 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Source: (consider it)
|
Thread: Roses, foxgloves, snowdrops, blue forget-me-nots
|
Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
|
Posted
True, though I rather fancy there's not that much mud in pigletland at the moment....
In other news, I've given thanks to Him Upstairs elsewhere for being able to walk up the hill to Church and back this morning without the help of the walking stick I've been using since leaving hospital last June. Yay!
IJ
--------------------
Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
|
Posted
Something tells me tha Ship Piglet does not like mud much, ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
Sore shoulders are horrible. I hope yours heals quickly.
--------------------
Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Piglet
Islander
# 11803
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Something tells me that Ship Piglet does not like mud much,
You are so perceptive! And BF's sort of right - there's plenty of mud, but it's covered with ice and sn*w. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
We tried out another of Fredericton's culinary delights for lunch today - a First Nations restaurant specialising in seafood called Wolastoq Wharf - and it was very excellent. I had a delicious seafood fettuccine, and D. had spaghetti jambalaya and although we don't usually bother with puddings, they were so reasonably priced it would have been daft not to. Proper, un-messed-about-with crème brûlée for me and a lovely, not-too-sweet New York cheesecake for him.
With a half-carafe of very decent Chardonnay the bill came to about $62 (about £40) before tax, which was considerably less than we might have expected. I'd say we'll be going back - perhaps not every week, but certainly occasionally. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
--------------------
I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Penny S
Shipmate
# 14768
|
Posted
Just seen a wood pigeon attempting to access stuff on the bird table - balancing on a squirrel proof fat ball holder! Moved before I'd finished typing, so no picture.
Posts: 5833 | Registered: May 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
|
Posted
Wood pigeons don't half make a noise when they fall asleep, topple off their perch, and crash through the tree.
BTW, they're nice when casseroled in a red wine sauce, with mushrooms, celery etc. to taste.... ![[Two face]](graemlins/scot_twoface.gif)
IJ
--------------------
Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
|
Posted
Forgot to add - accompanied by a good claret, and some mature CHEESE to follow.
IJ
--------------------
Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Penny S
Shipmate
# 14768
|
Posted
A heck of a lot of plucking to do, though! Can you use the hotchi-witchi technique with clay?
Posts: 5833 | Registered: May 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
Galloping Granny
Shipmate
# 13814
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Wood pigeons don't half make a noise when they fall asleep, topple off their perch, and crash through the tree.
BTW, they're nice when casseroled in a red wine sauce, with mushrooms, celery etc. to taste....
IJ
New Zealand wood pigeons are notoriously stupid; in suburban areas they crash into windows more than other birds. There's a special Pigeon Rehabilitation unit at a nearby bird sanctuary.
But they're a protected species, so it would cost me many thousands of $$$ to try cooking one.
GG
--------------------
The Kingdom of Heaven is spread upon the earth, and men do not see it. Gospel of Thomas, 113
Posts: 2629 | From: Matarangi | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged
|
|
Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
|
Posted
I don't think they're a protected species here, given the availability of their meat, and the plethora of recipes. They are, it seems, flourishing in the UK, so eating a few might redress the balance a bit.
I imagine they do take some plucking (perhaps more plucking than plucking pheasants....), but I've only ever eaten them in...er...fairly upmarket restaurants, rather than preparing them myself.
IJ
--------------------
Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
ArachnidinElmet
Shipmate
# 17346
|
Posted
If you buy them rather than clubbing them off your bird feeder no plucking is necessary, and they're not particularly expensive.
I had lunch in a local Polish restaurant today. Pickled herring, onion and dill salad and plum bread. A tiny bit too onion-y, but otherwise, delicious. And homemade beetroot and beef cheek stew and apple crumble for tea. I've definitely eaten well today
--------------------
'If a pleasant, straight-forward life is not possible then one must try to wriggle through by subtle manoeuvres' - Kafka
Posts: 1887 | From: the rhubarb triangle | Registered: Sep 2012
| IP: Logged
|
|
Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Galloping Granny:
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Wood pigeons don't half make a noise when they fall asleep, topple off their perch, and crash through the tree.
BTW, they're nice when casseroled in a red wine sauce, with mushrooms, celery etc. to taste....
IJ
New Zealand wood pigeons are notoriously stupid; in suburban areas they crash into windows more than other birds. There's a special Pigeon Rehabilitation unit at a nearby bird sanctuary.
But they're a protected species, so it would cost me many thousands of $$$ to try cooking one.
GG
All birds are pretty dim, hence the expression bird-brained, but my brother-in-law, who has kept racing pigeons and "rollers" reckons pigeons the most stupid by some distance.
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Piglet
Islander
# 11803
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
All birds are pretty dim, hence the expression bird-brained ...
... but they can fly ...
One of the nice things about this house-sitting stint is that they've got a proper bird-feeder on a pole (mostly patronised by house-sparrows and the occasional cardinal-bird); there's a fat-ball holder hanging from it, and they also put out dog-food for the crows.
And there are several squirrels - we spent a lovely half-an-hour this morning just watching them chasing each other up and down the fences, trees and wires.
--------------------
I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
Penny S
Shipmate
# 14768
|
Posted
I'm not so sure about the brainlessness. I have seen the woodpigeons put a good deal of thought into how they approach my feeder. It takes me a good deal of thought to find ways of outwitting them, too.
And my current betes noir are the black bird couple who not only keep the small birds out of the garden, while not eating all that is available, but the male has worked out how to get the peanut butter from the glass jar held in a small wooden structure on the fence. In theory, he should not be able to get at it. They are ground feeders by reputation. But he grasps a couple of stems of honeysuckle which hang down in front of it so that he can peck into the jar. Mrs blackbird picks up dropped bits from the ground underneath. When I have a photo, I shall prune those stems. I want the tits to have a look in.
Posts: 5833 | Registered: May 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
|
Posted
Brainless or not, birds are indeed fascinating creatures, and very entertaining to watch.
Round here, on the banks of a tidal river, the principal winged denizens are, of course, gulls of various types (all noisy). Kingfishers nest nearby, albeit rarely (if unforgettably) seen, and magpies are frequent visitors. Also, of course, mallard ducks, herons, and cormorants, and we have at least two families of swans in the area.
Wading birds are seen less, now that the dunlins don't migrate so far south (the result, I guess, of mild winters further north), but I did see a redshank today. Oystercatchers are occasional visitors - we have in the past had a nesting pair nearby (and what noisy bu**ers they are).
I really must get me a new pair of binoculars...
IJ
--------------------
Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
|
Posted
If anyone fancies pigeon, there are far more than we need down here. Tempted by the proximity of a McDs, Subway and Nandos they are taking over from the ibis and sea gulls. You are welcome to them all.
I have spent several hundred dollars on electronic gadgetry which was partially successful , bird spikes for balcony and large planter boxes, coiled wire spring on actual soil in said boxes and more.
The mess they left on my balcony floor from germ laden droppings was disgusting. They coo all morning from precarious sitting spots not covered by defences mentioned above. Noise drives me crazy.
You want them, you come and get them. Pest control suggestion was to come around at midnight and shoot them. Yeah, right. I have got rid of seven nests over some weeks and eggs too.
--------------------
Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
|
Posted
Would they be what we would call feral rock doves/pigeons?
If so - agreed. Noisy pests, albeit not unattractive in ones or twos....
A local church has AFAIK successfully deterred pigeons from its tower by placing a large stone owl in a niche originally occupied by the image of a saint! The local hospital, which possesses two huge towers (one for the clock, the other for water) keeps the pigeons at bay by simply hiring a falconer every couple of weeks....
IJ
--------------------
Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Piglet
Islander
# 11803
|
Posted
I've heard of putting stone owls into gardens to deter pigeons. Some of our neighbours in St. John's actually put food out for them, but I can't imagine why - as someone once wrote, they're really little more than vermin with wings.
The creatures in our friends' garden seem either to get on quite well - each seems to know which food is for him and ignores the rest - or just ignore each other. When we put food out for the crows, they'll come and eat it, but as it's at a different level from the feeder, the little birds don't seem to be too put out. The squirrels seem to look after themselves.
Having said that, this morning the cat took a stroll round the deck and the crows got off-side pretty damn quick ...
![[Devil]](graemlins/devil.gif)
I'm messing about on here while turning Saturday's chicken into a curry. The fridge (which our friends requested we empty if we could) contains the most eclectic collection of condiments, but unfortunately mango chutney (which was called for in the recipe) isn't one of them, so I mixed some apricot jam with a teaspoon or two of apple-cider vinegar, which may or may not have the desired effect.
Either I'm a Very Resourceful Piglet or I'm turning into the organist from The Vicar of Dibley.
--------------------
I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
|
Posted
Pigeons abound in the city near here but thankfully are a rare sight here in the village.
I hope the apricot jam and cider vinegar worked Piglet, it sounds an excellent solution. I often add a little sweet mango chutney and/or tomato chutney to my faux North Indian mushroom curry and it/they smooth the flavours wonderfully.
For the first time for years Himself gave Pete & I a pizza day yesterday - he uses a scone rather than a bread base - and it was so wonderful that both of us made complete pigs of ourselves and then felt ill later in the day - nothing wrong with the food, just plain, simple gluttony. Well, there were three separate savoury pizzas and then an open apple, raisin and cashew plate flan. Although strongly tempted I resisted topping the flan with Mascarpone.
I know, I'm an ![[Angel]](graemlins/angel.gif) of restraint.
Talking of things angelic, when talking to the twins Herself refers to me as uncle and Himself refers to me as appappa [grandfather] - I have suggested they both refer to me as malakha [angel] but no takers so far.
Hmmmm.
--------------------
I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Uncle Pete
Loyaute me lie
# 10422
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Pigeons abound in the city near here but thankfully are a rare sight here in the village.
I know, I'm an of restraint.
Talking of things angelic, when talking to the twins Herself refers to me as uncle and Himself refers to me as appappa [grandfather] - I have suggested they both refer to me as malakha [angel] but no takers so far.
Hmmmm.
They know better.
--------------------
Even more so than I was before
Posts: 20466 | From: No longer where I was | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
la vie en rouge
Parisienne
# 10688
|
Posted
Man it’s cold here. On Sunday it was sleeting, which we remedied by going in a brasserie on the way out of the evening service and ordering pot au feu. Marrowbones I can take or leave but the rest of it was muchly delicious. Dry cold today but you don’t want to be out in it for long.
I spent most of Sunday rehearsing for this weekend’s concert. If you can feel a slight seismic disturbance coming from somewhere in the region of Vienna, it’s Beethoven spinning in his tomb hearing what we’ve made of the Seventh. Think we all need to practise a bit more ![[Biased]](wink.gif) . OTOH, we are following in a long and noble tradition of musicians complaining that Beethoven is unplayable ![[Snigger]](graemlins/snigger.gif) .
--------------------
Rent my holiday home in the South of France
Posts: 3696 | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Uncle Pete:
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Pigeons abound in the city near here but thankfully are a rare sight here in the village.
I know, I'm an of restraint.
Talking of things angelic, when talking to the twins Herself refers to me as uncle and Himself refers to me as appappa [grandfather] - I have suggested they both refer to me as malakha [angel] but no takers so far.
Hmmmm.
They know better.
And what do they call you?
--------------------
"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
|
Posted
I'm sorry, this is a family board and the name is definitely NSFW!
--------------------
I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Sipech
Shipmate
# 16870
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I'm sorry, this is a family board and the name is definitely NSFW!
Ironic, given your monicker. Remind us, what was it that Woderick did higher than anyone in Wome?
--------------------
I try to be self-deprecating; I'm just not very good at it.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/TheAlethiophile
Posts: 3791 | From: On the corporate ladder | Registered: Jan 2012
| IP: Logged
|
|
Piglet
Islander
# 11803
|
Posted
It's a lovely, bright, sunny day here, and at -3°, it's almost warm.
I'm currently waiting for the bread-machine to do its thing for French sticks for the spaghetti supper this evening.
We had the curry for lunch - I stirred in some more yoghurt as it re-heated and did some lightly-spiced rice (cumin, cardamom and turmeric) and it was rather good.
We got some legal stuff yesterday about the house sale that needs to be sealed by a notary, and D's been chasing about all morning trying to get hold of the lawyer from Sue, Grabbit & Run ( ) but keeps getting their answering machine. Bearing in mind how untidy their office was, I suspect that her secretary has disappeared underneath a pile of affidavits ... ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
--------------------
I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Moo
Ship's tough old bird
# 107
|
Posted
In New Hampshire, my bank had a notary. I haven't needed one here, but I suspect that many American banks have notaries.
Moo
--------------------
Kerygmania host
---------------------
See you later, alligator.
Posts: 20365 | From: Alleghany Mountains of Virginia | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Lamb Chopped
Ship's kebab
# 5528
|
Posted
Yes indeed, and they are either free (if you have an account) or cheap otherwise. Like, a few dollars or so.
--------------------
Er, this is what I've been up to (book).
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down!
Posts: 20059 | From: off in left field somewhere | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Piglet
Islander
# 11803
|
Posted
When we had to get a similar thing done when the Scumbag's offer was still extant, they only charged us $20, which we thought was very reasonable. D. eventually went to their offices and made an appointment for Thursday afternoon, but then this evening we were talking to the Dean and he said there was a Commissioner of Oaths who works at the Diocesan Office, so we might be able to use his services. Also, he may be able to do it on Wednesday, and bearing in mind the vagaries of Canada Post, the sooner we can get it on its way, the better.
eta: I've just been joined on the desk by the cat, in full lkk*
I meant to say she's in full purr mode, all engines firing, and is now contemplating the fate of the computer mouse.
I know I said I'm not a cat person, but this one really is rather growing on me.
* that was her walking over the keyboard ...
[ 18. January 2017, 02:37: Message edited by: Piglet ]
--------------------
I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Moo
Ship's tough old bird
# 107
|
Posted
Piglet, I think you would enjoy this thread in Limbo.
Moo
--------------------
Kerygmania host
---------------------
See you later, alligator.
Posts: 20365 | From: Alleghany Mountains of Virginia | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
|
Posted
![[Killing me]](graemlins/killingme.gif)
Be careful, O Piglet!
Catz are not always as innocent as they seem....and once they evolve to having thumbs....
In other news, a fair, sunny, if cold day here in Our Lady's Dowry (bottom right-hand corner), with more frost to follow overnight. Never mind - it's pleasant enough out, and yesterday I did some Pastoral Visiting. More planned for tomorrow!
IJ
--------------------
Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Penny S
Shipmate
# 14768
|
Posted
There are spots in NW Kent where the morning's frost has not shown any sign of melting (in the shade). And others where the snow heaped by the roads is still hanging around.
Posts: 5833 | Registered: May 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
Piglet
Islander
# 11803
|
Posted
Legal whatnots signed and sealed by a very nice lawyer* (it turned out the Diocesan office bloke wasn't qualified - it had to be a notary public) and she didn't charge us anything, despite taking the time to make sure we understood what we were signing.
They're now in the hands of Canada Post but D. was assured they'd be in St. John's by Friday morning, and then things should be Sorted.
If you can spare a prayer that things don't go pear-shaped in the interim, it'd be very much appreciated.
* not the one from Sue, Grabbit & Run - she wasn't available.
--------------------
I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
|
Posted
Local town may be quite small but has a major court so there are loads of lawyers of various sorts including several notaries public and we have found a very nice female notary who is quick and thorough and her office is quite near to the stamp office - stamp duty on almost everything is alive and well and living in India!
* * * *
This week the babies reached their 6 months semi-anniversary [doesn't time fly!?] and today we took delivery of two baby slings to make life easier taking them round the supermarket or carrying them up mountains or what have you.
Exciting times whilst we work out how to use them without dropping a twin [or two!] over a cliff.
* * * *
Less than an hour before the 2nd India v England LOI starts so must dash to make sure everything is ready.
--------------------
I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:
There are spots in NW Kent where the morning's frost has not shown any sign of melting (in the shade). And others where the snow heaped by the roads is still hanging around.
I worked up there for a couple of years (an odd place off the Sevenoaks road at the top of Polhill) and we had snow on the ground for 3 months one winter.
--------------------
"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
|
Posted
Would that have been the winter of 1962-63?
I remember that one - the sn*w was over the top of me wellies...
IJ (also a denizen of NW Kent)
--------------------
Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
M.
Ship's Spare Part
# 3291
|
Posted
I seem to remember a winter in the early 80s as well - we we young and poor and had no central heating. The down pipe from the bath froze ( we didn't have a shower) and we didn't know what to do.
M.
But it hasn't gone down in history like 62/63, so perhaps it was very localised.
[ 20. January 2017, 06:18: Message edited by: M. ]
Posts: 2303 | From: Lurking in Surrey | Registered: Sep 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Sarasa
Shipmate
# 12271
|
Posted
There were some grim winters in the early eighties, certainly in Nottinghamshire where I was living at the time. I remember snow over the wellies too as I walked down the hill to work (the bus couldn't make it). In 62/63 I was in London and the snow seemed to stay for months piled by the side of the road getting browner and browner.
Cold here today, with frost on the rooves, but nothing like that.
--------------------
'I guess things didn't go so well tonight, but I'm trying. Lord, I'm trying.' Charlie (Harvey Keitel) in Mean Streets.
Posts: 2035 | From: London | Registered: Jan 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
Curiosity killed ...
Ship's Mug
# 11770
|
Posted
The winters in the late 70s and early 80s were snowy enough in the West Country for the council to issue farmers snow ploughs to attach to their tractors and contract them to keep the roads open. One of those winters I took my boyfriend home from uni for the weekend and was snowed in for a week. 20 foot drifts on the lanes, a foot or so in the fields.
We got out very early, first light, through the tunnel that had been dug for the farmers to get their milk to the Milk Marketing Board depot 7 miles away. That boyfriend refused to go near the West Country in winter again.
--------------------
Mugs - Keep the Ship afloat
Posts: 13794 | From: outiside the outer ring road | Registered: Aug 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Penny S
Shipmate
# 14768
|
Posted
There was a year when it snowed to welly topping levels and I walked down in Bluewater to get some milk before they closed. A fellow resident, a subtenant who worked in the mall, walked down with me, and explained "This is not snow, where I come from, it comes this deep" (indicating chest height). He felt the panic over the stuff a bit OTT. It was nothing like Albania.
And it was practically gone in a couple of days.
Posts: 5833 | Registered: May 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
Jack the Lass
Ship's airhead
# 3415
|
Posted
Every time there's an item on the telly about ski resorts in Scotland my mother-in-law phones to check that we're not trapped behind 10ft layers of snow in front of the door. 9 times out of 10 we report no snow whatsoever where we are, and remind her (again) that we don't live on the top of Cairngorm. Actually the last snow that I remember here in the central belt where it caused widespread chaos and difficulty was at the end of 2010 (when it took me 3.5 hours to drive 3 miles home from work, and when earlier the same day I had had to get the student nurse who was with me, plus the bloke in the car behind, to push my car over the top of a slope so that I could get it going).
I am avoiding social media today as I wanted just one day when I don't see the Orange One's face all over my screen, but I thought it would be safe popping in here as I can avoid the relevant threads easily enough. I've taken the day off work to do my first tax return (from my flat which I started renting out just under 2 years ago), but having gone through the figures it transpires that I don't need to submit a self-assessment form after all, as my income after deductions was so low. In fact I'm amazed I got an income at all, I had expected to have made quite a hefty loss, but then discovered that I can only allow mortgage interest as an allowable expense rather than the entire mortgage payment. Once I'd made that adjustment, it turns out I made just over 300 quid, which looking at my bank statements for the period is about the amount I paid in overdraft fees and charges. Sigh.
I'm actually relieved in a way that I didn't make enough money to have to do anything, as I also discovered today that I had not actually registered for self-assessment in time. What I had done (which I thought was the same thing, but turns out isn't) was register for an online HMRC account. That's been rectified today for next year (when I'm hoping that my income will be better, as there won't be all the upfront charges I had to pay this first time), so at least I'll be in time for that. Phew.
And now that I've finished all the number-crunching, I'm planning an afternoon of crumble-making. Our freezer needs defrosting (it's one of those ones that supposedly doesn't ice up, but it turns out they do if you neglect them as much as we have), so I'm trying to use up some of the fruit that's been languishing in there for ages - blackberries, stewed apple, and blackcurrants. Hopefully I will manage to avoid all news media all day, but whether I do or don't at least I can gorge my sorrows in lovely food.
[ 20. January 2017, 11:21: Message edited by: Jack the Lass ]
--------------------
"My body is a temple - it's big and doesn't move." (Jo Brand)
wiblog blipfoto blog
Posts: 5767 | From: the land of the deep-fried Mars Bar | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Would that have been the winter of 1962-63?
I remember that one - the sn*w was over the top of me wellies...
IJ (also a denizen of NW Kent)
No, it was in the early eighties, probably 1983-84 as our first child was very young. We lived in in a second floor flat with an exterior staircase. Mind your feet!
I'm just old enough to remember 1962-63 though. We lived in Lincolnshire and that was when my brother lost his bike in the snowdrift for a couple of months. Nothing moved for about a fortnight.
--------------------
"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
|
Posted
Oooh, apple and blackberry crumble! What a wonderful way in which to forget the Tr*******lypse!
In other reminiscences, yes, there were some sn*wy winters in the 80s in Kent. On a Wednesday in January 1985 or 86 (can't quite recall which), it took the last train (!) from Charing Cross to wherever-it-could-get-to over 5 hours to travel from London to Tonbridge (about 30 miles). We left London at about 230pm and arrived in Tonbridge, with the help of a hefty Class 47 diesel locomotive (the third rail was well and truly bu**ered) at about 8pm. AFAIK, the train got as far as Ashford, and never made it to Dover - but (and this would not happen today) it wasn't for the want of effort on the part of the driver, and also of the two senior management officials with him in the locomotive's cab!!!!!!!
![[Overused]](graemlins/notworthy.gif) for trying..
Ah, those were the days. Nostalgia's not what it used to be...
IJ
--------------------
Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Piglet
Islander
# 11803
|
Posted
Having been born in February 1962, I don't remember 62/63, but I recall an Easter holiday (probably late 1960s) when we visited my grandparents in Greenock and while we were away Orkney got over four feet of snow, and my other granny (who lived with us) was trapped in the house and had to be dug out by a neighbour. I think the snowiest winter I recall from my youth was 1978/79, when we had at least a week off school (my dad was then the Director of Education, so it was his call whether the schools opened or not; it must have been bad for him to keep them closed that long). As I recall, we also had a fair bit of electricity absence, and the television signal was off for weeks.
In completely non-weather-related news, and despite today being about as inauspicious as you could get on a world scale ...
EUREKA!!!
The former Château Piglet has now been sold!!!
![[Yipee]](graemlins/spin.gif)
D. got a phone-call from the lawyer's office in St. John's as we were eating our lunch; the legal whatnots arrived safely, and as they put it, "you needn't worry about the house any more".
I suppose that means that technically we're homeless, but I can't tell you what a good feeling that is ...
Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes over the last few months - they're very much appreciated.
Now to see what we can get with the price we got for the old place ...
--------------------
I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
|
Posted
Happy Chateau-hunting!
IJ
--------------------
Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
|
Posted
Congratulations, Piglet! I'm so glad something positive happened today!
--------------------
"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Sarasa
Shipmate
# 12271
|
Posted
So glad you've finally sold Chateau Piglet. You should now be in a strong position to buy something in your new location. Happy house hunting.
[ 20. January 2017, 21:02: Message edited by: Sarasa ]
--------------------
'I guess things didn't go so well tonight, but I'm trying. Lord, I'm trying.' Charlie (Harvey Keitel) in Mean Streets.
Posts: 2035 | From: London | Registered: Jan 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
|
Posted
Great news on the sale, Piglet and D.
Still no snow here but I do recall sliding down a hill in Knutsford on my back having fallen on my way to the train in my Civil Service days - so a VERY long time ago!
One of the admin/clerical staff shortly before my retirement told me quite confidently that I would miss winter if I moved to India - it will be 20 years this year and I'm still waiting!
--------------------
I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Piglet
Islander
# 11803
|
Posted
Doesn't Pete go over there so that he can miss winter?
I'll see myself out.
--------------------
I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Uncle Pete
Loyaute me lie
# 10422
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
Doesn't Pete go over there so that he can miss winter?
I'll see myself out.
As much of winter as I can afford.
--------------------
Even more so than I was before
Posts: 20466 | From: No longer where I was | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Japes
Shipmate
# 5358
|
Posted
Alleluia for the sale of the former Chateau Piglet. (Transfers prayers for that to prayers for purchase of new Chateau Piglet!)
--------------------
Blog may or may not be of any interest.
Posts: 2013 | From: Somewhere in the middle | Registered: Dec 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
Contact us | Ship of Fools | Privacy statement
© Ship of Fools 2016
UBB.classicTM
6.5.0
|
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Thread closed
Printer-friendly view
