Thread: Keep Calm and Carry On - the British thread 2014 Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
The kettle is on, there's a packet of chocolate digestives in the larder and the hangover cure is in the bathroom cabinet.

Welcome to 2014, fellow Brits!
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
You keep bloody Marys in the bathroom cabinet?
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Ugh - no! Solpadeine™, an over-the-counter brand of paracetamol (acetaminaphen) which I have to buy in as much bulk as possible when I'm home on holiday, as I can't get it here, and nothing else quite does the trick.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
V good choice of thread title, piglet.

Sitting here with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, the aroma scenting the first morning of the new year. Dark outside and raining; the roads are very quiet, hardly a car to be seen. Back to work tomorrow, but there's still today, there'll be the New Year's Day Concert from Vienna later on, and there's the long-awaited Sherlock tonight! Happy New Year - let's hope it will be.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Btw, I have to ask, was anyone at the London fireworks and did you try the "edible confetti" and "peach-flavoured snow"?
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
We had two visitations of young mummers last night and on each occasion as they shoved the collecting tin under my nose I took it from them and walked into the house with it - the expression on their collective faces was wondrous!

Don't worry, I did add something to it and give it back to them - eventually! I just wished we had thought to set up the video camera to record the jaw-dropping.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by piglet:
The kettle is on, there's a packet of chocolate digestives in the larder and the hangover cure is in the bathroom cabinet.

Welcome to 2014, fellow Brits!

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Thank you piglet!
 

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Posted by Thyme (# 12360) on :
 
Happy New Year! Wondering if I will manage to break most of my resolutions (the ones I would have made if I made resolutions) today.

I don't think NYD counts as it is a holiday. Start tomorrow.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Happy New Year to everyone.

No - didn't go to see the fireworks, I went to the Millennium ones and the noise echoing between buildings was LOUD. In my student years we pub crawled to Trafalgar Square every year - which was fun - all joining arms to sign Auld Lang Syne and kissing policemen. All the local pubs had expensive parties or a charge to get in which removed any enthusiasm for that entertainment.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
My new year news -

I have applied to become a Guide Dog puppy walker.

References have been taken up so I'm getting excited. I enjoyed Tatze's puppyhood so much that I decided I wanted to do it again, and do some good at the same time. And I think Tatze will make a great 'Mum', we have had several little visitor puppies and she has been great with them.

Getting approved is a long process so, even if accepted, I don't expect to start until May at the earliest.


 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Good for you, Boogie - I knew people that did that I lived in Knutsford, a long time ago now, and they found it great fun.
 

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Posted by Thyme (# 12360) on :
 
Good for you Boogie. I too had a friend who did a of this for the guide dogs organisation. She loved it. Such a good thing to do.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
That sounds good Boogie - the puppies are really cute, one of the Guides' families did it and the puppy arriving at collection time used to get mobbed.
 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Thyme:
I don't think NYD counts as it is a holiday. Start tomorrow.

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Absolutely! I've come to the same conclusion about the decluttering and the diet.

That's great news Boogie, what a worthwhile and enjoyable thing to do.

Nen- not much enjoying the wet windy weather which has followed us into the new year.
 

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Posted by Lucia (# 15201) on :
 
I just watched the New Year fireworks from London courtesy of Youtube. Fantastic! One year, when I actually live in the UK again I would love to go and see this for real! Until then virtual fireworks will have to do....

Happy New Year fellow Brits, whether expat like us or home in Blighty!
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Happy New Year!

We have a friend who had a gorgeous guide dog puppy, the school eventually sent a letter out asking everyone not to mob him at collection time!

One of my new year resolutions is a declutter-a-day but that, and the inevitable diet, won't start in earnest until the children are back at school. I also need to discuss with my other half about who will be our first group of victims to invite for our new dinner party pact.

Today I will potter around in my craft room and possibly go for a walk if the wind dies down. Must have a cup of tea first though.
 

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Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
Happy New Year to everyone.

No - didn't go to see the fireworks, I went to the Millennium ones and the noise echoing between buildings was LOUD. In my student years we pub crawled to Trafalgar Square every year - which was fun - all joining arms to sign Auld Lang Syne and kissing policemen. All the local pubs had expensive parties or a charge to get in which removed any enthusiasm for that entertainment.

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Some years ago I spent New Year at Parliament Square. It was so noisy, we couldn't hear Big Ben chime.
 

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Posted by rolyn (# 16840) on :
 
We were in bed at 12.00 last night and heard what sounded like WW3 . So we got up and had the benefit of watching three or four separate firework events from a goodly distance .

This morning we wake up to strong wind, lashing rain and visibility of 100 yards . I think the Lord must have smiled on those revellers .

Welcome to 2014
 

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Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
I had a happy New Year's Eve cooking a large dinner including an extremely yummy celery sauce courtesy of my secret santa's Christmas gift. A happy evening was spent consuming said dinner and playing silly games. Watched fireworks on the TV, trying to get into London doesn't appeal. On the other hand a local pub crawl might be worth considering next year.
 

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Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Great thread title, Piglet - thank you!

So far, 2014 looks very like 2013...windy and pouring with rain - and the wind is howling round the house and moaning at the keyhols.

In a few minutes time, I shall disturb the heap of cats on my lap and go and put the kettle on. Coffee, anyone - tea if you prefer, and there are shortbread biscuits in the tin if anybody would like to indulge? Then I'd better think about getting dressed...
 

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Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
Wishing us all a year full of love, laughter and blessings!

We stayed at home, had a yummy meal of pintard in truffle sauce (prepared by the butcher) and went to bed at 11.30...The centre of the village was dead - bars & hotel/restaurants already closed for the night!

I'm preparing lessons today, but I start back officially on Monday. The healthy eating/exercising (if you're lucky!) regime starts then too.
 

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Posted by Abigail (# 1672) on :
 
Hello, can anyone join in?

I spent last night at a party at my church. First time in living memory (well, in the time I’ve been there anyway) that they’ve done anything on New Year’s Eve and it was certainly an improvement on what I usually do on that day – ie sit at home by myself feeling depressed.

I’ve just been pottering around at home this morning and now I feel the need for some fresh air and am wondering whether to venture out in the rain…
 

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Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
Rain and wind outside here in the damp and not very cold North West of England. But I want to go for a walk!
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I have waterproof everything. Coat/trousers/hat/gloves/boots. They were put to the test today (45 minutes pouring rain).

They passed!


 

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Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
Happy New Year!

Ooo.. I am very excited by the puppy walking, Boogie. I grew up very close to one of the training centres, and my current workplace is next to the local area Guide Dog mobility team, as well as working with and alongside people who have Guide Dogs, as well as with young people on the waiting lists.

In the meantime, any vegetarians, or veggie food lovers, want some nut roast or lentil and carrot soup? I took one look at the fridge and decided it was time to do something with the veg there, and the larder also needed a bit of a clear-out, and I seem to have made enough of both to feed all the visitors to this thread!
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Japes - freeze it in individual portions for those days when you can't be bothered to cook?
 

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Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
Oh, that's the plan CK! I always have a cooking day like this at least once per half term... I'm just having a generous moment first!
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Abigail:

I’ve just been pottering around at home this morning and now I feel the need for some fresh air and am wondering whether to venture out in the rain…

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quote:

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Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
Did you manage to get out? I never did, it's been pouring down here and I'm beginning to get cabin fever. [/QB]

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quote:

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Originally posted by Japes:

In the meantime, any vegetarians, or veggie food lovers, want some nut roast or lentil and carrot soup? I took one look at the fridge and decided it was time to do something with the veg there, and the larder also needed a bit of a clear-out, and I seem to have made enough of both to feed all the visitors to this thread!

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While you weren't looking I helped myself to a portion of each - very nice they were too Thank you!

Happy New Year everyone!

Due to the rain I've not been able to bring myself to open the front door except to show the cats why they might not want to go out (they agreed). Had a lovely day pottering and getting through Death comes to Pemberly.
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Japes:


In the meantime, any vegetarians, or veggie food lovers, want some nut roast or lentil and carrot soup? I took one look at the fridge and decided it was time to do something with the veg there, and the larder also needed a bit of a clear-out, and I seem to have made enough of both to feed all the visitors to this thread!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Abigail:
Hello, can anyone join in?

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Absolutely - pull up a chair!

Thanks for the nice comments about the thread title - I'm indebted to my boss, who gave me a tote-bag with the logo on it for Christmas.

We took the New Year in with friends from the choir, and this evening we're going to the same friends whose house we were at on Christmas Day, this time for roast beef, which they like very rare. That suits me fine, but D's preferred degree of doneness is "cremated", so he has to make sure he gets the end bit ...
 

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Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by ken:
Rain and wind outside here in the damp and not very cold North West of England. But I want to go for a walk!

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I made it about 500 metres to my sisters house and she offered me a cup of tea and then I spent the next five hours playing a computer game with my brother in law
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Another bright, calm, sunshiney morning here - but I'm pretty sure none of you really wants to know that. A bit cool having breakfast on the verandah, even with a t-shirt on but we were brave and carried on without too much complaint.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Of course you were, Wodders dear.

According to Environment Canada, it's currently -14°C here, (-26° with the wind-chill), and they're apparently forecasting anything from 6 inches to 2 feet of snow on Friday/Saturday. We're rapidly running out of places to put it.

Just back from a v. pleasant evening with friends from the choir, and excellent roast beef and all the trimmings.

well-fed piglet
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Ah well. Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go, public transport and weather permitting. It may be dark but it's mild out there and the hours of daylight are starting to lengthen.

Anyone see Sherlock last night? Great start to the new series.
 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
It's very much back to normal routine today and although I have the day off tomorrow when I would normally be working the festive feeling is definitely over. January is going to be silly-busy for all the Nen family and it's a bit daunting.

Yes, I saw Sherlock, we were mesmerised.

Nen - trying to sum up enthusiasm for the grocery shopping so procrastinating on the Ship instead.
 

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Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Yes, I think its time to de-Christmas. Take the cards down, put the tinsel away

However, that will take me all morning, which means I can put off yet again the job of taking the bathroom curtains down and replacing all the broken hooks!

I saw Sherlock - I'm still trying to work out the plot. If there was one. Burt its brilliantly done.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Ariel:

Anyone see Sherlock last night? Great start to the new series.

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I saw 2/3 of it as 10pm is my bed time - don't tell me - I've taped the rest to watch this evening!

I'm off to meet a friend and her pooch for walkies, then visit my Mum followed by my brother's farm + great niece and nephew twins (6 months old)

A sociable day
 

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Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
I saw the first ten/fifteen minutes of Sherlock before I fell asleep in the chair. I woke just towards the end so raced out of the room and off to bed at high speed to avoid seeing the ending before I'd had proper chance to watch the story unfold.
Guess what's on the agenda for today!

Meanwhile, today's going to be a "get a series of things done while the boy is out at work" day. I changed my job partly so we'd get a bit more time together - is it bad of me to wish he'd go out a little bit more often?
 

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Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
I don't go back till Monday, and am beginning to feel a bit stir crazy, having been in all day yesterday due to the vile weather, so it's off to London in a bit to see an exhibition of gates made by Bob Dylan
I stop have rather a lot of Christmas cake if a anyone's interested.
 

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Posted by Stejjie (# 13941) on :
 
Bit late this, but happy new year everyone!

Was delighted to find, on returning from our Christmas hols at my in-laws', that there was an unfinished (and still good) bar of Aldi milk chocolate in the fridge. By some miracle, there's still a bit of it left (though perhaps not by the end of the day...).

If I started with a cold on New Year's Eve and still have it now, does that make it my last cold of 2013 or first of 2014? No doubt there'll be plenty more to come...
 

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Posted by Starbug (# 15917) on :
 
Mr S went back to work today, but I'm off until Monday. As the weather has finally calmed down enough to go out, I'm planning to walk out to our local shopping centre to look round the sales and hopefully spend the Waterstones voucher that a friend gave me. I also have a Haskins voucher, but that can wait for another day because it requires driving; today is too nice to be wasted in the car.
 

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Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Went to bed at 3 a.m. on New Year’s day. Felt pretty ok yesterday, but feeling the kickback tiredness this morning. Mercifully I patronised Marks and Sparks the other day and have a plentiful supply of English tea to which you are all welcome.

For New Year’s, we did one of those proper French dinners that do something or other to the space time continuum and consequently send you into some kind of alternative dimension and go on for several years. This is a very convenient approach to New Year’s because if you sit down at about nine o’clock, you’re just about approaching the dessert by midnight. When I say a proper French dinner that means:

Aperitif: Grapefruit kir and little nibbly things on sticks

Entrée the first: Samosas and spring rolls made by a person from Reunion Island and Spinach/smoked salmon roll made by someone else

Entrée the second: Foie gras and homemade paté

A bottle of white Burgundy with the above

Plat de résistance: Roast beef with foie gras sauce

Cheese: St Marcellin, Roquefort, Goat's cheese and some kind of squidgy cow cheese that I forget the name of

A bottle of Claret to keep all of this company

Midnight arrives, cue silly hats and streamers and crack open a nice bottle of champagne

Dessert: mince pies made by my own fair hand. Well, the mincemeat was from Marks and Sparks, but I made my own sweet shortcrust. The French people liked them.

Crawl home and sleep until lunchtime. The following day decide that enough is enough and eat vegetable soup.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
That all sounds delicious and my kind of meal we had dinner with French friends last week and I was surprised to find out that they have the cheese course before dessert.

Other half is back at work and I'd love to go for a walk in the sunshine but I suspect my children are less inclined I have been good, though, and set some work for my students for when they return from their break next week.
I might go and do some decluttering in my sewing room/study.
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
That all sounds delicious and my kind of meal we had dinner with French friends last week and I was surprised to find out that they have the cheese course before dessert.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Nicodemia:
I saw Sherlock - I'm still trying to work out the plot. If there was one. Burt its brilliantly done.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Firenze:

quote:

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Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
That all sounds delicious and my kind of meal we had dinner with French friends last week and I was surprised to find out that they have the cheese course before dessert.

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But of course. That is so that the red you are having with the main course can segue seamlessly into the red/ port to go with the cheese.

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quote:

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Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
...In posh French restaurants one eats one's cheese with a knife and fork...

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The bread I understand but knife and fork?

Oh well, it takes all kinds.
 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
But one of the best things in the whole world to eat is applewood smoked cheddar cheese and those biscuits which are shaped like little loaves and are the same taste as digestives. It just wouldn't be the same with bread.

In other news, I'm listening to the weather and it sounds as though there's more grim stuff on the way.

Nen - battening down the hatches.
 

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Posted by Adeodatus (# 4992) on :
 
I don't usually do the "British" threads, but I want to try & be a regular visitor this year. I thought I might anyway, but when I saw the title, that clinched it - I was born just across the street from Barter Books, where the "Keep Calm and Carry On" phenomenon started. (It wasn't Barter Books then, it was still Alnwick Station.)

So hello from one of the Ship's Northumbrians in exile (I'm sure there must be others).
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
That all sounds delicious and my kind of meal we had dinner with French friends last week and I was surprised to find out that they have the cheese course before dessert.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:

quote:

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Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
...In posh French restaurants one eats one's cheese with a knife and fork...

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The bread I understand but knife and fork?

Oh well, it takes all kinds.

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Unless it's Brie, Camembert or or one of the really smelly ones like Livarot or Pont l'Eveque, in which case you'll need a spoon.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
La Vie, your dinner sounds absolutely heavenly. I'm definitely in the "cheese after pudding" camp - if we're entertaining I'll bring the cheeseboard through to the sitting-room so that we can sit in comfort and nibble on pieces of cheese, grapes and nuts as we want. In restaurants, I prefer to have cheese instead of pudding, although I can only think of one restaurant here that offers a cheeseboard, and fiscally it's in the "occasional treat" category.

Adeodatus, thank you for the link to Barter's web-site - I assumed that the logo must have been a war-time thing, but I didn't know where the modern incarnation started.

Very cold day here today (-16°, feeling like -29° with the wind-chill) but beautifully sunny, so we went for a drive out of town for lunch before I came back to do the Cathedral bulletin. Sort of getting into practice for returning to the grind on Monday ...
 

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Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
Mr. S likes cheese with Christmas cake - apparently a Northern thing - but then again he likes cheese, full stop. (I don't, except very rarely, which is a blessing, cf. Safe from Kidnapping thread )

In our house, the motto is 'Keep calm, cut off the green bits, and carry on'

Mrs. S, whose children DID survive to adulthood in spite of the above
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Cheese goes well with anything sweet - especially jam
 

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Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 

quote:

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Cheese goes well with anything sweet - especially jam [Smile]

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Ugh no! I hate sweet with savoury. Full stop. I know, I know, oranges in salads, sweet sauce with meats, etc. etc. it seems all the rage now, but not on my dinner plate, thank you very much!

I'm just an old fashioned eater!

[ 03. January 2014, 08:19: Message edited by: Nicodemia ]
 

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Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
I'm mostly with you, Nicodemia - I've never understood what MrD calls "jam with meat" (cranberry sauce + turkey; apple sauce + pork etc) BUT I do like slightly sweet biscuits with a sharp cheddar (Hovis/ digestive type) - not that one can find either in France!
Chutney with cold meat is a different kettle of fish, and we eat a lot of chutney, but that's more sweet/sharp than "jam"
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Fruit and fruit sauce with meat have been around for centuries. Redcurrant jelly with lamb is wonderful when I can get it - nicer than mint sauce IMO. I'm not too keen on crackers with cheese – for me they need to be thin and preferably water biscuits rather than proper biscuits, otherwise they detract from the actual cheese. There's nothing like a slice of a freshly baked loaf still warm from the oven with a piece of your favourite cheese, though.

And I’m not going to mention Danish blue with honey drizzled across it or cheese pancakes with golden syrup, as they do in Holland.

Meanwhile, we're having some crazy weather – about an hour ago we had a hailstorm with chunks of ice like large marbles which must have been nearly an inch across. Quite spectacular (and really noisy) while it lasted.
 

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Posted by Pooks (# 11425) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:

quote:

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Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
...In posh French restaurants one eats one's cheese with a knife and fork...

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The bread I understand but knife and fork?

Oh well, it takes all kinds.

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(*Cackles*)

Oh yes. Not just knives and forks! Some of us eat broken bottles and turn into werewolves during the full moon too.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I've booked our summer hols this morning, 2 weeks in Cornwall; one in the Lizard, one near Land's End. The lady I spoke to on the farm in Land's End was battening down the hatches for the storm. We had a heavy thunderstorm and hail about an hour or so ago here.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
That hail storm has just come through here - black skies, really noisy hail.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Pooks:
...Some of us eat broken bottles and turn into werewolves during the full moon too.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
That hail storm has just come through here - black skies, really noisy hail.

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[smug hat] We seem to have gotten away with it here, at least this time - just some heavy rain (though not bad for Manchester) and fairly strong winds - don't know if it's 'cos we're inland, but it seems the worst has passed us by.
[/smug hat]

for those it hasn't passed by...
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Definitely a time to Keep Calm and Carry On. Severe Flood Warnings in effect practically in the centre of Newport, and lesser, but still serious warnings for Caerleon and plenty of other places in walking distance.

[ 03. January 2014, 17:10: Message edited by: Sioni Sais ]
 

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Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Windy rainy cold here....mind you, if we were flooded the water would be half way up the tower of the Town Centre church...the town centre is low-lying.
Hope everyone is safe and snug tonight.
 

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Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
I generally go for a 30 minute run on Friday lunchtimes, with some work colleagues. The hail arrived about 10 minutes into the run.It only lasted about 10 minutes, but then we had heavy rain for the final 10 minutes. Normally I really enjoy the run but today the hot shower afterwards was the best part.
 

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Posted by Sherwood (# 15702) on :
 
Chocolate Hob-Nobs...I don't half miss them! Can't get them at all in Finland. The joys of being an ex-pat Brit!

Sorry for the interruption, but I didn't think the "Welcome Aboard 2014" thread was appropriate, since I'm a returning member and not a genuine new poster.

Anyhoo...

I joined a few years back but didn't post much. I ended up moving to Finland due to falling in love with a wonderful Finnish woman online, and I kind of cut my internetting down a heck of a lot.

The time seemed right to jump aboard again, this time for a good while longer hopefully!!
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Interested to see footage of the storm hitting Aberystwyth. I used to stay in a flat on the seafront. A big sea was an annual event - it always demolished the paddling pool and took another bit off the pier.
 

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Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:

quote:

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Originally posted by Pooks:
...Some of us eat broken bottles and turn into werewolves during the full moon too.

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I thought that only happened Sarf of the River!

Signed: Essex boy by birth.

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Oh for Gawds sake, there's no such place as "sarf London". That's just how poncy media types from north of the river think we talk. The correct term is "saaf Lunden"
 

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Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 

 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Firenze:
Interested to see footage of the storm hitting Aberystwyth. I used to stay in a flat on the seafront. A big sea was an annual event - it always demolished the paddling pool and took another bit off the pier.

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You'd think they'd have learnt, and moved them inland where the sea couldn't get at them.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Sorry Spike & ken, I stand corrected.

Went to my room about 8.15 last night then thought I'd have 5 minutes before I came back in here and then woke up at 02.30. It was bliss! Later had a really weird dream where I was at a party with friend who is a judge in UK and we were both smoking illegal substances and I was worried that she might harm her career - it was quite a relief to wake up and know that she is safe!
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Blimey Wodders, I thought I had weird dreams ... I should keep off the old Stinking Bishop before going to bed if I were you.

It's blizzarding merrily outside; the little path that Kind Neighbour dug out in front of our house has almost been obliterated and it's not showing any signs of stopping. We're supposed to be going to an "open house" do at the Deanery on Saturday afternoon, but if the weather's still vile, it'll be postponed until Sunday, which will interfere with our afternoon snoozing habits ...

Hope those of you with more water than you'd care for are keeping safe.

As it was a "battening down the hatches" kind of day, I made a pot of chicken-and-veggie soup for tomorrow's lunch, and set a loaf going in the bread-machine - do help yourselves.

[ 04. January 2014, 03:25: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Talking of bread - most bread here is sold sliced rather too thinly for my liking BUT we have recently found a source of thickly sliced bread, ok, only available in white but it makes good toast for breakfast after mass on Sunday mornings. For some reason my bread making skills have disappeared in the last 30 years so we have to have the bought stuff.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I have started a low carb diet so made almond crackers and almond bread yesterday. Very nice too!


 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
They seem to have stopped slicing bread thinly here these days. It's now medium, thick or doorstep, which is annoying because I'd prefer thin if I could get it.

Raining again today here in Oxon-on-Sea. Strange, that.
 

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Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
My word, the cold weather here is putting paid to my resolution to get up and get going bright and early this morning. All I want to do is snuggle down under the duvet and preferably go back to sleep, but that might also be because I have a mountain of paperwork to do for school on Monday.

I have rather a glut of bread for some reason. Maybe a good excuse to dollop some special jam on top for second breakfast. I wonder why my new year diet isn't going very well!

Anyone got the kettle on?
 

---

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
Have a cuppa! smudge. I also have some rather odd gingerbread porridge.. Not sure if I like it but good for a miserable day. After being unable to sleep most of the night I now feel very odd, and not sure what I want to do today. The latest Hobbit film has been suggested, which sounds like a good idea
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I've just made a drink so the kettle is still hot.

Went to town to collect something else from a courier and we found that the place actually MAKES bread and it would be ready in half an hour so we did a bit of shopping then went back and we got it unsliced, fresh from the oven - still HOT! The smell in the car on the way back was exquisite!

eta 15 minutes later: I have just been brought two doorsteps of fresh warm bread and a little pumpkin soup to dip it in - if you're not jealous, you should be!

eta again: This morning I completed the 22 page form as required by HMG for claiming my State Retirement Pension and got it in the post, registered, to Newcastle. Pete was a bit upset when I told him the postage cost was under C$3 [about UKP1.70]

Btw, just asked and the bread is about 25 pence a loaf!

[ 04. January 2014, 08:55: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

---

Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
Bread sauce... that's what I'm going to do with my glut of milk, bread, onions and to help finish off the jar of cloves.

I'm having a quiet, do as little as possible day other than the bread sauce making. Yesterday was remarkably exhausting, what with playing for a funeral on an organ I used to know quite well (and which has developed more idiosyncrasies since I last played it regularly) and coping with the extraordinary merging of various parts of my past, none of who I ever expected to converge in that place!

Though people who think it's appropriate to come and whisper in the organist's ear for any other reason than the church is on fire and I need to get out now whilst she is playing the final voluntary are on my hit list. Especially if they start with "I don't want to put you off playing, but...."

Just because it's possible, doesn't mean you should do it!
 

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Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
A bit grey and murky here. Not much doing, but need to finish the white chocolate and ginger cheesecake that I promised to make for a friend.

I made an interesting leftover-chocolate-fondue-tiffin-type thing yesterday. There's some in the fridge if you want to try it - basically crushed speculoos biscuits in butter, chilled. Chocolate fondue re-melted, mixed with chopped nuts, dried cranberries & crystallised ginger, poured over the biscuits and reset. Mr D seems to like it verrrry much, so get a morsel while you can!
 

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Posted by Stejjie (# 13941) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I've just made a drink so the kettle is still hot.

Went to town to collect something else from a courier and we found that the place actually MAKES bread and it would be ready in half an hour so we did a bit of shopping then went back and we got it unsliced, fresh from the oven - still HOT! The smell in the car on the way back was exquisite!

eta 15 minutes later: I have just been brought two doorsteps of fresh warm bread and a little pumpkin soup to dip it in - if you're not jealous, you should be!

---

I am!

Was going to make bread rolls with our two girls to have for breakfast this morning but a) we didn't have any strong bread flour and b) making a cake (that didn't rise ) was quite traumatic enough for one day. Maybe next week...
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sherwood:
Chocolate Hob-Nobs...I don't half miss them! Can't get them at all in Finland. The joys of being an ex-pat Brit!

Sorry for the interruption, but I didn't think the "Welcome Aboard 2014" thread was appropriate, since I'm a returning member and not a genuine new poster.

Anyhoo...

I joined a few years back but didn't post much. I ended up moving to Finland due to falling in love with a wonderful Finnish woman online, and I kind of cut my internetting down a heck of a lot.

The time seemed right to jump aboard again, this time for a good while longer hopefully!!

---

Welcome back. Discussing hobnobs is a good introduction to this thread, we generally discuss food and the weather

I've just popped some glass in the kiln to make a bowl (a redo of a bubbled piece so I hope it works) and am about to put some dough in the breadmaker ready to bake for lunch. The children are nagging to play a new board game so I guess we'll do that once my other half finally gets out of bed
 

---

Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
OK you have inspired me a plain carrot & sweet potato soup is in the slow cooker.

Do not think I will manage fresh bread though.

Jengie
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
I now have a cat, rabbit and pig in the fridge.... orange, chocolate and raspberry blancmange ready for tea tomorrow.

Time to think about breakfast. Or maybe skip straight to lunch. Although I' back at w*rk I am still in holiday mood so a very slow start to the day. Savoury pancakes anyone?
 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
Been to see Nenlet1 and the son in law. Their house is so cold! I guess they're young and don't feel the cold like their aged parents. Also had a piece of their Christmas cake - made by his mother - and now feel a bit nauseous...

Planning to take the decorations down this afternoon but Mr Nen has another agenda so I'm waiting until he's available to help me.

Nen - glad to get home into the warm.
 

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Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
Having discovered that there is an alternative 12th Night, I have decided that as I am still enjoying my pretty tree I shall leave it up until 18th Jan. Thankfully it's not the sort to shed needles otherwise it might be down already.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nenya:
Been to see Nenlet1 and the son in law. Their house is so cold!

---

Now you know what to buy them for next Christmas - onesies!
 

---

Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
The plan to give up the excesses and be sensible in the New Year is not going all that well. This afternoon we went for afternoon tea at La Durée, purveyor of some of the finest patisserie on the planet, in very lovely Belle Epoque surroundings. They are famous for being the inventor of macaroons split in half with ganache in the middle, but everything they have is to die for. Their tea is also more than pleasant (I got green tea with rose, violet, ginger and mint - it was heavenly). You have to queue to get in on a Saturday and the prices are kind of obscene, but it's worth it. Calming down and being sensible will have to be to be for another day.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I'm leaving calming down and being sensible for when I'm dead!
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I'm working on being more frivolous and lighthearted, but a prolonged spell of too much rain and not enough sunlight has dampened most of my enthusiasm. We're expecting the fun storm they just had on the east coast of America to cross the Atlantic to us today, to top up the flooded roads in case they dry out.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I wish they had properly structured training courses in spontaneity!

* * * *

I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that I am going to have to do something drastic about this room - I think I may have to tidy my desk

I haven't attempted it in over a year and these days I can never find anything without a 10 minute search. This also means that I shall have to do the filing! - a task I loathe and detest even though I know it never really takes long.

Perhaps I'll start it all tomorrow, or Wednesday - it can't be Tuesday as I'm going to The Big City. I really need to find the form donating my body to the local Medical School and get it all sorted out - after I check that it expressly stipulates that I have to be dead first! It all needs to be done on Stamp Paper and signed in front of a Notary and all that - which is fair enough but takes some organising as it means the witnesses have to taken along to the Notary's office as well.
 

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Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
Afternoon all, I'm loving the thread title, too.
The weather seems to be giving us a day's respite, so I walked home from church, instead of catching a lift. Was quite a nice service, but I seem to be signed up for the junior church rota...
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
3 magi visited us this morning, complete with frankincense so much sneezing! Hope they moored their camels securely because water levels are rising rapidly
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Can't camels swim?
 

---

Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
Elephants can
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Lots of animals can. However, according to the internet, the only camels that can swim are the swimming camels of Gujarat.
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
So as ships of the desert go, more like SS Titanic?
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I'd have thought the Bactrian camel, having two humps, probably stood a better chance of floating to the surface than the Arabian, which only has one. However, the Bactrian has a shaggier coat, so their chances of sinking are probably about even.
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nenya:
Been to see Nenlet1 and the son in law. Their house is so cold!

---

Now you know what to buy them for next Christmas - onesies!

---

They've both got onesies! I'm the one who needs one, for when I visit.

I'm of the opinion you can't start the New Year Diet until the house is clear of Christmas chocolates. I am working on this.

Nen - chocolate addict; nobody knows the truffles I've seen.
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
Perhaps camels don't swim because they never encounter a large enough body of water? It always makes me smile when I read statistics like'you're more likely to be attacked by a shark than win the lottery' well, probably that statistic will be influenced by how often you swim in the sea and how often you play the lottery. Or not.

[ 05. January 2014, 13:41: Message edited by: Taliesin ]
 

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Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
Stay dry. Statistics show that sharks are less likely to attack you if you are dry.

Talking of statistics, when I studied them back in the olden days, there was a story that the rise in the crime rate correlated with the sale of television sets. The press said it was a sign that crime on TV caused real life crime.

We found that the number od homes with washing machines correlated better with the crime rate. This (if the press were right) means that you are more likely to be a victim of crime if your clothes are clean. A fact I have known from college days.
 

---

Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
99% of statistics are made up
 

---

Posted by quetzalcoatl (# 16740) on :
 
I liked the finding that people who eat chocolate live longer; of course, the tabloids had to opine it as 'chocolate makes you live longer', stupidly, stupidly, inanely, asininely, thumpingly wrong. It's the effort in opening the chocolates that makes you live longer, cos of the xersize.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I see Oxford's on sandbag alert. Anyone in the area able to say how things are going?
 

---

Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Before we go any further will people please read How to Lie with Statistics

If you are going to use statistics this way you may as well do it as well as possible.

Jengie
 

---

Posted by Celtic Knotweed (# 13008) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
I see Oxford's on sandbag alert. Anyone in the area able to say how things are going?

---

So far, nothing more than the usual. Flood barriers up on Osney, the only roads closed that I know of are the ones which go underwater very fast (one of them is the bank of the Ray in Islip.

The Environment Agency has Flood Alerts (lowest level of warning) up for the Cherwell and Thames, but so far, so good. Where's the fingers crossed smiley when I need it? Especially since we live on a floodplain...
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Off to work today - crumbs!

I don't usually work on Monday's but the new headteacher has asked me to do a morning's staff training (behaviour management) on the recommendation of the outgoing headteacher.

Better manage my own behaviour while doing it!

So an early good morning dear Shippies
 

---

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

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nenya:
[QUOTE]
Nen - chocolate addict; nobody knows the truffles I've seen.

---

love it!

We have nearly eaten our left-overs; down to the last bag of lebkuchen and box of Thornton's. They are actually too sweet for me, but hey, what can you do? We still have two monster-sized sacks of peanuts left from the afterparty for Miss S's wedding back in October, but I just daren't open those bags as peanuts are so addictive.

Anyway, the way the rain is coming down I may need them as sandbags...

Mrs. S, making heroic efforts in the interests of food decluttering.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I'm back to work again but nothing too stressful, just catching up on my students and I need to write some advice for an assignment. My children are still home until tomorrow but they are too busy on the main computer to bother me unless they are hungry.
After I've done that I need to make a Tudor outfit for my younger son to wear tomorrow! I think he has a suitable shirt to wear as a shift and he'll probably be okay with trousers tucked in long socks but I've promised him a velvet jacket and hat (I have a stack of recycled velvet curtains in the sewing room). So that will take me all afternoon.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
January 6th, last day of Christmas - "Old Christmas Day". We took the decorations down at work; as always when decorations are gone, it looked so drab in this dreary weather that I suggested putting them back up.

Anyhow, I always mark Old Christmas Day with a plum pudding, and there are still some mince pies, and tomorrow I'll take the tree down and put it away again until December. I've loved the cheery glow of the lights amidst the green branches, and the gleam on the decorations; will miss that.
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by The Intrepid Mrs S:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nenya:
[QUOTE]
Nen - chocolate addict; nobody knows the truffles I've seen.

---

love it!

---

Back to work today and lots to catch up on. And we have a meeting tomorrow morning so no proper work will get done.

Does anyone else watch "Countryfile" on a Sunday evening and did you hear that from about Wednesday onwards our weather is going to turn "whimsical"? I'm looking forward to seeing what that's like.

In other news, I'm home alone this evening and making very good progress with the last of the Christmas chocolate.

Nen - loving the way she can rely on Mrs S to appreciate her attempts at humour.
 

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Posted by Starbug (# 15917) on :
 
We have lots of chocolate left over, but Mr Bug has had food poisoning and can't eat any of it. I feel guilty eating it in front of him, so it's just sitting there, mocking us.

The house looks very empty without all the decorations. I collect teapots and all the Christmas ones (Santa, snowman and two Christmas puddings) have been washed, ready to put away. I still need to dust the fireplace surround and get out the non-Christmassy teapots, but that can wait for another day.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
My apologies for my recent enforced absence; Newfoundland Power is having a major brainfart at the moment and we had no electricity from 9 a.m. on Saturday until 1 a.m. on Sunday, and again for most of Sunday evening. This is less than helpful when your only source of heat is, um, electricity, and the temperature outside is -12°C.

No, Wodders, you are not allowed to snigger.

The minor up-side of the said brainfart is that in order to conserve power, all the schools in the province and the University are closed on Monday and Tuesday*, so I'm getting a couple of unscheduled days' holiday.

Nenya - how can you possibly still have chocolate left from Christmas? It's Epiphany for heaven's sake ...



I'm off downstairs now to eat a nice healthy Greek salad that my Beloved has made for me.

* This is particularly fortuitous for my friend J., who was due to start a new teaching job on Monday, and is starting with a couple of days off.
 

---

Posted by Stejjie (# 13941) on :
 
Our two daughters have far more Christmas chocolate than us, as in they have a huge tub full each whereas Mrs Stejjie and I only have one small tub full between us (oh, and the box of Celebrations from Mrs Stejjie's work).

This is a sad and sorry state of affairs. Since most of these chocolates for the girls came from members of our church, I shall have to reprimand them in a future sermon. After all, that's what's preaching's for, right?

(BTW is it bad and wrong that I sometimes wonder if we should "help" the girls with their chocolates? After all, we don't want their teeth to go bad, or them to eat too much unhealthy food and they'll only get more at Easter... )

I saw a bit of Countryfile but didn't see the forecast, Nenya - I love the sound of whimsical weather, can't wait to see what it actually turns out like!
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I’d nearly finished my Christmas chocolate, then my mother sent me two more boxes. The tree has been undecorated now, but not yet put away.

Fun journey to work this morning with the train going at 2 mph over waterlogged tracks and the bus going through a puddle that managed to generate a 7’ wall of water up over the windows. More road closures today; it's all a bit soggy here.
 

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Posted by Cara (# 16966) on :
 
Rather than left-over Christmas chocolate, I have a left-over Christmas cold--started with my sister, our kind hostess on Christmas Day, and has been making the rounds. I thought I wasn't going to catch it from my husband, but am being paid for my smugness. Then I thought I wasn't going to get it very badly, and now I'm being paid for that smugness too!

Today, a day late, I must take down the decorations and put away the tree, which is a very tiny artificial one (allergies to real ones)--so shouldn't take long. Worse, have to finally sort and put away all sorts of clothes still in boxes from our move--the work was suspended for Christmas, offspring visits, etc.

Ah well. First, more tea with lemon and honey! While outside, more wind and rain.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
The course was very well received, the new boss seems like a decent bloke - keen to get to know us all.

I must admit to having a 'been there, done that' sort of feeling in the staff meeting. Being the oldest member of staff, there really is nothing new - it all comes round again if you wait long enough. Mustn't grumble 'tho - I only work a day and a half a week.

I'm just impatient now to hear from Guide Dogs so that the new adventure can begin! (fingers crossed!)



 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Stejjie:
Our two daughters have far more Christmas chocolate than us, as in they have a huge tub full each whereas Mrs Stejjie and I only have one small tub full between us (oh, and the box of Celebrations from Mrs Stejjie's work).

This is a sad and sorry state of affairs. Since most of these chocolates for the girls came from members of our church, I shall have to reprimand them in a future sermon. After all, that's what's preaching's for, right?

(BTW is it bad and wrong that I sometimes wonder if we should "help" the girls with their chocolates? After all, we don't want their teeth to go bad, or them to eat too much unhealthy food and they'll only get more at Easter... )...

---

Definitely a few sermons in Church between now and Easter AND homilies at home on the Importance of Sharing with those Less Fortunate and on the Vital Importance of the Fifth Commandment!

eta: If that doesn't work you may be required to break the Eighth Commandment; but in Christian Love, of course.

[ 07. January 2014, 09:07: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I've been sitting here very soggy since the school run (rain hammering it down) and now suddenly feel cold! Must get changed.
My youngest skipped off very pleased with his Tudor costume and I was relieved to see several others all dressed up too. I live in fear of sending him to school in fancy costume on the wrong day!
I plan to enjoy my day free from the noise of children. I hadn't planned to do any OU work but a student wants a phone call so I need to prep for our discussion and may as well plan Saturday's tutorial while I have the main computer on. But I'll leave that til this afternoon.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
We have a new sofa - very posh. It came second hand from ebay for £99. Only six months old and leather. I am very pleased as when (if) a pup comes to stay I will decamp to the kitchen for house training purposes.

No dogs allowed on the sofa!!


 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
They were about to close the railway line at lunchtime thanks to flooding, so my manager kindly let me work from home for the afternoon. At the time of writing it's touch and go whether the water will cover the active tracks; the sidelines are already submerged. Unfortunately, the Oxford stretch is part of one of the major cross-country railway lines that stretches from the south coast to Scotland.

Lots of local roads closed now so "rail replacement services" i.e. bus journeys would be a bit of a nightmare if this happens, as their usual routes aren't accessible at present.

Ho hum, we went through all this a few years ago, it's tedious having it back again.

[ 07. January 2014, 15:58: Message edited by: Ariel ]
 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
No dogs allowed on the sofa!!

---

And are you consistent about that? I ask because Nenlet1's in-laws got a dog. The progression went like this:

Dog has a basket and sleeps in it; is not allowed on the sofa; sleeps downstairs in basket every night.

Dog has a basket but is allowed on the sofa by invitation and sleeps upstairs in the basket as a treat once a week.

Dog is allowed on sofa. Dog sleeps in owners' bed every night.

She also pulls when on the lead. In fact, I don't know a dog that doesn't.


Nen - lover of Dogs Who Know Their Place.
 

---

Posted by Pooks (# 11425) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
We have a new sofa - very posh. [*snips*]...

No dogs allowed on the sofa!!

---

[*Warning: Goo!]

Awww... What a sweet looking pooch! [/Goo!]
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Tatze doesn't pull at all - she has been taught to walk to heel since puppyhood. She comes to the whistle every time too, thanks to this book.

She is allowed to snuggle on my sofa in the front room with me, and the chair nearly in the photo is hers - she's not allowed on the others at all and is crated at night.


 

---

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
Piglet - I hope the electricty stays on and the snow goes away. We felt miserable enough when our boiler broke last year, and it was plus 7 degrees centigrade outside.
Second day back at work today, and so far it's been an enjoyable term - long may it last.
Still some cake left if anyone wants to get in before my family fianlly demolish it, or are you all caked out?
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
So far, so good; we haven't had any more power-cuts since Sunday night. The outside temperature shot up to +9°C today and it rained, which cleared a bit of the snow-heaps, but it's back to about 0° now, and plummeting merrily - it's due to be -9° tomorrow. Oh well, I'll be back at w*rk, so not really thinking about the weather, except for avoiding the Patches of Treachery™ on the pavements.

Regarding excess CAKE ( ) we got two little fruit-cakes from different people, and I finished the first of them this evening with some cheese (whoever thought of eating cheese with fruit-cake deserves a medal). I've still got the other one (the Dean's wife's speciality) to look forward to, and as I like it more than D. does, I get to eat most of it.

The next week-and-a-half is going to be completely mental, getting the orders of service printed for the Bishop's consecration; the Diocesan Office decided that we should print it after all, and it's going to be a mammoth task - 1000 copies*, each with 6 pages of folded legal-size paper.

* The Cathedral only seats 700, but that's a minor detail ...
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Husband's 40th today, I suppose I should go and make a cake...

I did get him whisky though, English, Swedish and some samples of Japanese single malts. Perhaps if he samples them he won't notice the lack of cake?
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
... I did get him whisky though, English, Swedish and some samples of Japanese single malts ...

---

Heretick! But happy birthday to Mr. Anarchist!

I am a piglet of very little brain; if I'd checked the news or the University web-site yesterday evening I'd have known that we were closed again and I didn't have to come in to w*rk. Oh well, this is a short day for me anyway, so I'll get a few things done before I leave at lunch-time ...


 

---

Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
If you were here in the UK*, piglet, you'd have a very good chance of being a more literally accurate 'piglet entirely surrounded by water'!

* Muchelney, perhaps, or that place in Wales we aren't allowed to mention

Mrs. S, ever the pedant
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Oh but I am almost entirely surrounded by water, Mrs. S., it's just that the water's frozen ...

Seriously though, for those of you who are being flooded, blown to b*ggery and generally messed about with by Bad Weather.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go ...

I have put my swimming stuff in, just in case I'm motivated to pop to the swimming baths on the way home.

Unlike some down south, who could simply swim home for them.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Living on a river delta we are completely surrounded by water as well but nobody ever seems to have any sympathy for me, not even when I have to put up with the heat, the dust, the flies and the constant drumming.



Enjoy your swim, Boogie.
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
Tatze doesn't pull at all - she has been taught to walk to heel since puppyhood. She comes to the whistle every time too, thanks to this book.

She is allowed to snuggle on my sofa in the front room with me, and the chair nearly in the photo is hers - she's not allowed on the others at all and is crated at night.

---

If ever I get a dog I shall be coming to you for advice and book recommendations. Do you take Tatze to puppy training classes as well?

It's not raining here this morning and the sky's a strange colour... a kind of blue tinge... I am off on a day's retreat. Can't wait to get through that door having turned my phone off and being out of circulation till after 5pm.

Nen - wishing all shipmates an equally enjoyable day.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Drizzly here, the sky is menacing on the horizon though and the wind is blowing.
I need to do some reading today for the tutorial I'm teaching on Saturday. I'm teaching a module I know well and have taught for a couple of years but it has just been re-written so the structure is no longer the same, various bits of research have gone in or out and some of the case studies are now completely different. Consequently I have to relearn it all from scratch.
 

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Posted by Celtic Knotweed (# 13008) on :
 
I might almost have been faster swimming home last night. Waited 15 min for the bus, and the one that showed up was the one which should have been there 15 min before I got there. Then once I'd collected my repaired bike I had to go back a mile to get home (the bike shop is further away from work than home is).

Now just hoping for some dry days so that the water goes down - we've had one drowning not too far away
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Not much fun this morning negotiating the Patches of Treachery™ between the house and the car* - I put down some salt, but it's probably too cold for it to work. Some friends have suggested that cat-litter works for traction-control ...

* It may be only the width of the pavement plus a bit of snow-bank, but it only takes one misplaced step on a patch of ice for complete loss of balance (and dignity).
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I lost my dignity so long ago now that I can barely remember having any!

We took Pete cloth shopping today and I was very good and didn't buy anything.



...but then on Tuesday I ordered 2 shirts and a pair of trousers [the latter in a fab cotton/linen mix] and on Wednesday I bought two kurta tops. So my virtue is not unstained.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nenya:

If ever I get a dog I shall be coming to you for advice and book recommendations. Do you take Tatze to puppy training classes as well?

---

Yes - once a week. They are really helpful.

I am a step closer to becoming a Guide Dog puppy walker. The trainer is coming to assess me on the 12th May. I'm very excited and keep telling Tatze all about it.


 

---

Posted by Sherwood (# 15702) on :
 
The weather here in Western Finland is not good. We had a week and a bit of actual Finnish Winter at the beginning of December and that was it. Now it's so British that it's making my home sickness feel worse. If I have to put up with murky wet weather, I may as well be back in Blighty!

On the upside, there's a new shop in the local shopping centre that sells some British food. I can now get a jar of Branston without having to order it from Helsinki. It's 5 Euros a pop, so it's pricey, but it's around 2.50€ cheaper than ordering it online! Shame they sell the PG Tips at such a huge mark up - 14.95€ for 160!

That didn't turn out to be as much of an upside as I thought! Woops.
 

---

Posted by Tree Bee (# 4033) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
Not much fun this morning negotiating the Patches of Treachery™ between the house and the car* - I put down some salt, but it's probably too cold for it to work. Some friends have suggested that cat-litter works for traction-control ...

* It may be only the width of the pavement plus a bit of snow-bank, but it only takes one misplaced step on a patch of ice for complete loss of balance (and dignity).

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... I ordered 2 shirts and a pair of trousers ... so my virtue is not unstained.

---

I don't think ordering trousers actually stains your virtue - it's not as if trousers are something you can do without.
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
Some friends have suggested that cat-litter works for traction-control ...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
...it's not as if trousers are something you can do without.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
I don't think ordering trousers actually stains your virtue - it's not as if trousers are something you can do without.

---

psst, piglet! He has about 40 other pairs of trousers; some of which haven't been worn since the Flood.

[ 10. January 2014, 02:46: Message edited by: PeteC ]
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Would that be because they shrank?
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Please don't mention floods. We have more than enough of that here.

I was advised yesterday not to bother trying to go home by the usual route but to travel to London instead and try to get a train from another station, a trip that would have added 3 hours and about 150 miles to my journey home. Today, the reduced service has been reduced even further to a train once every two hours. I've taken the day off work rather than struggle with this, and can't wait for the waters to recede and things to get back to near normal.

I've been sending out the usual dove, but this morning it returned with frost all over its beak, so probably not the best day for travelling early anyway.

[ 10. January 2014, 06:53: Message edited by: Ariel ]
 

---

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
Sympathies to anyone caught up in floods, or any other sort of horrible weather for that matter. It was nice to look out today and see it wasn't raining. I might even be able to clean the floor by the front door which has been muddy since beofre Christmas.

This is my first day home alone for ages and I inted to enjoy it, a bit of shopping, a bit of cooking, and doing the lovely jigsaw puzzle my son gave me for Christmas (a bespoke one of a cottage that we go to with friends every year).
 

---

Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
I have succumbed to the sales. One purchase was completely justifiable – a bargainous pair of shoes exactly the same as another pair I have that were worn out. And I don’t really regret buying the pretty dress with 70% off because it’s a pretty dress and it was 70% off.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
"Bargainous" - what a wonderful word!

Due to unforeseen Plumbing Malfunctions™ I suspect I won't be patronising the sales very much this year, bargainous or otherwise.



[ 10. January 2014, 13:40: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
Please don't mention floods. We have more than enough of that here.

---

Thankfully they seem to be going down - we noticed last night, and at our end of town the water was definitely starting to drop - not much, but enough - by this morning.

AG
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
And here we are looking at all that water enviously. TP is out in the garden trying to do some deep watering to help the fruit trees survive the next three days (forecast is for 38-40 degrees celsius). Still, there is much of Oz that is worse off, with news of much loss of livestock. No-one, however, will be missing the bats that are dropping dead from the heat, though I do feel sorry for those that have to put up with their pong, whether dead or alive.

Strange times, strange climes.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence (and ours is currently much greener because of overwatering).

I see David Cameron came to visit some of the flooded householders. What does one say in these situations? "We're having a bit of a problem with the damp at the moment"? "Pull up a raft and sit down"? Or "Would you like some water biscuits to go with your tea?"
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
If David Cameron ever bothered to come and see me I'm afraid my Words of Welcome would not be at all suitable for All Saints.
 

---

Posted by Sherwood (# 15702) on :
 
Not that I had much chance to bump into Cameron when I lived in England, but I'm glad that I have absolutely no chance of that happening now. I'm pretty sure I'd end up saying something that I'd regret.

It seems my grumbling the other day about the lack of snow was a little premature, as it finally arrived again yesterday. I'm not counting on it sticking around for long, but while it's here I shall appreciate it.
 

---

Posted by Chocoholic (# 4655) on :
 
Ooh, the forecast is for sun today! Quick, get the sun glasses!

Just in case you were worried, it has rained already today and the forecast is for rain for the next few days for at least some of the time. My local weather station tells me we've had rain everyday for 12 days so far.

(ETA a missing word)

[ 11. January 2014, 06:43: Message edited by: Chocoholic ]
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
No sun here. It is raining. Forecast for overcast (in my book, likely to rain) Temp 3°C feels like 0°C.

Oh joy! Still, I do feel for those who are/have been flooded. Very nasty.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
It's raining again here - but the forecast is for sun today, here's hoping.

Our garden is a mudbath and needs a re-think. Either some nice decking or that stuff you put on the lawn and the grass grows through, like they have on car parks. Because, having a big pooch, muddy grass = muddy kitchen!

We bought one of those steam mop thingies last week - it's great and used every day atm.


 

---

Posted by ecumaniac (# 376) on :
 
Hi everyone, I'm still here (they haven't deported me yet) and hope to be about on the ship a bit more this year.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by ecumaniac:
Hi everyone, I'm still here (they haven't deported me yet) and hope to be about on the ship a bit more this year.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais: At times this thread resembles an ex-pats club!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sherwood:
I shall cross my fingers that some of the fluffy white stuff heads home for you all soon.

---

Gee, thanks.

Nothing much to report: W*rking most of the weekend, but managed a walk in the sun this afternoon.

<waves to ecumaniac>
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
I like steeleyespan, but I don't understand how Peter sellers fits in... wanted to say to Boogie, let me know how the lawn netting thing works cos I have two big dogs and a mudpatch garden, and a constantly filthy carpet and sofa unless I dry their feet every time. Don't get decking, it gets slippery and dangerous, and rats live under it. I would pave the whole damn garden,personally...
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:

quote:

---

At times this thread resembles an ex-pats club!

---

I'm definitely with Taliesin on the paving-the-garden thing; one of the reasons we bought our last house was that it had no grass.

Although we seem to be heading into a "January thaw" (it's to be +7°C with rain tomorrow), we've still got plenty of snow lying about, and if I could send it over to you I would. I know it's very pretty when it's just fallen, but once it's been there for a couple of weeks it turns to what my friend J. calls "snirt", i.e. a mixture of snow and dirt, and isn't pretty at all. And once it's been there for a couple of months you're thoroughly fed up with it.

I've been part lazy git/part domestic goddess today; after a very long lie I did some laundry, put in a loaf to bake in the bread-machine and made scrambled eggs - on toast for D., and with left-over smoked salmon for me - smoked salmon and scrambled eggs is truly a marriage made in Heaven.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sherwood:
I shall cross my fingers that some of the fluffy white stuff heads home for you all soon. A Winter without snow is no Winter at all.

---

No, thanks. We've just had a lot of travel disruption and it would be good to have a break. The one good thing about the current weather is that it's been mild: at least when trying (and failing) to get from A to B, there hasn't been biting cold and snow to add to the joy. Some other time, perhaps.
 

---

Posted by Sherwood (# 15702) on :
 
Well, I'll still hope that Taliesin gets some, then. FWIW, I was just meaning a light dusting anyway. I'm not callous enough to wish for enough to cause trouble, especially at the moment! Hope the flooding clears up soon, too.

I find the biting cold much easier to cope with then mild-but-wet weather. It's easier to just shove some more clothes on before heading out than it is to constantly be drying wet clothes and jackets once you've got, IMO. Even when it's snowing, clothes don't get as wet as with rain.

As for Peter Sellers, Taliesin, Steeleye got him in to record 'New York Girls' with them, which St. Gwladys quoted
 

---

Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
Oh yes, I'm one who's mostly looking forward to the chance of a bit of snow - preferably enough to force a snow-day at school (did I say that out loud?) and crisp enough to go stomping through Richmond Park. Not enough to cause mayhem on the roads, though, or put lives at risk.

I missed church this morning - slept in instead - and have quite a pleasant list of "to-do"s for today. I started off by opening all the windows to let the sunshine in, but now I think I might dash round and close them all again as it's bloomin' cold! Then the debate - do I wake the sleeping teen because he ought to be up and making the most of the day or do I let him sleep in because it's nice having the flat to myself?
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I vote you have a sit down and a coffee first.

If you wake the teen then he will tell you that you shouldn't have; and

If you don't wake the teen he will tell you that this one Sunday he really needed you to do it as he needed to...

In other words, you can't win!
 

---

Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
The one downside of my not so new job is I am now within walking distance of work which has a mixture of residential and day clients.

Whilst the non-residential ones might get a snow day if it's deemed bad enough for their transport not to be running, there are those in the residences who will be there, regardless of the weather, and staff within walking distance don't stand a chance of a snow day!

But, I gather timetables go into freefall, and as long as the little dears are morally and legally occupied and safe no-one really minds what goes on!
 

---

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
Hmm - snow days. I like them when the snow hits in the morning and you can't get to work. Not so keen when it happens while you are at work and you have to try to get home.
 

---

Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
If we can't get to work, we have to take a day's holiday, and I prefer to use my holiday for something more constructive. Speaking as someone without central heating, I am quite happy for the cold weather to stay away.

I also know someone who had rats under their decking, which proved tricky to get rid of. But I am sorry to see people concreting over their gardens.
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
Brrrr moonlitdoor - I work from home 3 or 4 days a week and kept the thermostat at about 18, and wear a wooly jumper and a poncho made from a fleece throw from a certain Swedish store, with a hat - and even more layers when the white stuff arrives.

Today at church our wonderful choir was accompanied by a robin that has managed to get in - when I heard it yesterday I wasn't sure if it was sitting close to a window outside or was inside. This seems to happen every 18 months or so - the last time was at harvest so there was plenty of food in the flower arrangements, and what with Christmas & a couple of weddings I don't think this robin will go hungry. But I expect something is planned to set it free soon.

[ 12. January 2014, 12:08: Message edited by: daisydaisy ]
 

---

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by daisydaisy:
But I expect something is planned to set it free soon.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by moonlitdoor:
If we can't get to work, we have to take a day's holiday, and I prefer to use my holiday for something more constructive. Speaking as someone without central heating, I am quite happy for the cold weather to stay away.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:

Meanwhile, I'm amusing myself by watching the incomparable Ian Richardson as Francis Urquhart in "House of Cards" (remember that?). Having never seen the series at the time, I'm finding it quite gripping.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Taliesin:
... wanted to say to Boogie, let me know how the lawn netting thing works cos I have two big dogs and a mudpatch garden, and a constantly filthy carpet and sofa unless I dry their feet every time. Don't get decking, it gets slippery and dangerous, and rats live under it. I would pave the whole damn garden,personally...

---

This stuff is what I am thinking of using. I will try it in the worst areas first, if it works I may do the whole lawn! It (apparently) binds with the roots of the grass. It has to be laid before the spring, so I'll get a strip at the end of February to try it out for this year.

I'll let you know
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
It's not mid-January but this could be the highlight of the year for Newport. I suppose County could get promoted, but the demolition of a long-disused central carpark was quite a spectacle.
 

---

Posted by Chocoholic (# 4655) on :
 
Being terribly British and bringing all conversation back to the weather...it's been quite dry today, and quite chilly but cos we can't have a rain free day, it's just started....
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by moonlitdoor:
I also know someone who had rats under their decking, which proved tricky to get rid of.

---

At various times (but not the same time) I have had opossums, ground hogs, raccoons, and skunks living under my deck. I didn't bother them and they didn't bother me except for the skunk who sometimes sprayed underneath my bedroom window and woke me up very unpleasantly.

Moo
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Well, the thaw certainly shifted some of the snow. Not all of it (it's piled 10 feet high in places) but enough for a start.

**[hums] Hello pavement, my old friend ...**

Gearing myself up for a v. busy week; the final draft of the order of service for the Bishop's installation has been approved and D. is setting the first batch to copy. When I'm not at w*rk, I'm going to be folding, stapling, getting paper-cuts and swearing ...

Oh yes, and producing a batch of tiffin for the bun-fight afterwards.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
piglet you make running a cathedral a sort of cross between All Gas & Gaiters, Dad's Army & 'Ello, Ello.



Church Festival last night at the Syro-Malabar Catholic church we sometimes attend - it was good fun with getting on for a thousand people sitting out in the evening cool - well, cooler than the day had been. They'd bought in some semi-professional troupe to sing and dance and do comedy routines - all good fun and lots of pics. But it was another late night and I really find them tough these days - not so much the night itself but the morning after.


eta: I really must learn some basic sentence construction!

[ 13. January 2014, 03:02: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I'm off to Manchester for my final eye check up. I've been more than pleased with the results. Perfect vision for distance and driving. They said I'd need reading glasses, due to old age, and I do for long bouts of reading. But I'm typing this without them.

I have simply been transported back to my early 40s when my arms stopped being long enough.


 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Having caught a specially early pre-dawn train to be at work on time because of the residual flooding problems as mentioned on the train company's web page, I then found that there were no problems and consequently arrived at my destination 45 minutes early. Anyway, all's well that ends well.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
piglet you make running a cathedral a sort of cross between All Gas & Gaiters, Dad's Army & 'Ello, Ello. ...!

---

I suppose it sort of is, although unlike All G&G, we've got a really good Dean.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Sorry for the double-post - where is everybody?

Orders of service for the consecration are now done, folded and stapled; I didn't actually have to do any of the folding/stapling as D. and a couple of the office volunteers came in and did it, for which I'm very grateful.

Tiffin has been made and delivered for the post-service bun-fight, and music has been rehearsed.

I hope the new Bishop appreciates all the work that's going into this show* ...

* I think he probably will, but if not, we'll have to send him to the Dean for lessons in Choir Appreciation.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
<waves>

I'm off to work soon, but only for half a day - hurrah! I'll go swimming on the way home. I did the same last Thursday and the pool was reasonably quiet with half of it set out for lane swimming - which I prefer.

Tatze didn't want to get up this morning and went straight back to bed after her breakfast (I don't blame her!) Mr Boogs was working yesterday and said she did just the same for him.


 

---

Posted by Chocoholic (# 4655) on :
 
I wondered if the swimming on the way home was cos of flooded roads
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
**[hums] Hello pavement, my old friend ...**

---

Thank you, piglet, for today's earworm. It's only fairly recently that I've become attuned to the way that doesn't take much for me to get a tune on the brain, sometimes for the weirdest of reasons. One day in the supermarket I read the notice on the small plastic vegetable bags which asked customers to take "one bag at a time." "One bag at a time, sweet Jesus..."

I am off to said supermarket this morning, taking the Nenlets out to lunch and then probably trying to tackle some more of the paperwork mountain. In other words, I expect to be back on the Ship sometime this afternoon.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Sunny and warm here, most disconcerting for January.
I really should be doing some work but am feeling grotty and achy with a cold. I will put some glass in the kiln and then write a tutorial plan later this afternoon. I have managed a walk to the post office this morning so at least I've had some exercise.
 

---

Posted by Anglo Catholic Relict (# 17213) on :
 
Coldish. We had a hailstorm earlier, but it has passed now.

The good news from here is that my d (3rd yr History undergraduate) applied to a London uni for an MA on Monday, and was offered a place yesterday. We are hoping they will also offer finance in due course, but the offer of a place is very good news.

I am currently taking far too long to turn the junk room into a study for d, but have every hope it will happen at some point before the Lord returns. Aiming for cosy, pretty and very conducive to MA/(PhD?) studies.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Anglo Catholic Relict:
...I am currently taking far too long to turn the junk room into a study for d, but have every hope it will happen at some point before the Lord returns. Aiming for cosy, pretty and very conducive to MA/(PhD?) studies.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Remember that we knoweth not the hour...

---

Just as well, I suspect.

quote:

---

* * * *

We had a rather lovely elephant at our local temple this evening - and all the local kids thought I was there to photograph them and not the rather large mammal just behind them! It then went off in procession with drummers and dancers and ladies carrying trays with lit lamps. The whole thing looked splendid.

Tomorrow is the big festival in the main village and temple so we shall be off photographing that most of the morning and evening - with a nap after lunch.

---

I want to go to the zoo and see the elephants now.

I like elephants. (Who doesn't?)
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I have entirely failed to write my tutorial plan as my work computer has been playing up and when I finally got it to agree to connect to the network drive the relevant notes were nowhere to be seen! I suspect they are on the main house computer but as my two sons are now firmly ensconsed on that playing minecraft/portal I don't stand a chance of hunting it down til 9pm My own fault for not doing the work earlier in the day.
I think I might have a glass of something to recover and get my other half to nip down the chip shop for tea.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
... Tatze didn't want to get up this morning ...

---

Tatze is a wee dog after mine own heart.

HA, I entirely sympathise re your computer. After the big power-cut and the couple of extra days off, I couldn't get the computer programme I use to open; it kept telling me that the remote computer wasn't connected. I discovered several days later that the computer in question was actually the one right next to my own computer, which I had assumed was a spare left behind by the previous occupant of my office space, and merely needed to be switched on ...

Must go to bed now - I've got a long day tomorrow: working until 4, then grab a quick bite to eat and head down to the Cathedral for the bishopping. I'm expecting it to be a v. long service, as there's all sorts of shenanigans and then a Eucharist which'll take ages as we're expecting a full cathedral.

There may be a limit to how much sense I make tomorrow evening.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Turned up at the station this morning, pressed the button on the train door and watched as the train started to glide away, doors resolutely shut. I'd skipped breakfast to catch this early train, and did not want to be sitting on a bench on the platform on a cold, dark January morning at 6.25 am for half an hour.

Today's pub lunch really made up for that. Log fires, a window seat, and an unexpected confit of duck cassoulet with wild rice on the specials menu proving to be utterly delicious. Came back to the office smelling of woodsmoke and feeling very calm and content. There's just something about watching the flames in the grate flicker and dance, and the logs glow and turn to ash.
 

---

Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
...
Today's pub lunch really made up for that. Log fires, a window seat, and an unexpected confit of duck cassoulet with wild rice on the specials menu proving to be utterly delicious. Came back to the office smelling of woodsmoke and feeling very calm and content. There's just something about watching the flames in the grate flicker and dance, and the logs glow and turn to ash.

---

Oh, yes. It's not that long since we converted from coal to gas. I don't miss the expense or the filth or hefting coal or ash, but I do miss watching the fire and a proper roasted chestnut.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I had a rather strange experience last night:

There was a festival on in the bigger village so we all headed off there and were doddling about, as you do, when a man came up and started to chat about the festival and so on - he then asked where I am from so I replied "England" whereupon he took my right hand, raised it to his lips, kissed it, said thank you and wandered off!

Hmmm, I thought.

So, when was the last time a random man came up to you in the street and kissed your hand?
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It's your irresistible charm, Wodders.

New bishop successfully consecrated and installed. The Cathedral was absolutely packed, and although the service took over two hours, it actually didn't feel like it: the whole thing went off very smoothly.

The music went really well - one of the Great Feelings you get as a choral singer is when the whole choir comes in with "claves regni coelorum" at the end of Palestrina's Tu es Petrus. D. was well pleased, we got lots of nice comments from people at the bun-fight afterwards, and there was Decanal Grinning™.
 

---

Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
Oooh, think of me this morning. I have a two hour drive - mainly on my favourite free carpark also known as the M25 (it must be my favourite, I spend so much time on it) - to go and make the acquaintance of a possible new car. It's all very exciting. Only thing is, my own beloved Smudgemobile is on its last.. er... wheels. Hope it makes it there and back again.

Must remember to send the Smudgelet into the garage ahead of me to warn the salesman not to mention the s***p word with regards to the Smudgemobile. My head knows that's where it will end up but my heart just doesn't want to hear it said out loud!
 

---

Posted by Chocoholic (# 4655) on :
 
Ooh, what are you trying to buy?

This early You might actually manage to see the M25 with none of the variable speed limits active! A rare treat!

[ 18. January 2014, 07:11: Message edited by: Chocoholic ]
 

---

Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
I love my Smudgemobile so much that another Renault Kangoo is pretty well the only option. No other car (except perhaps the Citroen Berlingo which are even harder to find second hand than the Kangoo) will meet the bill. The Kangoo will carry all our musical instruments (with the exception of the piano!), all our luggage when we travel, is like driving a small car rather than a big one, gives me loads of height so I can see what's happening on the roads and, above all, PeteC will be able to fit in it when he visits at Easter.
 

---

Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
I had a lovely day yesterday, taking a friend out for coffee and a browse round a nice garden centre, but it all went to rats when I got home and found I'd lost the sapphire from my engagement ring. (This was the second, bought in Sri Lanka 13 years ago).

Then Mr. S came home and helped me look for it, taking the trap off the washbasin in the downstairs loo. Which of course proved to have been cross-threaded and now leaks.

And to put the tin lid on it, the 'mystery mixed case of champagne and sparkling wine' from Tesco, advertised as 3 bottles of each, turned up with four bottles of cava and two of prosecco. We can return it, no problem, but I was so disappointed

I know none of this compares with what other people have to put up with, but it wasn't the best Friday evening I've ever had!

Mrs. S, less than gruntled
 

---

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
My Friday was rather nice, first creative writing class of the year followed by meeting husband for shopping expedition and a pub lunch, by the very fast flowing Thames.

mrs S hope you have luck finding the sapphire and Smudgie that the M25 is empty and the car you are going to fits the bill.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
It was a nice slow start to the morning today - but now I have decided to have a steamy lunchtime.

(As in cleaning the kitchen with the steam cleaner and the steam mop )
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Hope you've succeeded in buying the new car, Smudgie.

I'm really enjoying slobbing having worked straight through from start of term on 6 January to last night. We had "optional" training on Saturday and Sunday in preparation for OFSTED. I wasn't making sense by Friday.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
One of the great advantages of getting on a bit is that I am no longer at all concerned about whether I make any sense to others at any given time or place - I am sure Smudgie will be along shortly to give her honest and unbiased opinion as to how much sense I do make.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
... but now I have decided to have a steamy lunchtime ...

---

TMI.

I had a slow start today too, although I haven't had a completely unproductive day. I decided while lying in bed thinking about getting up that what I fancied was some Scots broth, so as I had some lamb bones in the freezer I made some stock, chopped the veggies while it was cooking and then made the soup. Though I say it what shouldn't, it was v. nice.

I also had a flash of inspiration for the Vestry pot-luck* on Thursday: it'll be just a couple of days before the end of the haggis season, and I haven't made haggis for ages, so I suggested to D. that if I did that, he could do the clapshot (which he does very nicely).

* I'm not on the Vestry (I was asked years ago if I'd serve, but as the organist's wife I don't think I should), but we get invited to the pot-luck, which is usually a fairly jolly affair.

[ 19. January 2014, 02:15: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Clapshot obviously means something else to the Scots than it does to this ex-sexual health person!

Now have a guess which silly person forgot to take his nightly low dose antihistamine last night?

Correct; but, sorry, no prizes this week.

I woke up at about 02:30 with a sneezing fit and took a pill then but I still had trouble getting to sleep again until the temple music started about 05:00 when I dropped off into the void to be, quite rudely, woken by the alarm at 06:15 - Himself redeemed matters a bit by bringing me a hot cup of something just after my shower. We've done church and breakfast and I am now contemplating either going for a walk to wake myself up OR going back to bed.

I am not at all sure which one will win.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
We went to a lovely dinner party last night, there were six of us and the food was great.

Smoked mackerel and salad to start, chicken and leek pie with roasted veg then custard tart with blackberries and cream. All home made.

Very nice.

My friend is the breadwinner and her husband the cook etc. He cares for the grandchildren during the week. She works looong hours but the house is sooooo neat and tidy I always return with new resolve to get sorted! We have so much more time than them, but are 100X messier!

[ 19. January 2014, 09:52: Message edited by: Boogie ]
 

---

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
I had to google clapshot too. Yet another strangely named British dish to add to the list of toad in the hole and spotted dick.
 

---

Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
Does noone make marmalade these days ? I've been looking round without success for seville oranges and may have to go for grapefruit marmalade instead.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by moonlitdoor:
Does noone make marmalade these days ? I've been looking round without success for seville oranges and may have to go for grapefruit marmalade instead.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:

quote:

---

Originally posted by moonlitdoor:
Does noone make marmalade these days ? I've been looking round without success for seville oranges and may have to go for grapefruit marmalade instead.

---

My Mum used to get them in big tins like
this. Ahhh ... memories!

---

Mine too!
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I came this -"- close to buying a tin for old time's sake!



But my New Year's revolution is 'no impulse buys' so I resisted!
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
moonlitdoor - Tesco's had boxes of Seville oranges for making marmalade last winter - late January time. They didn't do well, because I bought some very cheaply as they went out of date (and promptly used them in other cookery). I've only found marmalade Googling now.
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Different Google suggests Borough Market.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
It might be out of season. They had them in Morrisons before Christmas. You might still be able to get them in some other supermarkets, Waitrose do them but I don't know whether they have a year-round supply.

Nice peaceful afternoon out in the countryside on this sunny January day. It felt more like early spring. The cottages looked beautiful, the sheep were out grazing on the hillsides, the snowdrops are coming up, and I stopped off at one of my favourite country pubs to be able to sit by another log fire and enjoy watching the flames dance, and tendrils of blue smoke drift up the chimney. Simple pleasures really are the best.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nenya:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:

quote:

---

Originally posted by moonlitdoor:
Does noone make marmalade these days ? I've been looking round without success for seville oranges and may have to go for grapefruit marmalade instead.

---

My Mum used to get them in big tins like
this. Ahhh ... memories!

---

Mine too!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by moonlitdoor:
Does noone make marmalade these days ? I've been looking round without success for seville oranges.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by moonlitdoor:
Does noone make marmalade these days ? I've been looking round without success for seville oranges and may have to go for grapefruit marmalade instead.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
It might be out of season. They had them in Morrisons before Christmas. You might still be able to get them in some other supermarkets, Waitrose do them but I don't know whether they have a year-round supply.

---

P.S. Sorry for DP, but forgot to add that Sevilles have one of the shortest seasons of any fruit, and are not available at any other time of year.
A.
 

---

Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
Where I live is more Aldi territory than Waitrose. I have sometimes thought there should be a Waitrose diet as shopping there would drastically reduce the amount of food I could afford to buy. There are branches a lot nearer here than Borough Market though, that's well over an hour away. So thanks Angus, I'll try that this week.
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
The Seville orange season is about 3 months too long - marmalade looks beautiful but spoils a good piece of toast
 

---

Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
Waitrose has them, plus jam-making sugar and maslin pans.

BUT if you can't find oranges then Tesco and Sainsbury usually stock something called Mamade which is really tinned ready prepared oranges for making your own marmalade.

Not ideal, but better than nothing.
 

---

Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
posted by daisydaisy

quote:

---

...marmalade looks beautiful but spoils a good piece of toast

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Clapshot obviously means something else to the Scots than it does to this ex-sexual health person!
...

---

Clapshot is a dish of potatoes and turnips (tatties and neeps), cooked separately then mashed together with butter and a generous grind of pepper, and is de rigueur with haggis.

Fairly ordinary sort of Sunday here, except we had the new Bishop preaching in the morning; he particularly wanted his first episcopal sermon to be in the Cathedral, which is just as it should be.

We think he's going to be a Good Thing.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Carrying on from Thursday night and the elephant at our local temple who then took part in a procession to another temple down by the river.

Apparently when he got there he got a bit bad tempered, thankfully nobody was injured in any way but he took exception to an ice cream truck, lawfully going about its business, and pushed it into the river! This has been the cause of much jollity locally but I think it is all rather tinged with relief as an elephant getting out of hand is really the stuff of nightmares - they are VERY big and VERY strong!

Presumably the local fish enjoyed the ice cream dessert.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
An ecumenical elephant then.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
An ecumenical elephant then.

---

Ecumental if you ask me!



 

---

Posted by A.Pilgrim (# 15044) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by moonlitdoor:
Where I live is more Aldi territory than Waitrose. I have sometimes thought there should be a Waitrose diet as shopping there would drastically reduce the amount of food I could afford to buy. ...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by pydseybare:
Lots of poor people shop in Waitrose. Their reductions on shrinkage food (at the end of the day) are often much greater than those from other leading supermarkets, and their stores are more regularly accessible by walking rather than having to drive to an out-of-town park.

It is entirely possible to live on a diet spending less money in Waitrose than you would in Aldi or Lidl - providing you are prepared to shop every day just before the shop closes and prepared to eat whatever is near the sell-by date.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jade Constable:
I'm a poor person who shops at Waitrose - along with their reductions, their Essentials range costs just the same as the major supermarkets and is better quality. My local Waitrose is also my nearest butcher, meaning I can save money by buying individual pieces of meat. It's also possible for poor people to prefer more ethical supermarkets and to approve of the John Lewis Group's business practices.

---

I have a freezer full of food bought from the Waitrose meat and fish counters at bargain prices. My guess is that because Waitrose have ethical relationships with their suppliers, in the event that they find themselves oversupplied, they don’t make up false excuses to reject consignments of food – unlike what at least one other supermarket has been reported as doing.

Hope you get the oranges.

Angus
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Waitrose is my local shop, 10 mins walk away in the village. Great for me as I do not drive and cannot carry shopping far, I have a handy shopping trolley. Having a supermarket nearby which also fits in with my ethical values is an added bonus and the meat is very good quality.
Been to the dentist in town this morning and was feeling virtuous so I walked the 3 miles back home. I've just popped the slow cooker on, beef in ale I'm using up some leftover home brew (Woodforde's Sundew) so I can make some more Woodforde's Wherry.
 

---

Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
Its not just on price that Waitrose wins: in soft fruit season the choice for me is between market - but cheaper only for very large quantities - Lidl or Waitrose. T**co fruit starts to rot the minute you get it out of the shop IME.

And, as mentioned above, the reductions at Waitrose can be very good.

Last summer at the end of the day got 5 ready-cooked chickens for £3 - fed children and 6 of their friends (plus me) and enough left over for a meal for another 6 the next day.
 

---

Posted by Gill H (# 68) on :
 
We spend less with Waitrose than we did with Tesco. Waitrose Essentials range tastes better than Tesco's Finest range.

Plus we get 15% discount as Hugal works for John Lewis.

Their delivery service is still finding its feet, but improving gradually. Last week we received a bag and a half of someone else's shopping along with our own - so we phoned up, and were told to keep it free of charge.
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
No Waitrose here, can't get to Supermarkets to shop because of disability, so have Tesco deliver. Everything is usually fine, including fruit and veg. And not expensive so long as you don't choose out of season stuff. And the men who deliver are very good, and helpful.

We also have local Co-op shops, which are very ethical, and easy to get round, but don't have the range of goods of a big supermarket. We shop there quite often, prices usually about the same, but you have to watch the quality of fruit and veg.

And I am lucky enough to have a Real Butcher just down the road, so I get real meat. The Aberdeen Angus beef is superb for a treat, the farm in Scotland is known, in fact, I could probably find out the name of the animal I am eating if I tried!

What more could I want??
 

---

Posted by Bene Gesserit (# 14718) on :
 
Locations of office and home have meant, for the last x years, weekday shopping at Waitrose, main weekly shop at Sainsbury's

Then an Aldi shop opened just near Sainsbury's, and we found that Aldi food is much better quality than Sainsbury's so we do the bulk of the weekly shop there, just getting loose veg (which Aldi don't do, theirs is all prepacked)and a few other odds and sods from Sainsbury's.

Aldi's food and the Waitrose range are both excellent quality and even the latter is not what you'd call expensive. Between the two of them - theoretically at opposite ends of the spectrum - they do us proud.
 

---

Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
Aldi is fantastic. As you say, good quality food and inexpensive. They do a good range of bottled beers too at a fraction of the cost of the same stuff at Sainsbury's. Even when Sainsbury's do their 3 for £5 special offer, Aldi still works out cheaper.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I'm sort of assuming that this tangent is about avoiding Tesco's and Sainsbury's, but when we lived in Belfast it was quite a novelty when they moved in (it was part of the "peace dividend") - before that we only had very ordinary Co-ops, a one-off called Supermac, a local chain whose name now escapes me and Marks & Sparks (which was lovely but expensive).

There was a very good Tesco Metro (with a tiny but very well-stocked wine shop) which was about 10 minutes' walk from both D's and my work, and Sainsbury's was a 10-minute drive from our house. Also, when they first came to NI, Sainsbury's did Air Miles, and with clever shopping, having their credit card (double points) and buying our petrol there, we could get a trip to Orkney* once a year, which would have cost us anything from £600 to £800 if we'd had to pay for it.

* That was by far the most sensible way of using Air Miles - a short, but (per mile) expensive route.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
There has recently been a slackening in the rules about Foreign Direct Investment in retail here and Tesco have inked an agreement with Tata Group, the people who make Land Rover and Jaguar, so we may be getting Tesco bursting out all over - I am not at all convinced that this is a good idea.
 

---

Posted by A.Pilgrim (# 15044) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bene Gesserit:
Locations of office and home have meant, for the last x years, weekday shopping at Waitrose, main weekly shop at Sainsbury's

Then an Aldi shop opened just near Sainsbury's, and we found that Aldi food is much better quality than Sainsbury's so we do the bulk of the weekly shop there, just getting loose veg (which Aldi don't do, theirs is all prepacked)and a few other odds and sods from Sainsbury's.

Aldi's food and the Waitrose range are both excellent quality and even the latter is not what you'd call expensive. Between the two of them - theoretically at opposite ends of the spectrum - they do us proud.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Spike:
Even when Sainsbury's do their 3 for £5 special offer,

---

That's not a special offer, that's the standard price at our local off licence.
 

---

Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
Wow, you've got a local off licence? I thought they'd all been killed by the big supermarket chains.
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
I start my shopping at Aldi, and anything I can't get there I buy at Waitrose but I'm not convinced I spend less at Aldi, and it seems I'm not the only one


[link coding corrected - WW]

[ 23. January 2014, 02:38: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Great link daisydaisy - thanks!

Himself isn't well and even went to see the Dr last night, on his own! It seems to be a throat infection [man flu?] and he'll be right again in a few days. We've cancelled the order of wood for his cremation.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
The haggis is made for the Vestry bash tomorrow; it just needs to be baked, and D's going to make the clapshot as near the time as possible, as it really needs to be served piping hot.

Poor Himself. He needs some of your patent ginger-and-honey thingy. He's in good company; I've been getting the feeling over the last day or two that my office-mate has generously shared his aeroplane-flu with me, so I've taken a cold-remedy powder with lemon and honey* and will shortly go to bed.



* I would have put some whisky into it, but I used it in the haggis ...
 

---

Posted by Thyme (# 12360) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by daisydaisy:
I start my shopping at Aldi, and anything I can't get there I buy at Waitrose but I'm not convinced I spend less at Aldi, and it seems I'm not the only one


[link coding corrected - WW]

---

 

---

Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Spike:
Wow, you've got a local off licence? I thought they'd all been killed by the big supermarket chains.

---

Three within a hundred yards of me. Booze is cheaper than in the supermarkets.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Our village has an awarding winning local wine merchant who doesn't sell real ale and closes at 8pm.
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
We have five quality wine merchants within a mile of us. It's all we can do to keep up.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
seems the nearest we have to an "envy" smiley; in Newfoundland the Liquor Corporation is a government-run affair and all the wine shops stock pretty much the same stuff, so there's never much in the way of excitement. I miss nice, interesting off-licences.

Very enjoyable pot-luck at the Cathedral; about half of the haggis and nearly all the clapshot got eaten, which isn't bad considering how un-fond most Newfoundlanders are of lamb or things made from it.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
And the Newfie version of clapshot shows up in the Newfoundland boiled dinner.

We once took a commercial haggis to a weekend Scout camp with about 50 troops from the USA and Eastern Ontario. It was relatively popular with those who ventured to try it - a fair proportion of kids from the USA blenched - but that left more for those of us - leaders and boys alike - who actually liked it.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:


Very enjoyable pot-luck at the Cathedral; about half of the haggis and nearly all the clapshot got eaten, which isn't bad considering how un-fond most Newfoundlanders are of lamb or things made from it.

---

Haggis is made of lamb? (as opposed to pork, beef etc).

I know it is, but if you aren't told, would you ever know??? It is, after all, a form of sausage and one should never ask what goes into a sausage (nor watch one being made).
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
My haggis is made from minced lamb and chicken livers (should have been lamb liver, but it's very hard to find) along with oats, an egg, an onion, lots of spices and a wee drop of whisky, but I make no claims whatsoever as to its authenticity; the recipe is adapted from one I found on the Interweb called "Americanised Haggis".



Oh, and there's no sheep's stomach involved: it's baked in the oven like a meat-loaf. I told people last night to think of it as a Scottish meat-loaf ...
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
We're having a MacSween one. I actually have a MacSween veggie one too as I think that tastes even better, we'll have that next week.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Marmite banned!






Care packages cheerfully accepted after May 1st.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I feel a letter to Her Maj coming up - Brits have an inalienable right to poison the Colonies!

The additives to Marmite™ are really nothing to worry about - it's the massive salt content that should raise eyebrows!
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:
And the Newfie version of clapshot shows up in the Newfoundland boiled dinner.

We once took a commercial haggis to a weekend Scout camp with about 50 troops from the USA and Eastern Ontario. It was relatively popular with those who ventured to try it - a fair proportion of kids from the USA blenched - but that left more for those of us - leaders and boys alike - who actually liked it.

---

I'll bet that had they not known what it was called/where the original came from/what the ingredients were it would have been wolfed down by any scouts I have ever come across.
 

---

Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
My haggis is in the slow cooker
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
Of course - it's Burns Night! I'd completely forgotten.

Not a haggis fan, frankly. Just enjoying a glass of red wine with Mr Nen before bed.
 

---

Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Thanks Nenya

I knew there was a good reason to finish PhD working a while before I went to bed.

Jengie
 

---

Posted by pete173 (# 4622) on :
 
Haggis, neeps and tatties in a Wetherspoon. Burns in London NW. And a decent glass or two of Auld Acquaintance Scottish Ale. Scots customs aren't all bad - though I failed in my attempt to read and comprehend the Address to a Haggis.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
D. would agree with you, Pete173 - he reckons the Burns Supper would be fine if it weren't for the awful Burns poetry. He's contemplating the instigation of a McGonagall Day.

I've had a moderately productive day - I made and froze a batch of chicken stock, and turned the chicken livers left over from the haggis production into pâté.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
A few months ago two of our neighbours had babies. The other evening during our walk Pete and came across Mum 1 with little daughter on her knee, daughter clad in knickers and top so, at mum's request and agreement took a photo for her of her and baby. Mum 2 comes along, sees what is happening and [being hugely camera shy] plonks little son on Mum 1's other knee - he was clad in a rather short top and nothing else but I felt obliged to take a photo of Mum 1, Baby 1 & Baby 2.

Yesterday I took the photo in for printing full knowing that in UK I would run the risk of being arrested. When I returned to collect the prints not a word was said.

I also yesterday, in the post, received my letter from The Department of Work and Pensions telling me how much State Retirement Pension I will be due later in the year when I turn 65 - certainly enough to make our lives here a little easier.
 

---

Posted by Chocoholic (# 4655) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
D. would agree with you, Pete173 - he reckons the Burns Supper would be fine if it weren't for the awful Burns poetry. He's contemplating the instigation of a McGonagall Day.

---

How about the other McGonagall, combined with a general Dame Maggie Smith day when we can repeat her marvellous Downton lines?

 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Well, that was the wettest, stormiest walk evuur!

Tatze and I were the only people in the park. Thank goodness for waterproof trousers/gloves/hat/wellies! I think Tatze was grateful for her waterproof labrador fur too (they were originally bred as fisherman's retrievers). She still hoolied around - she just played with imaginary friends instead of real ones!

My mobile has decided there is 'no signal' - could this be due to the storms?
 

---

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
When 'No Signal' happens to me I take it as a sign that the phone has decided I have no mates.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Our Burns' Night supper was modified by the replacement of the haggis by venison steaks. Neeps, tatties etc all present and correct and, for all we know, the venison could have been Scottish.

We deviated from the standard by drinking wine rather than Scotch.
 

---

Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
Saw pic. of one tonight - neeps, tatties and a sausage.
 

---

Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
We had haggis and sweet tatties. Not authentic, but there's not a drop of Scottish blood in the house so we were just going for what's tasty, washed down with a bottle of cider.

I'm very happy to celebrate other people's high days and holidays so long as there's food involved. Chinese noodles on Friday anyone?
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
We seem to have festivals all the time here, it's the advantage of a very mixed village with Hindu, Muslim and Christian living all mixed up together - I can send you our dates!
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... I can send you our dates ...

---

I don't like dates; can you send raisins instead? **fetches coat**

We had some wet and wild weather here today too: it didn't start off too badly but by the time we got home after lunch it was chucking down freezing rain, blowing a gale and making the pavements treacherous.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
We had a light dusting of snow today. Not for long, but was nice while it lasted. We need some winter here - all we have had so far is rain rain rain.
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Sunshine and (chilly) showers here...the sun is shining now, and showing me that I do need to clean the windows! But I probably won't...
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Thinking about cleaning windows is stressful enough without having to actually do it!
 

---

Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
We seem to have festivals all the time here, it's the advantage of a very mixed village with Hindu, Muslim and Christian living all mixed up together - I can send you our dates!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Japes:
stern instructions to pull up my big girl panties and just deal with it.

---

I used the expression about putting on our big girl panties at work the other day; the woman I work with was completely nonplussed.

Well done about the tax return - Mr Nen does ours and talks me through mine... I have to work hard to stop my eyes glazing over...

More rain today; feeling so sorry for the Somerset Levels and other flooded areas.

Nen - rather weary of wind and rain.
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
It's a brilliant phrase, isn't it - "Pull up your Big Girl Panties and Deal with It..."

I had forgotten it, and I need to do just that very thing in several areas at the moment (messy study/desk. statistical returns, expenses claims...some decisions to be made...)

But at the moment, it's high time this Big Girl went off to Bed. Night all!!
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
My turn to be grouchy. I am having my maths lesson observed by the head tomorrow. I have not been singled out - he's a new head so doing the rounds. It feels uncomfortable + will take extra preparation, effort and time away from my normal teaching for Thursdays.

Grump grump grump grump grump grump grump

I must now stop procrastinating and get on with preparing said lesson - humph!
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I seem to be having a day of students phoning and colleagues finding me extra work to do.
Never mind, I'm still in a state of euphoria for having resigned my February course; no new students starting in 2 weeks, no overlap in courses to teach and the whole summer off
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I was too annoyed to post here yesterday. I finally had confirmation that the phone I lost a week ago was indeed handed in at Bournemouth station that morning - from where the trail has gone cold. It hasn't been passed to the Lost Property people at Waterloo, and I have no idea whether I will see it again. Nor has the replacement Sim card arrived, so I can't buy a replacement handset because it won't count as an upgrade, it would have to be a new phone and number with compulsory top-up credit, £30 more expensive.

The Lost Property website, annoyingly, says it only takes 2 days for an item to reach them, though the staff say it can in practice take two weeks.

Yes, it's my own fault and I know it. Still, it is a First World Problem, and I can do Sudoku on the journeys.
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by St Everild:
It's a brilliant phrase, isn't it - "Pull up your Big Girl Panties and Deal with It..."

---

Indeed. Having to do that a lot at work at present.

But the whole family is going out for a meal this evening to celebrate Nenlet1's birthday so not only do I not have to cook but we have a get-together and a good chat and a lovely meal with a glass of wine.

Nen - diet starts tomorrow.
 

---

Posted by Chocoholic (# 4655) on :
 
Lots more rain but today I have my waterproof boots which are fluffy inside, so warm and dry feet for me! No walking round or jumping over puddles, just walking straight through them! I've resisted the urge to jump in them so far...
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
We had a light dusting of snow today ...

---

We're getting quite a heavy dusting at the moment, which is why I'm posting at this time on a Wednesday evening, when I'd normally be at choir practice; D. decided to put off the rehearsal and have one on Saturday afternoon instead, as we've got a big service on Sunday for Candlemas.

This has been a bit of a b*ll*cks of a day; the snow was supposed to start at 11 a.m., but didn't start until about 1 p.m. The University was closed in the afternoon (after I'd finished for the day ) and although we're due to get a total of about a foot of snow, it'll probably have stopped by the morning, so we won't get a snow-day tomorrow either.

Stuff that for a lark.

[ 30. January 2014, 19:34: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

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Posted by Fredegund (# 17952) on :
 
I can see snow falling...unhappily I don't suppose it will settle considering how sodden the ground is. And probably not serious enough to stop the trains. Bother.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I went to buy a new internet dongle for Pete this morning and noticed that on their smellies shelf they had a bottle of a new [to me] fragrance from Imperial Leather™ called Liverpool - the mind veritably boggles!

I imagine just a hint of The Albert Dock at low tide and a soupcon of the smell of the paddock after the Grand National.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
No snow here, just endless drizzle.
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
No snow here - just chilly and overcast.

I am Home Alone for a few hours and it's such a treat that I hardly know what to do with myself. I could write my journal, start one of the books on my ever-growing To Read list, watch one of the DVDs I got for Christmas which are still in their cellophane...

Nen - drinking coffee.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I went to buy a new internet dongle for Pete this morning and noticed that on their smellies shelf they had a bottle of a new [to me] fragrance from Imperial Leather™ called Liverpool - the mind veritably boggles!

I imagine just a hint of The Albert Dock at low tide and a soupcon of the smell of the paddock after the Grand National.

---

Wonderful!!

There could be the makings of a thread in this.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
The lesson observation went really well. I am still glowing from all the good feedback.

Phew phew phew phew. If it hadn't gone well I'd have jacked it all in there and then. I put so much effort into one lesson it darn well had to be graded outstanding!

Hopefully I'll be left alone to get on with it now.


 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
That's good news, Boogie.

I've had a delightfully indulgent day in front of the fire with my books but now need to embark on cooking tea.

Nen - wishing she could have days like this a bit more often.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Good on you, Boogie.

I get the feeling I may regret asking this, but what's a dongle?


 

---

Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
After providing the most shocking customer service in the known universe this Christmas (not one but two cancellations that added up to a seventeen hour delay for our flight) Air France have somewhat redeemed themselves.

We sent a very strongly worded letter and the reply came back today. Some of it is a bit weaselly (we was obeying safety regulations and our staff totally did their best - yerright) but on the upside, they have given each passenger a whopping 250€ for a new ticket our of choice. Which is (a) not so bad and (b) pretty much an admission of guilt anyway, since it's more than the value of our original tickets on the doomed Christmas journey.

They may now get off the spit.

[ 30. January 2014, 19:42: Message edited by: la vie en rouge ]
 

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Posted by Chocoholic (# 4655) on :
 
A dongle can be used to plug into your computer for mobile data, so if you are out and about you can get internet connection. You pay a subscription for them generally or get them as part of a package.

It's a great word!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
...Some of it is a bit weaselly...

---

Ahem!

Glad you got it sorted, airlines are all bad but some are worse than others - they all care more for the shareholders than either customers or staff.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
As of last night, my phone has decided to finish its little break by the south coast seaside and is now in London, wanting a lift home.

I suppose this is the trouble with smartphones - they're intelligent, so they get curious and bored, and want to explore. I’ll be having a few words with it later on.

(Given the way things have gone so far, I may also christen it either "Romy" or "Wanda".)
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Glad you found it, it must have been very worrying.

Finally got the tax return in last night (a day later than last year so much for best laid plans and all that). Today is a busy one shopping, tidying and baking as we have 7 thirteen year old boys descending on the house for my son's birthday - pizza, film and fireworks, if the rain holds off.
 

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Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Have fun, HA! Sounds rather terrifying, lots of 13 year old boys around the place...

Having spent a lovely lunchtime and afternoon catching up with a friend whom I have not seen for several years (and we picked up where we left off) I now have to Get On With It and prepare for tomorrow morning and write Sunday's sermon and choose a month's worth of hymns...
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by St Everild:
Having spent a lovely lunchtime and afternoon catching up with a friend whom I have not seen for several years (and we picked up where we left off)

---

I have this to look forward to tomorrow. Am having coffee with a friend I haven't seen to talk to properly for months and prior to that it was years - and we talked as though we'd never been apart. In fact, I have a lovely, if busy, day ahead tomorrow and haven't got to do any planning for Sunday apart from take a dessert for shared lunch at church.

Nen - whose weekends are not always such fun.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Today I received a letter from work confirming that they are taking up my offer of voluntary redundancy for my February course (not full redundancy as I still will teach 2 October - June courses, more a reduction of hours) but that they need to pay me 3 months salary in lieu as I didn't get 3 months notice of confirmation. So next month I get an extra 3 month's pay for giving up a course I no longer want to teach. Now I have less marking to do in the Spring, the whole summer off and I get 3 months pay for doing nothing. Result!
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
That sounds like a very good deal, HA - hope you enjoy practising for retirement.

Fun times today - went out with the lab staff and students to celebrate one of the students handing in her PhD thesis, and the choice of celebration was bowling. No matter that I'm absolutely rubbish at it (I think I got two "strikes" the whole afternoon) - I really rather enjoyed it, although I think I may have developed bowler's knee/shoulder/back/neck ...
 

---

Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
Were you wearing a bowler hat?
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
Glad you found it, it must have been very worrying.

---

Yes, 11 days of "who has got it and are they doing anything with the info on it". It's back, a bit dirtier and scuffed, and someone has opened the cover and removed the 32GB SD card so my photos and apps have gone, but everything else is intact. I'm a bit annoyed about having to pay £11 retrieval and storage fees after nearly 2 weeks and having the SD card taken, but what the hell.

Nice afternoon in Chinatown and the National Gallery afterwards, despite the rain. I'd meant to explore the South Bank, but it really wasn't the weather for it and ended up in the medieval section of the NG: a real delight. Some of those paintings look startingly recent, so clear and bright with the gold still sparkling, even 700-odd years later.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I'm off to walk the dog then visit Mum. The dog comes too - she is like a PAT dog for all the old folks, puts her head on their knees to be fussed. One lady says "I love you" to her over and over again.

It's a lovely sunny day!
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Sun just disappearing here, and getting windy. But going over, minus our dog, to see family.
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
been niceish weather here, but weird. Bright sun then hail, and a strong wind. Now an odd yellow light over everything!

But not cold. which is good.

My son (14) has had xbox and kindle privileges removed for the day, and is currently building a kit car left over from christmas. peaceful...
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
... and I just want to report the weridness of taking dogs out but picking up wrong jacket, so having to go out again afterward to retrieve poos. In the hail. I took the car. We are the strangest nation on earth.
 

---

Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Taliesin:
But not cold. which is good.

---

Not good at all. While it's nice at the moment, the ramification of this is that this summer we'll see a larger than usual influx of insects, particularly ants and wasps, as we've not had a decent frost so more of the queens will survive the winter than usual.
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
I was being upbeat, dammit! I'm actually praying for snow.
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
It's raining again. Pouring with rain. I've had enough of it. Am sick of rain. Want the rain to stop. We're going out this evening and we'll get wet. I'm tired of getting wet. I'm fed up with hearing the sound of rain on the windows. I don't want to keep waking in the night to the sound of rain.

Nen - did I mention I was tired of rain?
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Spike:
Not good at all. While it's nice at the moment, the ramification of this is that this summer we'll see a larger than usual influx of insects, particularly ants and wasps, as we've not had a decent frost so more of the queens will survive the winter than usual.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Spike:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Taliesin:
But not cold. which is good.

---

Not good at all. While it's nice at the moment, the ramification of this is that this summer we'll see a larger than usual influx of insects, particularly ants and wasps, as we've not had a decent frost so more of the queens will survive the winter than usual.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Taliesin:
... I'm actually praying for snow ...

---

We're supposed to be getting about 6 inches of it tomorrow - would you like some?

It was one of those beautiful, sunny but cold winter days that Newfoundland's so good at today. I can't say I did very much with it though, except go to the choir practice postponed from Wednesday. Should be a good Candlemas service tomorrow.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Candlemas and no morning mass at the Latin Catholic church we usually go to [this weekend there are evening masses both last night and tonight] but we found they were having a morning mass at the very old and very beautiful Syro-Malabar alternative so we hied off there despite it being quite difficult getting Pete in there - three steepish steps up, a lintel of less than a foot wide then a step down is not easy with a wheelchair. They have another new priest, which was a surprise, and it was nice to have a change of rite, not that I understood a word of it, of course. The new priest was entreating us to return next week but I don't know that we will. I may attend there on my own occasionally when Pete goes back to Canada, the building is very beautiful.

What did surprise me a bit is that the new priest must be a Sunderland fan as the altars were decked out in Red and White vertical stripes. Is this usual for Candlemas? I suppose I should ask in Eccles but I don't think I've posted there for several years.

The altar boys lead parts of the service but they are the only ones without microphones - 11 or 12 year old voices just can't be projected adequately in a large building full of about 300 folks.

Meanwhile the weather continues warm and bright and sunny and the younger son of our new neighbours feels it necessary to ring his cycle bell almost continuously as he cycles round the neighbourhood - he and his brother bought the bike between them by saving up industriously for a couple of years and they are very proud of the fact!

Their parents are quite proud of them, too.
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
I rather fancy a short, very cold snap to kill the slugs and snails. But the good news is that for the moment, the rain has stopped and the sun is shining!

Still, more rain is coming I hear. I have noticed the weather forecasters on TV are running out of suitable expressions for their forecasts, and rather tell us its going to be wet, wet, and wet again with a brisk, no nonsense attitude.

Anyone noticed, or is it my imagination!
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Meanwhile the weather continues warm and bright and sunny

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
What did surprise me a bit is that the new priest must be a Sunderland fan as the altars were decked out in Red and White vertical stripes. Is this usual for Candlemas? I suppose I should ask in Eccles but I don't think I've posted there for several years.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by balaam:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
What did surprise me a bit is that the new priest must be a Sunderland fan as the altars were decked out in Red and White vertical stripes. Is this usual for Candlemas? I suppose I should ask in Eccles but I don't think I've posted there for several years.

---

He's just celebrating the thrashing of Newcastle.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
A second beautiful sunny day that feels like early spring - sunshine, blue sky, fleecy clouds and NO RAIN. It was so nice that I went out for breakfast, and even had it at a quiet corner table outside, in the sun. Food always seems to taste better outside, and this was no exception. First time this year to eat al fresco: spring is on its way.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
... a high of 6 C (aka chew-your-face-off cold) ...

---

No no. A high of minus 6°C is chew-your-face-off cold.

It wasn't quite as bad as that today, but it started to snow while we were in church this morning and has only stopped in the last hour or so, so we've got another 6 inches or so. And again, not coming at the right time to give us a snow-day.

Candlemas went off very nicely (even though we were without our most confident soprano, who's recovering from surgery); both the Dean and D. were v. pleased.

I've actually got a bit of time off tomorrow, as we've got a big funeral at the Cathedral - a former president (equivalent of a vice-chancellor) of the University, who also happened to be a parishioner, so there'll be lots of academic big-wigs there. Nothing too elaborate musically - he didn't want a requiem, so we'll probably only have to sing an anthem, a Nunc Dimittis and a few hymns, maybe with a psalm thrown in for good measure.

We saw some fairly fearsome weather pictures from Aberystwyth this evening - hope the Welsh contingent round those parts are all doing all right.
 

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

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
We saw some fairly fearsome weather pictures from Aberystwyth this evening - hope the Welsh contingent round those parts are all doing all right.

---

Wodders, wodders, piglet used a naughty word!

Mrs. S, telling tales ...
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
I'm not well, so I'm curled up in bed with hot water bottle and kindle... I do love my kindle... And have dropped into the ship via its tiny screen to see if tea and sympathy was available.
I have a high temperature and feel grim but no other symptoms. Only time and sleep well tell. But I really need to go to school tomorrow.
 

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Posted by Chocoholic (# 4655) on :
 
Awwww, virtual tea and sympathy from me!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
...and from me, too.

Mrs S, piglet is Orcadian, what can one do?


 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
No-one ever told me that "Aberystwyth" was a naughty word* ...

The funeral went well - in the event there was even less for us to do than we'd thought - just a couple of hymns and the Nunc Dimittis from Gibbons' Short Service (our favourite setting).

Taliesin, virtual tea and CAKE coming your way.

* although when the Grauniad published a British Universities Monopoly board, instead of "Go to Jail" it had "Go to Aberystwyth".
 

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

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
No-one ever told me that "Aberystwyth" was a naughty word* ...

* although when the Grauniad published a British Universities Monopoly board, instead of "Go to Jail" it had "Go to Aberystwyth".

---

I thought we all had to refer to it as Kumquat, in memory of the blessed Erin???

Oddly, both my children went there, although mercifully not at the same time. Master S loved it, loved every minute of it. Miss S loathed it with an equal passion and only lasted a term. I mean, I knew they were different, but really!

Mrs. S, still amazed at what a let-down genetics and heredity are.
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
Sympathies, Taliesin, I'm not well either and keep hoping to feel better soon. I went to the doctor's this morning and the whole expedition has worn me out completely.

Nen - who has hit the bottom of the pit and is watching daytime TV.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
What a shame they cancelled Crossroads all those years ago - at least it was good for a daytime giggle!
 

---

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

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nenya:
Sympathies, Taliesin, I'm not well either and keep hoping to feel better soon. I went to the doctor's this morning and the whole expedition has worn me out completely.

Nen - who has hit the bottom of the pit and is watching daytime TV.

---

From me too, both of you - I've just recovered from Something Unmentionable, and it is blissful to be over it Sometimes antibiotics just ROCK!

Mrs. S, having a Good Day today
 

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Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Can you catch the dreaded lurg over the internet? I seem to have been laid low as well. Have spent 36 hours or so dosing my tea and hot lemon with (purely medicinal) booze and watching films. It's funny how satisfying it is to watch superheroes beating the snot out of each other when you are under the weather.
 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
I took my first lot of medication from the doctor, turned off the TV and slept for most of the afternoon. Now feel noticeably better. My lovely mum, a retired nurse, always used to say that sleep's the best medicine but I'm sure the tablets have something to do with it too.

Nen - happy to be feeling a bit more human.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Glad to hear you're feeling a bit better, Nen. I'm not a nurse but I reckon your mum was right - if you can get a good night's (or in your case, afternoon's) sleep it'll do you the world of good.

V. cold (but bright and sunny) here today - it was -13°C when I got up to go to w*rk, and it hasn't really got a whole lot warmer.
 

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

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nenya:
I took my first lot of medication from the doctor, turned off the TV and slept for most of the afternoon. Now feel noticeably better. My lovely mum, a retired nurse, always used to say that sleep's the best medicine but I'm sure the tablets have something to do with it too.

Nen - happy to be feeling a bit more human.

---

Where's the 'Like' button when you need it?

Hope everyone is feeling better this morning!

Mrs. S, off the tablets at last
 

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Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
I'm feeling very sorry for all you lurgy-struck Shippies! Not nice to feel under the weather when the weather itself is enough to feel under, if you see what I mean!

Blowing gales here, though not quite so bad as down in the southwest. And being on a hill, inland, we are saved from flooding.

Time, I think to make hot coffee (or any other drink you fancy) and get out the Hobnobs!
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
You've got Hobnobs?
 

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Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
Dagnabit! Why did I have to glance at this thread? (toddles off to buy Hobnobs)
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
[Canuck tangent]
They'd go perfectly with one's morning cup of Timmy's™, don't you think?
[/Canuck tangent OFF]
 

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Posted by Theophania (# 16647) on :
 
HOBNOBS!!!! No no, I do not want any no. I will eat carrots and like them and thus become thinner and less manky of skin.

Mmmm, hobnobs.
 

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Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
Thanks for kind thoughts and virtual cake. I went to work, heroically!!! And am now home, and about ready to sleep again. There are no hobnobs in my house... but there is chocolate.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Theophania, who do you think you're kidding?

If the weather forecast's right, we just might get a sn*w-day on Thursday - they're offering us about 6 inches of sn*w and quite a lot of wind. With my luck it'll either fizzle out by the morning, or not get going until after I finish w*rk at 1 o'clock ...
 

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Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
Hello piglet, I'm awake, but other Brits are sleepin. Wish we had snow. Although I'm too sick to play in it.

I'm supposed to be going to London on Friday and Saturday to a major convention of music teachers. I'm so looking forward to it, but at this rate I'm not going to be able to go.

Bum. Feeling v sorry for myself.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I hope you are better soon Taliesin.

I'm about to attack another marking mountain - thirty 2000 word essays! But at the moment I am procrastinating

I may have also just offered to teach a class of year 5s Tudor medicine
 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
Taliesin, if you rest completely today might you be well enough to travel tomorrow? I hate to think of you having to miss something you've been looking forward to so much.

I have a reasonably quiet day today, just seeing a couple of friends for a bit this afternoon, although I do have to do the grocery shop which always seems like a mammoth task. Have other shipmates experienced online shopping and what are your thoughts?

Nen - who has no interest in food at present so is finding it hard to think about.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nenya:
Have other shipmates experienced online shopping and what are your thoughts?

---

I love it!

I save a lot of money - food isn't tempting online like it is in the shop! The firm tells you when the delivery slot is, within an hour's margin. They have a frozen, a chilled and a normal section to the van. You can click 'replace with similar' or 'don't replace' for any stuff they don't have in.

I would do all my grocery shopping online if Mr Boogs wasn't the shopper/cook round here.



It's a beautiful, sunny, almost Spring day here in the Ribble Valley.

I am still at my brother's farm watching and waiting with Mum in her last days. She is a tough bird, like her daughter! She weighs four and a half stone and has had no food or drink since Sunday - and still she hangs on!
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
That's interesting and helpful, Boogie. I must get my head round it, I think. I daresay it takes a while first time round?

Glad the weather is pleasant where you are. Have you been out with Tatze? It's raining here, just for a change. I'm thinking of you and your family often, may your dear mum go well and in peace.

Nen - shopping. Yes.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Yes - but it's really easy.

Tatze isn't here but may be coming tomorrow if all is the same. Mr Boogs goes to Mexico on Saturday, he is taking a charity team to work out there. So Tatze will have to join us here.

I still get my doggy walks as there is a Springer spaniel called Bryn here. He's a livewire!



[ 06. February 2014, 09:47: Message edited by: Boogie ]
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
In his last few years my dad did most of his food shopping online and loved it - he and a neighbour did it together to do a sizeable order - he lived in Sedbergh and the stores was in Kendal and he was in his 80s/90s and had had to give up driving - and in any case driving over t'fell at that age might have been unwise. ASDA are not my favourite UK store but they certainly gave him great service.

When one of us were there we would drive him down to Booths in Kirby Lonsdale - a lovely store with wonderfully helpful staff and with a stunning cheese counter!

As I may have mentioned before we like food!

Himself has been targeted by the JWs again so Pete and I have tried to warn him off a bit - he didn't seem very impressed with them after two of them visited here today. They told him that going to mass, etc. was not a good idea - he was not amused.
 

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Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Re: online shopping. Remember not to click 1, thinking it means bags or kg and end up with a single solitary vegetable.

Am trying to conserve energy so I can leave the house tonight and go see this . I've pre-booked, but no one else will thank me for burbling and coughing my way through it.

[ 06. February 2014, 14:01: Message edited by: ArachnidinElmet ]
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
I still get my doggy walks as there is a Springer spaniel called Bryn here. He's a livewire!

---

Nenlet1's in laws have a springer. She's totally nutty but very cute too.

Thanks to everyone who has expressed sympathies for us poorly ones on the thread and for the advice about the online shopping. I obviously need to look into it further.

Nen - who has been sharing time with lovely friends all afternoon and now needs a rest.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
There is a minimum order charge for online shopping isn't there? Something like £50? This is one reason why I've never done it.

[ 06. February 2014, 17:50: Message edited by: Ariel ]
 

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Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Not at Tescos (which is the only one I have used), I regularly order under £50. I do a monthly shop for heavy and bulky stuff but like to see what I am buying with fruit and veg at least.


Jengie
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
But there is still a minimum spend, right?
 

---

Posted by Chocoholic (# 4655) on :
 
From Waitrose and Ocado you can often find vouchers for discounts on your first online shop.
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
I think the minimum spend affects how much for delivery. Waitrose does free delivery, but expect you to spend over 50 quid. Sainsbury delivers free if you ask for delivery on thursday and spend over 100... it might have changed, I did it a couple of times, but can never get into the rhtyhm of it - when I need shopping, I need it today, for dinner. Not some forseeable time into the future when its convenient for them to deliver...

Nen, thanks for kind thoughts and glad you had nice time with friends. Aracnidelment (apols for sp??) hope you get to your thing tonight!
 

---

Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
But there is still a minimum spend, right?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
... we just might get a sn*w-day on Thursday ...

---

We did! Not only that, but they re-opened at 1 o'clock, which is when I'd have been leaving, which makes up for last Wednesday when the opposite happened - I'd already finished when they decided to close.

Mind you, in order to get it we've had about a foot of sn*w.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:

I may have also just offered to teach a class of year 5s Tudor medicine ...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jengie Jon:
None I know of. There is no free delivery, and you pay a flat rate however much you order but no minimum delivery either.

---

Ooo that's interesting and their website says it's much less than I expected, thanks for the tip.
 

---

Posted by Chocoholic (# 4655) on :
 
Woo hoo for Piglet's snow day!

I am a bit kid -like with snow, hoping for a load and loving see it snow and settle but after the initial excitement the reality of needing to drive in snow on icy roads gets in the way and when it goes sludgy and dirty. Also if we can't get into work we either don't get paid or have to take it as holiday.
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
There is a minimum order charge for online shopping isn't there? Something like £50? This is one reason why I've never done it.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Taliesin:
... Nen, thanks for kind thoughts and glad you had nice time with friends. Aracnidelment (apols for sp??) hope you get to your thing tonight!

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quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... There is no pain yet ...

---

Wait until you get the bill. The pain in a dentist's chair is as nothing compared to the pain in the wallet; my boss recently had to shell out $6,000 for orthodontic work for her daughter.

I've never been to the cinema/theatre things, Arachnid, but a friend used to go to cinema screenings of "live" operas from the New York Met. Proper opera really isn't my thing, but if they were to show a Gilbert & Sullivan, wild horses wouldn't keep me away ...

**toddles off, humming [insert G&S tune of your choice]**
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
New young dentist, very pleasant, very into conservative treatment - he gave me a filling and said that if it cracked he'd have to put in a crown but thought it should hold all right.

Rs 50 for registration and Rs 500 for the filling - so under six quid for the lot. I can live with that.

Got a phone call when in the dentist's chair to go and pick something up from the courier, just down the road from the dentist so no problem.
 

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Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
I had to go to the Dentist on Thursday, for a check up, and visit to the Hygienist. I hate her and her little ice pick that going round my teeth so that they all hurt!

However, nothing had to be done after visit to proper dentist, so as PeteC says, only my wallet was hurt - to the tune of £100!!

"Another appointments in 6 months,?" asked the Receptionist. "No way", says I, "make that in a year's time"

I'll start saving.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
When I was working on Merseyside I had a lovely Dental Hygienist and we used to swap recipes then she upped and left, she said that she had got Birkenhead organised so was off to Ellesmere Port to get them properly trained. She was a bit of a star. Yes the doing of it was not the most comfortable but my teeth felt so clean afterwards.
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Picks? My man goes in there with this little electric buzz saw. Mind you, the teeth come out so clen you could eat your dinner off them.
 

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Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
Good grief - what's happened to the weather?????!!!!
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I'm back home now and recovering. Mum's funeral is all in hand for 1pm on Friday. I did all the running around and paperwork yesterday - I'm so very glad I didn't have to wait over the weekend. I have treated myself to an M&S ploughman's sandwich, yum!

Mr Boogs left for Mexico this morning, which is bad timing. But he is leading a team of ten people on a charity project, so couldn't back out.

It's bright, sunny and breezy today. We really have been lucky with the weather up here in the North West!


 

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Posted by Thyme (# 12360) on :
 

quote:

---

Mind you, the teeth come out so clen you could eat your dinner off them.

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[ 08. February 2014, 13:59: Message edited by: Thyme ]
 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
Glad you've managed to get a lot of practicalities sorted out, Boogie. After my mum died I was amazed at how much there was to do.

Mr Nen has sensitive teeth so the hygienist is always an ordeal for him. I don't really mind and I like my current one. But I did have one once who went round one section of my mouth with her sharp prong thing, made all my gums bleed and gave me a major talking to about my dental hygiene. It took my mouth ages to recover. I never went back to her.

Nen - reminded that she is overdue for the dentist.
 

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Posted by Polly Plummer (# 13354) on :
 
The great thing about having to go to the dentist and dreading it is that I don't have enough mental space to worry about anything else!
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It's not so much the mental space as the dental space ... sorry, I'll get my coat.

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:

quote:

---

under six quid for the lot

---

Oh for goodness' sake ...

Just back from our friend M's 70th birthday bash, which was quite a jolly affair.

I did a spot of Retail Therapy this afternoon - there are a couple of shops here that give you vouchers for your birthday - so I got a nice little pair of ankle-boots and a top which didn't fit (by the time I saw it I'd tried on so many things I was fed up and decided to buy it without trying it on, which was Not A Good Idea), so I'll have to take it back.
 

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Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
When my mother died 2 years ago, we had to wait 3 weeks for the funeral as that was the first available slot, so I'd say you've done well there Boogie.

Frustrating morning today, I was supposed to be running in the Wokingham half marathon, but it has been cancelled due to flooding.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Well it's pouring down this morning, never mind England needs the water

I remember, during the drought and hosepipe ban a couple of years ago. I ranted "It falls from the sky, if it's not raining now it will be soon - just save some of it!" Meanwhile the TV was full of programmes about how to plant up your Mediterranean garden. Ho hum, pig's bum. Rain rain go away!!
 

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Posted by Polly Plummer (# 13354) on :
 
And at church this morning we sang "Morning has broken", trying to keep a straight face during the second verse as we gave thanks for the rain!
 

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Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
I'm glad you were with your mum for her last days, Boogie, and you seem to be handling it all amazingly well. I hope the week goes smoothly for you.

As for me,I went to London for my music event but an now shattered. It was well worth it.

Not sure I'll manage work tomorrow though...
 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
I'm so glad you made your event and enjoyed it, Taliesin.

I had reorganised my week (I work part time) to accommodate an all day meeting on Tuesday. As it was I was ill so didn't make the meeting after all, but it meant I didn't work after Wednesday lunchtime. It wouldn't be possible as a regular thing but I have to say it did make for a nice week, once I was feeling well enough to enjoy it.

Nen - bracing herself for work tomorrow. I do love my job but...
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I know what you mean, Nen - I love mine too, but it suits me that it's part-time.

On the subject of funerals, when D's father died the length of time waiting for a "slot" actually worked in our favour. He died the night after we arrived on holiday and because of the wait we were able to go up to Orkney as planned, as the funeral was arranged for when we were on our way back a couple of weeks later.

On a cheerier note, at coffee-time after church this morning the Dean had everyone sing "happy birthday" to me (it's on Monday), which was embarrassing* but a nice thought ...

* It could have been worse: when I had my 50th he announced it to the whole congregation. Vengeance will be mine, one day.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Did you provide the descant?

* * * *

I forgot to phone my UK bank this morning - my work pension went in this morning and I wanted to do a transfer to my bank here but getting an international line out is hell at this time of day so it may have to wait for tomorrow as soon my bank there will have callers queued around the block and I hate the Thank you for waiting, you are moving forward in the queue and will be dealt with as soon as possible-bit.
 

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

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
... the Dean had everyone sing "happy birthday" to me (it's on Monday), which was embarrassing* but a nice thought ...

---

Well, it's Monday - so HIPY PAPY BTHUTHDTH BTHTHDY* to piglet!

*can't remember the exact phrase and too lazy to walk upstairs for the source text!

Did you get a balloon, piglet? or a Useful Pot to put things in?

Hope you have a great day, anyway

Mrs. S, who has another 8 months to wait for hers
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I forgot to say Happy Birthday in my post, sorry, piglet - I'm a WW of very little brain.

I tried one more time to get the bank and got through straight away to a nice young guy called Sean so transfer is now arranged and, hopefully, the money will be here before bed tomorrow night. This will be a Good Thing.

Sean told me that Skelmersdale is a bit nippy this morning so I didn't upset him by telling him what the weather is like here.

I also paid my credit card bill online when I was checking my account balances so feel truly virtuous. Now that I have a zero debit on the account what should I buy next?


 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
A round of drinks? Cheers!

And happy birthday Piglet
 

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Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Happy Birthday, Piglet!

And yes, Nen, I join you in a nine-month wait for mine. Don't think I want it this year, its a real biggie
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫

Happy Birthday tooooo Piiiiglet,
Happy birthday toooooo yoooouuuuu!

♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
 

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Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
Me too. Happy birthuthday, piglet xx
 

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Posted by Starbug (# 15917) on :
 
Happy Birthday, Piglet!
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Thank you all for the kind wishes - I got some lovely flowers (and something's on order from Ortak) from D., and sundry other nice things from friends.

Also going out for dinner tonight - will report back.
 

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Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Ok I thought people would appreciate this form of lateral thinking when dealing with the consequences of the weather.

Jengie
 

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Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Happy birthday Piglet!
Taking the top back will provide you with a lovely excuse to shop some more!
 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicodemia:
And yes, Nen, I join you in a nine-month wait for mine.

---

Not me - it was Mrs S who commented on that. But she and I are soul-sisters, although we have never met, so you'd be forgiven for thinking it was me who said it. I actually have over 10 months until my next birthday but the last Big One is a few years behind me and the next is comfortably distant.

Have a lovely meal, piglet... Something better than haycorns, I trust.

Nen - now feeling the urge to reread A A Milne.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
We could have done with a Duck Train. Nearly 5 hours to get to and from work today and that was with the rail replacement services mostly doing their best to be helpful. I don't want to think how tomorrow might go.

On the plus side, I went to a Tai Chi introductory class today. I don't want to commit to a series of classes, but the intro was quite interesting - never did anything like it before.
 

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Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
You could take up karate, it's like tai chi at full speed.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jengie Jon:
Ok I thought people would appreciate this form of lateral thinking when dealing with the consequences of the weather.

Jengie

---

Why am I thinking that Jeremy Clarkson or Captain Slow ought to be driving that?
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by balaam:
You could take up karate, it's like tai chi at full speed.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:

On the plus side, I went to a Tai Chi introductory class today. I don't want to commit to a series of classes, but the intro was quite interesting - never did anything like it before.

---

Which sort? I'm currently doing the 24-form variant - previously I was taking the Taoist, which has 108. I have to say I could only ever get through that if there was an instructor out front that I could follow. The current class is a bit chaotic - but cheap - and is provided under the Council's adult ed programme.
 

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Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
Happy birthday to piglet

TME and I did the Cheng Man Ch'ing form of tai chi (which has 37 movements, takes about 10 minutes to do the form in total). I could never do it without having someone to watch and copy. Our instructor was very fond of lengthy anecdotes about the various tai chi masters, I always wished he would cut out the anecdotes and give us a bit more practice, maybe the form would have sunk in a bit better. I can't remember any of it now. I wasn't at all into the philosophy of it, but it was a nice thing to do together for an hour once a week and it was very calming at the time.

Hope those of you down south who are struggling with the flooding get some relief from it very soon.

[ 10. February 2014, 20:49: Message edited by: Jack the Lass ]
 

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Posted by Chocoholic (# 4655) on :
 
I got a tai chi DVD recently, I love doing it but am rubbish at it! No idea how many moves etc. I can just remember one called parting the wild horses mane.

I just have to get myself to do it more but you know how it is, get in, get changed, sort food, do some bits round the house, there's another evening gone!
 

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Posted by Thyme (# 12360) on :
 
I've just started a Tai Chi class. I love it so far. I've only done two classes. There are lots of YouTubes showing moves (are they called Forms?).

It is a very small class mainly over 60's. I don't think I could do it without seeing it demonstrated and having someone to follow. I'm not good at physical coordination.

Our teacher doesn't give too much information about it all, just enough to help us understand how the moves are supposed to benefit us.

I struggle to do the practice at home alone though.

I've also started a Hatha Yoga class and am very pleased with that as well.

My motivation in all this is physical fitness more than the spiritual side, but it can certainly be very meditative.
 

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Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
Thank you all for the kind wishes - I got some lovely flowers (and something's on order from Ortak) from D., and sundry other nice things from friends.

Also going out for dinner tonight - will report back.

---

Ooh, Ortak, very nice.
Happy Birthday, Piglet, and happy truffling.
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chocoholic:
I got a tai chi DVD recently, I love doing it but am rubbish at it! No idea how many moves etc. I can just remember one called parting the wild horses mane.

---

If it lasts about 6 minutes, it's the short (Beijing) version - in which Parting Wild Horse's Mane is the second form, just after Commencement.

Are there no classes to be had locally? I have been taking various classes for the last three or for years - besides having done it a few decades ago - and I still can't follow the moves just by watching video.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I did a little online shopping this morning just to make my credit card feel needed - stuff for Pete and a little bit [?] for me, too.

Now it's time to hang the washing out on the roof and make up my bed with clean sheets. It's all go!
 

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Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
I've been doing t'ai chi for 18 months, and we spend 25 minutes or so doing the 'warm-up', and then another 25 or 30 minutes going through whichever routine it is, usually twice - but we don't always get as far as parting the wild horse's mane.

Our instructor always says that we don't need to remember the sequence because we have him to do it for us, which is just as well, because although I now have some muscle memory of the sequence, it is by no means reliable!

But it is a great way of doing some concentrating, and is great for balance (and it's cheap - a local school does it as part of their community education and we oldies get a discount )

Mrs. S, rooster stands on one leg (and falls over )
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
Which sort? I'm currently doing the 24-form variant - previously I was taking the Taoist, which has 108.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
The only other named position I remember is the Lifting Three Dishes as the others either had names in Chinese, which I've forgotten, or weren't introduced as such.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
However, I would totally recommend taking up Tai Chi. All my life, my proficiency at games/sports/exercise has been that of a wall-eyed sloth with vertigo. Tai Chi is the one thing I have found at which it is impossible to fail.

---

How very true...

Mrs. S, equally un-sporty
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Tai Chi is the one thing I have found at which it is impossible to fail.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
The only other named position I remember is the Lifting Three Dishes as the others either had names in Chinese, which I've forgotten, or weren't introduced as such.

---

That's a new one. However, I would totally recommend taking up Tai Chi. All my life, my proficiency at games/sports/exercise has been that of a wall-eyed sloth with vertigo. Tai Chi is the one thing I have found at which it is impossible to fail.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
That's a new one. However, I would totally recommend taking up Tai Chi. All my life, my proficiency at games/sports/exercise has been that of a wall-eyed sloth with vertigo. Tai Chi is the one thing I have found at which it is impossible to fail.

---

I must look this up. My sense of balance is virtually nil, so it might help. [/QB]

---

Sioni, I broke 3 wrists in ~15 years* and decided I needed to DO something about it. hence, Pilates and t'ai chi for the last 18 months.

All I can say is, I haven't broken one since I started...

* Yes, they were all mine. My bone density is normal, but the females in my family were all born with the clumsiness gene, sadly

Mrs. S, discovering it's hard to post with your fingers crossed
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by St Everild:
... Taking the top back will provide you with a lovely excuse to shop some more!

---

Sadly not. I took it back and explained that it wouldn't fit, no matter what size it was (it just didn't fit my shape ), but when I asked if I could re-use the 40% off voucher they said no - they could only refund what I'd paid - so I thought stuff this for a game of soldiers, and didn't buy anything else.

Dinner was v. nice if somewhat expensive - hurrah for D's boss who had given us a gift-card for the restaurant for Christmas.

First they brought very good herby bread with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, olives and Feta, then we shared a charcuterie plate, which was nice but very salty - there was toasted bread and various sorts of smoked meats and salami-type things, and a kind of tapenade and a couple of lettuce leaves, but there was no sweet element, which it really rather needed. A dollop of tomato chutney, red-pepper jelly* or similar, or a couple of bits of fresh tomato would have helped.

Then I had blackened salmon with a spicy-but-not-too-scary sauce, stir-fried veggies and crushed potatoes, which was v. good, and D. had "southern fried chicken" which was like an upmarket KFC - very nicely cooked chicken with lavender-honey dipping sauce, a corn-bread roll, and excellent macaroni cheese, all washed down with a nice Pinot Grigio. There was so much of it that he gladly accepted the offer of a doggy-bag.

We were both so full up after all that we didn't have room for pudding ...

* I could have offered to be their supplier ...

[ 11. February 2014, 15:34: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

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Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
... we didn't have room for pudding ...

---

Does not compute
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Sorry, JtL - I'm one of those oddities who would rather have a cheese-board anyway (except when there's un-messed-about-with crème brûlée), but very few restaurants here offer one. There was a cheese plate option on the menu as a starter*, which was probably very nice, but the term "market price" scared us off ...

* They really don't understand cheese here.
 

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Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
Heh - I'll often go for a cheeseboard too, as I'm quite fussy with puddings despite the sweet tooth. I must admit I just class cheese as pudding too - if you eat it after the main course then it's pudding in my book
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
I don't see the problem. Dinner is

• Cocktail
• Starter
• Soup
• Main
• Cheese
• Dessert
• Degestif

• aperitif
• hors d'oeuvre
• soup
• fish
• cutlets or small savoury
• roast with vegetables
• salad
• cold dessert
• fruit
• cheese

quote:

---

Originally posted by balaam:
You missed the fish course.

---

Like I say, we're talking weekdays.
 

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Posted by Landlubber (# 11055) on :
 
Perhaps coffee to follow?

(As dry land is so wet, I have floated past to see how everyone is and to apologise to East Anglian shipmates for turning up at the meet to welcome Malin - gulp, several years ago - and then vanishing when work took me suddenly half way across the country.)
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Hello Landlubber, and welcome back! The kettle's on, and I believe someone might have a packet of Hobnobs, so pull up a chair and help yourself.
 

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Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
Morning all, glad to see tai chi alive and well in adult ed... I think it should be freely available in parks, as it is in China... I think.

Do any of you have any experience of fighting mobile phone companies? I'm wondering how I go about taking mine to court.
 

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Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Coffee and tea here. But you'd better be quick if you want a hobnob - they are in an airtight cannister - but not for long!

We are allegedly going to get snow and gales later today.

What's different??
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Rain coming soon here but we haven't had it too bad, there's always less rainfall here in the east.
Sorry I've not been around for a few days, I've had a monster load of work (still have) and haven't been well either. But hoping for a few days off shortly - then I'm going to make cheese and brew beer
I'd happily have cheese instead of dessert any day, but share the love of creme brûlée.

[ 12. February 2014, 08:25: Message edited by: Heavenly Anarchist ]
 

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Posted by Fredegund (# 17952) on :
 
I think there's hail mised in with the rain today. Would have liked some more of the snow from yesterday.
If you're out of Hobnobs I have home made fudge in the office fridge (not as set as it should be, but who cares?)

I think the cats are evolving webbed feet.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Rain has arrived. Or, rain, scudding across the car park, propelled by strong gusts of wind that make opening outer doors something of a workout and umbrellas an instant write-off.

Bored now. Let's move Britain somewhere sunnier - I'm thinking the Med, somewhere near Cyprus.
 

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Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Is everyone keeping dry?

I used to live in Staines (massive innit) and it’s very weird seeing the pictures of places I know under water (not to mention the Prime Minister wandering around the town in his wellies).
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Several places including Romsey and Birmingham have made it on to the Weather Channel here, looking frighteningly moist, and now according to the Telegraph online you're going to be getting wind and sn*w as well ...

Look after yourselves.
 

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Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
At 5pm the sky here turned very, very black. Then the thunder, lightning and high winds began. In the worst storms we lose power for several days and lose tiles off the roof, with the rain pouring in. But that hasn't happened this winter.... yet....
 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
Rain and high winds here for most of the day, it's a bit calmer now as the storm heads north.

So desperately sorry for anyone affected. Watching the water rising and invading your home must be one of the most awful feelings ever. We are not on the coast, nor living in a particularly exposed area to winds, nor at risk of flooding, nor have we lost our power. But I still feel very anxious about it all.

In other news I also had a very slow and not-nearly-as-productive-as-I-would-have-liked day at work.

Nen - losing the plot... Is there a plot...?
 

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Posted by Alex Cockell (# 7487) on :
 
Checking in - still OK here in Reading RG1...
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
So far it's been a week of replacement buses and heroic attempts to keep at least some trains running if only occasionally and very slowly. The train companies have been brilliant - plenty of coaches laid on, as soon as they're full up they get going, no hanging about. I've been on time for work each day so far, which is a miracle considering that it's taking an average of 4.5 hours to get to and from work.

This evening, believe it or not, a fire on the tracks, despite all the rain, cancelled my train home so it was back to the bus again. I arrived at the destination station just in time to see the place suddenly turn black as a large power cut knocked out the area. I walked home through the unlit, rain-sodden streets with a cold, rough wind trying to detach anything movable - branches, signs, hair, etc, and the only illumination coming from the headlights of passing cars.

I'm really grateful for the replacement buses, for getting home in one piece, for there being electricity when I got in, and no imminent danger to life. It must be terrifying for people on the west coast and especially the Isle of Man right now. Which means it must be at least equally awful for people in Ireland.

Have a safe night, everybody.
 

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Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
I got absolutely soaked at the graveside at about 10 to 2 this afternoon. My brolly blew inside out - probably just as well really, I could not have managed that plus keeping the cloak/cassock/surplice combo under control and holding a book agh the same time.
I felt for the mourners, but at least they had their backs to the prevailing weather. I was facing into the wind, and the rain, and the hail. I couldn't keep my eyes open - but as my glasses were of no use whatsoever, it didn't really matter anyway.

I'm looking forward to getting into bed tonight and listening to the wind roaring around...well, not the wind part, but the being tucked up warm and snug part I am.
 

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Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
We've got weather in Birmingham, that's for sure!

Yesterday was all four seasons in one day - the hour of snow caused much excitement yesterday morning, but it had sunk in amongst the damp and soggy ground by lunchtime.

Today, we'd normally march a gaggle of the not so little dears off for a 45 minute session at the swimming pool, but decided it was so cold, wet and blustery we'd better not risk it.

I am thankful tomorrow's exciting day out is an indoor activity and even if it's not my film of choice, it should be warm and dry. (That is not a challenge to the wind that is currently howling around to blow the roof off the cinema, please and thank you.)
 

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Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
Went for a walk this afternoon, managed to keep feet on ground, unlike this poor soul....
 

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Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
I'm afraid I'm being a (nice and warm) coward tonight. I should have been attending a thing at the Chantry Chapel in town, ie a medieval building with minimal heating sat on stone stilts above a river. Watching the little river accumulating in the street and listening to the howling wind, it didn't seem like a good place to be. There's been a tiny lights-out, but nothing serious. Definitely for those more seriously under water.
 

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Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
I want to drive down to cornwall next week, to visit family. Are the roads ok?? Or is the rail line having a knock on effect?

love to all of you, sloshing about our soggy countryside. I got soaked so often today... and there was just hail. even the dogs don't want to go out.
 

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Posted by Not (# 2166) on :
 
Apart from the odd tree down and small floods the main roads are fine. But leave extra time; the storms just keep coming in and that can make driving pretty slow and unpleasant.

Cornwall's pretty tough! battered but still functioning
 

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Posted by Adeodatus (# 4992) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Alex Cockell:
Checking in - still OK here in Reading RG1...

---

How's Caversham? I used to live right by the Thames, couldn't help thinking about it today.

100mph winds here in Manchester tonight, though it seems better now than it was a couple of hours ago. for anybody who has to be out and about in all this.
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
This morning one of the weather sites carried advertisements for "Idyllic holidays in Devon and Cornwall". I have pleasant memories of holidays in the south-west, but right at the moment it really isn't appropriate (for one thing, the best route to the south-west is badly broken).

Here in deepest, dampest Gwent the wind howls but it has eased off somewhat. A coworker lost electricity on Monday night and I wonder if it will be restored before the next round of storms on Friday. His other concern is that the fences stay up and keep the sheep out, although most stock are indoors at the moment.
 

---

Posted by Polly Plummer (# 13354) on :
 
Another Tai Chi person here. I go to a U3A class with a very patient and tolerant teacher, though he does get a bit carried away sometimes telling us at length about the theory and the ancient masters.

I started Tai Chi because my back got too bad to lie on the floor to do Pilates. I like being able to exercise upright and with shoes on!

I also can't do the standing-on-one-leg stuff :-(
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Polly Plummer:

I also can't do the standing-on-one-leg stuff :-(

---

Eek! I can stand on my right leg, but the left gets tired and painful quite quickly. Then again, keeping some 20st. off the ground is a sizeable task, so they deserve some credit.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
According to some weather boffins, the same system that's giving you your floods is giving our chums in the south-east US their sn*w, and is shortly to give us the sn*w when they've finished with it.

It's been very cold here (around -15°C, feeling like -27 with the wind-chill), but due to shoot up to +5° on Friday with "mixed precip." which may or may not result in a sn*w-day.


 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I have the ceiling fan going this morning, possibly because with a new lady guest here I don't want to inflict the sight of my body upon her.

I feel awful for all of you back there and pray you are all safe and warm and dry.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
It'll all come to an end one of these days. The sun is shining as I type (I'm typing this quietly so it doesn't hear and take fright).

However, I've run out of dark chocolate and there are no more Cadbury's Mini Eggs left in the packet. How am I going to get through the morning??
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Sunny and calm here at the moment, but more gales etc. etc. expected tomorrow. Going to take the dog for a walk in a mo - see if all our trees in the park are upright with their roots firmly in the ground.

Daughter driving home in Manchester yesterday had nasty experience when a tree fell onto a house just as she was passing, and apparently a flagpole at a car dealer fell down, right across the cars!

Think I'll put the kettle on. We still have some hobnobs, plus ginger nuts and plain digestives for the masochists among us!
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
London calm and bright from the little I can see of it from the hotel window. But I notice the train service we will be looking to to take us home in a day or so got stranded on the North York moors last night.

Memo: pack chocolate.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
My son is flying over from Heidelberg tomorrow morning for Mum's funeral - fingers crossed that he makes it and we make it to the airport and funeral in one piece.

It will be a small service at Church, followed by a smaller one the crematorium then back to Church for food. The minister was at college with Dad so knew them both well, which will be nice. My niece is doing the eulogy and I am reading a poem.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Scary stuff with the wind damage and falling trees!

Fairly mild here, with a chill in the air. I've just about finished my marking mountain (just 2 stray ones to do) so I'm catching up on housework as the house looks like it's just survived the Blitz. Need to shop too as we have no food.
I'm desperate to get out of this house after being cooped up for days, I think we might eat out in the pub tonight.

[ 13. February 2014, 08:20: Message edited by: Heavenly Anarchist ]
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
My son is flying over from Heidelberg tomorrow morning for Mum's funeral - fingers crossed that he makes it and we make it to the airport and funeral in one piece.

It will be a small service at Church, followed by a smaller one the crematorium then back to Church for food. The minister was at college with Dad so knew them both well, which will be nice. My niece is doing the eulogy and I am reading a poem.

---

I hope it goes as well as it can for you
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
... there are no more Cadbury's Mini Eggs left in the packet ...

---

Boogie, hope all the arrangements work out and the weather doesn't play silly-buggers.


 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
We had a birthday on our team today and the somewhat unhinged birthday boy brought in biscuits, Jaffa cakes, wagon wheels, creme eggs, marshmallows, caramel hob nobs (did I say he's got a thing about caramel?) and some weird gooey Maryland cookies.

I have this urge to go home and eat a carrot.
 

---

Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Don't worry, I'm sure if you lie down for a bit, it will pass.
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
I'll be thinking of you all tomorrow, Boogie. I hope it all goes as well as it can.

Today's been a welcome respite from all the rain, there was even a bit of sunshine at times. But I gather there's more to come. I did hear a forecaster on the radio a couple of days ago say that next week will be "not so bad."

It's cold though.

Nen - not much looking forward to going out this evening.
 

---

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
Hope your son get's in safely Boogie and everything goes well tomorrow.
We're off early in the mroning to Madeia where the weather looks to be wet, at least for the first day or two. It'll be a real home from home, but hopefully a bit warmer.
 

---

Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Taliesin:
I want to drive down to cornwall next week, to visit family. Are the roads ok?? Or is the rail line having a knock on effect?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
We had a birthday on our team today and the somewhat unhinged birthday boy brought in biscuits, Jaffa cakes, wagon wheels, creme eggs, marshmallows, caramel hob nobs (did I say he's got a thing about caramel?) and some weird gooey Maryland cookies.

I have this urge to go home and eat a carrot.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Taliesin:


Here, it hasn't rained all day!

---

What magic potion are you using?? Need to get some in. We had a large branch of our tree crash down onto the roof this morning, so loud I jumped right out of bed! Fortunately (as far as I can see) it hasn't cracked the roof tiles, as it's raining fit to bust out there.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
We had a very welcome shower during the night and rather hope we might get another tonight except not too much as we are planning an Expedition tomorrow and we don't want Pete to get muddy wheels.

A lost day with massive headache today but much improved after many hours sleep.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Glad to hear you're feeling a bit better, Wodders - even little headaches are horrid, let alone massive ones.

We've got A Lot Of Snow descending (well, sort of whirling about horizontally) at the moment, but for reasons I can't fathom, not a snow-day (although I'm keeping an eye on the University web-site to see if there are any changes).

Stuff that for a lark.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Just checked the travel news in the area... hazardous driving conditions, because of surface water. A landslide on the railway line somewhere between Leamington and Banbury, so that's the south coast to Birmingham line and the Birmingham Moor Street to London line both screwed.

Honestly, what with all the disruptions, evacuations, blackouts and sudden damage to property, cars, etc it's beginning to feel as if we're in some kind of war.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
All year the matrix signs along the M4 have read "Poor Driving Conditions" and I regret that too many motorists have taken this as an instruction and they are driving very poorly indeed.

Put your lights on! No, not your fog lights, it's raining. Now get out of the middle lane BUT SIGNAL when you do so.

I'd better stop before a host comes along setting up a diversion to a different board.
 

---

Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
Hazards around here start with the quaint belief of at least 25% of drivers that indicators will wear out if used, so its down to good reflexes and/or ESP.

Particularly good at the moment that the local cyclists aren't being cowed by the bad weather into either wearing light clothing or using lights - it all helps to keep the adrenaline pumping...
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
L'organist, aren't you in South Wales too? I'm sure motorists hereabouts feel that in not switching on their lights they are helping to save the environment.

I simply despair of cyclists, on road, pavement and through Newport bus station.
 

---

Posted by Chamois (# 16204) on :
 
No river flooding so far in this part of London but groundwater flooding is becoming a real problem. I was on Wimbledon Common this morning (it's a flat plateau on the top of a hill) and many of the grassy areas resembled lakes.

I was reading the Evening Standard yesterday while riding the underground home. Thames floods all over the front pages, and inside a long feature on how we need to build lots more homes at Ebbsfleet on the Thames Estuary floodplain. Am I missing something here?

The wind and rain are building up again outside now. Stay safe, everyone.
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
Not actually raining here at present but when it comes it's horizontal as the wind is absolutely vicious.

Nen - glad to be home in the warm and dry.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Stay safe, everyone!

Friend who arrived this week lives in coastal south Devon so is quite glad to be here rather than there.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Clear skies, but the wind's now got up. The country can now look forward to power cuts and fallen trees overnight.


 

---

Posted by Qoheleth. (# 9265) on :
 
A howling gale and horizontal rain on the way to and from Choir Practice. Flooding not a problem where we are, but I fear for the Church spire roof shingles. Also worried about w*rk which is somewhat insecurely attached to the electricity network, so also fearing for the 01:00 phone call from my night shift.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
By the time I finished w*rk at 2 o'clock the horizontal snow had turned to horizontal sleety rain, which has now turned to horizontal ordinary rain. The temperature's gone up to +6°, the water and melting snow are cascading merrily down the hill outside Chateau Piglet and it's blowing a gale.

Not really in the same league as the weather you've been getting, but pretty filthy all the same.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
We're going for a country walk this morning and at the moment it is pleasantly overcast - if it lifts and clears that is fine [we all have hats], if it remains as it is that is fine too - if it turns to rain I will NOT be amused but shall take a brolly just in case.

Lovely ex-colleague from toxic workplace* e-mailed that she and her equally lovely hubby have booked their flights for November - arriving here on her 66th birthday!

*Perhaps it is fairer to say workplace with toxic boss. Was she ever!
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
We're going for a country walk this morning and at the moment it is pleasantly overcast - if it lifts and clears that is fine [we all have hats], if it remains as it is that is fine too - if it turns to rain I will NOT be amused but shall take a brolly just in case.

---

After weeks of Weather I initially had some difficulty visualizing this. I still pack an umbrella but have pretty much given up using it as they turn inside out so quickly.

This island has taken quite a battering overnight - the full extent should be clearer later.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
A friend on a year's leave in Ireland said she was watching (with amazement) the horizontal sn*w flurries when the said sn*w smashed through both her car windows.

That's some serious sn*w!

She is now thinking longingly of returning to the drought, heat & fires of the Oz summer.
 

---

Posted by Alex Cockell (# 7487) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Adeodatus:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Alex Cockell:
Checking in - still OK here in Reading RG1...

---

How's Caversham? I used to live right by the Thames, couldn't help thinking about it today.

100mph winds here in Manchester tonight, though it seems better now than it was a couple of hours ago. for anybody who has to be out and about in all this.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
A friend on a year's leave in Ireland said she was watching (with amazement) the horizontal sn*w flurries when the said sn*w smashed through both her car windows.

That's some serious sn*w!

She is now thinking longingly of returning to the drought, heat & fires of the Oz summer.

---

We're not looking forward to repairing (or quite probably replacing) the shed and most of the fence panels but it's minor compared to what a lot of people facing.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
The emergency services and transport network people really are heroes. Working through the dark in rain, floodwater and strong winds trying to keep things going, clear fallen trees off roads and lines, sort out landslips, pass out sandbags, shore up weakened flooding defences, make attempts to get people to hospital (there are bound to be stories coming out of this of babies born somewhere other than they were supposed to be) and so on.


 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
The funeral went well and the Church was full, which was lovely.

Now I have to change gear and think about getting ready. I'm off to Mexico to join Mr Boogs on Thursday. I don't feel in the least ready, but it will be nice to see some sun
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
The emergency services and transport network people really are heroes.(etc)

---

Given that Oxford City Council are legendary for never getting anything done, moving at the pace of a particularly elderly and unwell sloth, I've been very impressed by how the city has been kept going. I'm pretty much in agreement with you on that!

Thus far we've stayed on the edge of the waters, which have only risen two centipedes overnight, but the next 48 hours could be quite bum squeaky depending on what fell yesterday. Our stuff will be OK as we have an upstairs flat, but most of where we are is flat and just a few inches off the water meadows...

AG
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
So glad to hear the funeral went well, Boogie.

Will you be out of internet range while in Mexico? And who's going to look after Tatze while you're away?

It was a wild night here with rain lashing at the windows and a howling wind but it seems to be calming down now and I can see blue sky. The weather forecaster on the radio this morning sounded so delighted when she said, "And tomorrow's going to be a beautiful day." Still so aware of all those affected by the floods, which may get worse before they get better.

Nen - doing domestics this morning and meeting a friend for coffee this afternoon.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Sandemaniac:

quote:

---

two centipedes

---

 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sandemaniac:
Our stuff will be OK as we have an upstairs flat, but most of where we are is flat and just a few inches off the water meadows...

---

quote:

---

Sandemaniac:

two centipedes

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nenya:

Will you be out of internet range while in Mexico? And who's going to look after Tatze while you're away?

---

I'm taking my Kindle Fire and hope to get some wi-fi. My friend, who has a black lab the same age, is having Tatze. She loves him to bits so they'll have a ball.

What an exhausting day! My niece and her 7 month old twins have been here all day. Phew! they are lovely but my legs ache now!!


 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
I was wondering how you and the Knotweed were doing. This weekend is going to be pretty much on a knife-edge for a lot of people, fingers crossed your centipedes scuttle back down.

(That includes any visiting ones doing the flood tourism thing.)

---

Good one, Ariel! Currently the water is still falling gently, so we should have a bit of reserve, but the allotment has reached the point where the stuff standing in water has had enough and is giving up. Salvaged some brassicas today, and can't really moan too much as until know it's been the best year I've ever had for them, but it's a bit cheerless all the same.

The amount of stuff the wind blew about last night is quite startling - probably the most damaging storm since I've lived here (13 years now). Funny, though, it smelt lovely heading up the Banbury Road his morning, as the gutters were full of twigs blown off the conifers and there was a wonderful clean aroma of fresh pine!

AG
 

---

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
Sitting in hotel lobby appreciating how easy it is to keep in touch
via wi-fi and not appreciating the resident band's rendition of 'Blowing in the Wind'. As a Bobcat I object to musak renditions of Dylan.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Landlubber:
... Earlier in the week Piglet said someone had hobnobs. Are there any left?

---

After all this time? Are you kidding? I do, however, have some bread (made by me) and some seriously good lemon-curd (made by my friend L. and given to me as a birthday present). Will that do?

It was a nice day today after all the wind, rain and whatnot yesterday and last night. I did a spot of shopping this afternoon, which involved the purchase of a small bear* for the choir baby who's being baptised tomorrow.

Boogie, glad to hear all went well on Friday. Travel safely and have a great time in Mexico.

* Everyone ought to have a small bear or two, and I didn't notice any at her baby-shower.
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Well, yes there are hobnobs a-plenty here! Mr.N is abstemious to the point of miserly eating them, and I'm dieting (successfully, I might say!)

Also some rather over-chocolated biscuits which anyone is welcome to!

Kettle on!

Sun out, but plenty of clouds, so beware showers I think. Hopefully the ground might dry out a bit. The Park has acquired two or three more lakes.
 

---

Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
We cancelled choir practice on Friday night due to the dire weather forecast. So our Music Director is hoping to do an Emergency Anthem this morning - i.e. something we all know that we can relearn in the few minutes before the service.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Before I go any further can I categorically state that it was not in the least my fault, I was ambushed into going into that ice cream parlour yesterday and I was force-fed the two sundaes I was given. I blame Herself for waylaying me aided and abetted by Himself and our Devonian guest.

The second sundae, a Plazza [sic] Special was particularly good - Vanilla, Butterscotch and Pista[chio] ice creams with strawberry sauce, tutti frutti [chopped dried fruits] and candied cashews.

Four people, eight ice creams and a bill [with tip] of about three and a half quid. Can't complain.


eta: We plan on going back at some point just to check that they are maintaining their standard.

[ 16. February 2014, 08:47: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
The second sundae, a Plazza [sic] Special was particularly good - Vanilla, Butterscotch and Pista[chio] ice creams with strawberry sauce, tutti frutti [chopped dried fruits] and candied cashews.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
pista

---

You b*****ds! And there was me saying just yesterday morning that I craved pista!


 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
You were also saying that you like ice-cream but that it doesn't like you and that you are better not having it.
 

---

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
The sky's gone a strange blue colour and there's this odd bright thing in the sky. It's also quite warm and there's no rain. What's happened?
 

---

Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
Don't worry, it's only a temporary blip.
 

---

Posted by QLib (# 43) on :
 
Apparently, there's a hole in my (shared) roof; the neighbours were hoping our insurance companies would treat it as storm damage, but my insurers say it's almost certainly a (poor) maintenance issue and I fear they're right. Hope it continues dry for a while longer! Still, plenty worse off.
 

---

Posted by Chamois (# 16204) on :
 
QLib, sorry to hear that. The last thing anyone needs at the moment is a leaky roof.

Glad everyone here is OK
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
The sky's gone a strange blue colour and there's this odd bright thing in the sky. It's also quite warm and there's no rain. What's happened?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
The sky's gone a strange blue colour and there's this odd bright thing in the sky. It's also quite warm and there's no rain. What's happened?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicodemia:
Also some rather over-chocolated biscuits which anyone is welcome to!

---

I didn't know there was such a thing.

Moo
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I was wondering what "over-chocolated" meant too.

SS, I think you're right; my m-i-l lives in Essex and she says it's not really been too bad there.

Filthy weather here today: freezing rain, which by the time we came out of church at lunchtime had encased the car in a thin veneer of ice. Now just blowing a gale, but apparently more sn*w on the way.

Choir baby safely christened this morning, and she slept through the whole thing, even the loud bits, of which there were quite a few. D. wrote a very jolly anthem* for the procession to the font, and played La mourisque by Susato** during the offertory, and we had Cwm Rhondda with the descant. Small bear delivered.

Evensong was a feast of the music of Morley: his responses and Short Service, and Out of the deep with solo piglet. There was Decanal Grinning™.

* As he put it, the Muse took a long time to strike (we got the copies at choir practice on Wednesday and learned it there and then), and when she did, she was in a frivolous mood.

** That was inspired: it was what the baby's mother came up the aisle to when they got married a few years ago.
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 

quote:

---

I was wondering what "over-chocolated" meant too. [Confused]

---

A very small round biscuit covered with a lot of very thick milk chocolate.

I don't like milk chocolate. I thought it was dark. In which case I would have kept the whole thing secret and away from you chocolate gannets!
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Is the biscuit in question one with a hole in the centre?

I agree with you. I like chocolate (and I like it to be dark) but a biscuit should be a biscuit, not a chocolate bar with a thin layer of biscuit filling in the middle.

My favourite are dark ginger chocolate ones, btw, which don't have a hole in the middle and have got the ginger proportion just right.
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
I'm with you Ariel, on the chocolate ginger! Good dark chocolate and just the right amount of ginger.

No, the milk ones are solid across and down and remarkably hard to bite.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
For those of you who are suffering an excess of milk chocolate, my address is Château Piglet, St. John's NL ...
 

---

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
Ariel, have you come across Borders biscuits dark chocolate ginger biscuits? I bought a large box (500g) for £1.99 when they were selling off Christmas stock in our local Morrisons and was hooked. Morrisons sell them as does Tescos, but much more expensively.
 

---

Posted by Chocoholic (# 4655) on :
 
I feel with all this talk of chocolate I should join in! I still can't fathom a biscuit with too much chocolate
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
Ariel, have you come across Borders biscuits dark chocolate ginger biscuits?

---

Oh yesssss... one of my all-time favourites.

Have you tried the M&S Dark Chocolate Gingers? Very more-ish, too. They seem to go just as quickly at the office as the Borders ones.

PS I'm currently eating dark chocolate butter biscuits. Supermarket's own version of the wonderful Leibniz biscuit, and every bit as good.

[ 17. February 2014, 18:21: Message edited by: Ariel ]
 

---

Posted by jacobsen (# 14998) on :
 
Further to the dark chocolate question....surely there was one... and linking to our British make do and mend/ waste nothing ethos:

Having fin1shed the bottle of sloe gin (I leave the sloes in when making it) remove the gin soaked sloes, destone them,and mix them into the darkest, highest percentage of cocoa solids chocolate (melted) that you can find. Spoon into mini cupcake holders and refigerate till hard. To die for - these beat any liqueur chocs you can name. Not too sweet, and very alcoholic.

[ 17. February 2014, 22:53: Message edited by: jacobsen ]
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
I'm another who would love a dark choc ginger biscuit, but never buys the borders? Ones as hopeless luxury!

I'm going to Cornwall today, to see my little ones. To excited to sleep so will get up now and accidentally wake the others. Time to be on the road!
Love to all. I'll be back...

No idea if this will post, I seem to have logged myself out by accident. Ho hum!

[ 18. February 2014, 04:53: Message edited by: Taliesin ]
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by jacobsen:
Further to the dark chocolate question....surely there was one... and linking to our British make do and mend/ waste nothing ethos:

Having fin1shed the bottle of sloe gin (I leave the sloes in when making it) remove the gin soaked sloes, destone them,and mix them into the darkest, highest percentage of cocoa solids chocolate (melted) that you can find. Spoon into mini cupcake holders and refigerate till hard. To die for - these beat any liqueur chocs you can name. Not too sweet, and very alcoholic.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Taliesin:

I'm going to Cornwall today, to see my little ones. To excited to sleep so will get up now and accidentally wake the others. Time to be on the road!
Love to all. I'll be back...

---

Have FUN!

I will have to stir myself and begin to pack for Mexico - but can not muster any enthusiasm. I did buy a new (posh) suitcase yesterday as my eldest pinched the last one we had to take piles of baked beans and tea back to Heidelberg.

They do have baked beans - but they cost the earth. Tea? Nope, no decent tea to be had in the whole of Germany. They have stuff called 'black tea' and 'English breakfast tea' but it is yuk!


 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by jacobsen:
Further to the dark chocolate question....surely there was one... and linking to our British make do and mend/ waste nothing ethos:

Having fin1shed the bottle of sloe gin (I leave the sloes in when making it) remove the gin soaked sloes, destone them,and mix them into the darkest, highest percentage of cocoa solids chocolate (melted) that you can find. Spoon into mini cupcake holders and refigerate till hard. To die for - these beat any liqueur chocs you can name. Not too sweet, and very alcoholic.

---

You've reminded me, I have some gin soaked blueberries to use up. Might make some chocolates
A lazy day here. The parenting forum I'm involved in has a crafting week so this morning we are having a virtual crepe making class and this afternoon I'm leading a sewing class (we're making aprons, a good beginner's lesson for children). At some point I need to mark a stray essay but other than that I am work free
Oh, I might have gin soaked blueberries on a crepe!
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
I have brandy, I have raisins. I can find some dark chocolate, so off I go. Sounds delicious!

The unloved milk choc biscuits are still languishing here if anyone fancies one with their cuppa!
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
PS. The sun is actually shining and lots of crocuses I didn't know were there have suddenly opened!

Maybe Spring is somewhere around after all!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
A good day in the city doing bits of shopping and generally having fun with Devonian friend - that is she lives in Devon, not that she is from the Devonian era - she is older than me but not by that much!

We're leaving for the hills in ten and a half hours and I really think I had better do some packing! To be fair to myself most of the stuff is on my bed ready but I have to move it from there into a suitable bag.

I solemnly swear that I will do it before bed...

...possibly.
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:I will have to stir myself and begin to pack for Mexico - but can not muster any enthusiasm. [/QB]

---

Be kind to yourself, Boogie dear. Bereavement will take its toll. I was exhausted for many months after my mum died.

The sky here has been that weird blue colour this afternoon and at times the yellow UFO has also been sighted. Strange times.

Nen - thankful to be warm and dry.
 

---

Posted by Thyme (# 12360) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nenya:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:I will have to stir myself and begin to pack for Mexico - but can not muster any enthusiasm.

---

Be kind to yourself, Boogie dear. Bereavement will take its toll. I was exhausted for many months after my mum died.
[/QB]

---

Words of wisdom from Nenya.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I must admit the thought of you buggering off to somewhere exotic like Mexico before you've even had a chance to catch your breath is filling me with tiredness-by-proxy ...

And admiration.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Thank you all again.

My **PA** is already there so I am travelling alone. Airport taxi is booked, now to check in online. I'm not used to all this!


 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Rather you than me, Boogie - travel safely!

My first attempt at Lancashire hot-pot is now hopefully doing what it's supposed to do in the slow-cooker for tomorrow's lunch - I must just go and turn it down to "low" before I go to bed, and then turn it to "keep warm" before I go to w*rk in the morning.

Quite nasty snow-storm today - they told us we'd get about 5 centimetres, but I'd say it was more like 5 inches.
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Prayers for safe travel and arrival, Boogie, plus a good time there!
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
The hot-pot turned out really quite well: there are one or two minor adjustments to be made (I always seem to over-estimate liquid in the slow-cooker for fear of it drying out and/or burning), but on the whole I think it's a "keeper".

All sorts of weather here today including freezing rain, which always seems to find its way down the back of my neck ...
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
Hello all.I'm back from the west country. Was lovely to see everyone and I'm glad to be home.

Just putting the kettle on. Rich tea, anyone?
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Here at last in San Diego. All flights were on time, but it was a long journey all the same. It was odd having no one to talk to. I'm here alone too, till tomorrow evening, when four others join me, We head over the border the day after
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Just tried a reflexology session for the first time, which was interesting. Don't think I'd do it again, though; it didn't seem to make much difference, if any.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Taliesin:
Hello all.I'm back from the west country. Was lovely to see everyone and I'm glad to be home.

Just putting the kettle on. Rich tea, anyone?

---

Just having a cup of tea myself. I've made gin and lemon drizzle cake, if anyone fancied that.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
A lovely few days away in the hills but quite glad to be home and in the warm - it was warm in the daytime up there providing you were outside but my room seemed cold all the time. Lots of photos currently downloading from my big camera. Today there was an accident on our route so we were diverted by the police and had an interesting experience navigating some back roads with quite a bit of traffic, including bl**dy big buses, also diverted and coming in the opposite direction. Himself very cleverly took another route and we ended up bowling along quite comfortably then found an adipoli [wonderful] place for lunch - YUMMY!!

Yesterday we had a great walk through some of the highest tea plantations in the world. Fab. Then in the evening our favourite cheap amd cheerful restaurant was closed so we ended up having street food which was excellent.

Now back to the daily grind.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Glad you had such a good time, WW, and that Boogie arrived safely.

I'm a Very Relieved Piglet today, as my (frankly splendid) boss told me that all our jobs are safe until June, and there's a further funding application in for after that, and that she'll fight hard to keep me.


 

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Posted by Chocoholic (# 4655) on :
 
Oh, I love having reflexology Ariel, soooo relaxing I've not been far ages but aim to go in a few weeks

for Piglet and her job!

[ 21. February 2014, 17:19: Message edited by: Chocoholic ]
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
That's great, piglet.

Glad you arrived safely, Boogie, hope you are not too lonely and that company arrives soon.

Nen - glad it's Friday evening and work's done for the week.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
In my capacity as the Château Piglet Soup Dragon, I'm trying out a slow-cooker soup recipe with veggies, rice, lentils and chicken stock which I'll set to cook overnight, and trying to decide whether my domestic goddessishness will extend to putting a loaf on to bake before I go to bed to eat with it.
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
Isn't overnight a very long time for the slow cooker to be on, particularly if you won't be eating the soup until lunchtime of the following day at the earliest? Or do you turn it off in the morning and then reheat as needed?

Having said that, I did a new (to me) recipe in the slow cooker yesterday and it was a real disappointment. The instructions were to cut the parsnips and carrots into "chunks" - and after 10 hours they were pretty much as hard as they were when they went in.

Here today the sky is a milky blue colour so we might get a sighting of the strange yellow UFO that makes occasional appearances these days.

Nen - seeing a friend for coffee later.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Well done Piglet!

It was a glorious sunny day yesterday. I enjoyed looking round San Diego yesterday and went on a harbour cruise. Watched sea lions playing in the water. I have a little toy dog called Phileas Dog to photograph. He travels the world for my labrador forum.

Tomorrow, over the border then a six hour drive - hope the vehicle has air con!
 

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Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
Glorious sunshine here today - I am making the most of it by visiting the local NT place for a serious stroll before coming home to tackle the back garden again.
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Sunny here too, though I haven't been out in it having spent most of the day assisting my 9 year old make a theatre scene from A Midsummer Night's Dream in a shoebox for his homework.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
It's been sunny here too, but with the sort of huge dark clouds on the horizon that make you wonder whether you should have brought an umbrella.

Went out for a drive in the countryside - wonderful to see the irrevocable signs of spring, buds on the trees, crocuses in the grass, birds calling to each other, calves in the barn and sheep in the fields. It shouldn't be long before the first wobbly little spring lambs appear in the fields as well, exploring their new world.
 

---

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
Swansea was fine but the sea looked grey, and lots of evidence of storm damahe to trees in the Neath Valley.Lots of daffodils in bud in the verges - the local councils plant daffodil bulbs whenever they do work on the verges.
Our second week where we've actually managed to get the things we set out to get - this is unheard of!
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Sunshine and showers on our drive from Border territory (if you are/were a Roman soldier) to the Midland territories. And it isn't particularly cold although I am always cold and today is no exception...)

Cheese and wine, anyone (well, it's Saturday!)?
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Here we are in San Filipe. That was a loong drive! It's a real one horse town! But the villa we are staying in is fabulous, with a pool and a sea view.



[ 23. February 2014, 01:15: Message edited by: Boogie ]
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nenya:
Isn't overnight a very long time for the slow cooker to be on, particularly if you won't be eating the soup until lunchtime of the following day?

---

Not as much as it sounds. As it was the weekend, I went to bed very late, and the recipe said to cook on "low" for 8 hours, so when I woke up (also very late) I turned it down to "keep warm". Then it was switched off altogether* as D. suggested going out in the early evening to investigate a new Brazilian barbecue place that's opened here, which was very good indeed. It's part-buffet, part table-service: there's a soup, salad and fruit bar where you help yourself, and a short menu, and they bring things from it (usually on skewers, although there was also v. good roast beef and baked gammon) to your table at short intervals, which you can take or leave as you please.

You have to be quite a carnivore to enjoy it (D. was beginning to glaze over a bit by the end), but the food was very flavoursome and beautifully cooked, and not horrendously expensive.

* I'll turn it on to "low" again before I leave for church in the morning and we'll have it for Sunday lunch.
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Is it warm and sunny, Boogie? I could put up with a one-horse town for a pool, hot weather and SUN!!
 

---

Posted by Celtic Knotweed (# 13008) on :
 
The waters have been receding round here this week - now there are just large ponds all over the meadow next to us, with the lower half flooded, instead of all of it flooded. I'm not going to complain too much at the aroma of drowned vegetation, mind, as on the way to Silbury Hill yesterday we went across the Downs and through villages where there are still sandbags across doors, single-file light-controlled traffic through still-flooded roads, and water fountaining up from the drains. We got off lightly here.

If anyone gets the change, it's worth going to look at Silbury Hill and the landscape around it. Right now, the water table is high enough that you can see how it may have looked soon after construction, with a 'moat'. We spent most of yesterday around there, with a flying visit to Stonehenge on the way home (despite it being in the opposite direction ). Can't say much about the new visitor centre there, as we went straight to the stones, and it was shut when we got back to the carpark after walking back via the Cursus. Oh well, another weekend maybe...
 

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Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
We were at Avebury a couple of weeks ago - showing some American friends some real history. I've been to Stonehenge, but Avebury is, in its way, far more impressive. And they have a National Trust tea shop. Silbury Hill is part of the "ceremonial landscape" around Avebury. The other advantage to Avebury is that ther's a good pub at Beckhampton, again, very near.
 

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Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
I've always wanted to go to Avebury. It's on the must see list just below Sutton Hoo.

On work experience with the National Trust, I did a tour of the landscape around Stonehenge. Lots of really interesting bits and bobs are outside the rings, barrows and ditches and whatnot, but they are not accessible to visitors. The new visitors centre is supposed to be pretty good though.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I've never got closer to Stonehenge than seeing it from the road (en route from somewhere to somewhere else), but having grown up in Orkney, I've probably had enough prehistory to be going on with ...

V. jolly sort of day today - Canada won the men's hockey gold medal just before we went to process in, and there was some interesting improvisation on the organ ( ). We also had Byrd's Teach me, O Lord (with solo piglet) and at Evensong Purcell in G minor and O pray for the peace of Jerusalem by John Blow.

The soup survived its re-heating very nicely - I'll use that recipe again.
 

---

Posted by ExclamationMark (# 14715) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by ArachnidinElmet:
I've always wanted to go to Avebury. It's on the must see list just below Sutton Hoo.

On work experience with the National Trust, I did a tour of the landscape around Stonehenge. Lots of really interesting bits and bobs are outside the rings, barrows and ditches and whatnot, but they are not accessible to visitors. The new visitors centre is supposed to be pretty good though.

---

Well worth the visit. It's just a few miles from us and we've been lots on our own, with visitors and with children/grandchildren. Try and get in the house if you can - timed tickets, friendly guides - you can handle everything in there. It was the house used for the TV series "Country House Rescue"

Weekends are very busy but the stones are open 24/7
 

---

Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
I am back from a week in the South-West of France, where the gastronomy is not for the faint of heart. By which I mean it’s really, really tasty, but Lord is it hefty. You can feel your arteries hardening by the minute (although I guess the red wine helps with that).

As a friend of mine likes to say, it’s one of those places where you go not to detox but to *tox* . On the menu: duck products of all descriptions (this be the land of foie gras but that’s not the only thing to be done with a duck), garbure (a sort of soup with potatoes, cabbage, ham and beans), aligot (a purée of potato and Cantal cheese), Toulouse sausages, Pyrenean cheese… And obviously an appropriate quantity of the local wine and aperitifs. Well sort of. The local thing is pastis (aniseed liqueur), which I don’t like. OTOH, violet is also a Toulousain speciality, and violet kirs (the violet alcohol mixed with white wine) are a thing of great beauty.

I am now completely fooded out and planning to eat nothing but vegetable soup for about a week in order to give my poor beleaguered digestive system a rest.

Some other good news: I can confirm that the sun actually still exists. I was beginning to have doubts. On Saturday we went to Carcassonne and ate lunch outside on the terrace in 15°C of glorious South-Western sunshine. By this point I didn’t have the courage to order the cassoulet … although we did burn off a few of the week’s calories climbing up the ramparts. I think I like the castle at Carcassonne better than the one at Warwick. It’s slightly smaller but the views over the Pyrenees are amazing.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
... the gastronomy is not for the faint of heart ...

---

Sounds like my sort of place!
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Carcassonne is lovely. I'm glad to hear it's sit-outable, as I plan to be in Aix-en-Provence in a few weeks.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
It all sounds wonderful. I'd love to see Carcassonne - and the food sounds great. Warwick Castle is fun, but these days it's very theme-park-ish - and expensive! Unless you can get a deal, it's £25 per person now.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
It's sunny and glorious here in San Filipe, Baja California (27 deg C). I've had the laziest two days ever!

We are off to Guerro Negro tomorrow for whale watching - a six hour drive but well worth it I'm told.

The rest of our party have been working incredibly hard at a charity project up on the hill in Encenada. I'm just here for the ride and the holiday after they did all the hard work.


 

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Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
Boogie: Enjoy the ride and the holiday and the weather and the whale watching and the food.

Meanwhile life goes on for the rest of us.
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Boogie, you go for it. You deserve it in general.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
... Warwick Castle is ... £25 per person now.

---

25 quid! Does that include bed and breakfast?

Boogie, glad to hear you're having a good time - if you can stand 27°, you're welcome to it!

Meanwhile, Domestic Goddess Piglet has been in action again - chicken stock made and put in the freezer, and lemon loaf CAKE cooling on the rack. Should be ready for virtual tasting any minute now - help yourselves.


 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I think feeling patriotic towards a country one has chosen rather than one's country of birth makes perfect sense.
 

---

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
It's sunny and glorious here in San Filipe, Baja California (27 deg C). I've had the laziest two days ever!

We are off to Guerro Negro tomorrow for whale watching - a six hour drive but well worth it I'm told.

The rest of our party have been working incredibly hard at a charity project up on the hill in Encenada. I'm just here for the ride and the holiday after they did all the hard work.

---

Hey, welcome to Pacific Standard Time!

 

---

Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
... Warwick Castle is ... £25 per person now.

---

25 quid! Does that include bed and breakfast?

---

Whereas you get into the castle at Carcassonne for a mere €8.50 (less themeparky activities, but I don’t see that as a negative, personally).

Actually we got in for a big fat zero courtesy of my boyfriend’s disability card (he has a visual impairment). You see, in his head, boyfriend en rouge is not disabled. He just remembers that he’s disabled now and again when it’s in his interests. A disability card gets you into all kinds of tourist attractions for free and usually you get a second person in for free as well so they can look after you (as if he needed looking after ). There’s gotta be a few advantages…
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by la vie en rouge:

Actually we got in for a big fat zero courtesy of my boyfriend’s disability card (he has a visual impairment). You see, in his head, boyfriend en rouge is not disabled. He just remembers that he’s disabled now and again when it’s in his interests. A disability card gets you into all kinds of tourist attractions for free and usually you get a second person in for free as well so they can look after you (as if he needed looking after ). There’s gotta be a few advantages…

---

My twin brother is registered partially sighted and years ago we'd visit attractions like the Tower of London and he would pay a discount rate and I would get in free as his guide the Armouries was great, we got our own personal display of objects to touch and try on and other people were shooed off away from us. He always carried his white stick though, both to clear a path (he didn't need a full guiding cane for orientation) and to let others know why he appeared to be behaving oddly in shops (security often followed him around )
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
It all sounds wonderful. I'd love to see Carcassonne - and the food sounds great. Warwick Castle is fun, but these days it's very theme-park-ish - and expensive! Unless you can get a deal, it's £25 per person now.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:

We are off to Guerro Negro tomorrow for whale watching - a six hour drive but well worth it I'm told.

---

Ojo de Liebre! Wonderful place to see such amazing creatures. One of the few, if not only, wild creatures which will let you approach and touch their young.
 

---

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
As a member of the National Trust, I get into NT attractions free, but, as I use a mobility scooter, my "carer" can also get in free. Both Darllenwr and Lord P are also Trust members, but if we have friends with us, I ask them if they are willing o be my "carer".
The Eden project also offers free admission for carers - very useful when we go down to Cornwall as Lord P's girlfriend uses an electric wheelhair.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Well that was an adventure!

Never trust Google maps!

We travelled happily on normal roads for a couple of hours then hit 'road works for seven miles' turns out there IS no road after that, the road works are road building! We then travelled on a rough gravel and sand track over the mountains for 200 miles. Then 100 miles from anywhere, having passed nothing for an hour except sand buggies, we had a puncture.

What a picture, all our suitcases our on the sand, us jacking up the 4X4 and replaceing the shredded tyre with what looked like a pram wheel. The next 100 miles was driven at 15-20 mph. All five of us were very quiet, but nobody panicked PTL.

We arrived late but relieved to find the firt place was a tyre shop - surprise there! Manic jokes and laughter ensued! Our return journey isn't the same way and we are assured it's a 'normal' road.

Today we see the whales.


 

---

Posted by Leorning Cniht (# 17564) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:

Never trust Google maps!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nenya:
Isn't overnight a very long time for the slow cooker to be on, particularly if you won't be eating the soup until lunchtime of the following day at the earliest? Or do you turn it off in the morning and then reheat as needed?

Having said that, I did a new (to me) recipe in the slow cooker yesterday and it was a real disappointment. The instructions were to cut the parsnips and carrots into "chunks" - and after 10 hours they were pretty much as hard as they were when they went in.

:

---

Nen - the timings for slow cookers are extremely flexible, and an extra few hours is usually not a problem. Re hard, uncooked veg, the usual advice is to cut them into fairly small chunks, no larger than your pieces of meat, and to put them in the bottom of the slow cooker with the meat on top. The longer the better, in my experience, with a quick blast (30-45 mins) on high to start off with, and stock made with boiling water. Not wishing to teach my Granny!

 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by jacobsen:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nenya:
Isn't overnight a very long time for the slow cooker to be on, particularly if you won't be eating the soup until lunchtime of the following day at the earliest? Or do you turn it off in the morning and then reheat as needed?

Having said that, I did a new (to me) recipe in the slow cooker yesterday and it was a real disappointment. The instructions were to cut the parsnips and carrots into "chunks" - and after 10 hours they were pretty much as hard as they were when they went in.

:

---

Nen - the timings for slow cookers are extremely flexible, and an extra few hours is usually not a problem. Re hard, uncooked veg, the usual advice is to cut them into fairly small chunks, no larger than your pieces of meat, and to put them in the bottom of the slow cooker with the meat on top. The longer the better, in my experience, with a quick blast (30-45 mins) on high to start off with, and stock made with boiling water. Not wishing to teach my Granny!

---

That's very much my regime too. I tend to only cook for 8 hours though, but that is easy for my lifestyle.

A day of marking ahead
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
Interesting; thank you for all your comments. I'm always a bit scared to do too much over the cooking time; particularly as this particular recipe didn't have lots of liquid, just a tin of tomatoes.

I have plans to try it again with fewer root vegetables, cut smaller, and with mushrooms. And possibly stock.

It's positively Spring-like here today, even the sun put in an appearance for a while, and I'm out to lunch with a friend shortly.

Nen - Lady Who Lunches.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Back in Encenada now. San Diego tomorrow.

The whale watching was hard to describe. To stroke a huge wild animal which chooses to come up to you, then brings its baby to do the same is just amazing!

The nine hour drive back was worth the experience.

Photos to follow.


 

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Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Boogie, that sounds amazing! I can't quite imagine how it would feel, such trusting whales round there too.

Glad you are having a great holiday! Please bring back some warm sun!
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
That trip does sound wonderful

A grey day here, matching my mood marking again today (essays on social exclusion) but there's always the weekend to look forward to.

I'm applying to volunteer at Kentwell Hall, the tudor re-enactment, so might cheer myself up with some Tudor dressmaking next week. I'm also going to join the local sewing group on Monday as I need to get out of the house more.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
Back in Encenada now ...

---

Isn't that something rolled up with spicy beans in it?
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Not sure what happened to the snow we were threatened with but it never materialized, just rained heavily most of the day. (You don't want to know about the potholes that are making their appearances: each successive day of rain sees them a bit more pronounced. There's a terrific one in the station forecourt which I'm half convinced is a sinkhole in the making and which will suddenly swallow an entire double-decker bus one of these mornings.)

March tomorrow, and Shrove Tuesday next week. Where does the time go?!
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
... You don't want to know about the potholes ...

---

Welcome to our world - I don't know what kind of tarmac they use for the roads here, but it doesn't work, and they get eaten up every winter by the salt, grit and snow-ploughs. If you look closely, I swear you can see koalas ...

In other news, having acquired a ham-bone and some yellow split peas, I'm making an attempt at Newfoundland pea soup - the stuff is all in the slow-cooker and will be switched on before I go to bed. The recipe said 8-10 hours on Low; I'm inclined to agree with Jacobsen that a bit longer won't do it any harm.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Every year, before the monsoon hits, the local authorities here spend a fortune repairing the roads and then, every year, the monsoon tears them up again - the power of water should never be underestimated. As for potholes, I lived in Liverpool before I moved here so I'm used to them.
 

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Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Well you could be describing South Yorkshire except for "monsoon" enter winter. The rains and frost that come interact with old mine works and the results is there is nearly always subsidence that ruins the roads each winter.

Jengie

[ 01. March 2014, 13:14: Message edited by: Jengie Jon ]
 

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Posted by MrsBeaky (# 17663) on :
 
Some of the roads here in Kenya are appalling, quite horrendous and can even lead to back injury...

But some of the roads are great, much much better than the pot-holed roads I used to drive to get to work in rural West Sussex.

Driving here has many different challenges from in the UK and requires a very different style, so I just hope I can adapt when I next come back for a visit!
 

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Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
S*d it - received a speeding ticket in this morning's post. Anyone know if I can do a speed awareness course near where I live instead of having to travel to the area where the offence took place?

(I am not a happy person now...cross with myself for being so bl***y stupid. It won't have been for "excessive" speed i.e. I won't have been doing 70 in a 30 area or anything. Just going faster than the speed limit for the road. I was driving up and down steep hills so accelerating to get up the hill I suspect - or having accelerated not slowing the revs down at the top. As the area is unfamiliar to me I can't be specific about where I was a Really Bad Person. And I do know that speed kills, having buried enough victims of excessive speed and bad driving.)

[ 01. March 2014, 13:59: Message edited by: St Everild ]
 

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Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
I got a speeding ticket some years ago on a road near you, St E. I had driven along it when first learning to drive many moons ago and etched in my memory was my driving instructor's immortal instruction to, as he put it, "put your b****y foot down, woman" (this was just after he'd asked me what the speed limit was for that road, I'd said "fifty" and he'd pointed out that it was a clear road and I was only doing twenty five at the time!). I was reminiscing about it to myself as I drove along at 49 mph, little realising that in the intervening years the powers that be had seen fit to reduce the speed limit for that road to forty! No point being indignant, I just had to pay the fine and take the points, but it stung, I tell you. It stung!
 

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Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
I went out today with the intention of booking two appointments;an eye appointment and a hairdresser's appointment. Then the plan was to get some new trainers and jeans. Oh, and computer ink.

Somehow, I managed to get both appointments for this afternoon, so I've now have had the hair cut and the eye appointment and chosen and paid for new spectacles.

However, I've bought three fleeces, three t-shirts, four pairs of socks, eight pairs knickers, a single bed sheet, a pair of pillowcases, and two lots of bin liners.

I did remember the computer ink though.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Sorry to hear it, St E. It can happen to anyone though - it happened to a retired friend of mine whose family used to tease her about her cautious driving because she never liked going fast, then suddenly one day there was the speeding ticket in the post. Like you she'd done something that she wasn't aware of at the time.

Beautiful sunny day here today and an enjoyable afternoon spent looking at some lovely paintings. It really is amazing that you can still see works of art painted in the 1400s, about 600 years ago, and they're still clear and beautiful.
 

---

Posted by QLib (# 43) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by St Everild:
S*d it - received a speeding ticket in this morning's post. Anyone know if I can do a speed awareness course near where I live instead of having to travel to the area where the offence took place?

---

I think not - I know several people who have been caught like this. As you say, it's more likely to happen on unfamiliar ground. But, however much of a hassle it is, it's probably worth it in terms of car insurance.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I'm sitting in Starbucks, Phoenix airport - very delayed. Set off 7:30am Sat, will be home 8pm Sun. I'll be very glad to get home!


 

---

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
I'm sitting in Starbucks, Phoenix airport - very delayed. Set off 7:30am Sat, will be home 8pm Sun. I'll be very glad to get home!

---

I've done that (except the flights were on time). That is jf you are changing at LAX for Heathrow on AA.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
It was San Deigo/Phoenix/Philadelphia/Manchester but with US Airways. But, due to the delay we have been re-routed San Deigo/ Phoenix/London/Manchester with British Airways.



[ 02. March 2014, 00:41: Message edited by: Boogie ]
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
In my book airports and planes vie for the top spot in "the most boring places to be" - I medicate myself with OTC travel sickness pills and doze most of the time, it's the only way I cope without getting tired and ratty.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Poor you, St. E - it must be very frustrating getting a ticket when you're just over the speed limit.

Not quite as daft as what happened to D. when we were in Orkney for my mum's funeral though. A few months after we got back he got a parking ticket from some group called Town and Country Parking for an offence committed in Dundee. We hadn't been anywhere near Dundee and he wrote to them to say that about 100 people could attest that at the time of the alleged offence he was 200 miles away in St. Magnus Cathedral, playing the organ for the funeral. They re-credited his account, but with a very bad grace.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
In my book airports and planes vie for the top spot in "the most boring places to be" - I medicate myself with OTC travel sickness pills and doze most of the time, it's the only way I cope without getting tired and ratty.

---

Memo to self:

Must stock up on those pills for Wodder's domestic consumption.

Oh, wait! He sleeps most of the day, anyway.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
...and we've just got back from the supermarket and guess who was asleep?
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
WW and Pete, I have this lovely picture of you both in loose cotton clothes in the heat of India, sitting on verandas drinking long cold alcoholic drinks and teasing and joking with each other with the ease that comes with long acquaintance. Friendship is a wonderful thing.

I hope the rest of your journey goes smoothly, Boogie.

Nen - heading for the shower and then off to church.
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Soon be home, Boogie - and I bet your bed will look SO attractive!

I got a speeding ticket for just going 35 mph! Its a nasty little trap - you are turning right onto a main road, going downhill, so you accelerate to get into the traffic, go with the flow and bingo! you're done for speeding.

That camera is a nice little earner there - I know several people who have been caught!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Nice image Nenya - the cotton clothes is surely right - and very few of them. Where you've got it wrong is the teasing and joking as Pete doesn't have a sense of humour - sorry - where you've got it wrong is the alcoholic drinks.


 

---

Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
Of course Pete has a sense of humour. He refers to you as his friend, doesn't he?
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Smudgie:
Of course Pete has a sense of humour. He refers to you as his friend, doesn't he?

---

 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
So much for the beautiful sunny start to the month that we had yesterday. I cut today's outing short - light rain and wind aren't ideal conditions for getting out and about, and gardens are still in pre-spring mode with a dash of sogginess.

None the less it's been a good weekend for seeing some nice paintings, yesterday and today. My only regret is that the way some are displayed makes it impossible to actually look at them except from some distance, because the closer you get, the more light seems to reflect off them. Unless of course you crouch down at a 35° angle at the side and squint up, which I've found tends to attract the attention of the gallery attendant.
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Smudgie:
Of course Pete has a sense of humour. He refers to you as his friend, doesn't he?

---

---

No loose cotton clothes for us here - got back from church and changed out of the glad rags into several long sleeved warm layers. Mr Nen's just put his thermal vest on.

Nen - raining and windy here. That makes a change.
 

---

Posted by Celtic Knotweed (# 13008) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by St Everild:
S*d it - received a speeding ticket in this morning's post. Anyone know if I can do a speed awareness course near where I live instead of having to travel to the area where the offence took place?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Celtic Knotweed:

quote:

---

Originally posted by St Everild:
S*d it - received a speeding ticket in this morning's post. Anyone know if I can do a speed awareness course near where I live instead of having to travel to the area where the offence took place?

---

As far as I know yes you can. It's a national course, so you should be able to go anywhere. Might have to ask the company providing it to get the info though... (Knowledge based on being involved in referring people to the other national driving course, which is for people who were in accidents as a result of their driving, so I could be wrong!)

---

The second time I did it, I could book it on line at my venue of choice (from the list). Sadly, I got clocked for speeding again a couple of weeks ago, too soon to repeat the course, and the fines went up from £60 to £100 last November.

[ 02. March 2014, 18:06: Message edited by: jacobsen ]
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
All this talk of lightweight clothes is making me feel quite envious - they're forecasting a high of -14° for Tuesday, with a wind-chill of minus-God-knows-what.

Very jolly sort of day musically today - our last hurrah before Lent. We sang Haydn's Missa Sancti Joannis de Deo in the morning, and Stanford in B♭ at Evensong, both causing much Decanal Grinning™.
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
What are these 'lightweight clothes' of which you speak??
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Home!

What a long journey! 12 hours wait at Phoenix, but home at last - yes, my bed was VERY welcome after that. Only one problem - suitcase lost in transit - they are chasing it up today.

Lovely to see Tatze, she is just as waggy as ever.

I left Mr Boogs in the USA. He is doing the Natches Trace on his bike (Nashville to Natches).
Nutter!

It's bright and sunny here - I'm looking forward to a nice long walk in the woods to blow the cobwebs away.


 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
There was a young lady from Natchez
Whose clothing was always in patches.
When asked why twas so
Said "It's simple you know
Wherever Ah itches, Ah scratches".
 

---

Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
Woken by hail and thunder. Flood alerts again on local rivers, groundwater rendering roads dodgy at best, no-go at worst.

At the moment have Noel Coward's Bad Times just around the corner booming out

...There are dark clouds hurtling through the sky, And it's no good whining about a silver lining, For we know from experience that they won't roll by...

It seems appropriate and matches my mood.
 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
There was a young lady from Natchez
Whose clothing was always in patches.
When asked why twas so
Said "It's simple you know
Wherever Ah itches, Ah scratches".

---

Love it! An original?

Piglet... Decanal grinning?

Welcome home, Boogie, glad the sun has shone for you.

Nen - humming this evening's earworm... We're going to unpack our troubles from our old kit bag and wait until we drop down dead...
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Alas, not original, and now well past its 100th birthday.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nenya:
... Decanal grinning? ...

---

decanal - pertaining to the Dean (of a cathedral) - Decani is the side of the choir where the Dean's stall is.

We're very fortunate that although not really musical himself (but he sings the Litany very nicely), the Dean thoroughly enjoys the music that we produce, and signals his appreciation by grinning broadly, especially (though by no means exclusively) in the loud bits. This phenomenon is what we call "decanal grinning".

I've been a Good Organist's Wife today and washed, ironed and starched our surplices.


 

---

Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
Alas, not original, and now well past its 100th birthday.

---

I'm so yesterday.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Some of us are on the way to 100, closer every day at a rate much more than others of you.

A good thing about that limerick is that it's so clean I could say it to a friend in front of his 13 yr old son with no fear of embarrassment.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It's very cold here tonight - currently -18°C, and feeling like -33°. Having been sitting in the (relatively warm) den watching TV, I came out onto the landing to be hit by a wall of cold and discovered that the front door was standing wide open ...

As D. is the only one to have been out this evening, I know who it wasn't.

Wodders, you are permitted to shiver. **brrrrrrrrr**
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Thank you, shiver I shall.

We had a little light rain a few nights ago and then last night we had our first real storm of the year - I know you are probably all heartily sick of the sound of rain but to us it was fab! A big, thrashing, tropical downpour - a noisy beast of a storm which put about 4 inches of water in our rainwater harvesting tanks. I was tempted to head up to the roof for my traditional dancing naked in the rain [it was dark at the time] but was too comfortable just lying there listening to it.
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
Sounds nice. I am awake. And have been for an hour, and shouldn't be.
Looked at clock.couple of hours.

[ 06. March 2014, 04:27: Message edited by: Taliesin ]
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Woke at 4 this morning, which is fine - earlier starts can become a bit of a drag later in the day. It gives time to catch up on the news and have breakfast and a cup of tea before leaving for work.

The odds are, though that I'll probably still be in a bit of a scramble to leave at the right time. Nice mild day so far, though and good weather for the weekend - with no rain forecast, I may even get something done on the allotment then.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
The Weather Channel said this morning that it would go up to -1° at the weekend.


 

---

Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by St Everild:
S*d it - received a speeding ticket in this morning's post. Anyone know if I can do a speed awareness course near where I live instead of having to travel to the area where the offence took place?

---

You could come to our Church Hall on Saturdays ...
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Rain rain rain rain rain grrrrrr!

But a heat wave promised for next week - hurrah!

I am still recovering from an horrendous journey and jet lag, but it's good to be back at work and back to normal.


 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Very dull and overcast here. I really should be doing some work...
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
One of those exciting days that alternates between bright sunshine and hailstrorms. Spent most of it crouched over a hot sewing machine.

My new summer shoes arrived in the post today - fuchsia pink.

Tomorrow I will make a dress - black with an oriental pattern of red and white chrysanthemum.

Thereafter, you may bring on the warm weather.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Thank God for a beautiful, warm sunny day. The crocuses are out, the daffodils are starting to show, the hedgerows are beginning to burst into blossom, and hordes of foreign tourists all clicking away with cameras are making their presences felt. It must be spring.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:

My new summer shoes arrived in the post today - fuchsia pink.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:

My new summer shoes arrived in the post today - fuchsia pink.

---

Lucky you. Mrs Sioni got a thoroughly sensible pair for work last week on her podiatrist's advice.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
Tomorrow I will make a dress - black with an oriental pattern of red and white chrysanthemum.

---

My hat is off to anyone who can make a dress in a day, just like that.

I can't wear anything except extremely sensible shoes. My daughter wears high heels and my ankles want to break whenever I look at them.

Mr Nen and I have been in the garden this afternoon and I'll be cooking the usual Saturday night stir fry shortly. Then an early night. Mr Nen had a restless night last night and so I didn't get much sleep - less than he did, in fact.

Nen - been awake since 4am.
 

---

Posted by Chocoholic (# 4655) on :
 
Firenze, where do you get them from?

I got some amazing fuschia sparkly pumps from M&S 18 months ago, everyone comments on them!)

Choccie (with wide, easily hurt feet)
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:


Tomorrow I will make a dress - black with an oriental pattern of red and white chrysanthemum.

---

That sounds beautiful I'm currently making a set of linen shirts/smocks for myself and my youngest as part of our Tudor ensembles.

Pink isn't my colour but I fancy bright green sandals.
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chocoholic:
Firenze, where do you get them from?

I got some amazing fuschia sparkly pumps from M&S 18 months ago, everyone comments on them!)

Choccie (with wide, easily hurt feet)

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:

Pink isn't my colour but I fancy bright green sandals.

---

There you go.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I have been looking for blue boots like this for ages!

Dare I look at the price?
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
The prices are a wee bitty eye-watering - but OTH, I think my red shoes have just seen their 3rd winter.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Those pink ones are gorgeous, Firenze - not unlike a pair of turquoise Cotswold ones I got last summer in a sale in a shop in Great Yarmouth for £20. They're probably the most comfortable shoes I've ever had - why, O why didn't I buy a red pair as well when I had the chance?

Mustn't hang around here for too much longer - our clocks go forward tonight ...


 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
My heart rate is somewhat elevated this morning - Himself has been harvesting Jackfruit, a job his brother usually manages but, understandably, not this year. One particularly succulent looking fruit was a bit high up so it was a matter of calling in the reinforcements in the shape of a 16 year old neighbour boy who shinned 30 or 40 feet up the tree to disconnect it and drop it to the ground - he then had to get back down again.

My heart was in my mouth both as he went up and as he came down and, frankly, I wish I hadn't known he was doing it. He was perfectly safe, of course, and he knows what he is doing, and he does it for everyone locally but...

When he did get down it took the two of them to carry the fruit to the house - they are not known as the biggest fruit in the world for nothing!

And, Pete, comparisons with me as the biggest fruit in the world will not be entertained!
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:

When he did get down it took the two of them to carry the fruit to the house - they are not known as the biggest fruit in the world for nothing!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... comparisons with me as the biggest fruit in the world will not be entertained!

---

I just Googled those jackfruits and you're not kidding - they're huge!

I know that the reasoning behind eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday is to finish up the eggs and maple syrup* before Lent, but we enjoyed ours so much that we did them again for lunch today - if I keep practising I might get quite good at this flipping** malarkey ...

As is our wont during Lent, we do unaccompanied Evensong settings and tonight was a nice Tudor-fest of Byrd responses, Tallis canticles and an anthem by Sheppard.

* possibly not maple syrup in the medieval English tradition.

** with a fish-slice - I'm not that good.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Morning all - a lovely bright, fresh sunny day here. My favourite!

Now then - park, woods, waterfalls, river, reservoir, moors or lake for dog walk?

We have an hour's walk a day now.
 

---

Posted by TheAlethiophile (# 16870) on :
 
Any guesses as to how long the sun will stay out before we get a hosepipe ban?
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheAlethiophile:
Any guesses as to how long the sun will stay out before we get a hosepipe ban?

---

Now then - don't press my buttons, our incompetent and profit grabbing water companies are the subject of my favourite rant!

We went to the lake, Tatze loved paddling in the water. She's not swimming yet, but I reckon she will be in the summer. There's still a LOT of mud about so a hosing down was in order when we returned.


 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
... a lovely bright, fresh sunny day here ...

---

You get sunny days in Boogie Wonderland?
 

---

Posted by Landlubber (# 11055) on :
 
I have been eating my way round the South coast (try again - I have had lunch out by the seaside every day for a week) but today I am home so we have to cook for ourselves. It is freezing cold here; someone must have our share of sunshine. Food needs to be healthy and hot.

Please don't post any more tempting shoe pictures. I have just caught up with the thread and every time I see a wonderful pair of flat shoes my brain tells me I must buy them as it could be years before I find any more.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
You get sunny days in Boogie Wonderland?

---

Yes! And another one today! I took Tatze to meet her best friend Zaba (in front of Tatze) and we had a walk to the waterfalls near us. Then they hoolied around the kitchen before flopping and snoring, allowing my friend and I to have a good old chat.



Now I'm off to do some pruning in the front garden - long, long overdue as it seems to have rained since September!
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Nice day here, too - hardly a cloud in the sky and bright sunshine! Bit of a chilly wind, though.

We leave the front garden more or less alone. Planted some cotoneaster horizontalis as ground cover, and it really has done its job. Not content with spreading all over, various small seedlings have grown and also spread all over.

Apart from fishing out the odd crisp packet or chocolate wrapper, I really, really do not want to know what is going on underneath the spreading branches!
 

---

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
It was glorious here on Sunday but has been overcast for the last 2 days and slightly cooler today, I have just had lentil soup to warm myself up. I've finished my work for the day and need to get on with some decluttering before doing some sewing.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Landlubber:
I have been eating my way round the South coast ...

---

I'm sorry - that conjured up an image of a large sea-creature rising up and biting bits off the White Cliffs of Dover and Beachy Head ...
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Landlubber:
I have been eating my way round the South coast ...

---

I'm sorry - that conjured up an image of a large sea-creature rising up and biting bits off the White Cliffs of Dover and Beachy Head ...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Landlubber:
I have been eating my way round the South coast ...

---

I'm sorry - that conjured up an image of a large sea-creature rising up and biting bits off the White Cliffs of Dover and Beachy Head ...

---

It rather brought this to mind.
 

---

Posted by Landlubber (# 11055) on :
 
It wasn't me, honest, 'though you might want to keep me indoors next time high winds are forecast just in case.

There are some very scarred bits of coastline out there; some will never recover and some will take years to do so.

However, thank you to whoever sent our sunshine back. I need to say that now because I'll be so stiff tomorrow after starting to clear up the poor neglected garden that I won't feel at all grateful then.
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Sixteen hours on trains. Have to say, all punctual and latterly v comfortable. Well, not so much the one between Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon.

Now sitting in an orange and white room apparently signed by Cezanne.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
A few months ago there was a flash on my UK bank's website about the new, improved, more efficient money transfers system they were just adopting - so now my monthly transfer from my UK bank to my Indian bank takes 3 days instead of one!

Ain't progress wonderful?
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
You can't beat it

Really dense fog this morning - if I thought yesterday's was thick, this is twice as much: can't even see the end of our car park this morning.
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Whereas here, the fog isn't as bad as yesterday. Bits of the way in there was nothing to see out of tube windows (I'm overground)
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
We had light fog yesterday, none today I'm glad to say. Off to work now. Swimming first lesson - which is good, no planning, no preparation, no marking.


 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Visibility is down to about 30 yards probably. I was going to take photos from the train, but there wasn't anything to photograph, except the outline of nearby trees and a thick wall of grey blank for most of the journey.
 

---

Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
Lovely sunny morning here! Had a bit of fog yesterday, but it cleared very quickly.

Fog is one thing we don't get much of. Rain, snow, hail sleet, yes. Fog, no.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Another lovely day here
 

---

Posted by Tree Bee (# 4033) on :
 
Waiting for the fog to lift before heading into Norwich with Mum.
 

---

Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
Mr D has an interview today for a real live job. Fingers crossed!!
 

---

Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
On visibility I reckon I can beat you all…

Not fog here – we have some absolutely shocking air pollution. When you look down the street it’s all hazy in the distance. It’s now so bad that the authorities have decided to make all the public transport free for the next three days in the hopes of getting people out of their cars.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We had freezing fog* yesterday, then rain, and now we've got Patches of Treachery™ on the pavements again - ice with melted ice and rain on top.

* St. John's is (affectionately) known as Fog City.
 

---

Posted by Polly Plummer (# 13354) on :
 
After a very foggy journey yesterday I started wondering why God created fog. Sun and rain make things grow, wind gets rid of the dead bits of plants etc., but what's the point of fog?
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Not sure. My hair was wet by the time I got to my destination, and it was as dank a morning as you might wish to find.

I also managed to catch the wrong bus this evening and miss my train completely, thereby letting myself in for a long, scenic route through blossom and daffodil-flecked country villages, past rivers and fields, on a sunny spring evening. When I eventually got to the city, the bus I was on stopped almost exactly outside a Spanish restaurant...

Every weekend ought to begin with an adventure, even if it's only a small one.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
No weather here today at all. It's not cold, windy, rainy, sunny or foggy. You can't even see any clouds - just grey sky.

I shall walk the pooch round the reservoir then brew some fresh coffee.


 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Although we have virtually finished this year's Black Pepper harvest this morning we ordered a proper extending aluminium ladder [12'-22'] to just finish off this year's harvest and to be here in future years. Yesterday I also bought myself a new lightweight aluminium stepladder with the handle bow thing at the top to help me access my books more easily. Happily neither of these things were as pricey as I anticipated and both are/were necessary.

Holi tomorrow, it is often a day early down here, so it will be a busy day with mass then breakfast then off to Holi, lunch with Himself's cousins just behind that temple then more Holi - I may even go back over there in the evening for the second instalment, it is only about 5 kms away.

That is the start of a busy few days but not all involving me so I will still get time for the odd nap.
 

---

Posted by QLib (# 43) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Holi tomorrow, it is often a day early down here, so it will be a busy day with mass then breakfast then off to Holi, lunch with Himself's cousins just behind that temple then more Holi - I may even go back over there in the evening for the second instalment, it is only about 5 kms.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Polly Plummer:
... what's the point of fog?

---

It burns off the snow. I have no idea why or how - it just does. This is a Very Good Thing - you don't have to shovel fog.

It was a beautiful, clear but v. cold day here today, although I only ventured out to buy a birthday present for a friend in the choir.

Not a completely wasted day though - I made the Jamie Oliver chicken-and-sausage paella for lunch, which is a seriously good recipe (and there was enough left to freeze for another time).

Mustn't faff around here for much longer - laundry to be transferred to tumble-dryer before I go to bed.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Holi was good fun but we didn't get home from the first half until 4 p.m. so the chances of me attending the second half have been reduced somewhat!
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Glorious warm spring day today. Lunch in the open air at a table in the sun, a walk around a country village with thatched cottages and daffodils, and a visit to see the spring lambs exploring their new world in the nearby fields. The birds are incredibly loud - shouting out at the tops of their little avian voices, just so there's no mistake and you know you're in the countryside. A lovely way to spend a spring Sunday.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
What is this "spring" of which you speak?

It was dull and cold with intermittent freezing rain here today - if we get spring before Easter I'll be surprised.

Never mind - we sang some nice music: Hassler's Missa super Dixit Maria and McKie's version of Psalm 121 in the morning, and Weelkes' Short Service and Morley's Nolo mortem peccatoris at Evensong.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I have started painting again - hurrah!

We have a £10 talents challenge at Church so I am doing 20cm x 20cm canvasses and selling them.

It was good to have an incentive to get my brushes out.


 

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Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
It ain't spring up here in the Grim North! Cold, grey and dispiriting. Though the daffodils are out, which does make for a slightly more cheerful view from indoors!

Congrats on painting again, Boogie! Hope you make lots of money for the talents competition.
 

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Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
Expecting son to show up from SA. He was supposed to be here yesterday but delayed in Portugal.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
We have spent the day in what is reportedly The Largest Mall in Asia - personally I think some of the Singapore ones have it beat but it is still a big mall. Pete and I studiously ignored the McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, etc. but he did buy some new undies in Marks & Sparks - how more British can you get than that - and he's a colonial! The big food court was good, lots of choices - Pete & I had Sizzlers which were, not too surprisingly, bl**dy hot!

When we got home I had to go and meet someone in town then walk to collect my new phone then walk home - my little legs are a tad tired.

(Fixed your code for you)

[ 17. March 2014, 12:42: Message edited by: Firenze ]
 

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Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
Said son arrived. In time for supper and bed! He has to be at airport at 3am tomorrow morning so not much shut-eye for the taxi driver alias yours truly
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Went in to w*rk today although it was a public holiday - as I don't get any paid holidays ( ) I need to bank as many hours as I can so that I can take time off when I want to (i.e. in the summer to come over to Blighty).

Cold, blustery day here, and now that God has cleared away a good bit of the sn*w, the Council lorries are bleeping away merrily outside Castle Piglet clearing away the rest.

At quarter-past-one in the morning - delightful. NOT!

Must go and try to get some sleep - anyone got some ear-plugs?


 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
...

(Fixed your code for you)

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- thanks Firenze
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Fun evening at the allotment where one of the old boys was having a bonfire. I set off towards my plot thinking how delightfully rural all this was, nice bit of gardening on a sunny spring evening with the birds chirping away and the smell of woodsmoke gently wafting across the grounds. By the time I reached my plot the breeze had shifted, the plot was enveloped in a thick white cloud of smoke and I could hardly see the other end of the allotment. The birds had gone quiet and moved off somewhere else. After a quarter of an hour, so did I.

I didn't realize how well and truly fumigated I had been until I arrived at the supermarket and people started giving me a wide berth. Small moment of some embarrassment.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I spent the evening on my "other job" - secretary for the Anglican Cemetery Committee, which is much less depressing than it sounds.

The only trouble was, there's a rather deaf lady on the committee who insists on sitting adjacent to me so that she can hear the Chairman, and she wears a scent that makes my eyes water. I realised it at last month's meeting, and didn't say anything, but after dabbing at my streaming eyes for an hour tonight I thought "sod it" and asked her (as politely as I could, with much apologising) if she'd mind not wearing the scent in future (or not sit next to me).

I hope she remembers for next month - she's a bit dozy ...
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
We are currently under The Curse of the Blocked Drains - happily only on the north side of the house so bathroom things are unaffected but kitchen and washing machine stuff is a problem. We shall call in our tame plumber [a nice lad] later today and hope to have it fixed in a day or so but it looks to be a major-ish job what with digging out the old pipes and relaying new ones and possibly the building of a sump.

Ah well, it's only money. I reckon that if a problem can be solved by throwing money at it then throwing it is the best thing to do - but only yesterday when I got my weekly balance update from my bank here by SMS I was thinking that things were looking up.

Counting chickens seems a waste of time.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Pay-day is always a Good Thing. It can, however, be improved by (a) winning a free coffee from Tim Hortons™ Roll Up the Rim; and (b) discovering that the one-off extra payment on your pay-slip marked "bonus" that doubles your pay isn't a mistake but honours some agreement with the negotiating unions that you didn't know about.


 

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Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
What's happening to the weather? We've had some lovely warm days, the catkins have been out since Christmas and the daffodils in the bank below our house are starting to come into flower. Spring is definitely showing signs of springing. Now we've had heavy hail and we're forecast snow for tonight, and i'm sitting at my computer wrapped in the lovely serape Darllenwr gave me for Christmas which has seen service indoors but not outdoors yet. At least it should mean I sleep reasonably well tonight as I wake if I get too warm.
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :