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"longer off topic comments" - Episode 30 Life Outside Ambridge
"longer off topic comments" - Episode 30 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
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. The attached photo is an Inn in Vermont.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear your weather was so dismal Ruthy, hope it didn't spoil your day, We had brilliant sunshine here after frosty start Misty and I went on her favourite walk. She was too tired to go far in the afternoon!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that Harry is so much better, Soz and yhat he was able to enjoy time off his lead, what a relief.
I don't remember you come to photograph our sitting room, Ruthy!
ReplyDeleteOh surely you mean mine.. 😂🤣🤥 LJ (is that Pinnochio I see on the end of the row!)
Delete“Inn” Ruthy - I thought was was Buckingham Palace 👑
Ruthy. It must have taken for ever to decorate that Christmas tree!! 🎄🎄
ReplyDeleteI love the fireplace, nothing like a good warming fire.
It was very mild here and the kitchen so hot I didn't make a fire yesterday.
Hope everyone had a good day.
Especially Harry the Lurcher.
What a lovely place Ruthy, looks like a posh British Stately Home, all dressed up for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteWe stayed at an Inn in Vermont, a few years back. It was at a place called Sugar Bush. We were there for Mr A to do a week’s gliding at the Sugar Bush Soaring and Gliding Club.
I was so surprised to fine that the Inn, unlike our British Inns, was a very large, rambling, and beautifully decorated log cabin-type building with hand carved furniture, handmade patchwork quilts and the most wonderful food.
For me, apart from the beautiful fall colours and magnificent scenery, the best thing was a visit to the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream ‘factory’ which was more like a wonderful, interactive theme park with lots of tastings and free ice cream at the end!
Beautiful room - perfect for our Christmas chat.
ReplyDeleteWe bought some lovely French blue cheese at Borough Market on Christmas Eve. Turns out it is made from the milk of Montbeliard cows.👍🙂
I so hope, All have had a "magical" Christmas.
ReplyDeleteMy "Memorable Moment" has to be this morn. - St. Stephens Day, - now known as Boxing Day, - when a gt.nephew (4.5yrs), who at 6.30am, managed to contact "emergency services" on a mobile 'phone, with which he was allowed to play with, by a grandfather. Luckily apologies were made!
😆
DeleteOh dear Miriam 😂
DeleteA friend of mine bought me the Jennifer Aldridge archers cookery book for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteIf I’m not careful I’ll be catering for not only the local shoot but the local hunt too!!😱
Hope reading it doesn’t turn me into a “darling” person, I’d rather stick with our so and so of our lad.
Ha....or our lad.
DeleteLucky you! Game Pie for New Year's Day? :)
DeleteHopefully when son comes back from holiday in Belarus where his family are experiencing a 'Russian' Christmas, (My dil is of the Russian Orthodox church so their calendar is about 10 days behind us.) he will set up my Windows 10 computer, and show me how to put the little pictures in my typing!
Spicey....I put this blog on my laptop last week, normally just use my phone, and I couldn’t find how to put any emojis in my postings.
DeleteSo, if you learn how to do that please let me know.
I LOVE an emoji.😊👍
Mr A and I are celebrating New Years Eve this evening! Each year we take it in turn with our next door neighbours to host New Year’s Eve and this year it’s our turn. But as we shall be off to Heathrow at crack of sparrows on 1st Jan, we thought we should celebrate early to avoid sleeping in or having hangovers (very unlikely, in my case) and missing our flight to Dubai.
ReplyDeleteSo, I shall take this, slightly early, opportunity to wish all my fellow Archers fans a very happy, healthy and peaceful 2019; plus lots of interesting happenings in Ambridge to enjoy and discuss; the final solution to Brexit and a cessation of constant news coverage of the subject and lots of lovely, normal, seasonal weather with no storms, floods, heatwaves, earthquakes or other disasters, anywhere in our precious world. 😘 to you all!
Happy New Year, Archerphile and Bon voyage. ✈️
DeleteSame here Archerphile! 💞
DeleteHappy New Year Archerphile.
DeleteAnd I wish you a wonderful family occasion in Dubai.
Happy New Year Archerphile and safe journeys! I'mafraid it took me three hours to drive 70 miles to Heathrow (totally motorway) driving on 27th. Luckily I had allowed four hours to get there! Envying you some warmer weather (I think?) Have a lovely time with your family.
DeleteHappy New Year to you too Archerphile. Have a fab time!
DeleteHappy New Year Archerfile. I hope you have good flights, and a fantastic time in Dubai with your family.
DeleteThat's a very nice wish, Archerphile. I think you've covered all bases! The same to you.
DeletePtbY, thoo’ll be scrapin’ tha tongue bi new year... my mum bought it for me, or an earlier version a few years ago. I make the summer pudding once a year but haven’t tried anything else yet. Let us know if you find any gems.
ReplyDeleteWill do. There’s an interesting vegetable terrine that I fancy trying.
DeleteHaven’t read it all yet.
I’m too busy reading another book I got. The Noel Fitzpatrick biography. (Supervet). Otherwise known, in this house, as my next husband. 😍👰💍🥂💒
I listened to the Canterbury Tales this afternoon. I enjoyed it, I have always liked listening to stories, it was nice to hear the range of some of the actors.
ReplyDeleteI listened to the Canterbury Tales this afternoon and enjoyed hearing familiar voices speaking unfamiliar parts.
DeleteUnlike others on here I have never read nor studied Chaucer, though of course know the outlines.
Of particular interest was Jazzer doing a different voice.
I am off tomorrow, to spend New Year with family.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year.... in advance.
Will be back in 2019.
Until then, keep safe and healthy, everyone. 😀😀😀
And a Happy New Year to you Miriam.
DeleteHappy New Year Miriam.
DeleteEnjoy and happy new year.
Delete✔️ All the above Miriam
DeletePtBY. You might have disguise yourself as a dog or long haired cat requiring a new cruciate ligament, if you want to capture the heart of the Supervet. 🐈🐩🦃 anything furry could work.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile. Have a good new year with your family. 🌞🌴🌵
Bit disappointed - just booked in online for our flight to Dubai and to choose our seats. The web site was playing up and the flight is so fully booked that we were unable to find two seats together and have to sit two rows apart (both of us in centre seats between strangers). I know it is only a very minor thing compared with other world problems, but I had been so looking forward to my first long haul flight on the aeroplane our son helped design that I am ridiculously disappointed!
ReplyDeleteTo avoid the same thing happening on the return flight we have coughed up a supplement to ensure we can at least sit together on the way home.
What a shame Archerfile, I hope it doesn't spoil your journey too much. We're off to Singapore at the end of the month but sadly not on the A380 this time, the alternatives were a lot cheaper than they were the last time we went.
Delete
DeleteArcherphile.
If you get to the airport early you can always ask if you can have one of the emergency exit seats
There is extra leg room
They are not able to allocate them until they see that you are capable of opening the emergency doors so if you get to the airport early enough and ask you will probably be lucky.
Worth a try.
We always got them .
Also if you are very nice to them you could be upgraded
I was once upgraded from Sydney to Heathrow.
Another thing is that it would seem that if you and Mr A are in between two other people on the aeroplane they are likely to be travelling alone and one might be prepared to swap places so that you can sit together.
It is better doing that through the flight staff though rather than asking somebody yourself.
Sorry if I am trying to teach my grandmother to suck eggs.
You may well know this.
As an aside,I met Mr LJ on an aeroplane abroad.
He was by the window,I was in the middle and he asked me if I minded swapping seats.
The rest is history.
Another point,Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a couple who had seats together decided to do as we always did and ask for the "escape hatch" seats and were allocated them so if they tell you that they have already been allocated you could always ask if you can sit in their seats instead (if they are together.)
On the other hand as I say if you are very nice-mention your son and how he was involved with the design and it is your first long haul flight and you are disappointed not to be sitting next to your husband ,you maybe upgraded.
You have nothing to lose.
Dear Lanjan - thank you so much for the advice above, I do so appreciate it. We were speaking to our son this afternoon and he said the same thing. Doubt whether there will be an upgrade as the aircraft is virtually full, but he said to speak to the cabin crew and he was sure they could persuade somebody to swap. Probably mostly business men returning after Christmas so there is hope! Stupid to be so upset about an airplane seat !
DeleteWhat a lovely story about how you met Mr LJ, that was a very lucky flight. ✈️
Indeed Archerphile.
DeleteIt was unbelievable.
It happened between Capetown and Johannesburg.
When our story is filmed.
I am being played by Meryl Streep amd Mr LJ by Clint Eastwood!
I am joking of course -I have been on the gin.
Archerphile, on our meet up at Waterloo, we heard the whole story from the horses mouth ( as it were). It was a truly lovely and spectacular story.
DeleteI for one will remember it forever I think.
Lan Jan, you can rival the Canterbury Tales and their story tellers.😊💞
DeleteGood luck Archerphile. I was once upgraded when we had a very tight transfer, arranged by the holiday company who said it would be fine. I was upset and anxious when we arrived at the desk to be told we couldn’t sit together because we were late, and made us feel it was our fault. Then they backed down and found us seats together in business class. I really hope you have the same success.
DeleteI'd like to echo MrsP's recollection of Lanjan's love story, told as an escape from a Rob/Helen-type marriage, and into the truly happy ending that most of us wish Helen (and the rest of humanity!).
DeleteLanjans story of meeting Mr Lanjan was lovely when we met. Very charming, as is Mr LJ by the sounds of it.
DeleteDidn’t bother with my husband meeting story....,.....one Sunday night, down the pub.........
Not the same ring to it really!!
🤔
Archerphile - I am disappointment you don't have a seat next to Mr A. I know that on my flight back from Orange County, I was called up to the gate and was asked if I would change seat with someone so a couple could sit together. There is no harm asking when you get to the gate. Good luck and have a safe trip. Enjoy time with your family. When will you be back to the UK?
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your good wishes Ruthy. We (well, certainly me) are going to try our hardest to get seats together. It is really annoying to have to pay £100 extra on top of already high fares to be able to choose seats in advance. I have heard of families being split up on flights with children being seated rows apart from parents because they didn’t pay the extra in advance. Perhaps this is the new way of trying to screw even more money out of travellers?
DeleteWe shall (PG) be returning on 18th January but have now paid that extra fee to ensure seats together for our return flight. I have also asked for assistance at the airport because, even though my hip is pretty good now, there is apparently a very long walk at Dubai from plane to terminal which might be a problem. At least I didn’t have to pay extra for that!!
Archerphile, when requesting assistance, did you know what assistance was available ?
DeleteI once accompanied, as carer, an older lady and having requested assistance we were given a wheelchair, which I then had to push, along with luggage for us both.
Might I suggest that you enquire precisely what form of assistance is being offered, in order to be prepared.
No, I didn’t ask because (having had assistance at several airports when my hip was very bad) I don’t mind if it is a wheel chair (Mr A is a 6’3” big strong man!) or motorised buggy. I have used both, and a combination of both at some airports which worked out fine.
DeleteAnd as Ruthy said below, one of the big advantages (expecially on arrival back at Heathrow) is being whisked past all the queues at baggage retrieval and immigration.
In fact, it makes the whole travelling experience so much quicker and more comfortable.
Mr A went so far as to advise a friend to invest in a false broken limb plaster, request assistance and beat the queues!! Naughty man!
That is very naughty!
DeleteMrsA - my mom who is 85 always gets wheel chair assistance - not that she can't walk on her own, but fragile and don't move as fast as she used to, and avoids getting bumped if anyone else is in a hurry to catch a flight. The advantages is that she goes to the front of the security line - with her companion - for you that would be MrA - and gets on the plane as a priority passenger. She always puts that in when she books the flight - no question asked. The wheel chair will be called for you when you check-in :)))
ReplyDeleteBTW - my brother designs planes also, but they are private jets so not a chance I will be on one of those. And brings me to another story. As an engineer, in my early career I designed an airplane hanger that is in a small regional New Jersey airport. Years later, my brother told me that he used that hanger for a client of his! How exciting and I have never even been there myself.
Again, safe travels for you and MrA. Let us know how you get on.
You are a many sided lady, Ruthy ! I'm so impressed by this engineering strand, a huge area of life everywhere about which I'm totally ignorant. Sounds like the talent runs in the family, your brother designing planes.
DeleteImmediately thinking of bridges ( they're engineer created, aren't they ?! Duh), a particular Brunel one I love, it's so beautiful, in all weathers & times of day : the Severn Bridge, one of the ways to cross from England to Wales. There's clearly an architectural/aesthetic aspect as well as scientific.
How exciting for you Ruthy. If you are like me, you probably feel great pride and a sort of personal investment in anything made by a family member (or yourself). I am very interested in engineering too, my father having been an engineering officer in the Royal Navy and bringing me up to admire steam engines of any description and all sorts of constructions from ships to bridges to tunnels. Not at all what a girl was supposed to enjoy when I was a youngster in the 50s!
DeleteReally impressive Ruthy, and your relatives, Archerphile. I am just not clever at practical/scientific matters. My grandfather was an engineer in the merchant navy, where he did his training, then worked as a design draughtsman for the company that constructed the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Tyne bridge, it’s prototype. I have been to the Tyne Bridge but don’t think I could face the long flight to Australia.
DeleteOops, its prototype. Can’t bear apostrophes in the wrong places.
DeleteI have seen both the Tyne Bridge and the Sydney Harbour Bridge ,Seasider and both are very impressive.
ReplyDeleteWell done Grandad Seasider
Only sad I didn’t meet him. He died when my mother was a baby. Gran kept photos and papers and his certificates and she lived to be 92.
DeleteI’m the practical one in our household. Mr PtbY is bl**dy useless and unfortunately it seems son is also of that ilk, not quite as bad but.......
ReplyDeleteSo can’t join in on the engineering topic!
Just wanted to wish everyone a very happy New Year and add a big thank you to Ruthy for this blog. It is so good to be able to keep in contact with everyone and to feel that the conversations can continue on all levels without being limited in any way! Thank you one and all!
DeleteLovely to have you here bufo, and a great new year to you too!
DeleteAm sitting here with two very disgruntled cats who want to go out. Son had advised me to keep them in because of the German tradition of going completely berserk with fireworks on New Year's Eve. They started about 6 pm although apparently they shouldn't be set off until midnight! It is the only day that they are permitted to be bought for.
ReplyDeleteI am at last spending NYE as I have wanted, completely free to do as I want. Yet I am thinking I might like to watch Jules Holland as I do like most of his type of music. Except the jazz! Cannot abide jazz! Decisions, decisions...
I'd like to wish a Happy and prosperous 2019 to my fellow Archers listeners. I am so happy to have met eight of you in person. It was exciting and mostly I remember how we were so happy to identify each other, almost like schoolgirls with squeals of delight!!!
Looking forward to extending that circle of friends and acquaintances in 2019. Perhaps both in the north east ( in the company of Mrs P) AND London again. :)))
How nice to from you in Deutschland, Spicy ! Yes, it was an exciting gathering under the clock, & then eyeball to eyeball with it as we talked away non stop in the cafe...also hope we do it again, in London, & elsewhere as you say.
DeleteAll the best to you & everyone else here for 2019 !
Fireworks on and off here since early evening. Usually folk wait until midnight. I even heard one or two on Christmas Eve.
DeleteSpicy I agree that having a quiet time at New Year is lovely. I like to reflect during the short days. The world will rush about again soon enough.
All the very best everyone, whatever you are doing and wherever you are this turning of the year.
All the best for the New Year to you all
ReplyDeleteHappy 2019 to all
ReplyDeleteWishing you all a happy new year. Was fab to meet some of you this year and look forward to hopefully meeting more of you this next year.
ReplyDelete😊👍🎉
Time for bed for me. Xx
I am off to bed with a sleeping tablet very soon.
ReplyDeleteThe pub has an extension until 3.30 and my frontage becomes an extension to the bar several times on NY night. I have sent one party packing already.
I wish each and every one a happy New Year and like others, so enjoyed our meetup and certainly look forward to repeating it in the coming year.
Yorkshire here we come .... Spiceycushion and MrsP
I too was brought up by a father who showed and explained engineering projects.
ReplyDeleteAnd Carolyn, my hero.....Isambard Kingdom Brunel .... the greatest.
Mrs P, have you ever read "Trustee from the Toolroom" by Nevil Shute?
DeleteI have just finished re reading it.
I think it would be right up your street.
Like several Nevil Shute books I wept when I read that one Lanjan! As with "Requiem for a Wren" and "On the Beach". The last one I read and vowed I would never read again, but did, once, about twenty years later.... I'm never going to read it again!!!
DeleteSpicycushion ,I got Requiem for a Wren out of the library but I don't think I will be able to re read it.
DeleteIt is too sad.
I am in the process of rereading the Nevil Shute books I have in no particular order-four so far.
My sister,an avid reader has never read "A Town like Alice".
I could not believe it when she told me .
I used to read Hammond Innes Dincan Kyle and Alastair McLean.
Loved them.
I read a book by A Mc L called "South by Java Head"
I wept buckets and wonder if I dare reread that.
My Mum's favourite book was "A Town Like Alice" and it was the first 'grown up' book I was allowed to read off Mum's small bookcase. I had just started at the Grammar School so was 11 years old.
DeleteSome time, when in her sixties, she confided to me that if she ever won the lottery she would like to visit Alice Springs and she would take me with her as only I knew how much it meant to her. Sadly she died when she was seventy and never left these shores.
Eldest son backpacked for three years and was in Australia when she died. He bought some earth from Alice back with him and we visited the graveyard and put the red earth into Mum and Dad's plot.
My copy of A Town Like Alice is here on one of son's bookshelves which he asked if he could have in memory of Nan? It broke up my complete set of Shute's works but hey ho!
I did like the Peter Finch film even if it only covered the first part of the book. The BBC serial with Brian Brown was excellent many years ago imho.
😔
DeleteThanks for the recommendation LJ, and for the memories of the books from both you and SpC. I have never read a Neville Shute, so perhaps I should give them a try.
DeleteMy all time favourite, re read almost each decade since fourteen and set in Australia is Sarah Dane. Inspirational !
I have got that book too,Mrs P.-a Companion Book Club edition.
DeletePlease do read Nevil Shute ,Mrs P.
He was an excellent writer.
My parents had The Book Club,The Companion Book Club and World Book Club books each month.
Where are they now?
Must ask my sister.
Sadly a lot of Charity shops throw them out before they even reach a shelf.
Once again I will mention my all time favourite.
Has anybody else read it?
It is called"The Children of the Archbishop" by Norman Collins.
It is set in the 1920s and 30s and is about the Archbisop Bodkin orphanage.
Lovely.
Happy new year to you all, thinking also of those we haven't heard from for a while, FOSO Hamburgh Gardener, et al , hope to hear from you again in 2019
ReplyDeleteThinking of both overnight, but particularly Hamburg Gardener.
DeleteI worry that something unfortunate has happened and miss her so much.
A very Happy New Year's Day......and 2019.... to everyone and all of yours. A toast to absent friends, but no sore heads! 😊
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to all. Wishing peace and health to everyone and looking forward to meeting you all virtually and actually in 2019.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year every one.
ReplyDeleteLong may the Ruthy blog 🎉 continue.👍🍾🍾
Stasia ✔️📱🍷 💻 🎉 🖥 ✔️
DeleteHappy New Year to one and all.
ReplyDeleteNow back at home after our annual family round trip, but yesterday morning we had hoped to look you up Mrs P, alas without success. My sil thought your Butts might be High, if you see what I mean, but that didn't fit in with your description of having the common at the end of your road. Now I know about your frontage I'm even more confused! We parked on the right( both respectfully and legally!) on the hill leading up to the pub and walked past it. Sil thought we should go on up the hill, but my bout of flu/bronchitis has left me very tired and asthmatic so I couldn't get any further. At least now I know that it would have been a pointless exercise.
No no no, Sarnia, it would not have been pointless at all.
DeleteA cup of tea would have been in your hand in minutes.
Such a shame, you clearly walked past me.
' High' is my neighbour and up a private drive. I am side on to that drive and facing down the other hill, not that which you parked on. And if next to the 'polite notices', just a few feet from my front door.
And I was here, went shopping for necessities later in the day.
The common is up the hill that you did not have the energy to climb.
Only three minutes, even slowly less than five, but a very steep climb none the less.
So sorry that I missed you.
Next time ?
Wow, THAT close! I've been googling for all I'm worth - do you by any chance have grey paintwork and a window-box with geraniums (sorry, pelargoniums)?
DeleteThat's me !
DeleteI've just put my sil in the picture, with congrats on her detective work.
DeleteWow.....”nearly” another meet up!!
DeleteA belated Happy New Year to everyone. We celebrated the New Year in a motorway stop as we were on the way home from Milan airport. It was very foggy and we decided to break the journey with a glass of spumante. Best wishes to you all and health and happiness.
ReplyDelete🥂🍾 and to you too Gianna, glad you had safe journeys!
Delete😀😄
Delete100% agree Esscee ✔️
ReplyDelete🍝 🍷👍
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. Many, many thanks Ruthy.
ReplyDeleteHello Everone. Thanks to good advice from several of you, we did manage to be seated together on our flight to Dubai, (albeit in the very rear-most row of seats, next to the toilet and being the last of the 688 passengers to receive meals etc so no choices left!)
ReplyDeleteNo chance of an upgrade, the plane was completely fully booked, but after pleading with 3 different sets of Emirates staff we were given the aforementioned seats, normally kept for crew members. But we didn’t mind, we were sitting together and Mr A had the much prized window seat which made him very happy!
I was so glad I booked assistance because the distance from plane - to baggage retrieval - to exit was enormous and I could never have walked it. The airport assistant wheeled me the whole way and after meeting our son, insisted on pushing me all the way to the car too!
It was fantastic to see our son again after so long and the drive from airport to his house was amazing - never seen so many incredibly high buildings and such diverse architecture, all illuminated for Christmas. It was like a mixture of New York, Hong Kong and Las Vegas with Blackpool Illuminations thrown in!
Anyway, we are now settled into his beautiful home, reunited with daughter in law and grandsons, connected to WiFi (though only in one particular room) and ready to explore. The temperature is around 25/26 C, but quite humid which I dislike but will get used to, I hope.
Hoping you all had a very enjoyable New Years Eve and are ready for an exciting 2019.
Archerphile - thank you for giving this lovely update and fantastic!!!. Yes, hot and humid takes getting used to but you will enjoy these days with son and family. Glad you can stay in touch with us.
DeleteGlad you made it safely Archerfile.
DeleteDubai is a very big airport, I remember having to take a train when we changed terminals there as well as what seemed like miles of walking.
Sounds good, Archerphile. Hope all continues to go well, humidity notwithstanding!
DeleteGlad you are safely in Dubai and reunited with your family, Archerfile. It was good that you and Mr A could sit together on the plane. We flew Emirates once and had a very comfortable flight. Assistance is worth it if not quite good on your pins as distances especially at big airports can be considerable. We had a very unpleasant experience coming back from Vietnam though as we had asked for assistance for my husband and at Bangkok airport where we had to change planes this took the form of a wheelchair with of course priority boarding. Some of the people we had travelled with made unpleasant comments that he had managed to walk around temples etc and was obviously to them faking it. In fact this was planned as our last long haul and was to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. He had walked round temples with a mixture of determination and strong painkillers. When he had had enough he would find a seat and let me go on with the general tour to pick him up again on the return leg. We had had a wonderful holiday but this awful attitude did put a damper on it. Afterwards you think of what you could have said but at the time it was just so embarrassing even if not justified.
ReplyDeleteOh, happy new year to you all and looking forward to another happy year on Ruthy’s blog! Thank you, Ruthy!
Am just home from a wonderful "New Year" break-away with my lovely family. It was fun, but strangely, I am enjoying being back in my own home, with puss-cat.
ReplyDeleteGlad Archerphile is safely in Dubai.
Happy New Year Everyone, be it a bit belated.😀😀
Hope all your cats + dogs, are healthy. 😺🐕
Nothing strange about being glad to be home with puss-cat!
DeleteArcherphile ✈️ 🤗 👨👨👦👦 you’ve arrived safely 👏🏻 so glad to hear that you and Mr A were (eventually) allocated seats together for your flight! Like others I look forward to hearing more about your Dubai adventure!
ReplyDeleteLate to the blog today and pleased to read of Archerphile and Mr safe arrival as well as getting seats together.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time with family AP.
And pleased too that Miriam now home with puss after another family get together.
My Puss has been pleased to spend time with me in the garden for an hour of each of the last three days. Belated tidying up and rejigging of a small part of garden.
Later this earlier evening, I thought he was out, but turned to see him sitting, for the first time on the table. Unfortunately on top of the very difficult puzzle that I have been doing since returning from being away over Christmas.
Not too many pieces overboard I'm pleased to say.
Aren't cats the end ! But they get away with it every time...
DeleteI’m sure pets get jealous of the attention we pay to other things. Buddy has taken to sitting on the keyboard of Katy’s laptop when she is using it! I had a Sheltie years ago who would sit on my sewing, pins and all, to divert my attention back to her! Puss is obviously averse to your concentration on the puzzle Mrs P! Glad he didn’t dislodge too much of it though!
ReplyDeletePercy does try that, too, with the laptop, but is very polite for that self willed species, & instead sits bolt upright staring at me ( not really, being totally blind now, but that's how it appears) & uttering the odd meow, alternating plaintive with demanding.
DeleteWhen I shared a house in Putney years ago we adopted a stray, and she would sit on my papers when I was trying to write a dissertation for a diploma. Right in the middle. When I was moving out she sat on the window sill watching the removal lorry intently. Sounds as though Puss is very happy and settled with you, Mrs P.
DeletePuss sits on the windowsill in my bedroom for a period every night.
DeleteA break in his sleep. To get there he leaps across me in the bed. It never seems to alarm me whether I am asleep or awake.
Really enjoyed reading about your successfully accomplished journey, Archerphile, & your first impressions of Dubai. Like others, I hope you find time to tell us more. Oh, & I guess you need to spend time with the family as well....
ReplyDeleteArcherphile ....hope you can keep us up to date with a Dubai blog, I’d be very interested.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile, good to hear you have landed safely. Have a wonderful trip and likewise it will be lovely to hear about it during or after as you are able.
Delete✔✔✔❇
ReplyDeleteMrs P. My pusscat does exactly the same. As soon as I put a jigsaaw on the board (which I do on the floor), she appears and sits on top of it. Talk about attention seeking.
ReplyDeleteI have started listening to TA Canterbury Tales. It will have to be one tale, at a time. I do not like Chaucer per se. but will peservere with Lynda's adaptation, and hearing the Ambridge characters, in a very different acting mode.
I have just had some wonderful news. The husband of one on my nieces, has been coaching cricket for quite a few years now. He is affiliated with a premier cricket club, training some of their teams, and was accoladed as Coach of the Year 2018. He also does a lot of private cricket coaching. I have just heard that next week, he starts the final level of cricket coaching. There are only 40 places allocated world-wide and normally half go to ex profressional cricket players.
ReplyDeleteAm so proud that he has acheived a place, at only the 2nd time of applying, and that he is being "sponsered" for all costs, by the English Cricket Board.
He is an ex "alcoholic" who is now fulfilling his dream, and is still only in his 30's.
I so admire him, for turning his life around, and my lovely neice who always supported and helped him, through the bad times.
Re above and below posts - no wonder you are bursting with pride Miriam a wonderful achievement of course for you nieces husband but especially so following all that he has had to overcome with the love and support of a good woman - your niece!
DeleteApologies for such a long "Off Topic" post. I am just so proud and happy, as to how lives can be changed around, after so many problems + upsets (didn't tell about the on-line gambling and emptying their joint bank account. Another story).
ReplyDeleteNeice + Hubbie, celebrate 10 years of marriage in 2019, and are planning a 2nd honeymoon, in the same place as the first - The Maldives.
I hope they will achieve it.
Miriam, that is such an inspiring story ! What a terrific couple, your niece for standing by him, & the young man himself for overcoming such serious problems & doing so brilliantly now. Thanks for sharing.
Delete😀🏏🏏
DeleteMiriam, thank you for sharing that story. Don't apologise, you and the rest of the family are entitled to be proud and to share that also.
DeleteMy daughters husband, my son in law, has something similar in his background and we all pray for him to turn his life around. My daughter like your niece has stood by him for over twenty years now. She works very hard, anything up to fifteen hours a day, while he sits at home watching endless re runs of Frasier.
He does do the cleaning, ( minimum) and the cooking and makes sure she eats well. And he walks the dog.
But oh how I grieve for the life my daughter is living.
So your story gives me hope.
Thank you.
It must be hard to be a bystander in such circumstances Mrs P and so glad that Miriam’s story has rekindled hope in you on behalf of your daughter 🌈
DeleteToday I have booked tickets to go and see “an evening with Sunny Ormonde”
ReplyDeleteSomething to look forward to in February. Tales of the archers and a question and answer section. A prize for the most obscure archers question I think.
I've got one for you PtbY !
DeleteWhat was MrsPs first name ?
I've been trying to remember recently.
She , Mrs Perkins was Lilian's gran, Peggy's mother, and a right crotchety old crone. Walter Gabriel was very sweet on her and he used to call her MrsP.
Enjoy your evening with Sunny Ormonde.
Was MrsP's first name Polly?
DeleteI remember Mrs P but not her first name. I think Polly was Sid Perks’ first wife who died leaving him with a daughter, Lucy I think who was taught by Kathy his second wife and then he went off the rails with Jolene!
DeleteYes that’s right Ev. Did we ever know Mrs P’s first name?
DeleteLucky you although I hope she doesn't do the 'dirty' laugh too often!
DeleteLol. Love her laugh.
DeleteRight Mrs P I’ll try to ask that question. Thank you.
I'd like to echo Vijay, a Radio 4 announcer who wished listeners a "less shouty 2019". There were other wishes but that's what stuck in my mind. I quickly reached for the radio "off" switch several times in the last 2 months when politicians and others were too "shouty". Unfortunately I fear that shouty times will soon be here again.
ReplyDeleteI knew about Polly Perks but, somewhere in the recesses of my brain was Polly as the first name of MrsP. I did a Google search without success then remembered that someone had posted an Archers family tree on the old blog (can't remember who).
ReplyDeletehttp://familytrees.genopro.com/PJ/Archers-Ambridge/default.htm
I don't know if it's correct but it has Polly listed as MrsP's first name.
Polly is, I believe, a diminutive of Margaret, as is Peggy.
DeleteI remember reading a book when I was about 13 years old a book called 'Thirteen Thirteens.' It was all about thirteen girls, all the same age, and who were all called Margaret and who had been secretly selected to be educated at a small boarding school. (I desperately wanted to go to a boarding school when I was young, mainly because of having two much younger sisters!)
Anyway I learned that there were twelve other names for 'Margaret.' The girls realised they couldn't all call each other Margaret so they chose the diminutives Meg, Daisy, Polly etc. No way can I remember all the names. So I would think that both Peggy and Mrs P were both registered and baptised (if were real life!) Margaret!!
According to my 2001 BBC Archers Encyclopaedia, Mrs P' name when she arrived in Ambridge was Polly B 1905 D 1991. She was a stalwart of the church and read tea leaves. She is described as " having a formidable appearance and a fierce tongue" who seemed to spend her time fighting off men. She came from the east end of London after her husband died. But she had a heart of gold offering Walter Gaberial money and tackling cruelty to animals.
DeleteWhilst in Ambridge she remarried one Arthur Perkins who happened to have the same surname as herself. Hence no need to change.
There is a lot more information, but maybe she simply christened Polly.
Hope that is helpful.
Thank you Stasia.
DeleteThe name Polly Perkins did come into my mind, but each time I pushed it away with the thought ' no, that was Polly Perks ! '
I'm my mind she always looked like the actress who finished her years in Coronation Street but had formerly been the pianist on 'Rays a Laugh ' or was it Raise a laugh ? Ted Ray.
Violet ? Vi ?
Violet Carson,Mrs P.
DeleteShe was the pianist I think in Wilfred Pickles programme "Have a Go'"
Who ended up as Ena Sharples, her of the infamous hair net! :)
DeleteAlso - Perhaps you remembered the "Pretty Polly Perkins of Paddington Green" who featured in a song back in my 'salad days'
DeletePolly is usually a diminutive of Mary (via Molly), and particularly of Mary Ann. My grandmother was a Mary Ann known as Polly.
DeleteNews from Dubai (just for those who may be interested, if not please scroll by)
ReplyDeleteYesterday we had a long and tiring day, but saw things I never thought I’d be able to see.
We took a day trip to Abu Dhabi (as you do!) which is about a 2 hour drive along the coast of the Persian Gulf. Thankfully our son is an expert driver and the car has 7 seats and good air conditioning. Arriving in AD we saw more and more incredible architecture with tall buildings of every conceivable shape, round (like a satellite dish), twisted, banana shaped - it made the new city of London buildings look very tame!
After an excellent Indian lunch we went to the Louvre, Abu Dhabi - the only extension of the Paris Louvre outside France. A magnificent building, only 12 months old, containing fascinating art exhibits, beautifully displayed. I was thrilled to see the originals of several famous paintings - Whistler’s Mother and many Monets, Cezannes, Van Goghs etc etc. I was pushed around in a wheelchair by the 2 grandsons who thought it great fun to propel Grandma, they were very careful and made sure we didn’t bump into too many people. I could never have walked it as we were there for at least 4 hours, walking all the time.
As it began to get dark we headed for the huge and magnificent blue mosque on the edge of the city. It was illuminated by blue and gold lights and was an amazing spectacle. The muezzin started calling the prayers and literally thousands of people, of every possible nationality, started queuing for entry. My daughter in law and I had to don abayahs, handed out to all women wishing to enter and we spent about 2 hours walking around this incredible piece of architecture, I do so wish I could show you photos on this page. The amazing decorated marble floors, every column decorated with flowers and leaves in a sort of marble marquetry and the beautiful lighting effects are something I shall never forget. We arrived home late and very tired but what an amazing day we had had.
Today, recovering at home in the quiet (apart from the call to prayer every few hours from the local mosque which start at 5am!) and playing with the boys. Bliss.
Archetphile I enjoyed your description of your day very much. I hope to read more. I like reading all of your descriptions of your outings.
DeleteWhat a wonderful day that sounds - you paint a vivid picture which as Gianna says is lovely to read. Good to have a quiet day to rest and digest it all.
DeleteInteresting AP 🤗
DeleteLovely to read your travel blog archerphile. You have a beautiful descriptive way. I’ll look forward to any others you have time to do.
DeleteEnjoy your rest.
My thoughts re The Canterbury Tales, still remains the same in that I do not like them.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I am really enjoying the wonderful TA cast performing them. What wonderful talented actors/actresses they are. I do not really appreciate this, when listen to a daily TA fix, at 7.00pm each night.
I was also pleased to be able to recognise exactly who was who, when participating.
I am actually, looking forward to Part Ii, tomorrow.
Miriam, I enjoyed the acting more than the stories. I studied the prologue at school and just one story which isn’t covered. I think I found the language more interesting than the stories back then.
DeleteAlso loved your travelogue & impressions, Archerphile. Didn't know there was so much to see, & the art gallery ! I wanna go !! Always impressed by mosques, & this one sounds breathtaking. What a day (TA must seem so tame by comparison...) Well done, you, for managing all the walking, you needed time off today.
ReplyDeleteSuch excellent description Archerphile. So pleased you are experiencing such memorable times with your grandchildren. They will of course remember pushing you in the wheelchair more than anything they see.
ReplyDeleteHappy days, Archerfile and just wishing you more of the same during your visit!
DeleteMrsA - love every word of your description of your holiday! Keep them coming.
ReplyDeleteMrsP. According to the BBC encyclopaedia MrsP's role was played by someone called Pauline Seville.
ReplyDeleteAh, thank you Stasia. Never heard of her but have remembered the name of the actress I mentioned in an earlier post on the subject of MrsP.
DeleteViolet Carson.
Oh yes! Mrs P (Peggy’s mother that is,) was very much a Character like Violet Carson played in the very early Coronation Street - hairnet and all, I shouldn’t wonder! She had a very gruff, downbeat voice and always seemed to be grumbling about something or other. But she had great good sense and a very soft spot for Walter Gabriel although she never seemed to approve of anything her daughter or granddaughters (Jennifer and Lilian) got up to. I can almost hear that voice commenting on Lilian’s liaisons or Brian’s ‘downfall’ as she would have called it.
DeleteI've just spent the last twenty minutes googling Pauline Saville and found wonderful pictures of her and Walter Gabriel, as well as other photos of early Archers actors.
DeleteAccording to ' Peggy ' in her memoir MrsP came to supervise Tony's birth, and presumably then stayed on.
The photo 'shoots' show a perfect MrsP according to my minds eye !
Thank you Stasia for leading me up that particular garden path.
Quiet day today - struck by the dreaded stomach bug, probably brought on by too much spicy food and loads of carbohydrates which I an not used to. Rest of family gone swimming and kite flying while I have an Archers-fest between .......other things!
ReplyDeleteWishing you well from my busy kitchen Archerphile!
DeleteSo tell us GG what are you busy cooking up in your kitchen?
DeleteI will be making shrimp scampi for din din tonight.
Well Ruthy, on the menu tonight is asparagus and pea arancini, to be served with an avocado salad and followed by a dark chocolate & fresh raspberry gateaux. I am having a great day today! I loves food... Bon appetit mes amis! 🍴
DeleteThank you Gary - oh my, your menu sounds delicious (specially the gateau) but I wouldn’t dare touch any of it in my condition at the moment !
Deletemiam GG - looking forward to a Basque feast at the Bistrot des Halles tonight..
DeleteParis? Going there for the first time in July!
DeleteCannot.
Wait.
Biarritz - sorry to disappoint you !
DeleteV much enjoying your posts AP, bon courage !
ReplyDeleteHave just downloaded The Canterbury Tales, as performed by the Ambridge Residents, Part Ii.
ReplyDeleteThis will take a while to listen to, as it has to be one tale, at a time. It is all, my "two little grey cells" can cope with.
Will persevere.
Home made bread with three flours and soup for us. Open fire whilst we still can (before it’s banned).
ReplyDeleteAre any folk still enjoying their Christmas decorations - those that put them up? Often there’s a debate about when to take them down.
Put mine up on Thursday before the children arrived, they will come down tomorrow when they have gone.
DeleteBeef wellington for us tonight, my own beef of course.
My only Christmas decor consists of the cards.
DeleteTook them down today.
Have not worked out when twelfth night is, but thought it was time.
Other half made bread this afternoon. Possibly the best smell in the world...
DeleteAs to decorations, just taken all ours down Seasider - much as I love the trees and lights etc, I'm always glad to put everything back in it's rightful place!
I'm keeping my modest decorations up as long as possible. I think it should be at midnight tonight, ideally, but I'll forgive myself if they're gone before the automatically timed lights come on tomorrow afternoon. I like lights.
DeleteAm never sure whether they should come down on 5th or 6th but this year will be the latter as had quite a full day today. We went to the garden centre for bark chips, slug pellets and netting for around the broad beans. Had scampi and chips in the cafe and then back home to grand welcome from the dogs. You would think we had been away for a month and not just a couple of hours! We had chicken and mushroom risotto tonight as we have a surfeit of mushrooms because Katy and I each bought a punnet unknown to each other! Fortunately we do enjoy them!
DeleteSo lovely hearing Archerphile's travelogue, as many others have also posted over many months. It is always so nice to hear about others travel experiences and adventures.
ReplyDeleteHowever, why are is there so much art in Dubai and why?
I would so much prefer that Italian art is shown in Italy, Dutch in Holland, Spanish in Spain, ie in the country it was originally painted, by "Locals". Yes, I also think the Elgin Matbles should be returned, if preserved correctly.
It comes down to "wealth" sadly.
.
That's fine Miriam if one has the ' wealth ' to visit a country to see its art.
DeleteI have rarely had a holiday in sixty years of adulthood. And on the rare occasions I have been out of the UK it is because some kind person has paid for me to do so.
So, for me, seeing art, certainly in the form of paintings and sculpture, has been in wonderful galleries here in the U.K.
It is also worth mentioning I think, that much art held by galleries, national and private, is allowed to be lent or borrowed by other galleries for periods of time, thus maximising the opportunities for many who are unable to travel to see these works of art.
Oh dear, I agree with you both. But I think loans between galleries are unquestionably a good thing (provided the exhibits are fit to travel), though that sometimes means paying a lot to see a special exhibition versus seeing the permanent collection for nothing. Cheaper than travelling across the world, however.
Delete✓✓ & there have been some brilliantly curated exhibitions in London for many years with loans from all over ( they're generous with loans, but I've always felt mildly resentful that America has bagged so much great European art. Still, one must be grateful to the the rich collectors who share - Peggy Guggenheim being at the top, I guess)
DeleteA minor source of delight is that some cities have interesting permanent collections, as well as introducing one to their national art, which doesn't travel much, AND galleries aren't so popular in those countries, so you can wander around without the hassle of crowds; Budapest & Prague come to mind. Made some lovely discoveries there, in near deserted rooms...
Am still waiting, very patiently, for appointments for my two cataract ops. I had hoped, that I would now know this, but not to be. This means that I cannot book a well needed holiday yet awhile.The two ops will be 8 weeks apart + whether new contact lenses + glasses will be needed, could mean a delay of another 8 weeks, after 2nd op. It will happen, so must stay patient and wait.
ReplyDeleteAll the very best with this, Miriam. So hard when plans are on hold but of course for a health problem there’s much more to it than that. Hope you can look forward to a lovely break afterwards.
DeleteThat's difficult, Miriam. I suppose cataract operations are regarded as flexible ('elective'?) and therefore open to being moved. I don't think Jill had to wait long, did she? I'm not suggesting you move to Borsetshire!
DeleteMiriam, when I had my cataracts done they put in a lens which meant that I did not require spectacles for distance at all. I understood this to be normal practice. I do have to have reading glasses however, but I have found it liberating to not need glasses all the time, since I had worn them since the age of eight.
DeleteI have recently been informed that a bath additive that I have been prescribed for my lack of any hair on my body for many years, is no longer to be available on the NHS.
When reading the information directive about this it was pointed out that a number of other preparations are also to be withdrawn in due course.
This includes preparations to alleviate dry eyes.
I have sufferd from dry eyes since my cataract operations and I have spoken with others who found the same to be the case.
So Miriam without wanting at all to wish you Ill, do please be aware that dry eyes may well be experienced after your operations.
Nevertheless your sight will be improved of course, and I hope you have a date soon.
Bootgums, your point about Jill.
DeleteNo she was given her operation within about a fortnight I seem to remember.
Totally unrealistic !
Probably due to the NHS being far less stretched in a fictional county.
Unless it was a cancellation or privately arranged, but they didn’t say so. My mother had her first cataract surgery two weeks after her consultation because they offered her a cancellation. Then the consultant retired so she waited six months for the second one.
DeleteSadly I took my Christmas Tree + decorations down last weekend. This was before I went away for a New Year Break. I have to admit thst when I returned hpme, it was nice to walk into an "uncluttered" home, esp. as train journey "home" could have be better + quicker. At least the expensive taxi, was well worth it.
ReplyDeleteMiriam I emailed a friend earlier who has dry eye problems and she has just returned my email which says that she uses Hypermellose eye drops in the morning and Carbommer drops at night.
ReplyDeleteNot sure of the spelling.
Mrs P may know if this is right but maybe you only get drug eyes after the operation so you probably won't need the drops yet.
Good Luck.
Hope it won't be too long before you hear from them.
Not drug eyes-dry eyes!
DeleteI have definitely suffered from "drug eyes" in the past...😉
DeleteMiriam - re eye drops, if you need them: I discovered some drops prescribed by my GP for an eye infection actually made my eyes far worse, stinging, itching, very red and weeping etc. On returning he discovered I was allergic to the preservative in the drops. I think it was called thiomersal or something similar. So now I always ask for eye drops without preservative, which are fine, but you have to keep them in the fridge. It might be worth checking if you are sensitive to the preservative before you need drops. (This is also true for contact lens solutions too)
Deleteparsley16 - with regards to the football yesterday. Was it heartbreak or joy for you in the 86th min...?
ReplyDeleteFrom Dubai:
ReplyDeleteDon’t want to make anyone jealous, but am currently sitting out in garden in the sun at exactly the right temperature (warm but not too hot) having a light breakfast - thanks to Imodium which, thankfully, I brought with me.
Regarding the art collections out here: Abu Dhabi was fortunate to be chosen as the only outpost for the Louvre (no doubt heavily funded by the UAE). Paintings are lent on a temporary basis and will rotate over the years, but there are also many exhibits of local history and artefacts. The design of the gallery itself is amazing with a domed roof rather like a giant cobweb.
Dubai is trying very hard to attract tourists and has a programme of special festivals every month. This whole year is dedicated to art and there will be many exhibitions with paintings lent by galleries from all over the world. February is Jazz month apparently and the have many worldwide famous jazz musicians and groups such as Jamiroquai coming to play.
About 85% of the population here is expat, only 15% native born Emiraties. The expats are divided into those, like our son, who come here to work for big companies on good salaries, and the very poor Asian workers, labouring on the hundreds of building sites, who work to send money home to their families. The difference is marked and my family find it very uncomfortable. But that is the way things work here - the building of huge tower blocks for hotels, businesses and expensive accommodation seems never ending and many gated estates of beautiful houses are being built for the expats, not the natives. This building programme provides work for thousands of very poor workmen to make a living and support their families at home, but means they are separated for many years.
Of course, many expats, like our son, are only here on temporary contracts and will return home after 3 or 5 years, but there will be thousands more ready to fill their places.
The boys are back to school today, and son to office (Sunday is a normal working day here) and we shall be going to collect the boys this afternoon, see around the school and meet their teachers - quite a privilege.
When I visited Athens in September we went to a wonderful new museum which has been built specially for the return of the Elgin marbles. The spaces are all ready for them. I suppose the main problem now is who would pay for the transport.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile I wonder if Dubai is what you thought it would be like.
ReplyDeleteI first went in 1996 and stayed for a week with the daughter of a friend who lives in Australia and who I was on the way to visit.
I loved the spice and gold souks .
My friend's daughter did a bit of bartering for me and I bought a lovely gold necklace.
I enjoyed the horse and camel racing and the drives out to the desert.
Mr LJ and I went to Dubai in 2006.
In 11 years it had changed a lot and was like a large noisy building site.
Reading what you have written it seems that it might still be like that.
I hope not though.
I wrote that the Jumeirah Beach Hotel is tacky and the other big hotels were surrounded by building work.
I did enjoy the visit to the Museum though
Food and drink were extremely pricey .
Lanjan, I have not been to the Gold Souk yet, or the older traditional parts of the city. We plan to do that next week. Likewise we have not been up the Burj Kalifa tower because it is extremely expensive to do so unless you are going to eat in the (very expensive) restaurant. We have been invited to dinner with one of son’s colleagues and he lives in a tower near by the Burj, so hopefully we can enjoy the views from there.
DeleteThe local supermarket has the most amazing spice department, running the whole length of the store with huge tubs of every colour and flavour of spice and seed you can imagine. I shall be stocking up and squeezing bags into every spare corner of my luggage!
Careful at customs!!!
DeleteNone cricket lovers ,look away now.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile you mentioned Alastair Cook being given a knighthood.
I was against it.
Apart from the fact that he was doing a job he loved and for which he was paid very well
! when a Lancashire spin bowler ,Simon Kerrigan played his first and only Test Match when Cook was captain he had a very torrid time.
At no time did I see Cook go up to him on the field and give him any words of encouragement.
The poor lad was isolated and he never played well again.
He has now been released by Lancashire.
Seasider ,when Geoffrey Boycott was very ill I wrote to him.
When he was recovering he wrote back to me -a hand written letter.
He was never my hero when I was a teenager as he is only two days older than I am.
My hero was Sir Alec Bedser ,a fast bowler who played for Surrey and to whom I was introduced many years later .
Back on line after glitch - in response to your post early this am GG, (almost inevitable ) heartbreak ... never mind, plan B swings into action - Eagles! Eagles!
ReplyDeleteCricket - there is a flourishing league here in SW France, our nearest team is 15 mins away. 1st boyfriend adored Boycott, always loathed the man.
ReplyDeleteThanks for further fascinating update on Dubai - had no mental image before, except posh hotels, tourist geared place ! You speak of the grossly unequal society, massive building projects, but also of the sights & rich culture. Get the impression you're having a very interesting time in all sorts of ways, including the delight of catching up with family ( only minus being the bug - hope that's cleared up now)
ReplyDeleteTalking of tummy bugs, a few years ago we went to India and of the 13 on tour, 11 of us got the inevitable. The couple who didn’t had on the advice of their daughter who was a nurse taken acidophilus which is one of the “good bacteria” preparations. It is available at health stores like Holland and Barrett and comes either needing refrigeration or not. You take it for a few weeks before and during your visit. I’m glad Imodium worked for you Archerfile but that and other remedies did not work in India! In the end our guide took us to a hole in the wall medicine man who prescribed yellow and black tablets to be taken morning and evening and they worked like a charm! So if any of you are off to India, remember the acidophilus!
DeleteKeep em coming Archerphile. Very much enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteI hated Eng. Lit, in my early years at Grammar school. I realise now, that It was the subject, and how it was taught. In primary school I was introduced to "up-to-date" books suitable for 10/11 yr olds, but this more "modern" trend sadly, did not continue when moved up, hence my dislike to the Canterbury Tales in its original format.
ReplyDeleteI was "lucky" though when I reached O' levels, as my book was "Scoop" by Evelyn Waugh, my play was "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller and poetry included, The Lady of Shalott.
I loved all this and ended up with a "grade 2" pass and can still quote these, to this day.
I read the "Lord of The Rings" triology, at about the same time, which I came across in the school library.
I was science based, but loved reading.
Lan Jan, I don’t think it was me who mentioned Geoffrey Boycott. A boyfriend got me listening to the radio cricket for a while years ago in the Botham era, but I enjoyed Brian Johnston more than the cricket.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I have never been a fan of any sport. School friends seemed to change character on the sports field and I couldn’t really understand all that competitiveness. I have mellowed recently as Mr S is a dogged fan of his local football team, so I became a bit interested in “mine”.
I can see that Ambridge would play cricket and it has inspired a fair few stories over the years.
Sorry Seasider.
ReplyDeleteI meant Spicycushion.
I was thinking that you were a Yorkshire lass perhaps when so I started with the "S" I was thinking that it must have been you who wrote about GB .It was on the other blog.
No apology needed. I just didn’t want you to be disappointed that I can’t respond knowledgeably.
DeleteWe are in (American) football playoff time of the year - 4 games this weekend, and another 4 next weekend. I can't wait for it to all be over with the Superbowl in February. PtbY - is your other half still interested?
ReplyDeleteWill be opening a new post after dinner tonight.
Ruthy......I’m sick to death hearing about American football. Mr P is watching every one, be it the full game or highlights. It’s got to the point where 9pm finds me in the bath every night whilst I leave him to it.
Delete:))) I do sympathize with you.
Delete