorkshire.

Of course, the most popular food in UK is reputed to be Chicken Tikka Masala but...
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
A quick vox pop on the subjct of pub food has produced the following results:

Fish and chips (i.e. deep fried fish in batter with chunky French fries)
Ham/gammon, egg and chips (the gammon will need a ring of tinned pineapple on top)
Curry with rice (chips are optional here)
Pie and mash (steak and ale pie? chicken pie? and mashed potato)
Scampi and chips (see fish and chips)
Sausages and mash
Baked potatoes with filling of your choice
Chilli con carne
Lasagne with garlic bread
Sandwiches (some might be toasted)

Sticky toffee pudding
Fruit crumble with custard
Chocolate sponge pudding

[ 27. February 2013, 08:01: Message edited by: Ariel ]
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
All of what Ariel says, plus make them laugh! Talk a lot to them, and make them laugh.

You can forget you are homesick when you are laughing!
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I was just about to say steak and ale pie too I agree about casserole and dumplings, good homely food to eat with a beer.
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
Liver, bacon & mashed potatoes - you can tell a good chefcby their L&B
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
We haven't tried any of the ones where it does the kneading but you have to bake it in the oven; it seems to rather defeat the purpose of having an all-in-one machine. Having said that, I'd like to try making my own French sticks.

One of these days ...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
A quick vox pop on the subjct of pub food has produced the following results:

Fish and chips (i.e. deep fried fish in batter with chunky French fries)
Ham/gammon, egg and chips (the gammon will need a ring of tinned pineapple on top)
Curry with rice (chips are optional here)
Pie and mash (steak and ale pie? chicken pie? and mashed potato)
Scampi and chips (see fish and chips)
Sausages and mash
Baked potatoes with filling of your choice
Chilli con carne
Lasagne with garlic bread
Sandwiches (some might be toasted)

Sticky toffee pudding
Fruit crumble with custard
Chocolate sponge pudding

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by daisydaisy:
Liver, bacon & mashed potatoes - you can tell a good chef by their L&B

---

Very true indeed, though a lot of people don't like liver.

I don't suppose you have any way of obtaining (English) baked beans up there?
 

---

Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Very occasionally some other British expats and I spend an afternoon being British together. This consists of drinking copious quantities of tea (unfortunately a bit difficult for you to arrange), making a humungous great fry-up (sausage, bacon, eggs, baked beans, fried bread, the works) and watching BBC Britcoms. Does your bar have TV screens for the transmission of Blackadder et al?

(I think the next time we do this will probably be on April 21st, on account of it being (a) a Sunday and (b) the Queen's birthday. In a spirit of irony which no one quite seems to get, we will raise our teacups to her Maj together )
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
My son is in the air right now doing practice circuits in an Airbus A319. I am very excited!

Here is a link to his plane in real time!

Link


 

---

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
Our American friends were astonished at the flavour and tetxture and variety of British cheese. If you could get hold of some "artisan" cheese - ie, made in a local dairy, and serve it with apples, pickles and bread, that would probably go down well, Comet. "Ploughman's lunch" is a pub standby.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
For entertainment, how about a pub quiz with a slight British theme to it?

Can you get in some decent whisky (I'd recommend Highland Park) for the Scot?

On the subject of finding British drinks, D. found some gift-boxed bottles of English beer (including Shepherd Neame and Greene King) in the NLC (local off-licence) the other day, and we gave some as a present to an English friend here whose retirement party we were at last weekend.
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Congrats to No. 1 Booglet and I hope the practice goes well. Then he will be able to fly real passengers!

Will you be flying with him, Boogie?
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Is it possible for one of us to post tea bags to Comet? They aren't very heavy...I don't mind, if it would help homesick people to feel a bit happier?
 

---

Posted by Yangtze (# 4965) on :
 
Oh good point. I could post some too. (Though given I have letters in my bag that I have failed to post all week the crew may be back in Blighty before I got round to sending them.)

I'm still reeling at the idea of a town where no-where sells tea.

Other suggestions:

- insult them (in a friendly way of course)
- be gloomy and downbeat rather than relentlessly cheerful
- invite them to your homes (nothing worse than living in hotels for months or, even if they've got their own digs, can be isolating)
- play British radio (must be possible through Internet) - give them the Today programme so they can shout at John Humphries from far away
- ask them to teach you Cockney Rhyming Slang
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicodemia:
Congrats to No. 1 Booglet and I hope the practice goes well. Then he will be able to fly real passengers!

Will you be flying with him, Boogie?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by comet:
if you were a long way from home and in what appears to be Father Winter's left armpit, what would make you feel at home? that one bartender can do, anyway?

---

Well, you could do something to remind them of one of the UK's most famous bartenders - Bet Lynch. Important aspects are big blond hair, BIG ear-rings, leopard-skin everything, as much cleavage as you can manage and, if possible, a Manchester accent (try You-tube for some examples).

And post photos.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Yangtze:
Other suggestions:

- insult them (in a friendly way of course)
- be gloomy and downbeat rather than relentlessly cheerful
- invite them to your homes (nothing worse than living in hotels for months or, even if they've got their own digs, can be isolating)
- play British radio (must be possible through Internet) - give them the Today programme so they can shout at John Humphries from far away
- ask them to teach you Cockney Rhyming Slang

---

Whinge about the weather. In an understated way. "I see we've had a bit of a dusting", when there's 10' of snow outside. "Bit of a breeze out there", when there's an icy gale that cuts straight through the 6 layers you're wearing. "Don't suppose they'll grit the roads round here this year either." And finish off with "Oh, well, mustn't grumble."
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
And don't forget the Newfoundland response to heavy rain: "At least you don't have to shovel it".

It's rained for most of the day here, which is a good thing as it's shifted a good bit of the snow (helped by the council chaps who came round last night to clear some of it away and dump it in the harbour).

I've been Domestic Goddess Piglet today - I've painted the little drawer unit thingy, and now all it needs is nice drawer-handles.

And I've got a beef pot-roast bubbling merrily in the slow-cooker for tomorrow's lunch. I got a new slow-cooker recipe book for my birthday; not only does it have interesting things besides soups and casseroles (pot-roasts, pâtés and terrines and CAKES), but the measurements are in English as well as American and it doesn't have a single recipe for chilli con carne (my other slow-cooker book has about 15 pages of chilli recipes ).
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Yesterday we all, except Pete who stayed at home, went to a memorial mass for the grandmother of one of the lads we know from church, or one of the churches we go to - the Syro-Malabar one. There was a mass then a short service at the graveside then we were all off to the house for food - an excellent sadiya or standard vegetarian feast of rice and lots of curries and pickles and chips and all sorts followed by payasam, or a pudding made from wheat and sugar and spices, etc.

We like food!

Anyway it was quite a cheerful time, the old lady who died was 86 so it was a celebration of her life rather than being mournful and, as usual, I ended up as unofficial official photographer, a role I quite enjoy.

In the afternoon we had a trip to the village in the jeep to take Pete to the tailor and then on the way home, just coming up our little lane, the clutch went in the jeep! We really can't complain as it has lasted 12 years. We called the maintenance people and then took it round immediately and they think it will be ready for Monday evening, which is good as we have a trip to the mountains planned for later in the week, hotel reservations made and everything. We are already grateful that it went when it did and not halfway up the mountain!


eta an hour and a half later: because of no jeep we didn't get up and go to church this morning so I had my first lie in since Pete arrived and I didn't wake up until 07.10 when usually the alarm goes off at 06.00. It was bliss!

[ 03. March 2013, 04:25: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Hello I'm hooome!

We had a good time in Bristol having a nosey at Boogielet2's new flat and having a look around the town. I like it very much.

Our house is now surrounded by scaffolding, ready for the roof to come off tomorrow. I am anticipating Much Clattering.


 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Ah yes, Much Clattering, twinned with its sister town, Much Binding In The Marsh. (I wonder if anyone will get that reference?]

Hope it keeps fine for you while all this is going on. You don't want rain when there's no roof (she said rather obviously).

Spent part of yesterday morning at the allotment, digging. Out of interest, I looked up the calories you're supposed to burn while doing heavy digging for 1.5 hours, and apparently it's 945, which I don't believe.

[ 03. March 2013, 16:42: Message edited by: Ariel ]
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
I've just worked out why I've put on weight. At my fighting weight of 100kg, a rugby match would consume 1400 cal. After the match there was the usual curry and a quiet pint, followed by at least six noisy ones.

That more than replaced the calories expended, so we had to rely on the singing and swearing, stupid games and staggering home afterwards for any net loss of calories.

I haven't played rugby for decades now, don't play games sillier than Indian Poker, and while I don't eat or drink so much I need to shift almost 30kg to regain my fighting weight, at which I'd still be rated at the top end of the overweight category!
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
Ah yes, Much Clattering, twinned with its sister town, Much Binding In The Marsh. (I wonder if anyone will get that reference?]

---

It's currently on iPlayer
Today I've done some Bollywood dancing at a local International women's Day event on the estate and then ate some Iraqi pastries and African doughnuts. I then watched Carry On Screaming with the kids! We don't have a TV so we are introducing our kids to kitsch films instead.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Ah yes, Much Clattering, twinned with its sister town, Much Binding In The Marsh. (I wonder if anyone will get that reference?]

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
Ah yes, Much Clattering, twinned with its sister town, Much Binding In The Marsh ...

---

quote:

---

Ah yes, Much Clattering, twinned with its sister town, Much Binding In The Marsh. (I wonder if anyone will get that reference?]

---

Oh yes, I get it - I used to listen as a child with my parents. We all thought it was hilarious! We liked "Fumf speaking"!

All your cookery results sound absolutely gorgeous, Piglet! I found a low fat recipe for Tuna and Chickpea patties, which I am going to try. The picture looks rather gorgeous, but so long as mine are edible, I won't worry too much about presentation.

(Yes, I know presentation is all, but Mr.G smothers everything in gravy or sauce, so it never stays presented for long!)
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Another day of marking here, and at some point I need to stick a Venison and lentil casserole in the slow cooker.
 

---

Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
I'm hoping I'll finish my marking tonight, then I'll have just over a week before the next lot of essays come in. I do love working for the OU, and really like the students, but I am at that point in the courses where the end is sort of in sight, but still slightly too far away (I'm sure HA knows exactly what I mean!). After these ones are done I have two lots of essays for each course, plus the tutorials and exam preparation, only another 3 months, but I'm a bit over marking essays at the moment!

In other news, I spent a very enjoyable hour or so yesterday going through our packets of veg seeds (many donated by a very lovely shipmate) and working out what needs planting when and where. We also went to a local allotment society's Potato Day on Saturday and got half a dozen each of 4 varieties which are now out on the windowsill to chit. It's very exciting having an allotment - even though there is still so much digging to be done
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
My father had been keen on MBITM and often quoted bits of it to me. I remember "Funf speaking" too!

Re allotments, I've been trying to dig mine over since January and still not finished yet (I'm a weekends-only visitor at present). Saturday morning was the first time the ground hasn't been a quagmire - the end is now in sight, but apparently we get the rain and frost back from Wednesday on so whether I can get there this weekend is looking doubtful now.

So planting is more likely to happen at Easter now; and once the clocks go back and there's more light in the evenings I hope to be able to spend a bit more time there. I'm so looking forward to the fun bit - putting the seeds and plants in.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
The soup turned out nicely, and D. made a really good loaf last night - he's definitely got the hang of it now.



I made the Something With Tomatoes (and red peppers and mushrooms and the left-over chicken) and it'll be introduced to some pasta and eaten for lunch tomorrow. Preliminary investigations look promising and if it's any good I'll post the recipe upstairs.

It absolutely rained like b*ggery last night; the little pond outside w*rk was higher than we've ever seen it, so much so that they closed the car-park beside it (which is a quagmire when it rains anyway, as it's not properly surfaced).
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jack the Lass:
I'm hoping I'll finish my marking tonight, then I'll have just over a week before the next lot of essays come in. I do love working for the OU, and really like the students, but I am at that point in the courses where the end is sort of in sight, but still slightly too far away (I'm sure HA knows exactly what I mean!).

---

I had 3 groups' essays arrive together, and need to do the last lot today. Of course, one group were double essays so it feels like 4 groups of marking. It seems to have gone on forever! Luckily the next marking isn't all the same week.
I have my appraisal today too, and a tutorial at the weekend. Too much! I'm seriously thinking about giving up teaching a February group as I find the initial overlap very tiring.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Beautiful sunny day today (hurrah!) and yesterday (hurrah!) No sign of the roofers (boo!).

I think I will go to the lake today with my tripod and camera and take piccies. I have a new ball-and-socket tripod head and am very excited to try it out.


 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Lovely and sunny here too - pity I will be spending the day on my computer! Have fun with the camera.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Heavenly Anarchist: Do you know how appropriate it was that you were post number 666 on this thread?


 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
is my name
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
And my day is seriously lacking on the heavenly side today!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Sorry you're having less than a perfect day, HA.

The other day the clutch went in the jeep but as it was 12 years old we can't really complain. We took it to the workshop on Saturday evening and they promised to have it ready for last night then over the weekend the workshop owner's mum was taken to hospital and she died yesterday lunchtime but one of the mechanics worked on and got it finished at 8 p.m. yesterday! What a kind man! Himself gave the guy a big tip. Including the tip the total cost was under 140 quid so I guess we can't complain - and that included clutch plate, cover and new thrust bearing.

I wonder what that would cost on a Land Rover.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
That was good service. Our old car dramatically failed its MOT in November, 2 days after dh sent his license away for renewal we spent 3 weeks waiting for the license to come back so we could buy a replacement!

My day isn't really so bad, I'm just tired as I was marking til 1am, and will be marking today until midnight and probably tomorrow too. My bipolar disorder is self-managed but can be triggered by stress and tiredness so I'm taking the morning off (at least til my boss phones for my annual appraisal later this morning). I'm baking bread and cake as a remedy
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Baking is so therapeutic - and it makes the whole house smell wonderful.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It does indeed - D. put another loaf in earlier this evening (the one from the other day didn't last long ... ) and the house smells lovely.

Chicken and tomato thing was v. nice (and D. loved it, despite it being made with things he's not overly fond of like peppers and mushrooms), so I'll put the recipe up in Heaven.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
No more essays to mark - praise the Lord! but several nights burning the midnight oil whilst wading through over 50 essays has taken it's toll as I feel totally exhausted. No major plans for today other than a trip to Waitrose to buy pizzas as we have a young guest for tea. I might crawl back to bed later.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
World Book day today - which I have spent dressed as Where's Wally, a book you don't have to read, hehe!

I persuaded our whole staff to dress the same, we looked a right sight.


 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
World Book day today - which I have spent dressed as Where's Wally, a book you don't have to read, hehe!

I persuaded our whole staff to dress the same, we looked a right sight.

---

That sounds great fun
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
World Book day today - which I have spent dressed as Where's Wally, a book you don't have to read, hehe!

---

World Book Day today. Which I spent dressed as a wally, realizing too late that my cardigan was much more low-cut than the top I was wearing underneath it, and that it made me look fat (which I am not).
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I am considering making cheese today. I've never done it before (dh has though) and thought it might be fun to attempt some Mozzarella, and then use the whey to make ricotta. But I'd have to go to Waitrose to be suitable milk and it is miserable and drizzly out there. I'll get my OU prep done first for tomorrow's tutorial and might pop out to buy milk if the weather improves.

[ 08. March 2013, 08:26: Message edited by: Heavenly Anarchist ]
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
We got back about 14.30 from our trip to the mountains, where they are still growing tea and where the weather is still a tad cool [by our standards] at night. It was a good time and good fun and I took loads of photies and we ate loads and we walked a bit and we sat in the garden a bit and Pete did almost no exercise at all as he seemed to get pushed everywhere!

Yesterday morning I had a bowl of porage for breakfast but the bowls were rather small so this morning I had two bowls of porage for breakfast!

Nom-nom!


eta: one of the posher shops up there has a stall that sells freshly made cakes, all profit to a Special School locally so Pete and I did the charitable thing with carrot cake and honey and walnut tart.



[ 08. March 2013, 12:22: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Sounds like a lovely place to visit
I am now in possession of some Jersey Gold Top and some Buffalo milk and am summoning up the courage to make cheese. Might try the Jersey first as it's high in fat so more likely to be successful!
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Tell me you didn't milk your own buffalo ...

Having decided that the chicken and tomato pasta thingy was rather good, I made a double batch of the tomato sauce, which is now in the freezer ready for the next time we have spare chicken. I even labelled the containers.

Then I made lemon loaf CAKE, which is cooling as I type and should be ready for virtual tasting with your morning beverage*.

* presumably afternoon beverage in Wodders' case.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Lemon cake is GOOD! I shall help myself after my morning nap.

Much activity at our local temple today as there will be a festival tonight with one lakh [100,000] lamps lit come sunset! Much video will be recorded.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
Tell me you didn't milk your own buffalo ...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
... ten chaps have just wandered out from next door dressed in Welsh rugby strip. It's to be hoped they have the thermal undies underneath.

---

They can freeze for all I care - we got stuffed.

Went to look for nice drawer-handles for the little drawer thingy today to discover that the handles aren't a standard size, and D. thinks it'd be too much of a faff to drill new holes, so I'm going to have to make do with painting the old (rather hideous) ones black in the hope that they don't show too much.

I'm trying out another slow-cooker pot-roast for tomorrow's lunch (tomorrow being Mothering Sunday, all the restaurants will be full of screaming brats). Chicken browned, stuffed with onion, lemon and a little tarragon, and put into slow-cooker with wine, stock and a few veggies ready to be switched on in the morning.

Bearing in mind that our clocks go forward tonight I hope one of us remembers to turn the bloody thing on ...
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:

Went to look for nice drawer-handles for the little drawer thingy today to discover that the handles aren't a standard size, and D. thinks it'd be too much of a faff to drill new holes, so I'm going to have to make do with painting the old (rather hideous) ones black in the hope that they don't show too much.
.

---

Hand me that drill.

Roused from bed this morning by rattling on the windows - it was a mix of snow and hail. Stopped now, leaving a sifting of white.

It is definitely winter warmer weather: last night was pot roast with port gravy. Today I fancy doing something middle-eastern to a chicken. Yesterday at Lidl, I picked up some Siberian reindeer steaks. Put it this way, salad is a long way down the options at the moment.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Snowing here too and settling on the ground! And there was me feeling all Spring-like and actually having the chance to get out of the house this week.
 

---

Posted by amber. (# 11142) on :
 
Yikes, yes, snow over a good bit of the country by the look of the snow map.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Hey amber. nice to see you here!

No snow here PTL - as we only have half a roof!

A rather tearful Mother's Day for me - both boys far away and Mum not even aware she's a mother. Ho hum, pig's bum.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
(Hugs) My Mum died 4 years ago and I used to find Mother's Day very difficult.

[ 10. March 2013, 08:47: Message edited by: Heavenly Anarchist ]
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Hi Amber - good to see you!

Sort of snowy drizzle here, but not settling. Yet. Tops (of the moors) are all white though, maybe we are just a fraction too low to get it.

Everybody's cooking adventures sound so delicious.
I've got terribly lazy in my old age, and stick to well-known, well-loved and tried recipes. Those that I know off by heart! Mr.N enjoys it, and eats every scrap, so who am I to start doing new, and possibly disliked, things??

Wish I could taste some of what Shippies are cooking though!
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
Snow here too - but that's what I expected.... in the Alps
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
It's fair ringing the changes here. There've been 3 or 4 falls since I got up - some sleety, some swirling - at the moment it's doing slow and feathery.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Frozen drizzle here too. Not the day for digging over the allotment (will I ever get it finished?).

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
Put it this way, salad is a long way down the options at the moment.

---

I'm vegetarian-with-fish for Lent, so salad has been an option for a while already. But am about to embark on making imam bayildi and possibly some sort of red onion tart. Homemade tomato soup looks a possible option as well. That should see me through the first half of the week.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
No rain today, so far at least, and little chance of snow.

Enjoy the Alps, daisydaisy.

My mum died on Lady Day 24 years ago this month - it seems impossible that it is really that long. These days the memories seem more to be on the sweet side with little pain involved though I still miss her all the time - she was a great repository of wonderful recipes.

[edited to correct keyboard malfunction - I think my wonderful "switch" keyboard is, after 12+ years, approaching the end of its days ]

[ 10. March 2013, 11:04: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
A postcard for you all from my non-skiing skiing holiday

(Edited to fix link)

[ 10. March 2013, 22:49: Message edited by: Firenze ]
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
This is the first Mothering Sunday that I've not had someone to send flowers to (although for a long time I was really sending them more for Dad's benefit, as my mum was in a similar situation to Boogie's). The two ladies who sit either side of me in the choir are both mothers, so when the servers came round with flowers I took a couple and gave one to each, which made them smile.

The pot-roast chicken was OK, but despite my efforts at flavouring, it was a bit bland; D. reckoned we'd just got a rather duff chicken. Anyhow, stock is being made with the bones and we'll have the meat that's left over (there wasn't much) with the tomato sauce and pasta on Tuesday.

PS Hello Amber! **waves**
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Thanks daisydaisy - it looks spectacular!

Cold cold cold cold here - but bright and sunny with blue skies. I got up and had an early morning swim, a good way to start the day I find.


 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Oh WOW! Daisy Daisy - spectacular!

Outdoor swimming, Boogie?
 

---

Posted by Chapelhead (# 21) on :
 
A light scattering of snow, just enough to make an attractive carpet. And a beautiful, strong dog-fox eating a dead pigeon in the garden before trotting off with the remains. A lovely sight (if not for the pigeon, which banged into one of the windows yesterday - I left it lying on the ground, in the hope that it was only stunned, but apparently not).
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Here is Boogielet 2 in his uniform. He looks exhausted because he'd just done seven take off and landings to show that he can. His first flight is on Thursday - 8am to Faro. I will be watching on planefinder.net (and so will my class - hehe)

Strange that a boy who couldn't wait to leave school and get out of uniform is now in one all the time!



[ 11. March 2013, 10:14: Message edited by: Boogie ]
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
So far today has been a succession of mini-blizzards alternating with bright sunshine. I'm hoping for one and not the other when I have to go out in about 40 minutes.

A large fox has just run along the street.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I went to the dentist this morning and then the bus didn't turn up so waited ages in the freezing cold to come home, just as it started to lightly snow again
But I'm glad I just got in when I did as it's now coming down really thick and heavily!
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Well done Boogielet 2, and congratulations to the very proud mum!

Bitterly cold here - the car temp gauge says 0.0 degrees but the wind chill makes it feel much colder...and it is trying to snow. Come on, WeatherGod, we have had enough now!
I haven't got to go out, but I'd like to get out Having this snotty cough-y virus with headache makes it uncomfortable to be too cold, though.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
Here is Boogielet 2 in his uniform. He looks exhausted because he'd just done seven take off and landings to show that he can. His first flight is on Thursday - 8am to Faro. I will be watching on planefinder.net (and so will my class - hehe)

Strange that a boy who couldn't wait to leave school and get out of uniform is now in one all the time!

---

He looks terrifyingly young, but we've got a thread about that sort of thing in Heaven. Where are the shades and peaked cap?
 

---

Posted by North East Quine (# 13049) on :
 
He looks so smart, Boogie! You must be so proud.

It was minus 6 here at 5.30am as I scraped the car windscreen prior to driving the North East Man to the airport. But, having gone to bed quite worried about possible driving conditions, the road looked to have been freshly cleared and gritted (contrast to yesterday when a jack-knifed lorry blocked the dual carriageway.)
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
He looks absolutely stunning! Girls will go mad for him!

Seriously, Boogie, he has done so very well, you must be so proud of him.

Just come back from Dentist - complicated work to be done on back tooth. Next Monday.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Thank you all so much for your kind comments. Yes we are 100% proud. He is 25 years old, so yes - a mere baby in the cockpit!

Nicodemia - for your dental work. Hope it goes well and with as little discomfort as possible.

We had blizzards at work, but thankfully not here as we are still roofless!
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Made it to the art class, but the building it was being held in is having work done. It must have seemed, when it was being planned, that mid March would be a good time to replace the boilers....

Friend kindly gave me a lift home - but then I had the problem of the couple of yards to my own gate, which were covered in sleeked down icy slush. Eventually had to walk to a more ploughed up junction with another street and then work back.
 

---

Posted by QLib (# 43) on :
 
Congrats to Boogielet2

W*rking, as I do, in a room with no outside window, I missed the sun However, got off before 5 and it was then visually quite spectacular here, with snow/hail swirling about in a variety of patterns. Very glad I wasn't on the bike.
 

---

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
Congrats Boogie and Boogielet2!
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Boogie - congratulations to Boogielet 2.

Nicodemia - good luck with your teeth.

It's not often that I get to be smug about weather (especially not at this time of year as we'll probably get "Sheila's Brush" - a snowfall around or just after St. Patrick's Day - at the weekend) but it was a lovely, if slightly cool, day here today, and the forecast for tomorrow is plus 5°C and mostly sunny.



Spoke to our neighbour/friend/builder today and when I told him about the drawer unit he said if we get the stuff he'll do it for us, which is great as he'll make a neater job of it than we could.

Further
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Having artisan friends/neighbours is worth their weight in gold! We have a young plumber friend and know a couple of electricians and the odd carpenter - folks that are always happy to pop around to do a little job or two on their way home from work or on a Sunday morning.

I've put away my Birthday Hat, the next to wear it will be Herself on 28th March and then Himself on 11th April then all will be calm for a while.
 

---

Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
A mere centimetre of snow here completely gummed up all the transport this morning. Which I Do. Not. Understand. How do three flakes of snow stop metro trains from running? It's not like it's snowing underground, is it?
 

---

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
Opened the front door this morning to whiteout. Came home this evening in bright sunshine. Good old British weather!
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... I've put away my Birthday Hat ...

---

As it's already tomorrow with you, I'm a bit late, but many happy returns!

Hope you're all keeping safe in the sn*w (not you Wodders ... ). There were pictures of fairly wild weather in Kent, Colwyn Bay, Scone and the north of France on the Weather Channel this evening - quite impressive for mid-March!
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Much Clattering On The Roof continues at Boogieville hovels, apparently due to go on for a week as they are replacing felt, batons, soffits, fascias, gables, roof tiles and pitching the dormers. Sounds very technical - but mostly seems to involve chucking things in the skip from a great hight!

I have a bad chest - good excuse to skip swimming, so I will get out and about with my camera instead
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
I think builders enjoy throwing things from a great height into skips!

You mind the cold wind with a bad chest, Boogie! Not a day for the moors!
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Very sunny here, still cold but not as bitter a wind as yesterday. My hens have started laying regularly again (we've recently been lucky to get one egg a week) so spring must be soon.
Keep warm on that walk, Boogie.
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Chucking Things Into A Skip From A Great Height is the first lesson in the schedule of classes for new builders, Boogie. Building 101, if you like...
Car Maintenance 101 involves a sharp intake of breath, accompanied with a shake of the head and a tutting sound, designed to convey that whatever it is, its going to cost a lot of money and take a long time to fix.

Bright sunshine here in Bethnei, and it really isn't as cold. I still have my snotty, sinus-y headachy thing going on...it has been with me since Christmas in one form or another. At least I'm not coughing as much.

Hot drink, anyone??
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Just having a nice cup of tea, having finished my work.
I'm currently poaching a small piece of cod and a double-yolker egg (must be that hen's first lay of the season) which I'm having on freshly baked sourdough (courtesy of a good Lakeland bread mix) with a little homemade Jersey cream mozzarella - I feel quite like the Good Life today
But then I have to clean the kitchen this afternoon...
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
That lunch sounds heavenly!

I love eggs - especially freshly laid ones
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Spontaneous blizzard at the mo and I've got to pop to the school
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
We had Lakshadeepam at our local temple tonight - that means that 100,000 lamps were lit inside and around the place - it was VERY impressive! Nice to see our little village doing its bit to further Global Warming! They were only little oil lamps but you get that many together and they throw off quite a bit of heat. I took about 80 photos and some bits of video as well - my camera's autofocus gets confused by all those lamps in the dark.
 

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Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
I'm currently poaching a small piece of cod and a double-yolker egg (must be that hen's first lay of the season)

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Having just read that as poaching in a double vodka, it's possible I may need help.

Aagh, weather, will you make up your chuffing mind. Horizontal snow, followed by bright sunshine. I have an aunt visiting from far off sunnier climes; she's not going to know what hit her. I suspect that the first stop will not be sightseeing, but coat-buying
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by ArachnidinElmet:
I suspect that the first stop will not be sightseeing, but coat-buying

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quote:

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Originally posted by ArachnidinElmet:

quote:

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Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
I'm currently poaching a small piece of cod and a double-yolker egg (must be that hen's first lay of the season)

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Having just read that as poaching in a double vodka, it's possible I may need help.

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white wine would be more traditional.
 

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Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Yep, that could work too. I'd be willing to experiment though.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
My sister once made Bloody Mary soup that apparently involved using up all the vodka in her house (and presumably a tomato or two ...).

I'm not sure if the Council snow-clearing chappies know something I don't: a digger's been bleeping away merrily outside Château Piglet for the last half an hour removing bits of the heap on the traffic island (which is pretty well all that we have left on our road now). Quite often snow-clearing precedes a bloody great blizzard, although there's nothing in the forecast for the next wee while (and the temperature got up to 7°C today).

The pub we go to after choir practice was serving Irish stew this evening in honour of St. Patrick, and to say it was delicious would be putting it mildly (and it only cost $12.99, which is seriously cheap for lamb dishes in these parts).
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
A popular entree (US starter) at a local restaurant we used often visit in the 80s consisted of a half dozen oysters, served in shot glasses and with a Bloody Mary poured over them.
 

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Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :