Thread: Roses, foxgloves, snowdrops, blue forget-me-nots Board: All Saints / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
I believe that WW likes flowers and may therefore allow this title to stand. All four of these grow in my garden, though it's in the town.

My sister has just had a new kitchen, and they don't have a kettle any more. Hot water comes through a pipe, like in the office where I work.

A British kitchen without a kettle seems wrong to me.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I have a small plant trough full of cyclamens, doing quite nicely despite a harsh environment (I live by a tidal river).

I call them my Cycling Men.

I also have a small 'wild garden', in which have appeared in recent years some plants with furry leaves, and small, brilliant vermilion flowers (which appear in early summer). I'm looking forward to seeing them again in 2017!

IJ
 
Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
What, no kettle? Shocking...
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I have a kettle.

It is blue, but doesn't whistle. I have to watch it, and it sometimes takes hours to come to the boil.

Then I remember to light the gas...

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by St Everild:
What, no kettle? Shocking...

Absolutely. How can you possibly be properly British without a kettle????

You'll just have to stick with the GIN ... [Big Grin]

There's apparently a fireworks display by the river at 8 o'clock (midnight your time), and if we can muster up the energy*, we might go and take a shufti.

In the meantime, Happy New Year to one and all. [Yipee]

* we shifted the big stuff out of the flat into D's office this afternoon with a bit of help from a couple of friends with a trailer, so we're a little bit knackered.

[ 31. December 2016, 22:33: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Happy New Year indeed!

I think I'll go and put the kettle on...

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

I have a posh new kettle, a Dualit [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
The people for whom we're house-sitting have a fairly posh kettle (it's see-through!) but they haven't got a teapot!!!
[Eek!] [Eek!] [Eek!]

We'll be bringing ours along tomorrow.

As I appear to have caught a cold, I've mostly been making Lem-sip, which doesn't need a teapot.

**cough cough sneeze snuffle snuffle**

eta: I've just re-read this and found I'd written "Lem-sip doesn't need a kettle" when I meant it doesn't need a teapot. Maybe I need more coffee ...

[ 01. January 2017, 15:02: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Happy New Year to all those in the land of my birth.

And yes, moonlitdoor, I love flowers - I haven't seen a snowdrop in over ten years but we do grow roses here.

The local kids were around [briefly] at about 10pm last night with some drums just outside my bedroom window but I slept through the fireworks at midnight.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Happy New Year!!

I have three arches ready for new climbing roses this year [Smile] [Smile]
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Happy New Year everyone. Like Piglet I have a cold, so the New Year was seen in with lemsip too.
I like the thread title. I planted some snowdrop bulbs in the autumn, but am not altogether hopeful they will actually appear.

[ 01. January 2017, 08:23: Message edited by: Sarasa ]
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Happy New Year everyone!

I have all those flowers, prticularly foxgloves which seed themselves everywhere, but the bees love them!

And I have a kettle and a teapot.

And a toaster.

[Smile]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Ah! Tea, and Hot Buttud Toce! How very English..

(Shame about all the colds, though...).

IJ
 
Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
I've got all these both in the garden and my allotment, which is turning into an extension of my garden as much as a veggie plot - I am addicted to plants but haven't got much room or where there is space it's not the right conditions form what I've acquired. Last year (it feels strange writing that!) I took rose cuttings from front and back gardens, and also from wild ones in a hedge along a track leading up to the farm where I store my caravan and which will soon be hit by developers so I am keen to preserve those - I think most of the cuttings have survived, but will only really know in the spring.

I have a red electric kettle and a toaster, but my halogen oven is no more - the glass bowl cracked in two. So now I'm learning how to cook again - I got very lazy!
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I have a solid-fuel range, so I cook on coal (or wood)!

Must go and check on the chicken, and baked potato.....

IJ
 
Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
My kettle has 4 temperature settings....very useful for tea, coffee, filling my hot water bottle...and anything for which hot but not boiling water is required.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I think this may have been the quietest new year I've ever had* - we went to watch the early fireworks, which were very pretty, then D. went to sort a few bits and pieces in the office. He came home about half-past eleven and we caught the midnight countdown on CBC Atlantic, toasted the new year (me with wine, him with tea [Big Grin] ) and went to bed.

I'd be ashamed to admit that over on the Scottish thread ... [Devil]

* unless you count the time we heard the bongs on the radio as we were driving through the Blackwall Tunnel going from Kent to Essex ... [Disappointed]
 
Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
Love the thread title and can't imagine a spring without snowdrops. [Waterworks] for WW.

Happy New Year to everyone.

Nen - also coughing and spluttering.
 
Posted by Pangolin Guerre (# 18686) on :
 
I actually don't own a kettle, even though I drink tea through the day. Years and years of living in apartments whose kitchens have often had "economical" storage space led me to purge my batterie de cuisine of unitaskers. I can do only one thing with a kettle, but many things with a pot. That said, once I finally settle down with a capacious kitchen, a dark blue whistling kettle sounds like just the thing.

On the subject of flora, in December 2011 I had the opportunity to hike a good chunk of the South Downs (vertigo on the Fulking Escarpment - good thing there was a pub for medication), and later to visit Wrest House. I surprised myself at my excitement to see holly and mistletoe in the wild (or, what passes for wild in England). Simple gift.

A happy 2017 to all!
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Pangolin Guerre, does your tea not taste of garlic?

I'm one of these 'super smellers' and 'super tasters' and have an overblown sense of taste and smell. The number of times I have to rinse pots to remove tastes is silly. I can tell people what they were eating hours ago.

In another life I could have been Jo Malone (rich perfumier who, like me, was also dyslexic with the brain being better than most at smelling and tasting - but, unlike me, used those talents to great advantage)
 
Posted by Pangolin Guerre (# 18686) on :
 
Well, Boogie, that's an interesting question. My uninteresting response is no, the tea doesn't taste of garlic. I do have a highly developed sense of taste, but I'm certainly not a super-taster, so you might detect something that would elude me. In addition to the state of my sense(s), it might have something to do with the pot's finish being a non-stick stainless steel, so, if properly washed soon after use, *shouldn't* retain any residual flavours or aromas.

Any metallurgists and/or biochemists want to weigh in?
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Whenever we fly with Air Canada (and we really have very little choice) D. complains that they've made the tea in pots that were previously used for making coffee and inadequately rinsed in between.

I avoid the issue by drinking GIN. [Big Grin]

We got about a foot of sn*w last night, and I was v. impressed by the efficiency with which D. applied the sn*w-blower - you'd think he'd been doing it all his life. [Overused]

After clearing very nearly all the rest of the stuff from the flat (just one more trip should do it) we had a lovely lazy evening watching re-runs of proper Top Gear (the trip across India) and James May's Cars of the People, probably the things we missed most about not having television since July. [Hot and Hormonal]
 
Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
I was glad to see your kettle/teapot edit. I thought at first you mean that lemsip is taken cold in Canada, which is not particularly appealing.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Happy New Year everyone.

We got back to Paris early this morning on the night train from foie gras land.

As ever, the new year's menu chez rouge (in the interests of honesty, I didn't have much to do with this. I am following in my mother's footsteps of sitting on the sofa and letting the man of the house do the cooking for important posh meals on account of him being better at it and enjoying it more):

Amuse-bouche: crayfish mousse
Entrée: tartare of scallops served on a bed of lentils with citrus and vanilla vinaigrette
Plat de résistance: veal medallions with flash-fried foie gras
Selection of cheese
Dessert bought at the patissier's by the outlaws

Wines: champagne for the apéritif and dessert and a cru class Chablis for the rest.

Now back in Paris and giving the liver and digestion a rest.
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Happy New Year everyone.

quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
Now back in Paris and giving the liver and digestion a rest.

Is that maybe the only time that phrase has ever been used? [Biased]

MotherinElmet makes her own mincemeat and we've finally got around to having her signature cut-and-come-again bakewell-ish mince pie. Yum.
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Son, the ace cook, went home today, but not before making a rathe splendid apricot and frangipane tart with the apricots in amoretto I'd brought on a whim from M&S.
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
That sounds rather wonderful Sarasa. Apricots are one of my favourite fruits.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
La Vie, can we come over to yours for New Year next year? [Big Grin]

I went slightly into Domestic Goddess Piglet mode this morning, and made a batch of chicken stock and some French sticks, discovering en route that our friends' oven doesn't behave in quite the same way as the one in the flat did; when the usual baking time was up, they were decidedly pale, so I'll have to do a spot of timing adjustment.

We cleared the rest of the stuff from the flat this afternoon and bade it farewell. I couldn't honestly say we'll miss it (although its shower is vastly superior to either of the ones in our friends' house), but it did us all right when we needed it.

We've had another offer* on the former Château Piglet, and our estate agent says the potential buyer wants all the documents signed as soon as possible, which is sounding (whisper it) almost promising. Cross everything crossable! [Paranoid]

* Not a particularly good offer, but probably the best we can hope for
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Fingers, toes and paws crossed Piglet!
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Not to mention little trotters.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Stewed trotters (crossed or not) go nicely with a smidgin of cheese...

[Snigger]

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Go away, BF. [Devil]

Documents signed, and D's just faxing or scanning them or something to our agent.

Now we're going out for a spot of breakfast. [Smile]
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
We are also looking for a new chez rouge. We’re in no great hurry because we’re not in the street, but we would like to live somewhere bigger and quieter. We visited a place yesterday that might be not bad but only if the owner is prepared to negotiate. It’s a 1970s building and the kitchen and bathroom have never been done up since. Think orange faux marble. But if she’s prepared to come to an arrangement to replace the worst of the ugliness we would be interested.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
... It’s a 1970s building and the kitchen and bathroom have never been done up since ...

But is the bathroom avocado? [Big Grin]

Our first house had a hideous orange bathroom suite ("Sun King" they called it [Roll Eyes] ), and when we were house-hunting the second time I swore we wouldn't even look at anything that wasn't white. We ended up with avocado, and because it was in working order, D. wouldn't consider having it replaced.

Good hunting! [Smile]
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
... It’s a 1970s building and the kitchen and bathroom have never been done up since ...

But is the bathroom avocado? [Big Grin]

Our first house had a hideous orange bathroom suite ("Sun King" they called it [Roll Eyes] ), and when we were house-hunting the second time I swore we wouldn't even look at anything that wasn't white. We ended up with avocado, and because it was in working order, D. wouldn't consider having it replaced.

Good hunting! [Smile]

My Dad has a Hideous Orange bathroom suite; a few years ago he was thinking of giving it a makeover. Rather than changing the suite, he gave his odd job bloke free rein. The room currently has fully artexed walls, one of which is sky blue, another, moss green. [Projectile]

[ 03. January 2017, 16:37: Message edited by: ArachnidinElmet ]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
To change the subject: you couldn't make this up - could you?
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
It's a pity the motor-cyclist's friend didn't have a bathroom like Arachnid's Dad. The pickled-egg-devouring chap would have sicked them up nicely before leaving, had he needed the loo...

IJ
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
In the early 80s we had a navy blue bathroom suite just like this one. Awful - it showed every little fleck of toothpaste.

[Roll Eyes]
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
It's a pity the motor-cyclist's friend didn't have a bathroom like Arachnid's Dad. The pickled-egg-devouring chap would have sicked them up nicely before leaving, had he needed the loo...

IJ

Good point. I may suggest he use it in the public service as a cost effective replacement for stomach-pumping...
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
As long as he makes a small charge for his services, so that eventually the £££ accrued will pay for another make-over... [Snigger]

I recall looking at a house for sale many moons ago. It was a typical little 'two-up, two-down' terraced property in a quiet side street. Every wall and ceiling in the house, along with the woodwork, was painted white, giving the whole place a wonderfully light, austere, but almost monastic atmosphere.

The then current Mrs. BF didn't like it, so we didn't buy it. She preferred magnolia ..

[Waterworks]

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I was looking at the estate agents' web-site last night for candidates for the next Château Piglet, and the one that fitted all our main criteria (number of bedrooms, bathrooms, appliances etc.) had a couple of bedrooms that had obviously been inhabited by Small Persons, and had hideously-coloured walls.

I think we'd have to have a painting party before we moved in ... [Eek!]

In other news, soup has been manufactured, and Therapeutic Cat Time™ has been observed.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
The one that fitted all our main criteria () had a couple of bedrooms that had obviously been inhabited by Small Persons.

For a moment there, I thought you meant mice!
 
Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
You can always redecorate, you know!

We once moved into a house that had a bedroom entirely papered in "The Real GhostBusters" ™ wallpaper...It soon wasn't!

I quite like magnolia - you can quickly change it with curtains, cushions etc.
 
Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
The one that fitted all our main criteria () had a couple of bedrooms that had obviously been inhabited by Small Persons.

For a moment there, I thought you meant mice!
Well mice are smaller than Piglets!
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by St Everild:
You can always redecorate, you know!

Oh, absolutely. I'm still hanging on to a vague (and very possibly vain) hope that the house we originally offered for might just have been taken off the market because the owners were fed up with trying to sell it, which would be lovely, as it doesn't need anything doing to it at all.

However, if we have to re-paint, so be it. As you say, magnolia (or similar) hides a multitude of sins.

BT - I should have been more specific - I meant children, not mice ... [Eek!]
 
Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
A beautiful sunny morning with frost on the ground. And the boys have returned to school today - heavenly! So I thought I'd pop in and say hello and happy new year [Smile]
No new house here but our old one is looking very run down and I'm trying to convince my other half to let me loose with a paint brush downstairs.
De-cluttering in the kitchen this morning, followed by an afternoon of study (part time masters in ed, my last year of 3 thank goodness). And bible study group resumes this evening after a break.
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Your beautiful frost on the ground made a hard frost on the windows of the Sionimobile. We have this off to a fine art, even on a bitter morning, but we were still delayed by enough for me to miss my hoped for bus connection. Ho hum, I get free buses later this year if I'm spared and there are still any buses.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Hello Heavenly Anarchist - long time no see! [Yipee]

We have the most glorious silver frost at the moment - every tree is covered in white frost, and if you catch them with the sun in the right direction, every little twiglet sparkles as though it were encased in diamonds.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Another frosty day here, with a frosty night now under way...my poor Cycling Men looked a bit sorry for themselves earlier, but a little dead-heading has improved matters, and there are lots of buds ready to blossom!

I always find January to be the looooooongest month of the year - once February arrives, one feels that Spring is at least on the bus, if not yet arrived. Mind you, not everyone thinks that way:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eT40eV7OiI&nohtml5=False

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
... I always find January to be the looooooongest month of the year ...

When I worked in the UK, January was always a long month - in Belfast we were paid on Christmas Eve, and, depending on how the days of the month fell, pay-day in January could be as much as six weeks after pay-day in December. [Eek!]

I thought it would be a bit weird being paid fortnightly when I worked in Newfoundland, but it was actually preferable - pay-day was every other Thursday, no matter how the calendar was organised.

Thanks, for the Flanders & Swann link, BF - I enjoyed that. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Flanders and Swann were always good value. Thanks.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
When I worked in the UK, January was always a long month - in Belfast we were paid on Christmas Eve, and, depending on how the days of the month fell, pay-day in January could be as much as six weeks after pay-day in December. [Eek!]

When I lived in Portugal many years ago, I discovered that annual pay was divided up into thirteen parts. This meant that you got "normal" pay every month, but a double dollop in December. The total pay was the same, but it certainly tided people over Christmas. I don't know if they still do this.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
A “thirteenth month” is quite common in France. My last place of employment had one, divided up into two bits, paid in June and December.

Back to our favourite topic (food [Big Grin] ): husband en rouge has spent his Christmas money on Auguste Escoffier’s recipe book, updated by a couple of chefs to be workable in a modern kitchen. I am deeply excited about this, although my arteries should probably be quite worried. How much butter can one human being ingest?
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
My son had a 'thirteenth month' in Germany. A great idea!

We had the opposite when I started teaching - double salary in July, none in August - a terrible idea!

Today we have drizzle, drizzle, drizzle - so the puppy's training involved a garden centre which has a nice covered outside bit to practice lead walking and some cafe training - my favourite 🐾🐾
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
How much butter can one human being ingest?

Surely the question should be, "How much butter can one human being ingest and survive?"
 
Posted by Sipech (# 16870) on :
 
You could always try creating your own thirteenth month. It's kind of how I save for Christmas.

Every month I squirrel away a bit of money into a separate bank account and don't allow myself to make any withdrawals from that account. Only when I start my Christmas shopping (usually around October) do I use it to pay off my credit card bills. That way, the money doesn't come out in huge chunks from my monthly disposable income.
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
How much butter can one human being ingest?

Surely the question should be, "How much butter can one human being ingest and survive?"
The Tarte Tatin Mrs Sioni made on our return from France a few years ago must have been close to the limit. Mrs S used sweet shortcrust pastry, made with butter. A two-day pud it wasn't.

eta: we don't have a "thirteenth month" but by putting all the £2 coins aside we paid for Christmas.

[ 06. January 2017, 15:03: Message edited by: Sioni Sais ]
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sipech:
You could always try creating your own thirteenth month. It's kind of how I save for Christmas.

Every month I squirrel away a bit of money into a separate bank account and don't allow myself to make any withdrawals from that account. Only when I start my Christmas shopping (usually around October) do I use it to pay off my credit card bills. That way, the money doesn't come out in huge chunks from my monthly disposable income.

U.S. banks used to offer "Christmas Clubs" which worked on the same idea.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Some British supermarkets do the same thing - you get a card and buy stamps to stick on it.

I myself, shopping at Sainsbury's, save up allk my "Nectar" points. This meant that I only had to pay about £2 for my "big" Christmas shop (and that was only because you can only redeem the points in multiples of £5, I had some left over).
 
Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
Last year I tried saving weekly 10p the first week, 20p the second, etc. I needed £100 in cash a hurry so didn't finish the year, but I've started again this year.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
... How much butter can one human being ingest?

How much have you got? [Devil]

I know I'm always wittering on about Costco ready-cooked chickens (and they are indeed excellent), but the food that our friends have instructed us to use up included a couple of (very) small frozen chickens, so today I decided to have a go at roasting one.

I got a hold of a Blessèd Delia recipe that involved lemon, garlic and thyme and chunks of onion and potatoes roasted round the chicken and it really was as easy as falling off a log. Definitely a "keeper". Although it only fed us once (at under 1kg it really wasn't very big), I turned the bones into a couple of cartons of stock, so we'll get soup and a casserole out of it too.

On the subject of saving for Christmas, I'm utterly rubbish at saving for anything, but when Belfast got a Tesco's their club-card points paid for our Christmas lunch on at least one occasion.

There's a pharmacy chain over here called Shoppers' Drug Mart, and their loyalty card builds up quickly enough that it doesn't take long to have a useful accumulation of points (which can be spent in multiples of $10 or $30). This is a very good thing, as it's ridiculously easy to rack up a $30 bill.
 
Posted by Pangolin Guerre (# 18686) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:

husband en rouge has spent his Christmas money on Auguste Escoffier’s recipe book, updated by a couple of chefs to be workable in a modern kitchen

Was it Ma Cuisine? This very evening I posted about Ma Cuisine on a different site. As I noted there, it was intended for the bourgeois household, but to my reading, it still required an equipe* of three commis* under Madame's command. I would be interested in seeing how the update reads, which recipes were omitted (my 30+ year old edition was 900+ pages), and how the surviving ones were adapted.

*Because I've been admonished previously:
Trans: equipe = lit. team; in this context, those collectively under the chef.
commis = a subordinate; sing. and pl. look the same
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
We save Nectar points for Christmas food as well - we had about £200 last year, not a negligible* sum.

M.

*spellchecker changed that to 'negligee' at first!
 
Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
When I started to claim my UK state pension, I was thrilled to discover that it was paid every four weeks! [Yipee]

At one stage Mr. S was paid on the 28th of the month and I was paid on the 15th - that worked very nicely. When I moved to a company that paid on the 6th, that was fine too, until you left, when you suddenly discovered how broke you were! [Eek!]

Mrs. S, no longer gainfully employed [Yipee]
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
Last year I tried saving weekly 10p the first week, 20p the second, etc. I needed £100 in cash a hurry so didn't finish the year, but I've started again this year.

Please do the sums for me - what does that add up to?
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Well, this implies that, in week 52, you are saving £5.20! The total must therefore be around £140.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
Well, this implies that, in week 52, you are saving £5.20! The total must therefore be around £140.

Thanks - I like this idea, I'm going to do it 😇😇
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
quote:
Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
Last year I tried saving weekly 10p the first week, 20p the second, etc. I needed £100 in cash a hurry so didn't finish the year, but I've started again this year.

Please do the sums for me - what does that add up to?
It depends. If you double the amount each week, rather than increase it by 10p, it gets very big very fast. Day 3 = 40p, Day 4 = 80p, Day 6 = £1.60 and so on. After a few months you will be saving something close to the budget deficit.

[ 07. January 2017, 18:07: Message edited by: Sioni Sais ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Please, what is this thing called say-ving of which you speak?

[Confused]

IJ
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I saw someone down here advocating putting aside $52 the first week of the year. $51 the second and so on. That would be a substantial amount by end of year but somewhat of a shock to the system to begin with.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I'm delighted to report that my faith in Great British Comedy has been restored. Last night, BBC Canada broadcast a "marathon" of a show called Upstart Crow, written by Ben Elton and featuring David Mitchell as Shakespeare. Think Blackadder meets Shakespeare in Love and you're about there; it was so enjoyable I sat up until a very silly time of night* watching it.

Our clear-out of our friends' fridge continues apace: there was a big load of broccoli and some Stilton, so, having found a book called The Soup Bible, I decided to test D's Soup Theory** and made broccoli and Stilton soup, which, accompanied by some home-made bread, was really very good.

* so silly, in fact, that I realised I'd have to get up in a couple of hours to feed the cat. [Snore]

** D. reckons one of the marks of a good restaurant is that they can make soup he likes from ingredients he doesn't. He doesn't like broccoli and I don't particularly like Stilton.
 
Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:


** D. reckons one of the marks of a good restaurant is that they can make soup he likes from ingredients he doesn't. He doesn't like broccoli and I don't particularly like Stilton.

I don't know about restaurants, but he's dead right where our kitchen is concerned. I don't like broccoli, do not care for parsnips and loathe sweet potatoes, but a couple of days ago I made a good thick winter soup with all of them, plus potatoes and some spices, crumbled blue cheese on top, and It Was Good.
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Glad someone else loathes sweet potatoes! I always feel such a yokel when I read foodie articles - they are apparently the route to healthy heaven if you believe what they write!
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Glad you liked Upstart Crow Piglet. The one where he thought he saw Banquo's ghost had me roaring out loud.
I still have the horrible virus that's been going round, so am having a lazy morning rtaher than goign to church and coughing over everyone.
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
Humour really is in the eye of the beholder, isn't it? Neither Macarius nor I liked Upsatart Crow at all!

Urgh - thinking about trying to get to work tomorrow. I am trapped by Southern Rail. I am one of the lucky ones in that my work does not mean I have to be in dead on time, my boss is very supportive and I can work from home. But I get a knot in my chest as I walk to the station and am near to tears not knowing what will be happening with the trains each time. And tomorrow we have the joy of an underground strike on top, so I will have to walk from the mainline station to work (which is fine, except I'm carting my laptop and papers around with me everywhere at the mo, in case I can't get in).

A plague on both their houses!

M.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Indeed - if only (a) government, and (b) union bosses all had to rely on public transport....

Sarasa, what you have, I'm afraid, is The Dreaded Lurgy. There is only one cure, and (as I may have remarked elsewhere) it has only one malt in it. May TDL soon be gone....

I've just noticed that outside, in the Wide World, there is a great big Round Yellow Thing shining in the sky... [Eek!]

IJ
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
....the big Round Yellow Thing is not , I think, the Star of the Magi...

...but they'd welcome it in Greece, which, along with many other parts of Europe today, is very cold indeed.

[Confused]

IJ
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I wasn't convinced by Upstart Crow either, but lots of people disagree, as obtaining the tickets for the recordings has moved from lots or reminders to one reminder and a lottery allocation.

I saw two Epiphany concerts yesterday - an afternoon concert from the BBC Singers conducted by Sofi Jeannin with a very Scandinavian themed selection at St Paul's, Knightsbridge. She is currently director of Chorus of Radio France, the French equivalent of the BBC Singers. I wasn't impressed by the Anders Hillborg piece muosaaeyiyosoum* but the rest was amazing. This one will be broadcast next week sometime.

The second concert was by Porcupine Production in St James's Piccadilly which opened with the 2015 winner of A Carol for Christmas, Christmas Bells by Jo Nicholls and another modern carol Could it be Christ? by Emily Hazrati, well performed by a female ensemble. Britten's The Journey of the Magi wasn't great because the counter-tenor wasn't up to it, followed by Britten's A Ceremony of Carols sung by the female group in I guess the SSA version. The second half was Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors which I hadn't come across before, but was charming - a one act operetta about the Magi.

And I got to see the Serpentine Gallery and the Zaha Hadid exhibition.

I'm dreading tomorrow too - my journey is reliant on the underground and is going to necessitate catching the 6:09 bus for starters, followed by two other buses.

* according to the composer it doesn't mean anything, it's a vocalisation of phonetics to get a sound to set to music.

eta sort out coding

[ 08. January 2017, 13:01: Message edited by: Curiosity killed ... ]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
... [in] many other parts of Europe today, is very cold indeed.

A FB friend is on holiday in Annecy at the moment, having decided to go now because her holiday in the autumn was a washout, and she posted pictures of snow this morning.

Best of luck to those of you who have to get about tomorrow morning - your transport system seems to be sadly lacking at the moment.
 
Posted by Tree Bee (# 4033) on :
 
I really enjoyed Upstart Crow, but then I'm not Shakespeare's biggest fan.
Travelling mercies for those struggling to w**k tomorrow.
 
Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I have an unwell child at home with a stomach upset. I'm not feeling brilliant myself (still not completely shaken off my viral chest infection which laid me up over Christmas) so it's going to be a very lazy day round here with some crochet. I need to do a little work online with my students but I'm working up to that this afternoon.
Some of my Tudor re-enactment friends really enjoyed Upstart Crow so I might look into it.
 
Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
I'm getting fed up of calls from "talktalk" - I've had two in the last hour. The first caller told me my internet was going to be down for 15 days and was rather nonplussed when I just treated that calmly and she put the phone down on me. The second told me there was a problem with my router and they could arrange for an engineer to look at it, free of charge. They put the phone down when I told them I was disabled and couldn't get upstairs to switch the computer on. Mind, when I said that to another caller last week, he called me "liar" and put the phone down.
Lord P was home over Christmas and has built a "virtual computer" - haven't a clue how - but kept a caller on the line for over an hour last week before telling them that he was looking at all their files!
Does anyone else have good tactics for dealing with these calls? (This could almost be a thread in itself!)
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Boo to annoying calls from 'computer' firms St. Gwladys. Luckily we don't seem to get too many of those things, though we kept on getting a recorded one for, I think, windows, that started 'with winter coming..' I put the phone down before they got any further.
I'm trying to ignore this annoying virus and went for a longish walk today, sorting out an audiology appointment and signing up to a calligraphy class on the way, all of which made me feel vituous.
I'm now going to settle down to watch Father Brown and do some knitting.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
My late Auntie Ethel, on receiving calls trying to sell her double-glazing etc. etc., would express keen interest for some minutes, and then say that she would have to go and consult my Uncle Tom. Half-an-hour later, she would return, only to find (no surprise) that the cold caller had long ago got even colder, and rung off.

At the time when she was receiving these nuisance calls quite frequently, Uncle Tom had been lying quietly in his grave for several years....

Of course, she could have just put the phone down on the cold caller, but she had a curious sense of humour.... [Paranoid]

IJ
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
My late Auntie Ethel, on receiving calls trying to sell her double-glazing etc. etc., would express keen interest for some minutes, and then say that she would have to go and consult my Uncle Tom. Half-an-hour later, she would return, only to find (no surprise) that the cold caller had long ago got even colder, and rung off.

At the time when she was receiving these nuisance calls quite frequently, Uncle Tom had been lying quietly in his grave for several years....

Of course, she could have just put the phone down on the cold caller, but she had a curious sense of humour.... [Paranoid]

IJ

I no longer get these calls, but I used to use a similar tactic. I would feign interest in what they were selling, but would excuse myself to turn down the TV, radio, whatever. It usually took quite some time (while I went about whatever I'd been doing before being rudely interrupted by their call) before I could hear the dial tone. One person called me back, and I explained that I hadn't meant I would turn down the TV right away, but was waiting for the show to be over.
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
Does anyone else have good tactics for dealing with these calls? (This could almost be a thread in itself!)

If you have the energy, the father of a friend used to let the caller go on for a bit then say "Now you've said your piece, let me say mine" and then tell them at length about his last holiday or the weather outside. The recipe for a quickly finished phone call.
 
Posted by Jengie jon (# 273) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
I'm getting fed up of calls from "talktalk" - I've had two in the last hour. The first caller told me my internet was going to be down for 15 days and was rather nonplussed when I just treated that calmly and she put the phone down on me. The second told me there was a problem with my router and they could arrange for an engineer to look at it, free of charge. They put the phone down when I told them I was disabled and couldn't get upstairs to switch the computer on. Mind, when I said that to another caller last week, he called me "liar" and put the phone down.
Lord P was home over Christmas and has built a "virtual computer" - haven't a clue how - but kept a caller on the line for over an hour last week before telling them that he was looking at all their files!
Does anyone else have good tactics for dealing with these calls? (This could almost be a thread in itself!)

At some time the user base of TalkTalk was leaked and so they call people. I let one go on for a while and then thanked them for their concern but as I was currently with another supplier I somehow suspect they were not from TalkTalk.

Jengie
 
Posted by Sipech (# 16870) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
Does anyone else have good tactics for dealing with these calls? (This could almost be a thread in itself!)

My tactic is to try to talk to the human being on the other end, and ask them about their hopes, dreams, ambitions, fears. Ask them if they really wanted to be a call centre worker and if not, what was stopping them from pursuing an alternative career. None thus far have ever engaged. But in my heart of hearts, I have a hope that I've prompted one or two resignations in favour of a more worthwhile job.
 
Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
Lord P did a stint as a door to door canvasser for an agency collecting for Hadith and got sacked because he didn't pull in enough pledges over a certain amount per month. He now does what you'd like to do, Sipech, if he's in when we get someone at the door.
 
Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
(Blast predictive text - meant to say "charity")
 
Posted by Rosa Gallica officinalis (# 3886) on :
 
It doesn't take long to report nuisance calls. Doing so may earn the companies nice big fines. The more people that report them the bigger the fines.

My mother used to say she would ask the budgie if he wanted double glazing-the house was already done. She also used to keep a sports whistle next to the phone to blast persistent offenders.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sipech:
quote:
Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
Does anyone else have good tactics for dealing with these calls? (This could almost be a thread in itself!)

My tactic is to try to talk to the human being on the other end, and ask them about their hopes, dreams, ambitions, fears. Ask them if they really wanted to be a call centre worker and if not, what was stopping them from pursuing an alternative career. None thus far have ever engaged. But in my heart of hearts, I have a hope that I've prompted one or two resignations in favour of a more worthwhile job.
Hmmmm, my niece worked in a call centre. She was a student at the time financing her degree. She now has a PhD and an excellent job.

Not all of them will lack ambition.


[Smile]
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Lots of call workers know it's a rotten job but they don't have a huge amount of option instead of this one, so talking to them about how bad a job is isn't that great.

TalkTalk say that the router thing is a scam and how to report it.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Not sure how true this is, but I'm told that many firms' call centres are in India (I think BT is one), and that jobs in such centres are highly sought after, and comparatively well-paid.

On the odd occasion I've had to contact BT (failing Broadband, problems with billing), I've received nothing but the utmost courtesy and practical help from the person at the call centre.

Not the same as the unwelcome cold callers, of course!

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
A chap we used to know had quite an effective cold-caller strategy: "This is Smith the butler speaking; I'm afraid His Lordship is unavailable at the moment".
[Killing me]

For reasons I can't explain, I felt ridiculously sleepy this morning (it's not even as if I was particularly busy yesterday or didn't sleep well), so apart from baking a batch of loaves and feeding the cat, I've had a very lazy day.

I suppose I could use the excuse that my body's still fighting the cold I developed after Christmas ... [Biased]

It was a beautiful, sunny day, but the temperature never got above -15° so it was quite nice not to have to do anything.
 
Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on :
 
The "Do not call" list is reasonably effective for filtering out legitimate, but unwanted, calls here, so it's fairly safe to assume that most cold calls are scammers, and I have numerous simple minded ways to amuse myself while discouraging them. The latest one exploits the fact that I have a phone in the garage close to the table saw, so I politely ask the caller if he would just hold on a moment while I finish a small job that I am doing. It makes a diabolical noise. The drawback is that being somewhat deficient of short term memory, I don't always remember to put the phone back after the poor caller has deserted his post.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Another method, which I admit I haven't tried, might be to simply announce to the cold-caller (in doleful tones) that you've Just Died....

Meanwhile, our current spell of mild weather is likely to be succeeded later in the week by SNOW!

Probably not the many inches known in pigletland, but even a light dusting (think icing sugar) brings this part of the UK to a halt....

IJ
 
Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Stewed trotters (crossed or not) go nicely with a smidgin of cheese...

[Snigger]

IJ

From Piglet: Go away, BF.

[Devil]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4NWehvRjOs
 
Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
Lord P did a stint as a door to door canvasser for an agency collecting for Hadith and got sacked because he didn't pull in enough pledges over a certain amount per month. He now does what you'd like to do, Sipech, if he's in when we get someone at the door.

I have a sticker on the verandah post that says 'Do not Knock'. Mind, I hadn't had door knockers for quite a while, but I put it up after I felt really sorry for a sad little man I couldn't be rude to.

GG
 
Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
Piglet, how are you and D getting along with the cat?

Moo
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Galloping Granny:
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Stewed trotters (crossed or not) go nicely with a smidgin of cheese...

From Piglet: Go away, BF.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4NWehvRjOs

Also from Piglet: Go away, GG. [Devil] Poor little piggy. [Frown]
quote:
Originally posted by Moo:
Piglet, how are you and D getting along with the cat?

Not bad at all - she's a very easy cat to get on with, and while she miaows and looks expectantly at the cupboard where the cat-food is whenever we come into the house, she seems to have taken reasonably well to us and is happy for us to stroke or comb her.

Yesterday she was miaowing at the cupboard, looking for treats, and I said, "what part of 'no' don't you understand?" She miaowed again, and D. said, "what part of 'miaow' don't you understand?" [Killing me]

She has us totally wrapped around her finger (paw?); we usually end up giving in and letting her have a treat when she shouldn't, so she's going to be the size of a small elephant by the time her usual humans come back ... [Eek!]

[ 10. January 2017, 21:56: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Well, it's true what they say - 'Dogs have owners, but Cats have staff!'

[Biased]

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Absolutely, BF. [Big Grin]

Everybody told me when I was feeling apprehensive about looking after Tabby that I'd probably fall in love with her and be wanting one of our own by the time her humans came back. I'm not quite at that stage, but I will admit to becoming quite fond of her - she's really quite nice ... for a cat.

[Devil]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
If you do end up being employed by a cat, make sure it's not a marmalade cat. Every time you look at her/him, s/he'll remind you of Trump's Hair.

[Ultra confused]

Enjoy, anyway! I rather like cats (well, I admire them, which is not quite the same thing, but, alas, I'm allergic to their fur - and have twice ended up in A & E as a result... [Disappointed] ).

IJ
 
Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
quote:
]Also from Piglet: Go away, GG. [Devil] Poor little piggy. [Frown]
[/QB]

Don't be concerned for dear little Piggy Sue. Now a big girl, she is living out her happy life at the home of an admirer in the country, after charming the whole of New Zealand. Her Human, in this ad, isn't hiding her future fate from her, but the dreadful things that happen to other pigs.
I think I've posted the original ad before, but I'll find it again after breakfast (I really slept in today!)

GG
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Possibly piglet was feeling sorry for the piggy who had been roasted...

[Waterworks]

IJ
 
Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
This is slightly changed from the original ad – I haven't seen it quite like this
on TV.
Found an Irish version too – different accents, different landscape. Such fun!

GG

[ 12. January 2017, 09:41: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Boogielet2 is home for a few days. He's a pilot and every few months they have to do simulator flights, to practice a wide variety of issues from fires in the hold to undercarriage not working etc etc which they can't practice in real life. He lives in Bristol but the simulators are in Manchester so he stays at hotel Boogie.

It's good to have him here - but I forget just how much these youngsters EAT!! I've made two loaves a day this week and still need to do another [Smile]

(And I don't eat bread at the moment due to my no-carb diet!)
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Hmm...perhaps five (barley) loaves, and two small fishes might suffice? [Biased]

Meanwhile, it's a real Dismal Desmond of a Day here - no SNOW! (yet), but pouring down with rain. Spring seems a long way off still! [Disappointed]

At least if we do get SNOW!, I'm well stocked up with biscuits, soup, potatoes, and wine... [Big Grin]

IJ
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Galloping Granny:
This is slightly changed from the original ad – I haven't seen it quite like this
on TV.
Found an Irish version too – different accents, different landscape. Such fun!

GG

I'm sorry GG but your link to that advert seems to be malfunctioning - it won't play for me or for others but I can't see any obvious errors in the coding.

Would you care to have another go, please?
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
...and Pete went mad in a bookstore!

Never take a librarian [albeit retired] to a bookstore! He wanted to pull the whole place apart and put all the books back in Dundridge Digit order, or something. As it was he settled for spending a small fortune on acquiring 4 new books to read in the plane on the way home...

...but has since admitted that he may start on them before he leaves.

Self control is not his strongpoint!

I, of course, restrained myself because of my nature being so [Angel] -ic, but it all reminded me that I have yet to put my monthly money in my Kindle account [Big Grin]

However, I did spend a not particularly small fortune on cheese including some Chilli Sambal Ruscello, which is like a rather pleasant spicy sort of version of Gouda.

Yum yum.

A good time was had by Pete and I last night when we went to the performance night at the local temple festival here in the village - the whole programme was really well presented with a mixture of theyyam and thiruvadiyar traditional dance styles, all danced by locals - the temple itself is well known but not enormous having never been fully rebuilt since it was sacked by Tipu Sultan of Mysore back in the late 18th century.

We didn't eat the free food on offer as we had already had supper but when a young neighbour boy brought me a paper cup of payasam, a sort of rather delicious pudding, I did force it down so as not to upset the lad. I'm good like that, always thinking of others.

[Biased]

Now I think it is approaching my bedtime, I can't do two late nights in a row these days.

[edited to correct appalling spelling error!]

[ 12. January 2017, 15:04: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
We actually had s**w today - thankfully, it was big, wet flakes which didn't stick.
I was in my Welsh lesson at the time, and we have a great view over the valley. Strangely enough, the topic was the weather, so we could legitimately say "Mae'n bwrw eira" - it's snowing.i
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Well, we call it SNOW! in Estuary English, and we've got it now....about an inch of the bl**dy stuff. More worrying for some, though, is the threat of a tidal surge and flooding along parts of the East Coast...

[Help]

I just hope WW enjoys his cheese.

IJ
 
Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
quote:
Originally posted by Galloping Granny:
This is slightly changed from the original ad – I haven't seen it quite like this
on TV.
Found an Irish version too – different accents, different landscape. Such fun!

GG

I'm sorry GG but your link to that advert seems to be malfunctioning - it won't play for me or for others but I can't see any obvious errors in the coding.

Would you care to have another go, please?

I think it might have been taken off, Even the Irish version (perhaps it was earlier?) that came up this time is about cellphone coverage. I'll have one more shot.
There is a TV interview of a larger (3 months later) Piggy Sue in her permanent home with the Milnes – Kevin Milne is a familiar senior TV journalist/presenter.
You may try googling piggy sue
If she's gone, I shall miss her. And unless VodaFone initially made a series of ads all at once there must have been more piglet TV stars. She is an English Large White and fully grown will be HUGE.

GG
 
Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Result of Googling piggy sue

I like using Preview because I get such a nice Thank You.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
[Axe murder] piggy sue!

Thanks, GG... [Big Grin]

IJ
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Galloping Granny:
Result of Googling piggy sue

I like using Preview because I get such a nice Thank You.

...and thanks to you, too, for sorting that out.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... We didn't eat the free food on offer ...

Yeah, right. [Devil]
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Well, we call it SNOW! in Estuary English, and we've got it now....about an inch of the bl**dy stuff.

My heart bleeds for you. [Big Grin]

Actually, some of our sn*w has buggered off, courtesy of a couple of days with temperatures in Plus Numbers [Yipee] and a spot of fog, but it would take about a week of that for it to properly go away, and the temperature forecast for Saturday is -13°C, so I reckon we can whistle for that. [Frown]

The chief result of the thaw is that there are humungous Patches of Treachery™ just waiting to catch out the unwary (probably me).

By the way, I love Piggy Sue. [Axe murder]

edited for spleling

[ 13. January 2017, 02:25: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
It was bad enough it took me 2 hours to get home last night because of snow and flooding, but it took poor Macarius nearly 5 hours (usually 1)!

He said there was no way through a lot of roads because of cars skidded everywhere, and abandoned cars etc. - which also lead to huge queues of course.

M.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Here in Suffolk we have had no snow, it is cold and bright. However there are predicted gales later today and, together with very high tides, this could cause quite a lot of coastal flooding - some villages have been evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Having said that, the morning high tide has passed uneventfully in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, but hasn't yet got to East Anglia. And there is another danger point at the evening tide. All depends on the wind.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
No sn*w here so far, but gale force winds last night. On the fifth floor, it felt like our windows were about to explode [Eek!] .

I have been feeling quite domesticated. Since Christmas is finished, poultry is all reduced, and I got a free-range corn fed chicken for €7. I roasted it on Tuesday (Dad en rouge’s method: stick half a lemon, a bit of onion and some thyme inside the cavity then rub the skin with olive oil, add salt and pepper and some herbs) then last night I made club sandwiches with some of the leftovers. They were tasty. I even peeled the tomatoes and everything and replaced the mayonnaise with hummus because (a) it’s healthier and (b) I’m not mad about mayonnaise and I didn’t want a whole pot hanging around afterwards that we wouldn’t eat. There’s even enough meat left over to make a risotto, with proper stock made out of the carcass. My Home Ec teacher would be proud of me. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
I came out of the supermarket and got hit by a blizzard: strong wind and huge sticky wet flakes. It's stopped now (but still quite windy). Flooding threat seems to have diminished although there are still worries along the coast.
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
It reached here in NW Kent shortly after Greenwich. Small flakes, trees lashing about, blown stuff blowing off the roofs.
It is landing on my living room, double glazed west facing windows, and melting immediately! Kitchen window, east facing, ditto.
The person who had their roof redone the other week has all the snow from last night slipped off. Goodness knows what the roofers used. Or did to the loft insulation.
No depth built up from today's fall.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Pleasant snow here - just a dusting for everything to look pretty - see my 'walk' blog [Smile]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Woke up this morning to SNOW!, ice, cold winds, and a power cut (now restored). Fled into Town - buses are running, but the Bus Station seemed unusually deserted, being full of nice warm buses (with cheerful drivers) but empty of Glums (aka passengers).

You colonials, of course, are used to it...but snow which sticks is actually quite rare in this part of the world - it must be 2 or 3 years since the last lot, and it generally only lasts for a few days (said he hopefully).

I do recall Epiphany a few years ago, when usual Wednesday evening Mass (for which I had prepared a superb homily [Big Grin] had to be cancelled because of a heavy snowfall which brought the town to a standstill. Notwithstanding which, the Mad Churchwarden and the Mad Reader (i.e. me) got to church, and said Evening Prayer (BCP, of course). A cold coming we had of it..... [Help]

IJ
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
First snow of the winter yesterday evening in South Wales. It even settled on car roofs and on the ground a few hundred feet up.

Perishing cold this morning - I should have taken a scarf to go with my cap.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
*sings*

'The snow has (nearly) gone, I can see clearly now'

...and the Yellow Face is shining in the sky.

However, the tide is still rising..... [Ultra confused]

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
... You colonials, of course, are used to it ...

You're absolutely right, BF - while it's easy for us to snigger at the whole of the UK coming to a standstill for a couple of inches of sn*w, it really is a matter of being prepared for it with the right infrastructure - ploughs, salting/sanding and what-have-you.

It looks as if our brief January thaw was just that - brief. It's a cold, clear, beautiful day here, but any bits of road or pavement where the ice hasn't melted completely are utterly treacherous, and the forecast is for the temperature to wend its way back down to -13° tonight, so there won't be any more thawing for a while. [Frown]

In other news, D. got a message from a lawyer in St. John's today to say that the potential buyers of the former Château Piglet have signed something. I'm not quite sure exactly what this means, but I'm still crossing everything and not counting any chickens.

[Help]
 
Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on :
 
But it's not so bad. After a few days of rain, hanging around the freezing mark or slightly above with everything squelchy, slippery and generally gloomy, it was back to -5°C, dry and sunny today, which is fine. Really, I don't care how cold it gets as long as the sun shines and the wind don't blow too hard. Remembering Edinburgh in the winter, when they just put the sun away and nobody sees it for three or four months.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
... I'm still crossing everything and not counting any chickens.

Just as well I didn't count those chickens. The buyer (an estate agent in Toronto) is now trying to bully us into accepting an offer so low it's an insult, citing a frankly ridiculous quote for having the plumbing updated, despite the fact that her offer was "as-is" and took into consideration the condition of the property.

The condition isn't that bad* - it's an old house with the problems that come with old houses - but insurers in St. John's more-or-less refuse to insure downtown properties, because they can get away with it. If someone were to set up an insurance agency specialising in downtown houses, they'd probably be coining it.

We're hoping our agent can return the bullying, with interest, but at this rate we'll be lucky to be able to afford a cardboard box in a doorway in Fredericton.

Feck. [Mad]

* According to the City assessment for rates purposes, it's worth over twice her latest offer, so she's getting a bargain.
 
Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
That is an embuggeration, Piglet. Despicable. What does your lawyer (and Estate Agent) have to say about it?

I hope that it is sorted, and soon, and that you can begin to settle in Fredericton.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We haven't engaged the services of a lawyer yet, although we did have some communication with one when the Scumbag's offer was still on the table. Having said that, he was from the same firm as the Scumbag's lawyer, so there may have been rather less impartiality than one might desire, and when things went pear-shaped, the silence from him was deafening.

With any luck there might be one in the congregation, or someone who can recommend one.

Now I ought to go and check on the chicken I put in the oven an hour or so ago. [Smile]

[ 14. January 2017, 17:17: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Yes, it might be scratching at the grit on the floor. Seems a funny place to keep a chicken? [Devil]

[ 14. January 2017, 17:10: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
BT, you're an eejit. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Guilty as charged.

Seriously, I trust this house-buying goes better for you, you must be so angry and frustrated. We're in the same process at the moment but, at the moment, it's going smoothly.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Seconded re god wishes for house-buying, Piglet. Been there, thrown the book out the winder etc. etc.

There is, I hope, a Special Circle In Hell for bullying and awkward estate agents (and lawyers).

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Thanks for your good wishes, gentlemen. [Smile]

Just after I'd typed that post (hence the edit) we had an e-mail from our estate agent enclosing an amended offer from the buyer, at the insulting price plus $10k!!!, which should be enough for Buying in Fredericton Plan B. We've signed it and e-mailed it back to her, and are now hoping (still crossing everything) that the deal should close next Friday.

Still a bit apprehensive but maybe this time ... [Paranoid]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
May BiF Plan B proceed successfully...

....all Episcopal Digits duly crossed!

IJ
 
Posted by neandergirl (# 8916) on :
 
Fingers crossed!
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Oh Piglet, I hope that it all goes well - such a frustrating time!

Here's wishing it all goes well, and by Friday.

[Votive]

* * * *

In other news I got down on the floor mat with the babies this morning then took a tumble trying to get up again! Silly Me!

Nothing was hurt except my pride, and I may well have an excess of that anyway, but I need to organise myself better! Later Beautiful Bertie Boy was screaming so I got down on the mat with him [again] and held him a bit then just rubbed his back and he promptly fell asleep.

A point to me, I think.
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
And what do points mean? - Prizes! [Big Grin]

Piglet's special hell dwelling for lawyers I can only support (all present company excepted!), and also add accordion players. There is a great cartoon by Gary Larson on that, and I think another one where a little boy accordion player gets chucked into hell. Justice!

However, Ladies and Gentlemen, (re)discovering French composer Olivier Messiaen, I have come across this stunning performance: 'La Nativité' (The Nativity) not on the organ, but on a Russian accordion, here! [Eek!] [Overused]

(Some Messiaen from the Nativité was organ-ised on at the end of a recent BBC Radio 3 Choral Evensong, from Merton College, Oxford.)

Wishing you/us all a lovely and blesséd Sunday!
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Wesley J:
And what do points mean? - Prizes! [Big Grin]

Piglet's special hell dwelling for lawyers I can only support (all present company excepted!) [...]

Sorry, that was axshually Bishop's Digit who dixit. And for estate agents, too!
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Fingers and paws crossed Piglet [Votive]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Another Dismal Dennis of a Day here, with clow loud, drist, and mizzle abounding....not much fun for dog-walkers! I made it to church, and we had an uplifting sermon from our Lay Reader (though I do wish he wouldn't preface his discourses with 'Mornin' all! Take a pew!'.. [Roll Eyes] ).

It seems that the East Coast's predicted storms/surge/high tides over the past day or so did much less harm than forecast, for which no doubt all are thankful. There was some flooding, but not, apparently, as much as had been feared.

IJ
 
Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
Like WW i also took a tumble yesterday but have hurt my shoulder rather than my pride. I am a member of the British Airways athletics club, which yesterday hosted a fixture in the Surrey league cross country, division 4. We are a small club and you need 10 runners for a cross country team, so I was prevailed on to take part. Division 4 of the Surrey league is quite a low standard but as with the higher reaches of athletics, it is better to maintain an upright position while running, rather than tripping over a tree root and falling forwards to land on your chest and shoulder in the mud.

I was able to resume and complete the race but by the evening my shoulder had seized up a bit and I have rather restricted movement in it today.

I spent the evening reading on the internet various suggestions for how to remove extreme levels of mud from a shirt.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Another Dismal Dennis of a Day here, with clow loud, drist, and mizzle abounding....

Yup, describes it perfectly.

I had the unusual experience of preaching in the local A-C church - all went well but it was a bit chilly. Now I can see why the High Church folk wear all those layers of vestments! [Devil]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Wesley J:
... 'La Nativité' (The Nativity) not on the organ, but on a Russian accordion ... [Eek!]

Eek indeed! [Eek!] Although actually, he seemed to be making not a bad fist of it. D. played Dieu parmi nous* after Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and was, I think justifiably, rather chuffed with himself.

Moonlitdoor, I'd love to offer a sympathetic oink (and I sincerely hope you haven't done yourself any lasting damage), but IMHO anyone who voluntarily indulges in cross-country running deserves all that's coming to them.

[Two face]

* or "Dieu parmi bleedin' nous" as a late organist friend used to call it. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
moonlitdoor - I hope the shoulder mends soon [Votive]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
So do I - ouch!

Best thing for extreme levels of mud on a shirt = a new shirt...

It's all very well for piglets - they have four (short) legs, and hence have less far to fall when running....

IJ
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
It's all very well for piglets - they have four (short) legs, and hence have less far to fall when running....

IJ

And they don't mind landing in the mud.
[Smile]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
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
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Something tells me tha Ship Piglet does not like mud much, [Razz]

Sore shoulders are horrible. I hope yours heals quickly.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Something tells me that Ship Piglet does not like mud much, [Razz]

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]

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]
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
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]

IJ
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Forgot to add - accompanied by a good claret, and some mature CHEESE to follow.

[Big Grin]

IJ
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
A heck of a lot of plucking to do, though! Can you use the hotchi-witchi technique with clay?
 
Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
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.... [Two face]

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
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
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
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
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 [Smile]
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
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.... [Two face]

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.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
All birds are pretty dim, hence the expression bird-brained ...

... but they can fly ... [Big Grin]

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. [Smile]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
All this talk of pigeons and squirrels reminds me of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNA9rQcMq00&nohtml5=False

[Snigger]

I'll get me coat.

IJ
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
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
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
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
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
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]

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. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
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] 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.
 
Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
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 [Angel] 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.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
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] . OTOH, we are following in a long and noble tradition of musicians complaining that Beethoven is unplayable [Snigger] .
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
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 [Angel] 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?
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I'm sorry, this is a family board and the name is definitely NSFW!
 
Posted by Sipech (# 16870) on :
 
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?
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It's a lovely, bright, sunny day here, and at -3°, it's almost warm. [Biased]

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 ( [Big Grin] ) 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!]
 
Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
In New Hampshire, my bank had a notary. I haven't needed one here, but I suspect that many American banks have notaries.

Moo
 
Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
Yes indeed, and they are either free (if you have an account) or cheap otherwise. Like, a few dollars or so.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
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. [Biased]

* that was her walking over the keyboard ... [Big Grin]

[ 18. January 2017, 02:37: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
Piglet, I think you would enjoy this thread in Limbo.

Moo
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
[Killing me]

Be careful, O Piglet!

Catz are not always as innocent as they seem....and once they evolve to having thumbs.... [Eek!]

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
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
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 [Eek!] 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. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
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)
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
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. ]
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
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 ]
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
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!!!!!!! [Eek!] [Eek!] [Eek!]

[Overused] [Overused] [Overused] for trying..

Ah, those were the days. Nostalgia's not what it used to be...

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
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] [Yipee] [Yipee] [Yipee] [Yipee]

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 ... [Big Grin]

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 ... [Eek!]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
[Yipee]

Happy Chateau-hunting!

IJ
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Congratulations, Piglet! I'm so glad something positive happened today!

[Yipee] [Yipee] [Yipee]
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
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 ]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Great news on the sale, Piglet and D.

[Yipee]

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!
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Doesn't Pete go over there so that he can miss winter?

I'll see myself out. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
Doesn't Pete go over there so that he can miss winter?

I'll see myself out. [Big Grin]

As much of winter as I can afford. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
Alleluia for the sale of the former Chateau Piglet. (Transfers prayers for that to prayers for purchase of new Chateau Piglet!)

[Yipee] [Yipee] [Yipee]
 
Posted by Polly Plummer (# 13354) on :
 
[Yipee] Piglet!
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Hooray for Piglet - and her buyers! [Yipee] [Yipee] [Yipee]

Now to find another lovely chateau Piglet [Smile]
 
Posted by ThunderBunk (# 15579) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Nicodemia:
Hooray for Piglet - and her buyers! [Yipee] [Yipee] [Yipee]

Now to find another lovely chateau Piglet [Smile]

.....or pigsty.......

(more natural fit, surely?!)

[Two face]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Possibly, but one feels that poor piglet has suffered enough already...

...so how about something like this:

http://bnps.photoshelter.com/gallery/Fancy-a-job-in-Britains-poshest-pigsty/G0000mbgYu.My230/

IJ
 
Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Yay Piglet! So pleased to hear that your former abode has sold. Enjoy looking for the next!
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Thanks for all the good wishes! [Smile]

That pigsty certainly looks posher than the former Château Piglet ... [Big Grin]

We're meeting the estate agent here on Sunday afternoon to see what's what and look at a couple of potential châteaux - I'll let you know how we get on.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Yay for château Piglet!!

And because I’m a copycat - I think a new chez rouge is also in the offing. We visited an apartment on Saturday just round the corner from our current one, but bigger (3 rooms instead of 2) and hopefully quieter. It’s not much more expensive and upstairs from a bakery (tasty baking close by and yummy smells and reduced heating bills). Only downsides: kitchen’s a bit small and we’re not sure there’s a cellar. What will we do with the wine???*

The lady from the agency is sending our papers to the owner and letting us know. We’re apparently top of the list.

*My Dad thought there was a fairly simple answer to this one: drink it. All 50-odd bottles.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
If you're above the bakery, presumably they've got the cellar.

If your dad's plan isn't an option*, you'll just have to get one of these.

* I'm sure there are several people on here who'd be pleased to help. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I love wine, especially French....

PM me for shipping address. I have a PayPal a/c.

[Big Grin]

(Thinks: living above a French bakery..mmmm....you could practically live on the aromas!)

IJ
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
I suggest a French Shipmeet -- we could all help with the move and do our best to deplete the excess supply of wine.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Excellent idea! [Big Grin]

We took a little drive out of town this afternoon and had a bite to eat in a road-side caff, but I think I made a bit of a duff choice - they had striploin steak for $15 and it really wasn't awfully good. IMHO striploin isn't nearly as nice as sirloin anyway, and this one wasn't very well cooked. I asked for it medium-rare, as is my wont, and although it had some flavour, it was tough on the outside and underdone and stringy on the inside, and had a huge great strip of gristle running down the middle.

The lemon meringue pie we shared afterwards was nice though - they specialise in pies, which are usually very good indeed.

I'll know better next time; I suppose you can't really expect top-quality steak at that price.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
The apartment is ours!

Turns out it does have a cellar after all so no symposium is in the offing. Anyway, some of it was bought to age and it would be a shame to drink it now. We were thinking of getting an electric wine cellar if necessary but it would have taken up space and they don’t work as well as a real damp murky cellar under your building.

Now we have to put all our belongings in boxes, which I’m not very excited about. [Help]
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
Hurray! [Yipee] When are you planning to move? If it's as close as you say, are you moving over gradually, instead of in one big go?

Congrats and have fun - perhaps even with the boxing up? And if you're lucky, i.e. more consistent than many of us [Paranoid] , you'll still be LVER and not La Vie En Boîtes (in boxes)! [Angel]

[ 24. January 2017, 08:15: Message edited by: Wesley J ]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Can I join in the fun? We are hoping to move in March and expect to be signing the contract on a house on Friday.

As we have always lived in church property, we will be first-time buyers - in our early 60s! And, no, I am not retiring.
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
Oh, and of course congrats (and even a couple of hallelujahs!) for the Piglets as well! [Big Grin] [Yipee]

ETA: And for the Baptist Trainfans! [Yipee] Will there be space of a wee liddle model train layout?

[ 24. January 2017, 08:21: Message edited by: Wesley J ]
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
*space for, sorry. Linguistically challenged this morning...
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Well done all the movers [Yipee]

Well, I'm off to work this afternoon - I only work two afternoons a week, but I'm very lazy about it!

Today we are painting ancient Mayan symbols [Smile]
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Well done BT. Accommodation can be a real headache for Baptist ministers later in life once they retire (I know you said you’re not yet) and there’s no tied housing anymore.

I don’t know when we’re moving. Previously you had to give 3 months’ notice when you left before the end of your contract. In view of the French housing crisis, a law came out last year reducing the notice period to one month, but only if you signed after the law was published. However, a lot of people don’t know about the second bit and we’re hoping our current landlord is one of them [Snigger] . We’re going to innocently say “we’ll be moving out in a month then” and see if he contradicts us. It’s not like he’ll have trouble finding a new tenant (aforementioned housing crisis). If he says no we’ll have more time to get organised, but we’ll have to pay three months’ double rent [Eek!] .
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
There is a strange custom locally, I don't know if it is a general Hindu custom or specifically a Kerala Hindu custom*, when babies get to 6 months old they are taken to a temple with parents, grandparents, extended family, etc. to receive their first rice prepared for them by the Brahmins [hereditary priests] of the temple**.

Our pair were taken on Sunday last to a Naga [snake] Temple about an hour's drive away - Gorgeous Gertie Girl screamed the whole time whilst Beautiful Bertie Boy had to be woken to have his! It is all cooked thoroughly so it is very soft and there isn't much of it but custom and practice was, apparently, maintained to the satisfaction of all. I say apparently as it is very definitely a Hindus Only sort of event so I stayed at home and looked after Pete - well, I made him breakfast and later I made his lunch even though they were all back by then.

*Himself has just been upstairs so I asked him about this practice and he says it is restricted to Kerala and Tamil Nadu, just in case you were wondering.

**Brahmins are usually [very] good cooks as they learn the art of temple cooking almost from birth. Whether they take over the cooking at home from their wives I have no idea.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Wesley J:
Will there be space of a wee liddle model train layout?

I doubt it ... it'll be hard even to fit in my railway books!
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Now, now...must try harder!

http://www.carendt.com/

[Biased]

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Mustn't let D. see that website ... [Big Grin]

Congratulations, La Vie and Mr. Rouge, and health to enjoy your new place (and the contents of the cellar) when the time comes; and happy hunting to BT and Mrs. BT.

Now that we've got the remains of the sale price of the old house (considerably reduced by all the expenses) in our sticky trotters, our buying power seems to be very small indeed - we can just hope that people selling here will be as desperate to get rid of their places as we were to get rid of ours.

[Help]
 
Posted by Barnabas Aus (# 15869) on :
 
Bishop's finger wrote
quote:
Now, now...must try harder!

http://www.carendt.com/

The late Carl Arendt published solutions to so many space problems. I have modified three of his designs to satisfy my N scale fetish. Currently building a modification of his folding terminal for a local exhibition in May.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Well, if we had any lingering doubts that we’re right to move… the heating is broken down again at (the current) chez rouge. Last night it was -2°, going down to -6° tonight. Brrrrrr. We have plug-in electric radiators so it’s bearable but frankly, y’en a marre*.

Turns out we only have to give one month’s notice. The original law only applied to leases signed after it, but Emmanuel Macron (God bless his cotton socks) has passed another one since to make it apply retrospectively in stressed areas which basically means Paris and its suburbs. So we’ll move at the end of February.

*sick of it
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
Can you get the landlord to pay some compensation towards the leccie bill? After all, them heaters are very costly in terms of power consumption! - With our last heating breakdown, in deepest winter too, and for a few days, the landlord had to cough up some cash towards to leccie, as its within their responsiblity to provide a working heating system.

Hope you will be ok soon. And I hope that the temperatures you indicated were rather outside than in the flat! [Eek!] May all go well!

[Mad] <-- helpful warming smiley
 
Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
In Canada, for y'en a marre*, we often says j'ai/avais mon voyage* to mean much the same thing as "sick of it*/ I've had it!*
 
Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
For my education, who or what is the il of il y en a marre ? Is it like man in German, 'one is sick of it' or is it a different construction ?
 
Posted by Ferijen (# 4719) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
There is a strange custom locally, I don't know if it is a general Hindu custom or specifically a Kerala Hindu custom*, when babies get to 6 months old they are taken to a temple with parents, grandparents, extended family, etc. to receive their first rice prepared for them by the Brahmins [hereditary priests] of the temple**.

How fantastic is that? Is that the first taste of solid foods? Ferijenet is coming up to ten months old. His first food was also ceremonial. Ceremoniously dumped all over the floor and that and most meal times since...

Good luck on the various house moving plans. We, too, intend to move at some time this year, but can't begin to comprehend the uphill battle required of sorting the house, and keeping it tidy. We're also tied to a very small area due to older Ferijenet's school, and there is very little on the market.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We went to look at another house this afternoon* and we think it's The One. It's only just come on the market, but the owners have already moved out (I understand one of them is in poor health), and it really has everything we want and nothing that we don't.

And we think we can afford it! [Yipee]

We've put in an offer a bit below the asking price, but we may be able to be a wee bit flexible - wish us luck! [Smile]

* The one we saw on Sunday was a bit of a non-starter - although it was cheap, it was very poky and needed a new roof.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Here's hoping, Piglet.

* * * *

Today is Republic Day here so not much is going on as it is a Public Holiday but our house painters still turned up.

Schools will be in for the kids to parade, raise the tricolour and sing the national song and then they will all go home again...

...and I will go back to bed shortly.

[Cool]
 
Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
Go Piglet and D! [Yipee]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We've offered and they've accepted!
[Yipee] [Yipee] [Yipee]
We just have to get the estate bloke to approve us again (he's probably still got the paperwork from our previous attempt), get the legal whatnots and insurance sorted and, DV, we should be closing on 9th February.

As we'll still be house-sitting until the end of March, this'll give us a chance to get a spot of internal painting done before we move in - the kitchen and hallway are a sort of yellow colour - not horrendous, but I really don't like yellow, so I think it'll have to go ... [Big Grin]

We may have a few bits of furniture to get rid of - although it's probably not much less in square footage than the former Château Piglet, it's laid out differently (all on one floor, for a start), and because the kitchen's better-equipped than our old one, we probably won't have space for the pull-out larder. We might also ditch the old spare bed, because (a) it's hideous; and (b) we've got a futon which will do the job. We're thinking the two smaller bedrooms will work with one as a study and one as a library-cum-ursularium, which should keep everyone happy, including the bears. [Smile]
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Wonderful news, Piglet!
[Yipee]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Brilliant news!

A small caveat is that an Ursularium may not work - I tried concentrating mine all in one room but then I found that Certain Bears [etc.] liked to be separate from the rest so I now have 4 that share my bed, one of whom looks after my specs whilst I sleep. Eeyore, being A Snooty Sort of Donkey, sits all alone on a bookshelf then complains that nobody ever comes to see him!
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Good news on the house fronter Piglet. It's great that you'll have some time to sort things out before you move in.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
That’s lightning speed, piglet [Smile]

We sign this afternoon and then the dreaded boxes begin. We want to move on the 18th which doesn’t give us long.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I used to have an Ursularium, for Very Small Bears - it was the 'parcels shelf' of my 1970s vintage Mini (known, ingeniously IMHO, as 'Min'). The Ursularium could accommodate about 35, IIRC.

Min, alas, passed away some years ago, from terminal corrosion, but the bears were rescued, and are now safe indoors.

Best wishes to you box-packers!

IJ
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
A busy week ahead. In addition to helping Eldest Son & d-I-l deliver their second child (which consists mostly of looking after their 18 month old firstborn) we have to clear the stuff/junk from under our bed so that the replacement bed can be moved in.

The old bed is a superking size (six foot wide) so it covers a considerable area and we've used it all. There isn't much room elsewhere so a serious clearout is needed. Mrs Sioni and I have become hoarders as a consequence of periodic enforced decluttering when young so this will hurt.
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
A small caveat is that an Ursularium may not work - I tried concentrating mine all in one room but then I found that Certain Bears [etc.] liked to be separate from the rest so I now have 4 that share my bed, one of whom looks after my specs whilst I sleep. Eeyore, being A Snooty Sort of Donkey, sits all alone on a bookshelf then complains that nobody ever comes to see him!

Poor Eeyore. Can't you find him a friend?
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
A small caveat is that an Ursularium may not work - I tried concentrating mine all in one room but then I found that Certain Bears [etc.] liked to be separate from the rest so I now have 4 that share my bed, one of whom looks after my specs whilst I sleep. Eeyore, being A Snooty Sort of Donkey, sits all alone on a bookshelf then complains that nobody ever comes to see him!


Poor Eeyore. Can't you find him a friend?
PeteC has suggested I move him on to my bed but I'm not sure how the others there will take to him and he will undoubtedly moan about them in his usual passive/aggressive manner.

Off to the Eye Hospital in the morning at some ridiculously early hour in the hope that Dr Elizabeth can work out what my left eye is up to - I don't know what it is doing but seeing hardly seems to be on the agenda these days. I have done a list of the medication I am taking just in case it is iatrogenic and I need to have them modified - I just know I might have to wait a while before I'm seen!

All right, if you insist I'll try Eeyore on my bed for a week and see how it goes.
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
We've offered and they've accepted!
[Yipee] [Yipee] [Yipee]

Success! Congratulations, Piglet.
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
All right, if you insist I'll try Eeyore on my bed for a week and see how it goes.

Thank you. We'll expect a progress report.

More importantly, good luck with your eye, and we'll want a report on that too.
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
[...] PeteC has suggested I move him on to my bed but I'm not sure how the others there will take to him and he will undoubtedly moan about them in his usual passive/aggressive manner. [...]

Holy moley, I read the 'move him' as 'move PeteC' on to your bed...!! TMI! [Eek!] [Paranoid] [Killing me]

I clearly need a wee bit of rest over the weekend! Which I do wish jolly and restful to all here. [Smile]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
The bears won't be all in the one room; some of the larger ones will live on the sofa*, and there are one or two who live on our bed. Most of our bears are really quite small (under 6" tall), and they can live on top of bookshelves, of which there will be many. Both spare bedrooms (sorry - the office and library [Big Grin] ) have built-in cupboards, which could probably be fitted with shelving for books and/or bears. One will be for D's clothes, as his bathroom** is at that end of the house but there's no reason why the other shouldn't become an ursularium.

* for purposes of curling up and falling asleep, you can't beat the company of a generously-proportioned bear. [Smile]

** Somebody (I think it may have been Sir Michael Caine), when asked the secret of a long and happy marriage, replied, "each having your own bathroom". I think he was right.

[ 27. January 2017, 23:09: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
I did hear someone saying recently that not all that many husbands and wives consider divorcing their partners at some time, but most consider murder ...

We went to look at our new house on Thursday and did some Measuring Up; on Friday we met the solicitor and signed the contract; this morning I have sent her the deposit. We hope to exchange next week.

Having never done this before I find it quite nerve-wracking, and my wife said that I therefore Talked Too Much while we were with the solicitor!
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Just remember, Baptist Trainfan, that every sentence you say at a Solicitor's costs at least £5!!
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
As little as that??? You're obviously using the wrong kind of solicitor!

Actually we're on a "fixed fee" deal.
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
[...] Talked Too Much while we were with the solicitor!

Some people say that about sermons!
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Cheeky!
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
Sermons in general I mean. Present company excluded. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I'm sure BT won't mind - Baptist sermons are meant to be too long ... [Devil]

I didn't realise you'd got to the exchanging contracts and measuring-up stage, BT - that was really quick! Hope it all works out for you (and your furniture all fits - see my previous posts).

I'm having to imagine what size a lot of our furniture is; we haven't seen it for over six months, so it's really going to be fun and games getting everything sorted when the time comes.

I think we may have to have the collection people for Habitat for Humanity on standby when the movers do their bit, so that we can ditch what we can't accommodate.*

* Obviously, this will not include any of the bears. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We're just back from a very nice feed indeed. There's a winter festival going on here at the moment called "Frostival" which includes a feature called Dine Around Freddy - several local restaurants offering a three-course meal for $31 (about £19). The place we chose is the restaurant of a hotel, but happened to have the menu that most appealed to us.

We both started with the pâté, which was solid and flavoursome, rather like an English pork pie.

Then D. had the partridge and I had the salmon, both of which were excellent - nice balance of meat and veggies (who knew that kale was nice?) and sensible portions, which left enough space for the puddings (he had the berry pudding, I had the crème brûlée). Normally I'd say that crème brûlée with anything added to it is an Abomination Before the Lord™, but this coffee-flavoured version was all right.

Accompanied by a v. nice French sauvignon/muscat, it was a very nice way of celebrating the sale of the former Château Piglet and the (almost completed) purchase of the next one, and at $125 (£75) it didn't break the bank.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
One of the glories of Quakerism is the lack of sermons - many clergy friends think that is A Very Good Idea.

Apparently I have a high BP which is causing a blood vessel behind my left eye to press on the optic nerve but more investigations tomorrow morning...

...meanwhile last night Kelly Elves appeared to me in a vision - well, I had a dream where she was with me in my old house in Liverpool and she pulled the banister rail off the wall!!

The fact that there was no banister rail allows me to forgive her, as does the fact that I haven't lived there for nearly 20 years!

I hope you had a good flight back, Kelly - mine passed in an instant.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
I'm sure BT won't mind - Baptist sermons are meant to be too long ... [Devil]

Actually, mine are shorter than many and, I hope, fairly focused. Two weeks ago I preached in our local A/C church and kept down to 10 minutes!

I have to say that, when I go to my local Parish Church (as I do sometimes when I'm on holiday), the Vicar stops preaching just at the point where things seem to be getting interesting and worth teasing out a bit!

We visited our New Church last week and I had coffee with the local Catholic priest - his church is the closest to ours and he is very ecumenically-minded. Interestingly enough he has a Doctorate in Astro-physics! Although I'm sure that there are things on which we shall disagree, I look forward to working with him.
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
I once worshiped at a Catholic Church that had a joint Christmas carol service in Advent with the local Baptist church. A nice fun occasion for all concerned.
We've just come back from a weekend away celebrating a wedding. A wonderfully diverese collection of people, including some I hadn't seen in years and lots of good food, baord games and dancing. What more can you want.
It was held in a town we are seriously considerig moving to, and this weekend has made us think it could be possible. A few hurdles to overcome, and I doubt it will be this year, but it could be exciting.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sarasa:
I once worshiped at a Catholic Church that had a joint Christmas carol service in Advent with the local Baptist church. A nice fun occasion for all concerned.

Some of our folk go to the RC Easter Vigil. And, in the Place We're Going To, the Catholic church down the road has just started a joint Alpha course with the nearby evangelical/charismatic church.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
If I wanted to be really snarky ( moi? ), I'd say it shows how desperate the RCs must be for new recruits, by joining an Alpha course!

[Paranoid]

Seriously, though - an innovative venture, and it would be instructive to know how it pans out...

IJ
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Actually, said priest is not only charismatic himself, but has a strong sense of mission and evangelism. Specifically he wants to see "cradle Catholics" coming into a living faith.

If anything, it's the Evangelicals in this case who felt that they might not have enough potential folk to form a complete Alpha group. But I don't know who approached who!
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Well, good luck to them, however it came about!

IJ
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
My RC shack has held continuous Alpha courses, some original flavour, some catholic version, for nearly 20 years.

We have a pretty active Churches Together here in my corner of the rhubarb triangle, and have joint services in holy week with the local Methodist and C of E churches.

Re: sermons. We've had Fr O'H, a retired priest, subbing for us the last two weeks. Apparently he was a curate here in 1968! At some point inbetween, someone told him that the only thing they needed was to hear in a sermon was that God loved him. That is now his go to sermon when visiting a parish. Very quick in the telling and to the point.

During post-match coffee, he was telling us what it was like to perform his first 'facing the congregation' mass.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
There was a very well-attended Alpha course here at the Cathedral in the weeks leading up to Christmas. We weren't involved (it's not really our thing) but I'm glad they got a good crowd.

BT, I'm delighted that you and your RC colleague get on so well. The minister of the Baptist church where I grew up was so anti-Catholic that he withdrew the church from the local Council of Churches; apparently at one meeting, Fr. B----- came in one door and Rev'd. M------ immediately left by another.

One of the things that was noticeable about Northern Ireland was that, with the exception of Ian Paisley's lot (who really were a law unto themselves) the clergy of the different denominations got on very well. One Candlemas we sang at the RC cathedral (I believe we were the first non-Roman choir to do so), and the Monsignor was absolutely delighted - for one thing, he said it was the most Latin he'd heard since before Vatican II.

Talking of sermon lengths, the Dean got a bit of a snigger this morning: he was preaching on the Beatitudes and pointed out that they only took 40 seconds to say, but he'd be taking rather longer ... [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
With all the ghastly brouhaha going on in the USA (and the world in general), it's so refreshing to hear about nice things.

All best wishes to BT, for the new Manse, to Piglet, for the new Chateau, and to anyone else moving to a new abode. Happy packing, and even happier unpacking!

I'm hoping to stay put for a year or two yet, but the time will no doubt come (unless I'm Promoted To Glory suddenly) when I, too, will have to pack boxes...

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Thanks, BF - your good wishes are much appreciated. [Smile]

We went and signed up today with the estate where the future Château Piglet is - it was really just a formality as they'd already approved us when we thought we were going to buy the previous house. We were a bit surprised that we needed to get approval to live in what is basically a glorified static-caravan park*, but I suppose it shows it's a bit more upmarket than that, and not just a repository for riff-raff ... [Big Grin]

Also, insurance has been arranged (phew!) and will cost much less than we expected.

We're getting there! [Yipee]

* but one with spectacular views. [Axe murder]
 
Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
Such good news, Piglet!

A view would be lovely - we have only trees at the back, rather than another house, but it would be soooo wonderful to be able to see Out, as it were - i do try not to covet (honest!) but a View is something that I can't help myself with*

*I know the syntax in that sentence stinks, but it's early and I'm on my way to see the Dowager.

Mrs. S, not at all jealous of Piglet, oh no [Two face]
 
Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
It's an interesting indication of the differences between the UK and Canada that anything other than a decidedly upmarket house would have two bathrooms.
 
Posted by Jengie jon (# 273) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:

Talking of sermon lengths, the Dean got a bit of a snigger this morning: he was preaching on the Beatitudes and pointed out that they only took 40 seconds to say, but he'd be taking rather longer ... [Big Grin]

Yes, but Jesus went on for another two and half chapters! The beatitudes is just the opening gambit.

Jengie
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Assuming, Jemgie, that the Sermon on the Mount actually took place as a one-off event and Matthew wasn't just compiling various different pieces of Jesus' teaching ... as you well know!

In any case, Jesus could speak faster than the Dean as he wouldn't have had an echo to contend with. (My sermons always last longer if I preach in a certain URC church, for precisely that reason!)
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
What, you mean the Faithful get two sermons for the price of one?

[Eek!]

IJ
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
We are off to Heidelberg tomorrow to visit my son for the weekend.

The dogs have been duly dispatched to their holiday homes - the house is now seriously quiet!!

[Smile]
 
Posted by Wet Kipper (# 1654) on :
 
going back to the "mixed denomination" alpha course discussion made me think of this joke I saw on Facebook recently (might even be on one of the SOF pages, but can't find it now)

quote:
After the revival had concluded, the three pastors were discussing the results with one another.

The Methodist minister said, “The revival worked out great for us! We gained four new families.”

The Baptist preacher said, “We did better than that! We gained six new families.”

The Presbyterian pastor said, “Well, we did even better than that! We got rid of our 10 biggest trouble makers!”


 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
What, you mean the Faithful get two sermons for the price of one?

That sounds like Sir Thomas Beecham telling composers that their new pieces should be put on in the (notoriously echoey) Royal Albert Hall, as that meant they would get at least two performances!
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
In any case, Jesus could speak faster than the Dean as he wouldn't have had an echo to contend with.

But He had to deal with the folks at the back of the crowd who thought He said "Blessed are the Cheesemakers."
[Biased]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
That was because he had a poor interpreter to translate into English.

You just couldn't get the staff ...

[ 01. February 2017, 14:12: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
 
Posted by Jengie jon (# 273) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Wet Kipper:
going back to the "mixed denomination" alpha course discussion made me think of this joke I saw on Facebook recently (might even be on one of the SOF pages, but can't find it now)

quote:
After the revival had concluded, the three pastors were discussing the results with one another.

The Methodist minister said, “The revival worked out great for us! We gained four new families.”

The Baptist preacher said, “We did better than that! We gained six new families.”

The Presbyterian pastor said, “Well, we did even better than that! We got rid of our 10 biggest trouble makers!”


Wet Kipper

That is so right!

Jengie
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I'm enjoying the delights of a proper desk-top computer, with a fully-functional mouse (the Dean decided that D. needed a functioning computer and understands that laptops are basically rubbish).

The printer's still playing silly-beggars, but we'll get there ... [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Ah - happy days! I can't for the life of me operate a Kom-Pooter sans mouse - my fingertips just aren't sensitive enough...and I only have room for a lap-top and a very small printer.

IJ
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
I even use a mouse with the tablet I take with me when I travel. (At home I'm on a desktop, not a laptop.)
 
Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Pigwidgeon, thanks for that, I bought a tablet recently and I didn't realise I could use a mouse, I will investigate further. I bought the cover separately and it came with a small stylus which was so useful (mainly for my phone) I went out and bought 3 more
[Yipee] (insurance against losing them).
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I bought some fabulous Bluetooth headphones, brilliant for listening to podcasts - and promptly lost them at Stuttgart airport [Roll Eyes]

It's fine and dry here in Heidelberg - we are about to meet my son for an all-you-can eat breakfast followed by a long walk. 🤗
 
Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
I'm enjoying the breathless silence about the allegations of abuse connected to the 'Bash' camps. Could it be that the links to things still valued in the CofE are too close to hearts for anyone to risk making a comment?
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Or is it a case of - sadly - that we've got a bit too used to such allegations?

Nothing to do with the Bash camps, but I was profoundly shocked when a friend of mine in holy orders was found guilty of similar abuses and sent to prison.

I did have a rather horrible thought about the current allegations, which is that the use of corporal punishment in schools was still permitted in schools at that time. Of course, what is alleged to have happened went far beyond that - but was there in any sense a feeling that this was almost "normal" behaviour?

Or - as implied - is this the "Establishment" protecting its own?
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
BT, I think you make a fair point about corporal punishment being legal (and accepted) in schools at the time, but it seems to me unlikely that it would have been acceptable at Church camps. Part of me is shocked that it would have gone unreported, but another part of me wonders if there was an element of "not making a fuss" or putting up with it because of the overall "good" perceived to have been done by the camps.

As in so many such cases, there seems to be a reluctance on the part of the Establishment (whether in the form of church, school or whatever) to admit that such things have taken place.
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
What's a Bash Camp? From what I am hearing it sounds as though the name is rather, unhappily, suitable!
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
There was a very public school based Christian summer camp based at Iwerne Minster, Dorset back in the day and many of the current leading lights of evangelical Christianity in the CofE cut their eye teeth there.

I showed a couple of its alumni around the local (Grade II* listed) Victorian church and their immediate questions were "Where are the screens?" "Where is the nave altar?". But they also talked of the Bash Camps. The Victorian Society and English Heritage would not be impressed.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Pete Ward, in "Growing up Evangelical" has a very useful section on this. Start reading at p.37 or thereabouts.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
I showed a couple of its alumni around the local (Grade II* listed) Victorian church and their immediate questions were "Where are the screens?"

How very rood of them!
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Difficult to altar that kind of attitude, though...

IJ
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
Makes you want to screen.
 
Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
Eric Nash (nickname "Bash", hence Bash camps) casts a very long shadow over the evangelical wing of the CofE. As well as founding the camps from Iwerne - these were (still are, to a certain extent) aimed fair-and-square at public schoolboys with the express intention of building a network of alumni in the church, military, law and public life in general.

Iwerne campers carried on meeting at their schools and a culture of secrecy was encouraged, partly because some school chaplains weren't too happy with what some saw as the simplistic nature of the gospel that was being preached.

Nash then went on to head-up the Christian Union, and so the message (and influence) of the 'Bash' ethos was kept going, and further spread, through the universities. The Dormitory Officers spoken of in the reports about Smyth were recruited from Bash alumni at university and fulfilled a role akin to a prefect or senior monitor.

If you want further evidence of the Bash influence, look no further than Alpha: in his Reinventing English Evangelicalism Rob Warner wrote
quote:
Alpha can... be summed up as [Nash] camp rationalistic conservatism combined with Wimberist charismatic expressivism... this is a highly unusual, even paradoxical hybrid.
John Irvine and Sandy Millar were both Bash campers.

As for the flagellant activities of Smyth being somehow less shocking to his victims at the time because of corporal punishment in schools, Winchester (the main school that seems to have had pupils targeted by Smyth) was one of the first major schools to stop the use of corporal punishment (mid 1970s, I think) and which had been, in any case, used only rarely post 1960 and then for 'misdemeanours' which in other instances might have incurred an official legal penalty.
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
quote:
Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
I showed a couple of its alumni around the local (Grade II* listed) Victorian church and their immediate questions were "Where are the screens?"

How very rood of them!
When they asked me I did blink and look surprised as there is a very large rood screen separating the chancel from the nave and another between the Lady Chapel and the nave. The one between the chancel and the nave is large enough to walk on. (Yes, I've been up there and done it.) I suspect they had to clarify that they meant screens for projection.

(All Souls Langham Place has a painting under the screen behind the altar, if the screen ever comes down.)

[ 04. February 2017, 11:44: Message edited by: Curiosity killed ... ]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I've been a moderately busy piglet today. After going to the Farmers' Market for the first time in ages, we went to a very enjoyable meeting with the local organists' association; there were a couple of other newcomers apart from ourselves, and we had a very jolly time swapping tales of Embarrassing Experiences and such-like (and finding that there may even be organists available for depping, which is always useful to know).
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
Piglet, do you already know when you are going to move? (Apologies if this has been asked before!)

I'm currently listening to Sunday Worship on the Home Service, which is from St. Martin-in-the-Fields. However - strangely enough, the mic of the chief rev there isn't working properly, with the other mics only picking up the reverberations of the rev's sayings! Eeek!

Luckily the other mics - choir, readers, speakers - were working, and the service was inspiring I'd say. And with Handel's music for firework on the organ, to finish off, which I'd never heard played on the organ before! [Big Grin]

Hm... does Radio 4 have a mic problem? Same non-working mic thing happened last night throughout all of Loose Ends. Ach well.

Wishing everyone a lovely and blesséd Sunday! [Smile]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
The Home Service?
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Some people never grow up!
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
[Big Grin]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Alas, I, too, knew what he meant....

BTW, I'm not sure it's a Good Idea for piglets to go too often to Farmers' Markets..... [Paranoid]

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Wesley J:
Piglet, do you already know when you are going to move?

The sale is due to close on Thursday, but the folk we're house-sitting for aren't back until the end of March, so we won't actually move in until then.

The plan is that once we get the keys we'll go up and do a spot of painting (the kitchen and hallway are currently yellow, which I really don't like), have our stuff moved in some time in the week after next (to save paying for any more storage than we have to) and then have a few weeks when we can go up as and when we feel like it and get things sorted out (we might even get Things Taken Out Of Boxes [Eek!] ), so it should look quite civilised by the time we actually move in.

That's the plan; the reality may be somewhat different ...

[Paranoid] [Help]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
I'm not sure it's a Good Idea for piglets to go too often to Farmers' Markets..... [Paranoid]

They'd be OK if they stayed within the Vegetarian/Vegan section.

And never, ever, went to any market in the vicinity of Melton Mowbray.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Time to 'fess up - I bought some rather good cooked ham and salami yesterday.

I'm not a very good piglet, am I? [Hot and Hormonal]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
No, but hopefully the one who provided the ham was.

[Two face]

(What are these Things Taken Out Of Boxes of which you speak? Surely the point of possessing Boxes is to Keep Things In Them.)

IJ
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
It's our last night in Heidelberg - last Weissbiers - the time flies by when we are here. This afternoon I enjoyed a Berliner with my coffee (a doughnut).

[Smile]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Isn't that what JFK described himself as?

'Ich bin ein Berliner....'

IJ
 
Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
British and Canadian and Australian Republicans may scroll past this post. Also Kiwis.

65 years ago on February 6th 1952, the King died. Those of us who sang to the Queen "Long to reign over us" had no idea how literally she would take this prayer. More years, Ma'am!
 
Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
As an Oz republican, I can say that she has proven very true to her Coronation oaths, much more so than many of her ministers here and elsewhere. I'd suspect that the reason she has not abdicated is that to do so would be contrary to her oaths.

On a variation, I can clearly remember the change each morning from singing God Save the King to Queen.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
We spent the weekend on the boxes. We are getting to the critical state of chaos where you can’t move round the apartment properly anymore but there’s still flipping loads of stuff to be packed. [Help]
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
My sympathies, LVER. If anyone could invent packing boxes with TARDIS power, they'd make a fortune.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
... What are these Things Taken Out Of Boxes of which you speak? Surely the point of possessing Boxes is to Keep Things In Them.

I don't think we actually possess them - they came from the moving company, so presumably once they've been emptied (and their contents put neatly on shelves and in cupboards and ursularia) they'll be given back.

I suspect that where we'll need the TARDIS properties may be not so much in the boxes as in the house ... [Help]

However, we now have a date for the reunion with our belongings: the movers are to deliver our stuff to the new house a week on Wednesday.

We'll get our winter clothes back!

[Yipee] [Yipee] [Yipee]

And the rest of our bears. [Smile]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
You can do without the winter clothes but those poor bears! They will need much TLC to get over the trauma.

Eeyore seems to be coping on the bed but he does mutter to himself sometimes at night moaning about the great lumping bears taking over the place - there is no pleasing some people.

Seeing as the bears were there first he has a bit of a cheek but he's always been a bit self-centred - I must find an empty honey-pot and a broken balloon for him.
 
Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Uncle Pete:
65 years ago on February 6th 1952, the King died.

I remember that vividly. It was my eighteenth birthday and my first year of college. I woke up in the morning, and my roommate said, "Mary". I said "Yes", expecting that the next thing she would say was "Happy Birthday". Instead she said, "King George died!"

Moo
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I got a WhatsApp thingy from my friend in Mysore last night that I rather like:

quote:
If you love someone let them go.

If you hate someone let them go.

Basically let everyone go.

People are Stupid!

I think that at 31 he is a bit young to be so cynical but I can see his point.

A Question: Why is there much month left at the end of the money?

[ 07. February 2017, 14:18: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
WW, your young friend is indeed rather more cynical than he should be at his age! He sounds like me, at my age (slightly more than twice his).

As regards the Egregious Eeyore, I think I would rather be inclined to stuff him inside the hunnypot, covering same with the broken balloon. Lessons need to be taught and learned.

[Disappointed]

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... Why is there much month left at the end of the money?

When I was paid monthly I always found that January was when there was the most month left at the end of the money. Where I worked in Belfast was closed from the afternoon of Christmas Eve until 2nd January, and we were paid on the last Thursday before Christmas, which sometimes meant that January had six weeks, and there was no way one month's salary was going to last that long!

Legal whatnots now completed for the purchase of the new Château Piglet; D. just has to go to the bank tomorrow and instruct them to pay out the dosh. This may be more complicated than it should be, as we're forecast to get a big dump of weather, but with any luck the roads will have been cleared by the time we have to get anywhere.

Then (trotters crossed) we should get the keys on Thursday.

[Yipee] [Yipee] [Yipee]

rather excited piglet

PS I think WW's right - the bears will need a fair bit of TLC (and hugs) after being in storage for nearly six months. [Eek!]
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:

PS I think WW's right - the bears will need a fair bit of TLC (and hugs) after being in storage for nearly six months. [Eek!]

Just tell them it was hibernation, rather than storage.

But they will still need TLC and hugs.

[Smile]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:

PS I think WW's right - the bears will need a fair bit of TLC (and hugs) after being in storage for nearly six months. [Eek!]

Just tell them it was hibernation, rather than storage.
No, you can't do that. They'll suffer a mental crisis, being no longer sure if they're bears or squirrels.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I quite like the hibernation idea. [Smile] Not all squirrels seem to hibernate - there are still a few in our friends' garden who come up to the deck and help themselves to the bird-food we put out.

Money now exchanged, final pre-purchase inspection of house done and spectacular view properly admired (it was a bit misty the day we went to view the house, so we couldn't fully appreciate it).

Wow cubed. [Yipee]

We think we may have to acquire more Stuff to fill all the storage space in it - there appear to be more cupboards than you could shake a stick at ... [Big Grin]

We got enough sn*w last night for D. to exercise the sn*w-blower, but not really enough to make life difficult; that's apparently due to happen tomorrow night, when they're forecasting about a foot of the stuff. Hmph.

Talking of sn*w-blowers, there's apparently one included with the house, so we won't have to buy one.

Further [Yipee]
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
There is no such thing as extra storage space. It will fill up all by itself with no effort on your part -- much like "extra" bookshelves.

I'm so glad you're so happy with your house, and trust that the bears will be too.

[Yipee]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I was about to post the same as Pigwidgeon - it is axiomatic that there is NEVER enough storage space - even when you design your own house and think you can never, ever use it all!

There are certainly never enough bookshelves even if a couple of hundred of mine are now stored on the Tablet.

The move sounds wonderful and the view sounds more than exciting.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
OTOH moving house always proves that your *present* cupboards are like the Tardis. You get all the stuff out and go “how did that all fit in there? This defies the laws of physics.”

We have started selling all the stuff that we don’t want to keep. The items that we can sell for more than about €10 we’re listing individually (a sewing machine that’s been in the cellar since the last house move, an almost unworn pair of shoes that hurt my feet…) on a well-known small ads site at highly bargainous prices. The rest we’ll flog in a general junk sale. I don’t think we’ll make all that much money but the purpose is to get rid of things and I’d rather sell them (or give them away) than throw them out.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Our house moving seems to have reached an Annoying Hiatus. We have signed the contracts, the Vendors are about to sign, but there seem to be holdups further down the line. It had all been going so well: Sigh ...

Re. Cupboards etc.: why is it that we have thrown a lot of stuff away, taken things to the charity shop, put items in a convenient builders' skip (with permission!) - yet the house looks Just As Full As Ever?

[ 09. February 2017, 08:34: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I've just spent the morning cleaning and tidying the kitchen. Not an occupation I enjoy at all - but satisfying once done [Smile]

The fruits of my labours can be seen on my 'room' blog.

Now a well deserved cup of coffee and some cashews (nut snacks due to low carb diet - on going)
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
Our house moving seems to have reached an Annoying Hiatus. We have signed the contracts, the Vendors are about to sign, but there seem to be holdups further down the line. It had all been going so well: Sigh ...

Re. Cupboards etc.: why is it that we have thrown a lot of stuff away, taken things to the charity shop, put items in a convenient builders' skip (with permission!) - yet the house looks Just As Full As Ever?

It's a corollary of Parkinson's Law "Matter expands to fill the space available". (That's how the universe works, so it shouldn't be a surprise.)
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I think you have the right of it, Penny. [Big Grin]

We got the keys this morning and are now Proud House Owners. [Yipee]

It seems that we may have to ditch some of our "moveable" storage things (chests of drawers, the pull-out larder cupboard) because (a) there isn't space for them; and (b) there's (possibly) enough storage space allocated already.

We're hoping that the big things we won't have space for (a superannuated sofa, a double bed and so on) will be able to go to Habitat for Humanity or some such; it's probably not worth trying to sell them.

Now if it would just stop sn*wing* ... [Big Grin]

* we're forecast to get about a foot of sn*w between now and tomorrow. [Frown]
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:

We got the keys this morning and are now Proud House Owners. [Yipee]

Yay!
quote:


Now if it would just stop sn*wing* ... [Big Grin]

* we're forecast to get about a foot of sn*w between now and tomorrow. [Frown]

Here's hoping you don't have too much hefting to do with sn*w on the ground.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Just make sure that, as new PHOs, you have in the New House (a) heating, (b) water, (c) comfy chairs, (d) kettle, (e) alcohol (to taste), and (f) easily-cooked food.

The sn*w can then look after itself....!

Best wishes - Exciting Times!

IJ
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Talking of sn*w, we've got a few flurries here, down in the bottom right-hand corner of UKipperland.

I blame Garbage and Trumpannon (and, of course, the Mexicans).

[Help]

IJ
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Our Choir Director, fearing snow, has just cancelled tonight's rehearsal.

To be fair, he has to make a 50-mile round trip, and his eyes are giving him problems.
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
Well, from a not dissimilar location, I wouldn't call what I've been having flurries. Widely spaced single crystals or very small clusters. All afternoon, but nothing to show for it anywhere.

Oh drat, the Moon has now disappeared again so no chance of catching the eclipse tonight.
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:
Widely spaced single crystals

is all we've had. It's been pretty cold, mind.

I've been cheered up by the orangey fumes from the kitchen as MotherinElmet has been marmalade making.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Perhaps ours were widely spaced single crystals etc. - I didn't stay out long enough to find out (wuss that I am...).

IJ
 
Posted by Celtic Knotweed (# 13008) on :
 
Yay Piglet [Yipee]
We've been home owners and moved in for over 12 months. There are still boxes to unpack and half the rooms (in a 3-bed semi) are a bit of a muddle... not helped by 2 full-time jobs, DIY projects, and visiting Sandemaniac's parents on a regular basis. (The parental Knotweeds live much closer, so can be visited with much less planning).

There were slight flurries of white stuff here near the cattle-crossing this afternoon, but none of it settled. Not sure if that's [Frown] or [Smile] .
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
A sprinkling of white stuff is settling here on car roofs and fence tops. Nothing so far on the pavements. Which is a Good Thing™, because I was wearing suede boots to work and out to the theatre and would have been most aggrieved to have spoilt their black elegance with white watermarks.

Tonight I saw Nice Fish which was surreal. It is, according to the programme, based on prose poems strung together into a sort of narrative

[ 10. February 2017, 22:18: Message edited by: Curiosity killed ... ]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
Our Choir Director, fearing snow, has just cancelled tonight's rehearsal ...

D. cancelled Thursday's too, which was just as well, because by the time we'd have been going home it was really snowing in earnest.

He went into the office late in the evening to sort out his programme for Friday's organ concert, and by the time he came back (very late - he's a total night-owl) he had to dig a little space at the base of the drive for the Pigletmobile. By this morning, a combination of being ploughed in, an accumulation of about two feet of snow and well-sub-zero temperatures meant we couldn't get the car shifted at all. Someone who was already at the Cathedral came and picked us up and the concert went ahead, but it got stuck again later, and it took the help of a friendly neighbour with a heavy-duty snow-blower to get it freed. Poor little car. [Frown]

The people we're house-sitting for don't get back until the end of March, so we're not actually moving into the new Château Piglet until the beginning of April, but our stuff is supposed to be being delivered next Wednesday - we'll probably have to do some fairly serious digging and snow-blowing up there before that can happen.

It's all go (I think) ... [Paranoid]
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
A light covering this morning. Can see the grass sticking up through it. Still falling, but I can see the trees a couple of hundred yards away. You may mock, Piglet.

[ 11. February 2017, 07:26: Message edited by: Penny S ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
It is sn*wing lightly here, so no need to dig out the Episcopal Chariot (if there were such a vehicle)...

[Big Grin]

IJ
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
We've had more than forecast, so I thought I was headed for some private hygge, but no. It was drivable, anyway. And I'm not going anywhere again until tomorrow.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:
... You may mock, Piglet.

Thank you - I shall.

[Snigger] [Killing me] [Devil] [Killing me] [Snigger]

D. has just gone up to the new house with the snow-blower from the house where we're staying; we went up this afternoon thinking we'd need to dig out with shovels, but he reckoned the snow was still soft enough that the blower would work, which would obviously be much easier.

There's an annoying irony in the fact that the snow-blower we've inherited with the new house is in the shed, whose door is blocked by snow ... [Help]
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
We've got a very cold wind and the occasional flurry - no snow blower needed!

I'm being lazy, skipping Church walking the dogs in the woods instead.

I've got the ridiculous cold lurgy almost everyone has - it slows me down and I hate being slowed down [Roll Eyes]
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
Sorry to hear you've got the the dreaded lurgy, Boogie! May appropriate lit-(French: bed)-urgy, rest, food, and play with the beloved canines soonish restore you to full health! [Votive]

Did you ever get back your bluetooth headphones that were lost at the German airport? I wonder if you could ring or write them to ask. Perhaps they were handed in after all? Always believe in the good in humankind, and with the German efficiency at organising things, they might even be helpful with lost property there, who knows! [Smile]

Piglet: I hope all goes well with the clearing of at least some of the snow! Oh, and once you've liberated the snowblower from its white prison, you and D. could have a little snowblower battle! After all, you'll have two of them for a while! [Big Grin] [Yipee]
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Thanks Wesley J - when we got to the airport it felt like too big a task to find the lost property office.

Good idea to phone 'tho - I'll get my son on it!

[Smile]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
The correct term for the illness which Boogie has (along with about 90% of the population of UKipperland - I blame Garbage and Trumpannon) is The Dreaded Lurgy. The capital letters are most important, as they emphasise the Gravity of this Fell Disease. Skipping Ch**ch and going Dog-Walking are sovereign remedies, though.

I am sympathetic, as I've had TDL on and off (mostly on) since bl**dy Christmas..... [Mad]

IJ
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
I suspect that TDL is a fairly close cousin of A Bug, and a moe serious variant of Feeling A Bit Off-Colour Today. Of course both are different to I Put My Back Out (from which I occasionally suffer).
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
It's been a glorious weekend here, both mornings the weather forecast on my phone has predicted 0% possibility of precipitation and it has been right! Not a cloud in the sky, pleasant breezes and temperatures hovering either side of 30 Celsius. It is very rare for temperatures here in the village to go over 35, just possible in late April and May before the rains start. Deepest sympathies to those in Aussie Land and South Africa with their rather higher temperatures.

* * * *

This week I wrote a long screed to the woman who was my co-counselling partner for many years and poured out all the woes in my life - then today I called her and found that all my angst about things had just dissipated; obviously the email I sent helped me to put things in perspective - not everything is perfect in my life but ultimately I have SO much to be grateful for, a fact I tend to forget at times.

* * * *

Back to Out-patients in the morning to see the lovely consultant and, as Tuesday is Valentines Day, a quick visit is required to the ward to give the staff some sweeties to share. Here's hoping they don't want to admit me again.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... Here's hoping they don't want to admit me again.

Yea and amen to that, but if you keep giving them sweeties, you just never know ... [Big Grin]

It's a glorious, sunny but very cold day (-17°C, feeling like -20) here; I'm messing about on here while D. plays for the 11:45 service (the one with the band).

I must be getting old; we're going to a 75th birthday party (one of the Archdeacons) this afternoon.

elderly piglet
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
The ward staff were grateful for the sweets, the subsequent tests and so on in Out-Patients went well and we were home by midday - an excellent result. The Dr didn't mention about re-admission, just to keep on taking the tablets then go back in three weeks time...

...AND, I noticed lying in bed last night, in the dark, that there is a definite improvement in that I could at least see where the windows are with my right eye covered.

All good stuff.

BUT, although I recognise their utility I loathe and detest the dilating eye-drops that have to be put in, particularly trying to walk to the bus stop on a bright and sunny morning - I kept my eyes closed for about 38 minutes of the 40 minute bus ride home then slept until it had all worn off.
 
Posted by blackbeard (# 10848) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
I suspect that TDL is a fairly close cousin of A Bug, and a moe serious variant of Feeling A Bit Off-Colour Today. Of course both are different to I Put My Back Out (from which I occasionally suffer).

Another ailment, endemic around this time, is SPOD (Seasonal Pissed Off Disorder), to which I am prone. This can be cured by Summer (assuming we get one).
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
By the way, I was negligent in my reference to A Bug.

I should, of course, have spoken of The Bug That's Doing The Rounds.

Summer, of course, brings on the dreaded of affliction of I Really Can't Stand This Hot Weather (not an ailment to which I am prone, providing the humidity is low).
 
Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
The affliction of I Can't Stand This Hot Weather is tempered by a lack of The Arthitis I Bad When It's Cold And Damp.
 
Posted by Tree Bee (# 4033) on :
 
WW ,I'm glad there's an improvement in your sight. What a worry our eyes are when they grow dim.
I was brave today and made an appointment to return to the dreaded eye clinic as my left eye is playing up too.
 
Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
Echoing Tree Bee, WW I'm glad your sight seems to be improving. My dad is also having to have eye drops and at this week's review at the hospital was told that they're helping so he has to keep having them. He said that in something of a resigned fashion, I know it's not something he particularly enjoys, but then another relative is being treated for macular degeneration and is having not drops but injections into her eyes, so it could be worse! (I am pretty squeamish about eyes, I'm not sure I could handle that at all. My mum is on the waiting list for a cataract op and has already opted for the general anaesthetic, I'm pretty sure I'd do the same as that's the last thing I'd want to be conscious for!).
 
Posted by Barnabas Aus (# 15869) on :
 
When I had my first cataract operation I was semi-conscious for most of it, and was fascinated by the process. It was my surgeon's first procedure at that hospital, so he was telling the nursing staff of his preferences. Then the lens was aspirated, and I could see in a blurred manner the implant being slid in.
When the other eye was done, the anaesthetist asked me about the previous op, and when I told him how interested I had been in how things went, he promptly knocked me out cold for the whole thing. I was most disappointed.
 
Posted by Pangolin Guerre (# 18686) on :
 
Interesting about the cataract surgery. I had my right eye done in July 2016, and a general anaesthetic wasn't on offer, only a sedative. And I'm pretty squeamish about my eyes. As it turned out, it was happily uneventful, save for the use of a vaguely Clockwork Orange - like device. (Actually, I don't know precisely what it looked like.) I thought that I would freak out, but the sedative helped me to be a good little soldier.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I had laser eye surgery three years ago. It was the strangest experience of my life. You had to look up into the laser as it was doing its stuff. Like looking into a crazy kaleidoscope.
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
I'm glad you can all see eye to eye on this. [Smile]
 
Posted by Bene Gesserit (# 14718) on :
 
It lens itself to that sort of humour...
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
O, put a lid on all this 'ighbrow stuff....

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I was born with cataracts, and have had people prodding round my eyes most of my life. I had surgery on both eyes; both times I was knocked out (the second time at my request, as while I'm not exactly squeamish about it, I had no desire to be aware of what they were doing).

In other news, we got 79cm (about 2½ feet) of sn*w yesterday - it's apparently the biggest single sn*wfall there's been here since 1967. [Eek!]

If any of you consider moaning about a couple of measly inches, I shall mock without pity. [Snigger]

I didn't cross the threshold all day; the kind neighbour with the turbo-charged sn*w-blower came and cleared the drive, so there are sn*w-banks several feet high on either side.

It could have been worse: our Stuff is being delivered to the new Château Piglet tomorrow, the estate people have ploughed out the drive and there isn't any more sn*w expected until Thursday (6 inches, apparently).

Piglet, looking forward to being reunited with her bears. [Axe murder]
 
Posted by Ferijen (# 4719) on :
 
It's bear day today for Piglet!! hope it goes uneventfully. I'd love a little bit of your snow - maybe the top 10cm? - just for a day or so for prettiness and snowman making with the ferijenet, who has only seen the stuff as a baby...you can keep the other 69cm though. (I'm struggling to visualise what that even looks like)

Happy half price chocolates day everyone [Smile]
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Happy bear day Piglet! [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:

In other news, we got 79cm (about 2½ feet) of sn*w yesterday - it's apparently the biggest single sn*wfall there's been here since 1967. [Eek!]

If any of you consider moaning about a couple of measly inches, I shall mock without pity. [Snigger]

I didn't cross the threshold all day; the kind neighbour with the turbo-charged sn*w-blower came and cleared the drive, so there are sn*w-banks several feet high on either side.

It could have been worse: our Stuff is being delivered to the new Château Piglet tomorrow, the estate people have ploughed out the drive and there isn't any more sn*w expected until Thursday (6 inches, apparently).

Piglet, looking forward to being reunited with her bears. [Axe murder]

I had been praying for no sn*w for your move and it looks like the Clerk of the Weather took no notice whatsoever. I hope He sends rain to NZ instead, where fires threaten Christchurch
[Votive]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
As it turned out, we had a very easy move. Three lovely gentlemen (two who are called Derek and one who isn't) turned up with a vast lorry and somehow managed to squeeze all our belongings into the new house.

We haven't started properly unpacking yet, but we have retrieved some of the bears, who all looked as pleased to see us as we were to see them. [Smile]

And it's a beautiful day - the next batch of sn*w isn't expected to start until late tonight or early tomorrow.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Yay for the re-homed Piglet, D., and bears!

[Yipee]

More Yay for me, as today I went and did some Light Gardening at Our Place (the church front door has a raised bed nearby, plus tots and pubs, that all needed clearing/pruning/de-leafing etc.

After an hour-and-a-half, I felt Completely Knackered, but in a nice sort of way, and the main entrance to the church looks better than it did.

[Yipee]

IJ
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
As it turned out, we had a very easy move. Three lovely gentlemen (two who are called Derek and one who isn't) turned up with a vast lorry and somehow managed to squeeze all our belongings into the new house.

We haven't started properly unpacking yet, but we have retrieved some of the bears, who all looked as pleased to see us as we were to see them. [Smile]

And it's a beautiful day - the next batch of sn*w isn't expected to start until late tonight or early tomorrow.

Edited to add actual post. Still having breakfast coffee down here. [Hot and Hormonal]

Piglet, I do know the unpacking has to be done at some time, but at least you do not have a deadline rapidly approaching before your friends get back and you need to move out.

Enjoy finding old friends again and comfortable clothes and familiar objects.

[ 15. February 2017, 20:47: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Thanks, Loth - that's exactly the way we're viewing it.

We had more sn*w today (about a further six inches), so we haven't been up to the house, but we're planning to go up tomorrow after D's concert and make a start on unpacking things.

We've spoken to a lady at the Cathedral who runs the drop-in group they have for people in need, and she said she'd ask if there'd be any takers for some of our unwanted furniture (they support people starting out in "low-income" housing who may need stuff to furnish their new places). This would suit us well, as it would be nice to support a Cathedral-run project.

BF - that sounds like a very Good and Noble Thing you did, and your knackeredness will be rewarded in Heaven. [Smile]
 
Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Yay for the re-homed Piglet, D., and bears!

[Yipee]

More Yay for me, as today I went and did some Light Gardening at Our Place (the church front door has a raised bed nearby, plus tots and pubs, that all needed clearing/pruning/de-leafing etc.

After an hour-and-a-half, I felt Completely Knackered, but in a nice sort of way, and the main entrance to the church looks better than it did.

[Yipee]

IJ

Good that your recuperation has let you reach this stage.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Oh my goodness. I have just had one of the great epiphanies of my life. [Eek!]

Get a ticket and come to Paris this minute. This may cost several thousands of your local currency units, but it will be worth it. Hie ye to the boulangerie on the corner of the avenue de Courcelles and buy their crème brûlée. It is the most flipping perfect foodstuff that can be imagined. The sugar is barely burnt – not enough to be bitter and still a little bit moist and crunchy. The cream is thick and unctuous and full of vanilla.

My life is complete. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I've always thought that one could happily subsist on just the aromas emanating from a French boulangerie..

Vive la France!

IJ
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
Oh my goodness. I have just had one of the great epiphanies of my life. [Eek!]

Get a ticket and come to Paris this minute. This may cost several thousands of your local currency units, but it will be worth it. Hie ye to the boulangerie on the corner of the avenue de Courcelles and buy their crème brûlée. It is the most flipping perfect foodstuff that can be imagined. The sugar is barely burnt – not enough to be bitter and still a little bit moist and crunchy. The cream is thick and unctuous and full of vanilla.

My life is complete. [Big Grin]

I had a similar event in Amboise, an excellent charcuterie. The rillons there were to die for. At least twice the price of any in the hypermarche but so much better that one would (and I mean this) forego wine to eat them.

You'll have no trouble finding the place. Follow the civilised but hungry crowd.
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
Hie ye to the boulangerie on the corner of the avenue de Courcelles and buy their crème brûlée.

I wish I had. It was the first day of the local Rhubarb Festival and I came home with a Yorkshire Curd Tart from a usually reliable source. It's gritty and the pastry is pale and waxy. Enough to make you [Waterworks]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Alas, tarts are very often unsatisfying....or so I am informed.

I'll shut the door on me way out.

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
A good, un-messed-about-with crème brûlée is indeed a wondrous thing. I don't understand why chefs seem so keen on corrupting it by putting Things in it.

Woke up this morning to find that the snow-plough had been past the drive and left a four-foot wall of snow blocking us in, and as our friends' snow-blower is still on the blink it took about half-an-hour of both of us shovelling and pushing to clear just a space big enough to get the Pigletmobile out.

As far as I can see, the only purpose served by snow is so that rich people can spend their holidays falling off mountains.

[Devil]
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Hmm, I like snow to look at,but anything else I can leave. Well at least it was exercise.
I suppose you don't want to hear that the weather in London was lovely for February. I passed a family picnicking in the park on my travels yesterday, and it's set to get even warmer over the next few days.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Yes, a nice, mild, sunny day here as well.

What is this 'sn*w-blowing' of which you speak?

Mind you, I once went falling off mountains aka skiing in France, when there was so little sn*w on some slopes that they were using diggers to shift the stuff around. A couple of days later, it sn*wed continuously for about 36 hours, so they had to dig the diggers out.... [Help]

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sarasa:
... I suppose you don't want to hear that the weather in London was lovely for February ...

Too right I don't. [Devil]

The temperature's supposed to go up to +6° tomorrow, but for it to make any impression on the sn*w-heaps, it'd need to stay there for about a fortnight. D. remarked that when he came over for the interview there was still sn*w on the ground.

In April. [Waterworks]

We went up to the house earlier this evening, cleared a space in the drive for the Pigletmobile* and started unpacking things. I'm now reunited with my long boots, my favourite winter coat and several other pieces of warm clothing, which probably explains the expected temperature surge ... [Paranoid]

I know this is going to sound rather daft, but I'm actually enjoying sorting things out in the walk-in wardrobe. [Hot and Hormonal]

* There's space for two cars, and the Pigletmobile isn't very big, so we've actually got somewhere to put the sn*w, which is helpful.
 
Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
I love my walk-in wardrobe, Piglet, and it's easily one of the best things about my current abode (of which there are many good things, to be fair) - I've never been so organised about clothes and laundry in my entire life and there are those who would have you know I'm utterly over the top on the organisation front when it comes to these matters. Just because I have 4 different bags for laundry (whites, lights, darks and reds) and hang clothes up in rainbow order according to kind. Trousers, t-shirts, blouses, fleeces. Dress. Only one dress. But it goes at the end where there's most space under the rail.

I won't describe the day she discovered I put clothes pegs on which match/blend colour wise with the clothes I putting them on and just why I seemed to take a very long time to hang out laundry on the washing line...

Enjoy being reunited with everything which was in storage!

[ 19. February 2017, 13:23: Message edited by: Japes ]
 
Posted by ThunderBunk (# 15579) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
Oh my goodness. I have just had one of the great epiphanies of my life. [Eek!]

Get a ticket and come to Paris this minute. This may cost several thousands of your local currency units, but it will be worth it. Hie ye to the boulangerie on the corner of the avenue de Courcelles and buy their crème brûlée. It is the most flipping perfect foodstuff that can be imagined. The sugar is barely burnt – not enough to be bitter and still a little bit moist and crunchy. The cream is thick and unctuous and full of vanilla.

My life is complete. [Big Grin]

I had a similar event in Amboise, an excellent charcuterie. The rillons there were to die for. At least twice the price of any in the hypermarche but so much better that one would (and I mean this) forego wine to eat them.

You'll have no trouble finding the place. Follow the civilised but hungry crowd.

Any decent charcuterie will have rillettes, though the best I had during my eight months in Paris were from a market stall near Port Royal RER station - between that and the hospital. Rillettes d'Oie (goose) have the simultaneous distinction of being utterly delicious and of being marginally healthier than rillettes de porc. Just thought I'd mention that, given the location next to what I think is France's leading cardiac hospital...
 
Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
A bit overcast here. The thermometer says 7C but it feels more like 3C.

Still, there are bright spots: the churchyard is full of snowdrops and crocuses, plus some tiny tête-a-tête daffodils near the north porch.

Matins was good this morning: bumper crowd who seemed to enjoy the music (Benedictus in B flat by Stanford and The Heavens are telling by Haydn) and hymns, including the magnificent Spacious firmament on high by Joseph Addison - the only hymn AFAIK that can be dated by its references to then scientific knowledge of the solar system.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We had Schubert's German Mass this morning, and Byrd's Teach me, O Lord (with solo piglet) as the psalm (it fitted the psalm set in the lectionary and because it's by Byrd it's nicer than Anglican chant).

We've got the Cathedral AGM this afternoon, so it'll be a quick turn-round once D's finished with the 11:45 service: nip home, placate the cat with a few treats and grab some bread and cheese to take to the pot-luck sandwich lunch.

I wore the Favourite Coat this morning and, as it has done for the last 12 winters, it elicited admiring comments. It just refuses to wear out, which is just as well. [Smile]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
I don't know Byrd's "Teach me, O Lord"; we sang the very simple Attwood version last week. It's one of our "fall-back" anthems if we have had little time to rehearse.
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
I nipped into the local Sainsbury's on the way back from Mass this morning. They were selling reduced fat cat milk! I'm impressed they got the cat to stand still that long [Snigger]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
And not just one cat ...
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
[Big Grin]
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ArachnidinElmet:
I nipped into the local Sainsbury's on the way back from Mass this morning. They were selling reduced fat cat milk! I'm impressed they got the cat to stand still that long [Snigger]

If it's a really fat cat, it might not be able to move much at all.
 
Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:

* There's space for two cars, and the Pigletmobile isn't very big, so we've actually got somewhere to put the sn*w, which is helpful.

You have a real Pigletmobile? Could it possibly be related to the personal transport of a certain gentleman best known as the creator of Playboar?
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I can't help thinking that our Piglet has far better taste (in Pigletmobiles, I mean).

[Eek!]

IJ
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
The new chez rouge has been moved into. It is a wasteland of boxes and suitcases [Help]

In a couple of weeks from now it should be better but we’re still waiting for the man to come round and repaint the cupboard so we can rebuild the wardrobes. Also our new kitchen is smaller than our old kitchen so putting the crockery away is proving a challenge (some of it will go in the dining room but we don’t yet have the necessary furniture). OTOH the bottles are already all worthily ensconced in proper bottle racks in the cellar because we have our priorities straight. [Big Grin]

I keep reminding myself it will be awesome once it’s finished…
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Good luck with the unpacking LVER. I'm impressed that you keep wine long enough to lay down. Hope the snow hasn't hampered your unpackign plans too much, Piglet.
We went for a lovely walk along the Pool and Ravensbourne rivers today. The weather was very mild for February, and its an area that looks a lot better than it did when we lived there thiirty odd years ago. We went with a friend who knew a lovely French cafe for lunch at the end, so all in all a very satisfactory day out
 
Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
So the mystery of why people have been practising trying to herd cats is now revealed. Purr d'Auvergne anyone ?
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sarasa:
... Hope the snow hasn't hampered your unpacking plans too much, Piglet ...

Not too bad really - and when we went up to the house today we could actually see some tarmac! [Yipee]

La Vie, I'm completely with you about unpacking when things aren't yet where they should be. The kitchen is so full of boxes that I can't get at the ground-level cupboards to put things into, and there are things that'll be going into the sideboard, but it's not yet where it's ultimately going to be, so there's no point in putting things in it before it is.

I did manage to get quite a big box in the kitchen emptied; it was full of glasses, which I put in an upper cupboard.

And they were all intact - D. is obviously better at packing than I am. [Overused]

We've decided that a couple of tall shelves which are currently a not-very-nice and rather scruffy green will be much better painted black, which will have to happen soon so that we can empty some boxes of books into them.

quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
... our Piglet has far better taste in Pigletmobiles ...

She certainly does! [Ultra confused]
 
Posted by Wet Kipper (# 1654) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Japes:


I won't describe the day she discovered I put clothes pegs on which match/blend colour wise with the clothes I putting them on and just why I seemed to take a very long time to hang out laundry on the washing line...

I'm the opposite (but equally "strange") - I have to use pegs which are *not* the same colour as the clothes being hung up.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Mad bu**ers, the of of yer - but it is, of course, vital to the maintenance of Civilisation As We Know It for plates etc., when being washed up, to be placed to drain in descending order of size.

IJ (who uses plain wooden pegs, as OLaHBM intended, to avoid any difficulty in colour co-ordination or not).
 
Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by blackbeard:
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
I suspect that TDL is a fairly close cousin of A Bug, and a moe serious variant of Feeling A Bit Off-Colour Today. Of course both are different to I Put My Back Out (from which I occasionally suffer).

Another ailment, endemic around this time, is SPOD (Seasonal Pissed Off Disorder), to which I am prone. This can be cured by Summer (assuming we get one).
Summer, however, is the season of Hayfever's Starting To Kick In closely followed by High Pollen Count Today and I'm On The Full Dose Of Allergy Medication. Everything feels worse, of course, when accompanied by I'm Not Sleeping Well, which can strike at any time of the year and is usually Chronic.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Won't you get a wee bit of spring before all the horrors of summer start to kick in?

In Newfoundland, we got used to the fact that spring happened (usually) on the third Tuesday in May, at about 2:30 in the afternoon. All of a sudden the trees would burst forth with little green budlets and by the next day the temperature would have gone from about 5° to about 20° and we'd be into full-blown, hot, sticky summer.

We've yet to experience New Brunswick spring, but the temperature has risen considerably in the last few days and it's feeling decidedly less winterish. As I suggested a few posts back, I'm quite certain that my winter clothes becoming available again had something to do with it ... [Paranoid]
 
Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
Pace the posts on eye surgery above, the glaucoma in my left eye is progressing (in the right eye, mercifully, it hasn't yet caused any damage). This means I now have 3 lots of eye drops:

one, twice a day, in both eyes;
one, once a day, in both eyes;
one, twice a day, left eye only.

Given that I wear contact lenses, and the drops can only go IN the eyes when the lenses are OUT, It's Complicated!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining - I can put drops in every hour on the hour, if they protect my eyes, but I'm in a permanent state of ferment over whether I've put which drops in yet [Ultra confused] I also wish I had some inkling myself of how the disease is progressing, rather than having to go to the Eye Unit to play the Space Invaders game ...

Mrs. S, giving thanks for the good ol' NHS [Angel]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Nenya:
Summer, however, is the season of Hayfever's Starting To Kick In closely followed by High Pollen Count Today and I'm On The Full Dose Of Allergy Medication. Everything feels worse, of course, when accompanied by I'm Not Sleeping Well, which can strike at any time of the year and is usually Chronic.

Failing any of those, there are always:

I Just Can't Be Doing With This Hot Weather (spoken as soon as temperature rises above 25 degrees); and the old favourite

What We Really Need Is A Good Drop Of Rain (said after three consecutive days of warm sunshine).

But neither of these are really ailments, merely species of the Great British Grumble.
 
Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
Our church once had a CareForce worker from Kenya. He said that the weather in Kenya is so predictable you could practically set your clock by it, so wondered why he was told that British people talk about the weather all the time.
Within a week of being over here, he knew.
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
In taking in the plastic cover of my growframe to avoid Doris, I spotted an Iris Reticulosa out, and a self sown snowdrop from the ones brought from my parents' garden, and the doubles that came with the house.

But a load of bulbs I put in last year have not shown.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
We have a few snowdrops out. That's amazing as the bulbs have been in for years and never done anything before. Perhaps they know we're moving.

We also have early daffodils and several lovely Hellebores - my wife's favourite winter flower.
 
Posted by Tree Bee (# 4033) on :
 
Mrs S , sounds like you need a spreadsheet to keep track of your eye drops.
While I wait to see the eye doctor I'm managing to keep my eyes soothed with lubricating drops. I manage to get the drops in my eye rather than on the lid about 1 time out of 3. [Roll Eyes]
 
Posted by Polly Plummer (# 13354) on :
 
Mrs. S., I have only two lots of drops, but the bit I find tricky in the evening (when the doctor told me the best way is to lie down in bed so that the drops go in the eye rather than all over the place) is waiting the prescribed five minutes between the two different lots without falling asleep.
 
Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
Yes, Polly, ain't that the truth!

I did seriously consider getting a tick-sheet now I'm up to three lots of drops, cos it's getting harder to remember whether I've actually put the drops in, or merely thought about doing it *sigh*

In other and better news, we're just back from the Lighthouse in Poole, where we (and six friends, aka the Usual Suspects) had the most hilarious evening ever, watching The Play that Goes Wrong [Killing me] It was a sell-out and I can see why. As a cure for what ails you, it was unbeatable [Yipee]

Mrs. S, still chortling to herself [Yipee]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I'm glad I never had to cope with more than one sort of eye-drops at a time. I got so used to putting them in I could do it practically anywhere, but when I had the second eye operated on it was nice not to have to put them in at all.

Painting of the two shelving units for the sitting-room chez Piglet has happened and I'm really rather pleased with how they turned out. The loose shelves are still to be done, but they shouldn't take too long.

quite industrious piglet
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
We went to see The Play That Goes Wrong at the Trafalgar Studios in London. I agree, just hilariously silly, laugh out loud the whole way through. And very cleverly done. We took a brother and sister in law to see it after it had moved to a bigger theatre, and they had had to change it a bit to make it work, but still so, so funny.

We've since seen Peter Pan Goes Wrong and The Bank Robbery That Goes Wrong. All very funny, but I think we probably need a rest for a while!

But I would recommend it to anyone who needs a silly, harmless, laugh.

M.
 
Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
We have Peter Pan on our Humax box, recorded over Christmas - having watched it once, we're keeping it for one of those evenings when we just need to cheer ourselves up [Yipee]

Mrs. S, who has not yet come across the Bank Robbery!
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It's feeling decidedly springy here today (despite the sn*w-heaps), and the temperature briefly hit double digits. I don't imagine for a minute that we're completely done with winter yet, but it's a start ... [Yipee]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
We had a nice time up in the mountains but it was nice to come down the hill yesterday and be properly warm again! At night up there it got down to about 12C which might seem warm enough to you but having been coastal and tropical for nearly 20 years it seemed a bit on the cool side to me.

The twins seemed to love it up there but I think that at that age [7 months] they are just happy being surrounded by lots of loving attention. Male twin has not yet worked out kissing so tends to grab my hand and lick the back of it - but he is cute. Female twin is a bit of a flooze and definitely prefers male attention which she rewards with huge smiles.*

One lovely thing was that in a couple of eating places staff came and picked up the kids and wandered about with them thus giving the parents a chance to eat in relative peace - and the wife of our hotelier was cooing over them like mad, but then so were most of the female guests in the hotel.


*eta: there is a character in Louisa May Alcott's Little Men who is a sort of older version and has all the boys in her thrall - give this one a few years and she'll be just the same.

[ 23. February 2017, 22:29: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Glad to hear you had such a good time, and that the twins were properly appreciated. [Smile]

The formerly scruffy and green shelves are now nice, smart and black (probably needing just a bit of touching-up once they're dry) and as I mentioned on the decluttering thread a lady at the Cathedral has found someone who could use the bed, sofa and chest-of-drawers, which we'll be very glad to get rid of. Apparently the prospective recipient lost her furniture to an unscrupulous flat-mate and will be glad of some freebies - winners all round!

[Yipee]
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
We had a pleasant, sunny winter day yesterday - back to damp and drizzle today. Waterproof trousers and wellies it is [Smile]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Quite dense fog here today - no bad thing as it helps to get rid of the sn*w - but it did make getting about a bit more, um, interesting than it might have been. We went up to the shopping mall in the early evening and kept taking wrong turnings as things looked so different in the fog.

Some shops here give you birthday vouchers if you buy regularly, and one of these yielded a nice leather handbag for under $20 (about £12); we discovered that the shop where the other one came from closes early on Saturdays so I'll have to give them a go on Monday or Tuesday, as the voucher expires at the end of the month.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
The boxes are diminishing. We now have one in the living room (husband en rouge’s administrative papers), two in the bedroom (shoes) and four in the dining room (the good crockery and glasses). In order to empty all but the first one we first need to get the relevant furniture.

The man came round on Saturday and did up the walk-in wardrobe and connected all the light fittings, except for one ceiling light that has disappeared without trace. I think a monster’s eaten it. He also put up the curtain rails and oh woe our old curtains are too short. They are miniskirt curtains. Dammit.

He’s coming back this week for a few last minor bits and then to take on the bigger works in the bathroom.

And after that it will be finished. And I will be happy. And not moving house again for a *long* time.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
If the curtains are too short, why not lower the curtain poles, so that it's the top part of the window that is uncovered? All you need do then is to wear a Hat whilst you are moving about the room.

I'll get my own coat on the way out...

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We did quite a bit of box-emptying this afternoon, and discovered that while the stuff that D. packed himself is (so far) still all intact, [Overused] the same can't be said for the stuff that the movers helped him with.

We have a set of little wooden boards that we use as side-plates that D. brought back after his godson's christening in Norway, and two of them have split (I mean really, how do you break something made of wood???); and a few other dishes have arrived in considerably more pieces than they left in. [Frown] So far mostly just cheapies and dollar-store buys, but we haven't unwrapped The Posh Set™ yet. [Eek!]

We think the wooden boards might be reparable with the application of some Superglue, but that's not really the point.

However, the bookshelves are now completely painted, and I've found a place for the pull-out larder (a corner in the hallway opposite the kitchen), which should leave much more space for the dining-table and chairs.
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
That is a shame about breakages.. I think wood glue may work better than superglue on the wooden side dishes. Called Aquadhere downhere,water soluble and made for wood.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I second the idea of wood glue, SuperGlue works on the principle of the exclusion of air which is very difficult with wood even if you do wet it thoroughly first.
 
Posted by Barnabas Aus (# 15869) on :
 
Probably not water-soluble PVA glue, Piglet. Look for some good-quality waterproof wood glue, apply thinly to both faces and make sure the edges marry up tightly before you quickly wipe away any excess. Leave until completely dry so the bond is complete and strong.
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
That sounds good, Barnabas. My suggestion of Aquadhere shows sign of 80s, if not 70s.
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Barnabas Aus:
[...] apply thinly to both faces and make sure the edges marry up tightly [...]

It not only sounds good, it also sounds terribly romantic! [Axe murder]

May Piglet's and D's, as well as LVER's and hubby's settling in and down be crowned with lasting success and joyfulness, and may they happily live there ever* after. [Smile]

* (or insert appropriate, friendly timeframe)
 
Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
la vie en rouge
If the curtains are far too too short (if you know what I mean) then you could try getting complimenting fabric and giving them a decorative hem? Have a couple of cushion covers in the new fabric and people will think it was your original intention.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
That, I have to admit, was a far more useful and sensible suggestion than mine....

I'll shut the door on me way out.

IJ
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Meh. The curtains are about 10 cm too short with little pathetic bottom hems that are too small to let out.

For the trouble it would take to try and change them I might as well make new ones.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Probably the most sensible idea of all!

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Thanks for the wood-glue advice, folks - will give it a go. We've had the boards for nearly 30 years, so I don't suppose they owe us anything, but I'd miss them if I didn't have them. When we moved here, I only packed what I thought we'd need (and what would fit in the Pigletmobile), so I only put in two of the boards, never thinking the others would get broken.

I'm pottering around on here waiting for D., who volunteered his services for the Holy Joes'* pancake supper (v. nice pancakes, sausages and indecent quantities of maple syrup), where ladies are Not Permitted in the kitchen.

* The Guild of St. Joseph - the Cathedral gentlemen's association
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Well, I hope D. brings you back some nice sausages, though personally I'd prefer them without maple syrup. Brown sauce, now that's quite another matter....

IJ
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
...the Cathedral gentlemen's association...

Now that, you'd think, would be an oxymoron!

[Biased]

* * * *

Pete leaves at a completely indecent hour tomorrow morning which is probably just as well as the bearings on his castor wheels, or one of them, appear to be giving up the ghost making mobility a trifle unsteady on his evening walk last night.

For some reason he wanted a big, thick fleece jacket packed at the top of his bag for easy access when he lands in Toronto - will it really be that much cooler there?

[Eek!]
 
Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
Thanks for the wood-glue advice, folks - will give it a go. We've had the boards for nearly 30 years, so I don't suppose they owe us anything, but I'd miss them if I didn't have them. When we moved here, I only packed what I thought we'd need (and what would fit in the Pigletmobile), so I only put in two of the boards, never thinking the others would get broken.

Yellow carpenters' glue is the stuff. The big hardware stores will all have it. You have to make sure you clamp the pieces together tightly while it cures (lots of rubber bands, for example), so there's just the thinnest film between them, and be careful to wipe off the surplus with a wet rag right away. Once it cures, it's hard to remove.
 
Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
Actually Wodders, I only need the big fleece in Ottawa (this big fleece is no bigger than the one you wore in Munnar - clutching itself to you like a baby blanket). The forecast is -8 high, and -20 low, so positively balmy.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
...the Cathedral gentlemen's association...

Now that, you'd think, would be an oxymoron!
Not at all - our Cathedral's full of gentlemen. [Smile]

Pete, you have my sympathy. The only time we had a stop-over in Ottawa it was February, and it had been a particularly balmy February in the UK: real, actual shirt-sleeve weather in the south of England. Ottawa was not balmy; it must have been about -15° with a goodly dollop of wind-chill on top of that, and it came as something of a culture-shock.

Wishing you safe travels and a gagnez on your first Timmy's when you get back!
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Pete has been delivered into the apparently completely indifferent hands of Air India and we didn't even get to say goodbye!

We got to the airport and unloaded Pete but the Air India outside office wasn't staffed so we took him to the Departures doorway where we were told by big burly armed police to get help from the outside office - DUH! - so I mentioned that it wasn't staffed so they instructed us to push Pete and the trolley through into the building and then were told quite summarily that we then had to leave so we didn't even shake his hand or anything! I doubt he even knew we were leaving.

As far as Customer Care went it was crap both on our part and that of the airline!

He is now half an hour out from Delhi so I fervently hope that he gets better treatment there.

Meanwhile peace, perfect peace, has descended on the house - well, as peaceful as you'd expect with 7 month old twins in the establishment.

[Biased]
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Hope Pete has a good onward journey (as pilots like to say!)

Today was the wettest, coldest yukkiest day. Snow, hail, rain and mud mud mud. But I was dressed for the weather and went with a good friend and her dog. So the dogs zoomed for an hour and we happily put the world and the Church to rights, followed by a well earned coffee ☕️ ☕️
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I was just thinking after I posted good wishes to Pete that it seems like five minutes ago that I was wishing him bon voyage on his way to India. Tempus fugit*, eh?

I'm pleased to report that I've (a) remembered why the dinner-plates of a favourite set haven't surfaced: we brought them with us to use in the flat, so they're in a box in D's office; and (b) found Bruno, a generously-proportioned teddy-bear who was in a box guarding some breakables (which didn't get broken). Well done Bruno. [Yipee]


* Time flies; or as the old joke goes, "time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana".
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Château rouge has got messier, not tidier.

The man is now doing the work plumbing in the shower and moving the washing machine. The place looks like a bombsite again. Also he left the detritus of his lunch sitting right in the middle of the dining table instead of putting it in the bin because, hey, building site. Does he do that at home? [Mad]

It’s supposed to be finished by this evening. We’ll get there…
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
It [more than] surprised me recently when we had the decorators painting the outside of the house when they not only cleared away after their snack breaks but they washed up their dishes as well!

I've lazed most of the day but suddenly woke up at 5pm all motivated and raring to go - this is a positive sign.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I did one of the more enjoyable bits of unpacking this afternoon: arranging the main ursularium. [Smile]

We've put a tall set of shelves in one corner of the bedroom and I had a lovely time renewing acquaintance with lots of little bears and arranging them in such a way that they'll enjoy each other's company. This was achieved in part by putting the Norwich and Ipswich bears on different shelves ... [Big Grin]

There are still quite a few bears to be accommodated, but once the office and library are sorted out, there should be plenty of bookshelves with empty tops ripe for ursine colonisation.
 
Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
to all those wondering - uneventful flight from Kochi onward to Delhi - usual kerfuffle in Delhi, but nothing serious, Hotel was lovely - 2 nd room was accessible. Flight was long and I am COLD. sighs Must go have breakfast - 2200 Friday, but actually stomach says Saturday morning
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I always knew you were a bit behind the times.

quote:
I say, I say, I say: why does going to eye hospital always remind me of Pete's sense of humour?

I don't know, why does going to the eye hospital always remind you of Pete's sense of humour?

His jokes are cornea than most!

Ta-da!

* * * *

The twins are both now sort-of crawling - they need watching ALL the time.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
This was achieved in part by putting the Norwich and Ipswich bears on different shelves ...

Different shelves? They need to be in different houses, one of them preferably near Vancouver!
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Piglet! How many bears have you got??? [Eek!] [Confused] [Ultra confused]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
As another Ursophile I can give an answer to that - not enough!

My collection also includes dogs and cats and Eeyore [who really is a bit of a misery] and a bright red rabbit and a gorgeous raccoon!
 
Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
As another Ursophile I can give an answer to that - not enough!

My collection also includes dogs and cats and Eeyore [who really is a bit of a misery] and a bright red rabbit and a gorgeous raccoon!

And a Christmas koala! And a moose, I think,

[ 04. March 2017, 14:24: Message edited by: Uncle Pete ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
All those Bears! And all those Shelves!

However do you do the dusting around them?

[Eek!]

IJ
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
My collection also includes dogs and cats and Eeyore [who really is a bit of a misery] and a bright red rabbit and a gorgeous raccoon!

I've been meaning to ask you how Eeyore is doing since you were going to try to move him, IIRC.

(My sister was a life-long lover and collector of bears.)
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Nicodemia:
Piglet! How many bears have you got???

... to which Wodders replied:
quote:
As another Ursophile I can give an answer to that - not enough!
I find that the number of bears we have at any given time is exactly the right number; if another one decides to adopt us*, then that's the new right number. I don't think we've ever counted them, but I'd guess it's somewhat over a hundred. Many of them are very small (under 6 inches tall), so they don't take up quite as much space as you might think, and a few are specifically Christmassy, so will only be on display when the decorations are up.

We also have sundry Other Creatures: several piggies, a badger, an Andrex puppy, a few rabbits, two Clangers and an Eeyore (who, unlike Wodders' one, seems to be reasonably contented wherever he lives).

BT - [Killing me] I couldn't send either of them that far away!!!

* D. sometimes goes into a charity-shop looking for a shirt and comes out having been adopted by a bear. [Smile]

* * * * *

We're just back from supper with one of the Archdeacons, who was a student at Queen's in St. John's when D. taught there, and we had a very jolly evening reminiscing, drinking blueberry mead (much nicer than it sounds) and eating v. good food.

You might like to know that at the moment it's -14°C, and feeling like -24, which is a bit brrrrr even for me. [Eek!]

eta: BF, what is this "dusting" of which you speak??? [Confused]

[ 05. March 2017, 01:29: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Point of pedantry: should a bear-lover really be called an "ursophile"? The word mixes Latin and Greek roots, so wouldn't "arktophile" be better?
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Yes it should, thanks for the correction - I knew ursophile wasn't right but had my brain seize on me...

...a not unusual occurrence.
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
You might want to check ursophile in the Urban Dictionary before you use that particular neologism again, it may not mean what you think it does. Arctophile is the recognised word for a lover of teddy bears.

The misuse of of perfectly good words and phrases is unhelpful. I use glory hole to refer to the store cupboard at one of our sites. I am forever being told off by one of my colleagues, as it is now being used very differently as per urban dictionary.
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
The word 'television' also mixes Latin and Greek roots, so It seems to be permissible to do that in English.

M.

[ 05. March 2017, 10:50: Message edited by: M. ]
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Automobile and hyperactive do too [Smile]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Being neither a bear nor an ursophile I still should have known that!
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I've just googled "glory hole". Oh dear. [Eek!]

What am I now supposed to call a repository for junk?
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
You can see why I didn't provide links to either of those words or phrases, can't you?
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Glory hole

Noun

1. A place, such as a cupboard, for storing odds and ends.
2. The opening of a furnace used in glassblowing.
3. A vertical mine shaft or pit used for mining ore.

You're welcome.

My dictionary does not include rood slang! [Roll Eyes]
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Yes, Boogie, I linked to that definition. Under the words glory hole. It's the one I think of when I use the phrase.
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
I looked up "ursophile" on-line -- that's why I chose to refer to my sister as a lover of bears instead. (The other definition just didn't fit her!)
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Large furniture declutterment chez Piglet is now accomplished! [Yipee]

The lady who's taking it off our hands turned up with a friend, an estate car and a trailer and it's now all gone, so arrangement of the furniture we actually like can now commence. The painted bookshelves are in their corner, and will start being filled forthwith, and once we get rid of all the dismantled boxes* we can really get things organised.

* With any luck, the movers might take the boxes back; D. bought them from them, second-hand, but they could probably be re-assembled and used again.
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
You might be lucky, Piglet. Down here,they can be sold back but only if they have been used just the once.

Otherwise they need to be advertised privately.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Down here all boxes can be sold to the recycling man for yer actual real money in cash - not a lot of it but any little helps. It is sold by weight and condition doesn't seem to be an issue - as Herself doesn't produce enough milk to feed both babies adequately our current major seller is empty formula, etc. boxes, which they get through at an alarming rate!


eta: Having spent years being sniffy about Tablets and Kindles and then eventually giving in getting a Tablet and loving it I now must say that it is even more wonderful than I had thought - now I am having this rather annoying eye problem a quick couple of finger movements and the font is increased so I can carry on reading - I was a bit panicked about the idea of losing reading as my major form of entertainment but I've still got it and I don't have to invest in large print books

In other news I am happy that Pete flew home when he did as the few days have been quite remarkably wet and it is well known here that Pete loathes getting muddy tyres on his chair - another storm forecast for later today and several more this week.

[Big Grin]

We desperately need the rain after last years terrible monsoons.

[ 07. March 2017, 08:05: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I sympathise with Pete's aversion to mud on his tyres.

Dog-poo is even worse. I know whereof I speak.

[Projectile]

IJ
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
How is it possible for objects to just disappear? I am looking for the Borrower who has walked off with my foundation cream.

This morning, running less than early if not exactly late, no sign of it anywhere. Not with my other make-up, not in the bathroom, not anywhere it might feasibly be. I know, thinks I, I have a sample in the drawer. I try it. It is much too orange for my skin tone and I realise it is going to make me look like Donald Trump [Eek!] [Help] . I remove same (now running definitely late), put on the rest of my make-up without foundation, and apparently no-one notices, which makes me wonder if I’m wasting my time putting it on the other days…
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Ha! In one church I served the kitchen was the lair of the Gobbler, which devoured J-cloths.

Of course, there is one sure way of getting something that has hid itself to creep back out of its hidey-hole. That is to BUY ANOTHER ONE - they don't like that!
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
This of which you speak is the Curse of the Safe Place. LVER has recently moved so it's a guinea to a gooseberry that it will turn up. OTOH, J cloths are way too useful. Some enterprising yoof is probably "borrowing" a few and using them to clean cars, raising funds for some worthy cause.
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
It is not true that buying another one causes the original to turn up.
Item, my Shakespeare, owned by me since college, taken from my study when watching the Tempest with Helen Mirren, and Coriolanus, and not seen since. Bought new version from Oxfam. No sign of old one.
Item, a collection of tooth repair kits bought before Christmas. Last known position, on a chair at the foot of the stairs out of my living room, waiting to be taken upstairs. Hurriedly moved due to expected visitor. Not seen since. Buying replacements has been difficult, as there seems to have been a general purchasing of the stuff across northwest Kent and South London. But buying replacements has not recovered the originals.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
J cloths are way too useful. Some enterprising yoof is probably "borrowing" a few and using them to clean cars, raising funds for some worthy cause.

Actually I think it was The Good Ladies Of The Church.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
... I am looking for the Borrower who has walked off with my foundation cream ...

Assuming that Husband en rouge is innocent, [Big Grin] would it be the same one who half-inches socks from the washing machine/tumble-dryer? No matter how even the number of socks one puts in, it's nearly always an odd number that comes out.

I shouldn't worry about your colleagues not noticing the absence of make-up - it just shows how cleverly subtle you are with it. I'm reminded of a colleague who was always immaculately maquillaged, who came back to work after sick-leave (when we all thought she was swinging the lead) without her face on*. She looked completely different, so much so that someone asked her if she'd started wearing contact lenses. When she replied that she hadn't, he said, "but you're not wearing spectacles today". She explained that she never wore spectacles, and I suddenly realised that what he'd noticed was the absence of her eye-makeup.

* I suspect it may have been a ruse to make her look less healthy than usual. [Devil]
 
Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
... I am looking for the Borrower who has walked off with my foundation cream ...

Assuming that Husband en rouge is innocent, [Big Grin] would it be the same one who half-inches socks from the washing machine/tumble-dryer? No matter how even the number of socks one puts in, it's nearly always an odd number that comes out.
For some time, based on exactly that observation, I have been considering an almost infallible business plan for getting rich quickly. I shall sell socks in packs of three.
 
Posted by Joan Rasch (# 49) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
<snip>Assuming that Husband en rouge is innocent, [Big Grin] would it be the same one who half-inches socks from the washing machine/tumble-dryer? No matter how even the number of socks one puts in, it's nearly always an odd number that comes out.
<snip>

For the definitive word on breaking the laws of nature, as expounded by Jules Feiffer, see the pdf file here.

Cheers from Boston - Joan
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Stercus Tauri:
For some time, based on exactly that observation, I have been considering an almost infallible business plan for getting rich quickly. I shall sell socks in packs of three.

Good idea, but how will you know whether to include two right-footed socks or two left-footed ones in the pack? [Devil]
 
Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
I put all my socks together in a mesh bag before I put them in the washing machine.

It works!

Moo
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
In the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a guy is mentioned who came up with a theory about how biros slipped away through wormholes in space to their own special planet where they enjoyed a uniquely biroid lifestyle.

I think he had it almost right. Not biros, though. Socks. (FWIW I think ours usually go asunder on the way out of the washing machine. The wormhole to Planet Hosiery is located somewhere between the machine and the clothes horse.)
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Moo:
I put all my socks together in a mesh bag before I put them in the washing machine.

It works!

Moo

I have such a bag and while it cuts losses it does not eliminate them.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Moo:
I put all my socks together in a mesh bag before I put them in the washing machine.

Poor wee things, cruelly deprived of their liberty.
 
Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
Rejoice with me, for today is the first day of 2017 that I have been able to put washing outside on the line. It won't dry, it's still too cold, but it will dry indoors more quickly than usual and smell so much better. I am really aware of my extreme middle-age - when I saw we had blue sky this morning my first thought was "get the washing on and out!"

In other news, today marks the end of week 5 of the Neverending Lurgy. It started with that horrible viral cough that is doing the rounds (which I still have, but it's not so frequent or painful now), with side order of feeling like someone was permanently sitting on my chest, then a snotty cold decided to join it and is showing no signs of sodding off. I did though eventually manage to get a practice nurse to take me seriously rather than dismiss me, and am now measuring my peak flow readings several times a day. When I go back (end of the month) I'm expecting they will either confirm or rule out asthma (looking at my readings, which are consistently rubbish, my money is on confirming it).

I am a bit fed up of constantly advancing decrepitude. I could have sworn I was only 21 a couple of years ago ...

[ 09. March 2017, 13:14: Message edited by: Jack the Lass ]
 
Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
Regarding socks, I'm sure I once read a poem about single, solitary socks.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Love the Laundromat story. [Killing me] In the few weeks when we had to use such an establishment (just after we moved here and were staying in a grotty motel), I don't think we lost any socks, but that may have been because it was July, the temperatures were in the mid-20s and most of the time we weren't wearing any ... [Big Grin]

The Posh Dinner Set™ has now been relocated in the sideboard, along with the Good Whisky Glasses and Good GIN Glasses. I don't know if it's because the new house has more cupboard space or because we gave such a lot of stuff away before we left, but we seem to have lots of empty space.

I wonder if this is God's way of telling us we ought to buy some more?
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Oh dear me! GIN glasses, particulary the ones for Oude Geneve, are really meant to be kept in the freezer and the GIN kept in the fridge thus the GIN needs no ice - watering down classic GIN is surely a SIN!
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Oh dear me! GIN glasses, particulary the ones for Oude Geneve, are really meant to be kept in the freezer and the GIN kept in the fridge thus the GIN needs no ice - watering down classic GIN is surely a SIN!

We have taken to keeping cocktail glasses in the freezer to minimise ice contamination. The adren* wonder but it does make a difference, especially to my (now sadly rare) bone-dry Martini, which does help me get through Christmas Day.

*adren: adult children.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I must admit it wouldn't have occurred to me to put the glasses in the freezer (they're Edinburgh crystal, so they might not like it in there, and a surviving wedding present*). There's a burger chain round these parts where they freeze the soft-drink glasses, but we're talking about big, heavyweight glass tankards.

* We got six sets of whisky glasses and one of taller, GIN ones when we got married, and all except a set of Caithness glass whisky glasses (which we got from the choir along with an Orkney chair) and the GIN ones were subsequently "recycled" as wedding presents for friends after we moved to Northern Ireland.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
As long as you didn't recycle the GIN that way!
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
I have to say we don't put the whisky and brandy glasses in the freezer, just the run-of-the-mill stuff. We are fond of our cocktails and they form a big part of our Staycations.
 
Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
I have to say we don't put the whisky and brandy glasses in the freezer, just the run-of-the-mill stuff. We are fond of our cocktails and they form a big part of our Staycations.

Good. Chilling either of those glasses would be considered a very serious offence in some circles. It's OK with American whiskey where chilling helps to suppress the odour, but it would murder the heavenly aroma of any decent Scotch whisky or cognac.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
We never have any space in our freezer for glass chilling purposes!

I've been rethinking the garden and I'm pleased with my ideas - now to put them in to action! Monty Don has far more spring flowers blooming than us - just crocus and snowdrops here, the daffs are all tight buds.
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
A lot of bulbs I put in last year are not apparent this year. And what are there are not giving a succession, all at once, instead, crocuses, snowdrops and daffs.

[ 11. March 2017, 17:55: Message edited by: Penny S ]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
Monty Don has far more spring flowers blooming than us.

Yes, we noticed. He's on virtually the same latitude as us, but much further west.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We seem to have been doing some rather good eating of late. Last night we were at a v. good dinner party with a lady from the Cathedral (good wine, good food and excellent company) and today after a lazy morning we went out for brunch. I had a variant on eggs Benedict with Cajun hollandaise, spinach, avocado and tomato, served on potato rosti instead of the usual muffin, and it was really good. They managed to achieve subtlety with the Cajun spicing, which is a rarity over here - usually anything with the word "Cajun" in it blows your socks off, but this was lovely.

Then up to the new house to do a bit more Arranging of Stuff (and assembling our bed, which is always something of a headache - there's always one nut or bolt that doesn't want to go where it's supposed to), followed by helping D. re-set the Cathedral clock (well, watching from floor level and letting him know he'd got it right) as our clocks go forward tonight.

Better go and get what sleep I'm going to ... [Snore]

BTW, you might like to know that it's currently -19°C and feeling like -29. Brrrrr.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
...following on from which I can explain how to lower the temperature of a tropical house by about 20C in just 2 minutes!

This morning I told Herself, politely but clearly, that the advice she has been giving me over the last few days about my eye condition feels like bullying, however well meant she says it is.

I went back upstairs and put on a fleece jacket...

...but felt a bit chuffed with myself.

* * * *

Yesterday I ate far too much ice cream, as did boy twin who then decided he rather liked the sound of himself screaming in the car - scream, register effect of scream, grin at everybody then repeat!. On the way home he looked at me, yawned and then curled up on my lap to sleep.

Bliss!
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... Yesterday I ate far too much ice cream ...

[Confused] [Confused] [Confused]

It's still Jolly Cold here, (currently -13° but feeling like -23), but beautifully sunny with hardly a cloud in the sky.

Am messing about on here as I usually do while D. plays for the worship-band service, and then he's going to cook me a steak for lunch. He's not a steak-eater (he's doing sausages for himself), but he cooks it beautifully. Add fluffy mashed potatoes and a glass or two of something nice and red, and I'll be a v. happy piglet.

Then a spot of curling up with a bear - despite knowing that the alarm was going to go off an hour early, I didn't sleep the best last night*, so I think a nap will be more than justified.

* until just before the alarm went off (obviously), when I was deeply in the land of Nod ... [Snore]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
Add fluffy mashed potatoes and a glass or two of something nice and red.

What, you have Vimto in Canada? [Devil]
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
just crocus and snowdrops here, the daffs are all tight buds.

Full size daffs are still all bud, but our mini daffs are blooming nicely and the primroses are going crazy.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
First proper Spring day here yesterday. We went for a walk without coats (sweatshirts only) to the Eiffel tower. ‘Twas most pleasant.

Saturday night was my best friend’s birthday party. The theme was things beginning with the letter C. There may exist photographic evidence of me dressed up like a cow. Moooooo.
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
You live too high in the hills, Boogie! We've got masses of polyanthus, daffodils, crocuses in bloom (mostly little early daffodils, but the big ones in pots on the patio have been blooming for ages. I also have a pot of glorious orangey-red tulips (called Early Harvest, since you asked!)

And everything else is shooting madly with green leaves!

I like Spring, especially when it stops raining and the sun shines! [Biased]
 
Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
That outfit must have had any non English speakers wondering.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
Add fluffy mashed potatoes and a glass or two of something nice and red.

What, you have Vimto in Canada? [Devil]
I did specify nice and red ... [Eek!]

Sorting things out is progressing slowly chez Piglet, but it's definitely beginning to get there. I've re-assembled a coffee-table and two side-tables (I'm usually pretty rubbish at doing anything that involves screwdrivers, but these were easy) and unrolled The Carpet*, so the sitting-room is beginning to look rather nice.

* The Carpet started life in a bar in a student hall of residence in Bristol. It came by a very circuitous route into D's possession, and although it's maybe not quite our style, it's apparently a good quality one, and has been a feature in every Château Piglet.
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
Two brownish butterflies circling over the garden investigating each other closely before drifting off next door.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
And I've seen a number of Queen bumblebees out foraging. (The bees foraging, that is, not me).

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
The sn*w being sent to us by our American chums (thank you very much - NOT) has started, so I probably ought to get back home while the driveway's still navigable ... [Eek!]
 
Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
I recall an Easter sunrise service in the park where we had to set the candles in snow.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It could have been worse - I suppose we got about a foot of sn*w, but of course the plough went up the road and left a heap about two feet high across the bottom of the drive. D. got it cleared* (along with a little path from the door to where the Pigletmobile was parked and the path to the front door so that the postman can deliver) in about half an hour.

The man's a saint. [Overused]

* our friend's sn*w-blower still refuses to work, which is an embuggerance.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Dare I say that South-East UKipperland was basking in balmy temperatures of around 18 degrees C today?

We'll Pay For It Later, You Mark My Words....

(BTW, is it D. who's a saint, or the postman?).

IJ
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Lamb Chopped:
I recall an Easter sunrise service in the park where we had to set the candles in snow.

That 'snuthin. I'm sure I've mentioned a cricket match in England when one side ran up a huge score on 31st May followed by a rest day on which it snowed so heavily that play was impossible on 2nd June, before the match resumed on June 3rd when the other side were bowled out twice in a little over three hours.
 
Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
I would like to mention that most of the snow here in UpperCanadaland seems to be migrating from the USA. Or the Boston States as those of my elderly generation sometime say.

STOP IT! Stop it RIGHT NOW!!
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Dare I say that South-East UKipperland was basking in balmy temperatures of around 18 degrees C today?

No. [Snigger]

Pete, you're absolutely right - I do wish they'd stop sending us their weather.

In other news, I decided to try my hand at making tomato chutney today (we'd bought a big pack of tomatoes and they weren't being eaten quite fast enough), so once it's done the maturing thing (a week or two) I'll let you know how I got on.
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Chez Arachnid has been wall-to-wall preserving for several weeks now, ready for Spring Day (a mini fayre) at church next week. MotherinElmet has been making marmalade, varying chutneys and has just started on the jam. It's a useful and delicious pastime, but I keep having to move empty jars and bags of onions off kitchen surfaces to get to the kettle. [Help]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
My Old Mum used to make a most delicious Green Tomato Chutney, whose delicate sweetness was an ideal complement to a strong mature Cheddar Cheese.

She was a dab hand at Flaky Pastry too, using what would probably now be illegal amounts of Butter.

BTW, it's been another lovely mild, sunny day here, though we could Do With A Good Drop Of Rain. The Churchyard Grass received its first trim of the year, but I think I'll leave the second, third etc. trims for the (much) younger and stronger Churchwarden to do... [Help]

IJ
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Bishops Finger told us about his Mum:-

She was a dab hand at Flaky Pastry too, using what would probably now be illegal amounts of Butter.

You can never have too much butter in a good flaky pastry. My Mum was a great pastry-maker too! Goes with that generation, maybe?
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Nicodemia:
Bishops Finger told us about his Mum:-

She was a dab hand at Flaky Pastry too, using what would probably now be illegal amounts of Butter.

You can never have too much butter in a good flaky pastry. My Mum was a great pastry-maker too! Goes with that generation, maybe?

Pastry lives! Mrs Sioni and one of her sisters do wonderful pastry, especially shortcrust which is the pastry for pies.

Mrs S reckons that keeping things cool (including a cool room) and not over-working the mixture are important, so a centrally heated kitchen, or one with the cooker going full blast, will probably knacker your pastry. We also have a marble (or faux marble) slab to work on.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Proper Flaky Pastry does indeed go with that generation, and probably further back. My Old Mum told me that she acquired her skills simply through following the example of her own mother, who was born in 1885.

IJ
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
I do love flaky pastry! Which is very easy to make, put the butter into the freezer for a little while and then just grate it into the flour.

Now puff pastry - when I was about 10, mum made me make puff pastry, just so I'd made it once, and then told me just to buy it from then on. Which I always have.

M.
(A couple of months older than Sioni)
 
Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
I make flaky pastry and also what I was told was 'rough' puff pastry. What I cannot make is common-or-garden shortcrust pastry.

I do make quite a few things with choux pastry, both sweet and savoury. And when I really have time (and can be arsed) I have been known to make cold-water crust pastry for things like game or pork pies for a picnic.
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
My grandmother (born circa 1890) was a great puff pastry maker. She lso made wonderful liver and bacon with mashed potaoes. As a vegetarian not something I'd eat now, but I loved it as a kid. My other grandmother (born circa 1900) made rather nice shortcrust jam tarts and great spotted dick.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Oooh! Spotted dick! With loads of runny golden syrup! Another of My Old Mum's masterpieces....

[Overused]

IJ
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
When my mother was not up to a 'proper' pudding, she would serve up plain suet pudding and put on the table golden syrup, butter, white sugar and brown sugar, possibly jam, and let us choose what to add to the pudding. I can remember the mouth feel of softening butter with the crunch of the sugar as if I were eating it now.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I know this is descending into a sub-foodie thread but as it's specifically British food we're talking about, maybe it should pass ... [Biased]

Steamed pudding (a sponge pudding with golden syrup) was something of an institution in our family; there was a sort of in-joke that we only had it once a year (which probably wasn't quite true). At one point (we'll say it was in about 1969) we had it rather more often than usual and I remember my dad joking that we were on to 1975's pudding by the end of the year.

As I recall, it was served with the top of the milk* poured over it, which sounds a tad parsimonious, but it served to cool it down, which was a good thing as the syrup made it very hot.

I can just about taste it now ... **drooling smilie** [Smile]

* There may well have been cream for those who liked it, but as a small piglet I hadn't yet developed the taste for it. I have now. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Sponge pudding, made with golden syrup is Eldest Son's favourite. We serve it with custard as we do with apple pie and every kind of crumble, treating cream as an affectation: OK in it's place, such as with fruit, but not with a bona fide pudding.
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Sponge pudding, made with golden syrup is Eldest Son's favourite. We serve it with custard as we do with apple pie and every kind of crumble, treating cream as an affectation: OK in it's place, such as with fruit, but not with a bona fide pudding.

It is a shame most of the family are eating fairly low carb now. However, if I made golden syrup steamed pud, as known in my place and visitors smelt it. I think an exception would be made. We have always served ours with cold milk and were dumbfounded when a guest suggested custard. Custard with other things, be never with golden syrup steamed pud.

Made in my steamer basin, now around 100 years old.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
The runny golden syrup which My Old Mum used to serve with spotted dick was due to my aversion to custard (sorry, custard fans).

She made it runny by putting the quantity required in an old marmalade jar, and resting it on top of the oven whilst the spotted dick was cooking. By being warm and runny when applied, it soaked quickly into the hot spotted dick.

Yummmm..........

IJ
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
Most of my golden syrup has crystallised. It doesn't seem to melt properly.
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Try standing the tin in very hot water for a while. works with honey!
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Speaking of food (for a change) all the stalls at Leeds Market seem to be selling stacks of very cheap citrus fruit. I've come home with 2 dozen lemons and a dozen limes for the grand total of £3.00. Lemon curd!
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Lemon curd? Delicious. I used to make mine from an updated Mrs Beetons cook book. It was then called lemon butter. I doubt it would survive being posted down here or the possible surveillance of Customs officers.. they do a wonderful job in stopping and nasty diseases for plants and animals getting through.

I will dream of (imaginary) toast with butter and lemon butter. Not exactly low carb friendly.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
A friend gave me a lovely little pot of home-made lemon curd for my birthday a few years ago; it was delicious spread on freshly-made bread. [Smile]
 
Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
(Watching Strongbow commercial with pronounced skepticism)

How do y'all Britmates feel about flavored hard cider?
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Nicodemia:
Try standing the tin in very hot water for a while. works with honey!

First port of call - not happening. I think the invert sugar has reverted.

I think this is organic chemistry (which mystified me at college) not physics.

[ 19. March 2017, 07:11: Message edited by: Penny S ]
 
Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
Unless the hard cider tastes of apple (as God, herself, intended), the concept of flavoured cider is [Projectile] and I am sure I am not alone in feeling this way.

What they do with apple juice is beyond my ken.
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
Ummm - owns up to liking the pear stuff.
 
Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Uncle Pete:
Unless the hard cider tastes of apple (as God, herself, intended), the concept of flavoured cider is [Projectile] and I am sure I am not alone in feeling this way.

What they do with apple juice is beyond my ken.

Whelp, that's about how I feel. The things they showed on the commercial looked like a row of Dr. Brown's Soda bottles. All these jellybean colors. Nope.
 
Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:
Ummm - owns up to liking the pear stuff.

( cocks eyebrow) Is it actual cider made from pear juice or augmented apple juice? And if the latter, is it al least subtle? ( because I can see pear being complementary in flavor)
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
Cider made from pear juice?? Isn't that perry or is that different?

And how is hard cider different from cider?

Things have obviously changed from my scrumpy drinking days!

M.
 
Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
It is perry strictly speaking, but they have started calling it pear cider recently, presumably because a lot of people don't know what perry is.

Aldi also do a perry made to resemble white wine rather than cider. I like it though I expect a wine snob will be along to tell me what poor taste I have.
 
Posted by Gracious rebel (# 3523) on :
 
I think I am right in saying that 'hard cider' is what Americans call cider (ie alcoholic). What they call 'cider' may be just an apple juice based drink, not alcoholic.
 
Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gracious rebel:
I think I am right in saying that 'hard cider' is what Americans call cider (ie alcoholic). What they call 'cider' may be just an apple juice based drink, not alcoholic.

Cider is different from apple juice because it is not filtered; it has solids in it.

Moo-
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
Thanks all!

M.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Kelly Alves:
... How do y'all Britmates feel about flavored hard cider?

I can't really imagine cider being flavoured with anything except apples (except, as others have said, pears, in which case it's perry).

What on earth are Strongbow up to??? [Confused]

I must confess to being rather ambivalent about cider; my very first hangover (aged 16) was courtesy of a rather sweet cider called Autumn Gold, and I've never really felt the same about cider since. [Hot and Hormonal]

Having said that, there's an independent cider brewery here with a nice little restaurant attached, and when we go there I'll have a glass - it's very refreshing.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Me too - also aged 16, I still can't drink it!
 
Posted by jacobsen (# 14998) on :
 
It wasn't the cider, mild-as-mother's-milk-drink that it is.

No. It was the preceding beer, schnapps, white wine and red that did the damage..... [Projectile]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Do ee be careful with thi zider, me dee-ars....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp9yK_k6wCk&nohtml5=False

IJ
 
Posted by jacobsen (# 14998) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
The runny golden syrup which My Old Mum used to serve with spotted dick was due to my aversion to custard (sorry, custard fans).

She made it runny by putting the quantity required in an old marmalade jar, and resting it on top of the oven whilst the spotted dick was cooking. By being warm and runny when applied, it soaked quickly into the hot spotted dick.
Yummmm..........

IJ

I see no problem with having that and custard as well.
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
The pear cider I have come across seems to be cider flavoured with pear juice rather than perry, which has more tannin. It is Swedish, from a company called Kopparberg Pear cider There are other things on the page which seem un-cidery in the extreme. My Little Ciders for the gurlies.
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Fruit ciders are usually too artificial and should be avoided like the plague, and you're right, Penny S, about Koppaberg which tastes like pop, but some small producers make their own with proper fruit juice. The Most Blessed Aspall's make a blush cider with blackberries which is pretty good.

I do confess to violent urges though when I'm asked if I want ice in my pint of cider.

Lothlorien, I'm sorry I can't post you some physical lemon curd, rather than making do with the virtual. It's definitely worth making, and according to MotherinElmet, very easy to make.
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thanks for the offer. Yes mine was easy to make too.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
D. spent three years at university in Bristol, and has probably patronised most of the cider dives there (at least once anyway). He told me of one where IIRC the cider came in three varieties - Regular, Strong and "I wouldn't have more'n half a pint of that if I were you". [Eek!]

He also takes great pleasure in recounting tales of hapless Northerners, used to downing several pints of beer of an evening, having three pints of Scrumpy and falling over.

[Killing me]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
A Pub Near Me In My Yoof used to offer the third pint of scrumpy free. There were no known takers....although there was a rumour that the landlord had run out of space in which to hide the bodies.

[Help]

IJ
 
Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gracious rebel:
I think I am right in saying that 'hard cider' is what Americans call cider (ie alcoholic). What they call 'cider' may be just an apple juice based drink, not alcoholic.

Pretty much this plus what Moo said. American "soft" cider is juiced that is pressed but not strained clear.
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
I've certainly heard of pubs in the West Country where they wouldn't sell grockles more than one pint of scrumpy.


M.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Back feeling bleary-eyed from celebrating the in-laws fiftieth wedding anniversary in foie gras land.

For the first time in my life, I am feeling grateful for a French strike. We were meant to leave at 9 am from Orly and then the Air France staff walked out and the flight got cancelled. Consequently we booked the night train with much complaining and grumpiness. In view of subsequent events it seems rather providential that we weren’t at the airport at 8:30 on Saturday morning when the gun-wielding maniac turned up [Eek!] . We wouldn’t have been in actual danger but the whole place got shut down for hours so we wouldn’t have made it to the South and the outlaws would have been très upset.

Weather was warm and sunny in foie gras land and I didn’t want to come back…
 
Posted by Celtic Knotweed (# 13008) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Kelly Alves:
quote:
Originally posted by Gracious rebel:
I think I am right in saying that 'hard cider' is what Americans call cider (ie alcoholic). What they call 'cider' may be just an apple juice based drink, not alcoholic.

Pretty much this plus what Moo said. American "soft" cider is juiced that is pressed but not strained clear.
Ah... This has finally cleared up my confusion as to why someone in a Heralds of Valdemar book was drinking cider when in the infirmary and wishing for alcohol.

In the UK that's just called apple juice, possibly with 'cloudy' on the label (but equally possibly not).
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by M.:
I've certainly heard of pubs in the West Country where they wouldn't sell grockles more than one pint of scrumpy.


M.

I was in digs in Frome many years ago and I remember one thereabouts. They only sold me one pint for my first three visits.

My (late) brother used to make cider down in Somerset, taking in apples from next door and the farm over the road. It improved from utterly undrinkable at Xmas to very pleasant indeed by the time the apple blossom came out - apparently that is when home made cider is ready.

Dry as a bone though. Most people mixed it about 50/50 with lemonade.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
On the night before our son's wedding in a Devon village a few years ago, we went to the pub. I asked for cider and was disappointed to be offered a proprietary brand. "Haven't you got anything local?" I asked. He drew some draught cider out of an unmarked keg behind him - it was magic, and not too dry. I only dared drink half-a-pint!

(PS It was much cheaper than the Str++ng+b+w).

The best range of ciders I've ever encountered was at the Pig's Nose in East Prawle (also Devon). Pure nectar after a hike along the coast path on a hot day!
 
Posted by Jengie jon (# 273) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Celtic Knotweed:

In the UK that's just called apple juice, possibly with 'cloudy' on the label (but equally possibly not).

Other options on the label include "pressed" or "unfiltered". Although "unfiltered" on apple juice seems more common in the USA according to my googling.

Jengie
 
Posted by Leorning Cniht (# 17564) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Kelly Alves:
(Watching Strongbow commercial with pronounced skepticism)

How do y'all Britmates feel about flavored hard cider?

1. Nothing made by Bulmer's (the makers of Strongbow) is worthy of being called cider. It's like calling Budweiser "beer".

2. I gather that the products they sell in the US are rather sweeter than the thing they make for the domestic market. Imagine that!

3. Yes, flavoured "ciders" are evil. They're presumably aimed at the alcopop market.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Leorning Cniht:
Nothing made by Bulmer's (the makers of Strongbow) is worthy of being called cider. It's like calling Budweiser "beer".

Do not diss Bulmer's (although I tend to agree with you)! They played a major part in early railway preservation.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Well, quite. And their cider is OK as a nice, refreshing, apple-flavoured fizzy drink!

The sole surviving pub in Our Place's parish serves a particularly wicked home-brewed cider. It tastes, and acts, in quite an innocent manner, until you try to stand up....

IJ
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
I was on a geology trip in the Marches, not driving, carried about on a coach, and had some cider from a small keg on the counter of the pub. I was agreeably surprised to have no reaction to a pleasant drink, and had a second half. Still no response.
Encouraged by this, on a second coach trip, to the Isle of Portland, I spotted a similar keg, with a similar label, on the counter. Boy, was it different. I was only half way down the half when it hit me.
And then there was the bottled stuff my neighbours bought in specially for me at the leaving party, and which I had to drink without a proper meal first because of a very long union meeting in my place that I couldn't kick the people out from. I drank a pint of milk, first, before I went, but I still ended up with the room rotating round me. After less than a half.
I was very disappointed in Wells to find the pub I was in only had Strongbow and Woodpecker.
 
Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on :
 
This thread is dragging me back into my anecdotage, yet again... Many years ago the Kirkgate Bar, almost across the road from Marischal College in Aberdeen, several times had an anonymous keg of powerful cider. When we heard about it, we were over there after the noon lecture, and lost the rest of the day on account of remarkably small quantities of it. It was cloudy, gloriously tasty and diabolically strong. I don't think I've drunk cider since then. If they serve cider in Heaven it will be a lot like that. What the rest of us will get in the other place is anybody's guess.
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Perhaps what was once known as cider down here many years ago, but is now known as sparkling apple juice? Tastes more like sugar than apples.

[ 20. March 2017, 20:21: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 
Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Celtic Knotweed:
Ah... This has finally cleared up my confusion as to why someone in a Heralds of Valdemar book was drinking cider when in the infirmary and wishing for alcohol.

In the UK that's just called apple juice, possibly with 'cloudy' on the label (but equally possibly not).

In the US much of the apple cider sold has been pasteurized or had a preservative added. If you buy untreated cider and let it sit, it will become alcoholic.

Living in New Hampshire, I learned that the best cider is made with at least three different varieties of apple.

Moo
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
The only time alcohol has made me ill was 2½ pints of something cloudy that could almost be cut with a knife. The name, Black Rat, should have been a clue.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:
... I still ended up with the room rotating round me ...

Been there, done that, got the paracetamol. [Eek!] Thankfully, the last time was probably about 20 years ago.

The dining-table chez Piglet has now been assembled, accomplished by D. in about 10 minutes with hardly any swearing (especially when I suggested that the tool-box might have the sort of Allen key that was needed, which it did).

We now have an enormous pile of dismantled boxes on the kitchen counter ready to go either back to the movers if they'll take them, or to the recycling centre if they won't. Once they're out of the way, the kitchen/dining-room is going to look really rather nice (and our fears that the dining-table wouldn't fit when fully extended came to nothing).
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
D. has contacted the movers, and not only will they take the dismantled boxes back, they'll come and collect them. [Yipee]

They're going to contact him, which may mean an earlier-than-planned start at some point, but it'll be worth it.

We were emptying the last box with pictures in it this afternoon and discovered another casualty - not a picture, but D's crumhorn, the end of which has got broken. [Waterworks]

Not quite sure how they managed that, as it's made of plastic ... [Confused]

* * *

I think it's as well we're going to return Tabby to the care of her usual humans in a week or so; one of the "sidebar" adverts just said "What is your Car Worth?" and I read it as "what is your cat worth?".

[Hot and Hormonal]
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Good news about collection, Piglet. Those flat boxes are hard to manoeuvre . Sorry about another breakage.

[ 21. March 2017, 20:36: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
A plastic crumhorn?

Not a Renaissance-period original, then...

...though it's still a shame it got broken.

IJ
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
It's a rum 'un, that crumhorn.
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
It wasn't just the room rotating. I managed to stumble back two doors to my home, up the two flights of stairs, and dropped on the bed, completely without any control over myself for some time after.
I tried to recall the name, to avoid it thereafter, and have never, ever, drunk anything without a meal since.
 
Posted by Gill H (# 68) on :
 
Don't like Kopparberg fruit cider, it tastes tinny. My mum in law likes the non alcoholic version which tastes like expensive Vimto.

I do quite like Rekorderlig fruit cider though. I think of that in the same category as Belgian fruit beers - a proper drink rather than an alcopop.

[ 22. March 2017, 11:07: Message edited by: Gill H ]
 
Posted by Sipech (# 16870) on :
 
You'll have seen the news from Westminster. Just letting you know I'm fine. Had a lunchtime meeting so wasn't in Parliament Square as I normally would be at that time on a Wednesday.
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
My office is just near Whitehall, am also fine.

Lots of sirens and helicopters.

M.
 
Posted by Gill H (# 68) on :
 
Hugal and I both work nearby - we're fine.
 
Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
[Votive] Thinking of you all.
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Have just posted on prayer thread but am very glad to see these posts from Shipmates.

Terrible.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Glad to hear from those of you who are in London and are OK; prayers ascending for those who are not. [Tear]

Gill's post about Belgian fruit beer has reminded me how nice the raspberry one was - I wonder if we can get it here?

Boxes now all gone except for the picture ones (which got forgotten about) and a couple that have been used as general dumping-grounds. We've now had a session of hanging pictures and it's really beginning to look the way Château Piglet should. [Smile]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I now have an image of Chateau Piglet looking like a smaller version of the Louvre.... [Eek!]

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Not quite. [Big Grin]

We do have quite a few pictures (wedding presents, farewell presents, you name it), but we're gradually finding the right places for them. Several of them are temporarily on nails that the previous owners had hammered into all sorts of odd places on the walls, but will be positioned as we want them once the painting's been done.*

D. having discovered a large plastic sack full of Small Bears, I spent a pleasant while this afternoon rehousing them.

* The plan was that we'd paint over the rather nasty yellow in the kitchen and hallway before the furniture arrived, but we were scuppered by the 2½ feet of snow that fell a couple of days before, and everything ground to a halt. [Mad]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Perhaps we could send you our current easterly wind (the Very Breath Of Sauron) to blow away the sn*w?

IJ
 
Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
I still have pictures in a box which have not yet been hung in the present Chateau StEverild...and we have lived here for nearly 11 years....

In my defence, some of them need to be hung away from sunlight and too much light, which is not good for prints and pictures....or embroidery and tapestry either, come to that...

Nice sunny day here now
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I suspect that we have a few pictures that never made it on to the walls of the former Château Piglet as well.

There's also a rather nice print of part of St. Magnus Cathedral which hasn't even made it to Canada. A few years ago, D. played for the wedding of the organist's daughter, and as it was a favour to a friend, the "payment" he received was this lovely print. Alas, it's just too big to fit into any of our suitcases, and it's been reposing at D's mum's house ever since, as we haven't quite worked out the best way of getting it over the Pond. Taking it on the plane would be really awkward and having it sent by post or courier would probably cost an arm and several legs. [Eek!]

BF - thanks, but you can keep your easterly winds to yourself. [Big Grin] After a couple of rather blustrous days here, it's calmed down considerably; the Weather Channel actually described the wind speed as "calm" yesterday, which is a rarity indeed.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I hate the east wind - it makes my ears feel far too tight...
[Frown]

IJ
 
Posted by Ethne Alba (# 5804) on :
 
Banned from banging nails into walls, yet very grateful for some picture rails.....i am now flummoxed by the loss of our old and beautiful brass picture rail hooks.

So our pictures will have to continue sitting there on the floor....
.
.

[ 25. March 2017, 11:24: Message edited by: Ethne Alba ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
O woe. Only for a while, though - surely new old-style (IYSWIM) picture hooks can be purchased? No substitute for the Original Brass Ones, I know...

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
BF - is this the sort of thing you mean? And are they any good?

I'm messing about here while D. plays for the Holy Joes' annual service to mark the feast of St. Joseph, then heading to the farmers' market to get some charcuterie - the chutney I made should be about ready to eat, so it'll need some company.

Then with any luck I'll be able to persuade him that going to buy some paint for the new château would be a good idea. [Roll Eyes]

eta: that's just reminded me - we need to get some more picture-hooks, so we'd be going to the hardware shop anyway ... [Big Grin]

[ 25. March 2017, 13:24: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
No, this is what I was thinking of:

Picture hook

(O rats. Could some kindly Hostly Person please shorten the link? My brain hurts today....)

These are hangy or dangly, rather than sticky, things. Much kinder to the décor!

IJ

[Link shortened - Piglet, AS host]

[ 26. March 2017, 15:46: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by Jengie jon (# 273) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
O woe. Only for a while, though - surely new old-style (IYSWIM) picture hooks can be purchased? No substitute for the Original Brass Ones, I know...

IJ

I think Ethne Alba means her* owned. As from a big DIY chain I found Brass Effect Picture Hooks and one's that claim to be brass from a former bookseller

Jengie

*Guessed pronoun - no insult intended.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Yes, that's them! I've some of the brass effect type myself - I think they might even be genuine Olde Ones, inherited from My Old Mum. I must purchase some Brasso, and some Elbow Grease to go with it.

Even if they're just 'brass effect', £2.21 for 10 is a good price.

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
... I must purchase some Brasso, and some Elbow Grease to go with it ...

Where do you buy the elbow-grease? Can you buy it in bulk? I could do with some ... [Big Grin]

D. got our picture-hooks in the dollar store, where they probably cost about $2 for really quite a lot.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Now that question was asked by Charles Pooter in "The Diary of a Nobody" many years ago!
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Elbow-Grease is available from the same shop which stocks Holes For Bus Tickets, Polo-Mints, and Fishing-Nets.

Every town should have one, and, whilst you're looking for it, I'll get me coat...

IJ
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
That must be where you buy the round tuits, which are essential at the beginning of any task. How often, when someone asks you when you're going to fix something, do you say, "I'll get a round tuit."
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
I've never gotten a round tuit.
[Frown]
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Does anyone have any idea what someone who herds pigs might be called (I don't mean Bob or Steve)?

We had our spring mini-fayre yesterday and are left with half a pig's worth of pulled pork. I've made a non-shepherd's pie with it today, but am unsure what to call it.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
The same shop also stocks Lerts, as in 'Keep a Lert'...

IJ
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
ArachnidinElmet - swineherds?

IJ
 
Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Swineherds, question mark unnecessary.
 
Posted by Gill H (# 68) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
That must be where you buy the round tuits, which are essential at the beginning of any task. How often, when someone asks you when you're going to fix something, do you say, "I'll get a round tuit."

I had On in the 1970s. They were everywhere in gift shops with a message similar to the above printed on it. Mine was a plate.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Back from the works outing – three days skiing in the Alps. I’d never been on a pair of skis before and didn’t find the first day very fun, with a big group and too much falling over in the snow. The monitors decided to start by only putting us on one ski to learn to balance, which I conclude is harder than having two skis [Eek!] . I liked it better on the second day when the group had lost two thirds of its members (either because they were partying until 3 am and didn’t get up or because they didn’t enjoy it the first day) leaving the courageous few with much more personal attention from the monitors. After that I started to get the hang of it and managed to get down the (admittedly quite small and pathetically unslopy) hill all by myself without falling over or breaking any limbs which is good enough for me [Smile] .

Saturday afternoon was a team-building exercise involving things like sledging and playing golf in the snow. Would have been quite fun had the weather not been ghastly with lots of the white stuff falling out of the sky. OTOH the massive snowfall (apparently 60 cm on the highest slopes and even a good 20 cm lower down) meant that it all looked very pretty on Sunday morning. I managed to sneak off by myself (introvert heaven!) to the village in search of Savoyard cheese to take home and procured a very yummy chunk of Abondance. I will leave you to imagine the smell ten hours later when I opened my suitcase [Biased] .
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Ah - memories of my first skiing holiday in the French Alps, at half-term, February 1989! To my great surprise, as a complete newbie, I found I was actually quite good at keeping upright, and going at a fair pace down some very slopy slopes...

Can't recall any particular cheese, but lots of cafe noir and cognac seem to be stuck in the memory, along with Dr. Rosie, a GP from South Wales who was also in the newbie class...

IJ
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Swineherd Pie it is, thank you, Bishops Finger and Gee D. I pronounce it a tasty success, whatever it's name.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
... without falling over or breaking any limbs ...

I've never skied, but I think that would be the definition of a good skiing holiday. [Big Grin]

Talking of sn*w, it's been falling here in gentle flurries since about lunchtime but appears to be easing off a bit now. Hopefully it'll not be enough to necessitate shovelling ... [Eek!]

"Spring", my fat aunt. [Roll Eyes]
 
Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
Hmmm. So I'd probably best not mention the glorious blue skies and sun in central Scotland today. Washing dried on the line, and I even needed to break out the sun cream for the Elf Lass earlier.

Today's the last forecast good day for a while though, I gather.

In other news, our back court appears to have been adopted by a stray rabbit, we suspect it is from a gang of them who live in a nearby cemetery. When we had an allotment we had to try and rabbit proof it (wire fencing going several inches below the surface of the ground, etc), but I never imagined having to rabbit proof a 1m x 2m raised bed in a tarmacked back court.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Jack the Lass:
... I'd probably best not mention the glorious blue skies and sun in central Scotland ...

No need - I was speaking to my sister (in Edinburgh) yesterday and she gave me chapter and verse.

Enjoy it while it lasts! [Big Grin]
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
My awesome sister-in-law is visiting Paris from California! [Yipee] [Yipee] [Yipee]

She is coming round for dinner tonight and there is a damn tasty coq-au-vin waiting in my fridge. I’m so proud of it I’m probably going to end up eating grass like a donkey or something.

Big question: do I buy foie gras on the way home? That I am buying dessert from the patissier’s goes without saying [Big Grin] Also the Savoyard cheese isn't finished and an excellent bottle of Burgundy will be making its way up from the cellar. I love France.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
... Big question: do I buy foie gras on the way home?

Absolutely. [Smile] And some nice bread to eat it with.

Hope you and your sis-in-law have a great time - the food sounds excellent.

We were singing/playing for a funeral at the Cathedral this morning, and I'm just dropping in after the reception, which was held in the hall (where D's office and the computer are).

I really ought to b*gger off now and start organising things for our friends' return on Friday - do a spot of cleaning and tidying up, and pack up our clothes and bits and bobs so that we'll be ready to move in to the new Château Piglet on Friday.

Beginning to get excited ... [Yipee]
 
Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ArachnidinElmet:
Does anyone have any idea what someone who herds pigs might be called (I don't mean Bob or Steve)?

We had our spring mini-fayre yesterday and are left with half a pig's worth of pulled pork. I've made a non-shepherd's pie with it today, but am unsure what to call it.

A person who herds pigs is called a Swineherd.
 
Posted by Ethne Alba (# 5804) on :
 
Jengie jon.....you are correct [Biased]

+ i do mean those types of picture hooks....only yes, they were ours...old....somewhat battered,,,,and Brass.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
O what a glorious, balmy, sunshiny Spring day it has been here in this sequestered corner of an otherwise benighted country! The east wind (aka Breath of Sauron) of earlier in the week has become a gentle south-westerly zephyr...

Mind you, I gather that school holidays begin (for some) tomorrow, so We Shall Pay For It, You Mark My Words (again)...

In other (but related) news, I find that our local Co-Op is selling a most refreshing light Golden ALE, just the job after a saunter from the Bus Stop.

IJ
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
My first day in spring like clothes, espadrilles and no socks. Lovely. Out place is small so I have to put away summer clothes, to get out winter ones. Do I trust the weather enough to put away long sleeved t-shirts and jumpers, and get out shorts and short sleeved tops or do I wait?
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Best wait, I think.... [Paranoid]

We've Had The Best Of The Weather - Now We Need A Good Drop Of Rain For The Garden (heard at the Bus Stop today...). [Eek!]

IJ
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Ne'er cast a clout and all that, Sarasa. It's been nice and sunny today, but I'm sat under a duvet right now.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It's been a nice, almost-springish day here, and looking at the forecast for the next few days, the temperatures do seem to be heading in a generally upward direction (famous last words ...) [Paranoid]

In other news, we woke up to no electricity this morning* - not what you need when you'd planned on a laundry/hoovering/cleaning blitz in time for the return of the cat's regular staff.

As we had no electricity, there was nothing for it but to go out for lunch, so we went to a place called Uncle Pete's Diner (yes, really [Big Grin] ), where D. had an all-day breakfast and I had v. decent fish and chips with the nicest tartare sauce I've ever tasted, and the whole thing came to under $30 (about £18). It's just down the road from the new château, so I suspect we may be back. [Smile]

* there were men with chainsaws doing things to trees, which I assume had something to do with it.

[ 30. March 2017, 21:40: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Ah - Chish and Fips - one of the Finest Meals known to man or piglets! The Tartare Sauce sounds good, too, though I hope to have Mushy Peas with my Chish and Fips tomorrow....

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Thankfully, they haven't discovered mushy peas over here ... [Projectile]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
O well - each to his own!

Hope you get your Lecktrickicity back soon...

[Ultra confused]

IJ
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
My workplace has a canteen style restaurant which turns out meals of, let's say, variable quality but Wednesday's roast, Thursday's curry and Friday's fish'n'chips, all priced at about £4 really aren't bad at all. Quite how some of my single friends manage at the weekend and on Monday & Tuesday is a mystery. Maybe they have sandwich toasters?
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Microwaves, perhaps? Mr. Co-Op sells ready meals e.g. lasagne, chicken + bacon pasta, shepherd's pie etc. at £4 for two, and I daresay other supermarkets do something similar

Guess how I know this.... [Big Grin]

I had my fish 'n chips 'n mushy peas at the bistro in a sheltered housing development in Our Parish (I was catching up on some pastoral visiting as well as having lunch). £4.75 for the meal (freshly cooked, and just right), and a Nice Mug Of Tea.

The café at the Bus Station provides decent grub at similar prices, too.

IJ
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Quite how some of my single friends manage at the weekend and on Monday & Tuesday is a mystery. Maybe they have sandwich toasters?

Single people can't cook? Not sure I understand this -- I eat quite well seven days a week, usually all by myself. And I don't own a sandwich toaster.
 
Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
Yeah, I've never tried Strongbow, and now I'm thinking no big loss. (I tend toward locally brewed craft cider, which is definitely not oversweet. Yuck.)
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Kelly Alves:
Yeah, I've never tried Strongbow, and now I'm thinking no big loss. (I tend toward locally brewed craft cider, which is definitely not oversweet. Yuck.)

I must start calling scrumpy "craft cider"!
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
After all the faffing about, today is The Day!!! [Yipee]

Our friends are due back from France late tonight, and we're in the last stages of taking our stuff out to the new place, so when they arrive back, we'll let them into their house, and then bugger off up to our house.

Did I mention [Yipee] ?

And, though I never imagined I'd say it, I will miss the cat. [Frown]

I think at this point I should say a huge thank-you to everyone on this thread - your support over the last while has been much appreciated.

[Overused]
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:


I think at this point I should say a huge thank-you to everyone on this thread - your support over the last while has been much appreciated.

[Overused]

Your thanks are appreciated. While I have shared (a little) in some of your pain, the despatches from the front line have been fascinating and kept most of my own problems (like why do standing bus passengers congregate in the narrowest part of the damned bus?) in their rightful place.

May you from now forever be at peace.
 
Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Piglet, I have the cutest little black cat hanging around here. She is black, affectionate and short haired. Shall I parcel her up and post her to Chateau Piglet? My cat hates her.

Great that your finally settled into your home.

Huia

[ 01. April 2017, 06:54: Message edited by: Huia ]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Much as I've enjoyed Tabby's company (and seeing her again today when we called round to pick up the things that we'd left behind [Hot and Hormonal] ), I really don't see us having a cat of our own. D. isn't at all keen on the idea, and they're really a luxury we can't afford; if he/she were to become ill it could absolutely bankrupt us.

I'm quite content with the knitted Piglet whose name I borrowed for my Ship name and our large collection of small bears.
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Small bears and knitted Piglets rarely get ill -- and they don't eat very much.
[Smile]
 
Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Actually cost was the reason driving me to find where the black cat belonged as G-P needs regular meds that aren't cheap, and may need more visits to the vet as she gets older.

I had a Piglet sewed out of pink calico with blue beads for eyes when I was a child. It was lopsided and my favourite toy. It lost it's nose on a Wellington bus [Waterworks]

Huia
 
Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Dangerous places, those Wellington buses.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I read it as Wellington boot....

Ahem.

Meanwhile, all best wishes to Piglet and D., as they settle into the new Chateau.

[Big Grin]

IJ
 
Posted by ThunderBunk (# 15579) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
I read it as Wellington boot....

Ahem.

Meanwhile, all best wishes to Piglet and D., as they settle into the new Chateau.

[Big Grin]

IJ

That will be the chateauneuf de la porcelette, then, give or take the occasional accent. Not quite the same thing as chateauneuf du pape, but nearly.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Oh, a decent vintage, anyhow, I think.

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ThunderBunk:
That will be the chateauneuf de la porcelette, then, give or take the occasional accent. Not quite the same thing as chateauneuf du pape, but nearly.

Love it! [Killing me]

Perhaps we ought to toast our new abode in Châteauneuf du Pape? [Big Grin]

Our Piglet was the creative result of D's sister getting fed up of knitting little boots when she was expecting her daughter (who's now 28 and happily married [Eek!] ). He's become a sort of mascot: where we go, he goes. [Smile]

I used the dishwasher in the new place for the first time last night, and am glad to report that it seems to be most excellent. It was a real luxury to take dry dishes out of it; the one where we were house-sitting left everything absolutely dripping.

Before he left, the owner said that he only puts rinsing-agent in because the machine demands it, and actually waters the stuff down, which strikes me as a complete waste of time.

[Confused]

[ 02. April 2017, 15:51: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Whatever is this Dish Washing of which yu speak?

Cold water, and a handful of sand, was good enough for my Grandmother....

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
"Dish Washing" is something for which I much prefer to have a machine.

Today has been mostly cancelled - we both slept very late - apart from having lunch (left-overs cleared out from the freezer when we left our friends' house) all I've done is a bit of re-organising of my jewellery box, with a view to finding a place that'll buy a few bits and pieces.

I don't have anything particularly valuable, but much of it's good-quality silver that would cost a lot to replace, and a few bits of gold. I have a fair collection of stuff I wear regularly (I love jewellery and don't feel completely dressed without it), but there's a good deal of stuff I haven't worn in years, and if I could get even a fraction of its retail value I'd be well pleased.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I am chief dishwasher as I (almost) never cook.

I put the dishwasher on after tea (that's the evening meal to those less cultured). In the morning, after breakfast, I wash up in the bowl. If I don't do this the dishwasher is too full after tea - Mr Boogs uses a LOT of pots and pans [Roll Eyes]
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
You are very lucky, Boogie! Mr. N does not know how to cook, though he occasionally looks over my shoulder.

In order to give me a bit of a rest I have resorted to Tesco Finest Ready meals once a week.
[Smile]

My mother would turn in her grave.
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
Jolly useful - Waitrose and M&S in my case. Usually from the reduced shelves. Feeding one person after 9, which is much too late for me, is pretty tricky with proper cooking. Two separate ready meals are helpful.

[ 04. April 2017, 17:51: Message edited by: Penny S ]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
When we lived in Belfast and were both working (me full-time, and D. with the odd hours inhabited by cathedral organists) we used ready-cooked meals rather more than we should have, as they were just so convenient.

These days we don't give them a second look - we both like cooking, and with me still a Piglet of Leisure, we don't really need the extra expense. We usually have a pizza in the freezer for those occasional late-night bursts of peckishness, but only buy them when they're on special offer.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I've just looked at Environment Canada's web-site, and they think we're going to get 15° on Monday and Tuesday. [Yipee]

Better look out my flip-flops ... [Big Grin]

Actually, I'll believe it when I see it - at the moment it's 4°, wet, misty and rather miserable. I suppose at least the rain/fog combo will clear some of the sn*w that's still lying about.
 
Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
Not much news from Kerala lately, does anyone know what Welease Woderwick is up to ?
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Perhaps WW is still recovering from Uncle Pete's recent visit? (Sorry, Uncle Pete....).

Meanwhile, this corner of UKipperland awaits Armageddon (courtesy of Chump, Putin, Assad, Kim Wrong-Trim et al) whilst basking in warm sunshine, with the trees and spring flowers bustin' out all over!

I think we'd better make the most of it - might be our last...

[Help]

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We have double digits! [Yipee]

It's 12° and feeling beautifully spring-like - I'm out for the first time in lightweight shoes (I haven't quite ditched the socks yet, but it may not be long ...) and a short-sleeved shirt with just a long waistcoat over it.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
'Ere oi be!

Sorry for the rather long absence but when one can't see the monitor properly checking through The Ship can be a bit chancy! L. eye still improving slowly but as per schedule and R. eye now striding on ahead, still a way to go but I feel I can read through at least once a day now.

When Dr looked at R. eye she found it was heavily bruised internally but no bruising around it but we tracked down the cause, or rather 8 month old nephew scored a direct hit again with his little fist [just the right size!] and we worked it out from there.

I worked out the other day that I have a nephew of 58 this year and a niece who is just 50 and yet I also have these twins not yet 9 months old - loads in between as well, of course. The twins have recently developed a fetish for saute potatoes, preferably smeared all round their mouths!

In other news, now I can see again perhaps it is time I get to work on designing this year's Christmas Card.

Time Marches on!

[ 08. April 2017, 11:29: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
So glad the sight is improving WW, I hope it gets completely better, pronto.
A lovely sunny day here again. I went walking round the park as part of my keep fit campaign, being lapped by lots of joggers. I don't know how they do it.
 
Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
Wodders, I'd smack you too if you planted raspberries on my tummy every five minutes! [Killing me]

Ps: Christmas card? How come I never get one?

[ 08. April 2017, 11:34: Message edited by: Uncle Pete ]
 
Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
So are you signing the nephew up as a future boxing contender?

Glad your vision is improving.

Huia
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Glad to hear the sight is improving, WW - we've missed your wit and wisdom around the teapot the last wee while.

Just finished singing in the choir for a funeral, for which the Cathedral was packed almost to the doors, and I think we gave the deceased (a gentleman in his 80s who had been ill for some time) a decent send-off.

Now off home for a short spell of R&R (or "quality bear time" as D. calls it [Smile] ) then to a local United church in the evening to turn pages for D., who's playing for the local Choral Society's performance of Fauré's Requiem.

As for most of next week - I'll call in when I can; the week before Easter offers no rest for the wicked or the choral singer.

Or even the wicked choral singer ... [Devil]
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
Glad to hear the sight is improving, WW - we've missed your wit and wisdom around the teapot the last wee while.

Just finished singing in the choir for a funeral, for which the Cathedral was packed almost to the doors, and I think we gave the deceased (a gentleman in his 80s who had been ill for some time) a decent send-off.

Now off home for a short spell of R&R (or "quality bear time" as D. calls it [Smile] ) then to a local United church in the evening to turn pages for D., who's playing for the local Choral Society's performance of Fauré's Requiem.
As for most of next week - I'll call in when I can; the week before Easter offers no rest for the wicked or the choral singer.

Or even the wicked choral singer ... [Devil]

As a friend of mine says every year, "Holy s**t! It's Holy Week!"

It applies to church office workers, altar guilds, flower guilds, cleaners, etc., as well as church musicians. And clergy.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Uncle Pete:
Ps: Christmas card? How come I never get one?

Possibly because often you are already here? I can't see the point in posting an e-card all that way from upstairs to downstairs possibly via Washington DC for trumpery clearance!

quote:
Originally posted by Huia:
So are you signing the nephew up as a future boxing contender?

I think his career path is already set as a Professional Sadist as he laughs as he punches me!

Both of the twins are now climbing up to stand using any wall or door or chair or a passing uncle - Girl Twin then looks around for something to cling on to so she can move about, Boy Twin just looks around as if to say "Okay, I'm standing, what do I do next?"

[ 09. April 2017, 02:08: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Welcome back WW, I hope your sight continues to improve. If you ever feel the need there are excellent screen readers out there I can point you to [Smile]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
Welcome back WW, I hope your sight continues to improve. If you ever feel the need there are excellent screen readers out there I can point you to [Smile]

When my dad developed cataracts some guy came to set his PC so the monitor screen was black and the text a medium sized white and he found that very helpful - if my situation goes back to like it was a couple of weeks ago then I think I'll see if I can find something similar.

* * * *

We went to a house warming thingy at lunchtime at some friends/relatives but the kids ended up a bit fractious, I think being passed around from hand to hand was a bit of a strain...

...but the food was good...

...but three [or was it four?] helpings of ice cream was possibly an unnecessary indulgence on my part!
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
Talking of indulgences, Macarius knows that I don't really approve of having hot cross buns except on Good Friday and Easter Day.

But recently we have been having quite a lot of spicy tea cakes with a cruciform motif.

Not the same thing at all, I assure you.

M.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
M., you're probably a heretick. [Devil] Actually (confession time) I bought a couple of HCBs at the market last week and we ate them, but TBH they weren't the best I'd ever tasted. Serves me right. If I'm a very organised piglet I might try and make some myself ...

We had a v. nice Palm Sunday service today - usual hymns coming in, Victoria's setting of the Passion Gospel sung very nicely (but rather slowly) by the Dean and Tallis's Salvator mundi for the motet, which was new to me but I suspect will be entering my top 20 - it's got the most gloriously squidgy cadence for the first altos ( [Smile] ) near the end.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
And now I want hot cross buns, dammit.

I'll have to go and see if they have them in Marks and Sparks.
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
UK Marks certainly has HCB, and in lots of flavours too. I've not had any from there this year but had some from our local market, that were OK, but not as good as I'd hoped. It's probably a lesson about waiting until the appropriate time.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Marks and Sparks here doesn't do food at all but then there is a pretty big food Hypermarket in the same Mall.

It's still good for socks and underwear.

[Roll Eyes]
 
Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
I just wanted to add my voice to the chorus welcoming back WW - it's good to see you here again (although presumably not as good as you seeing again!).
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
I go to the village bakers early on GF morning for fresh from the oven, true to description, HCBs. (Rather naughtily, I don't go there for much else. I don't eat much bread.)

I also get some richly fruited, and some wholemeal HCBs from Waitrose, which are suitably spiced. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and then no more.

I hope this satisfies my guests.
 
Posted by Tree Bee (# 4033) on :
 
I've recently found M&S's hot cross sliced loaf a revelation.
Tasty and easily popped in a toaster.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Tree Bee:
I've recently found M&S's hot cross sliced loaf a revelation.
Tasty and easily popped in a toaster.

And here is a recipe - yum!

Served with clotted cream *sigh*.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Apparently there's a lady in the Cathedral who sells HCBs in aid of the Fabric fund, so D. has put our name down for half-a-dozen.

I envy all you with Marks & Sparks in the vicinity - especially La Vie and WW - I thought they'd closed all their non-UK branches except the Dublin one several years ago. The one in St. John's closed shortly before we moved there; I don't know if there was ever one in Fredericton or not.

Never mind the hot cross buns - now I want a prawn and mayonnaise sandwich.

[Frown]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Spring is almost certainly beginning to spring.

D. actually managed to get into the shed this afternoon - enough sn*w had gone from between the deck and the shed door that he was able to (a) put the sn*w-shovels away*; and (b) find the sn*w-blower. That's the trouble with getting the keys to your new house in February ... [Big Grin]

He says it's very spacious in there - his exact words were "spare bedroom". [Killing me]

* This may, of course, trigger a massive demonstration of Sod's Law. [Paranoid]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
'Spare Bedroom' in Man-Speak can also mean 'Hobby Room' aka space for Model Railway!

[Biased]

IJ
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
'Spare Bedroom' in Man-Speak can also mean 'Hobby Room' aka space for Model Railway!

[Biased]

IJ

Hear! Hear!

Unfortunately our spare bedroom is Mrs Sioni's hobby room containing sewing and quilting stuff plus (I think) about ten miles of fabric. I'm waiting for another "child" to leave: they are 21 and 27.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
You'll have to be quick claiming the room when they do; as I understand it they have a habit of coming back if you leave space for them.

* * * *

Piglet - peccavi! [I have sinned!]

The teddies [and others] that reside on my bed have had to spend two nights hanging by their ears on my balcony.

BAD WW!

I rather suspected that that was where the tiny wee ants were coming from, the ones that so enjoyed waking me up at odd times in the night, so I hung them all up in a line and have sprayed them a couple of times with noxious chemicals; shortly I shall give them a good vacuuming and replace them when I put on the clean sheets just before breakfast. I have been out there to talk to them and they all seem none the worse for the ordeal.

* * * *

Much rejoicing here yesterday when I actually found an online supplier, in India, for Flaked/Sliced Almonds - I've been looking for a while and one website actually made the connection between the words - I always knew them as Flaked but I am quite happy to take them with a name from another culture. Two little tubs of the things are already winging their way south.

Isn't it strange the way little things like finding something as ultimately trivial as that can just enhance the day?
 
Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:

Piglet - peccavi! [I have sinned!]

Or Sind - but never sure just how historical that was
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gee D:
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:

Piglet - peccavi! [I have sinned!]

Or Sind - but never sure just how historical that was
I think it is probably accurate as it appears quoted in so many well-respected texts - and is the sort of clever thing folks like that say. The sort of thing I'd think of saying about a week after the event!
 
Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
And as it has the WW seal of approval, I shall treat it as true! A very quick and sensible thing to do.

In WW II, the Japanese used a sort of Ultra machine to encrypt messages written in an old Japanese formal language as an extra protection. Fortunately, the head of the Australian team attempting to break the system recognised some short passage; he had worked in the Aust office in Tokyo for quite a few years in the early 20s and had picked up this language. The code was then broken, much as the Bletchley Park team worked. As an aside, a member of the team was Donald Robinson, who was the Anglican Abp of Sydney during much of the 80s. Vey sadly, Robinson's mind has all but completely gone by now. We know a son.

[ 12. April 2017, 06:43: Message edited by: Gee D ]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Mea culpa - I have indeed sinned!

Checking I find that the true author appears to have been one Catherine Winkworth who submitted it to Punch who then published it as factual - and it seems to have been generally accepted from then on.

Apologies all round, particularly to GeeD.

* * * *

Nearly lunchtime, sheets still not changed and teddies still on the line - next week I must get organised!
 
Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Aha! It just sounded too good to me to be true, but thought that you can never tell with the Victorians.

At least I can confirm my account of the Japanese is correct.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Yes, this is all very well - but what about WW's teddies? Still on the line?

[Help]

Is Outrage!

IJ
 
Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
Too bad about the teddies, etc. It's WW's fault entirely. He will insist on feeding them honey.
 
Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
Well, it's now official - they've put it on f/b - Lord P is now engaged to his Lady.. This means that Darllenwr and I are going to be in-laws, probably next Autumn. Gosh, it does sound old!
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Poor teddies!!! [Waterworks]

When I was a very small piglet, I remember crying my eyes out when Mum put Teddy on the washing line by his ears (I still have him, by the way - he's not in the best of health, but he's settled nicely in the ursularium beside my side of the bed).

I do hope yours feel better very soon.

St. G. - congratulations to Lord P. and the future Lady P.! [Yipee] Easter is a very good time for it - D. and I got engaged on Easter Sunday 30 years ago. [Eek!]

We've just had a very nice Tenebrae service. It was very simple - readings from the Lamentations (Authorised Version), plainsong chanting of the Psalms (Cranmer's matchless prose) and part of the Tenebrae Responsaries by Healey Willan, with candles and lights being extinguished between each.

Simple but very effective.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
...plainsong chanting of the Psalms (Cranmer's matchless prose)...

I thought the Psalms, as in the BCP, were lifted almost directly from the Coverdale translation - but then what does a Quaker know?

* * * *

The Teddies are now back where they belong, although the way Eeyore moaned about the spray and his asthma he might find himself hanging there rather more in future. Sadly it all seems a waste as the pesky [not piskie!] little ants were back again last night. This morning the whole bedroom got a thorough spraying.

* * * *

Nice bit of news this week in the Newsletter from my Quaker Meeting in UK - one elderly Friend [our friendship dates back to long before either of us became a Friend - in fact from CND in the early 1980s] has been in hospital for a while after, I think, a broken hip [& replacement] and is now about to move down south, to near Reading, to live with relatives and is delighted to be going nearer Aldermaston so she can more involved in the protests there!

I think she must be about mid-eighties by now - Go S.!
 
Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
Poor teddies!!! [Waterworks]

When I was a very small piglet, I remember crying my eyes out when Mum put Teddy on the washing line by his ears (I still have him, by the way - he's not in the best of health, but he's settled nicely in the ursularium beside my side of the bed).

I do hope yours feel better very soon.

That brings back a distant memory of my mother cleaning my bear - Theodore - with baking powder that she dusted on him and then brushed off. I can't remember why, or if it worked, but I'm fairly sure he hasn't been cleaned since. He's a little frail now, so I'm not taking any chances with him.
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:

The Teddies are now back where they belong, although the way Eeyore moaned about the spray and his asthma he might find himself hanging there rather more in future.

Poor Eeyore! You spray him with stinky stuff and hang him out by his ears. Maybe he just needs a hug.
 
Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
Barnabas, my extremely cuddly and beginning to get quite ancient lamb, sends much sympathy to all the bears and says he hates the indignity of the washing machine but at least gets to sit on the drying rack rather than being hung up by the ears.

(Don't tell him he's due a wash again along with the appropriately light coloured cushion covers and seat pads when the next sunny day occurs.)

Congratulations to Lord P and the future Lay P. Also to the in-laws-to-be!
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Congratulations to Lord P and his lady.

I got a walk in yesterday - back from the appointment I'd taken a cab to because I didn't fancy cycling for the first time for yonks with the tail end of one of my nastier chest infections (last week I was in meetings in tears because I was in so much pain). It's early but there are bluebells out in the woods and the route I found back had managed sections of woodland with a blue haze.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I love living here and there is very little I miss about UK but I do love Bluebells and the haze you talk about. I often do not much enjoy the temperatures involved when going to view them. There are several areas of The Forest of Dean that can be splendid at the right season.
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Congratulations to Lord P and his lady. I'm sure you'll be splendid in-laws.
We're going away next weekend to East Sussex with a bunch of Quaker F(f)riends for much good company, fun, games and food There will also be walks where there are usually clouds of bluebells. Everything seems a bit ahead of itself this year, so I hope they are still blooming next weekend.
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
We came back from the local CoE shack for the last of our three annual ecumenical Holy Week services. Monday was RC and Tuesday, Methodist. It was a vintage year, with all three being particularly uplifting. Always one of my seasonal highlights.

The meetings are a ruse though, to mask the fact that we only want to find out what biscuit are served at other churches. Unity through confectionary: it's the way forward.
 
Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
I've not seen bluebells yet this far north (although to be fair I haven't actively looked), but I did notice last month that the gorse is out already. I always thought that came out later, I can't remember noticing it this early before.

The clematis (montana) by our front door is full of hundreds of buds again, I can't wait for it to put on its annual show.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
We have bluebells in the grounds at Our Place, coming nicely into bloom in time to celebrate the Resurrection!

IJ
 
Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ArachnidinElmet:
The meetings are a ruse though, to mask the fact that we only want to find out what biscuit are served at other churches. Unity through confectionary: it's the way forward.

Work study days are entirely judged not on the quality of the presentations but on the quality of the biscuits/other refreshments provided. I thought it was just me, but have noticed it everywhere I've worked in the NHS, over the past several years.
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
We have bluebells in the grounds at Our Place, coming nicely into bloom in time to celebrate the Resurrection!

IJ

I live in Virginia and so you would think that Virginia bluebells would do well. I planted them and although they do come faithfully up they aren't -spreading- the way they ought.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ArachnidinElmet:
... The meetings are a ruse though, to mask the fact that we only want to find out what biscuit are served at other churches. Unity through confectionary: it's the way forward.

Absolutely. [Big Grin]

D. reckons there could be the makings of a PhD thesis on the subject of Comparative Church Food, with particular reference to the Church of Scotland in relation to the following phenomena:

(a) tea in kettles with the milk already added
(b) date sandwiches [Projectile]

[Killing me]

Talking of church food, I'm just messing about here waiting to go to the bring-and-share* supper before the Maundy Thursday service.

* my contribution is, rather boringly, a French stick baked this afternoon; I'd already provided some for the lunch after the clergy's Blessing of Oils service this morning. They'll think it's the only thing I can cook ... [Big Grin]

* * *

quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
...plainsong chanting of the Psalms (Cranmer's matchless prose)...

I thought the Psalms, as in the BCP, were lifted almost directly from the Coverdale translation - but then what does a Quaker know?
I confess I was going by the order of service, which said they were from the Canadian BCP (1962). I understand it's similar, but not necessarily identical, to Coverdale.

[ 13. April 2017, 20:52: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by John Holding (# 158) on :
 
the 1959/62 book included a slightly revised version of the Coverdale translation that was included in the previous versions of the BCP in Canada and, before that, if included, in BCPs in the Cof E that used the 1662.

So far as I know, Cranmer didn't produce a version of the psalter, and the AV version was either not used or fell rapidly out of use.

John
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I haven't had a date sandwich in many years but used to love them, made with semi-dried soft squishy dates. Fresh soft bread.
An apt reminder of Mum's birthday today as she used to make them. She died in 2009. Her 97 th birthday today.

[ 13. April 2017, 22:49: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I know this won't surprise anybody much but I have been a bit of a grumpy WW recently - one of the minor myriad reasons being the slightly limited capacity of my wonderful tablet. I love my tablet and wouldn't be without it but for some reason had it in my head that apart from the built in 16 GB it would only take a 32 GB MicroSD card.

WRONG!

When WW eventually got around to reading the instructions [typical man, I know, it's the last thing I do but, in my defence, I have only had it just over the year [Hot and Hormonal] ] I found that it will happily take a 128 GB MicroSD - one of the sort of investigative websites got one to run a 256 GB card no problem. I currently have a 32 GB card in there but I can easily* swap it out and buy a 128 GB for it and massively increase the capacity!

Woohoo!

Happy WW!

* * * *

As I mentioned elsewhere today, as well as being Good Friday, is also the day of the BIG SPRING FEAST here in Kerala and at lunchtime I overindulged just a tinily, minisculely massive amount and so lay abed this afternoon holding my tummy and groaning and wondering why I do it every year.

Vishu Asamsakal to all - that means Happy Vishu.


* * * *

*by easily I mean in terms of practicality rather in terms of amassing funding for such a project - it will have to wait a while but at least I know I can do it.

[ 14. April 2017, 13:31: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Happy Vishu to you too, WW. [Smile]

We had a busy morning - we sang for a Good Friday devotion (which really went rather well, despite being from the "modern words" liturgy, on with which I don't get), and then D. did a suitably meditative organ recital which included his transcription of Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, which was absolutely spine-tingling. A friend made a recording of it, and if it's any good* we'll try and get it web-wards.

* There were a couple of wee kids in the audience, so there may be the odd extraneous noise.
 
Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
That Fantasia is music to dive into and let it wash over - at least the orchestral version. Looking forward to the web link.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It's been a glorious day here: 17° and sunny. Socks have been discarded.

TBH we haven't really taken advantage of it; we had to get in some groceries, so a trip to Costco was in order, and obviously, it was packed. Never mind - lamb joint bought for tomorrow evening's dinner (yum!) along with an industrial quantity of flour. For some reason, there had been a "recall" on the 10kg bags that we usually buy, and all we could get was a 20kg one.

All very well (we use loads of flour because of the bread-making), but where the heck are we going to keep it??

Ah well, happy Easter to one and all. [Smile]
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Take it outside, Piglet and split into smaller containers. Possibly do this over an old sheet or similar to catch any spills. Then keep one container in kitchen and the rest wherever you have space. My suggestion would be shelving in laundry but many countries do not seem to have separate laundries. So I leave it up to you.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
It was a very pleasant Easter Sunday service at Church today. We decorated a cross with flowers - very striking and moving. Mollie was a good girl and, as usual, raised a smile when she came up with me for communion and received a dog biscuit.

🌺 💐🌻🌸
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Bluebirds are sitting on my bird feeder, eating heartily and singing songs. It's like something in a Disney movie.
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Not the sunniest of Easter Sundays but a nice day none the less. We were at my mother in laws so I went to Mass in the church in the village. The priest always preachers good homilies and it is one of my favourite places of worship. Shame there was no music as all the musicians had been given the morning off after the vigil in the other parish in the group the night before. Managed to catch up with all my husband's siblings, two at his mothers and then calling in for a lovely lunch with the other one on the way home.
 
Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
Attended a proper Easter sunrise service this morning - 5am at the Cathedral in a nearby city, followed by a champagne breakfast (the thought of which was probably what got me out of bed at 3:30). Followed by a celebration at my own Methodist church then hours digging at the allotment. I am ready to sleep now! Yesterday helped at a bunny and egg extravaganza and bumped into another shippie who I'd not seen for ages.... discussed a possible picnic meet in the summer.
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
Bluebirds are sitting on my bird feeder, eating heartily and singing songs. It's like something in a Disney movie.

Could they be persuaded to make you a dress a la Cinderella?

Easter morning mass went very well. We all had candles lit from the new Easter candle as would happen at the Vigil. A nice touch and something we've never done before. Fr T had an excellent time blessing the congregation with water: he had a massive grin on his face as he aimed directly at the kids.

We may be the only church to sing Thine Be the Glory accompanied by piano, trombone, treble recorder and bongos (or maybe not) and I made my two-handed piano debut for the psalm. All went well. A joyful service.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Our (extremely wet) Easter Sunday started with a flat tyre [Mad] so we phoned one of the ladies in the choir who lives not too far from us and got a lift (D. just wasn't prepared to faff about changing the tyre in the pouring rain).

The usual Sunday order here is: said Eucharist (BCP) at 8, choral service (BCP and BAS alternate weeks) at 10 and "worship service" with the band at 11:45, but today we had just one combined service with the choir doing some bits and the band doing others, for which the place was packed to the doors.

We made a really not bad fist of Rutter's Christ the Lord is risen again and got several nice comments from the congregation.

Then home for a light lunch and then a bit of a rest - well, D. had a bit of a rest, while I did roast lamb for dinner.

I was just about to take it out of the oven when one of our new neighbours turned up at the door and said he'd noticed we had a flat tyre, and offered to help D. change the wheel (which they accomplished in a very short time).

It's nice to know that there are still kind people around the place. [Smile]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Boy Twin has now officially been declared to be A Lump!

When born he was 200 gms lighter than his sister and as of yesterday [his 9 month weigh-in] he is now just on a kilogram heavier! His sister hares about the place investigating everything, he sits in the middle of the floor just watching and then slowly smiling as if to say what a silly girl!

* * * *

I spent much of last night on the railway station at Altrincham where I had just missed the train to Knutsford - all very strange! Anyway I woke up back here in India so no harm, no foul but still more than a little weird.

* * * *

Discovery of the day is the amazing amount of 'classical' music available on apps these days [I know you all knew this already but...] - I was aware of the amount available on the interwebby thing, even though I don't really listen to it enough, but the Bach app and the Vivaldi app, etc. have given me great joy - reading and photography are a bit limited by my poor vision at the moment but the music is not limited by that at all - except for opera and ballet, of course, but for the moment I'll settle for the possible.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who has surreal dreams (you really don't want to know). [Big Grin]
 
Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
I hope the discussion here is going to stay light hearted, as I think I'll have to take a couple of months off facebook. Yesterday one of my acquaintances liked 27 statements made by members of the political party he favours in relation to the election. I can't cope with 7 weeks of that.
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Let me draw your attention to Facebook Purity. It is a (free!) filtering program. Not only can it filter out all those irritating pop-up ads. You can also set it to filter out posts with key words that you abhor. I tried it and it works great.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
The Book Of Face is An Abomination Before The Lord, and a Very Engine Of Satan.

When I am Supreme Dictator Of The World (yes, I know there's a proper thread...), I shall Ban The Book Of Face forthwith.

Or even fifthwith.

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Oh, please don't do that, BF - it's the best way I have of contacting my sister, who doesn't answer her land-line because she's fed up of cold-callers (and international calls to a mobile cost a fortune). Once I get her to answer (by sending her a FB message so she knows it's going to be me) we're on for ages, but still ...

There are certainly things about FB that I don't like (and, like Moonlitdoor, I find it rather awkward when friends express political opinions very different from mine), but I suppose that's what the wheel on your mouse is for.

[ 19. April 2017, 23:41: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
Oh, please don't do that, BF - it's the best way I have of contacting my sister, who doesn't answer her land-line because she's fed up of cold-callers (and international calls to a mobile cost a fortune). Once I get her to answer (by sending her a FB message so she knows it's going to be me) we're on for ages, but still ...

Can't you send her an email -- like we did in medieval times?
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
We Have Teeth!!

Well, girl twin has one tooth but obviously others are on their way. It's not fully through yet, obviously, but has been achieved with very little grizzling, which we hope is a positive sign.

Anyway there was much celebration over breakfast and much grinning from Her Highness, not that I think she really knew what she was grinning about.

We have a 10 year old neighbour boy who appears to still have all his deciduous teeth - is this as unusual as it seems to me?
 
Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
Actually it wasn't that I disagree particularly with his political opinions, I just don't want to read about them at such great length. The main competition to it in my current facebook is the posts from a former work colleague who is making a tour of all the places associated with the pop star Prince. Of which there are evidently quite a few.

After the talk about bizarre dreams, I unusually remembered a dream from last night. For some reason I was given a parcel to deliver to piglet, and thought I should be able to manage it by going to the cathedral and asking for the organist and his wife. When I got to meet them, I was taken aback that they greeted me by name, although I felt that they should not have recognised me.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I'm very pleased to say my Facebook friends are far more interested in puppies than politics. I simply unfollow the political ones (which means you are still friends but don't see their stuff)

🐾🐾🐾🐾
 
Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
We have a 10 year old neighbour boy who appears to still have all his deciduous teeth - is this as unusual as it seems to me?

This is a mild genetic defect. Some members of my family kept some of their baby teeth throughout their lives.

My father had a different defect. Instead of having four upper and four lower incisors, he only had two of each.

Moo
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Moo:
...My father had a different defect. Instead of having four upper and four lower incisors, he only had two of each.

Moo

We have a lad [?, he's in his early 20s] like that in the village, too.
 
Posted by Polly Plummer (# 13354) on :
 
I still have one of my baby teeth: causes comment every time I see a new dentist. Not sure what that shows about my maturity!
 
Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
Had one, finally lost it to decay at age 50. Then I needed an implant (bleaurghhh!)
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
In other news, doing some light 'weeding' today in the church front flower/shrub bed, I noticed lots of intriguing little plants, with nice green leaves, and nice little flowers, beginning to appear.

Aha! Instant ground cover! Isn't nature wonderful? I'll keep a check on them, in case they make a bid for World Domination, but not just yet...

[Big Grin]

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
... Instant ground cover ...

We've got that as well - it's called sn*w. [Waterworks]

We got about 3-4 inches of the stuff last night, but mercifully it doesn't look as if it's going to lie - by this afternoon it was disappearing from the fence of our deck, quite literally like sn*w off a dyke.

Moonlitdoor- I should lay off the cheese sandwiches before bed if I were you. [Devil]

I always used to think the cheese-before-bed thing was just an old wives' tale, but I do seem more likely to have dreams that I remember if I've been eating cheese late at night. Maybe those old wives knew a thing or two after all.
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
quote:
Maybe those old wives knew a thing or two after all.

Old Wives quite often do! Only no one listens to us! [Biased]
 
Posted by Ethne Alba (# 5804) on :
 
Sweet Woodruff..... whilst having wonderful leaves and sweet little white flowers....will make a break for it and start world domination....

....as i found out when i planted it in a church flower border recently!

It was loosened around the edges, rolled up and relocated under remote and almost inaccessable woodland, for future generations to enjoy.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
No, it isn't Sweet Woodruff (what a lovely name), but if what we have takes over, perhaps Sweet Woodruff might do instead..... [Snigger]

IJ
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
quote:
No, it isn't Sweet Woodruff (what a lovely name), but if what we have takes over, perhaps Sweet Woodruff might do instead..... [Snigger]
I'll let you have some of ours! Very pretty in the right place, but it can outstay its welcome!

Your plants aren't Lily of the Valley, are they?
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
No, they're not LOTV. I'll have a closer look tomorrow, and see if I can work out what they are...there's not a lot of them at the moment.

IJ
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Well, that started out as a lovely day. Lunch out with my friend and her two sons (my godsons) at the local park. The boys were out on their push scooters, until they weren't. Godson 1 took a tumble, missed all the grass and tried to take a chunk out of the kerb with his head!

Luckily he hasn't broken anything, but we were sat in the hospital for 2½ hours before I was relieved by their Dad. Very impressed by super speedy service at the local A&E and also by the resilience of small children...
 
Posted by Jengie jon (# 273) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
In other news, doing some light 'weeding' today in the church front flower/shrub bed, I noticed lots of intriguing little plants, with nice green leaves, and nice little flowers, beginning to appear.

Aha! Instant ground cover! Isn't nature wonderful? I'll keep a check on them, in case they make a bid for World Domination, but not just yet...

[Big Grin]

IJ

Well if like the parish church on Iona they might be three cornered leek or wild garlic.

Jengie
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Alas, no, again....though we do have some garlic cloves, which seem to produce long grass-like stems...

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Talking of garlic, we're just back from supper with friends, which included a deliciously garlicky guacamole as a pre-dinner nibble.

For some reason, the Cathedral hall (which is on the floor below D's office) has been let out for some sort of party this evening, so I'm being treated* to some very noisy, repetitive, thumpy music**.

* "subjected" might be a better word.

** "noise" might be a better word ... [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Last weekend, Easter weekend, my daughter and I stayed in Sheringham - and to my amusement, one of my emails has just popped up with this description of a play:
quote:
Jimmy’s sixteen, sexually confused and stuck in Sheringham; the seaside town they forgot to bomb.
I enjoyed it - but I walked a bit of the North Norfolk Coast Path - from Cley-next-the-Sea with pretty windmill and nature reserve to Cromer with pier and rail links. We took a trip to see the seals on Blakeney Point and Sheringham was interesting to explore. It even has a steam train. I would have liked to explore Wells-next-the-Sea and Hunstanton on our way up the coast to Kings Lynn on the Coast Hopper bus to a train line that was running on Easter Monday, but my daughter was having problems breathing (allergic reactions).

I am planning to go back and walk more of this coast path - I reckon I can walk a chunk more in a weekend - staying at the YHA at Wells-next-the-Sea.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
piglet, I think the phrase you're looking for is 'children's music'. Very annoying, too.

CK...so glad you enjoyed Norfolk. Next time, make your way to Walsingham..... [Two face]

IJ
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I've just had a lovely heartwarming phone call from a boy I used to tutor - he's 18 now!

I tend to assume people simply forget me when they move on in life - so I am truly touched that he thought of me to tell me how things are going.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It's nice when something like that happens, isn't it?

We got more sn*w last night - even more than the other day, although again, it doesn't look as if it'll lie for very long, especially as they're forecasting 11° for tomorrow.

Lazy morning followed by a haircut, which always makes me feel good. Also, my hairdresser was good enough to let me know that she's moving to a different salon, and how to contact her. Once I've got a hairdresser used to my particular trichological nightmare, I hate to lose her. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Bishop's Finger - there's a miniature steam railway line out to Walsingham (place, not shrine) from Wells-next-the-Sea. There are two services at Sheringham, the branch line from Norwich via Cromer and the steam Poppy Line, both running on the same line. Where the road would have been a level crossing it now separates the two sections of track.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
A few weeks ago a friend in UK emailed to say a friend of hers would be coming to India soon and could we act as a point of contact if she [the visiting friend] needed one so yesterday we had a guest join us for lunch, we picked her up at the airport and afterwards put her in a taxi for the big city. A nice lunch with a lot of pleasant chat and lightweight teasing - she also adored the kids, which was nice.

...and not-boy twin now has Two Teeth!


eta: and lunch guest brought me Marmite™!

[ 23. April 2017, 11:58: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
CK...the Wells & Walsingham Light Railway is an old friend, though it's many years since I last saw it. The Walsingham station is in the village, and not far from the (Anglican) shrine.

Sheringham's North Norfolk Railway was, IIRC, rejoined to the national rail system some years ago by the reinstatement of the level crossing. I daresay it's only used on High Days and Holy Days, or when transferring locomotives etc.

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... and lunch guest brought me Marmite™!

With friends like that, who needs enemies? [Devil]

D. and I went on the Wells and Walsingham railway aeons ago and my chief memory of it was that I got something (probably a smut) lodged under one of my contact lenses and spent the entire journey in deepest discomfort.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Off the point but ...

Some years ago we visited the Hungarian city of Eger. One of the "sights" is an ancient minaret which one ascend - however the staircase is very narrow, twisty, uneven and dark; and the tiny platform at the top is very windy and it was a dry dusty day.

It was when standing on said platform that I got a bit of grit behind my contact lends; it attempting the get it out the lens fell out. I caught it on my finger-tip but had to make the descent trying not to drop it, scrtach it or lose it - not easy.

I succeeded (whew!)

[ 23. April 2017, 15:56: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
You're reminding me why I've just given up wearing contact lenses - after 40 odd years. That and I had to take them out for close work or wear glasses which I found uncomfortable - and silly. If I'm going to be wearing glasses anyway I'm going to just wear the damn things, rather than have a set to lose and still not be able to do close work. (I take the glasses off to thread needles.)

I also hated varifocals and gave up on them too - too many stairs in my life some of which are in very nasty places and not safe to use looking down the way you have to in varifocals. It was not helped by finding some Australian research that found that the number of falls experienced by elderly people reduced by over 40% if they wore distance glasses for walking around rather than varifocals. And you still can't thread needles wearing varifocals.
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
I had cataract surgery. Which got me out of my contact lenses, but trapped me forever behind a series of readers. And I have lost, forever, my crazy myopic focus, when I could thread a needle without sweat or count the threads in a 100-thread-count bedsheet. I really miss that.
 
Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
I've recently given up contact lenses too, after 20-odd years with them. I've now had varifocal glasses for the past year, personally I have found them wonderful, I wish I'd taken the plunge a couple of years earlier. Lots of people warned me about the stairs thing, but I have been lucky and never experienced it.

The opticians did offer me varifocal lenses, which I would have considered except that because I have an astigmatism and therefore have to have toric rather than bog-standard lenses, my direct debit was going to increase from £15 a month to nearly £50 - over just one year that would buy me another 2 pairs of fancy designer specs, so I just couldn't justify it. Instead I kept my normal lenses and got a pair of reading glasses to go with them for when I needed to do close work, which worked OK for short periods but I often felt quite headachey after a while with them. And I found that I just couldn't see as well at distance with the lenses as I could before, to the extent that driving was starting to worry me a bit.

I stopped colouring my hair many years ago and have well and truly embraced the grey, so along with varifocals I think I can say that middle age has well and truly arrived [Smile]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Not grey - silver, which, with the specs, means that elegance has arrived!

(I have the specs, but not the hair... [Disappointed] )

IJ
 
Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
I use varifocals and cannot tread a needle. But as I couldn't thread one before it id no hardship. As for the vari/bifocal problem with stairs, I am so used to navigating with my non-glasses eyesight that I navigate indoors at night by touch, touching a wall and don't bother turning the lights on.
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I try not to tread needles balaam. [Big Grin] It hurts

I have never had any problem with stairs in many years of wearing varifocals. I do remember the first time I wore them I was very careful stepping up and down from footpath to road. Just the once and nothing since in many years.

But treading needles definitely is not advised.

Edited to correct autocorrect balaam's name from balsam.

[ 23. April 2017, 21:53: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 
Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
I've worn contact lenses (rigid gas-permeable) for over 30 years now and I hate, hate, hate wearing spectacles for general vision. If I have my lenses in I'm quite happy wearing reading glasses or sunglasses as well, but wearing ordinary glasses leaves me with big gaps at the sides where I can't see properly.

Glaucoma eye drops force me to take my lenses out in the evening, at which point you find me wearing glasses to watch the telly - but with them on top of my head while navigating the house very myopically!

Mrs. S, permanently carrying eye drops and a mirror in case she gets something other than a contact lens in her eye [Help]
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
I get over the 'having to wear glasses as well as contact lenses' for close work problem by wearing one contact lens. That gives me the best of both worlds. My optician at the time said it was a 'viable strategy', whereas I'd just thought it was a good idea!

I do wear glasses for driving though.

M.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
I tried doing that - despite my optician's optimism, I couldn't get it to work.

After 40 years of contacts (including varifocals), I found them irritating my eyes and now wear glasses. I find that I have to take them off and peer at close range to read tiny writing on packets at supermarkets, though!

My eyes have also become more sensitive, especially in cold wind. And I find that they occasionally start watering without warning, which is a problem if I'm driving.

[ 24. April 2017, 07:12: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Yes, my increasingly aged eyes also water more easily (especially whilst waiting at the bus stop in the Cold Wind That Always Blows At Bus Stops).

Ah well - at least prescriptions are free for us Old Gits....

IJ
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I had laser surgery, well worth the cost [Cool]
 
Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Edited to correct autocorrect balaam's name from balsam.

I've been called worse.
 
Posted by Pangolin Guerre (# 18686) on :
 
I'm very comfortable with my body, except for my eyes - very squeamish. I've had glasses for forty years, never contacts.

When I was in high school, I went to visit a friend at university. We went out to lunch, and while we were waiting for our food, he started massaging his eye with considerable attention. "Scott, what's wrong?" Nonchalantly, "Oh, my contact has floated behind my eye." [Projectile]

I had cataract surgery last summer. Once it was over, I realised that the worst part was having no water in advance. Before the act, my blood pressure was through the roof.
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Apparently how easily you get on with the varifocal option depends on relative prescriptions. I would have to have two different contact lenses to continue coping and I still wouldn't be able to thread needles - you need two eyes working together.

I have had some very interesting evenings at Guides threading and rethreading 20 needles when we were sewing something - neither of the other two adults could see to thread those needles - I could with no lenses or glasses. There are reasons I need to be able to thread needles.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
... the Cold Wind That Always Blows At Bus Stops).

This was not a problem where I lived until last month, as the bus sop outside my house lost its service a couple of years ago!
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I have contact lenses for distance and spectacles for reading; my peculiar optical requirements mean that the contact lenses can't be replaced with specs. I don't like the idea of bifocals or varifocals, but I imagine they'd be useful for simultaneously reading the music and watching the conductor.

As for threading needles - I do it mostly by touch: loop the thread round the eye end of the needle, pull it off, holding it tightly, and slip the eye over the loop.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
We are on holiday on Lindisfarne and it's brrrrrrrrrrrrr cold! Lots of dog walks on beaches with full winter gear, followed by visits to castles and cafes, followed by evenings in the pub by the fire.

We haven't brought our pet dog, she's staying with friends. The pup can go everywhere with us and this holiday will be as much indoors as out.

Puppy is being very well behaved.

[Smile]
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Today we celebrate having survived two whole years of marriage without killing each other. [Big Grin]

I have bought husband en rouge a set of grooming products for the bearded man. Generally I prefer a clean-shaven man but it cannot be denied that husband en rouge looks deeply cute with a goatee. He has one of those faces it just works on.

Every so often he threatens to shave it off but he has recently discovered the joy of trips to a traditional barbers. To further discourage shaving, he now has beard oil, beard shampoo and a beard brush. And he can’t claim that it’s a present I’m planning to appropriate at a later date. [Biased]

This weekend we're going to the seaside in Normandy. (It's a long weekend because 1 May is a public holiday here.) I believe it's going to rain... but at least it will be a break from Paris. Crepes will be consumed, also cider, calvados and moules frites which take me right back to my childhood holidays and make me eight years old all over again.
 
Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
Not everyone would have good memories of drinking calvados as a child, so you were clearly destined to be a Francophile.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
I thought that might be ambiguous... I only meant moules frites as a childhood memory!
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I think I'd pass on the moules, - they're something that I almost wish I liked, but I just don't. Mind you, I've never tried them frites - I've only ever seen them served in their shells, in a lovely garlicky-tomatoey broth.

Hope you have a lovely time though, and happy anniversary! [Smile]

[ 25. April 2017, 21:31: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I went to the clinical lab this morning and had a couple of gallons of blood* taken for a liver function test and a platelet count - much relieved that they did not have to extract the liver to test its functioning!

The results [all within the expected normal range] have just arrived by email! Is that service or what?

*It has been suggested to me that what they don't use they sell to make ketchup.

[ 26. April 2017, 06:29: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
I was wondering if they re-infused it, as it were.
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I went to the clinical lab this morning and had a couple of gallons of blood* taken for a liver function test and a platelet count - much relieved that they did not have to extract the liver to test its functioning!

The results [all within the expected normal range] have just arrived by email! Is that service or what?

*It has been suggested to me that what they don't use they sell to make ketchup.

My mum had the chronic form of leukaemia. She would have blood tests at the back of a building near hospital, walk around the front to haematologist and results would be on haematologist's computer
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
Whereas a hospital near central London sent information about ordering transport for an appointment ten days before said appointment and that information arrived on the morning of the appointment, thus rendering the whole arrangement void. (They used a private delivery firm for the first part of the journey.)
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:
Whereas a hospital near central London sent information about ordering transport for an appointment ten days before said appointment and that information arrived on the morning of the appointment, thus rendering the whole arrangement void. (They used a private delivery firm for the first part of the journey.)

...but think of the money they saved by not having to arrange the transport!

I am an ardent advocate of the well worded, polite but firm Official Complaint, with copies, in this case, to local MP, chairman of the Area Health Board [or whatever it is called these days], etc. If no reply within a reasonable time then letter to the local or national press with copies of previous correspondence.

Make them accountable!

p.s. although the temptation may be great don't sign the letters as Mrs Trellis of North Wales!

[ 27. April 2017, 06:59: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
I think I'd pass on the moules, - they're something that I almost wish I liked, but I just don't. Mind you, I've never tried them frites - I've only ever seen them served in their shells, in a lovely garlicky-tomatoey broth.

No, the "frites" are simply French fries "on the side", not cooked in together with the mussels.

I like moules, but unfortunately they are the one food item that doesn't like me (so much for that romantic weekend in Cambridge ...).

A Certain Online Collaborative Encyclopedia considers M-F to "almost" be the national dish of Belgium.
 
Posted by Sipech (# 16870) on :
 
The wheels are now in motion. I'm moving home. Have paid a holding deposit on the new place and given formal notice on the current property.

Been 4 years since I last did this.

Any advice on things I need to check for, do or people I need to inform?
 
Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
Absolutely no idea. We've been here 35 years.
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
You are moving from rental to rental, I take it. Cultivate an awareness of everything you do or touch in the next several days, to help you make a list:
Do you pay your own utilities now? Water, electric. If your landlord pays them now, will your new one also? Make sure, so that you aren't caught waterless or without power.
Internet/cell phone/cable TV. Will it all transfer over neatly to your new digs? Do you need to tell them about it?
Stuff you will want to have there and operational, the first day in the new place. Refrigerator, stove, other appliances; if you aren't bringing the old ones and there aren't ones already in the new place, organize.
Will all your furniture/stuff fit into the new place? If not, start downsizing ASAP. At the minimum work out what you are taking with you.
Are you taking your car? Is there parking in the new place? Any other vehicles/large things, bicycles, trailers, caravans, motorboats?
Pets. You will have considered whether the current pet is allowed in the new place. Is it the sort of animal who will move calmly? If you need tranquilizers, talk to your vet now.
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Mail redirect

You will need to change your address with the bank and all the other important people - but you'll forget a few and mail redirect will mean you get any post you've not remembered to inform.
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Oh, good thought. Start saving envelopes in a box or something -- alumni associations, charities, vendors, everyone you'd like to know about the move. All the people who flood you with junk you don't want, of course you ignore.
 
Posted by Ann (# 94) on :
 
If you drive, you'll have to let the DVLA know for your licence and vehicle registration docs.

If you move far, you'll need to register with a new doctor etc.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I think the ladies have covered most of the things I was trying to call to mind (having moved recently myself), except possibly finding out when the rubbish-collection day is. When you move, there's always a ton of rubbish to be disposed of, and you don't want to have it lying around for any longer than necessary.

Other than that - good luck, and health to enjoy your new house!

[Smile]
 
Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
Make sure you do a proper inspection with the new landlord, and take lots of photos, so you don't get caught out by the 'it was like that before I moved in' ' oh no it wasn't' cycle, which leads to horrible issues with getting your deposit back.

(Master S and the Lovely Girlfriend-now-wife fell into that particular elephant trap [Frown] )

Mrs. S, always on the lookout for elephants
 
Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
Check whether you need to take your rat with you or whether they already have one.
 
Posted by Doone (# 18470) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by moonlitdoor:
Check whether you need to take your rat with you or whether they already have one.

[Killing me]
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Be sure to take two (male and female) to be sure they'll breed.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Nice little animals, rats. Friendly and intelligent, and I love the way they use their tail almost as an extra limb!

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I'm sure that in the right situation (a laboratory perhaps? [Devil] ) rats are quite delightful, but having battled with mice for most of the time we lived in our last house any creatures of that nature are most unwelcome chez Piglet.

Our former neighbours had three large and rather evil cats, and the local mouse population saw our house, thought "cat-free zone" and in they came. We noticed last night that our neighbours here appear to have a large (and probably evil) cat, so I hope history isn't planning on repeating itself.

[Eek!]
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Borrow the cat!
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
And if the cat won't move, it may be time to confuse it! [Cool]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Borrow a cat, or confuse it, by all means....

....but send the rats to a laboratory?

[Eek!]

Is Extreme Outrage!

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Sorry BF - I wouldn't do that.

We have suggested to the people whose cat we looked after that if the need arises, we might ask to borrow her. [Big Grin]

It's a lovely day here (21°) so after a very late brunch at Uncle Pete's Diner (I had what might be the best eggs Benedict I've ever tasted) we drove out of town a bit to see the river dam a few miles from our house.

They've been letting it run very fast over the last few days - there's a football pitch on the riverside not far from the Cathedral which has been flooded to halfway up the goal-posts - and it was certainly coming down at a fair rate.

It's definitely feeling Spring-like - socks have been discarded and toenails painted. [Smile]

[ 29. April 2017, 21:20: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I suppose that's the trouble with all that sn*w - when it eventually melts, it has to go somewhere.

In other news, I was walking back from The Bus Stop today along one of the woodland-ish footpaths I can use, when I espied a very young fox cub approaching in the opposite direction. We stood and looked at each other for a few moments, before the foxling turned and trotted off into the undergrowth. I wonder where his Mum and siblings were? Probably not far off, but not often seen in early afternoon - perhaps the Small One is of an adventurous turn of mind.

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
How lovely - I know foxes can cause havoc, but they are rather beautiful, aren't they?

We're beginning to welcome the squirrels back to the grounds of the Cathedral - not that they were ever completely away, but they were much less in evidence over the winter. By mid-summer we might see a dozen or more just in the ten minutes or so while we're waiting for the early service to finish before we go in (not to mention the sudden application of brakes if we see them crossing the road).
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I obviously need to put a warning up on Southern Cross thread. Foxes and rabbits here are pest, foxes catch native wildlife, rabbits destroy pasture land. They also breed, well.like rabbits.

Both brought here so the landed gentry could Hun in spare time.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Lothlorien:
...Both brought here so the landed gentry could Hun in spare time.

Superb typo there, Lothlorien!

...but using a noun as a verb...! Declension, please.

* * * *

On Saturday I went back to see the [Retina] consultant at the eye hospital and she told Himself, in Malayalam so I couldn't understand but he told me later, that she thinks I'm a lovely man - I think this is living proof of the Lincoln Theory that you can fool all of the people some of the time, or some of the people all of the time, or something.

Whilst we were there I got her to explain to Himself the dangers of Diabetic Retinopathy as his blood sugar is sometimes more than a little unregulated - I thought he might actually listen to her, which he doesn't to me. How much effect it has all had on his eating pattern has not yet become evident but if he actually wants to see the twins grow up he'd better listen!
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
We knew already that you're a lovely man, WW, but it's nice for you to have it confirmed! Sounds good, too, in Malayalam, I guess.

Re foxes, yes, lovely creatures in their own way, but they can be a pest. In the UK, the urban fox has flourished exponentially in the past generation or so, as anyone who has a nice neat lawn can testify...

I live in a semi-rural, semi-urban, riverside setting, so the foxes have plenty of space of their own to play in. Rabbits we don't have in the near vicinity, but they, too, flourish in fields a bit further away from the town.

Mmmm.....casseroled, in a white wine sauce, with plenty of leeks, celery, carrots, and onions. Mmmm.

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I'll pass on the rabbit casserole; the last time I ate rabbit (in France nearly 40 years ago) I was more than somewhat unwell afterwards. I don't know that the two events were related, but they were related in my mind, which was enough to put me off it for life.

It's not a Bank Holiday here today, but you'd almost think it was - it's tipping with rain ... [Paranoid]
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
I'll pass on the rabbit casserole; the last time I ate rabbit (in France nearly 40 years ago) I was more than somewhat unwell afterwards. I don't know that the two events were related, but they were related in my mind, which was enough to put me off it for life.

The same with me and strawberries. I was seven when they made me ill and I still can't stand the taste. They look so tasty I try one every year - but, no.
 
Posted by Jengie jon (# 273) on :
 
I am still trying to persuade myself to eat beetroot for similar reasons. It is forty years and though I remember liking the flavour prior to the event the idea of putting it in my mouth makes me semi-gag.

Jengie
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
It's eggs with me. I'm not allergic or owt, but my parents tried to force me to eat a boiled egg on my 6th birthday (rather more than 40 years ago), and I haven't been able to eat one since. I can't even manage them fried, poached, or scrambled. but the little bits you get in egg fried rice are OK.

IJ
 
Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
I'll pass on the rabbit casserole; the last time I ate rabbit (in France nearly 40 years ago) I was more than somewhat unwell afterwards. I don't know that the two events were related, but they were related in my mind, which was enough to put me off it for life.

With me it was a rabbit stifado in Corfu Town [Projectile] It wouldn't have mattered so much but we were on a sailing holiday where Mr S did the brute force, ignorance and navigation, and I did the sailing [Eek!]

So you can keep your rabbit - and your foxes, for that matter!

Mrs. S, no vulpiophile (is that a real word?)
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Not quite - it's vulpophile - but 8 out of 10 for a good try.

IJ
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
I'm surprised Vulpior hasn't shown up on this thread.
 
Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
With me it was frog legs. I thought they tasted delicious, but I was sick for two days afterward. Now I can't face one.

Moo
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
There was a piece in New Scientist a while back about the effect of feeling ill after a particular meal. The writer had been unable to eat watermelon for a long time after his brain associated it with the sickness that he got the same day which he knew was due to sunstroke.
He associated this effect with the observed behaviour of rats, which try new foodstuffs in bitesized helpings, and if subsequently ill, do not eat it again.
I had the same effect the first time I tried a Big Mac after they arrived over here, when I was about to have a migraine, with associated sickness. I couldn't even hear the Ronald advert ditty without feeling squeamish for ages.
I have, however, some rabbit lurking in my freezer for when I am the only person about to eat it. Some people won't eat it without ever having tried it. The only decision is whether I use my Nana's recipe, or the one I got from a company which briefly sold rabbit, camargue rice and elderflower stew.
When I was little, I had eaten it on the farm a lot, without being told what it was. And we went to a restaurant, and Mum asked me if I would like rabbit pie, and I, thinking of Peter, and Benjamin, and Little Grey Rabbit announced "We don't eat rabbit!"
But I do. I can tell that the flavour does have elements which could be unattractive - though it usually needs help from onion and bacon to have any flavour at all.
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
We practically lived on rabbits during the war and through the early 50's. Our itinerant greengrocer (who brought masses of delicious Victoria plums in the autumn) used to shoot them on his small holding/orchard and probably elsewhere. We had them roast, casseroled, pie-ed (potato topping) but you had to be careful to spit out the little pieces of shot! My little sister and I had a competition to see who got most shot!

Now, that's put you all off your dinner, hasn't it??? [Snigger]
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
A most pleasant long weekend was had by the sea at Fécamp. I didn’t know it, but it is a very nice spot, much less touristy than the Normandy seaside towns we usually go to. We even had sun for quite a lot of it. Let it be known that the finest eatery in the thereabouts is run by an English chef peddling a very delicious fish and chips to the French. [Big Grin]

Yesterday it rained in the morning but it stopped in the afternoon and then the wind came up making great big splashy waves. The boat trip on the sea was fully booked so we couldn’t go but it would have been a bit choppy out there in any case…

It gives us a reason to go back, anyway. It’s an excellent weekend destination from Paris. Easy to get to, very enjoyable, and the perfectly acceptable B&B where we stayed only charges €65 a night including breakfast.
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
You might like to look up the history of the town's connection with Rye in England, and the church bells from that town.

Rye Parish Church

[ 02. May 2017, 11:13: Message edited by: Penny S ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
And while we all go for a nice weekend in Fecamp, you en rouges could come over and have a nice weekend in Rye (they may even do chish and fips there)!

[Biased]

IJ
 
Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:


When I was little, I had eaten it on the farm a lot, without being told what it was. And we went to a restaurant, and Mum asked me if I would like rabbit pie, and I, thinking of Peter, and Benjamin, and Little Grey Rabbit announced "We don't eat rabbit!"
But I do. I can tell that the flavour does have elements which could be unattractive - though it usually needs help from onion and bacon to have any flavour at all.

We ate quite a lot of rabbit when I was little, although I was clueless, as Mother called it Australian chicken. My older brothers, who probably helped trap them, were, on pain of death, forbidden to blab. Some days at the end of the month, it was the only meat we had.

Once, in adulthood, I noticed a restaurant had rabbit pie, and I told the server I would have bunny. She looked horrified.

The cost of rabbit these days appalls me.
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
When the animated Watership Down movie came out there was a photo making the rounds, of a window in a butcher shop. The sign said, "You've seen the movie! Now eat the cast!"
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Indeed - "you've read the book, you've seen the film, now eat the pie". [Big Grin]

I can identify with the writer of the article Penny alluded to; I remember having the same unwell feeling after eating delicious coquilles St. Jacques that my mum had cooked for a dinner party, and being put off scallops.

Although I discovered later that the unwellness was actually caused by something completely unrelated to anything I'd eaten, I was still a bit wary of scallops until I had them in the auberge where we stayed in St. Pierre, and they were heavenly; I've since had them in other dishes (notably a seriously yummy pasta dish with scallops, prawns, peppers and a creamy tomato sauce) with no ill effects whatsoever.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
A few families here in our village breed rabbits as pets and then food. I don't ever recall eating it as a child though possibly we did. I am fairly sure I never ate it as an adult, unless it was as a young adult and in the school dinners!

* * * *

I went for a walk this afternoon, on my own! It occurred to me that taking a walking stick might help my balance problem a bit - in fact what it helped more than anything was my confidence which thus helped my balance. What it also showed me is how horribly unfit I am, I only managed a couple of kilometres and my legs were knackered when I got home! I think my body is trying to tell me that I need more exercise.
 
Posted by Doone (# 18470) on :
 
Or more rest! [Two face]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
WW, a couple of kilometres unaided is pretty good going, and I only wish I could manage that far! About half a kilometre in one go is my limit, after which I have to stop, and regroup my forces. Praise be to God, His Blessed Mother, and all His Saints, that's about the distance from Home to Bus Stop.

Keep up the good work - I'm told that pushing oneself just that little bit more each time is the way to get on...maybe I should start to aim for the next Bus Stop along.

IJ
 
Posted by Polly Plummer (# 13354) on :
 
Having a delightful grumble-free day since the BBC announced that they won't be giving any General Election coverage today, because of the local elections!
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
There is a family story of my Nana, in the Depression, looking across the kitchen at the cat, lurking under a chair, and declaiming that she had no idea what they were to eat that day. And the cat went out and brought a rabbit back. (My mother, through her life, believed that Puss in Boots originated in real observation of cat behaviour.)

We had a do at school about wartime, with elderly people come in to talk about it, and appropriate food to go with it, and I did a rabbit pie. I took most of it home.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Praise God for small mercies!

[Yipee]

IJ
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
.....in answer to Polly Plummer's post...

[Hot and Hormonal]

IJ
 
Posted by Sipech (# 16870) on :
 
Just popping back to say thanks for the moving advice. Definitely planning to leave the rats in the old place.

Interesting one about the DVLA, as I only got my provisional license a few weeks ago. Hadn't twigged that it had my address on it.

Mail redirect is a must, and for a whole year. On a previous move, I tried to move my broadband (the provider shall remain unnanmed) only they set up a new account and billed me on it without providing a service while continuing to bill me on the old address. Because I had the mail redirect set up for 3 months, I never got the bills they sent to the old address. It was only 2 years later, after they'd passed the unpaid bills to a debt collection company that the latter tracked my new address and threatened to send the bailiffs round. [Mad]

As for the doctor, I haven't been since 1996.
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
My cat brings voles and chipmunks home for me. She lays them on the front step, deliberately choosing the spot where the foot descends. She carefully takes her fair share, the right drumette, and doesn't understand why I don't gratefully eat the rest.
 
Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
We used to have a cat that caught frogs, ate the legs and then left the poor creatures limbless but alive [Projectile]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Had quite a busy day today; D's usual lunch-time recital and then the choir sang for the funeral of a lady who used to sing with them (but had been in a care-home for some time - we never knew her). I'd like to think that we gave her a good send-off: she was Welsh, and we gave Cwm Rhondda a goodly amount of gusto. [Smile]

As we weren't going to have time for any lunch, D. had the brilliant idea of cooking a steak, slicing it up and letting it cool overnight and turning it into sandwiches (medium-rare inside bits for me, well-done outside bits for him), and it was the best "roast beef" sandwich I've ever had.
 
Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
As we weren't going to have time for any lunch, D. had the brilliant idea of cooking a steak, slicing it up and letting it cool overnight and turning it into sandwiches (medium-rare inside bits for me, well-done outside bits for him), and it was the best "roast beef" sandwich I've ever had.

Or as a lunchtime salad as well, but it's much better cooked to no more than medium-rare. I wouldn't slice it until the next day rather than the night before.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Piglet, what a fortunate piglet you are!

*BF wanders away to scrape the green bits off his last bit of cheese*

IJ
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
My experience is that dogs quite like the green bits!

My dog [may he rest in peace] could hear/smell the unwrapping of just about any sort or condition of cheese from anywhere else in the house.

* * * *

Lying on my [sadly] virtuous couch this afternoon reading something or other I suddenly noticed that the temperature had plummetted from about 34.5C down to an indicated mere 33C! The sky had darkened and suddenly there were distant flickers of lightning & rumblings of thunder - we got about 30 minutes of a desultory sort of apology for rain and then, well, that was it.

Come on monsoon, we're waiting for you!

What amazes me is that a drop of 1.5 degrees is so very noticeable - it really felt quite a bit cooler. Here in the study in early evening it is recording 32.1C with a cool easterly coming through the screened window behind me.

Will I need bedsocks tonight?

[ 06. May 2017, 13:33: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
11 degrees C here, but very dry - I've had to water my pots. That was a cold job brrrrrrrrr!


❄️💨❄️
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
At that temperature I'd be wearing thermals and a fleece jacket!
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Same here, Boogie! Standing holding a hose wrapped in a thick fleece in a bitter NE wind is not my idea of fun! I'm not surprised some of my stuff is slow to put in an appearance.

That's not counting some begonias I started off indoors, who are now romping away on the utility room windowsill and likely to be fed with washing liquid if I can't get them out soon!
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
11 degrees C here, but very dry - I've had to water my pots.

Join the club!

But it warmed up a tiny bit later, and we had a nice and not-too-bracing walk on the beach at Porthcawl.

[ 06. May 2017, 16:34: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
Off the subject a bit, but I was surprised and pleased to see some retro cows today, with actual horns, like I used to see when young! (Reminded by the Dr Who thread.)

[ 06. May 2017, 16:47: Message edited by: Penny S ]
 
Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
"Retro cows"--now that's a phrase you don't see that often. I shall treasure it next my heart (having recently compared myself to one at work...).
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... Come on monsoon, we're waiting for you! ...

It absolutely chucked rain here last night - would you like some? [Biased]

Boogie and Nicodemia - are you sure you're not telling little porkies about having to water your gardens? Where you live???

[Devil]

We're on our way to go to supper with a couple in the choir - the ones whose house and cat we looked after. I wonder if Tabby will remember us - should we bring a bag of cat-treats for her? [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
1. Probably not (WW can answer for himself!);
2. Parts of the UK are experiencing a horrible, cold, dry, north-easterly wind, so vulnerable tubs and pots do indeed need watering;
3. Most definitely.

IJ
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Yep, here too. It's been grey and horrible here today, but no rain, only wind. The only water to fall out of the sky in the last fortnight or so has been in the form of hailstones.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Today's wind is the very Breath of Sauron, blowing straight from Mordor, and presaging doom and despair come June 8th....

IJ
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
That sounds like fun but I shall have to miss it as, sadly, I shall be stuck here in Paradise!

Ain't life unfair?

* * * *

I opted out on the bedsocks BUT I had to turn the ceiling fan off about 05:30 as the temperature had dropped to 27 [point something], I almost pulled a light cotton covering over myself!
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
I think it's amazing how the human body can adapt to temperatures and humidity - at least to a certain extent.

WW, did you gradually get accustomed to the heat (or: mere warmth, as you might call it!), or were you at ease from day one?

Really interested! [Smile]
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Wesley J:
I think it's amazing how the human body can adapt to temperatures and humidity - at least to a certain extent.

I can't speak for Wodders, but my own experience is that it is gradual. I've lived in central Arizona over half my life now. My first summer here I thought I'd gone to Hell (not the Ship's Hell, that didn't exist yet!). I've adjusted. It was 107F (42C) Friday -- no big deal, since it was also dry. What I've heard is that when we move to hotter climates our capillaries gradually move closer to the surface which somehow helps us to deal with the heat. However, I am now MUCH more sensitive to the cold. I seriously considered a move to Canada after the events of the past six months, but I don't think I could stand the winters, and I'm too old to go through the gradual adjustment thing again. (Hoping the political climate, instead, makes a change.)
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We had a v. enjoyable evening with our friends - good company, good wine and excellent food. We did bring a bag of treats for Tabby but I doubt that she really noticed, although when she was lifted up level with my face, she seemed quite happy for me to stroke her and say hello. [Smile]

Regarding adjusting to different climates, when we moved here from Newfoundland we were warned that the summers would be hotter ( [Eek!] ) and the winters colder (somewhat less [Eek!] ), but I don't feel that I've adjusted too badly. While the winter here is more bitterly cold, the summer heat doesn't seem quite so sticky, but that may be due to air-conditioning being more universal.

I'll be interested to see how the "heat-exchanger" thingy in the new château works in the summer - I hope its cooling feature is as efficient as its warming one.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
THE SUN HAS COME OUT.

IT'S WARM(ish).

I'VE WATERED THE POTS AND MOWED THE LAWN.

Bet it won't last!
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Well, of course it won't, now you've gone and done all that!

[Razz]

IJ
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Pleasantly warm, sat outside to read my book - garden watered again!. My son has just sent me photos of a rainy picnic on the Rhine, not far from where he lives.

This makes a change, they are usually the ones sitting in the sun ☀️
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
I was thinking of you yesterday, Boogie, as I was reading the paper. There was this article about a dog trained to search for lost cats! Very impressive.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ArachnidinElmet:
I was thinking of you yesterday, Boogie, as I was reading the paper. There was this article about a dog trained to search for lost cats! Very impressive.

Very clever - and she's called Molly too [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Wesley J:
I think it's amazing how the human body can adapt to temperatures and humidity - at least to a certain extent.

WW, did you gradually get accustomed to the heat (or: mere warmth, as you might call it!), or were you at ease from day one?

Really interested! [Smile]

I have never really had a problem with the heat or the humidity, with me the adjustment was pretty quick but then this is a pretty consistent area unlike, say, Punjab where the winter is bitterly cold and the summer is like an oven. It is rare for the temperature to exceed 37C or go below the early 20s.

Being retired may help, of course.

[Biased]
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Back from a few days in London where the weather was apparently much better than in Paris.

Emmanuel Macron's cavalcade apparently drove right underneath our window last night (his HQ is just round the corner) and we missed him. We spotted him on the telly a couple of hundred yards further up the road. I'm slightly annoyed about missing out on this little bit of history. [Roll Eyes]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I've just booked my flights to go to Orkney in June; my sister had the brilliant idea that she and I should go up to see Dad (it may be a "last chance" sort of thing, as he's 92 and very frail [Tear] ) and time the trip to coincide with the St. Magnus Festival, which I was very involved with in its early days, but haven't been able to go to for nearly 30 years.

It's the festival's 40th anniversary, and also the 900th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Magnus, so there'll be some interesting things going on.

v. excited piglet [Yipee]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
My sister is on the Northlink ferry, Orkney-bound, at this very moment. She has booked a week's holiday (also visiting those other islands further north).
 
Posted by Pangolin Guerre (# 18686) on :
 
On the Scotland thread I was wistful in my recollection of being in the Orkneys. Just magic. Once I was there, I thought that I should dedicate a vacation to include the Shetlands and the Faroes (who recently beat Latvia!).

Piglet, that sounds like a wonderful idea. And the St Magnus festival looks like a lot of fun.

BT, which more northern islands is your sister visiting?

(Aaaah, a bit early for a dram of Highland Park, here. Which reminds me, does Scapa Flow whisky still exist?)
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Scapa whisky is indeed still flourishing, if that's the one you mean, although I believe a bottle of 12-year old will set you back a couple of hundred quid.

The next archipelago north of Orkney is, of course, Shetland. Even further northerer are the Faroes...

IJ
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Doesn't it get a bit cool up there?

* * * *

Piglet, that sounds like a fab idea, have a wonderful time when June comes round.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
I didn't dare mention the Sh+tl+nds to Piglet ...

Her trip next month does sound marvellous - though possibly tinged with sepia.
 
Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
Downsized my car today. Am now the proud owner of a Skoda Citigo. It boasts 4 wheels. Can get from 0 - 60 in 10 minutes. Has a reverse gear. Straight swop as when a man goes into gararge and says; " I need a pair of windscreen wipers for my Skoda". Salesman replies " That sounds like a fair swop".
 
Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
Downsized my car today. Am now the proud owner of a Skoda Citigo. It boasts 4 wheels. Can get from 0 - 60 in 10 minutes. Has a reverse gear. Straight swop as when a man goes into gararge and says; " I need a pair of windscreen wipers for my Skoda". Salesman replies " That sounds like a fair swop".
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Nowt wrong with Skodas!

However, here's a slightly more impressive example of their work:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aytGovwLUyo

[Overused]

IJ
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
My Fabia, held for several years, is probably the best car I have had. It responds to controls well, accelerates the way I want to, corners well, and doesn't get anything wrong with it. When I bought it, it was supposed to be the best small car.
I will not hear anything against Skoda.
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
Aha, a Skoda Railigo. Very nice indeed! [Smile]
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Wesley J:
Aha, a Skoda Railigo. Very nice indeed! [Smile]

Would that be the 16 valve option with eight in the engine and eight in the radio?
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
I didn't dare mention the Sh+tl+nds to Piglet ...

As long as you don't mention it to a sheep.

Shetland - where men are men and sheep are worried ...

[Devil] [Killing me] [Devil]

[pedant alert ON]
It's never "The Orkneys" - it's just "Orkney". Apparently "The Shetlands" is acceptable, but I've no idea why.
[/pedant alert OFF]

eta: Ever since Skoda was taken over by VW and became respectable, my sister has sworn by them*, and they do seem to be very good cars.

* D's sister had a pre-VW Skoda, which was rather more sworn at than sworn by. [Big Grin]

[ 09. May 2017, 21:38: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by shamwari:
Downsized my car today. Am now the proud owner of a Skoda Citigo.

I've had a VW Up! (same car, different label) for two years and am happy with it. Unfortunately the Skoda didn't have exactly the spec. combinations I wanted.
 
Posted by Pangolin Guerre (# 18686) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
The next archipelago north of Orkney is, of course, Shetland. Even further northerer are the Faroes...

IJ

There are Orcadian islands, inhabited and not, to the north of Mainland Orkney. Hence my question
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
There are indeed; my Orcadian roots are from Westray, which is one of the northern isles.

Apparently the Vikings and other northerly seafarers did their navigation by sight-lines: from the northernmost tip of North Ronaldsay (Orkney's most northerly island) you could see the Fair Isle; from there you could see the southern tip of Shetland; from its most northerly point you could see the Faroes, and from its most northerly point you could see south-eastern Iceland.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Point taken, but I assumed from BT's post that his sister was bound for an archipelago other than, and more northerly than, Orkney.

[Roll Eyes]

IJ
 
Posted by Pangolin Guerre (# 18686) on :
 
"Islands" was vague. "Archipelago" would not have been.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
The world has gone mad!

This morning I woke about my usual time - 7 or 8 -ish[a.m.!] - to a thunderstorm!

This is Kerala folks where, if we have a thunderstorm [and it is now the season] they occur in the afternoon or evening - we do not have thunderstorms for breakfast; this is the first I can recall in nearly 20 years here. Even the local folks are sort of mildly surprised.

Hey, it's rain and thus it is welcome, any end to this drought is welcome, but mornings should ideally arrive quietly NOT bashing their way into my consciousness with such brutality!

[Roll Eyes]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Poor WW. [Eek!]

I love watching/listening to thunderstorms, as long as it's from the safety of Indoors (or at least in a car). We've had a few fairly spectacular ones since we moved here, mostly in the hottest part of the summer, when they were particularly welcome for cutting through the humidity and clearing the air.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Nephew Person [late 20s], came to visit yesterday and weighed himself whilst here - he clocked 74 kgs - then I weighed myself for the first time in ages and, despite having no exercise for months and eating my usual amounts of food, I only registered 76 kgs!

Take that, nephew person!

[Cool] [Yipee] [Cool]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Good on you, WW! [Overused]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I looked at my phone this morning just to check if there were any messages or other stuff that needed my attention and the weather forecast on the front page predicted a:

quote:
Drenching thunderstorm in the afternoon
I so hope they are right!

We had a big and long lasting thunderstorm last night but it was mainly just bluster, hardly any rain at all. It would be so nice, after a few lean years, to have a really decent monsoon.

Anyway I have warned TPTB that, if we need any shopping today, we do it before lunch rather than after.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
I love watching/listening to thunderstorms, as long as it's from the safety of Indoors (or at least in a car).

We saw some amazing ones when we lived in Africa. One afternoon a lightning bolt struck the ground just a few yards from the house - what was amazing is that the associated electrical field caused the fluorescent light in the kitchen to come on for a few seconds even though we had no electricity supply at that time of day! We ourselves felt safe as the house had a metal roof which dispersed any charge.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
I love watching/listening to thunderstorms, as long as it's from the safety of Indoors (or at least in a car).

We saw some amazing ones when we lived in Africa. One afternoon a lightning bolt struck the ground just a few yards from the house - what was amazing is that the associated electrical field caused the fluorescent light in the kitchen to come on for a few seconds even though we had no electricity supply at that time of day! We ourselves felt safe as the house had a metal roof which dispersed any charge.
I was brought up in South Africa and used to enjoyed the nightly thunderstorms. My grandma didn't - she used to hide under the stairs!

Edited to add - we didn't have stairs, it was a bungalow, but we called the broom cupboard 'under the stairs' 🤣

[ 13. May 2017, 12:19: Message edited by: Boogie ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I recall watching three separate thunderstorms playing together around the Thames estuary one summer night.

Looking northwards, Storm A on the left (west) exhibited forked lightning, Storm B in the middle was using flash lightning, and Storm C on the right (east) was (rather unimaginatively, I thought) also employing forked lightning.

On reflection, would these have indeed been three storms, or just the one, having Lots Of Fun?

Bloody noisy night, anyhow.

And wet.

But worth staying up for!

IJ
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
I recall one stupendous one over Greenhithe, when the rain was sluicing off the roof and over the edge of the gutter, so that each flash froze the drops for a moment like a curtain of jewels.
I have been hoping for something similar since so I can employ a camera!

[ 13. May 2017, 14:04: Message edited by: Penny S ]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Not a flicker of lightning nor a drop of rain all day!

Bloody typical!!

[Mad]
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
Have you come across this site?
Lightning map
At its widest extent, it covers the world, with a bit of scrolling, and you can focus in on your area. If you do get to large scale locally, the rings around the strikes map the the thunder front, and you can predict when you will hear it arrive. I have been astonished at how far it travels, and also puzzled as to why the strikes seem to pass either side of where I live. Not that I want to be hit, but I would like to get a decent picture.
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
My grandma didn't - she used to hide under the stairs!

My Gran had to play cards during thunderstorms. Something to do with occupying both brain and hands, otherwise each clap of thunder made her clutch her armrests.

It's probably my dodgy memory, but I feel like we had storms all the time when I was young; I can't remember the last time we had one.
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
That lightning map site is way cool, thanks muchly, Penny S! [Cool]
 
Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
There was an amazing storm going on when I was sitting my second year Biochem. exams many years ago. (I failed, but nothing to do with the storm). My college had a brand new, state of the art (for 35 years ago) computer, in a spanking new building. Shame they forgot to put a lightening conductor on the building, and shame the building took a strike...
On the other hand, the best storm I've watched was near Liverot in France, about 20 years ago. We were staying with friends at their farmhouse. The storm got trapped in their valley, and seemed to be going round and round, trying to get out. I've never seen blue lightening before.
 
Posted by Polly Plummer (# 13354) on :
 
There was a terrific thunderstorm when we were on holiday in the French Alps many years ago. We and the kids sat on the balcony and watched it - as good as a film show!
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
When I was in Italy on a school trip in 1978, we had glorious weather until a couple of days before the end, which coincided with the sudden death of Pope John Paul I. As if the Almighty himself was in mourning, the weather broke, and we had torrential rain, thunder and lightning, although I apparently slept through the best of it.

None of that sort of thing here today; Spring has definitely sprung, and it's 19° and sunny.

[Smile]
 
Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
quote:
Originally posted by shamwari:
Downsized my car today. Am now the proud owner of a Skoda Citigo.

I've had a VW Up! (same car, different label) for two years and am happy with it. Unfortunately the Skoda didn't have exactly the spec. combinations I wanted.
I'm on my second Up...St Everild, VW/Skoda driver since 1990.
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Having failed to get to more than I've seen recently* I have just seen two shows in two days. Carousel on Friday night starring Katherine Jenkins as Julie Jordan and Alfie Boe as Billy Bigelow had some amazing choreography and dancing, but I came away both unconvinced by a story that has the hero die part way through and return for the finale and the style of singing: to my ears it all had a very metallic edge, particularly in the first half. I did however enjoy Nicholas Lyndhurst as the star keeper and Gavin Stokes as Enoch Snow.

Last night I saw The Wipers Times which I loved. A poignant story using much material found in the real Wipers Times and Best Times, on in the Arts Theatre, which is just off Charing Cross Road, small† stage, great staging for the story - and they even managed to include some song and dance numbers.

* I buy (cheap) tickets in the hope that I'll get a work life balance, then fail to get there because:
† all things are relative - small stage compared to that at the Coliseum not far away, but a decent size compared to the Kings Head, Islington, for example.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I'm so lazy about culture, I've only been to one show this year!

We have a huge Skoda Superb estate. I would much prefer an Up or a CityGo but Mr Boogs insists he needs a big car for buying his wood. It's a good car but I hate parking it - so much so that I don't go to the bank as I find it so hard to parallel park. So Mr Boogs has that job.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I learned to drive in a Volvo estate, and although it was so ancient it didn't even have power steering, it wasn't as hard to park as it looked; the long lines of the back windows were useful for lining up with edges of pavements and suchlike.

I feel guilty about not taking as much advantage of the culture available to me too, Boogie; we're unlikely to go to a concert unless one or both of us is in it. [Hot and Hormonal]

Mind you, I'm going to get a culture overdose at the St. Magnus Festival when I go to Orkney - concerts on three consecutive nights, plus entertainment at the Festival Club. That should keep me going for quite a while ... [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Pangolin Guerre (# 18686) on :
 
Spending time in SA years ago, in its far east, near Nelspruit. A lovely, clear afternoon. Then, a storm was rolling in from Mozambique. It was like watching an advancing curtain. I had never experienced a driving rain of such duration. Actually, I think, not since.
 
Posted by Wet Kipper (# 1654) on :
 
Boogie - next time get Mr Boogie to buy one with "park Assist" and it will do the parking itself, more or less (i think you still control the speed)
 
Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
We're doing well on the concerts front this year. We saw Coope, Boyes and Simpson last week, we're going to see Calan this Friday, The Spooky Men's Chorale in July, Steeleye Span in November, and The Carnival Band (IN OUR CHURCH HALL - YAY!) in December.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Wet Kipper:
Boogie - next time get Mr Boogie to buy one with "park Assist" and it will do the parking itself, more or less (i think you still control the speed)

Yes - excellent idea! Never mind the heated seats [Roll Eyes] - give me park assist!
 
Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
I've discovered a great way to get to see shows, concerts, comedy, plays etc etc - I am a volunteer usher at the local uni theatre and at an arts centre. So I get to one or the other roughly 3 times a fortnight. I'm also tempted by another arts centre because they have National Theatre Live.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Yes, that's really good. My wife used to be an usher at a dance theatre in Ipswich and loved it. Now we're in Wales she's thought of becoming an usher at the Cardiff Millennium Centre, but it's a bit too far to get to.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
Yes - excellent idea! Never mind the heated seats [Roll Eyes] - give me park assist!

My Up! has heated seats - my wife loves them. I didn't specify Park Assist though, it's an easy wee think to park.

My mother had one of these Saabs back in the 70s. It drove like a tank, but the driver's seat (only!) was heated.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Heated seats!! and Park assist !!

Whit wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beasties ye all are!

IJ
 
Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
quote:

posted by piglet

I learned to drive in a Volvo estate, and although it was so ancient it didn't even have power steering, it wasn't as hard to park as it looked

The car I drive now doesn't have power steering, though it's only small. I'm not sure that I would trust a car to park itself.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
The Best Thing in the Whole Wide World (car wise) is adaptive cruise control - the car drives itself, I love it!

💕💕💕
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
The Pigletmobile has cruise control, which D. loves - and he reckons it probably makes it drive a little bit more efficiently too.

As for heated seats - NO NO NO!!! I was given a lift in a car which I didn't know had heated seats, and I thought something horrendously embarrassing might have happened. [Eek!]

I'm just back from a spot of Retail Therapy, which included a pair of shoes to replace a pair that's pretty well falling to bits. The old ones will be thrown out, so my aggregate shoe count won't actually go up - aren't I a good piglet?

Piglet - who'd rival Imelda Marcos if she could afford it
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Heated seats!! and Park assist !!

Whit wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beasties ye all are!

IJ

And said wife comes from - ahem! - north of the Border.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Oh well, that explains it, then!

[Razz]

I'll get me coat....

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Not at all - we're far too hardy to need heated seats. I suspect that from my perspective Mrs. BT is probably a soft Southerner. [Big Grin]

Mind you, I'm going to have to get my heatproofing sorted - it's currently 22° and forecast to be 28° on Thursday. [Eek!]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
No heated seats here either.

[Big Grin]

[ 17. May 2017, 06:56: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
Certainly there are, they are the ones on the side of the bus which is currently facing the sun.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
True, O King!

I stand corrected.
 
Posted by Og, King of Bashan (# 9562) on :
 
I thought this might be the place to ask.

A friend just published her second book, this one on self-awareness. She is getting ready for the London portion of her book promotional tour, where she will do at least one TV appearance. She asked today:

quote:
Doing a talk in London next week. Who is the most narcissistic (recent) British reality TV star with really good name recognition (ideally, this is someone whose photo I can post and make everyone groan).
Any thoughts?
 
Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
I'd say Katie Hopkins, although her reality TV days were 10 years ago. But groans are guaranteed.

I've no idea about recent reality TV, never watch it.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I can't really be of help either, Og - we left the UK 14 years ago, just about the time "reality" TV was becoming A Thing™, and the only bit of it I ever watched was the last episode of a series of Big Brother in which the winning contestant came from Orkney.

We took a lovely wee jaunt yesterday down to St. Andrews (on the southeast coast of New Brunswick), and rounded it off with excellent supper in a restaurant in Saint John.

I'm a very frustrated piglet: we spent this afternoon chasing round supermarkets and butchers' shops looking for lamb-shanks, but without success. [Waterworks] We're having a couple of friends round tomorrow evening (OK, I probably should have started looking a bit sooner, but it didn't occur to me that nobody would have them), so it'll have to be roast lamb with gratin Dauphinoise.

The bloke at the butchers' department in one of the supermarkets actually said they get one lamb shank every two weeks, so maybe I ought to start stock-piling them ...

What's the point of having a slow-cooker if you can't get lamb shanks? [Confused]

The mercury hit 33°C today, which in technical terms is bloody hot. [Eek!]
 
Posted by Sipech (# 16870) on :
 
My move is now well under way. I took the keys to the new place yesterday and did 4 trips (2 on the bus and 2 friends with cars), depositing boxes and suitcases full of books and clothes. [Big Grin]

The removal van comes for the furniture tomorrow morning. [Help]

My back is currently a bit sore. [Waterworks]
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Exciting times Sipech!

My son has just moved in to his new house in Bristol, they were in a teeny tiny flat prior to this move. We are off to visit them next weekend - of course, Mr Boogs has been asked to pack his tool box [Smile]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
My sitting here, catching up on the Ship, has just been most pleasantly interrupted by the need to play pe-bo with two little kids in their parents' arms. Lots of screaming with laughter from both the twins and their mum & dad - but not from me, of course.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Felt a bit Out Of Sorts this morning, as per Mr. Kipling's 'Cameelious Hump':

http://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poems_hump.htm

Went over to Our Place, mowed the grass at the east end (carefully avoiding the bluebells, and other wild flowers - there's a sort of wild-plant-reserve strip round the edges), despite a sudden torrential downpour (thank you for well-leafed trees, O Lord).

Feel much better now!

IJ
 
Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
IJ, I rushed over to our place with a small hand fork to dig some weeds out of the join between the church building and the tarmac. There were two weddings this afternoon, and I suddenly thought how awful it would be for the photos to show weeds just by the south door where the bride enters! (I know, I know, first world problems...)

I pulled out a whole bucketful of weeds, and also let the best man/ushers into the church to set out the orders of service - taking great care not to get too close to their beautiful white brocade waistcoats with my muddy waxed jacket and rubber gloves [Killing me]

Mrs. S, who has always plenty of scope for weeding!
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Talking of gardening-related First World Problems, we had the ultimate manifestation of Sod's Law the other day: a bloke from the estate office who was passing by as D. was putting something in the car asked if we were interested in getting someone to cut the grass ...

... the day after we'd spent $400 on a lawnmower. [brick wall]

We had a v. nice evening with our friends last night, and the food all came together very well. I made chicken liver pâté and breadsticks for starters and roast lamb, gratin Dauphionoise, carrots in orange and aniseed and stir-fried fiddleheads (which I'd never tried cooking before), and it all went down a treat.
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Yesterday's entertainment was seeing David Tennant in Don Juan in Soho - based on a Molière play. Very clever, stylised and reliant on David Tennant's charm to sell the character. In the original Molière play Dom Juan's atheism is the premise for his fate, in this version it was his lack of care for others and pure self-interest, with huge laughs for the topical comments, and the mike descending from the ceiling for a song from Don Juan and his sidekick.

(The theatre is selling standing tickets the week before at £10 a ticket plus booking fees, which is how I meant to go, but I met someone next to the theatre earlier in the week and had some theatre gift vouchers I hadn't used, so only paid the extra £17. I'm really not spending that much on tickets.)

This week I've also seen Edward Albee's The Goat, or Who is Sylvia starring Damian Lewis and Sophie Okonedo, with a work colleague who is friends with Archie Madekwe's mother and wanted to see him on stage. She really didn't enjoy the pushing of taboos. (OK, so this one I spent real money on tickets, because I was with someone who probably wouldn't have liked my usual put up with an odd seat to see something.)

Also a couple of folk acts - Jon Boden at Cecil Sharp House on Thursday and Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman at the Albany in Deptford on Friday night, which was why I was on the Lewisham section of the DLR. Kathryn Roberts used to sing with Kate Rusby, who is part of the line up for Greenbelt this year (and Folk by the Oak). The venue was lovely, tiny, set out like a pub with a bar at the back upstairs. It was my second attempt to see Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman as I had had tickets to see them at Green Note, but was informed I had to get something finished at work, and take protected time, like that ever works, and ended up working to 8:30pm.

One of my favourite intros from Jon Boden described one of his songs (from Songs from the Floodplain) as being set in the stables for the retired horses of the Apocalypse. That whole album is a series of songs set in a post-oil world. It was a mix from his albums, including the one he is writing now, and some shanties he sang as part of Bellowhead.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
CK, when do you have time to work? [Big Grin]

It's an absolutely glorious day here today: 16° and sunny - just my sort of weather. As one of the other choir members said, we even seemed to sing better because it's such a nice day. [Smile]

We discovered yet another nice eatery yesterday - Picaroons Roundhouse, which is part of a brewery. I had what they called a "ploughman's platter", and although it wasn't really what I'd call a Ploughman's, it was very good - cheese, local salami, pickled beetroot and a pickled egg and very nice local bread; D. had steak and ale pie (which was really more like a pastie) and a bowl of soup, and we both had light beer. With the bill coming to about $40 (about £23), it was definitely somewhere we'll be going again.
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
It's sleeping I don't do, or cleaning.
 
Posted by Sipech (# 16870) on :
 
Think we must be on a job share, CK. I've just fine about 6 hours of cleaning in my old flat. Reckon it's up to the standard of viewings, but still more work to do to get the full deposit back.

Meanwhile, I now have hot water in my new place! [Yipee]

So I can start on the laundry, have a hot bath and maybe an early night. What a rock n' roll lifestyle I lead.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
We've just had an hour's heavy rain - it is nowhere near enough but it does give hope after a long dry spell.

The downside we had 4 under 10s visiting - aren't they noisy? Roll on a week on Thursday when the new school year starts!

[ 22. May 2017, 08:09: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It was a holiday here today (Victoria Day, bless her), and D. decided he really ought to exercise this new lawn-mower. Having forgotten to get any of the eco-bags the hardware shops here sell for putting your grass-cuttings into, he thought maybe the shop might be open, so off he went.

He found that the garden centre bit of the Home Depot (our equivalent of B&Q) was open, but because of some byzantine Canadian by-law the main shop* wasn't.

We'll be really cross if it rains tomorrow ...

[brick wall]

* where the eco-bags are sold, obviously. Why on earth would you sell bags for grass-cuttings in a garden centre? [Mad]
 
Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
A dear friend of ours is doing a lot of work in the churchyard, and left me a note to say he'd be clearing moss off the roof of the 'lynch gate' [Killing me]

I am half appalled to relate how many people all we supposed Christians could think up, who should be forming an orderly queue...

Mrs. S, churchwarden of this parish, snickering [Snigger]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Please, Mrs. S., could you send your dear friend over to Our Place? We have a buddleia growing out of the gutter of our Lady Chapel, and, despite many reminders, our churchwardens have done nothing about it. I'd get the bl**dy thing out myself, but I'm not strong enough at the moment to go lugging ladders around (or climbing them, for that matter).

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Haven't you got a verger or a sexton whose job such operations would be?

Eco-bags have been purchased, and most of the grass chez Piglet has been cut; unfortunately the re-chargeable battery didn't last quite long enough. D. says it should be all right next time as the grass won't be so long, and there shouldn't be so many dandelions.

It was a bit disappointing though - it's not as if we've got that much grass.
 
Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
Sorry, BF - we're not sharing! And Piglet, all such operations appear to be the responsibility of the churchwarden, or any dear friend she can persuade to go up a ladder she's certainly not safe on [Killing me]

That reminds me - I must ask the former churchwarden what, if anything, has been tried to cure a fluorescent tube at the back of church which never seems to light up. In practice, this means that half our 'verse of the year' is in perpetual darkness - there may be a metaphor there but I haven't worked it out yet [Confused]

Mrs. S - a churchwarden's work is never done
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
D. tells the story of a (now sadly deceased) member of the choir at St. Magnus Cathedral, who also happened to work for the Orkney Islands Council (who look after the fabric of the building), crawling along beams about 6" wide and probably about 30' up to replace some light-bulbs.

The bulbs had been installed in the 1920s, and this was the 1970s, but still long before the days of Elfin Safety, so no harnesses or anything like that.

[Eek!]

[ 24. May 2017, 23:40: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Because we had such fun watching the birds enjoying the contents of the feeder in the garden where we were house-sitting, we decided to get one for the deck of the new Château Piglet.

It's been in place for a couple of days now, and I'm delighted to report that we've had our first guest. I'm not sure what he was (I'm far too short-sighted to be any good as an ornithologist); I think he was something quite ordinary, but he sat on the little perch thingy and had a few mouthfuls before flying off. I do hope he tells all his little friends about the new restaurant ... [Smile]

We had a visit from the neighbourhood robin* about the same time; I don't think he sampled the menu, but I hope he'll be back too.

* North American robins are different from European ones; they're rather bigger, and a more elongated shape, but very appealing all the same.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Yes indeed - quite a different shape.

My walks to and from the Bus Stop take me along a path through a strip of riverside woodland overlooking a salt marsh, so there's a wide variety of birdlife. The smaller birds (robins, sparrows, finches of various kinds etc., seem to have made a bit of a comeback, given the number of magpies and other larger birds.

I was diverted, whilst waiting for The Bus, to look out onto the river (it's a tidal river), and observe no less than four cormorants all sitting on one small moored motor boat. Its cabin roof (indeed the whole vessel) must need mega-cleaning now...cormorants are fair-sized beasties.

Oh, and there's a swan's nest just near the Bus Route - the eggs should be hatching out soon, but I can't quite see how many there are. It's not advisable to approach too closely.
[Ultra confused]

Happy twitching, Piglet!

IJ
 
Posted by John Holding (# 158) on :
 
North American robins are really thrushes.

John
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
And North American robins are not seed eaters -- apparently European robins also eat insects, worms, etc.?
 
Posted by Jengie jon (# 273) on :
 
Just checked British Robins also belong to the family of thrushes and chats. They are pretty omnivorous eating both seeds, bread and insects. Then, however, I think is true of most of our thrushes.

Jengie
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
British Robins have been nesting in our ivy-covered wall, and seem to have brought up the young entirely on fat we hang up.

Its especially for birds, cylindrical in shape, and has to have squirrel baffle underneath, otherwise it would disappear in a couple of days!
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
You've invented an effective squirrel baffle?

Hie thee to the Patent Office forthwith, and then to a Manufactory...as long as the baffle isn't like this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EnDwkclDcA

[Eek!]

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Love the squirrel video! [Killing me]

The garden where we were house-sitting also had its fair share of squirrels, who would come up to the deck and eat the bits of bird-food which fell from the feeder. Also, the owners had left food for what they called ravens (although we thought they were crows) - it was actually dry dog-food - which we'd put out on the top of the fence if we saw the crows flying about (usually about lunch-time), and again the leftovers were eaten by the squirrels.

Of course, assuming that the cat wasn't doing one of her deck patrols ... [Big Grin]

The Almighty seems to have replenished his stock of raindrops; it's been tipping it all day and it's only 9°. Socks and boots have been reapplied. [Frown]

Oh yes, and we've been invited to a barbecue tomorrow. [Eek!]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Which is doubtless why it's raining!

Warm and sunny here, but thunderstorms forecast for Sunday, and also Monday (which is a public holiday in the UK).

[Help]

Squirrels can be a bl**dy nuisance, but they are rather engaging little animals. Sometimes.

The part of Scotland where my late Ma lived still has a red squirrel population, fortunately.

IJ
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
You've invented an effective squirrel baffle?

Hie thee to the Patent Office forthwith, and then to a Manufactory...as long as the baffle isn't like this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EnDwkclDcA

[Eek!]

IJ

[Killing me] The squirrel in the video probably thought that was the most fun ever! They do love a challenge, and they do like playing and having fun. By the next day his friends had probably joined him in the wonderful amusement park he'd found.
 
Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
You've invented an effective squirrel baffle?

Hie thee to the Patent Office forthwith, and then to a Manufactory...as long as the baffle isn't like this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EnDwkclDcA

[Eek!]

IJ

Then there's always squirrel fishing.

Moo
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Up a bit earlier today as we are having a visitor - we have a Shipmate flying in at lunchtime for a couple of nights so trying to get everything sort of ready for the delightful Yangtze who has been in Bangalore at a conference all week and is aiming, I think, to decompress before flying back to Blighty early next week.

Decompress with these twins?

[Killing me]

Talking of the twins their very different personalities are showing through:

- girl child wakes up and is up and at 'em and smiling and giggling;

- not-girl child wakes up and sits there for a while looking blearily around glowering a bit then scratches his head for a while then demands food!

Still they both seem to like WW mamen [uncle] so I shouldn't complain - indeed I don't complain!
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
That was Yangtze's excuse for not coming out to play - that she's in India.

To reassure you all, I have worked all week, other than Guides on Wednesday evening, and have not gone out anywhere other than an evening meeting which clashed with the only tickets I had on Thursday night. I am, however, meeting Deputy Verger tonight, after helping at a fundraising stall for Guides. Guides is on mega-fundraising mode for a Switzerland trip this summer that I am not doing. I tend to start any holiday with a chest infection, so booking to go to Switzerland for a tough week with Guides just after I finished with my other daily tough challenges felt like an odds against £800 gamble that I'd be fit enough to go.
 
Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Start your fundraising with Pictet et Cie - I'm sure that they will have some interesting suggestions.
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
No, no, we have been unable to actually invent a squirrel baffle, but this is a transparent plastic dome which screws to the post holding the bird food, so that the squirrel comes up the post, to find the dome is over his head and he can't reach the food.

It is important, very important, to site the food well away from any possible (and impossible) jumping off places, otherwise the little beast will leap across to the food, bypassing the dome.

It helps if the pole is greased with vaseline, but this is a messy job, best done with an old pair of plastic gloves.

I laughed at the squirrel video, until we found the right site for our fat pole, we had a good laugh at the antics of our resident three squirrels!

Gritting our teeth at the same time.
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
I am, however, meeting Deputy Verger tonight...

Please give my greetings to Deputy Verger. She's been missed on the Ship.

I've enjoyed visiting with both of you on different trips across the Pond.
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
My greetings to D.V. also, please, C.K.

M.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Nicodemia, there are indeed videos on YouTube of squirrels leaping gaily from all sorts of pots, tubs, poles, branches etc. etc. to circumvent the said dome. In fact, your bird-feeder would probably be best set in the middle of an otherwise completely desert area, but the rest of your garden would look, er, deserted.

A Zen Buddhist garden, perhaps, with rocks, and some gravel, raked periodically by an elderly, smiling monk?

BTW, the obstacle course video is a classic, filmed many years ago, IIRC.

IJ
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
All this talk of Yangtze and Deputy Verger makes me think a London summer meet might be a good idea.
I've been enjoying the warm spring evenings this week - walks to pubs and frizbee in our local park.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Squirrels are indeed very agile; in between scampering up and down the trees the ones in our friends' garden would walk quite happily along the electricity cables.

Nearly half the bird-food has been eaten, and we've seen a few of our little feathered friends perching on the feeder and enjoying its contents. We think the most regular visitor is a rusty blackbird; he seems to really rather like it. [Smile]

The rain appears to have stopped, and the barbecue is going ahead this evening. It's currently 10°, which isn't terribly warm, but at least it might deter the bugs, which ate me alive the other day. [Frown]
 
Posted by Yangtze (# 4965) on :
 
I can confirm that the twins are delightful.

Though I'm not sure they feel the same about me as I just emerged from my room and the went into a frenzy of crying upon seeing me. I have retreated for a shower, maybe if I look a bit more presentable their lovely smiles will return.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Not-girl child accepted being held by Yangtze later, just before we all went out, but we're not entirely convinced he was fully awake at the time. He is definitely a boy who likes his sleep.

If the weather stays dry I think we are all off to the beach this afternoon.
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
BF - said feeder is set in the middle of ground cover plants, like geraniums, ferns etc. There are some bushes of the wavy branch type, no trunks, nothing heavier than a blackbird can sit on them (and then he's not too happy!). Certainly cannot function as squirrel launch.

Better than a desert. Foiled squirrels. [Snigger]
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I passed M's and Pigwidgeon's messages on to Deputy Verger, who said she'd try to log in and say hello, but she and I were complaining about how busy w*rk is for both of us and she's having even less time off than I am.

GeeD, I am not sure how Pictet and Cie would help fundraising in the UK.

I meant to say the threat level is being taken seriously, I saw two pairs of armed policemen walking back down the South Bank to the tube. Obviously armed, holding large guns in their arms as they walked along.

[ 28. May 2017, 09:57: Message edited by: Curiosity killed ... ]
 
Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
GeeD, I am not sure how Pictet and Cie would help fundraising in the UK.

I had thought that you were going to Switzerland to raise funds there - there does seem to be a bit of spare money floating around from time to time.
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
It's a local Guide trip to Switzerland - Our Chalet, with Girl Guides from both local groups and the Senior Section going. The cost is nearly £1000 per person. Those intending to travel, leaders and girls, have each been charged £800, and we are fundraising to find the money for the additional costs.

Yesterday's joy was stalls selling plants, nearly new clothes, books and cakes.

[ 28. May 2017, 11:45: Message edited by: Curiosity killed ... ]
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
'High up, high on a mountain, we founded our chalet.... '

I will now be singing that for a week!

M.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Nicodemia said:

Certainly cannot function as squirrel launch.

Hmm. Maybe, but I bet the little beggars could work it out eventually. Don't forget, some of them can fly ......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-FHzf4xnWw

Alas, I don't think we have any of these in the UK..

IJ
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
...or these, found Down Under:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_glider

Isn't God's Creation wonderful?

[Big Grin]

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... He is definitely a boy who likes his sleep ...

Sounds like a man after mine own heart. [Snore]

We had a very enjoyable evening at the barbecue yesterday; although the weather wasn't that warm, it was just warm enough to be comfortable sitting outside, and the food and company were excellent.

It's another lovely day today - currently 11° but due to go up to 20° - but I think we may enjoy it while it lasts, as there appear to be rather a lot of raindrops in the forecast for the rest of the week.
 
Posted by Yangtze (# 4965) on :
 
WW and I are enjoying a very fine mini-Shipmeet. I suspect no-one will be surprised when I say food has featured highly.

Tonight Himself presented us with not one, not two but three puddings.
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
...or these, found Down Under:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_glider

Isn't God's Creation wonderful?

[Big Grin]

IJ

Edited to add actual content! [Hot and Hormonal]

We have possums down here, unrelated to squirrels. They eat flowers and fruit and whatever they can scrounge to indulge a sweet tooth. Ringtailed and brushtailed possums hold raucous roof top parties which sound like drunken orgies, The young ones use the pitch of roof as a slide and the older ones dance and carouse. They use the electricity wires from street to house as a highway, often coming to grief when they touch two at once. In NZ,the tubular hollow fur is spun to make very warm yarn which is sold as warm hats. And also as underclothing for winter.

[ 28. May 2017, 22:25: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Today's entertainment has been seeing the Unthanks new project, playing the songs of Molly Drake, Nick Drake's mother, with his sister Gabrielle Drake reading some of the poems, recorded for most of the tour, but present today.

I also saw the Hockney exhibition at Tate Britain. An amazing variety of styles over the 60 year career, some of which I loved, some left me cold. His recent stuff is amazing.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Yangtze:
WW and I are enjoying a very fine mini-Shipmeet. I suspect no-one will be surprised when I say food has featured highly.

Tonight Himself presented us with not one, not two but three puddings.

...plus mango lassi!

I have just been summoned to breakfast but am still over-full from last night's supper!
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
That calls for a summary execution of said matinal feast. And then another lie-in? [Smile]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
[Big Grin]

You know me too well!

[Hot and Hormonal]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
We have just dropped Yangtze at the airport to catch a late flight back to Bangalore - what a sweetie that woman is!

Now I'm going to bed; up early in the morning to go back to the Hospital - it's all go!
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Glad to hear that you entertained Yangtze as we would have expected of you! [Smile]
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Traffic chaos in Paris last night. Getting anywhere on the left bank took bloody ages. For this we thank Vladimir Putin [Roll Eyes] . (Clearly inconveniencing hundreds of thousands of Parisian commuters is also part of his nefarious plan for world domination)
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
And well done to your new President for standing up to him!

* * * *

My vision problems are [slowly] decreasing so my eyes are improving but in the meantime I have been walking a lot less and have now developed Peripheral Oedema [technically known as swelling] in my left foot. My Dr at the eye hospital doesn't think it is her fault so tomorrow I'm off to see a physician about it.

All good fun!

I'm hoping the new Dr will just tell me to walk more as I don't really need peeing pills!

Meanwhile the twins remain wonderful, we had to check Yangtze hadn't put one or both in her luggage as she was very taken with them.

* * * *

Is there anybody else who is a friend of Smudgelet of FB? Have you notice any indication of gain in his avoirdupois?

Chub, chub!
 
Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
Pills do nothing. I foresee elastic stockings in your future.

Or just walk more. Don't fuss with sawbones.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Glad to hear your eyes are improving, WW; hope the foot problem clears itself up too.

Another lovely day here (20° and sunny at the moment) and the birdies have been having a rare feast chez Piglet. We've already refilled the feeder twice since we got it at the weekend - D. reckoned he'd better fill it last night before bedtime, in case they came tapping at the window in the morning looking for their breakfast ... [Big Grin]

We have a few visitors that we think are grackles, who can't seem to get enough of the seeds (although they're very messy eaters - a fair few end up on the grass).
 
Posted by Wet Kipper (# 1654) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
any indication of gain in his avoirdupois?


speak English, bwoy !

[ 31. May 2017, 10:21: Message edited by: Wet Kipper ]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Because my eyes are a bit slow these days I read Iridescent Grackle as Indecent Grackle for a moment there, I thought it sounded like my sort of bird!

As for 20C - for me that is bedsocks & fleece weather!
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
On further thought:

They declared Monsoon yesterday after the required several consecutive days of rain...

...so, predictably, today the sun is cracking the flags!

[ 31. May 2017, 10:39: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
On further thought:

They declared Monsoon yesterday after the required several consecutive days of rain...

...so, predictably, today the sun is cracking the flags!

Just like a drought in Britain. Seven dry days between June and September, and drought is declared. Even if it tips down in Wales, which provides water for most of the Midlands, the "Drought warning" will remain in place until the first sn*w in England.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I'd say it's probably another manifestation of Murphy's Law ...

... the same law that prevented D. from cutting the grass yesterday, so it rained this morning.

I'm messing about on here before we embark on our research of one of the few eateries in Fredericton that we haven't tried yet; it's part of a golf club complex, but we were informed by friends that it's rather good, with steaks being a speciality on Wednesdays.

happy piglet - will report back [Smile]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
So how was the steak, O gastronomically reporting Piglet?

Hot and humid here in Ukipperland, with thunderstorms forecast for tomorrow. Auntie Pat The Gardener and I planted some nice plants in the garden at Church yesterday (well, Auntie Pat did the planting, whilst I quietly tumbled down some steps), so hopefully the new plants will be well watered by Sunday!

I'm taking a break from Our Place this w/e, being a bit fed-up with a pseudo-RC service, coupled with naff worship songs, and hope to re-visit my local church (inclusive MOTR, lady Vicar, excellent organist, lots of young families).

IJ
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
Today was the day the frazzled parent bluetit (I only saw one) brought the clutch to the garden to show them my bird table and feed them from the fat block. They were buzzing about hither and thither and perching awkwardly about on strings and the clothes line and rose stems. Too fast to have many opportunities to get pictures, and I never managed to get one of them actually transferring food.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Never mind - they were there! And, hopefully, will be back soon...

[Big Grin]

IJ
 
Posted by Yangtze (# 4965) on :
 
I was indeed tempted to pop at least one of twins in my suitcase.

I can highly recommend all Shipmates go for a restorative stay chez WW & the mob.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Next time, take a bigger suitcase (or two!)...

Given The State Of The Western World, Kerala sounds a Good Place To Be. My Auntie Sylvia hails from there, so that proves it.

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
So how was the steak, O gastronomically reporting Piglet?

I'm delighted to report that it was very excellent indeed. The deal was that for $19 (about £11) you had a choice of soup or salad for a starter and your pick of the steaks on their menu (6 oz filet mignon, 10 oz striploin or 12 oz rib-eye, which would normally cost $27-29 on their own) with a choice of potatoes and veggies.

I had a v. good Caesar salad followed by the striploin, which was beautifully flavoured and excellently cooked.

D. had the soup (roasted onion and pesto, also v. good) and for perhaps the second time in all the 35-odd years we've been eating out together, he too had a steak - the filet mignon - which he thoroughly enjoyed.

With a bottle of very nice Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, the bill came to about $80 (about £46); we'll certainly be going back - and next time I'm having the big one ... [Big Grin]

The restaurant is called Sam Snead's (it's part of a golf club complex) and is actually one of a chain, but the only one in Canada - the rest are all in the USA, mostly Florida. I don't know why they picked Fredericton for their only Canadian outlet, but I'm jolly glad they did. [Smile]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
That sounds both good and very reasonable (salivates).
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
OK so this week has not worked out as expected. Where I should be sleeping tonight is in my booked bed at Port Charlotte on Islay, having spent last night at Lochranza on Arran.

What happened was we arrived on Arran and after watching my daughter struggle to breathe, her lips swell, a rash appear on her face and her demonstrate all the symptoms of anaphylaxis when already full of heavy dose antihistamine tablets, I decided to get her back to mainland and away from whatever was triggering the reaction - I suspect the traces of shellfish in the air on the beaches. Of the three and half hours on Arran, she only enjoyed the hour on the bus across the centre where we saw a golden eagle.

On the way back she received an email informing her that the student accommodation¹ were moving new people into her flat from tomorrow, so instead of booking a couple of nights in the Highlands away from the coast, we have spent today coming back down from Glasgow, arranging a studio flat and packing up to move out tomorrow.

¹ she has been living in an empty flat as they could not provide a studio flat to accommodate the steadily deteriorating allergic reactions, and have now gone back on that arrangement she doesn't share. I am writing emails with buzz words around accommodation of disability. I haven't yet quoted Equality Rights Act 2010, but I am about to.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Quoting legislation at people who should know better is always good fun. Go for it CK.
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Good grief, Curiosity, that's awful. I hope the Kitten is feeling better.

What would the accommodation people have done if you weren't able to get back? [Mad]

Good luck blinded them with science.
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
She's moved now, into a studio flat, and lots of my muscles are telling me they have been working today. l would have preferred that getting the piles of stuff down from the previous flat had not been so rapid - book cab and agreed to arrive almost immediately - and this flat wasn't on the first floor. I had to heft the box of kitchen stuff up the fairly narrow steep stairs step by step, rather than carry it up.

The current discussion is a request to the previous landlord to refund the rent for the next 12 weeks on the grounds that she had to move as they were no longer making provision for a deteriorating disabling condition. These student accommodation do their darnedest not to refund anything, which is why I'm using the requirement to make suitable provision under the Equal Rights Act 2010, which is not legislation they can avoid.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Crikey, CK, that puts any of my minor quibbles into perspective! Hope the Kitten is going to be OK in her new place.

The minor quibble of which I speak is a state of pissed-offness occasioned by the car-licensing authorities in New Brunswick. The Pigletmobile was due to be re-registered (car registration is provincial, so you need to re-register your car in a new province), so D. went to the appropriate office to sort it out. Having observed that you can have more-or-less what you want as a number here (they call them "vanity plates") as long as it's not more than 7 characters including spaces, he asked if we could have BS 2852, a "cherished" Orkney number that's been in my family since they became fashionable in the early 1970s, and for which we have the front (white) plate. The girl in the office told him this would be possible, but we'd just have to wait a few weeks. Yesterday he got a letter saying we couldn't have it because it had (and I quote) "negative connotations".

[Mad]

Now I'm not completely brainless; on this side of the Pond the letters BS may have somewhat negative connotations, but surely they could exercise their solitary brain-cell to work out that that isn't what we're getting at?

We might try and get ORKNEY, although I'm so cross I'm tempted to ask them for BOLLOX.

[Devil]
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Thanks for the best wishes Piglet.

She should be OK for as long as she's signed the contract. She originally discounted these studio flats because they have fairly steep stairs - converted from a Victorian terrace - and the distance from Uni is longer than she can manage on a bad day. This time of year, when it's warmer, her joints* are better and she should be able to cope.

There are lots of nice things about her room - the view is lovely and it gets the morning sun, plus it's much quieter than her previous flat. Also there is a (free) washing machine and tumble drier half a landing away which means laundry stops being such a chore. We moved a laundry bag and put two loads through yesterday and this morning.

I'm just hoping she gets the rent on the previous place refunded and I don't have to get more enthusiastic than drafting emails. To be honest, I hope that the area manager will show the email to the lawyers who will say the cheapest route will to be to pay up and hope we shut up.

* she's another Ehlers-Danlos (hypermobility) sufferer - the allergies are often linked to the mutation that causes the collagen problems.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
That sounds promising - especially the laundry bit!

When we were living in a flat waiting for the former Château Piglet to sell, the laundry (which wasn't free) was in the basement, two-and-a-half floors away from our flat. When I went down to transfer the load from washing-machine to dryer and realised on arrival that I'd left the coins on the kitchen counter, there was swearing ... [Mad]

The new château is all on one level*, and laundry is a breeze. [Smile]

* It's the first time I've ever lived in a house without stairs; I thought it would take a bit of getting used to, but it didn't really.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I love Himself and Herself and I completely adore the kids...

..but the silence when they all go out for the day is just magical!
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
The bluetits are back most of every day, now, and go for a fat feeder laced with meal worms and some fat balls ditto. They have tried the seeds which are advertised on the bag as attracting them, but generally avoid them.
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
I was playing at a Pentecost praise this afternoon and we had quite a few people from others churches. MotherinElmet vaguely recognised one woman. It turns out that she was the midwife who delivered me. That was a bit unexpected!
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ArachnidinElmet:
... That was a bit unexpected!

I suppose Mother-in-Elmet had been expecting it for some time ... [Big Grin]

I'll see myself out.

We did quite a brave thing this morning - instead of the usual three services (8 a.m. said BCP Eucharist, 10 a.m. Choral Eucharist and 11:45 a.m. Worship Service) we had just one service - a modern-words Eucharist - with both the choir and the band taking part, and held it outdoors, under the trees that line the drive up to the cathedral.

The Almighty was quite obliging regarding the weather - although it was only 11°, there was hardly any wind and it didn't rain, so the electronic wizardry that makes the band work didn't go "phut".

Afterwards there were hot-dogs and lemonade, and altogether it was quite a nice do.
 
Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
The Intrepid Grandson and his parents came for the weekend, which was lovely [Overused] They brought with them a little photobook I'd made for Youngest after a day out at a hill climb - he'd handled the programme with such great care for a 16-month-old, looking intently at the pictures and pointing at the cars, that I thought he could be trusted with a non-board book.

He loves it because it has pictures of him and his family in it. He loves it so much that they have to hide it, or he would take it Everywhere with him [Roll Eyes] He would even take it in the bath with him [Roll Eyes] [Roll Eyes]

In fact he was so Thoroughly Put Out about not being allowed this simple pleasure on Saturday that he screamed inconsolably for a good ten minutes while three of us attempted to wash his dinner out of his hair, and the resulting detritus from the other end [Help]

Unintended consequences, anyone?

Mrs S, who always fancied being a children's author

[Killing me]
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
A family of starlings moved in on the fat feeder, two adults and two juveniles who needed to be fed, adopting a begging posture. Then they went off and brought in their cousins and finished it. I have now managed to get a new feeder inside a squirrel proof device which the tits know how to use, so they should get the share that is theirs.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I haven't seen any squirrels round our way. Not that we don't get them here - the park round the Cathedral has dozens of them - but our house is just far enough away from the nearby trees that they don't seem to be in evidence.

We're finding that if we leave the feeder to get more-or-less completely empty, the birds will start to eat the seeds that they've chucked out on to the rail and the floor of the deck. It still needs to be filled about once a day though - greedy wee blighters! [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
One of the sites I work at, and where I was yesterday and today, is in Barking, just around the corner from where the arrests were made at the weekend. The quickest route to the shops for food at lunchtime is past the cordoned off area, complete with police presence and film crews. I am sure I was caught on camera at lunchtime moving fast on the opposite side of the road. Going home, we tried to let everyone out reasonably early as the other route out and quicker way to the station was equally cordoned off with police presence. It's going to be interesting getting into work this morning.

The situation wasn't helped by a colleague in bits all over everyone because one of the terrorists had been a neighbour growing up. It was inevitable that someone either knew a victim or a terrorist.

In other news I was at a BBC recording last night for a couple shows called Andy Hamilton Sort of Remembers, which was brilliant, definitely worth listening out for when it's broadcast. (From Drop the Dead Donkey, Outnumbered and the rest.)

[ 07. June 2017, 06:59: Message edited by: Curiosity killed ... ]
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
The starlings have sussed the squirrel proof feeder, and are now mounting an attack on the chicken wire I wound over it, after rescuing it from where they first dropped the whole thing on the ground, leaving a few holes for the tits. The juveniles are pulling at the mesh! (Or possibly at the bits of weed stuck in it.)
I don't see this fat lasting a day.
One has to admire the intelligence, though, in those tiny skulls.

[ 07. June 2017, 12:52: Message edited by: Penny S ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Well, determination, anyway!

But it is always entertaining and educational to watch Creation at work - I am gratified to see that a recent replanting of our church flower-bed (near the main door) is encouraging bees of various sorts.

IJ
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
They got the feeder down again, and I have now suspended it from old washing line and wrapped the wire round better. The tits are doing better and will eat at the same time as the starlings are trying to work out a new way of getting in. And they are threatened, too. (Surprisingly.)

Our local church keeps needing bees got out of it - there's a nest in the wall somewhere, and some come out the wrong side, and then wear themselves out against the window.

[ 07. June 2017, 18:35: Message edited by: Penny S ]
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
In other news I was at a BBC recording last night for a couple shows called Andy Hamilton Sort of Remembers, which was brilliant, definitely worth listening out for when it's broadcast. (From Drop the Dead Donkey, Outnumbered and the rest.)

Thanks for that - I'll look out for it.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We bought a bird-bath yesterday to go with the feeder, assuming that the birdies need a wee drink to go with their seeds. Unfortunately I don't think we really put it in the best place (on the deck below where the feeder is), because the seeds that they chuck over the side are just settling in the water.

Slight re-think in order, methinks.

In other news, it's currently 25° and gloriously sunny (and forecast to go up to 29° tomorrow [Eek!] ), and we're just about to research a Greek restaurant that's been recommended by two separate people. I love Greek food when I'm in the right mood for it (especially when they have lamb, which is my favourite thing), and a sunny evening seems like as good a time as any.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Aren't children horrible?

We had a visit last night from V, a neighbour, and as he was leaving I walked downstairs with him and Boy Twin [10+ months] was sort of demanding my attention so I picked him up and was holding him when Girl Twin [similarly 10+ months] decided to demand some attention too and pulled on my lunghi [sarong]

...and my lunghi fell to the floor!

[Eek!]

...and I wasn't wearing undies!

[Hot and Hormonal]

...and my kurta top wasn't quite long enough to cover the essentials!

[Hot and Hormonal]

...and the whole family was there!

[Hot and Hormonal] [Hot and Hormonal] [Hot and Hormonal]

There was much raucous laughter...

...and perhaps a little blush from yours truly, not normally body shy.
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Oops WW, but at least they aren't likely to say in a loud voice, when they are a bit older, how much they like your nipples.
We're off on holiday tomorrow. I'll be really glad to get out of the country and avoid all the election aftermath stuff.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Enjoy your holiday, Sarasa - but, sadly, the election aftermath will still be there when you get back (unless you're planning on a ten-year break.... [Eek!] ).

IJ
 
Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
Well, dear, at least you were wearing a top (for once)!
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
WW, it doesn't usually bother you when you're doing your rain-dance ... [Devil]

I'm just off to the Cathedral barbecue; the sun is shining and it's 31° ( [Eek!] ) but at least the humidity isn't too high.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I live 8000 kms away and I no longer qualify for an ex-pat vote but I was still awake early watching my Tablet for the results to roll in - now I'm shattered but can't think of anyone else to blame.

<text deleted as being completely unsuited to All Saints and I don't want the Hosts calling me on it.>

In other news the twins will be a year old in July so I have been designated official photographer to take some shots prior to the event - as my eyesight is still not wonderful this could be, erm, interesting. If I come up with anything worth seeing I may well post it in Facebook for the delectation and delight of those who know me there.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
I need a holiday, really, really bad. On account of stupid French rules about how you basically don’t get any holidays during your first year in a job I haven’t had more than a week off in almost two years.

As a result of the above, my shoulders have been around my ears for ages and finally I got to the point where I could hardly move. Last night I went to see an osteopath, discovered that my entire trapezius muscle was completely frozen and the nice lady successfully completely unblocked it with her magic manipulations.

I am perfectly aware this might be the placebo effect but if so, it’s a really, really effective placebo so it’s working for me at the minute [Big Grin] . I'm not crippled anymore!! [Yipee]

Still need a holiday tho.
 
Posted by Celtic Knotweed (# 13008) on :
 
First day back at work after Sandemaniac's Dad died, and I'm actually glad I went back in. [Eek!] Probably because large chunks of the job involve lots of re-reading and re-checking data, which means I have to think about that instead of other stuff.

Home alone at the mo, and I need to go refill the bird feeder. As soon as I do so the sparrows will descend and do their best to empty it of seeds. Then the starlings will try to bully them off, and the jackdaws will nip in to see what's happening. Endless amusement watching them.

Piglet - I know what you mean about placing bird baths. We have a tray on the feeder stand which is meant for water. Unfortunately it started out just below the seed-holder. First time it was filled up it looked more like porridge 10 min later [Smile]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We've done a bit of re-jigging and put the bird-bath in the corner of the deck and the feeder a couple of feet along the rail from it. Now when the grackles tip out the seeds they don't like*, they land on the rail or the floor of the deck, where some of the smaller birds come and pick them up.

* at least that's what I assume they're doing - it's not that they don't eat anything, but they don't half chuck it about!

* * * * *

In other news, it's gone down to 13° and is chucking it down with rain - I got soaked re-filling the feeder this morning. If you don't like Canadian weather, just wait for a bit ... [Big Grin]

As we haven't got the house computer or TV set up yet, I didn't stay up to find out the election results, but D. was in his office until the wee small hours and I happened to be awake when he came in and told me what had happened.

Not quite sure what to make of it all (and certainly not without getting unsaintly and incurring the aforementioned Hostly Wrath™). [Devil]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Those of us on this side of the pond aren't quite sure what to make of it all, either.

[Disappointed]

Sunshine is forecast for tomorrow, so a bit of garden-tidying at Our Place might cheer me up!

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It was a beautiful sunny day here today (high of 22°, which was just nice). Not so sure about tomorrow - they're forecasting 32° with a Humidex of 37.

[Help]

I've been a busy piglet today: we sang for a funeral in the morning, went for lunch with a few of the choir and then sang for a wedding in the afternoon. I was getting a bit antsy at the wedding: it was due to start at 1:30, and I'd booked to get my hair cut at 3:15, thinking that would be plenty of time. It didn't allow for the bride being about 15 minutes late (a rare occurrence here) or the homily (from a clergyman who was some relation to the bride) taking 20 minutes. [Roll Eyes] I did make it in time, but was beginning to wonder ...

We're having a couple of friends round for supper tomorrow evening, so when I got home I made a batch of bread, dismantled a chicken that's going to be part of the paella that'll be the main course, made stock from the bones and made some chocolate mousse for pudding.

Everything's done except the paella itself, which doesn't really take too long (and is best done closer to the time anyway), and breadsticks to go with the starter (charcuterie bought from the market this morning and pâté that I made last night).

quite organised piglet [Angel]
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I came in from a concert on Thursday night (election day) to hear the exit poll and the first few results come in, which was fatal as I then stayed up listening until 2am. I am still not managing on 3 hours sleep after shingles, so I missed Friday's and Saturday's theatre. Friday because I knew I'd fall asleep in the theatre, and snoring through a performance is not a good look.

Thursday's concert was Made in the Great War which was brilliant.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Would Quite Organised Piglet like to come over into Macedonia...er...I mean, England, and help us?

We could do with some Sensible People.....

[Help]

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I don't know that I'd be much good at running the country - apart from anything else, even my own finances are a mystery to me, so the place would probably have an Icelandic Moment™ within the first week ...

[Confused]

I may be organised for this evening, but several people have asked me if I'm packed for my jaunt over the Pond, and my answer, as it usually is in these situations, is "good God no - I'm not leaving until tomorrow!".

[Killing me]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
O well - no harm in asking!

Happy jaunting, anyway.

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We had a very nice evening with our friends last night, the food all went down very nicely and they were very taken with the new Château Piglet.

Packed now, and heading off to Halifax, Nova Scotia to have a look round the city (we've only ever been to the airport before) before my flight goes tomorrow night.

Be good* while I'm away. [Smile]

* everything is, of course, relative ... [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
Party!!
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
Shortly after 3 pm, I spotted an avian dogfight drifting over the village. A buzzard was "making lazy circles in the sky" while a crow was continually dive bombing it and occasionally grasping at it as it went. I took a number of pictures, though they were really out of range for sharp definition, until they drifted over the house and out of sight. The crow was very determined. The buzzard did not seem bothered in the slightest.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
How odd (or is it?)! What was the crow trying to achieve?

[Paranoid]

IJ
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
I assume the crow was defending its territory, possibly its nest. One does not mess around with crows, even if one is a larger bird.
 
Posted by Bene Gesserit (# 14718) on :
 
It's pretty common behaviour - I've seen crows mobbing red kites a number of times recently.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Yes, birds are indeed very territorial - I hadn't thought of that aspect of the affair.

In other news, the bottom right-hand corner of the UK seems set to enjoy some fine, warm weather this week. Having recently purchased Large Quantities Of Paint for the exterior of the episcopal palace, all I need now are Stamina, and Strength Of Mind, to apply the said paint.

[Help]

IJ
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
May the Bishop's finger / round the Bishop's brush / 's long as the weather holds / to the painting rush.
 
Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
Just checking in because I heard there is a big fire in London. Everyone ok out there?
 
Posted by Gill H (# 68) on :
 
Hugal and I are fine, fortunately it's not too near where we live.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
This fire is appalling, the casualty list potentially lengthy, and one which quite clearly could have been prevented. They need our prayers bigtime.
 
Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Horrid news. [Votive] for all involved.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
This fire is appalling, the casualty list potentially lengthy, and one which quite clearly could have been prevented. They need our prayers bigtime.

A real worry for people who couldn't run out [Tear]
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bene Gesserit:
It's pretty common behaviour - I've seen crows mobbing red kites a number of times recently.

I couldn't refer to the crow as mobbing, though it was obviously that sort of behaviour, because it was alone. And its territory was at least half a mile from what I saw.

I put about the fire in the prayer thread. Something seems to have been very, very wrong indeed.

[ 14. June 2017, 07:49: Message edited by: Penny S ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Th'Episcopal Palace shines with paint so neat,
But Bishop's Finger's dead upon his feet.

Ah me! Although th'Sun is high in sky,
I go inside, upon my Bed to lie.

[Razz]

IJ
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
My thanks profound to Shipmate Wesley J,
Whose literary efforts Made My Day.

I shall once more to friendly Bed retire,
In fear and dread of Hostly angst and ire.

For poesy to Circus doth belong,
And this one's going on for far too long....

IJ
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
[Big Grin]
We aim to please. Or at the very least, to tease! [Angel]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Poetry doth please this Host
but go off topic and you'll be toast!

[Two face]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I shall indeed observe that thought,
and prosily progress report!

IJ
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Which is, with Sun in Sky still high,
Th'Episcopal Paint doth nicely dry.

The Second Coat must wait till Morn.

I'll get my own Coat, and be gorn...

(Apologies for the sudden descent into 18thC style doggerel. Next time, I'll try to do better, and follow the example of William Topaz McGonagall).

IJ
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
That's pretty good, BF. I really like it!

And congrats on starting with the paint job. Laziness can be a most tricky thing, ... he says from experience, and exits stage left. [Hot and Hormonal]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
With Palace-Paint 'tis early Days,
No time to sit around and laze!

Yet ever soundeth in my Ear
The Siren-Call of Bottled Beer.

Dear Lord, it really is a Crime
to write in Prose, and not in Rhyme.....

IJ
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Haha - excellent Bishops Finger (typing out your name I note the lack on an apostrophe [Smile] )

We are back from a long weekend with my son in Bristol - he's just bought a house in Bedminster - lots of fabulous eateries there. My diet restarts today!
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Ah, apostrophes

Bishops' Finger - he represents all Bishops with one finger [Confused]

Bishop's finger - there is just the one Bishop who has a finger, and He is it! [Eek!]

Bishops Finger - A rather rude wild flower, generally found in waste places. [Smile]
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Nicodemia:
Ah, apostrophes

Bishops' Finger - he represents all Bishops with one finger [Confused]

Bishop's finger - there is just the one Bishop who has a finger, and He is it! [Eek!]

Bishops Finger - A rather rude wild flower, generally found in waste places. [Smile]

On thinking 'Google is my friend' the only Bishops Finger I have found so far is Ale !

Of course, I have work to do so procrastination is also my friend.

[Big Grin]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I quite like the idea of being a rather rude wild flower, generally found in waste places, as it's not too far from the truth....

However, Boogie has found the correct ALE-usion.

[Big Grin]

Well, I'm from Kent, and used to own a house almost next door to the well-known local brewery responsible for BF, so...

Speaking of which, it is a Hot and Humid Day here, so some more ALE is called for before painting of the present Palace continues.

Cheers!

IJ
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Silly story from a couple of days ago:

I slept a bit late and so was having breakfast late and had opted for toast and Marmite™. Two of the local kids were over playing with the twins - boy cousins aged 7 and 8. As I was sitting there eating the 8 year old wandered over and was watching me eat.

"What's that?" he said, pointing at the Marmite™.

"I'm not sure you'll like it."

He looked at me as kids do when they think they are not being given the brush off. It was a plastic squeeze jar so I flipped up the lid and, taking his right forefinger [cultural sensitivity you know] and just dabbed it on the lid where it got just a tiny touch of Marmite™ on it which he promptly placed in his mouth.

The look on his face was PRICELESS!!
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Oh, you can't stop there!

Did he LOVE it, or HATE it??

Enquiring minds need to know....

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Enquiring minds most certainly do - is he one of Us or one of You? [Big Grin]

I'm just dropping in from my sister's laptop to see how you're all behaving - hope the party was a good one, Uncle Pete! - and to let you know I'm having a jolly good time.

Halifax, Nova Scotia on Monday was Seriously Hot - 29° but feeling more like 35 with the humidity, so quite a bit above the porcine comfort zone! However, my journey over to Scotland was uneventful* and I've had nice couple of days in Edinburgh, and will be heading to Northerly Places™ this evening, God and Fly-Be willing.


* One of the non-events was being fed on the plane - we got coffee and a bag of pretzels just after take-off and orange juice and a biscuit shortly before we landed. Not impressed. [Disappointed]
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
The worst airline food I ever had was on Ukrainian. I was so ravenous that I ate it anyway, but Lord was it nasty. School dinner type fish and rice in little scratchy plastic trays and reheated. Eeew.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I travelled Kuwait Airlines a few times and their food was The PITS, but then the airline was a bit dodgy - no idea if it has improved over the years as I'm just not risking it!
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Come on, WW, never mind about airline 'food' (an oxymoron in the case of some companies, I know).

Did, or did not, the Little Lad like Marmite?

[Two face]

IJ
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Tonight's entertainment has been the zoo. In June and July London Zoo runs late night sessions on Friday nights, adult only, beer and street food, adult challenges. I would like to do this again without the work backpack, which is not light.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
...Did, or did not, the Little Lad like Marmite?

[Two face]

IJ

Judging by his face the smiley he would choose would be:

[Projectile]

...but he did smile at me, too.

Lovely Little Lad, when he was 5 or 6 he used to sneak a kiss on Himself's cheek when he thought nobody was watching.

* * * *

Lying in bed last night I was considering The Future and working out that in 2019 I will be 21 again [or some other number easily divisible by 7 but greater than 63] so I might do a last final farewell trip over the Black Waters to Blighty - health, sight, finances, war, pestilence, famine, Brexit and everything else duly considered. So this is a sort of advanced warning for everyone over there to book their foreign holidays for late April and first half of May as I might come knocking on people's doors seeking shelter.

Only a tentative idea at the moment - and no, I won't be camping!

Well, no more than usual.

[Roll Eyes] [Cool]


eta: p.s. Shipmeets may be arranged later.

[ 17. June 2017, 05:41: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
Now I've got the Bee Gee's "You should be dancing" in my head, in a WW version as "I won't be camping"...

Earworms'R'Us. Curses, punny mind! [Devil]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Please, of your charity, pray for the soul of The Little Lad Who Hates Marmite.

[Ultra confused]

There are still a few of us left who LOVE Marmite. WW, I take it, is one, but sadly Our Dear Benighted Sister Piglet (on whom be peace) is not.

[Disappointed]

IJ
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
There are several unfortunate deprived Shippies, like the Blessed Piglet, who missed out in their childhood, so sad.

[Waterworks]

But then there are some of us of The True Faith who see Marmite™ as one of the essential foodstuffs. I remember years ago a very learned discussion here on the Ship about the rights and wrongs of mixing the Marmite™ with the butter before spreading on the still warm toast. I opt for mixing, but not too thoroughly - a little bit of marbling is undeniably A Good Thing.

If I do make it over in 2019 I must remember to bring enough of the elixir back with me to last a decade or two. The squeezy plastic bottles are lighter and easier to pack.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
In defence of The Little Lad Who Hates Marmite™ [TLLWHM™] I would say that it isn't readily available here. The nearest shop geographically where I have seen it is in Cargills in Kandy in Sri Lanka - quite an expensive flight away for an 8 year old. I have heard reports of it being available in Pushkar in Rajasthan in the north of India but that is A Long Way. It is strange with so much British influence still being felt here that Marmite™ is just not part of the culture.

STOP PRESS: I have just done a search and it is now available online - what a relief! It is a bit pricey but cheaper than the flights to go and buy it and it can be delivered to my door!

[Yipee]
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I've won the lottery - yay!

The email from the national lottery saying 'we have news, please log on to your account' had me spending spending spending in my imagination.

I logged on and spent the lot immediately - £25 on a lovely rose.

[Big Grin]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
It looks to be a very beautiful rose, Boogie.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Indeed it does.

And, WW, how gracious the Lord is, in providing that Marmite can be obtained by Anyone, Anywhere In The World, by means of the internet!

[Big Grin]

IJ
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
That's a lovely rose.

This weekend has been seriously hot, so not the best weekend to walk some more of the Norfolk Coast Path and Peddars Way. I walked from Cley-next-the-Sea to Wells-next-the-Sea yesterday and decided that the only way to walk today was to start very early, so started at 6:45am from Wells-next-the-Sea to Burnham Overy Staithe - which was the most convenient place to pick up the 10:25 Coast Hopper and get out of the sun as it hotted up. Wells YHA is another amazing building, one of the smaller hostels and what looks like a converted chapel or church room with that sort of angled roof and beams upstairs in the rooms. There were also skylights on the in the rooms rather than windows, and ours was wide open to the light.

Holkham Beach is pretty incredible, four miles of sand - (the coast path is slightly inland, but I reckoned barefoot on the sand was more fun.
 
Posted by ThunderBunk (# 15579) on :
 
I'm heading to Thornham next weekend - seems to be a bit of an SoF place of pilgrimage around those parts at the moment.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
If you're in Thornham, have a look at the church:

http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/thornham/thornham.htm

My Norfolk geography's a little hazy, but, if you've time, pop into Walsingham as well..

Our Ladye Will Be Pleased.

[Snigger]

IJ
 
Posted by ThunderBunk (# 15579) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
If you're in Thornham, have a look at the church:

http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/thornham/thornham.htm

My Norfolk geography's a little hazy, but, if you've time, pop into Walsingham as well..

Our Ladye Will Be Pleased.

[Snigger]

IJ

If the weather is as it is currently I shall probably spend a fair amount of time lying on the floor of the church.

The Theotokos will not be troubled with my company however, for the prosaic reason that I don't drive and getting around that area by bus takes a very long time. I shall be spending extensive periods being publicly transported hither and thither as it is.
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Thunderbunk - Thornham is on the CoastHopper bus route, and there's a steam train from Wells-next-the-Sea to Walsingham, it's not impossible.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Well, I know the feeling, having at the moment to use the bus all the time - and I suspect that our local buses here run considerably more frequently than those in Norfolk.....

However, it will be a pleasant way by which to see the county, so happy travelling!

IJ
 
Posted by ThunderBunk (# 15579) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
Thunderbunk - Thornham is on the CoastHopper bus route, and there's a steam train from Wells-next-the-Sea to Walsingham, it's not impossible.

It's more the time really - it will take me two hours to get there, and two hours to get back - and I'm in the same county. The journey will already involve CoastHopping from Sheringham.
 
Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
I love the north Norfolk coast - some of the beaches are just glorious. When I was a kid we often used to have our family holidays in Hunstanton, although we did once branch out adventurously and stay at a campsite in Wells Next the Sea instead. I have really fond memories of those holidays, although it's been a million years since I was last in that neck of the woods.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
CK is right - the Wells & Walsingham Light Railway (laid on the trackbed of an old standard-gauge British Railways line) is worth a visit, and the modest Walsingham station is only a short walk from the Shrine...

http://www.wellswalsinghamrailway.co.uk/

Our Ladye will be pleased....

IJ
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
(Cross-posted with others)

O well, never mind - another day, maybe?

IJ
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I haven't travelled out to Walsingham and I stayed in Wells-next-the-Sea last night. Saturday lunchtime I took the CoastHopper from Sheringham to Cley and again today from Burnham Overy Staithe to Kings Lynn to get back.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
My last week was kind of crappy. Short version: I am in a two-person job with someone who would prefer to be working alone. I was supposed to be changing team (yay!) but had to wait until someone was found to replace me. They found someone but a long wait ensued because she had three months’ notice from her old job. On Friday afternoon, two days before she was supposed to start, she changed her mind and isn’t coming anymore and I can’t move to the other team and everyone is very, very annoyed (the HR manager looked like she’d been crying). Booooo.

Solution: Saturday morning trip to the hairdresser’s. I think I’ve finally found a good one in Paris where they do what you tell them to and don’t charge you a mortgage. After that we went round the shops in search of a Red Dress™. I found a very cute one printed with little birds (Parisian sparrows, or “piafs” – that’s where Edith’s stage name came from). Everything is now better.

It is 32° and we are all wilting slightly.
 
Posted by Celtic Knotweed (# 13008) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
It is 32° and we are all wilting slightly.

Only slightly?! [Overused] It's 32° in the garden, and I've spent the last hour collapsed in the (north-facing) front room as it's only about 25-27° in there. Have just braved upstairs to turn computers off after virus-scanning and check the Ship. I think it's 28° up here...
Back down to get another cold drink, methinks! (Although the freezer is in the 30° zone of the house [Ultra confused] )
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
S'warm here, too, and there is Work to be done in and around the episcopal palace, but not until it gets a bit cooler.

Now, how many bottles of ALE are there in the fridge?

IJ
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Toasty as it is, I think our heat is easier to keep out on account of being drier. By opening everything at night to let the cooler air in and then keeping all the windows and shutters closed during the day, the place stays fairly bearable. Our current apartment is also much cooler than our old place (which was on the fifth floor and due South).
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Yes, it's the humidity and mugginess that are so enervating.

Thunderstorm, anyone? Clears the air nicely!

IJ
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
Nothing nearer than Spain according to the lightning map. And there, not in Portugal, sadly. And perhaps not with rain. As the storms in Portugal were dry.
 
Posted by Sipech (# 16870) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Yes, it's the humidity and mugginess that are so enervating.

Thunderstorm, anyone? Clears the air nicely!

IJ

Not always. There are times I've wanted a thunderstorm and got one, only to find it was a dry thunderstorm; no rain at all. Better to have a proper downpour along with it.

What's getting me is the stillness. Normally, I can open a window on either side of my flat and the slightest breeze gets funnelled into some kind of slipstream that can blow loose papers about. But yesterday I had the windows open and yet nothing stirred.
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
We had the first half of our First Communions on Saturday. The poor mites were stood there in their white dresses and shirt and ties, melting over the altar, especially with a church rammed to the gills with family and friends. Luckily no fainting.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Ha! On such an occasion, the Waving Of Liturgical Flags/Banners/Whatever would help cool the Masses (pardon the pun).

IJ
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sipech:
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Yes, it's the humidity and mugginess that are so enervating.

Thunderstorm, anyone? Clears the air nicely!

IJ

Not always. There are times I've wanted a thunderstorm and got one, only to find it was a dry thunderstorm; no rain at all. Better to have a proper downpour along with it...

Virga sounds like something from Ecclesiantics, and Google thought I was looking for little blue pills [Eek!] , but it is actually precipitation that evaporates before it hits the ground. We frequently see it around here where the air is so hot and dry.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Well, Sipech is right, of course, and A Proper English Thunderstorm should consist of rain as well as the noise and pyrotechnics.

Sometimes, we just get the rumbles and flashes, but I doubt if it ever gets quite hot enough here to produce Virga...

IJ
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Ha! On such an occasion, the Waving Of Liturgical Flags/Banners/Whatever would help cool the Masses (pardon the pun).

IJ

Wish I'd thought of that. If we were on the continent, we probably would have had more ladies with fans. I'm away for a few days this week and have packed mine right next to my brolly.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Several times in the last week the weather forecast has predicted thunderstorms but all we have seen has been bright sunshine!
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Yesterday was just a warm-up (no pun intended) for today when we are expecting 36°. This is the tipping point which gets out of liveable into highly unpleasant territory. The worst thing is getting on the public transport at about 6 pm when the carriage is packed, people stink and if you’re really lucky, someone passes out, whether from the heat or the smell I’m not sure [Biased] .

Top cooling drink: stick a jug of water in the fridge with a large bunch of mint in it. If you’re feeling particularly posh add a load of rose petals (if supermarket flowers, wash them thoroughly first to get the pesticides off). Rose takes a bit longer to infuse than mint.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
My son cycled 206 miles from Heidelberg to somewhere in France yesterday ( miles not Km!) yesterday. Today he's doing 100+ miles to Bruges where he'll stay overnight, then the ferry to Hull, then over the Pennines home.

Will he make it without heatstroke? We'll see.

I refuse to worry. Having a son with ADHD makes for tough Mums! [Roll Eyes] [Roll Eyes]
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
Yesterday was just a warm-up (no pun intended) for today when we are expecting 36°. This is the tipping point which gets out of liveable into highly unpleasant territory. The worst thing is getting on the public transport at about 6 pm when the carriage is packed, people stink and if you’re really lucky, someone passes out, whether from the heat or the smell I’m not sure [Biased] .

Top cooling drink: stick a jug of water in the fridge with a large bunch of mint in it. If you’re feeling particularly posh add a load of rose petals (if supermarket flowers, wash them thoroughly first to get the pesticides off). Rose takes a bit longer to infuse than mint.

Can you still smoke on Le Metro? I can remember the smell of sweat, garlic and Gauloises from my last visit to Paris 35 years ago!

btw, we put slices of lemon or lime in the cold water too.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Nah, smoking's been banned for ages. First for fire safety reasons, and now because it's banned in all public places.

The metro still stinks in the summer tho.
 
Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
Years ago I spent the month of April in Paris, and as I recall, the Metro did not smell all that nice then.

Moo
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
As you all know I am spoilt completely rotten - I have no complaints at all.

[Big Grin]

Yesterday, after a rather lovely luncheon Himself brought me a dish of freshly peeled and diced fresh mango [Neelam, my favourite variety] with a large scoop of a rather nice vanilla ice cream. It was completely splendid.

[Cool]

I LIKE being spoilt!

...and I'm old enough that it will have no negative effects.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Ah, growing old disgracefully! Fun, isn't it?

[Cool]

Fresh mango and ice-cream really is proof that God loves us, no?

IJ
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Drizzly rain here today and it feels cool at 23 degrees!

I think I'll pop to the garden centre with the pup and get a little lunch there. I avoided going during the heatwave as it would have been heaving [Smile]
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Whereas no one here is heading outside unless they strictly have to for the purposes of avoiding heat exhaustion. 37° yesterday and oh yippee today we also have a pollution spike. It should start cooling down from tomorrow on and then we might all get some sleep. True story: all the windows are open. Neighbours are yelling at 1:00 am in a language we don’t understand. Me: they’re having a blazing row. Husband en rouge: No, they’re just animated and talking loud. Some time later the police turn up. Next morning the concierge of the building informs us that they were threatening each other with knives [Eek!] .

This weekend we are heading to London for a bit of family reunion (my brother is over from the US and my parents are also coming down for the day) and it is going to be much cooler. On Sunday afternoon we are going to Fortnum’s for tea, posh like.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Having been 31 degrees yesterday it's just 16 degrees this morning and I feel absolutely freezing!

Weather shouldn't be allowed to do this kind of thing!
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Ah, growing old disgracefully! Fun, isn't it?

[Cool]

Fresh mango and ice-cream really is proof that God loves us, no?

IJ

Fresh mango and ice cream brought to me in my bedroom makes it even better!
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
O, you Sybarite, you!

[Big Grin]

IJ
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
It's a tough life but somebody has to do it.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Yes, but why you? Why not ME?

WANT MANGO AND ICE-CREAM NOW!

Ahem.

I do apologise, and will get my pyjamas....

IJ
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Normally I only buy fresh mango at this time of the year because imported Indian/Pakistani fruit is available from market stalls (in boxes of 4 surrounded by shredded tissue paper - I have no idea why, they just are), but they've been conspicuous by their absence this year. Sainsbury's have had a sale on Brazilian mangoes which are usually rock-hard until they're black, but I've bought several now and their pretty good (for something that's been shipped 1000s of miles).

ION, I'm so glad it's cooled down today. I'm at a work thing and it's not weather to be concentrating.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Yes, fresher today here, too. The thunderstorm this morning, however, (after doom-laden forecasts, and weather warnings) consisted of just 3 rumbles, 1 flash, and about 3 minutes' worth of rain.

I want my money back...

IJ
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
Where are you? That sounds like ours. I had just got my camera on to the tripod* but had not removed the lens cap when we got our only flash. chiz.

There were loads of strikes elsewhere, according to the lightning map.

*In my living room with the French window open, under cover. I am not going out with a tripod in a thunderstorm.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
...WANT MANGO AND ICE-CREAM NOW! ...

IJ

I was thinking last night that it can actually be improved with the addition of a [not too large] spoonful of Mascarpone cheese - I haven't tried it this year as I have deliberately not bought any Mascarpone as it is just too delicious and far too damaging to my arteries - they only sell 500 gram tubs here which is just too tempting for my gluttony.
 
Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
You haven't tried it this year? Liar, liar, pants on fire!

[One should always ensure that one has placed one's fingers properly [Frown]

[ 24. June 2017, 13:46: Message edited by: Uncle Pete ]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I haven't tried it since Pete left, which was before the mango season in Kerala really got underway.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Hmm....not sure about the Cheese, but might try it one day....

(BTW, Penny, I'm in North Kent).

IJ
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
So'm I!
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Does Mascarpone count as cheese? It's less cheesy than Philadelphia, which needs to be described as cheese for anyone to realise that it is cheese.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I'm only going by what it says on the tub - made from double cream and lemon juice [and other stuff?] so it is curd based.
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
According to the websites, mascarpone is a soft Italian curd cheese. I think it tastes like a slightly sharp cream and as I am not a fan of cream, it is not high on my list of preferred foods. I dislike cream so much I will substitute soya cream into recipes and the thought of spoiling good fruit by pouring cream over it is a Bad Idea™ in my book.

Mango, however, is much loved and I have been eating the cheap mangoes I've found, sliced off the stone, over the sink if they are very juicy. Eating it with ice cream does not appeal. Mango sorbet, however, is a different temptation entirely.
 
Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Or mango lassi, great on a hot afternoon.
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
"What's that, Lassi(e)? Stuck in an old mineshaft?" [Devil]

I'm a great fan of Lassi(e). Although those drinks I get in the shops around here contain waaay too much sugar, for my taste. It's an unpleasant lassi-faire attitude.

Sorry, it's too warm to make anything but silly remarks!
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Someone mentioned mango sorbet....

WANT MANGO SORBET NOW !

Mmmmmmmmmmm.................................

[Help]

IJ
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
It's a few years since we had the ice cream machine out of the cupboard but I may mention Mango Sorbet to The Management and see what reaction I get - it is a complete doddle to make and is surely of the Gods! Adding a squirt or two of lemon juice adds so much to it as well.
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
I have been eating my first cherries, locally sourced, over the last two days. From an orchard just off the A2 if anyone's interested, they produce a sequence of varieties over the season, mostly dark coloured. I can get through a pound a day (minus the ones that go off before they reach the mouth).
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Hello all - I'm back. [Smile]

I had a Seriously Good Time™ over the Pond, and especially enjoyed the bits of the St. Magnus Festival that my sister and I managed to get to. I'd forgotten how dark it doesn't get in Orkney at this time of year - at one point I was heading off to bed at about one in the morning, and there were still patches of light in the sky. I love Northerly Places™.

One of the Festival events was a locally-produced opera in the Cathedral telling the story of St. Magnus (whose martyrdom happened 900 years ago this year). Although we could see practically nothing (by the time the tickets went on sale to the general public, the only seats available were in the side-aisles), we could hear, and what we heard was very excellent indeed. It finished with the cast (monks, Vikings, pilgrims etc.) processing round the church carrying what purported to be St. Magnus's casket, and singing the 12th-century Hymn to St. Magnus (it should be much slower than in the link) and it really was one of the most moving things I've ever seen - there were tears streaming down the porcine cheeks!

Other concerts (also v.v. good) featured the Norwegian Radio Orchestra with the local Festival Chorus; and a group of singers from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

There was also rather a lot of eating, including the best fish & chips in the world, Orkney patties and some v. good raspberry sorbet.

Fortunately the heatwave only got further north than Hadrian's Wall while we were in Orkney, although it finished with quite a good thunderstorm in Edinburgh the day after we got back there.

Back to old clothes and porridge* now ... [Big Grin]

* not literally [Projectile]
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Sounds like a lovely trip Piglet. I do like long light evenings though it gets more or less dark before 10.00 here .
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
That sounds awesome, Piglet. something that'll stick in the brain for a while.

Penny S, I'm so jealous. It's almost easier in these parts to find a decent mango than home-grown cherries. I'm having cherries now, but they're out of a bottle (with added kirsch, won at a raffle).
 
Posted by Jengie jon (# 273) on :
 
Fancy harvesting them off the wild cherry tree outside my flat. You will have to come soon as the woodpigeons are eating their fill. At least this year they waited until they were ripe. You will need to bring a long ladder and I have never tried one.

Jengie
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
With all this talk of mango sorbet, and raspberry sorbet, I wonder if cherry sorbet is possible? I can feel a Visit to the Supermarket coming on....

Welcome back, O Sister Piglet - glad to hear you had a good trip to Northern Parts!

IJ
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Jengie jon:
Fancy harvesting them off the wild cherry tree outside my flat. You will have to come soon as the woodpigeons are eating their fill. At least this year they waited until they were ripe. You will need to bring a long ladder and I have never tried one.

Jengie

I'm pretty sure getting between pigeons and food is never a good idea.

My Dad does have a tree in his garden, but it's a not-very-established patio tree and you'd be lucky to get a half dozen fruit.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
There was also rather a lot of eating, including the best fish & chips in the world

I thought those came from Whitby (although I'm not sure I trust this particular food critic anyway!)
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
The farm is not doing well this year, though. They lost all of the first crop, Early Rivers, were closed between Wednesday and Saturday last week, and are closed again until Wednesday. Very frustrating for them as well as the people who drive out to find the gate shut.

I think that we are at the edge of the range where cherries are comfortable growing - the Hereford fruit area is further north but still within range. It applies to apples as well. Apparently this means that we get good quality fruit, but it is more susceptible to weather problems.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
I was in London this weekend. I think I have found the nicest hotel in the whole place. It belongs to the university but they have one section (four adjoining Victorian houses) they have turned into a four-star hotel for the general public. For some reason (presumably they were overbooked) we got upgraded to a suite. I swear it was bigger than our apartment – bedroom, bathroom and a living room big enough for three sofas and a dining table for four people, all in very charming tasteful traditional British style. It overlooks a huge garden and it’s so quiet. You’d never imagine you were twenty minutes’ walk away from the West End. This is going to be our go-to for all future London trips (although they presumably won’t give us the suite next time).

Most of the weekend involved eating. We started with lunch at the Tate Britain with my parents and brother and sister-in-law, and I can report that the restaurant is most excellent. On Sunday morning English breakfast was eaten and then we went for afternoon tea at Fortnum’s. It was very tasty and rather huge. (Also Piccadilly is the mostly stupidly numbered street in the world. The numbers go from 1-150 on one side and 151-230 on the other. Also if you put it in your GPS you end up at completely the wrong spot. What is that all about?)
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
You should not be driving along Piccadilly - you should be sauntering, in a rather Gilbert-and-Sullivan or Oscar Wilde mode.

From Patience by G and S:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO-9GjJ-bJg

Glad you had a Good Stay in the capital of Headless-Chicken-Land, though. It's encouraging that people from Foreign Parts are not being put off by all the Awful Happenings of recent times.

IJ
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Sunday morning we went to church. Comment from the pastor: “this morning I flicked the news on because I thought I’d better check there hadn’t been another disaster. But it’s just the usual chaos, so it’s all fine.”
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Much the same as my thoughts when I log on to BBC News each morning!

[Help]

IJ
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Confide the name of that hotel! I am not going back to Britain this year, but some year I will.
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
Confide the name of that hotel! I am not going back to Britain this year, but some year I will.

Me too! I am going to England, but not to London, this year. But I think I'm due for a London stay again in 2018, and the place I've stayed the last two times has gone a bit downhill. (If you don't want to post it here, please send me a pm.)
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Please, Cross-Pond Dwellers! Do come....you're all welcome, as long as you don't bring The Odious Orange Ozymandias with you in your luggage.

IJ
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Please, Cross-Pond Dwellers! Do come....you're all welcome, as long as you don't bring The Odious Orange Ozymandias with you in your luggage.

IJ

Are you kidding? I'm crossing the Pond to get away from him!
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Thanks for the welcome back, BF (and the G & S link [Big Grin] ).

BT, I'm inclined to think that "the best fish & chips in the world" is probably a very personal thing, and I certainly wouldn't presume to argue with Mr. Clarkson ... [Eek!]

While I was away I indulged in quite a bit of Retail Therapy, which included the purchase of a pair of shoes. They were in a shop in Kirkwall, but not in my size, so the very helpful lady in the shop logged on to their computer and said that the shop's branch in Shetland (yes, honestly!) did have them in piglet proportions. I explained that I was heading to Edinburgh that afternoon and hence to Canada at the end of the week, and she said they could have them delivered to an Edinburgh address within three days.

I gave her my sister's address and some money (well, a piece of plastic anyway) and wondered if they really would arrive before I left. On Friday morning, I was about to leave my sister's (and there wouldn't be anyone in the house to take the parcel) and I'd more-or-less given up the idea of them arriving, but just as I opened the front door there was the postman standing on the doorstep. I tried the shoes on, and they could have been made for me.

I was obviously meant to have them; that's my story and I'm sticking to it. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
Confide the name of that hotel! I am not going back to Britain this year, but some year I will.

This one. It’s not cheap, but still better value than most four star hotels in London, and by far my favourite place I’ve ever stayed there.
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
quote:
Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
Confide the name of that hotel! I am not going back to Britain this year, but some year I will.

This one. It’s not cheap, but still better value than most four star hotels in London, and by far my favourite place I’ve ever stayed there.
Thank you. I've bookmarked that website to explore further.
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Piglet, when there is a Leading from the Lord you should just go with it.
And! I have stayed in that exact hotel! Clearly the Spirit is upon us this day, a spirit of holiday travel in foreign parts. I am going to go and book a vacation to France.

[ 27. June 2017, 14:08: Message edited by: Brenda Clough ]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
Piglet, when there is a Leading from the Lord you should just go with it.

Mmm ... especially (in my case) when it coincides with A Directive From The Wife.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
quote:
Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
Piglet, when there is a Leading from the Lord you should just go with it.

Mmm ... especially (in my case) when it coincides with A Directive From The Wife.
[Killing me]

La Vie's hotel looks lovely, but I'm inclined to the view that if you have to ask the price, you probably can't afford it ... [Big Grin]

It's been a warm, sultry sort of day here; although the temperature didn't go above 24° (that's quite warm enough for me anyway) we had several rumbles of thunder in the afternoon, and I was very grateful for the air-conditioning chez Piglet. Consequently I've done very little today apart from make a batch of French bread - at least the air-con means you can use the oven without turning the kitchen into a furnace.
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Glad you are settling in to the new place, Piglet.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Back to standard BSW (British Summer Weather) here, to wit, Grey Skies, general Gloom, and a cold north-easterly Wind. Mind you, last night's prolonged rain has at least freshened up the gardens at Our Place.

By the grace of God, a nice Irish whisky was on special offer today at Mr. Sainsbury's little grocery emporium, so all is not lost...

IJ
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Well, they had a very wet start to the Royal Norfolk Show (says he gleefully, having recently left Suffolk which endured years of bad weather at its Show bit had two lovely days this year).
 
Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
Cornwall today has been very wet 😕 Last week's temperature was nearly double what it's been today, and we're very glad this is our second week and not our first week away.
Good old British weather [Frown] [Roll Eyes]
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
It's been persistently precipitating here too.

I've had an email from Mauritian cousin: it's winter there and apparently it's cold [Snigger] we may have differing definitions of cold.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
It's not so much cold here as just plain depressing....the usual grey gloom that is the customary British 'summer'.

[Disappointed]

Forecast is a little warmer for the weekend, but with showers, so the painting of the Episcopal Palace (deferred during the hot weather) is unlikely to continue just yet.

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
The close, thundery weather continued here today, although the top temperature was only 21°. I watched a rain-storm make its way along the river valley towards Château Piglet - first a few big, fat drops of rain on the deck and then a full-on thunder-plump for about 10 minutes and then it passed off further along the valley.

Then in the evening we had a rather pretty double rainbow - the second one was very faint, but definitely there.

Sadly, the forecast for the weekend, which includes the 150th anniversary of Canada Day would appear to be somewhat damp. [Frown]
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Rain, rain, rain here for three days solid - and a cold 11° [Roll Eyes]
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
I'm just hoping this rain will penetrate more than 6 ins. down in the soil!

I welcome the rain for the garden, but it could be warm rain, couldn't it?

I just Praise the Lord for the invention of tumble driers! [Smile]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
It would have been nice if about 7 or 8 degrees of last week's heatwave could have been held back and added to this week's temperatures ... I haven't put on the central heating, but I've been Sorely Tempted.
 
Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
I watched a rain-storm make its way along the river valley towards Château Piglet

I love watching rain-storms approach. We see that very often here in the mountains. When I was a teenager we played a game we called 'racing the rain'. We would designate two spots--one for when the rain arrived there, which was our signal to start running. The second spot was the goal we wanted to reach before the rain caught up with us. If we reached it, we 'won', although we got as wet as we would have if we hadn't reached the goal.

We used to have fun playing with nature.

Moo
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Not too bad here today, though there are some Threatening Clouds passing by now and then. At least the wind has changed round to a more pleasant south-westerly.

Now, shall I get out the Episcopal Palace paint-brush, or shall I open another bottle of nice, cold, ALE?

Decisions, decisions..... [Help]

IJ
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
I have Finally Given In - it's only 15 degrees (but dry) and I've turned on the heating for a bit.

Well, I can say it was for my wife's benefit!
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
It's officially 19 degrees C here, and feels quite pleasant. Surprising what a difference just a few degrees can make!

IJ (who turned on the Palace's extra-special Log Burning Effect electric heater last evening...)
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Just gone 8pm here and it is 28.8 here in the study - I don't know why I have the ceiling fan running!

This evening I was brought a couple of pieces of fruit cake and some fresh mango slices, all on one plate; the juices from the mango had seeped on to the plate and been absorbed by the fruit cake.

Delicious! although the torsional rigidity of the cake was somewhat compromised.

[ 29. June 2017, 14:41: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
I have Finally Given In - it's only 15 degrees (but dry) and I've turned on the heating for a bit.

Well, I can say it was for my wife's benefit!

Our boiler finally lay down and died after we'd booked the plumber to fit a new one - at the end of August [Help] Luckily here in the soft south it's still hot and sticky so we don't need the gas fire - yet!

Mrs. S, thinking longingly of BF's nice cold ALE
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Meanwhile, spare a thought for poor Missus BT, freezing over there on the wrong side of the Severn. It's not ALE she needs, but hot GIN...

IJ
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Actually, we bought a bottle of gin the other day ... it has yet to be opened.

The lady don't do Ale (nor do I). We had some nice White Wine at dinner.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
O well, White Wine is good, too....

[Cool]

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... it is 28.8 here in the study - I don't know why I have the ceiling fan running ...

I do. [Eek!] I'd have the air-con going full pelt as well ... [Big Grin]

I didn't know they made GIN in Cardiff. When I was home I was tempted to bring back some Kirkjuvagr GIN but decided it might (a) break and cause havoc in my suitcase; or (b) attract unwelcome attention from Canadian customs, so I chickened out.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Thanks for the exciting linky, O Piglet!

Now, where can I obtain Kirkjuvagr GIN locally??

(Memo to self: MUST DRINK LESS.........)

IJ
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Kurkjugvir gin is definitely available in Kirkwall. I want to go back and sample the alcoholic offerings (so without my daughter), because sleeping in a room with a view of the Highland Park distillery and on a nice walk down to either the town with the gin or to the Scapa distillery was tempting.

I have stayed near so many of the Scottish distilleries and not been in any of them which feels like an opportunity missed.
 
Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
Don't want to distress anyone, especially BT, but the Cardiff GIN my son bought me for my birthday lasted longer than any of the others - it has a very strong liquorice taste which put me off [Frown]

Not only me, but the rest of the GIN-drinkers - in the end I gave it back to Master S, who took it to work for GIN Friday. At the weekend I got the bottle back for my GIN Museum [Hot and Hormonal] and there was still some GIN left in it!

Mrs. S, wondering what the world is coming to!
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Strangely enough, she likes it - although she won't touch liquorice!

But she also likes Unicum, the Hungarian liqueur, which I think is disgusting.

I, however, like Marmite (as a spread, not a drink).
 
Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
Reminds me of a Terry Pratchett scene:

Patrician: What would the world be like if we were all the same?

Leonard of Quirm: I don't know, my lord, but I could do some quick calculations if you like?

(or words to that effect) [Smile]

Mrs. S, looking forward to tonight's Opihr.. or Bathtub.. or Brecon...
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I am now left with the impression that Mr. and Mrs. Baptist Trainfan's kitchen cupboards contain some Quite Incompatible Comestibles, to wit, Marmite, and liquorice-flavoured Welsh GIN.

Who would have thought such a thing existed? O, what a wonderful world this is!

The Orkney GIN sounds nice, though, and I am tempted to use my much-battered PayPal account to order some. If it's OK, then Christmas present for Our Place's Madam Sacristan is settled, as she is the best GIN drinker I know....

*hic*

IJ
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
I am now left with the impression that Mr. and Mrs. Baptist Trainfan's kitchen cupboards contain some Quite Incompatible Comestibles, to wit, Marmite, and liquorice-flavoured Welsh GIN.

Worry thou not! The Alcoholic Beverages are in the cupboard under the stairs and not in the kitchen (which is very small).
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
O that's all right then! The oddly-flavoured GIN, not to mention the unspeakable Hungarian stuff, are unlikely to contaminate the Marmite...

*BF sighs with relief*

IJ
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
In my drinking days I used to quite like British style GIN but, IMHO, the cream of GINs is a good Dutch Oude Geneve [Old GIN], preferably ice cold and in a cold glass - no additives, just neat.

I also drank a fair bit of Bessen Geneve [I think that translates as Berry GIN], again drunk cold and neat, it is sort of like a rather tasty Ribena. It is not very strong but it can creep up on you.

Delicious!

[ 30. June 2017, 16:25: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Oude Genever is indeed Good Stuff, best drunk, as WW says, neat, and from a frosted glass.

[Cool]

Happy memories of trips to the Netherlands!

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... It is not very strong but it can creep up on you ...

I've been known to make damson GIN whenever I can get hold of damsons (sadly not very often). It's rather like sloe GIN but even nicer, and it's the most beautiful ruby colour, but as it's more-or-less neat GIN with a fruity flavour, it's also deceptively strong. [Eek!]
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
We make damson gin with the damsons from my mother in law's garden. Husband and son have evolved a ritual for making it that includes pricking each damson seven times with a wooden toothpick by candlelight. Not sure if it makes any difference but the resulting gin is rather nice. Must remember to go and visit her at damson harvesting season this year.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sarasa:
... pricking each damson seven times with a wooden toothpick by candlelight ...

... while sitting in a ring of toadstools? [Devil]

My damson-pricking ritual was usually accomplished with a darning-needle while watching the footie results.

I'm messing about on here before going to see the Canada Day fireworks. Of course, this is assuming that we'll be able to see anything, being as how it's p*ssing with rain ... [Frown]

[ 02. July 2017, 01:17: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Despite the rain last night, they put on a very decent firework display, even if the top half of some of the fireworks disappeared into the clouds.

Later on (at 4:30 in the morning to be exact), the Almighty put on his own display, with really quite a good thunderstorm. It didn't help me to a good night's sleep, but it was a good thunderstorm.

It's our wedding anniversary today, [Axe murder] and D. (bless him!) played Mulet's Carillon - Sortie (to which we came down the aisle) as we processed out. There may well be some serious eating on the horizon to mark the occasion. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Congratulations, Piglet and D.! [Big Grin]

Happy Anniversary Serious Eating!

Are we allowed to ask the number of years being celebrated? [Two face]

*I managed 20. 10 with the first Mrs. BF, and 10 with the second. I think the Lord then told me I wasn't very good at this Marriage Lark, so I duly left off.*

IJ
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
quote:
*I managed 20. 10 with the first Mrs. BF, and 10 with the second. I think the Lord then told me I wasn't very good at this Marriage Lark, so I duly left off.*

IJ

Hmm. I've been married 57 years this year. Would have been quite happy to call it a day at 30-odd years, but felt the Lord was telling me to keep going.

Maybe it depends what flavour of Lord you find you are expected to follow??
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
<limps in feeling sorry for herself>

I don’t want Marmite, or alcohol, or anything greasy or acidic… After a very nasty bout of food poisoning, I am never eating at [restaurant name redacted] ever again. Can I get a cup of (weak, green) tea and some sympathy? Possibly with a piece of dry toast if I’m feeling adventurous?

I thought food was supposed to be my friend.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
My mother swore by Dr J Collis Browne's Mixture™ which wasn't so pleasant to take but it certainly worked - here we tend to use ginger juice and soda, no sugar; it doesn't taste too bad and it certainly works.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
It's still available. May not be the same Mixture as of old: it contains Morphine hydrochloride and
Peppermint Oil.
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Didn't it have alcohol in too? Or am I thinking of Gripe Water.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Upset tummy? A shot of port-and-brandy (or several) should do the trick.

Or perhaps weak tea, and dry toast.

And, of course, sympathy - sorry to hear it, la vie en rose. Been there, done that, seen the video etc. etc. If it should happen to me these days, I'd have to have an emergency dose of hydrocortisone.

Or go into a coma, and die.

So I tend to be very careful what (and where) I eat, but Bad Things Happen.

Oh, BTW - @Nicodemia.

It wasn't so much the Lord who told me I wasn't very good at the Marriage Lark. Rather, it was the first Mrs. BF, followed by the second......
[Waterworks]

IJ
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
(Sorry - la vie en rouge ).

It must be all this talk of Alcohol and Failed Marriages...(sounds like the title of a very miserable novel, possibly set in the industrial Midlands during the Great Depression).

[Hot and Hormonal]

IJ
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I once crossed from Dover to somewhere in Belgium, still in my drinking days, in a Fairly Rough Sea and the friends I was with, and me, started off with a port and brandy to settle our stomachs. I think we may have had one or two more as well. We were the only people to have lunch that day but I really think Anthony shouldn't have ordered the soup!

No stomach upsets at all.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Oostende, I suspect, WW - though it's not a particularly memorable town. I do, however, recollect a Cursed Clock (possibly belonging to the Town Hall), whose carillon played the first few lines of See, the conquering hero comes (you know, by Mr. Handel, from Judas Maccabaeus, I think).

It left out several notes, though the rest appeared to be in more-or-less the correct order.

[Paranoid]

IJ
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
I liked gripe water. Dinneford's, no longer available. I could quite take to it as a party drink. Currently available versions not nearly as pleasant.
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
That's rubbish, LVER, you can certainly have my sympathy and I'm sure we can muster up some green tea too. I'm with you on that: its slight bitterness is just the thing when you're feeling ill.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
La Vie, sorry to hear you've been poorly - tummy bugs can be really horrid. Virtual tea and toast on their way. [Frown]

quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Congratulations, Piglet and D.! [Big Grin]

Are we allowed to ask the number of years being celebrated?

You are indeed - 29. [Smile]

We went out to a brunch buffet on Sunday after church, and if we're honest, it was a bit of a disappointment. We were rather late, but not so late that they didn't let us in, and I think they could have been a bit more gracious than they were. I went to the loo just after we'd arrived and when I got back the door of the restaurant (it was part of a hotel) was locked, and I had to make signs at departing guests that yes, I was going in and no, I wasn't all that late. Coupled with that, the staff started clearing plates and cutlery almost before we'd finished eating the course we were on, and started hoovering while we were still at our food. Not many points awarded there.

However, ...

This afternoon we took a wee jaunt down to St. Andrews (on the southern NB coast), and had a v. nice dinner in a restaurant there: shared cheese-and-charcuterie plate to start (with v. good bread), then Wiener Schnitzel for D. and excellent rack of lamb for me. Much better. [Smile]
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:
I liked gripe water. Dinneford's, no longer available. I could quite take to it as a party drink. Currently available versions not nearly as pleasant.

The taste of gripe water is my earliest memory!
 
Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
I had my first baby in Belfast, and gripe water is what kept me, my husband, and the baby sane.

I had the second in the US, and gripe water was not available. Fortunately her colic was very mild.

Moo
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
29 years. Dear God, you get less for murder....

[Overused]

IJ
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
I write this from a B&B in central Virginia, where we have come to celebrate our 40th anniversary with a mini-vacation capped by a supernally expensive dinner.
 
Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
Dinneford's was not the original gripe water - that was made by Woodward's and is still available.

One of mine suffered from colic and we used Woodward's - it worked!
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Brenda (congratulations, BTW), do please regale us lesser mortals with a description (leaving no details undetailed) of your Dinner.

Meanwhile, I shall go and scrape the Green Bits off the Episcopal Cheese, saving them for later, if I need penicillin...

Now, where did I put that last crust of bread....?

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
29 years. Dear God, you get less for murder....

I've heard people say "if you'd killed him, you'd be out by now". [Killing me]

BF's right, Brenda - details of outrageously expensive food are always appreciated. [Big Grin]

Congratulations to you and Mr. BC!

* * *

By the time you read this, the lemon CAKE I made this afternoon should be cooled and ready for virtual tasting - help yourselves. [Smile]

It's ages since I made CAKE - this is the first one since we moved here nearly a year ago. I'm delighted to report that baking in the new château is far easier than it was in our old house, as there's loads of counter-space in the kitchen (and power-points in the right places). [Yipee]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
It tastes virtually the same as Lemon Drizzle CAKE!

CAKE, ALE, and GIN, are all proof that God loves us.

[Cool]

IJ
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
...as there's loads of counter-space in the kitchen (and power-points in the right places). [Yipee]

The in the right places is so important! Running extension leads in the kitchen is a huge pain! - been there, done that in previous places but here we designed the kitchen ourselves so if they are in the wrong place we know just who to blame!

* * * *

A little crisis just now with the twins having taken themselves off into a bedroom and then slid the bolt across at the bottom of the door. Whilst the men of the house and extended family were talking about how to break down the door with the least damage Herself got hold of a long steel tube and went round to the open window, called the kids to her so they were out of danger and unbolted the bolt, which has since been disabled.

I think sexist comments will be anathema in this house for a long time after that little episode.

[ 05. July 2017, 09:19: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Something similar happened when eldest son was possibly 15 months old. He flipped a clip on the very old lock to the bathroom and was locked in. House was old for Sydnery, about 100 years then.

Fortunately there was a very large window over the wall and door into the hall. I too found a long piece of wood or metal, climbed ladder and leant through window It took a bit of manoeuvring, but I managed to push the lock open.

Lock was then fixed to allow door to open and close without actually locking.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
It tastes virtually the same as Lemon Drizzle CAKE!

CAKE, ALE, and GIN, are all proof that God loves us.


Nah, if God loved us she'd have made CAKE, ALE, and GIN health foods!
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
We went to the Inn at Little Washington, which is in rural Virginia a couple hours south of Washington DC. The town is named thus because George Washington, in his earlier gig as a surveyor, laid out the place. Most of the other locales of the name, like the nation's capital or the Pacific Northwest state, are named in honor of Washington even though he had little part in organizing the place.
Here is the menu! My husband ordered the first sampler and I the second, so by sharing we got a good all-around tasting.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Wow, Brenda - seriously tasty (and pricey!) stuff....mmmmmm........

Boogie, CAKE, ALE, and GIN are all health foods/drinks. This is proved by the fact that one feels better after consuming them...

IJ
 
Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
I wonder whether a lot of people in rural Virginia get to their 40th wedding anniversary. For any less of an occasion, that is seriously dear, I've never spent more than a quarter of that on a meal. Were there lots of people there ?

Of course I have heard of very expensive places over here too, but I've never been to one to see how busy they are or what kind of people go.

Cakes and ale I agree with but gin as Michael Flanders said is a drink I can well do without. Just a way of spoiling the taste of tonic water as far as I can see.
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Congratulations Brenda Clough - that menu sounds lovely. We (husband, son and I) have taken to going out to expensive restuarants to celebrate our birthdays. We went to a Michelin starred Indian one for mine in May. I'd never had a tasting menu before, but it was great. I really enjoyed having different wines through-out the evening and trying to identify what was in the various interesting plates that kept on appearing.
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
It books up solid six or eight months out. We went with two other couples and began setting up the event a year ago.
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Forgot to add, we have never spent so much on a meal before and are unlikely to ever again.
 
Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by moonlitdoor:
I wonder whether a lot of people in rural Virginia get to their 40th wedding anniversary..

Of course they do.

Moo
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
... if God loved us she'd have made CAKE, ALE, and GIN health foods!

But they are!

Lemons are a fruit (so one of your five-a-day)
ALE contains healthy things like barley and hops
GIN is made from juniper berries, which grow on a bush, so another of your five-a-day.

Not to mention the slice of lemon in the GIN... [Big Grin]

Brenda, that menu looks utterly divine, but eye-wateringly expensive! Glad you and Mr. C. enjoyed it.

D. and I had planned to go back to Sam Snead's tonight for their (extremely good-value) steak night, but I took a bit of a gyppy tummy today (mercifully not something I suffer from very often), so we decided not to risk it. There's always next Wednesday. [Smile]
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
Wow, that looks like a fabulous place altogether, Brenda.

Congratulations on your anniversary!

M.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Yes, looks great but my bank manager might react rather differently!

A friend's son runs his own place in Brighton [UK] and for his birthday chooses a different place each year to go and spy on the competition and his parents, crazy people, pay!

[ 06. July 2017, 08:34: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
CHOCOLATE is also a Health Food, and a gift from God, on account of being made from Beans, which are Vegetables, and therefore legitimately classed as one of your Five-A-Day.

IJ
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Er ... the NHS doesn't seem to agree.

I write this having just returned from eating delicious dairy (and thus obviously healthy) comestibles at a local ice-cream parlour.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Well, they do admit that beans (and pulses) are good, but that they only count as 1 of the 5, however many you eat. I guess that means topping up CHOCOLATE throughout the day with CAKE, ALE, and GIN, in order to achieve the 5.

[Big Grin]

IJ
 
Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
CHOCOLATE is also a Health Food, and a gift from God, on account of being made from Beans, which are Vegetables, and therefore legitimately classed as one of your Five-A-Day.

By this standard coffee also qualifies.

Moo
 
Posted by ThunderBunk (# 15579) on :
 
Coffee (or at least good coffee) is ambrosial. Of course it's healthy.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
As D. has just brought me a Timmy's™, I'll heartily agree with that.

And it was free, as they're doing a special Roll Up the Rim for Canada's 150th anniversary, and I gagnezed un cafe. [Yipee]

It's been very warm here today - currently (at about 8:30 p.m.) 25°, so I've had a fairly lazy day apart from filling up the birdie feeder and doing a spot of ironing.

D. has been buying different sorts of bird-seed, which seem to last longer than the original stuff we bought - maybe it's so warm that the birds can't be bothered to eat!

We seem to be getting a wider variety of little feathered friends at the birdie bistro - grackles, cowbirds, sparrows and mourning doves (which I've decided should be called hoover birds, as they seem content to eat up the seeds that fall on to the deck, because they're too big to perch on the feeder).
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
I have a seed tray (with attached roof) stuck onto my office window with plastic suction cups. It is 2 stories above the ground, and I get tufted titmice, chickadees, various woodpeckers, blue jays, cardinals and bluebirds. There is a difference between winter and summer customers. I get one demanding chickadee, who complains and even bangs on the glass if the seed runs out, and I have named him the Angry Chickadee. The bluebird is of course the Bluebird of Happiness.
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
A friend, K, had the day off so we took a trip to Cartwright Hall, basically Bradford Art Gallery. A new David Hockney exhibit for the artists' 80th birthday started today. There was also a whole gallery given over to the work of local children of all ages.

I know there's not much use for food talk on this thread, but I have to tell you we followed the trip with smoked salmon, and lingonbery cheesecake at the nearby Ikea.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Very healthy, though - Fish and Fruit!

[Biased]

IJ
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
The bluebird is of course the Bluebird of Happiness.

So not this famous little guy then?
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Is he the avian equivalent of the Grumpy Cat?

Actually that's unfair to the wee bird - I think he's rather cute. [Smile]

D. kicked off this summer's Music at the Cathedral concert series today; for the last 20 years or so there have been Friday lunch-time concerts given by assorted local musicians during July and August. The series was well underway when we arrived here last July, and D. decided that he'd start a regular organ recital on Fridays (which started in Advent and have kept going), so it seemed logical for him to do the opening concert of the season.

It was well-attended: as well as our "regulars" there was a goodly crowd who have presumably been regulars of the summer series over the years. It was mostly quite light-hearted (he billed it as "Music for an Estival Festival") - he opened with The Liberty Bell (complete with solo piglet on handbell [Big Grin] ) and ended with the Fantasia on British Sea Songs by Henry Wood, as played at the Last Night of the Proms. The audience joined in with enthusiastic foot-stamping during the Sailor's Hornpipe, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

There are all sorts of things lined up for the rest of the series - singers, guitarists, bassoonists, pianists, you name it - so it should be quite an interesting summer.

[ 07. July 2017, 22:08: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:
quote:
Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
The bluebird is of course the Bluebird of Happiness.

So not this famous little guy then?
Same breed, but because I feed them they are less surly.
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Very healthy, though - Fish and Fruit!

[Biased]

IJ

Precisely. Also the dill in the sauce is a green leaf, which I've been led to believe are healthy...
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
He opened with The Liberty Bell (complete with solo piglet on handbell [Big Grin] ) and ended with the Fantasia on British Sea Songs

But no big squidgy foot as per Monty Python? [Devil]

Sounds as if you had an excellent evening.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Kerala Tourism has upgraded us on their three point scale from Silver to GOLD!!

quote:
Bow, bow, ye lower middle classes. etc.
This is very nice of them but I'm not 100% certain we deserve it plus, of course, it means we have to pay more for our annual registration!

* * * *

Last night I sent off email invitations to friends in Foreign Psrts to the Big Party a week tomorrow for the twins 1st birthday so lots of very nice refusals in my inbox this morning - we would be im a right pickle if they had all decided to accept!
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
First birthday party!! Happy birthday to them, but goodness that seems to have gone quickly.

Well done on the gold accreditation. Even if they charge you more for it.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Happy birthday twins!

We are sixty in two weeks (my husband and I) and, since we can't abide surprises, we have organised a Big Birthday Bash with function room, food, cakes, bar and balloons! My husband's covers band is playing.

100 guests are coming and our house will be full of 6 German visitors for the weekend (friends we've made on our many trips to Heidelberg )

I'm looking forward to it - I think!

[Smile]
 
Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:
quote:
Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
The bluebird is of course the Bluebird of Happiness.

So not this famous little guy then?
The photographer who took that owns the copyright, and he has made a mint. He has mixed feelings about this; he is a very serious bird photographer and works hard to photograph various species engaged in their normal behavior.

He noticed the mad bluebird and snapped it on impulse. Now he has made far more money from this than from what he considers his best work.

Moo
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
He opened with The Liberty Bell (complete with solo piglet on handbell [Big Grin] ) and ended with the Fantasia on British Sea Songs

But no big squidgy foot as per Monty Python?
No. That would have been Silly. [Big Grin]

quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Kerala Tourism has upgraded us on their three point scale from Silver to GOLD!!

quote:
Bow, bow, ye lower middle classes. etc.
This is very nice of them but I'm not 100% certain we deserve it ...
I'm sure you do - congratulations! [Overused] [Overused] [Overused]

Thanks for the earworm! [Big Grin]

Another hot day here (27° at the moment). D. decided he couldn't really put off cutting the grass chez Piglet any longer, but did it in two stages*; while he was doing the first stage I cooked lunch, and cleared up afterwards while he was doing the second.

He's discovered that part of the lawn isn't just grass, but tiny little wild strawberries. At the moment they're only about the size of a coffee-bean (and rather cute), but v. sweet.

* It has to be done like that anyway, as the mower's battery life is just too short to do the whole thing in one go. [Roll Eyes]

[ 08. July 2017, 21:09: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
O what a shame - part of the lawn is actually a Wild Fruit Garden, and therefore should not be mown over...

Still, comfort yourselves with the thought that the wild strawberries count towards your 5 a day.

[Two face]

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
There's a thought - if he left the wild strawberry "patch", would the battery life be long enough?

Sadly, I suspect that the estate-management people might have something to say if the whole lawn wasn't cut. [Frown]

Another v. warm day - according to Environment Canada it's currently 24° although I reckon it's hotter than that, and it was very hot and sticky in church this morning.

The Diocese here runs a Choir School at a boarding-school out of town in the first week of July, and they're singing Choral Evensong at the Cathedral this afternoon. I was planning to go (D. and I haven't been involved, but he's playing the prelude and postlude at the service, and feels he ought to be there to Show Willing) but I really don't relish the thought of sitting in that heat again.

The lure of the air-conditioning chez Piglet is just too strong ... [Cool]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
27 degrees C here! Humid and sticky - not Nice at all, with Thunderystrums forecast for tomorrow, so painting of the rest of the Episcopal Palace is not likely to proceed.

[Frown]

IJ
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
A trip to the supermarket this afternoon very much done en famille - the blessing is that it is about 15 minutes car ride away which is just long enough for the kids to fall asleep and then be carried, still sleeping, around the store on a parental shoulder whilst I, almost as blind as the blindest of proverbial bats, push the trolley up and down the aisles.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
With someone else putting things (e.g. fresh mango, and ice cream) in the trolley meanwhile, I hope!

My daily shopping trip this morning resulted in the purchase of bread, cheese, potato/carrot/swede mash, a bottle of single malt WHISKY (Aberlour, one of the fruity Speysides, for them wot knos), and two bottles of nice traditional CIDER, as immortalised by the late, great, Adge Cutler:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7onOJ-QgXY0

Cheers!

(Mind you, I'm sure that, back in the days when I went a-folk singing, it was the milk maids that got rolled over in the clover, not the churns. That would be Silly.)

IJ
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Oh, and remembering Adge Cutler reminded me of this song, in Bristolian, rather than English!

Thee's Got'n Where Thee Cassn't Back'n, Hassn't

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnKjwOLiBTg

Ah, happy days....

(And this must be the only song ever written about the problems of car parking in Bristol and Paris).

BTW, did you hear the story about the lass who walked into a pub, and asked for a Double Entendre ? The barman gave her one.

I'll get me coat...

IJ
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Our thunderstorm was apocalyptic [Help] The most rainfall ever recorded in the space of an hour. The roads and pavements were like a swimming pool. Apparently at one point the fire brigade were so overwhelmed that they asked people to stop calling for anything except emergencies.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Oh dear - I hope you're not sending it northwards to Kent, though it seems we now have to expect rain tonight, and tomorrow.

[Help]

IJ
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Having just noticed that the Sky is clouding over rapidly, I shall betake myself to Prayer instanter.

And bring the Washing in....

IJ
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
I jolly well hope we don't get LVER's thunderstorm tomorrow. I'm off to an open air concert tomorrow night and the forcast isn't exactly great at the moment as it is. It seems very unfair after ten days or so of very hot weather.

[ 10. July 2017, 15:57: Message edited by: Sarasa ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Yes, I, too, have 'happy' memories of open-air plays and concerts in southern England....

Cold winds, cloudy skies, rain, hail...why the hell do we pretend we're in Spain?

[Ultra confused]

Having said that, I hope it stays fine for you, Sarasa. Take a cagoule/umbrella etc., though...

IJ
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
I'm going a friend whose over from Australia. I have very clear memories of the two us spending the day in the rain at a concert at the Crystal Palace in the 1970s, telling each other it would clear up soon. As it was we went home just before the main act (Eric Clapton?) came on as we couldn't stand it any longer. I have a feeling it could be jsut like old times.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
As I've hinted, the UK is NOT a suitable country for outdoor events.

Ever.
[Disappointed]

We are on the same latitude as Moscow, not Madrid.

IJ
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
When I took the dogs this morning there was a group of kids with their teacher, they were only about five years old and clearly out to the woods and the lake for the day. It was bucketing down. They had a rigged up shelter and the teacher was making the most of it, singing 'camp fire' songs with them etc.

I felt really sorry for them as yesterday was glorious [Roll Eyes]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
If God had wanted us to indulge in all these Outdoor Activities, She would not have allowed us to invent the Pitched Roof.

IJ
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
Hey, some of us like thunderstorms. I've worked out how to get good pictures of the lightning via the video set up on the DSLR. It's fascinating to look at the individual frames and see how the strokes develop.

But it doesn't look as if anything big is building up hereabouts.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I like a good thunderstorm if (a) it clears the air properly after muggy weather; and (b) I'm watching it from indoors.

It's apparently 27° today, but because the humidity is only 41%, it doesn't feel quite so oppressive as it did yesterday.

Having some leftover bread that had been allowed to get a bit hard, I put some of it out on the deck-rail for the birdies, and then we took the rest and gave it to some deserving ducks. Mind you, they weren't quite as interested as they might have been; I suspect someone else had already been there before us.

The Horrid Wee Beasties™ are beginning to take chunks out of me again; I got two v. nasty bites yesterday and, having taken an anti-histamine tablet before going to bed, slept (with only a couple of short breaks) for the best part of 10 hours.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Here we are 6 weeks into official monsoon season and the meteorological people are already telling us that we are 20% down on what the rainfall should have been by this time of year.

We have had Drought 2016-7 and now we just wait for Drought 2017-8!
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Well, I think we've got just a small segment of your monsoon over here. It's been raining steadily for hours, and is forecast to do so for even more hours.

Which is all very well, except that the rain is coming in through the Episcopal Palace roof somewhere, and falling onto the Episcopal Bed.

[Help]

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
You're going to need to call in the Episcopal Thatcher ... [Devil]

No rain here yet (currently 26° with a bit of a breeze), although they're forecasting a chance of showers on Thursday - along with a temperature of 17°. [Yipee]

Back up to the mid-20s after that though ... [Help]
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
North Kent might find an Episcopal Tyler more historically appropriate.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Much of the day was spent at our local teaching hospital where I went to discuss my Peripheral [left foot] Oedema and was given a couple of blood work-ups and then ultrasound scans of my left leg and foot and then my abdominal region - the last showed that I am, as I hoped, definitely NOT pregnant.

The end results are that I am actually quite healthy except that I have this swollen left foot so a few words of advice from the medico and a little mild medication - only mild as I am already on a fair bit of medication for my eye-problem and so he doesn't want to try anything dramatic.

I like Drs who don't over-prescribe!

Go back in about a month meanwhile watch and observe and report back when the time comes.


ete: Ain't the jelly they put on cold when they first squeeze it on wherever they squeeze it?

[ 12. July 2017, 12:04: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Cold, indeed, but somehow..... enjoyable....

[Paranoid]

O, and Penny is right - the Tyler needs to be called. Wat was his name, again?

[Biased]

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... the last showed that I am, as I hoped, definitely NOT pregnant ...

I'm sure that came as a relief all round ... [Devil]
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Well last night was just like old times. After being rained on for three solid hours my friend and I went home before the main act. A,real shame as friend is a big fan . She stayed over and we went into London today to see the Alma Tadema exhibition at Leighton house and sat in the lovely garden there afterwards while the sun shone on us. It seemed jolly unfair.

Good to hear doctors are taking good care of you WW and BF, I hope that roof gets fixed pronto.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Donald Trump has arrived in Paris (creating traffic chaos at least as bigly as Vladimir Putin) and I am leaving the country. Joking: actually we were going to be leaving the country anyway.

14th July very conveniently falls on a Friday this year, giving us all a long weekend. We are making the most of a special offer on the train to go to Cologne. I love central Europe.
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
Donald Trump has arrived in Paris (creating traffic chaos at least as bigly as Vladimir Putin) and I am leaving the country. Joking: actually we were going to be leaving the country anyway.

14th July very conveniently falls on a Friday this year, giving us all a long weekend. We are making the most of a special offer on the train to go to Cologne. I love central Europe.

I'm sure the Paris police take great pleasure in this: all that is necessary is to put "Diversion" signs round the entire Bd Peripheque then direct everyone anti-clockwise.

Travelling on 14th July isn't a bad idea. Most of France will be glued to the box, watching the Tour.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Will they? Surely the French have better things to do, such as Lunch.

IJ
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
[Big Grin]

I like your thinking, BF! (BF, short for the Shipmate's moniker, and not for boyfriend! Why, I barely know him...! [Two face] )

Oh, and how's the episcopal painting coming along then?
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
Donald Trump has arrived in Paris

I wish it were still possible to lock him in the Bastille. It would be a great way to celebrate July 14.

(However, if he's still planning a trip to England, the Tower of London is still standing...)

Enjoy Cologne -- it's lovely.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Wesley J, the episcopal painting is progressing nicely, thank you! (After Lunch, that is...).

[Biased]

IJ
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
Donald Trump has arrived in Paris

I wish it were still possible to lock him in the Bastille. It would be a great way to celebrate July 14.

(However, if he's still planning a trip to England, the Tower of London is still standing...)

Just beware of any signs of raven departure, though. (They must surely have more sense than to stay around if You-know-who arrives arrives in town ... and then what would happen?)
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
Couldn't they show him a guillotine? 'And it is here, yes right, Mr President, where you put your head, you see, yes here, and then... oops - well, we said it was a working model, terribly sorry about that!' [Devil]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
At least it would sort out his problematical Hair.

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Doesn't he sort it out by taking it off at night? [Devil]

It's a beautiful day here: 20°, no Humidex ( [Yipee] ) and sunshine. Sadly, for tomorrow it looks as if the weather gods are suddenly going to remember it's July ... [Eek!]

We went back to Sam Snead's last night for their steak special thingy, and v. good it was too - I had the 12 oz rib-eye and it was absolutely delicious.

We did have rather a long wait to be served; the waitress came with glasses of water and then seemed to have forgotten that we were there, but once she remembered, the service was very quick. As they were rather busy (there was some sort of function going on in the next room) we gave them the benefit of the doubt - it certainly won't stop us from going back.
 
Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
We went to a concert in Cardiff last night, at the St. David's Hall. I think there was a concert by some group called Coldplay at the Principality Stadium at the same time ...
OURS was the Spooky Men's Chorale, and very good it was too.
(If you've never heard of them, look them up on youtube, they are brilliant, if they are anywhere near you, go and see them!)
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
I think there was a concert by some group called Coldplay at the Principality Stadium at the same time ...

Yes, there were road closures so buses were all up the spout and my wife had to wait a long time at the stop after a meeting she was at.
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
Happy Quatorze Juillet (= 14 July) to our Shippies and friends and relatives in La Grande Nation (= the Great Nation, i.e. France) today!

Many happy returns and good get-togethers!

All the while: Happy Cologne-ialising, LVeR and hubby!

[Yipee] [Yipee] [Yipee]
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
The Spooky Men's Chorale are playing at Towersley Folk Festival and Kings Place, London this year too. I dithered about booking to see them at Kings Place and may have missed that one

(Chorus/Chorale)

[ 14. July 2017, 12:24: Message edited by: Curiosity killed ... ]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We were at two separate concerts today (and D. wasn't performing in either of them)!

The first was a group of students from a French Canadian summer school who were doing the Music at the Cathedral concert at lunchtime (v. nice), and the second was an organ recital given by some members of the local Organists' Association (but not D.) in Woodstock (a town about an hour's drive from Château Piglet).

At least - it should have been about an hour's drive, but we got lost (why doesn't Woodstock Road lead to Woodstock?) so we had to double back on ourselves and only caught the second half ... [Hot and Hormonal]
 
Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:

We are sixty in two weeks (my husband and I) and, since we can't abide surprises, we have organised a Big Birthday Bash with function room, food, cakes, bar and balloons! My husband's covers band is playing.

100 guests are coming and our house will be full of 6 German visitors for the weekend (friends we've made on our many trips to Heidelberg )

I'm looking forward to it - I think!

Congratulations to you and Mr Boog and I hope you enjoy the birthday bash. I can't bear surprises either. I've suffered two significant ones of this nature - a surprise whisking-away-for-the-weekend for an anniversary years ago when our kids were small and, in more recent years, an early evening birthday meal with Mr Nen and a return home to find the house full of friends and the classic "surprise!" cheer. On both occasions I felt I had hidden my horror quite well but as neither event has been repeated I may be deceiving myself.

Life and work seem to have been full on lately and I am sorry to have been rather absent.

There is Much Decorating chez Nen - we have for the past three months been living in the dining room while we decorate the lounge (and very nice it looks) and now we are living in the lounge while we decorate the dining room. I'm hoping that isn't going to take another three months. [Help]

Meanwhile I'm planning to make a tray of my famous chocolate flapjack this afternoon and may need help with the quality testing.

Nen - currently keeping well away from the Weight Loss thread. [Biased]
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Last night's concert was fun, campfire, bar and folk. I booked to see Leon Rosselson whose music I've known and loved for forty odd years. He was performing aged 83, only stopped recording a couple of years ago. That site is worth clicking on to as it features his song Palaces of Gold written in the wake of the Aberfan disaster but painfully, soberingly apposite in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Nenya:
... I'm planning to make a tray of my famous chocolate flapjack this afternoon and may need help with the quality testing ...

I'll be right over. [Big Grin]

I've been a busy piglet today - we had a couple of friends round for supper, so the day was spent making bread, going to the Farmers' Market for cheese and cooking (roast lamb, gratin dauphinois, carrots and peas). We also had bacon,lentil and tomato soup (which I made yesterday) and strawberries and cream (well, Wimbledon hasn't finished yet, so they're still in season). Also, D. had a brainwave while in the off-licence so we started off with Pimm's - what could be more appropriate for a nice summer evening?

Jolly time had by all, and I think they enjoyed the food. [Smile]
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
A very pleasant time was had in Germanland. On Saturday night they had a big fireworks display over the Rhine with lots of jovial German people drinking beer, eating sausages and singing cheesy German Europop.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
... lots of jovial German people drinking beer ...

Many moons ago, my parents went to Germany for a holiday - in September - and when they came back (several steins later), my mum said, "nobody told us that the Oktoberfest was in September". [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We're heading out of town tomorrow for an overnight stay with friends at their cottage, which is also going to involve a boat trip on the lake - should be rather fun.

We're looking forward to it, but there may be Issues: it's forecast to be 30° and feeling like 35; and I suspect the Horrid Wee Beasties™ will be sharpening their forks and knives (and teeth).

Midgie-repellent and anti-bite cream have been procured ... [Eek!]
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
Just had a fantastic display of lightning lasting about an hour! Lightningmaps.org was overwhelmed and is blaming Java for going blank, but there were multiple strikes all around NW Kent. Not like the measly single strike the last time. Video'd a lot from the safety of my living room French window, but don't know how well I have done until I've looked through the files tomorrow.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Nenya:
Congratulations to you and Mr Boog and I hope you enjoy the birthday bash.

Thank you Nen, and welcome back [Smile]

My house has now been cleaned and decorated to within an inch of its life in preparation for the German invasion.
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Hope the party goes well Boogie. BTW how is the puppy training going? I went to see my brother on Saturday. He has rather a nice labrador called George who appears to be a past master at the mornful expression.
Penny S the thunder woke me up last night (it arrived here at about 3.00). I'm very, very deaf without my hearing aids in, so it must have been LOUD!
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Yes, a very satisfactory Thunderstorm here in South-East Ukland. As Penny says, a good son et lumiere (sound and light) show!

IJ
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sarasa:
Hope the party goes well Boogie. BTW how is the puppy training going?

Thank you.

Mollie is nine months old now. She is going to become a Guide Dog mummy if she passes all her tests. So far she has passed conformation, temperament, behaviour and eye tests and had all her internal organs scanned - all plumbing in order. She will have x-rays when she's 11 months old to check her bones are healthy and strong.

If she passes then she'll be off to live permanently with someone with the dubious title 'Brood Bitch Holder'. She will live and have the pups in their home. I hope to be able to puppy walk one of hers (a grandpup [Big Grin] )

If you look at my blogs you'll see photos of her.
 
Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
Those of you with a few minutes to spare may appreciate the obituary of Wesley Carr in today's Times. [Snigger]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Why?

(And a link would be helpful, please, if possible)

IJ
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
This article (and many others like it) might give some clues.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Well, thank you. Old history now, it seems.

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
There were several British organists (D. included) who fell foul of their deans in the late 1990s/early 2000s; it seemed as if a rash of clergy of a somewhat autocratic nature had all reached that level of seniority at the same time.

I don't know all the ins and outs of the Wesley Carr/Martin Neary case, but having met Mr. Neary, I'd be surprised if he was guilty of what he was accused of - he seemed too otherworldly (and too much of a gentleman).
 
Posted by MrsBeaky (# 17663) on :
 
Our three storey town house has a design fault which we discovered five years ago when we moved in prior to going to Kenya.
Sadly, the absent minded professor aka MrBeaky forgot to close the top floor back bedroom window on Tuesday night.
Cue the storm of biblical proportions which resulted in our spare bedroom being flooded and the water coming through the ceiling and dripping onto our bed at 1.30 am [Eek!]

I was due up at 6.00 am to go and teach and had arrived home at 10.00 pm with a migraine from a tricky day with daughter and grandson who is not so good at the moment.

Needless to say the air was blue [Hot and Hormonal]

Still our pretty little walled garden loved the rain!
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
I was extremely lucky when I did exactly the same thing before going out for a retreat day a few summers ago. The day was beautiful to start with but clouded over and, by 3 pm, the rain was bucketing down.

It was only as we drove the few miles home that I realised what I'd done (or had failed to do) and my heart sank. Especially as I'd tipped the windows over the horizontal to help the hot air escape.

But ... at our house there hadn't been a drop of rain.
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
I've been looking through the camera and snipping out shots. First ones were out of focus. Others had the bolts too far left or right for effective composition. And this time there were a lot of frames with shutter effects, which I did not have last time. But I have a few good frames with branching lightning, and one that appears to strike a neighbouring tree, but didn't. I was watching with naked eye, anyway, which was enjoyable - but missed some of those bolts, which needed the camera to reveal.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I guess it's not exactly easy to photograph lightning at the best of times, so well done, anyway!

O, and BTW, Baptist Trainfan, your experience with the open window simply proves that you lead a Righteous Life, no?

[Two face]

IJ
 
Posted by MrsBeaky (# 17663) on :
 
Not quite sure what that says about my window disaster..... [Killing me]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Baptist Trainfan, your experience with the open window simply proves that you lead a Righteous Life, no?

No, just blame the British weather!
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We're back from a lovely overnight stop with friends at their cottage by the lake. It's only about an hour out of town, but so pretty and tranquil. I couldn't really understand why it was that Canadians were so attached to their cottages, but now I get it - cottage (with all mod. cons.), lake, beautiful view and a boat. Our friends took us for a lovely tour round the lake, including getting up close and personal with a loon; until yesterday I'd only ever seen one on a dollar coin. [Smile]

Oh yes, and a barbecue and a bloke who knows how to cook a steak. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Reminds me of an autumn holiday spent with some friends in a National Trust cottage halfway up the west side of Windermere. The cottage had its own stone jetty, but no boat, so we had to hire one (a double-sculling skiff, IIRC) from a chap in Bowness.

In one day, we rowed all the way up the lake to Ambleside, then right down to Newby Bridge at the southern end, and back up the west side home. All very Swallows and Amazons!

IJ
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
Oooh, melurves Swallows amd Amazons, at least the book! The 1970s film is nice, but a bit boring (the book isn't!), and the more recent film seems to have been turned into a spy thriller.

There's even a documentary about the book and film on the BBC iPlayer, and there's still the one about Arthur Ransome, who apparently really may have been a spy, here.

Good stuff, especially the one about his life! [Yipee]
 
Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
Our friends took us for a lovely tour round the lake, including getting up close and personal with a loon

Did you hear the sound a loon makes? It has been described as a 'demented cry'. It reminds me a bit of the Woody Woodpecker song.

Moo
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Lovely looking bird, though.

There were loons on Windermere when I was there, to wit, the ones rowing furiously up and down the bl**dy lake.... [Razz]

I wouldn't have minded having a go at sailing, but that particular week in November (umpteen years ago now) was very quiet and still, weather-wise, and the few Swallows and Amazons about were getting nowhere fast.

Happy days, and Mr. Ransome certainly caught the magical atmosphere of the Lake District in his books.

IJ
 
Posted by Jengie jon (# 273) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
Our friends took us for a lovely tour round the lake, including getting up close and personal with a loon; until yesterday I'd only ever seen one on a dollar coin. [Smile]

Oh yes, and a barbecue and a bloke who knows how to cook a steak. [Big Grin]

But, but, but I thought you were from Orkney. The two places I have seen Loons are Shetland and off the Black Isle. Do they bypass Orkney? Alright, we call them Divers.

Jengie
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Wesley J:
Oooh, melurves Swallows amd Amazons, at least the book! ...

There's even a documentary about the book and film on the BBC iPlayer, and there's still the one about Arthur Ransome, who apparently really may have been a spy, here.

Eastern Angles Theatre Company did a play based on
"We didn't mean to go to sea" a few years ago. It got good reviews but we didn't think it was all that good!
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
A serendipitous link between the two themes being aired here is to be found, of course, in Arthur Ransome's Great Northern? - which stars not only the Swallows and Amazons, but also Divers (as in birds....).

IMHO We didn't mean to go to sea is a cracking yarn, but I guess it would indeed be rather difficult to stage convincingly in a theatre... [Eek!]

IJ
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Having now looked at the YouTube link, I agree with myself.

A worthy effort, but...

IJ
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Indeed - tho' the staging was in fact rather clever and "worked". Mind you, we saw in in a large marquee on Ipswich quayside!

Problem really was that we didn't warm to the characters (as they were portrayed, at least) and thought, "How silly of them!"

[ 21. July 2017, 16:34: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Well, quite - it was poor Jim Brading's fault, trying to outdo an Eastern Counties bus!

(I really must get out more)

IJ
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
There was a big National Theatre musical adaptation a few years ago with songs by Neil Hannon (of Divine comedy, wrote Songs of Love theme song from Father Ted). It was reportedly very good, though I didn't manage to see it myself.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
In completely different news, we had an absolute cracker of a thunderstorm last night. Rather more lightning (forks and all) than thunder - although there was a fair modicum of growling too.

I ended up turning off all the lights and just watching it in the dark, and unlike most thunderstorms I've ever seen, it lasted for the best part of an hour.

For all that, it didn't really lower the temperature all that much - it still got up to 28° this afternoon. It doesn't seem to be quite finished though - I've just seen a Severe Thunderstorm warning on the Environment Canada web-site, and the temperature forecasts for the next few days are a bit more civilised, so maybe this next one will work. [Smile]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Well, quite - it was poor Jim Brading's fault, trying to outdo an Eastern Counties bus!

(I really must get out more)

He'd be OK today - the service is run by Ipswich Buses.

(Ditto).
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
One a bit like this, perhaps (although this is a bit too new). (Missed edit window).
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
Baptist Busfan! [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
At times, yes ... [Help]
 
Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
I got so cold yesterday that Darllenwr put the heating on for a few hours.
He was at Bishop June's enthronement as Bishop of Llandaff, met me to go to Bristol ( we needed to collect something) and then came home. The black clouds we had seen in the distance turned out to be above our town, and it was tamping down - so much so, that we sat in the car outside the house for about 20 minutes before he dashed in o get a coat and umbrella to get me in!
Needless to say, the heating was put on again. Good old British Summer!
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
And we had the heating on too (although we went to Llantwit today, not Llandaff).

[ 22. July 2017, 20:04: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
 
Posted by Jengie jon (# 273) on :
 
I've been sitting in the glorious sunshine watching waves sweep in from the North Sea most of the afternoon.

Mind you when I got back home it was sodden.

Jengie
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
You are going to get shot of all this Interesting Weather™ before we get across the Pond, aren't you?

I've been seeing some glorious Orkney weather in pictures on Facebook - hope they can keep it going until the middle of August. [Smile]
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
We had a lovely lunch with rellies at the restaurant in the National Portrait Gallery yesterday, then went off to do a bit of shopping. At which point it started bucketing down, and after a while we gave up and treated ourselves to a taxi back to Victoria. But the Mall was closed, which meant the traffic was terrible and it took us forever (we would have got out and walked if it hadn't still been bucketing down) - so taxi cost us a fortune. At Victoria, we discovered all the trains were up the creek because a signal box or something had been struck by lightening. So we had to get a train to a different station and then get another taxi home.

We got home late, wet, cold and rather a lot of ££££ lighter, having almost forgotten how nice lunch had been!

M.
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I had a groundling (standing) ticket for the Globe last night, looked at the pouring rain and decided that I didn't want to get wet. I have only enjoyed one of the Emma Rice productions I have seen, The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, so I am easily dissuaded.

I don't like the continual use of sound and lights that she introduced - and I often find the sound too loud. I can and do see productions like that all over London. What I loved from the Globe was the acoustic productions, and use of candle light in the Sam Wanamaker. I also miss the actors and musicians I'd grown to recognise as part of the Globe company who are no longer there.
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I also received a flyer from my local water company asking us to conserve water as rainfall was down. Which was definitely ironic when we also had the thunderstorms during the week and rain most of yesterday. We've also had some pretty major downpours recently. It should have made up for the lower rainfall in June.
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
I was supposed to be looking for shoes but, with puddles inside the ones I was wearing, couldn't try any on!

Still, our little plum tree looks a lot happier.

M.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Why does it always rain five minutes after fresh paint has been applied to the exterior of the Episcopal Palace??

[Mad]

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
That, I'm afraid, BF, is the Law of Murphy. [Frown]

It's a truly gorgeous day here: 20°, no humidity to speak of and brilliant sunshine. When I went out to put a bottle into the recycling box outside the back door of the château, it was actually cooler outdoors than in, which hasn't been the case for several weeks.

Really nice service this morning too - Darke in F communion and Byrd's Teach me, O Lord (with solo piglet). And Cranmer's matchless prose - what more could the discerning piglet wish for? [Smile]
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
It is well known around here that if you want it to rain, you should go out and water all the more valuable plants in your yard. If you want it to pour, go wash and wax your car.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
If they don't work you could also try washing your bedding or shampooing the carpets.

Or plan a church fete ("in Vicarage if wet").
 
Posted by Jengie jon (# 273) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:

Or plan a church fete ("in Vicarage if wet").

This does not work for some congregations, normally Methodist ime, who simply in such situations get down and pray believing God will provide.


The now closed one opposite (now closed) used to do this for at least one event each summer and I cannot recall any being rained off. There was no manse to move into and the buildings were already subscribed so no shelter if wet.

Jengie
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
To add the all this talk of rain we went walking this weekend from Chepstow to Monmouth with a stop off in the St Briavels area. It rained solidly all Friday afternoon. Even with my goodish walking gear I was soaked. We got lost getting to our hotel and knocked on the door of what we thought was a B&B. it turned out to be an ex-B&B and a private house, but the owners were lovely and drove us to the right hotel. Just as well as I realised when I tried to sign in that my hands were so numb I couldn't actially use them. A change of clothes and a glass of wine did wonders though.
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
A couple of weeks ago I was sat looking out of my front window and two people were pushing a divan bed up the road. I've just now watched a (different) pair transport a giant circular trampoline in the same direction. I'm starting to think it's a glitch in the matrix.
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
I had a groundling (standing) ticket for the Globe last night, looked at the pouring rain and decided that I didn't want to get wet. I have only enjoyed one of the Emma Rice productions I have seen, The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, so I am easily dissuaded.

I don't like the continual use of sound and lights that she introduced - and I often find the sound too loud. I can and do see productions like that all over London. What I loved from the Globe was the acoustic productions, and use of candle light in the Sam Wanamaker. I also miss the actors and musicians I'd grown to recognise as part of the Globe company who are no longer there.

Amen! [Overused]

Ms. Rice should be on her way soon (the sooner the netter IMHO). I do hope whoever replaces her will try to restore the Globe to what it was.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Jengie jon:
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:

Or plan a church fete ("in Vicarage if wet").

This does not work for some congregations, normally Methodist ime, who simply in such situations get down and pray believing God will provide.
Clearly the Methodist church near me in London was less spiritual, as one year I was asked if I could help them by being the person who would measure how much rain had fallen if they needed to make a claim on their Pluvius insurance. The Insurance Company even sent me a little rain gauge for the purpose.

Mind you, it worked: taking out the insurance scared away the rain.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:
quote:
Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
I had a groundling (standing) ticket for the Globe last night, looked at the pouring rain and decided that I didn't want to get wet. I have only enjoyed one of the Emma Rice productions I have seen, The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, so I am easily dissuaded.

I don't like the continual use of sound and lights that she introduced - and I often find the sound too loud. I can and do see productions like that all over London. What I loved from the Globe was the acoustic productions, and use of candle light in the Sam Wanamaker. I also miss the actors and musicians I'd grown to recognise as part of the Globe company who are no longer there.

Amen! [Overused]

Ms. Rice should be on her way soon (the sooner the netter IMHO). I do hope whoever replaces her will try to restore the Globe to what it was.

I've not been to the Globe and I don't like what I've heard of the current regime - but I recall getting soaked watching "Twelfth Night" with Mr. Rylance, and it was well worth it!
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I saw the most recent production of Twelfth Night with Mr Rylance at The Globe and loved it, I think it was that production had Stephen Fry as Malvolio and Roger Lloyd-Peck, achieving his ambition to play Shakespeare, as Sir Andrew Aguecheek. I was standing right at the front and got caught in a swirl of Mr Rylance's skirts at one point.

Mind you, I also saw the all male Richard III in that season (featuring Lloyd-Peck as Buckingham), Farinelli in the West End, because I missed it at the Globe, and the surreal Nice Fish.

I got soaked seeing Henry V, before the pit drainage was sorted, so we were standing in and inch of water and the excellent Blue Stocking at both its opening and closing night. (I saw it, loved it, went back with my daughter).
 
Posted by Jengie jon (# 273) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
quote:
Originally posted by Jengie jon:
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:

Or plan a church fete ("in Vicarage if wet").

This does not work for some congregations, normally Methodist ime, who simply in such situations get down and pray believing God will provide.
Clearly the Methodist church near me in London was less spiritual, as one year I was asked if I could help them by being the person who would measure how much rain had fallen if they needed to make a claim on their Pluvius insurance. The Insurance Company even sent me a little rain gauge for the purpose.

Mind you, it worked: taking out the insurance scared away the rain.

Would not call them spiritual if you mean the type of people who concentrate on prayer and devotion. Nor if it is somehow thought of them as lighter of candles, praying to icons and other spiritual practices. The exact opposite would be truer. Maybe so if you think of them as people living unsung lives of sacrifice for others, with all the complexities of those who develop this type of virtue*. Rather the faith was born of quiet desperation, they needed to do this and thus had no option but to trust God.

Jengie

*for some reason this ability seems tied to also suffering from more than usual pettiness in congregational life.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
What a weekend!

We've had seven Germans staying plus a big 60th birthday party. I really enjoyed every bit of it. We chatted, played board games, hiked and had lots of lovely meals, none cooked by me.

Today is a washing sheets and towels day. Then I'm off to lunch with all my girlie friends, another birthday treat. This turning 60 lark is not so bad after all!

[Big Grin]
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Jengie jon:
Would not call them spiritual if you mean the type of people who concentrate on prayer and devotion. Nor if it is somehow thought of them as lighter of candles, praying to icons and other spiritual practices.

You have taken me much too seriously - I was being flippant!
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Boogie - glad the weekend went well. It sounds like fun. Four years in I can say that on the whole being in your sixties is good. Enjoy yourself!
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Yes, indeed. 60 is the new 40, so they say!

Back to Jim Brading's bus head-butting - I guess it might have been one of these (only in red):

Bristol H type single-decker

IJ
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
O dear - that didn't work. Try this:

https://myntransportblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/1933-bristol-h-type-bus.jpg?w=840

IJ
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
In my late teens we moved to Knutsford in Cheshire and then later, before my parents moved to the Yorkshire Dales, I worked a few years outside Nantwich so for a few years commuted via Middlewich and one of the features of that that little town used to be, may still be, and amazing collection of old vehicles like buses and lorries and cars to make period vehicles for films, etc...

...or perhaps Middlewich still exists in a time warp of the mid 1940s!
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
... We've had seven Germans staying ...

Does that count as an invasion??? [Devil]

Glad to hear you had a good time - many happy returns to you and Mr. Boogs. [Smile]
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Many Happy Returns, Boogie [Yipee]

I'm all in favour of having a birth week/end instead of just a day.
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:


Ms. Rice should be on her way soon (the sooner the better IMHO). I do hope whoever replaces her will try to restore the Globe to what it was.

Wow! I really like Michelle Terry as an actor and am anxious to see how she does as a director.
[Yipee]
 
Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
quote:

posted by Arachnid in Elmet

I'm all in favour of having a birth week/end instead of just a day.

Would you say that if you were pregnant ?
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
In other news, I noticed on my Walk through the Wood to the Bus Stop this morning that we are in for a Bumper Crop of Blackberries this year!

Mmmmmmm.....Blackberry and Apple Pie........

My old Mum used to make a wonderful B & A pie, with so much Butter in the pastry that it would be illegal today...... [Overused]

IJ
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Around here the wild critters get them all, unless you net them.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
There are so many blackberry bramble bushes to be found growing wild in this part of Ukland that I guess there's plenty for everyone - wild or tame!

IJ
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by moonlitdoor:
quote:

posted by Arachnid in Elmet

I'm all in favour of having a birth week/end instead of just a day.

Would you say that if you were pregnant ?
Hmm, probably not [Biased] I'm definitely in favour of as long a celebration as you can milk from the situation though.

I shall be following Boogie's example for my own significant birthday later in the year which will last a minimum of 3 weeks.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Crikey, A-in-E, you must have the constitution of an ox! [Big Grin]

We get nice sweet blackberries here (in the supermarket - I've never seen them growing wild here, although that may be because I've never looked). Just as they come, with some ice-cream - perfect pudding.

Did a spot of Retail Therapy this afternoon and got a pair of sandals to replace my falling-to-bits favourite ones for $45 (£27) including tax.

Their original price was $120 (about £74) before tax. [Yipee]

Getting shoes + saving money = happy piglet
 
Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Blackberries are a noxious weed here. They, and those growing them, may be shot on sight. That does not stop their being delicious and if you know of some that have not been poisoned, it's worth all the risks of snakes hiding in the thicket to pick them.
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ArachnidinElmet:
quote:
Originally posted by moonlitdoor:
quote:

posted by Arachnid in Elmet

I'm all in favour of having a birth week/end instead of just a day.

Would you say that if you were pregnant ?
Hmm, probably not [Biased] I'm definitely in favour of as long a celebration as you can milk from the situation though. [...]
Milk, eh? So pregnancy after all, then! [Two face]
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
Thinking of which: milk and blackberries go together rather nicely, in my opinion. May need some sugar top-up, but they colour the moo juice in a rather pleasant way. But then, I'm easily amused. (Which you knew, of course.)
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
Crikey, A-in-E, you must have the constitution of an ox! [Big Grin]

I may pencil in some time for work and sleep during the partying.

On the subject of blackberries, we too have a bumper crop. What's new this year, though, is the size. Many are closer to golf ball than pea. No complaints mind.
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Wesley J:
quote:
Originally posted by ArachnidinElmet:
quote:
Originally posted by moonlitdoor:
quote:

posted by Arachnid in Elmet

I'm all in favour of having a birth week/end instead of just a day.

Would you say that if you were pregnant ?
Hmm, probably not [Biased] I'm definitely in favour of as long a celebration as you can milk from the situation though. [...]
Milk, eh? So pregnancy after all, then! [Two face]
[Eek!] I hope you don't know something I don't, Wesley J!
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
I've had the first berries from my trained bramble, large, as usual; sweet, as usual; but lacking the usual depth of flavour. I think growing in the heavy rain may be responsible. Not sure what to do with them, as my guest can't deal with the pips. The other day I made some bramble fool with a previous years' lot from the freezer, run through a mouli, but that seems an awful waste of quite a lot of the substance of the things.

This bramble has an interesting history. At my last place, a neighbour brought in sacks of soil improver from her place of work, the Longreach Sewage Farm, and up sprang this bramble, with gorgeous fruit, and a ferocious growth habit. The adventitious stems are as thick as your thumb, and grow inches in a day. The plant spread along behind six garages, and I was the only resident who made regular use of it. When I moved, I took three of the layered plants, and one took in my new garden. This year, I had to cut the whole thing back to allow my neighbour to put in a new fence, and to correct the idiotic route the cable TV person had chosen for their ducting, right through the middle of the stems. According to the books, in the first year, a bramble puts out primocanes which do not bear fruit, and then in the second year, side branches which do. This one hasn't read the books, and is bearing with abandon. Practically all the berries in a cluster, ripe all at once. Lovely.
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Having muttered earlier that I missed seeing many of the actors who had been regulars performing at Shakespeare's Globe, I saw the RSC's production of Queen Anne at the Theatre Royal Haymarket last night and noted various familiar faces. It's a new play by Helen Edmundson, exploring the relationship between Queen Anne and Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Malborough. It is a fascinating exploration of the politics of the day, both the scurrilous street broadsheets penned by Defoe and Swift and the machinations of power. Helen Edmundson also wrote The Heresy of Love which was amazing.

It's the school holidays and I am not working late, so have booked theatre tickets all this week. Monday night I saw Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour, which was energetic fun. Six Catholic choir girls on a trip from their home in Oban to Edinburgh for a competition. Lots of energy and singing, from a cappella choir settings to rock numbers. There were a lot of references to Oban - which amused me as I've stayed there a few times, mostly on my way out to islands various, so I've climbed Pulpit Hill and McCaig's Tower, seen Fingal's Dog Stone on the way up to Dunollie Castle, all of which were mentioned.
 
Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Penny S
I've had the first berries from my trained bramble, large, as usual; sweet, as usual; but lacking the usual depth of flavour. I think growing in the heavy rain may be responsible.

I think you're right. When I lived in New Hampshire, my daughters used to pick the Concord grapes that grew along the roadside. When the season was unusually dry, those grapes had an extremely strong flavor.

Moo
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I need to learn more about training brambles - we have one which I 'allow to flower' and get some lovely blackberries from.

I used to grow raspberries but they s]are so cheap to buy frozen it hardly seems worth the effort. I think I'll give the ground over to blackberries [Smile]
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Moo:
quote:
Originally posted by Penny S
I've had the first berries from my trained bramble, large, as usual; sweet, as usual; but lacking the usual depth of flavour. I think growing in the heavy rain may be responsible.

I think you're right. When I lived in New Hampshire, my daughters used to pick the Concord grapes that grew along the roadside. When the season was unusually dry, those grapes had an extremely strong flavor.

Moo

Yes, this is true. Talk to wine-makers and they'll talk for hours about how it has to rain at the right time, early, to get the vines going but then it ought to be dry as the grapes ripen, to concentrate the flavors, bring out the terroir, etc.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Perhaps, Penny, you could make some nice blackberry WINE for your guest. No pips, and conducive to sleep...

[Two face]

IJ
 
Posted by Bene Gesserit (# 14718) on :
 
Heaven? Bread and butter pudding heavily laced with blackberries [Overused]
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
I need to learn more about training brambles - we have one which I 'allow to flower' and get some lovely blackberries from.

I used to grow raspberries but they s]are so cheap to buy frozen it hardly seems worth the effort. I think I'll give the ground over to blackberries [Smile]

Give the ground over to blackberries? The Pasture Protection Board would be on to you pretty quick smart. A landholder faces hefty fines if blackberries are not sprayed or otherwise kept in check. We used to pick them an hour in from the main road on the long weekend in January. But yes, a noxious weed and as happily regarded as another import, rabbits.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gee D:
... it's worth all the risks of snakes hiding in the thicket to pick them.

Er, no it isn't. Nothing would be worth that, not even bottles of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc growing on the bushes, ready-chilled.

[Eek!]

We took a wee run out into the country this afternoon and on the way back discovered a nice little farm shop (with v. cute baby donkey) and really rather nice veggies, from which soup may well ensue.
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Piglet, snakes are easily frightened of noise and commotion. Common pracrice in bush round here to get at blackberries is to whack the thicket with planks to get it low enough to stand on said planks to reach in to pick the fruit. Some snakes may resist such discouragemnt, but most would have fled. That is, if they were ever under the bushes.

There are not nearly as many sightings of snakes as non-Australians may like to think there are. In years of owning acreage in basically bush country we killed one. Just one and I did that only because we were having lots of children as visitors that day and I could not pursuade it to go elsewhere, so i killed it. (Killing snakes is illegal in NSW.) It was a red bellied black snake. We saw a couple of brown snakes and just once we saw an adder asleep in the sun on a warm rock in a dry creek bed. I am sure there were others but with three young boys I had no problem in allowing them to climb and explore.

To be on the safe side, we did have a dedicated snake first aid kit, never needed, although ordinary first aid was often called for. The worst thing that happened was that a young friend of my sons was climbing around in superfine sand or dust deposited probably centuries before in a cave on top of a mountain. He lost his asthma puffer and we had to drive for over an hour to nearest township to buy him another. I often think about future archeologists finding the puffer under even more layers of sand.

[ 26. July 2017, 23:54: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I was brought up in South Africa and we carried snake bite kits everywhere. We rarely saw them but often found their shed skins in the sheds and garage.

I rather like walking the dogs without having to think about snakes or other beasts that bite!
 
Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
[...] We rarely saw them but often found their shed skins in the sheds and garage. [...]

And that's why we call sheds sheds. [Two face]
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
The official way of training is to drive a row of 150 cm stakes into the ground, a couple of metres apart, and run wires - perhaps two, one along the top and one half way down, and then encourage the adventitious shoots along the wires with suitable fixings. Bit like grape vines, I suppose.

My way is to fix trellis to the fence, and fix the shoots which grow in a direction which allows it to the trellis, and cut back any which grow outwards and won't turn back.

Then, when they die back, cut them down near the roots.
 
Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
I hope only the vegetables were bought for the soup, and not the donkey.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:
The official way of training is to drive a row of 150 cm stakes into the ground, a couple of metres apart, and run wires - perhaps two, one along the top and one half way down, and then encourage the adventitious shoots along the wires with suitable fixings. Bit like grape vines, I suppose.

My way is to fix trellis to the fence, and fix the shoots which grow in a direction which allows it to the trellis, and cut back any which grow outwards and won't turn back.

Then, when they die back, cut them down near the roots.

Thanks, they seem to grow virtually all year round but just fruit in the autumn [Smile]
 
Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
My mum used to make Summer Pudding with blackberries. I can't say it was popular as far as I was concerned - cold, soggy white bread, yuck! [Projectile]

We have brambles in the garden but growing where they shouldn't so we keep cutting them back - hence, no fruit. As a child I did love eating them with milk but not enough to go out in search of them now.

In other news, the decorating chez Nen is making progress. The lounge is done - all went swimmingly until it came to choosing the curtains and we took ages to agree, so what's there is fine but a compromise as far as I'm concerned. Now we are packed into that room and the dining room is bare-walled and empty save for the workmate bench, stepladder, various tools and rags, and a radio.

Nen - hoping for a return to normal before Christmas.
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
My son who is an ace cook and keen forager has made a rather nice blackberry and elderberry summer pudding in the past, but then I rather like soggy white bread.

Mental, hope the dining room is finished rather sooner than Christmas.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by moonlitdoor:
I hope only the vegetables were bought for the soup, and not the donkey.

Absolutely! [Eek!]

I'm sorry Loth, but one sighting of a snake would be one too many. [Help]

I'm glad D. isn't reading this over my shoulder, as he'd be heading for the hills!
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
A lot depends on the bread - I get the best bread from the local baker, rather than sliced, and its sogginess is a better sort of sogginess. I have a visitor from California lined up for mid September (he may be staying in a B&B rather than here, but he is really looking forward to the summer pudding.
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
I said:
quote:
Mental, hope the dining room is finished rather sooner than Christmas.]
Nenya - so sorry, my ipad autocorrected your name and I didn't spot it till too late [Hot and Hormonal]

[ 28. July 2017, 07:08: Message edited by: Sarasa ]
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Last night I went to buy candles for a dinner party chez rouge* and behold! It was the end of the sales. And for the princely sum of €4 they were selling a Cuddly. Darth. Vader. My friends, I give you the coolest object ever created by a human being. The cute snuggly adorable little Lord of Fear and Darkness is currently sitting on husband en rouge’s pillow where he will never stop being awesome [Big Grin] .

*On the menu:
Entrée: foie gras served with cherry chutney and fennel
Main course: scallops sautéed with vanilla and flambéed with jenever, served on a bed of leeks with a truffle oil vinaigrette and topped with truffle flakes
Dessert courtesy of Cyril Lignac
Coffee and chocolates (for which we also thank Monsieur Lignac)
Wine selection: aperitif: Cherry Kir Royal; a Gewürztraminer for the entrée and dessert; a 2014 Chablis for the main course**; a variety of digestifs available at the whim of the guests

** there is a 2015 in the cellar which is even excellenter. But it would be a crime to drink it now.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sarasa:
I said:
quote:
Mental, hope the dining room is finished rather sooner than Christmas.]
Nenya - so sorry, my ipad autocorrected your name and I didn't spot it till too late [Hot and Hormonal]
I didn't snigger, nooooo - not me!

[Razz]
 
Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
quote:
Originally posted by Sarasa:
I said:
quote:
Mental, hope the dining room is finished rather sooner than Christmas.]
Nenya - so sorry, my ipad autocorrected your name and I didn't spot it till too late [Hot and Hormonal]
I didn't snigger, nooooo - not me!
[Killing me]

I too hope the dining room is finished well before Christmas, but it takes us literally months to do a room. This is because Mr Nen insists on doing as much of it as possible himself and he is a perfectionist; plus, it has to be fitted round his part time job and the other things he does. This was brought home to me recently when a friend had her lounge redecorated by Professionals. Wallpaper stripping, skirting boards, paintwork, repapering and painting, all completed in four days. [Eek!]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Cher Mme. Rouge, have you a picture of the Cuddly Darth Vader?

[Eek!]

Enquiring minds need to see...

BTW, the dinner party menu sounds absolutely delicious.......

IJ
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Your wish is my command.

(He’s cuter and snugglier in real life.)
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Thank you!

[Killing me]

Thinking of Lords Of Fear And Darkness, I wonder if there's yet a cuddly toy version of The Trump?

Or a pin-cushion version, perhaps...

[Snigger]

IJ
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:

Thinking of Lords Of Fear And Darkness, I wonder if there's yet a cuddly toy version of The Trump?

Or a pin-cushion version, perhaps...

[Snigger]

IJ

I did recently see toilet paper with Trump's face on it.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
... I wonder if there's yet a cuddly toy version of The Trump?

Heaven forfend! [Eek!]
quote:

Or a pin-cushion version, perhaps...

Now you're talking ... [Devil]

I'm not a Star Wars aficionado (quite the opposite in fact) but even I admit the Darth Vader is moderately cute. [Smile]

* * * * *

The Cathedral's summer lunch-time concert series continues apace - today we had a Celtic fiddle and guitar duo, who were very good indeed - the speed of some of the pieces almost defied the laws of biophysics!
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Nothing to do with Trump - but on a visit his week to a local supermarket I espied Gay Pride garden gnomes on sale. (There is also a "boy" version).
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
The pedestrian lights around Trafalgar Square amuse me as instead of have a green man walking, there are couples, shown as biological symbols in some places, including male-male and female-female.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
I didn't know that, although I think they may only be temporary! Although no longer so relevant since Ken Livingstone's avian purge of he Square, there should also have been icons showing red and green pigeons.

[ 29. July 2017, 07:02: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Not sure of your definition of temporary but those signals were there all winter, which is when I spotted them, and earlier this week when I wandered through from Embankment to theatres various. (I definitely saw the light in the photo with Saddiq Khan, which is outside Waterstones, on my way to the Theatre Royal Haymarket.)
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Meanwhile, has anyone else in Ukland noticed that, now most schools are on holiday, it is raining every bl**dy day?

Why do the English persist in thinking that July and August are suitable months for holidays? Even if one flees to Foreign Parts, one is likely to find the heat and humidity there too much to bear...

[Mad]

IJ
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Well, it is particularly damp and drizzly Near Us - I've even had the heating on! [Mad] Foreign Parts are looking very tempting ...

However we're not the only ones to notice this phenomenon.

PS My wife isn't English (she comes from Haggisland) but even she's feeling the cold.

[ 29. July 2017, 16:29: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Ah, trust the Cornish to make the best of things!

I'm reminded of the Welsh saying:

'If you can see the tops of the mountains, it's going to rain in half-an-hour. If you can't see the tops of the mountains, it's raining....'.

I believe the term is 'liquid sunshine'!

IJ
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Also in Scotland!

And, of course, you can always consult (or even buy) a weather forecasting stone. I believe they are very accurate.
 
Posted by ThunderBunk (# 15579) on :
 
Don't know what you mean. The Fine City is fine.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ThunderBunk:
Don't know what you mean. The Fine City is fine.

Having recently moved from the county town about 50 miles to the south, I cannot possibly comment.

But this is our current weather forecast.

[ 29. July 2017, 17:10: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Ah, your turn will come! You Mark My Words....

[Two face]

IJ
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
(Thunderbunk, I mean. BT is suffering enough already).

IJ
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Rain has started downtipping ... [Frown]
 
Posted by ThunderBunk (# 15579) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
quote:
Originally posted by ThunderBunk:
Don't know what you mean. The Fine City is fine.

Having recently moved from the county town about 50 miles to the south, I cannot possibly comment.

But this is our current weather forecast.

Well, you should have had the pollution washed out of you pretty thoroughly by the end of tomorrow.
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Knowing how wet it is currently in Cambridge, I shouldn't think Norwich is due to stay dry. We got asked to squidge up in the tent where I am currently to make more room at the back to let more in under cover over an hour ago and it doesn't sound as if it much drier. It is a bit difficult to tell over the music.
 
Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Thank you!

[Killing me]

Thinking of Lords Of Fear And Darkness, I wonder if there's yet a cuddly toy version of The Trump?

Or a pin-cushion version, perhaps...

[Snigger]

IJ

I have a recollection of the availability of plush toys in the shape of bacteria, so anything's possible.
 
Posted by Jengie jon (# 273) on :
 
Amazon seems to supply.

Jengie
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
Not sure of your definition of temporary but those signals were there all winter, which is when I spotted them, and earlier this week when I wandered through from Embankment to theatres various. (I definitely saw the light in the photo with Saddiq Khan, which is outside Waterstones, on my way to the Theatre Royal Haymarket.)

I noticed them when I was in London in June of 2016.
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Meanwhile, has anyone else in Ukland noticed that, now most schools are on holiday, it is raining every bl**dy day?

I have certainly noticed that the past ten days that I have spent on your soggy island have been rainy every day. I expect that when I come to England, but couldn't there have been ONE sunny day?
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I'm coming over the week after next - a spot of dry but not too hot weather would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance. [Smile]

In other news, we bought a tablet computer today, so if we can suss out how it works ( [Eek!] ) I might have rather more interwebicity than I currently have - and even be able to take photographs and post them on the Book of Face. (Our mobiles take photographs, but we've never actually worked out how to get them anywhere - the mobile package doesn't include the web because it'd apparently cost a fortune).
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I love my iPad, Piglet. Links and things like that took me a while when I first got it. Actrually I am on my second. I bought the first some years ago and son swapped it perhaps a year ago for a newer one at no cost to me.

I have Mac Mini desktop which is also my second after the big bulky original Macs and I also have the latest iPhone. My iPhone 5 shoqwed distinct signs of approaching death. All my phones have been hand me downs from one son or another, so this time I stumped up the money myself.

All devices are synced to each other and happily share pics etc and updates all round. I love them all, but iPad gets most use but iPhone is always with me. Mobile gets such use and is so convenient that I almost never use the landline. All calls and texts within Australia are free on my plan. I am happy with all arrangements.
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
I have a Microsoft Surface, which I love. Being an old fogey, I appreciate that it can be used with a mouse and a keyboard.

I couldn't keep up with the Ship (or emails) when I travel otherwise. I really appreciate that so many hotels now provide free Wi-Fi (though usually, like where I am now, verrrry slow!).
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I am away with a phone and tablet with keyboard, all Microsoft, sadly, but Android is much harder to set up like this, and linked to the laptop which is at home, so all get emails, have the same calendar and whichever documents, photos and music I choose to save on the cloud.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I love my Samsung Android Tablet - I went for the 8-inch 3x4 model and it is fabulous, particularly combined with the Kindle app. I also use a folding but rigid Bluetooth keyboard when I travel.

Brilliant!

...although I may be forced to buy a bigger Micro-SD card for it, I'm certainly tempted.
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I forgot to mention keyboard. I was using the internal one, was given another which was quite second hand, perhaps fourth or fifth hand even. Then one day, son and DIL arrived with a brand new Bluetooth Apple keyboard still in its box. I love it, although I can hit capslock easily if I am not careful.

They accidentally left price tag on. My eyes watered when I saw it but they refused anything. Son deals with Apple and gets good pricxes, but it was far from cheap, even at a discount.
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
This wee thing (it's a Samsung Galaxy, and bigger than a smart-phone but smaller than a Kindle) wasn't at all expensive - about $200 (£122). It doesn't have a separate keyboard, which I'm going to find quite hard to get used to (I'm a traditionally-trained typist and fully-paid-up old fogey) but I've already used it to take a couple of photographs (which was really why we bought it), and it seems quite good at that. The plan is that we'll take photographs of the new château to show to our respective Aged Parents; the pictures we have on our current mobiles are really too small for Elderly Eyes ...

I haven't actually had it in a place with wi-fi yet, so I haven't logged into all the bits and pieces, but that'll come.

technically challenged piglet [Hot and Hormonal]

[ 30. July 2017, 15:17: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 
Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
Last day of the singing term today [Yipee]

Its become what the choir refer to as Lollipop Sunday because the hymns (so far as appropriate), setting, etc for this one Sunday are all of the top-of-the-pops variety.

And all topped off with yours truly giving it some stick with the Radetsky March at the end.

No more rehearsals for a whole month.
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
Macarius and I are just back from a lovely weekend in Stamford with rellies. It really is the most beautiful town! We think it's about 35 years since we were last there, when we went to a wedding at Burghley House.

We didn't get to Burghley this weekend but did go to Rutland Water, which was gorgeous in the sunshine this morning.

When we told people where we were going, I think everyone said 'are you staying at the George?' We hadn't been able to get in there but stayed at the Crown instead, which was wholly delightful.

We were sad to come away!

M.
 
Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Scene: I am making new living room curtains. This is turning out to be rather more complicated than I anticipated.

Husband en rouge is advised that this is &!@$&!!! hard and expletives are going to be forthcoming.

"Alright, ma chérie, would you like me to make you a list?"

What a man. [Axe murder]
 
Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
Lovely.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
That man deserves a prize for that!
 
Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
It's a lovely sunny morning today Pigwidgeon, which I guess means that you have gone home !
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by moonlitdoor:
It's a lovely sunny morning today Pigwidgeon, which I guess means that you have gone home !

I'm flying out of Heathrow in a few hours. I do apologise* that my presence caused such bad weather on your Scepter'd Isle.

*Tomorrow I'll be back to spelling it 'apologize.'
[Biased]
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
It wasn't bad yesterday in Cambridge and looks positively pleasant this morning. I'm here for the Folk Festival, going home today. A few showers, but nothing like the downpour on Saturday. I definitely made the right choice of finding somewhere warm and dry to sleep rather than a campsite. (With free showers, wi-fi and charging facilities, unlike the campsite which charged for all of these and cost £1 less than staying in the YHA hostel for three nights.)

There's been a certain amount of muttering about the festival this year from the regulars as it is under new management and apparently larger and not as good. I have no idea, it's first time I've been, which is partly why I didn't stay on site, but I noticed Folk by the Oak, a couple of weeks ago, was bigger this year.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:

*Tomorrow I'll be back to spelling it wrong.

Fixed that for you [Razz]

It's lovely and sunny here, warm with a light breeze - perfect. And due to last until 1pm. Ho hum!

I took Mollie on a training walk to town. Two banks, two shops, a cafe for a coffee and a bus ride. She was paw perfect, bless her.

[ 31. July 2017, 11:05: Message edited by: Boogie ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
It's not been a bad day at all here, either, thanks to Pigwidgeon taking our Interesting Weather away with her!

IJ
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
That was very kind of you, Pigwidgeon - does that mean it'll be nice when we get there?

It's been hot here today (30°), but I wasn't over the door until about 8 o'clock this evening, by which time it had cooled down to 25° and was chucking it with rain, so I didn't really notice.
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Back home in hot Arizona -- thunderstorms predicted for tomorrow.

Next time I plan a visit to England, I shall warn you all in advance so that you can plan your holidays elsewhere while I'm there -- or at least be sure that no outdoor activities are planned.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I think I have today officially joined the ranks of Old People.

I got on the Bus this afternoon, returning from a hospital appointment, and a Charming Young Lady offered me her seat.....even though there were a number of vacant seats further back.

[Paranoid]

IJ
 
Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
I retired ( for the 3rd and last time ) yesterday. Now what? Have still got most of my marbles. And still a passion for preaching. But not on a one-off hit and run basis. That limits the opportunities. We shall see,
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Best of luck for a happy and healthy retirement, Shamwari! [Smile]

I've been in Culinary Piglet mode today - after a ridiculously long lie-in* I made lunch (The Sausage Thing) and then made some broccoli-and-Stilton soup to use up some of the Stilton in the fridge before we go away. I didn't use all of it (I didn't want the soup to stink to high heaven) so D. will have to finish the rest, 'cos I ain't going near it!

* Having been bitten to b*ggery by some of the Horrid Wee Beasties™ in a friend's (stunningly beautiful) garden the other evening, I've been taking anti-histamine pills before going to bed, and they seem to knock me right out.
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
My ear worm for the last few days has, for some unfathomable reason, been 'The Tennessee Waltz'.

And it keeps segueing into 'The Old Rugged Cross'.

How do I rid myself of this affliction?

(Exit stage left, singing, 'my friend stole my sweetheart from me. And I'll cling to that old rugged cross....')

M.
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
My ear worms have been various Oysterband songs including It's My Country Too - with added rants against Theresa May and a tent full of us blasting out "And I want it back". (That recording is very civilised compared with the live performance.)
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
My ear worm for the last couple of weeks has been Bavel's Bolero, which is a piece I love but oh it gets boring when it's going round and round and round and round...


eta; my other recent one incorporates the line:

quote:
Socrates himself is particularly missed,...


[ 02. August 2017, 07:37: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Earworms rarely get the chance to be completely embedded with me, although having seen a thing on Facebook about Mr. Scaramucci's exit from the White House that was based on the words of Bohemian Rhapsody ... well, you can guess the rest ... [Big Grin]

I did a tiny, last bit of pre-holiday shopping today and got a couple of T-shirts; as they were having a 60% off sale, I got both for about $15 (£9), which was less than the marked price of one of them. I do love a bargain. [Smile]

In other news, it's 29°C and feeling like 32. Apparently tomorrow it's going to be 30°, and feeling like 38.

[Help]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
38 might even be a little warm for me!
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
38 might even be a little warm for me!

Once it gets over body temperature it doesn't pay to move, go outside or speak if you do go outside. Caravans move in silence.
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Currently much amused to be riding on one of the new Crossrail trains. I had a suspicion they were part of the reason that more trains have been timetabled on this part of TfL Rail, but this is the first time I've caught one.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
I can't speak for the peak hour frequency, but off-peak has been every 10 minutes for years - unless they've augmented the timetable with extra unadvertised services.

I hope the trains are nice: I'm afraid I've succumbed to the sin of envy!

[ 03. August 2017, 11:55: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Peak hour frequency from London out has been every 10 minutes with a fast train every half hour before 6:30am or after 9:30am (ie not during rush hour). The last month or so there's been a semi fast train in the gap - so 7:57, 8:07, 8:17 was the normal pattern. A couple times recently I've just missed the 8:07 and caught the 8:14.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Thanks!
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Today I got a message from Mike and Mike that the Civil Partnership has happened - for which I am very thankful. The one who is in the hospice said he loved the day but it made him very tired. I get the impression that we may be approaching the end, which makes me very sad. I did ask, in my reply, if one of them could tell me who was making an honest man of whom - I am not sure if I'll get a reply to that on!

So today we celebrate; there will be plenty of time to mourn later on.
 
Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
God bless them both.
 
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Congratulations to Mike and Mike.
Talking of trains, there won't be any from this neck of the wood from Saturday for most of August due to revamping Waterloo Station. It's just sinking in what a pain getting to the various places I need to get to is going to be for the next few weeks
 
Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
38 might even be a little warm for me!

It didn't get quite that far - Deo gratias - but it's currently 26° and feeling decidedly sticky.

Why isn't the temperature going down to Almost Civilised Levels (i.e. low-mid-20s) until after we go away???

Congratulations to Mike and Mike - it must have been a bitter-sweet sort of day for them, but I hope the Mike who's ill has at least a little time to celebrate. [Votive]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I think I'm going into competition with the twins on napping times - I think I might just win! Perhaps I'm in my second childhood - or third or fourth!

I'm going to have to keep my eye out for a cuddly toy Eeyore for the girl child - every time she is brought to my room to see me when it is my eye-drop time she zeroes in on Eeyore and gives his ear and/or tail a chew and the poor guy won't survive forever; though he doesn't seem to mind but, of course, never cracks a smile.

Strangely whilst looking through a well-known online shopping site I saw a smiling Eeyore is available - surely that has to be a travesty of the highest order!


ete: I do NOT spend all my time in bed, lest what I said gives you that impression, but it is easier to administer eye-drops if I am lying down, or so Himself maintains.

[ 04. August 2017, 12:01: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Several hours later a memory occurred to me:

At breakfast the other day I was having puttu, a steamed cake that I have made with red rice flour and oats, and a dal made from unhusked mung [green] gram. Herself makes a wonderful one with a green chilli sliced open and fried with the cooked gram - then she takes the chilli out before serving it into a dish for the table except the kids distracted her and it appeared on the table with the chilli in situ.

Serving myself I noticed the chilli and took it out with my fingers, knowing how fierce it might be, and then made a foolish mistake and for some reason then sucked my fingers!

I can assure you the hot, spicy oil from the chilli needs nanoseconds to transfer itself to the human finger...

..it is good to know that my suffering can cause such amusement to my family!
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I think I'm going into competition with the twins on napping times - I think I might just win! Perhaps I'm in my second childhood - or third or fourth!

I'm going to have to keep my eye out for a cuddly toy Eeyore for the girl child - every time she is brought to my room to see me when it is my eye-drop time she zeroes in on Eeyore and gives his ear and/or tail a chew and the poor guy won't survive forever; though he doesn't seem to mind but, of course, never cracks a smile.

Strangely whilst looking through a well