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"longer off topic comments" - Episode 28 Life Outside Ambridge
"longer off topic comments" - Episode 28 Life Outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments" - Episode 14 Life Outside Ambridge Have a seat and let's chat.
Tire of snow - thought a fire pit to bring some warmth.
ReplyDeleteThat looks wonderful and cosy. Could sit there and do toast by it!
DeleteRuthy, that looks gorgeous, just what we can do with over here on a miserable, wet, chilly late November day!
ReplyDeleteMrs P: comment copied from end of previous post, now closed, which you may have missed.
ReplyDeleteWe never heard about your boat trip on the R Wye at Symonds Yat. Did you enjoy it, and did the weather stay fine for you - although there surely can't be many places which are equally beautiful in the rain!
I was actually canoeing earlier this year (belated Christmas present) but previously when we stayed the weekend for my 70th birthday bash, we all did the boat trip as well on the Sunday. Never been across on that funny little ferry though - far more entertaining (and much cheaper) just to watch it going back and forth.
Look forward to hearing all about it.
Sarnia, no, I didn't comment the following day as the subject being discussed seemed not conducive to interrupting.
ReplyDeleteIt was very nice, but a little disappointing.
I think I expected the route to go down river towards Monmouth but it actually went up river and not very far. Nevertheless it was calm ( apart from a squealing child) and fine weather. I watched the little ferry and thought through a plan to do it and a walk on the other side in the future, then took a walk in the direction towards Monmouth, which is only four miles along the river.
Have now discussed this with a friend for a future date.
I will go to the church and explore there. Looked fascinating.
I then spent a couple of hours in Ross.
A good day.
Thanks for asking Sarnia.
Thank you, Mrs P.
DeleteWe also found the trip disappointing. We knew it couldn't go downstream because of the artificial rapids created for the canoe school, but nevertheless we were expecting at least to go round the next bend upstream for a view of Symonds Yat rock. It was a while ago now, but I seem to remember that the commentary was more or less non-stop and largely irrelevant. Still, a beautiful place, very restful and I love being there. Like you, I would have liked to cross over by ferry to explore the opposite bank, but this was before my last operation and like everything else, it was too far for me to walk.
Oh well.... it's comforting to know that I was not alone in my assessment of that trip. Thank you for owning up.
DeleteI did find the commentary about the church interesting. Made me decide to visit it one day.
I did not realise that the Rapids were man made.
When was that done do you know ?
I was probably told at some point but can't remember now. If you walked down the towpath towards Monmouth you might have noticed that the foundation blocks of the central island (also man-made) are completely square, acquired from the local quarry. When the learner kayakers had negotiated the rapids we watched them pick up their craft and carry them back across to the river bank, and saw that at the top of the island the water is only ankle deep!
DeleteI quite envy the tourists of Edwardian times: they could travel up from Monmouth by steamer, alighting at Symons Yat station, which is where the car park is now, in front of the Royal Lodge Hotel, and catch the train back to Ross. At one point during the Saturday of my 'birthday bash' we realised that my husband, brother-in-law, son and two grandchildren had not been seen or heard for some considerable time; in fact, they'd found the railway tunnel behind the Forest View Hotel and had gone exploring!
Ruthy, that is a very smart garden.
ReplyDeleteYou have a great eye for visual representation.
Thank you.
My kind of garden Ruthy - just love a fire! Some comfy cushions for the seats though (please😂)
ReplyDeleteand cocktail table :)
DeleteLove the fire pit ! You suffered all that snow, & this is the welcoming contrast.
DeleteHear hear on the cocktail table and cushions.
DeleteAnother fab pic Ruthy.
Went on a boat trip with son many years ago, from or to Symonds Yat. Don't remember much, except being told one can see 5 counties at some point ! Not that day,, too overcast & misty.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the same one Carolyn.
DeleteKingfisher Cruises and he and the wife have been doing it for forty years.
We once travelled up for the 40th birthday party of a friend and a whole crowd of us hired canoes and spent the day canoeing and picnicking along the Wye. The weather was good and it was a day to remember- a lovely peaceful river.
ReplyDeleteI simply do not understand the BBC. They added a new blog post last week but disabled the comments section of it. Why don't they just add that as a feature?
ReplyDelete🤔 agree Ruth’s
DeleteIt dosnt make sense but that’s the Beeb for you. They ended up doing us an unintentional favour in the end though 😉
because now you have set us up way better 👏
Here here! 🤗
Delete“ Ruthy” was of course what I intended to type 🤪
ReplyDeleteMrs P any news of Teddie ?
ReplyDeleteNo further news CowGirl.
DeleteWe had discussed, in our last contact, delaying her arrival until after Christmas.
With a new dog I would not have been able to go to family and leave her or take her with me for obvious reasons. And since she has waited so long another month would not be any different. She also needs to be cat tested.
However the following day I received a request to foster, in the meantime, a large male dog. I said no. Sorry can't do dogs as opposed to bitches and large, possibly cumbersome dog, narrow or no pavements, and new knee, not conducive.
I have not heard anything since. But I believe the person I was talking with has been unwell, so perhaps me and Teddie have been moved away from priority status. I have asked for further news on cat testing, and got a confused message in reply. As all messages are online and with various volunteers and having been in that position myself in the past, I know that it is all down to what messages have been left for other volunteers to access. Possibly none since it's all on line now. I will contact again at the end of this week.
Thanks for your interest CG.
Thanks for keeping me posted.
DeleteVery sensible not to have him before Christmas, certainly not before the all important meeting!
An earlier rescue dog I had had been tested with a cat(s) and said to be fine, 1 cat ignored him when he chased her as soon as he arrived 3 ran away, it took 3 weeks for 2 to suss him 1 never did, I am sure you are aware of these things as you are probably more experienced than I am.
Sarnia,
ReplyDeleteI have only just seen your post of the 27th.
I did look up the information about when the Rapids had been formed after asking you the question. But you have now given me further knowledge and no I did not notice that the island was man made either.
However when meandering along back towards the hotel I did notice some rocks, very muddy, piled up, so now realise that they must be brought out of the river and possibly replaced from time to time.
Agree about tourists in an earlier age, it must have been lovely, and time past always adds a layer of a picturesque perspective doesn't it.
A comment was made in the boat trip commentary that the tunnel entrance was now blocked up, and I saw for myself that it was. Since I remember that it was not too long ago that you were there, it must have been blocked recently.
And Janice, I see that you have visited too, as well as Carolyn. So quite a few of us over time.
Ah, they only said they'd 'gone exploring'. If they'd located it and found it blocked perhaps they were trying to find a way in! When they got back they were all talking at once, the children were very excited and not making a great deal of sense. My menfolk are dedicated railway anoraks so even a blocked-up tunnel would be enough to get them going. To be honest I was just pleased that they'd come across something to interest them, as I was concerned that they might be bored.
DeleteDid you take any photographs?
I don't do 'Photographs' Sarnia.
DeleteHistory !
Sorry, I thought that just referred to photos of you.
DeleteMrs P .....what do you mean by “history” in your response to Sarnia. I don’t understand. Sorry.
DeleteI think we are talking at cross purposes Sarnia.
DeleteI don't have the facility to take photographs.
I don't want to take photographs.
History !
Talking about photographs on the meet up day, I am hoping we are all clear about them being taken. I have no objection if permission is obtained.
I do object to anyone assuming that it is perfectly ok to take an image of anyone, willy nilly, without consent.
Again, a case of history.
So far we all seem to be in agreement that we are comfortable as a group to take photographs. That includes me.
Lan Jan having said no, now says yes.
PtbY - history ?
DeleteI have a history where photographs and photography is concerned.
So history ! Is an exclamation meaning that I have a history regarding photography that is too complicated to describe.
Righty oh. Thanks for the explanation.
DeleteCow Girl, have just seen your post of early evening yesterday.
ReplyDeleteThere has been communication this morning telling me that it has not been possible to get a lead on Teddie in order to do the cat test.
There is another person going to the shelter in January who ' knows' Teddie, and they hope she may be able to try.
Yes, it's all becoming clear that this dog may just have to stay where she is, indefinitely.
Perhaps that is her destiny. At least she is off the streets. But for how long ?
So perhaps I need to keep looking for my canine companion elsewhere whilst keeping Teddie as a prospect.
Thanks for the advice/ experience. Yes it had occurred to me, and your experience is useful to keep in mind.
Mrs P, re that tunnel I report a conversation with Mr S last night:
DeleteWhen you found the tunnel behind the hotel, was it blocked?
No
So you were able to go into it?
No, there was a door.
Was it locked?
Yes.
So the way in was blocked.
No, you could get in if you had a key.
Sometimes you wish you hadn't asked!
Mrs P, I do think you are wise to look at other options. This poor dog may just find it all too traumatic, if after all this time they have got no further the prospects for him do not look too good. Patience may not be enough and better he stay where he is if there are any doubts . Which ever way you go one little dog, will be given a forever home.
DeleteSince I have had my liitle dog my sleeping habits have been much improved, it may well just do the same for you. So go on the web sites and have a look. Teddie is non the wiser if it doesn't work out, you have done all you can for him
Are Sarnia......
DeleteThat makes me think that when it was mentioned, on the boat trip, I may have heard, ' it's now blocked, but the Hotel has a key' - I repeat, I MAY have heard !
I was only half listening. But if you had an interest you would be listening carefully, and maybe they did.
CowGirl, yep, agree and you echo my thoughts.
I have spent the last 45 minutes trawling websites.
However I do hope that she is taken off the website. If she can't be homed, and there must be others in such a predicament, I wish they were not shown to be 'available'.
Oh, how funny! I don't recollect any information about the hotel having a key to the door that wasn't blocking the tunnel, but as the entrance appeared to be on their property, I presume the key must have been available from the very place at which we were staying!
DeleteA return visit perhaps ?
DeleteIn case you didn't see this on the News yesterday.
ReplyDeleteA lovely story.
The mother of a four year old girl had a fit and her little daughter dialled 999.saving her mother's life.
When she was asked whether there was anybody else in the house apart from her and mummy she said that there was - a dog and a kitten.
It brought tears to my eyes. The
Please ignore the final The in my previous comment
DeletePtbY - saw The Queen movie and we both loved it - very moving at the end and did shed a tear or two. The music and performance were very well done. Came home and watched on YouTube the Live Aid concert. Forgot how good they were.
ReplyDeleteWe are off to Asbury Park. Maybe a walk on the beach.
Bizarrely Ruthy, I was watching Queen at Live Aid on YouTube last night too! How deliciously odd...
DeleteHave an appalling hangover today - would love to go for a winter walk on a beach! Enjoy...
Glad you enjoyed it Ruthy. Wasn’t he brilliant the actor who played Freddie.
DeleteI watched the 60’s film the odd couple last night. Just love these old films.....Walter mattheau and jack lemmon are just great.
Oh I loved the Odd Couple PtbY.
DeleteI saw the Queen film with my grandchildren a couple of weeks ago.
Thought the main character (actor) very good. And very enjoyable film.
Saw Bohemian Rhapsody v. 2 wks ago - fantastic work for the Live Aid set, cinema full of ex-rockers of a certain age, not a dry eye in the house ...
Deletelucky enough to see Queen on their UK tour 1974 - last bus home from the Winter Gardens Cleethorpes, couldn't hear a thing!
After a dull, miserable, rainy day yesterday today was much more pleasant and the sun managed to break through! We took the dogs to Appley beach and had breakfast at the cafe there. If you come to the island you must have breakfast there. It is all freshly cooked and you can sit outside looking straight over the beach and the Solent taking in views of Portsmouth including the Spinnaker Tower. Lots of people walk their dogs on the beach in the winter and yes, there are plenty of poo bins! Made the mistake of sharing our sausages with the dogs starting a feeding frenzy particularly from the greedy Gypsy who up to then had shown little animation on her beach walk! We don’t normally give them people food when we are eating but this was a special treat day for us all!! Well, here we are in December again with Christmas round the corner. My dad used to say as you get older each year goes quicker than the last and I am beginning to believe him!
ReplyDeleteVivid, I can picture this breakfast scene, Ev !
DeleteDogs - I sm watching the 'wild dogs" on Dynasties.
ReplyDeleteI have been so lucky to have seen them in the wild on 3 consecuative days, hunting, killing + eating, and with many pups.
This was in Botswana.
I feel very priveldged to have seen them.
Have also done a "river safari" on the Zambesi river - only 4 people in a very tiny boat. Wonderful, but scary, encounters with hippos, crocodiles + elephants - too close for comfort at times!!
DeleteI could well have cleaned the croc's teeth, as so close + have a 'photo showing the "close encounter".
An true experience, never to be forgotten.
I think that was very brave, Miriam ! But how exciting, how memorable.
DeleteMy goodness Miriam, that beats our river trip on the Wye into a cocked hat !
DeleteFor those jigsaw puzzle lovers:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2018/dec/01/surreal-jigsaw-puzzle-montages-in-pictures
I'm just testing whether I can post from my phone.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely bizarre puzzles. Look good but don’t think I’d like to do one. I’m too much of a traditionalist.
ReplyDeleteGive me a photograph puzzle of 1000 pieces and I’m happy. Although at a Christmas fair this year I’ve bought a drawn map of Yorkshire puzzle.
✔️✅
DeleteI could see you becoming one of the few people on Mr LJs "really like "list which is not very long,PtbY.
DeleteHe always has a1000 piece jigsaw on the go.
I bought him one of the London Underground map last week from a Charity Shop.
I don't know how long it had been there but someone had written on the box "Much too difficult .Couldn't finish-2015 "
He has a challenge on his hands.
Miriam. As a very proficient cook, can you answer the following. Is a Lancashire Hot Pot a stew or a casserole?
ReplyDeleteI have carried this over from the other blog because I'm intrigued About various regional descriptions of how dishes are named.
I'm inclined to agree with Lanjan.
If I may Stasia, I would say that a Lancashire Hot Pot is a casserole. The potato as the top layer needs to be browned at the end by taking the lid off the casserole dish towards the end of cooking.
DeleteNot possible if cooked on the top of the stove, or hob.
All weekend rain and now the sun is out at least. Good week to everyone!
ReplyDeleteI remember my gran talking about putting the stew in the oven and buying stewing meat which was generally cooked in a dish in the oven. I do also remember my mother talking of hot pots and casseroles so I think they were interchangeable in my family.
ReplyDeleteSarnia ?
ReplyDeleteHow have you been today.
I imagine you are asleep now, but hope you feel up to sending a few words tomorrow.
Bless you for asking, Mrs P. Unfortunately my bronchitis has gradually blossomed into a full-on re-run of last year's 'Australian' flu, with its catalogue of random, unpleasant symptoms. This morning we can add back-ache to the list, and when I tried to go downstairs I found that my knees had become strangely attracted to each other so that my legs got all tangled up!
ReplyDeleteI only had my flu jab last week, and I'm sure this wasn't supposed to happen.
That is rotten, Sarnia. I suppose you'll have a week or more of this, very sorry. Maybe Radio4 - not just Archers - will offer distractions. Do admit to giggling a bit at knees 'strangely attracted to each other' but not a hilarious experience ! Look after yourself as best you can.
DeleteThanks, Carolyn. Don't blame you for giggling about the knees - it was a very silly experience. Fortunately, as I have the 2nd Sunday off I'm not working this week, so although it seems a bit of a waste of free time, at least I'm not causing a crisis by leaving a gap no-one else wants to fill!
DeleteSo sorry to hear you are still feeling poorly. Sending get well wishes to you.
DeleteThank you. How about a row of little flowers that some of you clever people know how to add to your messages?
DeleteGet well soon Sarnia.
Delete💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐
🌺🌷🌹🌼🌸🌺🌻💐🌷🌹🌸🌼🌺🌻💐
DeleteWonderful! I promise I'll look after them and keep them watered!
DeleteHave moved from Waterloo to off topic posting now.
ReplyDeleteVery good poem Lanjan.
We have 3 dogs now (used to have 4) and never got pet insurance. A friend of ours had it for her dog and every time she tried to claim whatever it was wasn’t covered.
Yes vet bills are dear but then I see my dogs as family members and would do whatever for them. We’ve had 2 dogs taken to dewsbury , West Yorkshire, for elbow operations .....£3000 a pop, thank you very much......it’s lovely to see them when they are better.
I’m not sure what to do about pet insurance for Buddy. At the moment I have an account for him which I started off with £150 and intend to put £30 a month in. Since. he had his neutering op which Friends of the Animals paid out of the fee I paid them, he has had a waterworks problem and after testing a urine sample the vet wants to do a blood test to check on his kidney function as the urine was dllute. This will cost £50. Generally he is healthy so maybe worth the risk of not insuring. As ptby says there are many instances where the insurers don’t pay up anyway. We gather urinary problems can arise after the op and usually clear up themselves so we hope this will be the case. He hasn’t managed to get through the night but has used puppy pads then but we have had accidents during the day in the house in spite of taking him out regularly. It can be a nightmare especially when on carpets! It has reinforced my future plans to have laminate floors right through!
DeleteI've become aware that many rescues insist on pet insurance.
DeletePersonally I've never had it, and have not taken out any insurance for Puss.
I don't intend to take any out for a dog, if and when I get one, but am not sure how to avoid doing so if the rescue insists.
Have now had two sets of documents send via email, but for some reason I cannot 'write' on them. Since all this animal rescue business is done on line, yet again, it's another frustration.
If these documents register as 'read only' at the top of your screen, try re-saving them under a different title - it's a nuisance, but it works for me.
DeleteOr, Mrs P, do you have a printer? Know someone who has, forward the documents to them ? Then you could fill in & send. Sarnia probably has the sensible answer, but I've never mastered this saving under different files action.
DeleteClick on the Office button (top LH of screen) and select 'Save as' and 'word document' . The title of the document will appear highlighted in blue. Delete this and type in your new title, and you should have a new document that you can edit as you wish.
Delete....after you've saved it, of course!
DeleteThank you for suggestions.
DeleteI have thought of both.
There is no address to send it if I print it off. ( I don't have a printer but that can be overcome fairly easily. )
Also there is nothing that allows me to save it.
It is on my screen but no keyboard appears. I have been able to fill in other forms in the past.
Sorry it didn't work, Mrs P. You didn't specify which device you were using, but all my work is done on a lap-top. I have a tablet but can't make head or tail of it so don't bother with it.
DeleteWith you on pets being family members, PtbY(4/12, 11.18) !
ReplyDeleteWe have Percy under insurance, which involved a fight couple of yes. ago over an expensive tooth extraction, but won. Mr C. wouldn't do that for Katya - he might feel differently when she's older ! Seeing as there's no doubt we'd fork out when a need arises. We also disagree about the annual vaccine. Percy is done, but not Katya this year, because he's suspicious of them. I'm inconsistent about that, as I'm dubious about the 'flu one, having heard & read about the contents years ago, so don't have it. However, as both cats have been on the programme, it seems to me it might be more risky stopping it, though I have no sound evidence. So, Percy continues with the jabs, but not Katya ! Somewhat crazy.
Spending the entire day in the kitchen cooking up a storm - off to a tiny cottage in the Cairngorms for a week on Fri. Hurrah!
ReplyDeleteIt is circular, sits on the bank of a river, is in the middle of a forest and has a wood burner. There is no wifi or mobile connection, no tv reception and the nearest shop is 15 miles away. It also has wild peacocks roaming outside. And to top it all off - It is called "Tinkerbell"....!!
Ah, but does it have electricity? Oh for the hiss if gas lights and the smell of paraffin lights.
ReplyDeleteSadly, it does have electricity CowGirl - but we take 900 gazillion candles with us anyway...
DeleteThis will be our 5th time visiting "Tinkerbell". One of my very favourite places in all the world. Sigh....
Sounds idyllic. Are there peahens as well, &, if so, do the peacocks display their tail feathers ?
DeleteLast question, Gary, does this natural paradise top the delights of Waterloo station ?
There are indeed peahens carolyn and the boys strut about like it's Mardi Gras! Could do without their blood curdling screeches in the middle of the night to be honest with you though.
DeleteNOTHING will ever compare to the raw, joyous beauty that was Waterloo station that day carolyn. Nothing. Michaelangelo and Da Vinci themselves could toil for eternity and not even come close to capturing the timeless elegance and stylish joie di vivre of the creatures that made up that shimmering tableau...
Wow!!! Whatever do you do for a living, GaryGilday? And I had to go down with flu!
Delete.....& the unmatched eloquence of one, GG, amongst said shimmering creatures...😉🤗
DeleteOh dear, I don't really do 'shimmering'. Still, I now have a year to practise. A la perchoine, as they say in my native tongue!
DeleteAllow GG poetic licence, Sarnia ! Hope this nonsense cheers you up a little...
DeleteHe may well live in Scotland but sure and I detect an enormous helping of the blarney!!
Delete...sure does, Carolyn. Even Solitaire is no fun any more - I incur too many time penalties for coughing, sneezing and blowing my nose.
DeleteWell, sounds like you all had a fantastic time !
ReplyDeleteHey Archer friends. I just got back from a 3 day business trip to Atlanta, cold and windy, and off to Napa Valley starting this Saturday. I will be eating, drinking wine - lots - and hiking for a week! Will try to keep up with you folks when I can. Will create posts enough to last the week so you will not be deprived :)
ReplyDeleteWill raise a glass to you at some point in the next week or so Ruthy! Have a blast....
DeleteRuthy enjoy yourself.🥳
DeleteWishing you a lovely time Ruthy. Enjoy the better weather. 🍷🍇
Delete✔️✔️✔️✔️🍷
DeleteHave just read through the Waterloo blog and delighted it went so well when you met up!
ReplyDeleteI've been wondering what happened after my rather brief attendance!
ReplyDeleteJust general chit chat about life and the areas where we live.
DeleteSo you didn’t miss much of importance but YOU were missed!
By the way, what was the book called that you went to before us.
I managed a few sentences with you Bootgums because we were sitting next to each other. But you came and then went so quickly.
DeleteYes you were missed, but we all enjoyed your fabulous three word one line.
I for one will never forget it.
Please do tell us about the book.
The book whose launch I went to after us was 'The Future of Interfaith Dialogue:
DeleteMuslim-Christian Encounters through A Common Word', ed. Yazid Said and Lejla Demiri, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. I don't anticipate that it will be a best-seller (especially at a price of £90!), but it seems significant in its field, the message of peace and reconciliation can hardly be gainsaid, and the attendance at the launch was distinguished (except me!). Without planning to, I spoke mostly to people who, like me, were from Oxford, and I'm afraid we discussed house prices.
That’s really interesting Bootgums. I think you said at Lambeth Palace. I would not have wanted to miss that either. Sorry though that we didn’t have chance for conversation, being at the opposite ends of the table, but perhaps next time. I am not sure I heard the fabulous one liner. I expect it was as witty as your pseudonym.
DeleteI believe there is or was an annual interfaith walk in South London.
Delete✔️
Delete✓ Pretty much with you there, Ev. The main religions have been tainted by their followers down the centuries, in my view, but there's aspects of deep truths in all of them at core, am convinced, so surely minds should open.
DeleteI'm not sure what my amazing one-liner was, to be honest. And my witty pseudonym came about because I wanted to be Gumboots (a one-time nickname based on my initials) but someone had got there before me and I wasn't feeling very imaginative.
DeleteThe very pricey book sounds an important study to me, Bootgums. Listening, communication, without judgement, is surely the way forward, as you say.
ReplyDeleteWhat a varied day you had - food for thought at many levels, from faith interconnectedness, through house prices, to online companions seen in the flesh !
There will probably be a paperback, apparently. Dirt cheap, I'm sure 😀.
DeleteIt was the most rewarding day I've had for a long time, and I can only regret that the Archers bit was so brief. We will meet again!
Oh dear ladies and Gary...
ReplyDeleteI have only just realised that December 3rd has been and gone and I had forgotten all about the big meet up!
Because I wasn’t involved, I hadn’t been bothering to read the Waterloo blog, but I have just scanned through all you posts since the event and realise I missed a huge treat.
It sounds as though you all had a wonderful time, and I admit, despite my reservations, I am really quite envious of you all.
So, if it should be decided to meet up again next year, I shall make every effort to join you. Perhaps Lady R and I could come together as the Hampshire contingent!
I admit my new hip might not have been quite up to all the travelling yet, but hopefully by this time next year I shall be more fully mobile again
I am so delighted you all had a great time and that Ruthys blogs have had such a tremendous outcome
Had a feeling, AP, if you glanced at any these posts, you might be tempted to join the throng ! It gelled naturally, you know, & as Stasia & Mrs P.wrote after they met, it was easy to re-engage online as before, regardless of mental images, & more lengthy exchanges. Certainly. in the last couple of days I haven't felt any awkwardness.
DeleteWith you there,Carolyn✔️✔️✔️
DeleteNever say never AP but could be difficult my end but a way to go yet...
DeleteSo glad everyone enjoyed the day.
Thought you might like to know LanJan, as your son is a volunteer on the North Yorks railway, that I am going on the Santa run on Sunday, we are all having to rush back from Leeds after we go to The Nutcracker, so a hectic weekend. Fortunately my neighbour is looking after Misty as all these arrangements were made long before I had her.
ReplyDeleteHope Percy is now fully recovered.
I have just seen a post from Sarnia being poorly.
ReplyDeleteI hope she is feeling better.
The new "over 65" 'flu vaccine will supposedly give a far better protection.
However, it is causing very many side-effects and "reactions". I am too young to have had this jab, (😀😀) but I have heard from friends, who have received it, and from pharmacist friends who are still working, how ill many have been, 4-7 days after the jab.
I have just realised that I have automatically assumed Sarnia's 'flu jab was the over 65 one. How rude I am!!
DeleteSincerely Apologise.
I felt under the weather for about 24 hours a day or so after my 'over 65' flu jab this year. I wasn't affected in the same way by the old one.
DeleteNot at all, Miriam - you must have missed the chat with Mrs P about my 70th birthday bash in Symonds Yat 'some years ago'. I must admit to being mystified by the massive reaction, as I've been having this jab for years now, and despite all my various allergies to all things medical and chemical, have never experience anything more than a lumpy arm for a few days. Fortunately this bout looks nothing like as virulent as the one I had last Christmas in which, like several colleagues, I was ill for several weeks and exhausted for three months afterwards. Apparently there were two strains of flu going around last winter and from my point of view the jab contained the wrong one!
DeleteThis afternoon I had to do what was possibly one of the silliest things in my whole life: as our surgery is only open for 2 1/2 days a week I'd had to wait more than 3 weeks for tomorrow's GP appointment to review my regular medication, and I had to ring them to say I couldn't see the doctor because I wasn't well enough!
Adding to the flu jab discussion I was lucky enough not to have any reaction, not even a sore arm. I had the shingles jab in the other arm at the same time which I think is so worthwhile having known people who have been very ill with shingles. Sarnia, I hope you will soon be well enough to see the doctor! Best wishes for a good recovery!
DeleteI do hope you have a lovely time !CowGirl.
ReplyDeleteDo you go all the way from Pickering to Whitby (or vice versa) ?
Maybe it is a return run.
My son won't be around as he is visiting his brother in Canada.
Thank you for enquiring after Percy.
He perked up the moment he saw the vet of course.
They are so clever.
He wasn't happy waiting there in the waiting room but never made a murmur on his way home.
He seems to have lost the limp hopefully.
We go from Grosmont to Pickering and return, non stop. Christmas for me is all about the children.
DeleteGlad to hear Percy is recovering.
Another time we might meet your son.
I have mentioned this before possibly
ReplyDeleteIt makes me so cross.
I tried to buy Religious Christmas stamps from my local Post Office and was told that they were only sent 1000 Religious stamps which went immediately
They might get some more in a month's time!
I tried another Post Office today and they were only given 100 to sell
Surely those people who do not believe in Christ but want to celebrate a Religious occasion they can always buy ordinary stamps to put onto their"Seasons Greetings " cards.
Apparently secular and Religion alternate so next year there should be more Religious ones.
The opposite of "Bah humbug"
It makes me very cross too Lan Jan.
DeleteHowever what is worse, or perhaps just very sad, for me, is the few, very few, Christian Christmas cards that I receive.
Presumably the Christian Christmas cards that I send puzzle the senders of the cards I receive.
I HATE Christmas
I have always wanted to spend Christmas alone, on an island with very few people if any at all.
Sark has always appealed.
Anyone know of a cheap rental on Sark ?
Sark might be dark. It may also be dry if there's no electricity to pump water. Take a torch & spare batteries and warm clothes. It's a place I'd like to visit but in summer. I could meet local hedgehogs.
DeleteI love Sark - it's a strange place and the churchyard is full of my paternal ancestors, but I don't think your knee would enjoy it, Mrs P.
DeleteRe-'flu jabs, wrote a few days ago of my distrust, so would advise googling, looking out for contrary views, & research into the content of vaccines.
ReplyDeleteWhilst there can be contraindications for some in general jabs are good. When I was a child we had diphtheria jabs and that awful disease is all but eradicated. There is now no such thing as smallpox and polio is under control. The measles jab for young children is better than having measles which is at best very uncomfortable but can be extremely serious. I had an aunt whose eyesight was severely affected. Not so long ago there was unfortunate scaremongering later proved to be false that the triple jab caused autism. I could go on but if we oldies can avoid flu, it is so much better for us so on this rare occasion must disagree with you, Carolyn.
DeleteEv, I endorse your every word.
DeleteAnd sorry, Carolyn, on this occasion I disagree.
Public health is of utmost importance and very much part of civilised society.
True. Avoiding flu is not guaranteed, but if the number of cases overall is reduced
Deletethat's a good thing for us all.
I agree with the positives that have been said about vaccines. When I was 11, my brother had polio, one of the most difficult periods of my childhood. We were not allowed to visit. had weeks off school, rules of the time, not my parents. When he did come home we had the need to protect him when he struggled on his crutches, although he was 6 years older than we were. I vividly remember to this day the fear my sister and I had when he wanted to try and ride one of our bikes and running along side him in case he fell off. Not sure we could have helped though.
DeleteHe has suffered as a result all his life. Today because of vaccine it is almost eradicated.
Carolyn, Esscee: See entry at 6.39.
ReplyDeleteJust looked, Sarnia - how ironic !! Bet you'll be fit as a fiddle in 3 weeks...
ReplyDeleteEsscee, it's not the short term reaction, but the long term effect. Those of us who refuse the vaccine would rather have a bout of 'flu than the more serious health issues that can crop up. Not seeking to be alarmist, but worth looking up.
...and the surgery have a full list of chemicals/medications which I must not have. There should have been nothing in the jab to cause this problem.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to find that I was old enough (just) to have the flu vaccine. No problems at all. Whether it is effective against whatever strain happens to turn up is a different question, but if I get it at least it won't be because I didn't have the jab.
ReplyDeleteWell, they ain't going to tell you, are they, if they've been instructed to flog it ?
ReplyDeleteIn your case, Sarnia, maybe the jab came too late to prevent the virus you have now from taking effect. But I'm talking possibly years down the line. Read up about it ages ago, but auto immune problems/malfunction come to mind.
ReplyDeleteThe same people have been treating me for years and know what it's like to have to pick up the pieces if they get it wrong. I'm fairly sceptical about a lot of immunisations, especially the volume of chemicals pumped into tiny babies these days, but I am offered the option of refusing this one and on past experience, saw no reason to do so.
ReplyDeleteThe only question might relate to my own general state of health: it's taking me longer than anticipated to recover from the knee op in July as the hospital physio made a hash of my aftercare, pushed me too hard too fast and caused all the muscles around and above the operated knee to go into spasm. I went back to work after four weeks as usual, with a plan as to how much I was going to do and how to set about doing it, but with staff shortages and a 'spike' of high-profile funerals, it didn't quite work out that way!
Then on return from the cruise we learned that my husband's condition has reached the next stage towards the inevitable, leaving him on more powerful drugs and needing a lot of emotional support. With my role as his carer and my medical history of asthma and bronchitis, at my age I'm in a high-risk group, so despite this set-back I'd have to think long and hard about refusing it next year. He's managing at the moment but there will come a time when I can't afford to risk preventable illness because there will be no-one to look after either of us.
Carolyn, 7.35pm. Thanks for your optimistic input. I hope you're right, because from the beginning of next week until Christmas Day my diary is FULL!
ReplyDeleteSarnia, I do hope this current health difficulty eases up for you before Christmas and that you can enjoy whatever festivities you have planned.
DeleteI spent a Christmas in hospital with pneumonia a number of years ago.
I have succumbed to the flue jab since, because I am not prepared to lumber the NHS with the cost of me and pneumonia ever again.
Thrice blessings, Mrs P, that's exactly what I hope to avoid!
DeleteI can't but get your strong arguement, Sarnia, in the circumstances. What difficulties (& decisions) you & your husband have to face & live with. I'm so sorry.
ReplyDeleteSarnia....my interest was perked at the phrase “ spike in high profile funerals”.
ReplyDeleteWhat on earth do you do?
Ps. I hope you feel better very soon. Must be very difficult when you feel ill but still have your husband to look after.
I'm an organist PtbY
DeleteAh, 'trade jargon, I'm afraid: a sudden rush of funerals, all for long-serving and highly valued members of the congregation, requiring specific music which needed careful planning with each family. I had known and worked with these people for a long time and couldn't possibly have left this to an organist from outside who had never known them
That’s lovely. I always think a church organ is a beautiful thing. How wonderful to be able to play one, they look extremely difficult.
DeleteI really feel for you ,Sarnia.
DeleteYou have got a lot on one way and another
I hope you soon feel a whole lot better and are able to do all the things you have to and then I reckon you deserve a bit of relaxation.
I agree with PthY .How lovely to be able to play the organ.
ReplyDeleteI went for piano lessons from the age of six to the age of 11 .
The journey involved bus travel and I wasn't sufficiently interested at that age to continue so my parents let me give it up.
In truth even then I wasn't a "natural" although I did have good cantabile apparently according to the report on my Grade 1examination which I passed.
My daughter, (eldest) learned piano and was keen, but when we moved back to London when she was eleven, I could only afford a student teacher.
DeleteMy daughter had given up less than six months later.
However in the last few days she has told me that ' when' she gets out of the work force she intends to pick it up again.
I was thrilled to hear that news.
Incidentally, I met the student piano teacher at some event years later and she approached me and apologised, saying she thought she was not at all good at the time when she was teaching my daughter, and that she felt responsible for her giving up.
Always good to recognise that you may have failed.
Humbling !
Thanks, LanJan and all of you for keeping me afloat this week. Although still baying like the hound of the Baskervilles and running a slight temperature at night, I'm feeling much more lucid today and even considering getting up.
DeleteRe organ: it's certainly complex and challenging, and I can imagine it must be difficult to master if you haven't a passion for it. I'm fortunate to have a particularly eloquent instrument at my disposal which can deliver a full-blown symphony orchestra (Star Wars sounds thrilling on it), or a whisper, with every shade and combination of music in between, from a Widor organ symphony to a Beatles song.
The first of the funeral 'spike' was 7 weeks after my operation, and being for a 97-yr-old Welsh gentleman, required the music to be rousing - not easy when you don't have the energy and can't use the pedals yet, but I like a challenge, even if it is exhausting! To the delight of his daughter I sent him out to 'Myfanwy', to my mind one of the most powerful songs I've ever heard, although too sentimental for some.
Although it's usual for the congregation to follow the family cortege out of the church, this time they stood until the last mourner had left and then sat down again and remained in complete and utter stillness. Even when the music was over they still didn't move until they'd had time to come back from wherever it had sent them.
Last year we said goodbye to a much-loved, 100 yr-old lady from Northern Ireland. Her music was all related to the land of her birth, and she left the church to a haunting folk song from her native Belfast on unaccompanied flute. On that occasion the congregation did follow the coffin out, but in complete silence, while the low-pitched melody ebbed and flowed around them, occasionally coming to rest on the full, throaty bottom of the instrument's register.
A lot of the time, to be honest, the organist is a bit of a dogsbody, but on occasions such as these, given the privilege of gently assisting people in the articulation and processing of their grief through music, it's the most fulfilling thing I've ever done.
Also in agreement with Mrs P about the flu jab.
ReplyDeleteI know people who become ill after having it often blame it for their not feeling well when it probably had nothing to do with it.
I pop into a chemist and often you can have it done there and then.
Just joining in, late, to the flu jab topic - had mine last week and was surprised not to have the painful and tender arm a couple of days later, which I usually experience. But I did get a very painful throat for a few days which prompted a triage visit to my GP to check it wasn’t the start of another quinsy, which I suffered from back in the Summer. Then, It was only just diagnosed in time to prevent a visit to hospital to have my throat abcess lanced and two weeks of antibiotics were needed to clear it up. This time, the opinion was that I had a reaction to the flu jab, but a different reaction to before. I suppose different strains of the virus/vaccination cause different effects.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine feels like you Mrs P. ( your comment 11.25 p.m.) She sent out an open message about a month ago saying that this year she only wants Christmas cards with crib scenes on. I have got some nice ones from a company called Vermont, who also do Christian advent calendars and jigsaws.
ReplyDeleteAs a non believer I do not send Christian Christmas cards. I do send cards that are neutral that I make myself. In return I get cards form people of a religious nature who well know my feelings. As a person of faith I accept the card in the spirit it is given, like wise I expect the recipients of my cards to feel likewise. I feel it would be hypercritical of me to do other. If I were to acknowledge an other faiths day, I would likewise send a neutral card.
DeleteAs you say CG, neutral or even natural is acceptable.
DeleteNaff Santa Claus glittery reindeer and RAINBOWS ! are my bubears.
At the very least a group singing carols around a Christmas Tree is acceptable.
A non believer friend has always sent Solstice cards.
That I like.
Apologies if I offend.
It is the lack of respect for a Christian perspective that I find so difficult.
Oh, dear, Mrs P, I must warn Mr S not to send you one of his!
DeleteNo need to apologise, no offence taken, only explaining my perspective on the issue.
DeleteI'm a person of no faith. I send seasonal cards to and receive then from persons of no faith and faith including, oddly, from Jewish and Muslim friends. I have no problem with someone sending a religious card and hope that my neutral ones are similarly accepted.
DeleteI did not think I was offending you Cow Girl.
DeleteMy apology was to others who might not send either Christian or neutral cards.
I might have offended them !
As a matter of fact I am a person of faith.
Faith that there is an Almighty looking over us.
But who or what form that person takes is different for different faiths.
Might be God, Christian or Jewish or might be Allar.
Could be the many Hindu gods, or the Chinese religion.
I look at faith from an anthropological perspective and while we are still ( just about) a Christian nation we celebrate Christmas and so send Christmas cards.
I also send Divali cards to Hindu friends and ex neighbours.
And every time I wrote Christmas in the paragraph above an annoying little Christmas Tree with lights popped up. GRRRR !
I'm a 'person of faith' all right, or I couldn't do my job as thoroughly - just not very religious, that's all!
DeleteApart from not being able to buy Religious Christmas stamps the other thing that annoys me is when Christmas is written as Xmas.
ReplyDeleteWe are on the same page LJ. It annoys me intensely.
DeleteI have received my first card today, someone who lives in Germany. The card is published by Unesco so I can understand the theme.
It is a toy shop, a Christmas Tree, and many children with lots of toys.
Yup. This is what Christs Mass is all about !
But the 'X' is Greek chi, first letter of Christ.
DeleteSorry Bootgums but I don't see why that is relevant.
DeleteChrist wasn't Greek.
Somebody who was too idle to write the word "Christmas "came up with that idea.
Did Christ speak Greek? The New Testament is in Greek. We're told that Christ's language was Aramaic, which was apparently spoken over a wide area at the time (I learnt that quite recently). As Judaea was under Roman rule, I suppose there was a fair bit of Latin around as well. I know quite a lot about language, but I'm pretty ignorant about the linguistic situation in Jerusalem and environs around the year 0. The (Greek) Ptolemys were ruling Egypt at that time. I get the impression that people in earlier periods found different languages less of a barrier than we do today, but how they achieved that I really don't know!
DeleteDid anyone hear the play in Aramaic last week. I did not listen but do hope to catch up.
DeleteBootgums, I am not an academic, but am interested in languages.
You seem to be very knowledgeable.
CowGirl
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your trip.
You might be interested to know that Goathland station ,shop and waiting room has won a National Award.
Although my son won't be on duty,please give the signal box a wave as you pass it .
Sarnia, your post, just after midday today.
ReplyDeleteHow eloquently you write about your craft, and obvious vocation.
How wonderful to be able to evoke such emotion in the congregation on these occasions.
Your gift to them and the departed, and their gift to you in their appreciation.
And I hope you continue to feel even better tomorrow.
Thank you, Mrs P, This afternoon I showered, washed my hair and GOT DRESSED - great relief as I'd begun to feel like an extension of my own pyjamas!
DeleteMusic: the main challenge lies in choosing music which seems most appropriate to the occasion and people involved, giving adequate thought to the interpretation and then leaving it to do its work. A response like those described above suggests that I've managed to get it right, but it is not always so. Something similar happens from time to time after a hymn which has been particularly effective, or even at the end of the service, when occasionally, like the Welsh funeral, no-one moves until the last note has died away. Conversely, I could play exactly the same piece months later and they all leap out of their chairs chatting nineteen to the dozen and go chugging off to have coffee with their friends without a second thought. There is such a complex array of factors involved that absolutely nothing can be guaranteed - keeps me on my toes!
When I came home from my knee op Sarnia, I was alone for several weeks.
DeleteA neighbour popped in once or twice and my daughters came for a short visit.
The one from London stayed for 45 minutes.
All my available energy was spent in getting myself downstairs to make tea and eat some bread and butter. I ate very little else, no energy to cook.
For over three weeks unable to bath and not having energy to hold myself up in the shower I hardly visited the bathroom.
This astonished me as my bath is the most important part of my day, and I had worried about how I would cope.
So I coped by not even washing my face each day.
I survived and look none the worse for the neglect.
That soundsabsolutely appalling! Did the hospital discharge you on your own?
DeleteI think you must have been very brave. It makes me realise how lucky I am to have a daughter still living at home.
DeleteMrs P I am horrified to hear how you had to cope after your knee operation. And especially amazed that the hospital seem to have made not to have assesed your home conditions before discharge. Surely the occupational health team should, at the very least, have provided you with some equipment or adaptions to use at home?
DeleteIt makes me realise how very lucky I was after my hip operation to have had so much help and advice from my hospital
I thought it was universal and available for all joint replacement patients.
Sorry - that should have been ‘seem not to have’
DeleteNo assessment from hospital. Physios gave me a trolley and sticks.
DeleteMy daughter and Gdaughter collected me and saw me into bed with a cup of tea.
Not brave Janice. One just gets on with whatever is necessary.
My neighbours, two, got shopping for me.
And Archerphile, what occupational health team ?
Me too, Archerphile! Although our local General Hospital has a reputation for excellence in a number of fields, orthopaedics isn't one of them. However, all patients are required to fill in a form regarding home circumstances, facilities etc before they are discharged.
DeleteA supply of ready-frozen meals (my sister used to make her own beforehand) and an adjustable shower stool would have made life so much less exhausting for you. Because of the poor physio this time I must admit that my shower stool has only just gone back into the loft, and I hope never to have to use it again, but it's such a help with hair-washing as well that you never know... ...
Another grumble from me.
ReplyDeleteIt may be me and if so please can somebody explain........
I saw on the news today that £37 million is spent on the Olympic rowing contingent.
Surely that money could be spent on something more worthwhile
Half of that amount could be spent on shipping containers, buying unwanted land, and turning the containers into homes ( temporary like pre -fans ) for the homeless.
DeleteThere are 265 homeless children on the island mostly in temporary accommodation or B & B. There is currently an appeal to provide toys and gifts for them for Christmas. It is a very sad indictment on our society not just here but in the whole of the country. There are houses lying empty and decaying which could be brought up to scratch for them and as Mrs P says shipping containers can be converted into quite comfortable homes. The big mistake was selling off council houses and not using the money gained to build new ones and also the dreaded privatisation where vested interests are involved.
Delete✓✓✓✓ to both Ev & Mrs P.
DeleteMrs P and Ev✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️
DeleteI saw a news item last week about thousands of ex military homes going to rot (quite literally ) because of the reduction in Army and Air Force personnel.
DeleteSurely these homes could be refurbished and used to home those on housing waiting lists. Most could be returned to decent 3 bed homes for young families and the cost would be far less than building entirely new houses.
I agree Archerphile, but..... and it is a big but, these homes are often outside of towns and sometimes miles from any infrastructure, and the MOD wants to sell the land to pay towards what we have left of our armed forces.
DeleteFinal moan from me-at least for the time being- I hate the way that children are referred to as "kids" and the rest of the population as "guys"
ReplyDeleteConfused.
ReplyDeleteWhen I commented at 8.49 the comment before it was from Ev last night.
I posted my comment and blow me then I notice that Carolyn has said the same but somehow snuck in before me .
Great minds.
I knew when I met her that she was smart!
Well, 'ta, Lanjan ! ( but you beat me hollow when it comes to handling convoluted add, minus, multiply, division sums, as demonstrated last Monday...) In this case, the credit goes to the 2 we ticked !
DeleteAgree about 'kids' & 'guys'; can we add 'uni' to the list ?
Indeed we can,Carolyn.
DeleteYou can add me to the moan about guys and ' uni'. I do try not to use kids, but I am guilty of that one from time to time.
DeleteMy son in law calls everyone ' guys ' collectively.
I really object.
My husband called everyone ' darling' as does my current osteopath.
I once asked my husband why ?
It's easier than remembering names, he told me.
So there you have it.
Lazy !
I don't mind 'guys'. I think this may be because one of my school friends had an American mother, who used 'you guys' as a plural form of 'you' which standard English has lost. And she was very nice.
DeleteCan't stand 'uni'. Sounds like baby talk. Where you go when you've finished schooly.
😂 !! Righty .....Guys is ubiquitous, sounds self consciously unisex to me. Like Mrs P., lapse into 'kids' at times, though it is so dismissive ( like 'oldies')
DeleteCouncil housing departments are run by tendered out organisations and social housing is a very different animal. I recently leased an inherited property to the local authority, hoping to help a little and it was left sitting empty half the time, during which I had no access. They eventually decided it was no use to them and gave it back to me with a blocked drain and a wet kitchen, amongst other problems. So much for reassigning empty homes. If the councils aren’t going to do it who will?
ReplyDeleteWhat a bummer, Seasider ! You acted in good faith, with great intentions. Very disillusioning.
DeleteI lived for over twenty years in a leasehold local authority maisonette, in a block.
ReplyDeleteI was the leaseholder. Many other properties in the block had been bought by ' sitting tenants' ( right to buy) then sold on and now owned by developers owning multiple properties. These properties were split into multiple occupancy homes and kept in neglected conditions. I took it upon myself to bombard the Estate Management to do something about the appalling conditions created by these landlords, but often the Estate Manager was overloaded and in many instances hands tied, to prevent any change.
When as a child my family lived in Social Housing, it was well maintained and adherence to rules and regulations was strict, and buildings maintained.
Not any more.
Cowgirl, hope you have a lovely day tomorrow on the NYM railway. There’s a row of cottages a mile out of Grosmont where I spent my childhood holidays. We used to carry our suitcases along the railway to get there.
ReplyDeleteTotal change of subject. I know it’s last minute. Who do you want to win I’m a celebrity?
ReplyDeleteOr am I the only one in the group to enjoy this contrived show.
Ps. Harry to win 🙏
Sorry PtbY - gave up watching this show some years ago when I realised I had never heard of more than half of the contestants! I did watch in the very early days when the likes of Edwina Curry and Phil Tufnell were contestants but lost interest after the first few years.
DeleteMuch more of a Strictly fan myself, and even Mr A, who would never admit it, seems to be glued to the screen every Saturday night in the Autumn 💃🕺
Sorry PtbY, I've never watched I'm a Celebrity.
DeleteI like Ann Hegerty and so watched a bit of the program but when she was subjected to unspeakable bugs 🐛 descending on her when trying to unlock several padlocks I found it unbearable on her behalf and switched it off. This degrading treatment is not entertaining and I can only guess that the celebs are very well paid and of course it is good publicity for them.
DeleteDon't watch anything remotely connected to "Celebrities" nor do I watch anything connected to food but I do admit that I watch "The Apprentice " .
DeleteI am fascinated that anyone can be so well dressed and immaculately made up inside 20 minutes and still have time to iron a shirt and/ or curl one's hair and pack a weekend case.
Me too LanJan! Have watched every year of Apprentice but have been very unimpressed by this years contingent.
DeleteThere’s not one of them I would consider giving £250,000 to, whereas in previous years there have been a few stand-out candidates right from the start. I was particularly impressed with a young Australian chap who won 2 or 3 years ago.
Utterly uninterested in celebrities.
DeleteDon't even recognise names.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteP tbY -Who is Harry?
ReplyDeleteNot a certain Royal is he?
Oh heck. I must be down with the plebs. Harry is Harry REd knapp. He’s been hilarious with the tales he’s been telling.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t know many that were in it, and I didn’t like John Barrowman before but now I think he’s lovely. Everyone had got on, no fighting or bickering.
I hadn’t watched this for years until last year.