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"longer off topic comments" - Episode 21 Life Outside Ambridge
"longer off topic comments" - Episode 21 Life Outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments' - Episode 8 Life Outside Ambridge Beach Chairs
How about these comfortable chairs for a change.
ReplyDeleteLovely, & delightful setting as well .You do pick 'em, Ruthy !
DeleteThey do look comfortable.
Deletedu luxe, Ruthy!
Deleteoff up to Paris cet aprèm, flight tomorrow...
ReplyDeletethanks for your good wishes, à + !
Hope you have a wonderful time, Parsley !
DeleteParsley - didn’t quite understand your post , where are you flying from? Will you be staying long in Paris? Have a great time whatever you are doing. 😀
DeleteUp from Poitiers to Roissy C de G overnight then flight tomorrow, destination Perth via Dubai.. xx
DeleteTravel safe! 🛫
DeleteOoo yes, I could get very comfortable in those chairs, well done Ruthy!
ReplyDeleteYour chair choice very me Ruthy, won’t be long now before it will be armchairs by the fire 🔥
ReplyDeleteAre you flying to Oz from Paris tomorrow Parsley 16?
ReplyDeleteWe used to travel via Zurich to South Africa.
We were given lovely Swiss chocolate on the flight.
Oui c'est demain !
DeleteReply disappeared.. Yes tomorrow!
Deletedingue..
DeleteBon voyage Parsley 😀✈️
DeleteIndeed as Seasider says,"Bon Voyage"
Deleteparsley16.
Mr LJ hates flying.
I love it .
I have a lovely feeling when taking off that if I have forgotten any thing then it is too late and all I need to do is relax.
Unlike Mr LJ I usually sleep like a top .
I was once upgraded to first class and I didn't want to waste my time sleeping but the bed was so comfortable that I couldn't stay awake.
.
parsley 16 - have a safe trip and when you can log-on let us know what you get up to!
ReplyDeleteI am having some renovations and home decoration done in my home. I decided to do myself some form of botanical stenciling in our bedroom. Trying to decide falling leaves or cherry or dogwood tree (was my Dad's favorite tree.) Has anyone else tried stenciling a wall? Would like some advise on how to go about doing it. Been googling and there are some beautiful examples.
Safely checked in to a very 'digital age' hotel outside T3, relaxing around some Argentinian Malbec.. mm
ReplyDeleteRuthy that’s impressive and artistic. I’m not sure I would be able to do that without making a hash of it but you have set me thinking 🤔
ReplyDeleteI am having a nostalgic moment. I am listening (on R4ex) a Desert Island Revisited episode, with the late, great Victoria Wood.
ReplyDeleteShe went too soon.
Testing
ReplyDeleteGood grief. I’ve been trying to get back on this blog on and off all day. Just spent an hour before finally getting back on. Phew. Exhausted.
ReplyDeleteObviously technology and I are not bestest buddies. 😤
Yay you’ve made it ptby 👏🏻 a real pain when a thing like this ☹️ happens. Glad you perservered and are back amongst us 😁
DeleteYes Ruthy, I stencilled a frieze of trailing ivy leaves around the top
ReplyDeleteOf the walls in our bathroom some years ago and quite enjoyed doing it. Think you need to use proper stencil brushes and not load them too full of paint - then dab, dab, dab from the edges of the stencil ‘hole’ inwards. Better to do it several times with a lightly loaded brush than an overloaded one that lets paint leak under the edges. Make sure the stencil is held down very firmly with masking tape too, and do not try to remove it until paint is properly dry. Good luck, sure you will be be please with the results 🎨
That you A for the good tips! I might experiment with little turtles in the bathroom to begin with before the big project. My bedroom has 10 foot ceiling height and was thinking of doing falling leaves on a green backgournd. I wish I can see your stenciled work. Must be beautiful.
DeleteI've recently re-started an embroidery project, abandoned long ago, and it's so relaxing. I can listen to various R4 offerings and lose myself for a while whilst stitching. Hope I finish it now!
ReplyDeleteWell done Anneveggie, for allowing yourself the time.
DeleteWhen I am able to do the same I will post to say so.
Finish it !
Not hope. Intend and DO !
Ruthy, I've never stencilled walls, but used to do small boxes, tables and wooden chairs to fit the decor in various rooms. I always thought that if they were awful, I could just paint over the lot and start again, but I was always pleased with my efforts, and the unique bits and pieces. I alway bought really basic cheap stuff from Ikea to customise. I still have one multi drawer box in the bathroom, stencilled with seashells, and a very small child's chair with circus horses. Lovely memories.
DeleteFalling leaves sound elegant, cherry and dogwood trees sound exhuberant. I wonder which you will choose?............
Talking of trees, I have just bought six saplings to celebrate a special occasion, all have a specific memory of a family member or memory of home. This is something to look forward to in the future, seeing them grow.
DeleteI have today finished freezing beans, plums, courgettes, (cake and soup), and saving pods for seed. This year I feel a real sense of 'endings', not sure if it's the approach of winter or just age-related, I already feel chilly and loathe the long dark nights. It seems worse than usual, possibly because or the fantastic summer. Urrgghhhh.
I like the dark nights sat down without feeling guilty that I should be up and doing jobs.
DeleteNothing better than being curled up on the sofa with a cup of coffee, dog alongside, lamps on, fire blazing and a good tv prog on.....midsomer murders or endeavour, something like that.
The thing I like about best about Autumn are the lovely colours .
DeleteRuthy ,the chairs in your photograph are in "my" colours.
They would look great in our sitting room.
Feel for you, Mistral. I get SAD, and the passing of the autumn equinox is a reason for regret.
DeleteLots of lovely Autumnal posts today. ‘Season of mellow fruitfulness’ or something.
ReplyDeleteI am buzzing with excitement and anticipation today, having just booked our flights to Dubai to visit son, d.i.l. and grandsons next year. Leaving on January 1st for 18 days. Hopefully they will have moved into their new house and their container of furniture will have arrived by then.
I know it’s stupid, but the really exciting bit for me, is that we shall be flying on an Airbus A380, the superjumbo jet that our son helped design and flew all around the world to help promote when it was first launched. It will be moment of great maternal pride and something to strike off my “Bucket List”. Intend to be fully mobile and raring to go by then.
How wonderful to be able to have that sense of pride for your son and his achievements Archerphile.
DeleteI hope you will be able to share that with the crew when you fly, without feeling guilty for ' bragging'
And there is nothing stupid about such pride, it's fully justified.
We flew in the Airbus 380 to Singapore via Dubai. You are justifiably proud of your son Archerfile it's an impressive plane.
DeleteThank you ladies! I must admit to being very proud of both my children who were the first in our family to go to University, go on to have successful careers and present us with 5 delightful and bright grandchildren. We have been very lucky and count our blessings every day. ☺️
DeleteThank you Mrs. P - I will indeed DO.
ReplyDeleteIt's too hot where I am to feel Autumnish yet but I long for cooler temps and a true feeling of a new season. Love longer evenings and cosying up with a comforting cup of cocoa.
We had an overnight frost here, glad I got my pelargonium cuttings in!
DeletePtby with you on this one. Have to visit our special friends for the dogs (3) and fire though, a log burner these days. LJ I also look forward to the Autumn leaves 🍂🍁 lets hope we are on for a spectacular display. A.Phile how very exciting all round your trip booked and on your “sons” ✈️ I am in awe of folk who love flying only done a little myself apart from a glider flight when I was 13yrs - Guernsey / Malta/ Madeira &
ReplyDeleteIreland. Luckily Mr R did much before my time and now it is drives out and lunch / teas locally and New 🌳 Forest etc which are much enjoyed. Love to read of all fellow bloggers travels though - so keep posting 😄
Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely news about your trip and soooo exciting. I live near to the British Aerospace plant in Broughton, and saw a A380 fly over to do a fly-pass at the factory. It couldn't land, as the runway is too small.
The pennie has now dropped! Your family lived in France, was it Toiouse? If so, I see the "balugar" fly over all the time, and I am looking forward to seeing the "new" one.
DeleteYes, Miriam, my son worked at Airbus inToulouse and lived about 20k West of Blagnac airport where the headquarters are - until being transferred to their Dubai office recently. Broughton is, of course, where the wings for Airbuses are made and then transported toToulouse via ship and road for final assembly.
DeleteHe took us on a conducted tour of the A380 assembly hall during one of our visits - it was absolutely huge with staff getting around the place on electric bikes because the ‘shop floor’ was so big! It was a fascinating day and I vowed then that I would fly in one of these magnificent planes one day
We saw lots of Beluga transport planes when we were on visits, bringing in parts for the planes from England, Germany and Spain - such strange shaped aircraft! The new bigger version, the Beluga XL, is even bigger and has been painted with eyes and a mouth making it look even more like a huge Beluga whale! Apparently it can carry both wings for the A350 instead of just one - amazing.
Sorry, must stop going on about aircraft , they are a bit of a family passion! ✈️
Had one of our trips out this afternoon to NT Hinton Ampner - it was glorious weather especially in the sun, shaded areas still rather chilly.
ReplyDeleteMr R did so well walking slowly (via crutches of course) quite a way round managing the steps as well. I know his pain level would be 9/10 from Ortho visits but he never shows it - maybe he should be elevated to a Lord after all 😂 We enjoyed a Hot Chocolate, and my new iPhone (camera) had its first outing....took really good pics. ( it is the 8 enough for me to cope with!) my old iPad is nearly 7 yrs old and so slow so that that was renewed as well (both for last years big birthday just a tad late - next one very nearly here 😮 so more than enough to cover this one as well plus both Christmases.
How about it Archerphile would be great for Dubai, once used to it. I took 1or2 fantastic shots of the footpath 😏 and at one point I was live on aahhhit scared me to death.... don’t think I will be doing any selfies. Need to read up more on the panoramic photos etc and possibly video. A true learning curve.
How lovel, an afternoon at Hinton Ampner, one of my favourite, and nearest, NT gardens. I now have my iPhone (bought solely to correspond with Dubai on WhatsApp.) I chose an iPhone SE which is quite small and fits easily into my handbag and will be great for taking and sending home photos when on holiday.
DeleteI might take a leaf out of your book and get Mrs A to take me to HA on Wednesday - if Mr R can manage, it so can I! (And a cuppa and a slice of lemon drizzle into the bargain)
Yes do go if you can AP it is a lovely NT - such a relaxing place I always feel better in body and mind at the end of a visit. Weather will be good too ☀️
DeleteLady R.
ReplyDeleteI am off to a visit to a NT property tomorrow - Lyme Park.
I hope it will be as good, as yours + Lord R's, has been today.
I still prefer to use my proper camera - a Minolta with a fantastic zoom lens, and it takes wonderful photos, far better than my 'phone! It comes down to, what is best for your needs. I love my photography.
I think both have their place, phones are useful for quick snaps when out and about. If I am on a day out I tend to prefer my camera because I can wear it round my neck and like having the use of a good zoom.
DeleteIndeed CC - Mr /Lord R has been a member of our local Camera Club since its inception over 50 Yrs ago and along with our two special friends was one of their top photographers (the days of light meters and dark rooms at the begining) The camera bag that would accompany any outings was something to behold like a soldier in training with their backpacks on!
DeleteWhen I first joined in the days of slides I somehow won the beginners & intermmeadiates in that section after which the groups which included advanced all became one, and just as Mr R was given free life membership his own "life happened" and physical health now means that photography is difficult although he has a small but very good camera that he can use even with the crutches. Frustrating for him as he is such a live wire in himself.
However he is very impressed with the " I" camera with its "High Dynamic Range" today's photos are certainly great quality and I can of course crop etc. As things are for us now it will do us fine, but for those of you still able bodied I understand that you would want to work between the two.
Miriam have an enjoyable NT day tomorrow at LP weather should be good again. Somewhere we have never visited. Let us know how it goes...
Had a lovely day tidying the garden and cutting the grass. Good clean up tomorrow and then I’m all set for my hols.
ReplyDeleteSo Saturday , dogs into kennels for 3 weeks and we’ll be jetting off to USA to start our road trip in San Francisco.
Very excited at the prospect of visiting Alcatraz. 🇺🇸✈️
Your hols sounds wondeful, but don't get locked in!
DeleteEnjoy PtbY!
DeleteSounds like a wonderful trip PtbY - have a great time and tell us all about it when you return.
DeleteBe sure to have Clam Chowder in sourdough, ptby, the chowder is in a hollowed out sour dough small loaf so you eat it then enjoy the soaked bread. Delist! Hope they still do it in SF. Have lovely time!
DeleteEv - almost EVERYONE in SF (indeed, large swathes of California) was scoffing clam chowder in a hollowed out loaf! It was giving me the shudders because the thought of wet bread has always made me gag....
DeleteI have never understood dunking biscuits in tea but bread in soup I like! In the US a couple of times had savoury biscuits with soup, not dunked but surprisingly good.
DeleteEv, you don't eat gingernuts then? Dunk or dentist!
DeleteThanks everyone. I’m hoping to keep up to date with the archers and the blogs whilst we’re away.
ReplyDeleteWill definitely look out for the chowder in sourdough , sounds wonderful.
Just a warning! today I received an E-mail saying the TV Licencing authority want to give me a refund but as there was a "technical issue" they don't have my bank details to pay £149 back to me so if I would click on this link & give them my details it will be sorted quickly!! I know none of us would fall for it but might be an idea to warn vulnerable friends & family not to be scammed! What will they come up with next??
ReplyDeleteThanks for the warning Phoenix - very timely. Our local neighbourhood watch says there is a very similar scam where you are told you have paid too
DeleteTax and the HMRC want to send a refund if you supply your details
Forewarned is forearmed.
Archerphile we came home a few months ago to a message on the answerphone saying HMRC were taking us to court for under payment of taxes unless we rang this number straight away, but as it didn't name who it was for and neither my husband nor I are tax payers we thought we'd risk the court case!! :-)
DeleteGood for you, not being taken in. Unfortunately I was duped about 3 years ago by a ‘Microsoft’ telephone call telling me somebody had hacked into my computer and persuading me to allow them to take over the computer to remove the virus that had been planted. I was convinced they were genuine because their phone number was a Reading one and I knew there was a big Microsoft office there. I could not believe that I, one of the most sceptical and suspicious of people was taken in. It took weeks of changing credit cards, alerting our bank, changing passwords and taking the computer to be professionally de-bugged at some expense. It also shook my confidence quite badly.
DeleteSo I am now even more suspicious and on the lookout for such scams.
Mr S always tells me to let the phone go to voicemail. I picked it up a few weeks ago and someone said they were ringing about our internet connection. I was nearly taken in because we had been having a problem. It is so easy to be caught off guard, so good to be reminded.
DeleteIncidentally I noticed the conversation on the last blog about old cars. Mine is 18 and running well but paintwork is starting to go. I dread replacing it for something hi tech. After a lot of deliberations Mr S has just bought an almost new car and as we speak he is waiting for a 160 mile tow home. I think we might be going up north in my old car next month.
A couple of years ago I had a problem with my left knee and found using the clutch painful so had to give up my treasured Golf for an automatic. I was wary of my new hi tech car at first but am now loving the "infotainment" system as I like listening to music when I'm driving and have about 50 albums on an SD card to enjoy.
DeleteYes, I will have to do it sometime. I was hoping to practice in this new car before I replace mine but with these problems...anyway hopefully it will be sorted and I will take the plunge soon.
DeleteAt one time I was happy to drive anywhere.
DeleteWhen I was younger I have driven through London,Edinburgh and Glasgow in the rush hour for example and when I was lost in Edinburgh I followed the car in front assuming like me he was on his way to England.
Not any more.
I have lost confidence.
I am happy to drive on motorways but hate traffic lights and particularly roundabouts as I am never sure which lane I should get into if I want -say the third exit.
I haven't driven far for about 15 months now and had Mr LJ decided he wasn't bothered about keeping the car I think I would have suggested that the hundreds of pounds we would save by not having a car could be spent on getting taxis.
A friend I used to visit who lived 25 miles away has moved to Devon and another younger friend whom I visited in Buckinghamshire ,knowing that I don't now enjoy driving ,
always visits me at home or comes to London where we meet up.
Now I have decided enough is enough.
I am going to use a Sat Nav and stop being a wimp .
Plan A is that later next month I will go to Bucks to see her.
Sorry about going on.
I just wondered if other bloggers have felt like me.
It started when we had three knocks-not our fault -in Shoppers Car parks.
I tend to walk or use public transport when I can. I mainly use my car to travel out of town and to visit my mother in recent years as she is less mobile. I can’t say I was ever a confident driver and today’s incident just makes me feel like packing it in when my old car has had enough. However it would be more difficult to manage without it up north when Mr S isn’t there.
DeleteTraffic is getting heavier, and we have problems nearly every time we go anywhere so arrive frazzled. Parking is more of an issue with more large cars taking up extra room and blocking us in etc etc, so yes I sympathise LJ.
Thanks, all the duped and nearly-duped. We all think we wouldn't be taken in, but the scammers are usually one step ahead and it could happen to any of us.
ReplyDeleteI don’t answer our land line and let it go to answer machine every time. (Unless I’m passing and see it’s the name of someone I know).
ReplyDeleteSaves a lot of hassle, and let’s face it , if it’s legit they would then leave a message.
Quite. I do the same.
DeleteAnd me.
DeleteIf I don't recognise the number, I don't answer. A genuine caller, will then leave a message. I will answer when I see "private caller" - as this is usually the hosp.clinic, or surgery.
I've taken to telling callers from the Windows/BT/whatever 'technical department' that they should be ashamed of themselves. I doubt it has much effect, but perhaps cumulatively . . .
DeleteArcherphile.
ReplyDeleteI have seen an image of the new "beluga", with it's painted eyes and mouth. I believe that the Harwarden runway is being extended, to be able to accomodate it.
I think I will see it in early 2019.
Good Luck to your son+ family.
Apologies, to others, as you have no idea what I + Archerphile mean, when we talk about the "beluga" plane!
I've just googled 'beluga plane' and see how it gets the name, compared with the pictures accompanying the article on the BBC website about the beluga whale in the Thames.
DeleteOn another topic, what's happened to Tom's kefir? I've just started making my own - delicious blended into a smoothie with blueberries, banana, and a bit of maple syrup.
ReplyDeleteWhere's your tearoom, Zoetrope? :-)
DeleteOoo yum! I adore anything made with maple syrup - my top favourite ingredient . Funnily enough I make my own yogurt flavoured with it and often stir in a few blueberries or stewed apple - in fact since I have been dieting it’s my ‘pudding’ nearly every night, while Mr A tucks into his apple crumble and custard!
DeleteYour mixture sounds lovely Zoetrope. I have been picking blackberries to put in my kefir ( been making it for about a year ). It is a little bit "pippy" but very nice.
DeleteI add a few lemon balm leaves which I grow as that is another longevity/health thing. Lemon balm is also nice in hot water with lemon juice and honey to taste, and it grows very easily.
Lemon balm sounds good Janice, I might have to try some
DeleteWe have taken on a week’s trial another dog. His history is that the family who bought him as a new pup went out to work and then gave him up to Friends of the Animals as they thought he would be better in a home with someone there all the time. He is being fostered at the moment but if we take him on we will adopt him. The fosterer is going away for a w eek and if it does not work out with Gyp and with us will have him back. He is delightful, 4 months old, a cross between a Yorkie and a Tshih Tsu and very affectionate. The main problem is that he is a poor eater, prefers to be hand fed and has little interest in food. We have read this up on the internet and it is usually down to being fed from the table and a desire to see if food is refused something better will be offered. The remedy suggested is to put the food down for 30 minutes, take it up and then offer it again later. I have put chicken stock with the biscuits but I don’t want to get him used to human food so will try to condition him back to dog food! Apart from any thing else it is designed for various ages of dog with the vitamins etc they need. In contrast Gypsy eats for England and would polish off his dinner as well given half the chance! At the moment she is tolerating him and unused to being socialised with other dogs too much has not realised that when he hassles her, she should growl! We are refereeing! I think unless major problems arise we will keep him!
ReplyDeleteSo pleased to hear that things are going well so far, I hope it continues for you.
DeleteYou are right dogs shouldn't eat human food , I have always taken away food that hasn't been eaten within half an hour as a matter of principle, though I do add just a little fresh meat to their biscuits.
Misty, my 3 legged daxie is slowly settling, I am now allowed to rub her tummy, she is by nature nervous so we are taking it slowly. She runs easier than walking and I am just finding out how far she can go, she fairly sprints round the cows fields, grass being easier than hard surface, tomorrow we are going to the beach.
Seasider, if you ever see an elderly lady with a three legged dachshund and a dog stroller on the beaches around here you will know it is me. Hope your part time move up here goes well
So pleased to hear of the new companion Ev and hope it continues to go well, and that you can move forward to adoption.
DeleteThis leads me to think about the following.
I have become acutely aware that my new cat looks for the little dog next door whenever he wants to go out.
He was also very interested in the cat in an adjoining garden, but since the first couple of weeks of stalking that cat, it has not been seen by me since , and Puss does not seem to ever look for it.
We share a path and create a small gate to prevent the dog, Raven, encroaching
On my ' bit' which leads to the road.
The cat can and does jump this gate and saunters up the path to the garden with Raven following with her nose up his backside.
Puss seems to accept this interest with equanimity. He also happily trots down the path passing the dog on the way, when I call him.
I constantly feel that I should get him a companion, another cat ?
Or return to offering holiday accommodation to a dog, which I had dipped my toes into before having the cat and before building work.
I've had problems before with two ( male) cats, and am therefore cautious.
I would welcome opinions.
Dodgy. Cats are not pack animals like dogs & don't naturally bond, unless arriving at the same time, perhaps as siblings. My last 2 males liked to fraternize with 'visiting' cats, but last 2 females were outraged, being fiercely territorial. However, cats are not predictable like dogs so you never know.
DeleteMrs P, I suggest you try another male if you go ahead.A female is likely to be disruptive & assertive, so Puss would suffer....
As humans we choose our own friends, with animals it is different, when I had a second dog , he was the choice of my first dog, having been introduced to two at the Dogs Trust. For many years I had multi cat households, both male and female and never had any trouble when introducing new ones, young and old, however there were problems with neighbouring cats, resulting in frequent vets visits till I moved. As your cat is enjoying the company of Raven would it be better to allow that to develop than to risk introducing another.
DeleteThe problem with having Dogs as guests is that they may not get on with cats, my second dog was supposed to be ok with cats, but on arrival it was a different matter he instantly chased them, whilst 3 got the measure of him in a matter of days, one very nervous one never did.
Its a risk, which ever way you go if you decide to Introduce a companion.
Great to read dog stories ! Do hope it works out with your newcomer, Ev. Your Misty sounds delightful, Cow girl, ( know a few 'sausage' dogs, & they're all so perky, except when at rest, & they have this look of unfathomable melancholy...)
ReplyDeleteWe had cats for many years, always 4, and they always settled in no matter what. When we started with dogs too the cats simply decided to move upstairs. Dogs aren’t allowed upstairs. We had 4 of each at one point. First 2 dogs were ok with the cats but the other 2 , labradoodle and Rottweiler pups, were just too boisterous.
ReplyDeleteWe are now down to just 3 dogs. The eldest cat, 19years old, ended up having to be put to sleep last year.
I wouldn’t have another car.....hate having a litter tray.
Maybe an older, gentle dog would settle better with Puss Mrs P.
I wasn't enjoying the prospect of a litter tray either, but as it's not possible to have a cat flap it was necessary.
DeleteBut..... when using it when confined indoors for first couple of weeks he was exceptionally clean and sparing in use. I cleaned it every day and left windows open to air the room.
Once able to go out he used the tray very sparingly and after a couple more weeks I gradually moved it to the bathroom where it remains permanently.
Apart from when I was away and he was shut in from seven in the evening until the following morning, he hasn't now used it for over a month.
I reckon I've got a real goodun here !
Gypsy likes cats and when staying with a F of the A lady with a cat she curled up with the cat on the cat’s bed! The new dog who was called Thunder but we think we will call him Buddy does not like cats and his foster carer reported her cats stayed out until midnight to avoid him!
ReplyDeleteLady R, and especially Mr R, thank you so much for prompting me to visit Hinton Ampner again. Mr A and I went out for a lovely pub lunch in Cheriton, then along to the gardens, in brilliant warm sunshine. Manage to tour quite a bit, mainly the walled garden and along the dahlia lawn before getting too tired. The dahlias, especially one called ‘Yellowhammer’ were magnificent.
ReplyDeleteWouldn’t have gone had you not mentioned it, so thank you again.
Mr R and I are so glad that you (and Mr A) enjoyed your HA visit. I was just wondering if you had been - logged on and found your kind post. Did you have your lunch at “ The Flower Pot” pub we drove by it Monday on our way home and have had lunch there previously with friends after a HA visit, ( or “The Hinton Arms”) with the fantastic display of flowers outside 🌸🌺🌼
DeleteAgree that the HA Dahlias are a splendid sight, the view from the terrace superb and the church so peaceful. The house itself always seems homely to me, even though our abode would fit into it any amount of times 😂
Do you remember AP when the house was tenented and it had a swimming pool around the area of the veg /flower garden? Did you take tea ☕️🍰 ?
Silly me AP you said Cheriton so pub would not be H. Arms 😳
DeletePub was The Flowerpots because Mr A loves the beer they brew on the premises! (In fact our daughter and s.i.l order a barrel of their beer each Christmas!)
DeleteThe Hinton Arms is owned and run by the landlord who used to run the pub in our own village, he had masses of hanging baskets there too. No we didn’t have tea at HA because of already having had a substantial lunch but there seemed to be a mass outing of a Mums and Tots group there - never seen so many baby buggies and toddlers running around HA before! Lovely afternoon and managed to resist the urge to buy more plants for our garden.
Forgot to say, yes we first started visiting when the house was tenented and you could only look around the inside of the house by prior appointment. The entrance was different then and you walked up the drive and could look through the beautiful wrought iron gate into the derelict kitchen garden and swimming pool. Like most NT properties it has changed a lot and enlarged over the years.
DeleteMonday is often a much quieter day AP, still good numbers visiting are required 🤗 The Flower Pots pub is as you say known for its brewery which is why we visited, sounds like a good Christmas at your daughter & S-I -L ‘S 🍻🙄
DeleteInteresting info re HA....
Although a cider man rather than a beer drinker, Mr S likes the Flower Pots at Cheriton. His cycling group sometimes meet there on a Thursday.
DeleteMr R is also a cider man Sarnia however the male half of the friends we were with certainly enjoys the beer there....
DeleteI am in tears, but with happiness.
ReplyDeleteI have just received a wonderful photo + news from Tahiti (via wattsapp). My niece + partner, (who live in Oz with Gt.Nephew Monty), are now officially engaged. Happy Times.
❤️🌹🎊 What lovely news for you Miriam, as a you say Happy Times (and we all need as many of these as we can).
DeleteCongratulations and a long and happy life to them all 💐
DeleteCowgirl at 10.49am: thanks for the good wishes. We are really looking forward to walks on the beach, which we make the most of whenever we are there. I know our local beach is popular with dog walkers. If I spot you I’ll shout out Archers blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for opinions and advice.
ReplyDeleteI'm still listening and thinking.
After my post this morning, I decided to go ahead and contact the foster arranger to see if Rosie, the very slow, sleepy and aged dog that I have had before, was due for another weekend break. If she is still with us.
It is so lovely to read about other people's pets.
ReplyDeleteI have said before that Poppy invited Percy for a sleep over and when he came in and she stepped aside to allow him to eat her food he realised he was onto a good thing and decided to stay..
Now that he has adopted us Poppy ignores him.
They are Chalk and Cheese.
She never leaves the back garden; he wanders everywhere and constantly has me worried because he has gone missing for hours then after many hours he strolls up the path to say he is ready for a meal and a sit on Mr LJ's knee..
Poppy doesn't do knee's .
She pefers the carpet.
Hey Ruthy, I will be in Summit, New Jersey on the 14th October. I plan on a quick look at short hills mall then a drive up to Montclaire to Melissa’s shop , envy, off real housewives of New Jersey. Are you anywhere near any of these places? Do you fancy meeting for a coffee? No pressure. A simple “no” would not offend.
ReplyDeleteMr PtbY is spending that day going to the MetLife stadium to watch an American footy match. Not my cup of tea.
Wow, I would love to meet you. Let’s plan on exact location and time when we are closer! Very exciting.
DeleteBrill Ruthy.
DeleteInternational visits! This is so lovely, hope you two manage to meet up, sit in two chairs and have a good catch-up.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely ! Do hope you manage a rendezvous, Ruthy & PtbY AND take a photo on the chairs Mistral mentions, to publish as a heading for a future 'off topic' blog ?!
DeleteAlso brings to mind our occasionally referred to meeting under the clock at Waterloo : could that be a reality for some of us within the foreseeable ?
No plan yet for travel to England but I am pretty unpredictable. We still have not planned our Fall trip. Stay tuned.
DeleteI'm up for a meeting under the Waterloo clock. It's so delightfully corny.
DeleteYes Carolyn, I am still up for meeting under that clock.
DeleteWhenever we get around to it.
Also hope that we do get a picture of Ruthy and PtbY in a comfortable pair of chairs.
DeleteI've also enjoyed reading about others' pets. I'm a dog lover and always have at least one. I've wondered about finding a companion for my terrier but don't want to impose an unwanted 'friend' on her. She may love it but it's not always the way.
ReplyDeleteWell we're 'ère !
ReplyDeleteComments will be rarissime as is wifi in this neck of the woods, will gradually catch up with all your posts... xx
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMiriam, how was your day at Lyme Park, did you see "Mr. Darcy's lake"? It's another NT place that's quite close to us that we visit, there are some lovely walks in the park there.
ReplyDeleteI think the NT should be very pleased with all the good publicity we are giving their various properties! Can anyone else suggest their favourite place to visit, it would be very useful information for days out/holiday activities next year.
ReplyDeletePtbY - If you will be in Montclair on Oct 14, we can meet there. I will put this on my calendar ☕️🍰
ReplyDeleteSuper. We’ll do that. You’ll have to tell me where and when and I’ll get it sorted with google maps.
DeleteLindisfarne Castle, Northumberland, and Castle Drogo, Devon. Both castles by Lutyens. (Are my NT favourites).
ReplyDeleteArcherphile, wasn't it ? To continue the list : Sissinghurst, Scotney Castle, Ightham More - all Kent; Wimpole Hall, Cambs.; Haddon Hall, Bakewell ( also, of course, Chatsworth near there)
DeleteSorry, Ightham More ..
DeleteMote, Carolyn? 😉. All good suggestions so far. Never been to Northumberland so that would be very interesting for me - is that where Cragside is too , the first house to have electric lights?
DeleteAnother county I have never visited is Norfolk and I think there are some NT properties there so would appreciate any info from ‘people who know’.
One of my favourites is Quarry Bank Mill because of the industrial heritage and the whole story of the workers and their lives. Unfortunately it is too far for a day trip though.
My local houses are The Vyne, which had its whole roof restored last year and you could go up in a lift to look down on the workers replacing beams and tiles: Mottisfont Abbey with its wonderful national collection of roses: and the aforementioned Hinton Ampner.
Just got back from a day out at Jodrell Bank. Enjoyment of the visit enhanced by a beautiful, warm and sunny autumn day.
DeleteAs you all probably know ,Sir Bernard Lovell was the first Director of the team who built the Jodrell Bank telescope.
DeleteHe was a lovely man.
Very unassuming
A real gentleman.
Although he was born in thev West Country and still retained his accent,he became President of Lancashire County Cricket Club.
He said he knew. where his allegiance lay when he realised he always looked first to see how Lancashire were doing before any other County.
Before the days of light meters he invented something which looked a bit like the hand of a clock.It was attached to a Stand opposite the main Pavilion.and if the hand pointed to the right the light was good but to the left it was not so.
If it pointed straight up it was just about OK to play.
I
Cheshire Cheese + others.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed my day at Lyme Park and it's estate.
Sadly the journey's there + back, were just awful, due to roadworks, traffic, and hold-ups.
I will visit again, when the new roads, are finished.
Archerphile re Norfolk -Fellbrigg Hall a small but homely place. When we went some years back you could pay for a private tour and that was very enjoyable. At that time you could also get a lovely waiter/waitress meal very reasonably, but I think those sort of places are mostly gone now - another was at Montacute House (Somerest)where a sitsown meal was served in what had been the old laundry like others I think that has gone.
ReplyDeleteThere are (3) paperback books written by a person who used to look after the house or was it the partner who wrote them..anyway they are a most interesting read I think I have seen them in the NT shops. (Just looked them up “Cobwebs and cream teas” trilogy. Available at Amazon anyway and written by the housemans wife about life there with their family. I really enjoyed them all. If you type FH into google it will also show you pics of other properties in the area of NT app of course does this.
Another place we enjoyed very much - Kingston Lacey “ (Dorset?) The Banks family also had a holiday house which is now a hotel called Banks Hotel a real old property we had lunch there superb views including “Old Harry” rocks.
Was FH the one in the news this year for issuing staff with badges that said we support gay pride which caused an outcry in the media?
I have been lucky, as yesterday, I heard about an engagement, Today - it is new jobs.
ReplyDeleteOne nephew-in-law, has just been appointed a "scout" for a major, county cricket club.
Nephew-in-law number 2, has also found out today, that he now back in employment, (part-time, due the child-care he does), after being made redudant 2 years ago.
I am so pleased for all of my family.
Well Lancashire have been demoted.
DeleteWe could obviously do with a Scout ,Miriam to find us the players who will get us back to Division 1 pronto.
I would prefer the players to come from Lancashire
LanJan- He won't move, as he is associated with Essex.
DeleteSome ✓s in favour of a Waterloo rendezvous, so shall we go for an initial foray, before the end of the year if possible, for those who can/are interested ? We now have precedents, in Stasia & Mrs P + Ruthy, PtbY next month !
ReplyDeleteDates & times : how about wks beginning 19/11, 26/11 ? Suggest ruling out weekends for reasons of London crowds & public transport. Not restricted to those weeks, of course, or even this year, but simply to start somewhere.
Meeting at 12 pm ? Though later may be better for some, depending on travel distances.
Couple of other thoughts : there's places aplenty to eat & wander on the South Bank - nice Turkish restaurant opposite the Globe, for instance, though some may not care to walk that far. Also, would it be fun not to describe apparel beforehand, but try to guess identity ? Perhaps easier if only 3/4 turn up, harder if 10 !
Sorry Carolyn, now that Misty has joined my household wont be able to make it. All good wishes for a successful meet.
DeleteOK Carolyn, with your enthusiasm to goad us into action, I am prepared to give it a go.
DeleteAs you say, let's start somewhere.
The weeks you suggest would be possible for me though would need to check with daughter that my presence for a couple of days would be possible.
Times, around midday also acceptable, and a walk along the South Bank familiar. The restaurant you mention is known to me and I enjoy eating there.
And if some unwilling or unable to walk that far then Tate Modern or crossing the bridge to St Paul's might be an alternative. There are refreshments at the Salvation Army headquarters too.
Would Seasider be in Yorkshire at that time ? Am I right in thinking that she was interested in a meet up ?
I would be very surprised if as many as ten turned up !
I am up for it Carolyn.
Delete✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️
I was there yesterday at 11 o'clock and there were not many folk under the clock.
When my grandson visited me I took him to St Thomas's hospital which is nearby and they do really good meals at reasonable prices!
I wouldn't want to walk too far though but we would have time to suss out places to eat.
St Martin's in the field ,Crypt in Trafalgar Square does good lunchtime meals
DeleteAs Cowgirl am tied up with Buddy and Gyp but will look forward to hearing the news of the meeting up under the clock! Enjoy!
DeleteNext time I am on the island Ev, we must arrange a definite time and place.
DeletePerhaps Tesco in Binstead. I'll recognise you with the dogs.
LanJan, I wonder how many times we have been in the Crypt Restaurant at the same time, drinking tea or having lunch over the years.
Yes Mrs P, we must meet up! Look forward to it!
DeleteI reckon I spotted you in Putney too Mrs P!
DeleteOvernight in Cervantes, Pinnacles tomorrow - voyage découverte N of Perth in S-in-L's 'motor home'! ! 26 degrees this afto..
ReplyDeleteSounds fab. Hope air con is working well !!
DeleteI should be around for those dates. Sounds fun. I met college friends at St Martins a few weeks ago. I also know a Turkish restaurant behind Southwark station with the same name as one of our bloggers. Don’t know if it’s the one mentioned. Festival Hall has a cafe and several restaurants nearby and is a short walk from Waterloo.
ReplyDeleteThe one mentioned is as far as I know one of a chain, although it's possible that it has changed hands since I was last there some time ago now.
DeleteI always find eating at the Festival Hall a ' chilly' experience !
I was taken out to lunch today at a pub/restaurant that overlooked the Painswick Valley. Beautiful views ! And another lovely sunny day.
This blog has really taken off - and now bloggers are meeting. My expectations for starting this blog has been greatly exceeded!
ReplyDeleteYes.... well done that woman !
DeleteIt’s a shame about those 2 dates. I am actually in London on the 3rd of Dec. Having a little pre Christmas jaunt 2nd to the 4th delivering pressy to a friend, seeing the lights etc.
DeleteHope everyone that meets up has a fab time.
This is my last sleep before setting off on our USA adventure......still haven’t told dogs they’re in for 3 weeks of kennels.....such an evil mother!!!!
It's not set in stone, PtbY & would be great if you could fit us in whilst you're in town. What about week beg. 3rd Dec., everyone ? ( narrowing it down to 3rd or 4th)
Delete4 takers already, glad to see ! Let's leave for a few days to see if anyone else pops up, & then consider a date.
ReplyDeleteYes, plenty of choice - Festival Hall really near, National Film Theatre a little further, &, as Lanjan says, the Crypt is good for lunch ( brass rubbings, too, if you feel inclined !) just a couple of stops on the tube from Waterloo.
December dates work well for me. Lots of cafes around Festival Hall without eating at the halls but it was just a thought to throw into the mix. Happy with whatever suits most folk.
DeleteMe too ✔️
DeleteSt M in the Fields a very pleasant walk from Waterloo, and the 3/4 th December just as good for me as any other date.
Delete_________________________________
In a quandary very suddenly.
My last dog died twenty years ago.
For many years I thought I would never love another so much, so would never have another.
But gradually that changed, tried to home through various rescues, but was turned down for many reasons, then moved here, and still no dog for me.
A week ago, met by chance a woman involved with fund raising for a rescue, and she said she would help.
Now this morning she has emailed to ask if I would like a six year old collie.
Help !
My cat only with me for three or so months, and should I, could I manage a dog as well ?
The dog is used to living with cats, apparently.
If unsure, don't do, always my motto, but should I overcome my anxieties ?
Seasider, not sure which is your beach, but took Misty to Skinning Grove yesterday, first time I have been, what a lovely long beach and no parking charges! so will continue to go until parking charges stop at the end of October in Whitby. I love Runswick bay , but £2.00 an hour is ridiculous for a walk everyday.
ReplyDeleteI have just finished a book which mentions Whitby quite a bit ,Cow Girl.
DeleteIt may not be everyone's cup of tea.
It is called "Lost for Words " by Stephanie Butland about someone who prefers books to people.
It is similar in a way to "The Keeper of lost things"by Ruth Hogan.
Talking about books, Lanjan, read Eleanor Oliphant is Absolutely Fine a short while ago, really enjoyed - so funny, perceptive, moving - & remember you wrote about on the BBC blog, partly because Eleanor is an avid TA listener.
DeleteFollowing you above, wonder if they, in turn, have similarities to a Penelope Fitzgerald gem, about a woman who opens bookshop in Norfolk, I think ( can't recall title)
Can’t help noticing that Eleanor Oliphant has been top of the Sunday Times paperback fiction best sellers list for months on end. Must be good. Perhaps I ought to ditch my favourite crime novels for a while and read it?
DeleteDo ! There's also a very significant crime element, Archerphile, so you win on both counts....
DeleteLanJan thanks for the book tip, I will give it a go I am always looking for something else to read.
DeleteCowgirl......we have spent two lovely weekends in Runswick bay with friends over the last couple of years. Totally different weather. First weekend was glorious. The second, this March (celebrating a 70th birthday) was howling wind, rain and even a covering of snow. Both made it spectacular. It was a cottage right on that turning circle on from the pub. Beautiful view of the bay. First weekend I spent a whole afternoon sat on the front terrace just watching the tide coming in and out.... mesmerising.
ReplyDeleteI leave London about 1pm on the 4th Dec so the 3rd would suit me if possible for others.
I listened to the Eleanor oliphant book when it was on radio 4. Loved it. Got to admit I’m usually a thriller reader.... just got into the lee child books.
Tom cruise in the films of them just ruin them though. Not at all the Jack Reacher I imagine.
I am happy to pencil in 3rd December.PtbY
ReplyDeleteSorry to say I really disliked Eleanor Oliphant and certainly did not want to read it. But pleased all others are enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteSomething wrong on my screen today, I thought Carolyn 11.18 and replies was the last post, so answered that adding a plea about a dog.
Then discovered further posts after ' publishing '.
Confused of Ambridge......
Although I say to myself "when in doubt do nought " I rarely take my own advice.
DeletePerhaps if you met up with the dog without saying anything definitely you would know whether it will be the right thing for you to adopt it.
Mmm been thinking that myself since I posted LJ.
DeleteAlso, if I thought it might be a good fit, I could foster for a while, see how it went, then adopt.
All above, if possible.
As LanJan says go and meet her/him. Like you Mrs P, I didn't want another dog after the demise of my last 2, then I missed having one/, Misty is so right for me and so unlike my other dogs.
DeleteCollies do need a lot of exercise, but I am sure if you meet you will know if it is right. Any worthwhile rescue organisation will always take back if it doesn't work out for any reason.
So good luck .
I'd love to join the throng under the clock at Waterloo, I really would, but at present it doesn't look possible. This knee is proving more problematic than the first one: it's been taking the strain from other joints for a couple of decades and now I'm able to walk normally again several thigh muscles have gone into spasm in protest, so that sometimes I can hardly walk at all. Much massage!
ReplyDeleteGiven that I'm unlikely to be capable of the 15 min bike ride to the local station and by public transport it takes at least an hour, involving two buses travelling the 'scenic route' via Cologne and Dusseldorf, I'd say it was a non-starter. Pity.
That is a shame, Sarnia. Maybe next year, when physio ( perhaps?), massages, & just time, will have brought you back to strength.
DeleteThank you, Carolyn. We suspect that a course of over-rigorous exercises supervised by a brisk, 7ft tall lady physio (dressed in black !) may have contributed to the problem!
DeleteOk ! All 5 so far up for meeting, Mrs P., Lanjan, Seasider, PtbY & I are happy with Mon. Dec 3rd, so I suggest we settle for that, 12pm under the clock, Waterloo.
ReplyDeleteOf course, this does not rule out others at all, & hopefully, there may be more avid bloggers who will add to the numbers, & give us a pleasant surprise on the day.
We can decide later on the eaterie ? Depends partly on the weather, I suppose, as well as the distances people want to walk.
Yes as you say Carolyn, Monday 3rd December, subject to me being able to stay at daughters.
DeleteWill ask this weekend.
Fab. Will pencil that in the diary. Something else to look forward to. 👍
DeleteMrs P, re the collie. They are the most intelligent of dogs and this one being 6 will be over the turbulent years but they do need a lot of exercise and unless you feel you can give him two lengthy walks, about an hour each per day, don’t go there! I speak from experience as we had one but I was twenty years younger then! Our new pup is currently asleep after a walk down to the creek and back this morning and Katy will take him out later on for a second walk but young as he is, he doesn’t need as much walking as Dandy, our collie. While they are out, Gypsy and I put our feet up!! He is settling in well and we have nearly two weeks left to see whether we will adopt him. I think we will!
ReplyDeleteHope you end up with both, Ev - they sound delightful.
DeleteAbout a collie for Mrs P., Can imagine how much exercise they need & they must need a lot of vigorous grooming. Once upon a time, I really hankered after one ) never actually had a dog), but then thought of the hours spent brushing .....big body, cats are much quicker to spruce up & untangle when necessary.
Gypsy is a permanent inmate! You may remember she is blind, now 11 years old and the greediest dog I have ever encountered! I have bought her a new dish today which should slow her down Buddy is not that interested in food and we have found feeding them together encourages him but she gulps hers down then tries to steal the rest of his from his bowl. We are trying to continue her slimming regime so this is not ideal! Her new dish is compartmentalised so it should slow her down!
DeleteI was busy in the kitchen, yesterday afternoon, to hear "mayhem" going on in the bedroom above. On dashing upstairs, there was my cat, with a blue tit in her mouth! It must have flown in somehow, and was then caught.
ReplyDeleteI was so cold last night and this morning, that I have just programmed my CH system, but at a low temp.just to keep the chill off.
Still it is nearly October.
Reminder to self, a visit to a nursery or garden centre is needed. I need to get bulbs, winter pansies etc. to replant window box, tubs and a 3-tiered planter, ready for winter/spring.
DeleteJust to add to the collie discussion...... Mrs P, they are very hairy and I imagine they would bring in a great deal of muck in the winter, and the towelling off etc.
ReplyDeleteOur golden retriever is terrible in winter..... I trim off all his feathers just to try and keep dirt to the minimum but nevertheless we never have a clean kitchen floor.
Just something to consider.
I have decided to have a sober October.
ReplyDeleteWith this in mind I also decided that I had better have a g and t as I am preparing the evening meals this evening and tomorrow.
I think I have given myself a particularly strong one.
I am already a bit tipsy and extremely happy.
Why do they say that gin is a depressant?
Mr LJ is watching football on TV so is unaware that I have the gin bottle in the kitchen.
One Christmas ,the turkey slid the full length of the kitchen floor before being picked up.dusted down and eaten.
I am hoping that this evening the same will not happen.
Oh I am so looking forward to 3rd December.
For some of us lLanJan it is.
DeleteJust pricking sloes to make Sloe gin for Christmas presents, there was a bountiful supply this year, sadly I wont be drinking any.
Oh dear oh dear !
ReplyDeleteThank you each for your words of caution.
1: both my dogs have been long / rough coated. A Lhasa Apso and an unknown collie lookalike, probably a Tibetan terrier cross. I love long haired dogs, and cats.
2: I am concerned about the exercise routine.
Despite my new knee and my ability to walk again, the habit of daily walking, even once is proving difficult to revive. However, living so close to open countryside, three minutes to the common, it should be possible, if I can overcome my time management problems involved with getting myself out of the house. And will I ever get anything else done in the day ? I know normal people do, but I haven't been ' normal' in that sense for decades now.
3: rubbing down and grooming not a problem, it's something I enjoy, and the cat has been done almost daily since he arrived.
4: the bedtime 'pee' is less of a worry. When I last had Rosie to stay, I took her up the side drive that leads to a farm barn and that was sufficient.
( my garden no good in the dark, difficult path up steep and narrow slope )
Will think on.........
And many thanks for warning words.
Oh, Lanjan, I glanced at the blog, likewise preparing evening meal, doing much the same as you at the same time, but with a glass of white wine in hand, rather than g&t ( usually it's vodka & tonic, but have run out). I pictured some of your casserole, or whatever, slopping on the floor, as your turkey did, being scooped up airily, no one any the wiser.
ReplyDeleteMe too. looking forward to Dec.3rd - such an unusual situation, never done anything like this before, such as meeting a pen pal, for instance, or, these days, an online date, after many exchanges online. Nearest I've got is a school reunion, not having seen any of them for 48 years or something. Most were a lot nicer than I remembered !
December 3rd sounds fun! Sadly, I can't make Mondays or I might have joined you.
DeletePerhaps next year ...
When I was growing up, we always specified meeting 'under the clock with no hands' at Waterloo. I was most disappointed when they finally replaced them. I supposed this made it more useful as a clock, but a little less interesting as a landmark : )
Have a great afternoon.
It does feel a bit surreal. I had a pen friend in Singapore when I was a teenager and she came to London with her sister who was a steward on Singapore airways. We had a lovely day sightseeing.
DeleteCowgirl I am familiar with all those beautiful beaches. My home beach is a little further north and the clue is in my name if you ever look at the back pages of the local papers.
Dear Ladies - it has been very exciting reading about your plans to meet up in London in December.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I don’t think I will attempt to join you. I am not very good at getting around on public transport, and frankly, the thought of travelling to London terrifies me! I am not a good walker (even though the new hip should be ‘broken in’ by then) and would not be able to walk too far to a restaurant.
The other reason is that I love the feeling of mystery on this site - feeling friends with you all without actually knowing what any of you look, or sound like. If I were to meet you all in the flesh I wouldn’t be able to imagine you in my minds eye anymore. I’d know who was tall or short, plump or slim, had long red hair or short grey, spoke with a distinctive accent or none - and all the mystery would be dispelled. I love my virtual friendship with you all, floating in the i-cloud, as it were, and should prefer to keep
It that way.
I hope you will understand and forgive me and I hope that all who do meet up have a wondeful day 😊
I completely understand and part of me feels the same. I wouldn’t want a meeting with a few of us to spoil the fun we all have on here. I think it’s just because I live such an easy journey away that I don’t want to pass up on it. 🙂
DeleteI am sure we all have that ambivalence, those mixed feelings, but having now met up with Stasia, and, I suppose, broken that sense of mystery to a small degree, I feel ready to take that further.
DeleteA number of us on here, you included Archerphile, have been talking together for close on three years now, perhaps longer, and we have become a caring and supportive group of friends. Taking that virtual companionship to another level may have risks attached, but might also contain wonderful surprises.
Or it might just be a ' meet up' for a brief time and then go nowhere at all.
Life is full of risks !
I wish everyone a wonderful 'meet up' in December. I'm on the wrong side of the pond to be able to join in unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteStarting a new post.
ReplyDelete