THIS POST IS CLOSED
“longer off topic comments" - Episode 35 Life Outside Ambridge
“longer off topic comments" - Episode 35 Life Outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
Popular posts from this blog
Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments' - Episode 8 Life Outside Ambridge Beach Chairs
Gong hay fat choy/Gong xi fa cai!
ReplyDeleteAnd to you too, Gary and Ruthy and all fellow Archers bloggers - from your friendly Rooster!
ReplyDeleteIn response to recent posts, I do miss Curtis 's Lincolnshire plum bread..
ReplyDeleteBelated (flu ) Chinese banquet with friends tomorrow-happy new year!
ReplyDeleteOne of these years I WILL spend Chinese New Year in China! As I think I've mentioned before, I am borderline obsessed with "traditional" Chinese culture... Once spent 3 days wandering about the Forbidden Palace and the Temple of Heaven in Beijing - 3 of the hottest, most humid, most amazing days of my life!
ReplyDeleteGary - did you see BBC 4’s wonderful ‘slow television’ trip over the Great Wall last week?
DeleteIt was wonderful, travelling along the whole length of the wall from east to west by drone or helicopter. There was a lot of information about the history of how the wall was built, all in the form of on-screen writing, there was no commentary and the only sound was the occasional swishing of air. A perfect way to spend one and a half hours!
I certainly did Archerphile! I loved every second of it and went straight off to sleep immediately afterwards as if I had just had a relaxing evening of meditation. Bliss...
DeleteAh, I didn’t hear about that. I loved the reindeer trip across the arctic, which I think has been on a few Christmases running but I saw it for the first time this year.
DeleteThe reindeer trip was fantastic too! Such a good idea, those programmes...
DeleteThese ' journeyings' sound right up my street.
DeletePlease advise what I need to search for.
I have never travelled, though as a young person it was my only goal in life.
But then 'life' took over.
I have now accepted that I never will, but also realise, that modern technology will allow me to "see' much of it, if not experience it.
MrsP, if you go on the iPlayer and look for "Slow Odyssey:The Great Wall of China" and "All Aboard! The Great Reindeer Migration" that will be there. Just checked! Enjoy...
DeleteThanks GG
DeleteThere was also one that was a narrow boat trip along one of Britain’s canals, which was also very enjoyable and relaxing. We loved it. Can’t remember the exact title though, but you might find it under ‘Slow Television’ on Google
DeleteLove this slow TV - All aboard the country bus, All aboard the sleigh ride ... recorded the reindeer migration but missed the Great wall unfortunately & not allowed i-player here..
ReplyDeleteMy son pops down from the north to see us about once a month.
ReplyDeleteHis next trip (after half term at the North Yorkshire railway ) is a visit to Shanghai.
"Why Shanghai " said I
"Because I have never been there", he replied.
Fair enough.
Lanjan, the fruitcake is in the oven...
ReplyDelete(Sounds like some sort of slightly rubbish secret code, doesn't it!)
They did codes like that during the War apparently.
DeleteEven I am not old enough to remember that happening though!
I hope you enjoy it Gary.
I am impressed you had some albran in the house .
On the other hand I realise that the Scots like a bit of albran now and then(I used to put it as a child on my porage along with wheatgerm) so the local shops will sell it.
I know you are supposed to stick a skewer in to check that it has cooked OK but when I did this I kept skewering the sultanas!
I thought you meant the big standard breakfast cereal! Have I got it horribly, horribly wrong? 😟
DeleteFor "big" read "bog"...!
DeleteSo did I, Gary, but I forgot to buy the dried fruit today so I have had to postpone baking. LJ and Gary, let us know which is right?!
DeleteI thought we just put albran on top of porage but maybe I am wrong.
DeleteI can't remember ever having a bowl of it but I think we are talking about the same stuff.
For a start I can't spell it correctly
DeleteIt is as you know All bran.
The stuff I am talking about it the bog standard stuff -not like little corn flakes more like little brown thin sticks!
Great! I also have it in the cupboard so will give it a try when I get some fruit. Wondering if tea might work instead of milk?
DeleteIt's All-Bran (™). (Sorry, I feel compelled to get these things right.)
DeleteMy trip to China was very memorable. I too spent a lot of time in The Forbidden City - an informative/interesting place. Also went up north by train (an experience!). As a keen photographer I had to be very careful. One time I was hiding behind a tree, using a massive zoom focus, to try + photo a street trader dealing in traditional medicine, basically "animal parts". I got the 'photo, but I was spotted and had to disappear very quickly.
ReplyDeleteWould I go back to China, not sure - it was interesting but always felt a slight un-ease.
Loved the Terracotta Army - gave me "goose-bumps".
PS When in the Forbidden City, the resident police/army unit came running through back to their barracks. We had to immediatly turn away so not to see them - but I did manage to sneak a photo. Luckily not seen, as who knows what could have happened.
DeleteYou're brave !
DeleteGreat posts these last days on travel, food (I salivated at your descriptions, Miriam & Lanjan), naming of pets, weight loss & gain( well done, Spicy !)
Will try to follow up on some of the TV progs. mentioned. Would also highly recommend a film by Anthony Gormley on BBC 2 a few Sundays ( or was it Saturdays?) ago. Still on I player, I guess, about cave paintings in France & Spain, moving to Australia, down from 14,000 to 40, 000 yrs ago & further - inspirational, brilliant. An articulate modern artist talking about the human urge to create from earliest times, & express life as experienced.
Have just read about a narrow escape, when a tree fell due to high winds, on a bus in Poole, Dorset this afternoon. Luckily all safe + well - the bus driver and the 5 passengers.
ReplyDeleteHow times have changed, as just 5 on a country bus utilsing its service. Glad all OK.
When I finally get my free bus pass, (which now might be axed before might before I am eligible for it), I will use it.
DeleteIt does depend where one lives Miriam.
DeleteWhen in London I used mine all the time and rarely used my car.
But now, with buses two hours apart with a larger gap in the middle of the afternoon, I find it very difficult to organise my life around bus schedules.
I do however use it to go to Gloucester, an hours ride, and no parking problems but only twenty minutes by car.
But the town less than a mile away but with massive hills to climb up and down is best accessed by car.
I get mine in 5 months, Miriam, and they'd better not deny me!
DeleteMrsP, you make it clear that the answer to excessive car use, with its consequences of congestion and pollution, is to provide decent public transport. But oh no, it has to be 'competitive', 'viable', etc.
We haven’t bothered to apply for our bus tokens for several years now.
ReplyDeleteIn order to use them we should have to drive 8 miles to the local town in order to catch a bus!!
No buses come anywhere near our village these days. When we first moved here many years ago there were 2 buses a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays but now that so many villagers have cars the buses have stopped.
We realise ( and our children keep pointing our) that when the time comes that we can no longer drive we shal be totally isolated and will have to move. 😥
To Emmerdale I suggest AP - never known a village with so many buses per day 😂 😂😂😂
DeleteThe children go to school come home in their lunch break back to school and home again. Of course the bus is never dirty either!
Tokens? Bus passes now although mine ran out last year and as I barely used it Didi not chase another up. Mr R needs to travel by car in any case and I am the driver so another reason.
Archerphile,your children are right.
DeleteIf you know that in time you will need to move it is better to do it sooner rather than later.
Mr LJ won't give up the car but unless he is going to the village for a haircut ,I tend to drive.
I don't enjoy driving any more and will not drive in the dark and hate driving in the winter when the sun is low.
I know you are not as old as I am ,Archerphile and when I was your age I was happily driving along the M6 , M25 and M40 but not any more.
I have suddenly had enough.
I think when one reaches a certain age it is a comfort to know that there is good public transport serving the area.
Good Luck and "think on" .
Like you Archerfile I would have to drive to get to a bus stop and even then they are very unreliable and very infrequent. I did get a bus pass although I have only used it twice. If I drive 7 miles I could then park and catch a bus that eventually arrives at Exeter, which might be nice at Christmas to see the lights. We are in a rural area near a village that gets packed in summer with tourists, and many is the time I have given a lift to woebegone visitors who have waited ages by a bus stop. The bus timetable is a fairy tale.
DeleteLanJan, I can assure you that I am only too well aware we should be moving sooner rather than later and have had many a conversation with my children about this.
DeleteThe problem is Mr A who will just not consider moving and refuses to discuss the idea apart from ‘perhaps one day in the future, if we really have to’
I have pointed out that it would be much easier to do so now, in our mid-seventies, rather than wait another 10 years but just cannot get through to him.
I did think that all the difficulty I was having with our steep narrow stairs might jog him into considering moving to a bungalow but he just argued that I’d be OK with a new hip!!
I also keep pointing out that our almost half-acre garden is getting a lot for us to look after, lots of grass to cut, trees and hedges to keep trimmed, herbaceous borders to maintain, orchard to control etc etc. He just says he still enjoys pottering in the garden whilst ignoring the fact that more than half an hour’s work at a time exhausts him these days.
I don’t like driving very far nowadays, my eyesight, though legal, is not brilliant and I cannot drive at night. I seem to have lost confidence and though I used to happily drive into and around London when young, now don’t like motorways at all and always choose local routes I know well.
I feel very stuck, would love to move closer to our daughter who lives in a nearby delightful, old Hampshire town, with local shops and a surgery within walking distance (instead of a 15 mile round car journey) but I am prevented by my stubborn old man!
I never bothered to apply for mine as it was over a mile to the nearest bus stop with very limited service. When I broke my arm I quickly got one as the bus prices were huge. No buses here, not sure where the nearest is but will be over a mile, but I do have my pass, even if I never get to use it.
ReplyDeleteAt least these days we can shop for groceries on line and anything else we need, one of the many reasons for moving from my last house, as no one would come down the track.
Our neighbour is only 50 but she says life is too short for either shopping or cutting grass! and she orders online from Tesco. Fortunately our track is a short one and wide enough for the van to get up.
DeleteI too have never bothered with getting a bus pass. Several times I thought about it but there was always some reason which made it inconvenient. I suppose I could now as I have spare photos having had to renew my driving licence and passport last year.
ReplyDeleteHowever as I still tutor I need to drive and if you want to go away from either my small 'town' or into the nearest large town then you also need a car either to drive to the station or get to our County Town.
Have just signed a petition against the exhortionate charges for parking in Brighton in support of a friend's son who works as a gas engineer and plumber there. He has to pay £700 a year for a permit to park in town and that is only between 8am and 5pm. Of course there are no gas problems after 5 pm ! (🙄) If he goes into town to work in the evenings it is usual parking fees, about £5 per hour I believe as the previous Green run council wanted to get rid of cars in town and of course the new council don't want to lose the money by reducing charges! All very short sighted imho.
Baking successful yesterday and grateful son went off last night in lashing rain and gale force winds with strict instructions to peg down extra guy ropes on his tent and not to pitch it under any trees!
Me all alone to watch rugby today and potter about. I'm wondering if I do laundry is there a chance to get it dry before it rains? The wind is so strong and we have blue skies and sunshine, although not very warm!
Have a lovely weekend everyone and stay warm and safe in this stormy weather.
I manned up today and put a new tie back up for the patio doors as the previous one broke. Used the same screw holes but think the screwdriver I picked was too small. Got there in the end! The trouble is my husband was an engineer who did all that so I am on a severe learning curve! After that I attempted to clear the gutter at the side of the house as with the heavy rain the down pipe has proved blocked as the water has been cascading down. I have managed a partial clearance but will have to get my trusty builder who lives nearby to dismantle it as leaves from the neighbouring oak tree have blocked it further down. Thank goodness I always managed the finances so at least don’t have that headache! Am now more than used to putting the bins out as well! What with all this, housework and dog caring I don’t have the classic retirement option of putting my feet up in front of daytime telly! Well it keeps the leetle grey cells operational!
ReplyDeleteWent to yoga this morning and fell asleep during the relaxation part. My daughter had to nudge me as I was snoring but gently I understand!
Ev you would be dead in 6 months if you put your feet up and watched telly all day. I have just spent time in the garden digging up and replanting raspberry canes in my fruitcage, then done some weeding, the sun is shining but the wind is seriously strong, I will need to get the fence fixed as Misty can now escape, don't think I can do this myself though it would be a bit of a cack handed job !
DeleteWell done for having a go, surprising what you can manage when you have to.
I was I the garden today too.
DeleteLovely and sunny but very windy.
Good on you Ev.
Mr LJ is not as able as he once was to climb ladders so when we had a rain storm the other day and we realised that the gutters were blocked it was me who went up the ladder to unblock them.
My step daughter asked why we hadn't just rung them and asked Mr LJs son in law to come round and sort it but it never dawned on either of us to do that.
I telephoned a friend whose husband died just before Christmas and she was very proud of herself because for the first time in her life she had changed a fuse.
You are right Cowgirl in what you said in your final sentence and Ev I bet you feel "dead chuffed" too -as I would.
Re looking after house and home. Having been on my own since 1989 and eldest child was 14 years I have been trying (often not very successfully) to mend, replace and renew various bits of the house for many years. I too have weeds growing out of the gutter and will ring someone next week, (window cleaner advertising at the moment) to clear the gutters. Trouble is I live in a three story house which means an awful long ladder! Most cases if it is above second floor it means scaffolding! That costs a lot!
DeleteMy best friend who has always been a driven, successful teacher, author, journalist has been supported by her PA/house husband. Two years ago they downsized from their beautiful Victorian house in a neighbouring town to outer London for convenience sake and because they no longer need five bedrooms. Within two months the husband was diagnosed with Alzheimers. He is very poorly now. However she has had to learn how to tax her car, keep track of meals, fridge and freezer contents, book itineraries and tickets for worldwide business trips as well as holidays. All previously done by husband and now done on top of her extremely busy schedule. On top of that she has now to watch him and employ carers to ensure he is safe as that can no longer be taken for granted.
It's all very sad. I do visit every couple of months to potter around in the garden and do what little I can to help.
Ev Should you find it necessary B&Q run workshops for practical skills sometimes. I learnt tiling there and have replaced stupid little primrose yellow tiles round my kitchen with much nicer large white ones!
Ev, my friend on the island, about 3/4 mile from you, is a DIY pro.
DeleteShe worked at B&Q at some point and was a trainer.
She now does masses of needle stuff but if you are ever stuck as to how to attack some job, she would be good to turn to.
Like many of us on here she too is in her seventies, and the most capable woman I have ever met, and I am considered pretty capable by most.
Ev, I have a Bosch cordless combi drill which is very useful. The rechargeable battery is a 12v lithium ion one and powerful enough for most household and garden jobs. It can unscrew as well as screw in, and you get a set of different size heads to go with it so you are never stuck with not having one to fit your screw.
DeleteOh Archerphile I do feel for you and I hope that between you ,your children and you can persuade Mr A to do the sensible thing.
ReplyDeleteCould your children speak to Mr A when you are not around and try to persuade him?
They would be able to point out the many advantages.
Sorry Archerphile.
It is none of my business but since you mentioned it ,as usual I had to add my fourpennorth.
On the other hand
One of my oldest and closest friends,a widow the same age as me ,decided to move to Devon to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren.
She had the most beautiful large house with fabulous garden on the edge of a large Surrey town.
I assumed that she would have downsized but she actually bought a house similar in size with a massive garden but in a village with no shop and a sparce bus service but it was just across the road from her daughter.
She is I believe very happy with her decision( she can have a lift rather than a chair lift should she need it)
Good luck Archerphile.
I hope you get what you want and deserve in the near future.
Many thanks Lanjan, the son and daughter have tried to raise the subject but don’t get anywhere I’m afriad. I think the crunch will come if/ when Mr A is no longer able to do his beloved gliding (the club is not far from us and he spends a lot of time there in the summer) or drive. Then we shall have to do something!
DeleteIn the meantime Archerphile use your head, your experience and your imagination to write lists of all the practical things that you can think of for your future home. Then out of that, do a priority list.
DeleteWhen the time comes you can present that to an estate agent in your place of choice. That will inform them immensely to be able to help.
And good luck !
Have you ever tried actually looking at properties on line.
I assume you know that is possible.
I looked at properties online and if liked would get my husband to have a look too. If Mr A could be persuaded to look, he might gather interest in the project!
DeleteArcherfile, we moved to the island when my husband was 77. Our previous house had taken 18 months to sell which delayed things. Mike even then found the move traumatic and psoriasis which is stress related flared up. We settled here quickly helped by the fact our daughter was here. We had a lot of work done on the bungalow but two years on he died having not had much time to enjoy our new home or life on the island. It would have been good to have made the decision to move a lot sooner to give us more time together here in our final years. We all know there is an end to life but we put off things thinking there is all the time in the world. Living in a bungalow is much easier, we have a small Tesco five minutes walk away and good bus service both to Ryde and Newport. In the village we have doctors, vets, dentist, a pharmacy and most important a Majestic wine shop!! We chose this place because of all these things. In my experience men can be ultra conservative about moving. A dear friend inherited her mother’s bungalow in the same village where she lived but her husband refused to move for 10 years or so but was finally persuaded. He is now as happy as Larry there with all his objections set aside so it may take time but keep working on it and maybe if Mr Ah relents he will be happy too in your new situation. Good luck 😉!
ReplyDeleteEv - that sounds perfect. You wouldn’t consider me as a lodger, I presume? 😊
DeleteI agree with you Ev about living in a bungalow.
DeleteOur's has only two bedrooms and only one Shower room-no bath.
It is like having an ensuite and we can have our early morning cuppa in bed because the kitchen is not far away.
Archerphile ,do go for a bungalow when you have persuaded Mr A to move.
A friend said that it would be better for us to have to climb stairs.
Maybe .
Not convinced.
Archerphile if you are only 15 miles from your daughter and presumably there are towns /a town between you ,then if you moved there ,Mr A could still do his gliding.
DeleteYou will do it .
I know
Archerfile, would love to have you as a lodger but daughter occupies bedroom 2 and can only offer bed settee in her chalet! Not so good in the current weather!
DeleteLAN Jan, I do love having the lounge right next to my bedroom, no more wearily climbing the stairs to get to bed! Also no stairs to brush or hoover!
DeletePtbY - what was that bar you went to in Manhattan when you were here last year? We might venture out tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteHi Ruthy....the dead rabbit. It’s at 30 water street. Right at the bottom of Manhattan.
DeleteAnother good one on the upper west side was the Manhattan cricket club at 226 west 79th street. This is upstairs from Burke and wills downstairs.
I would really recommend both. Google them. See what you think.
Both have bars downstairs but the cocktail bars are upstairs.
Let me know where you go. I’d be really interested.
Toby spends a few pounds and expects to get back into Pip's good graces and her bed. Everything about this is ridiculous. Including Rex budding in.
ReplyDeleteoops - wrong post!
DeleteAs some-one who lives on my own, I would never live in a bungalow, unless needs must.
ReplyDeleteI just would not feel safe, sleeping on the ground floor.
Yes, I know its silly.
It's not silly Miriam.
DeleteIf it's a fear, then listen to it, as you have.
I am sorry Miriam but I don't see what you mean but ai might be being stupid because my 96 year old neighbour the same as you.
DeleteHowever the poor lady now has to sleep downstairs because she cannot even use the stair lift.
I am prepared to risk it.
My attitude is that a burglar would not break into a bungalow at night in case he broke into the bedroom by mistake.and encountered.someone bigger than him.
I have police grandfather's truncheon to hand should the need arise.
LJ
DeleteIf I was in the situation of your neighbour, I would seek help + advice as to a suitable and alternative, comfortable, living arrangement. I wouldn't live like that.
Miriam, a lot of people hav e this fear. My bedrooms are at the front and as the ground slopes they are high up so that if anyone wanted to get in they would need a small ladder. I respect your view but feel that if someone broke into a house they might well venture upstairs where the jewellery box could be on the dressing table. It is a fact that many elderly people can no longer manage stairs and end up uncomfortably sleeping downstairs. My husband’s aunt ended up sleeping on her recliner chair.
DeleteEven more sad for my neighbour is the fact that she is the sole carer for her younger sister who has schizoprenia and she refuses to move from their home.
DeleteMiriam, I am with you, I like to go upstairs to bed. My house has what was once granny accommodation on the ground floor, namely a large room with a shower room off and French windows on to the garden . It is a beautiful room converted from the barn, I use as my work room, today I suppose it would be called the family room, but should I not be able to manage the stairs it could be turned into my bedroom, still leaving me with a sitting room and dining room downstairs.
DeleteI'm with you completely Miriam. I'd very much like to live in a bungalow but I do like my bedroom window open at night and wouldn't have the courage to keep it open when in my home alone.
DeleteHowever if a burglar wants to get in they will try many easy ways. My daughter's front door key was stolen off her bedroom window sill by a crooked window cleaner. A couple of weeks later I awoke one night to find a burglar creeping round the bottom of my bed. We didn't have a lot to steal but he made off with the contents of my purse)left in the sitting room) and a couple items of jewellery from my daughter's dressing table.
He ran away when I awoke and asked 'Who is that?' thinking it was one of the children.
Anyway had we been more diligent with locking up at night he wouldn't have got in. My front door had a Yale lock but did have two bolts which shot into the frame but we never used them!
I now make sure all the new doors are locked and windows shut and locked before I go to bed at night when alone. My sons do it when they are at home.
The trick is to make it very difficult. Exterior sensor lights or bright lights left on all night. Good locks, an alarm system if possible or even a 'fake' alarm box in full view . "A bit of kidology," said the policeman giving advice after the burglary.
Another bit of kidology is to have a very large dog bed left in a very visible place, even if you don't have a dog.
DeleteCow Girl.... your granny room sounds like my heaven
DeleteI have an idea, one of my slightly more wierd one's.
ReplyDeleteWhy doesn't LL hold a monthly afternoon tea dance?
No alcohol is required, just sandwiches, cakes + tea, provided by the Orangey staff or Fallon+Emma, and Kenton can use his record decks with LP's of suitable dance music.
It could be an intermn profitable, and importantly, a fun occasion, for many....and this could attract all ages not just senior citizens eg.Helen + Lee, Ed + Emma, Harrison + Fallon.
As said - a thought only.
💃🍰🍮✔️👏
DeleteNot a bad idea Miriam. Very popular in some places.
ReplyDeleteI read Rime of the Ancient Mariner this morning. It was a clue in a cross word puzzle so I decided to read it. Has anyone else read it?
ReplyDeleteOh, a long, long, long time ago, Ruthy. At school. Primary school. Aged 10–11. I'm sure it's time I read it again, with more understanding. 'Water, water everywhere'.
DeleteI taught that to yr 9 pupils several years running (and I was taught it myself many years ago!) Year 9 s are 13-14 years old by the way. Not one of my favourites but content understandable when knowing that Coleridge was an opium addict and wrote much of his work 'under the influence!' What did you think of it?
DeleteI walked past Benugo’s this afternoon and the bloggers meet up table was empty, waiting for the next meet up.
ReplyDeleteI also caught a glimpse of the Chinese New Year parade as I walked up Charing Cross Road and peered into China Town.
Ruthy answered your bar question further up. Just so you don’t miss it.
ReplyDelete😀😀 thank you!
DeleteBootgums and Spicycushion - I read it slowly so I can understand it and Iearned what you do can have a reaction that you don’t expect. It was sad that the ancient mariner was cursed to tell the story over and over again. Interesting that it is taught to younger children.
ReplyDeleteGoodness a lot of verses popped back into my hey as I read that. Where was that stored away?'
ReplyDeleteInto my head .....
DeleteAnd indeed where was my password and access stored? I have been "lurking" for a while. Horrible expression.
ReplyDeleteI meant I have been following all your comments and wisdom with interest but every time I tried to post something, was foiled, until tonight - when I jumped through the google hoops again and finally managed to post. Don't know if, once re-granted, this a access will last or will be snatched away again.
Minty! Here’s hoping you get to stay 🤗
ReplyDeleteMinty did you by mistake press sign out instead of publish?
DeleteI did that on Friday and each time I tried to post a comment after that it vanished.
Apparently I have a different Google email address and I sign in via Google.
Thank you Lady R and Lanjan, hoping to stay.
DeleteStick around, Minty!
DeleteSorry to change the subject but a quick question for all the thyroid sufferers out there.
ReplyDeleteDid or have any of you experienced a loss of the sense of taste? Everything I eat or drink tastes foul and on a little research it seems it is a symptom of the thyroid rather than side effects of medication.
I am hoping this will be cured by the removal of it because I am, unfortunately, one of those people who live to eat!!!
All I am managing is peppermint tea, porridge, toast, rice pudding.
That is rotten for you P tbY
DeleteI imagine it will be cured by the removal of your thyroid but of course I have no idea.
I admire people like Miriam who cook for themselves.
I eat to live and I think if I lived alone I would not really care what I ate.
I certainly would' spend a long time preparing anything.
On the other hand I might treat myself now and then and take myself off to Weatherspoon's.
I wouldn't spend a lot of time.....
DeleteArcherphile,Mrs P 5.16pm yesterday had some great idea
ReplyDeleteI also read again Ev's post 2.52 pm which was again something to think abtout.
When my mum wanted something(not a new home admittedly) that my dad didn't she worked on him by subtle means so that in the end he thought it was his idea.
I tried that with Mr LJ when I decided I wanted the front garden(not very large) landscaped.
He had a " there is nothing wrong with it: It will see us out attitude"
Red rag to a bull.
I drew my designs and by chance met the person I wanted to do the job when I was out shopping .
I explained the situation to him and he came to look ,gave me a price and I said I would be in touch when I had persuaded Mr LJ to have it done.
In fairness it took about 2months to wear him down and it was done in April 2016.
Now of course when anyone admires it ,it was "our" idea to have it done.
Good Luck Archerphile.
Your children are with you which is a massive plus.
Thanks again Lanjan - and others- for all your suggestions.
DeleteI do often look at online house sale sites and point out anything that looks suitable and interesting - our daughter often brings such properties to our notice too. Sadly Mr A seems to develop a deaf ear or just appears totally disinterested! I am trying to work on subtle ways to highlight our situation but think he is just very reluctant to admit to his advancing years and the possibility (inevitability) that he may no longer be able to maintain living where we are now.
I very much regret to say it is going to take something major, like a stroke or heart attack to either of us to make him realise we cannot remain in rural isolation forever. (Obviously furiously touching wood that this doesn’t happen!)
Lanjan, my tactic when husband resolutely said no was to say OK, go off and do something else and often he would then appear and offer at least a compromise if not embrace the whole idea. If I argued in the first instant he would dig his heels in even more and no hope then of changing his mind! Like you though, it was always his idea in the first place!
DeleteArcherfile, our friend with the husband reluctant to move was mowing the extensive lawn herself as he had had a replacement knee operation. We advised that she didn’t do it partly as she wasn’t 100% fit and just let it grow to show him that it was getting a bit too much. They moved to the bungalow not long after, not saying it was because of this but it may have contributed. If I were you, I would leave jobs undone even though it may be trying for you but just to show your house and garden whilst perfect in the day are not suitable in the present and future. Again good luck with this!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ev. It’s worth trying, if I can steel myself not to complete unfinished jobs!😁
DeleteI am with Ev with all of this ,Archerphile
DeleteIt is no good Mr A telling you when you eventually do move that he wished it had happened years ago.
Also ,how about taking a lot longer when going up and down stairs.?
Don't say anything but just take your time.
If you have a loo downstairs at some point say that you are pleased you have one to save you climbing the stairs..
If you haven't got one ,then at some point say that you are so comfortable that you wished you didn't have to go upstairs.
If you do only have an upstairs loo ,when he gets up to go ,ask him to go for you too to save you going!
Don't over egg the pudding though.
Gently drip feed.
If that really doesn't work then I suggest you could make out that you are having tremendous difficulty in going up and down stairs and have tried your best but enough is enough.
The other problem is the public transport .
If plan A doesn't work,could you perhaps start to find it difficult to drive the car ?
Still do it but give the odd gasp as you are getting into the driving seat.
Be brave and say that things will obviously get better .
Maybe your children can help out in this respect too.
A quiet word which your husband can overhear
"Are you finding it any easier climbing the stairs mum?"
"it is a pity the stairs are so steep but I suppose the narrow tread doesn't help."
Then much less subtle.
"You'll never get a chair lift up these stairs,what are you going to do when you can't climb them any more?
I think I would let your children do the unsubtle work and you can quietly agree with them until the day comes and you down tools and shout.
"Enough is enough
We are going to move house."
Lanjan, you are a mistress of manipulation !! There is an opening here for one of those rescue style programmes ( as in garden, house, business, managing finances. It would be Shifting the Stubborn Husband, presented by Lanjan Portas.
DeleteSeriously though, a very real dilemma, Archerphile, anything being worth a try, & some smart suggestions here to add to what you are already trying to accomplish. Mr A is understandably, I suppose, put off by all the hassle involved in a move, but then you wouldn't enjoy that either - who does ? The difference is that you have faced the necessity, looking at the future. So, it's the drip, drip approach or somehow forcing him to listen rather than just dismiss. Not easy, all power to you !
Archerphile, I think all the above suggestions are very good and I hope some or all of them help.
DeleteMy contribution would be...... put your foot down and declare that " we are moving, I will find a house for us, I would like us to do this together, but if not I will drag you with me or leave you behind".
I do wonder if Mr AP is scared of the change, but cannot admit to that.
It is after all ' scary' !
Thank you all so much for your helpful advice and interest.
DeleteLanJan, yes I think I am going to have to be devious, as you suggest, a few moans and groans might help.
Even better would be finding I ‘ no longer have the confidence to drive’ because then he would have to take me to do the weekly supermarket shop which he absolutely hates!
I expect we’ll get there in the end but meanwhile I have made detailed plans for what I shall do if/when left on my own. And they certainly don’t involve staying in this cottage!
Jonny May !!! 🏉🏉🏉
ReplyDeleteIndeed Parsley 16
Delete🏉 sorry France! Well not really but I was told it is rude to gloat. Great play by England.
ReplyDeleteTerrific England ! Jonny May MotM!
DeleteFeel so sorry for France - need some consistency in selection.
DeleteKPnuts - gloat all you like as a great result. 😁
DeleteCan Jonny May play cricket,I wonder?
DeleteTonight I am going to “an evening with Lillian Bellamy. “.
ReplyDeleteReally looking forward to it.
Hope there’s a bit of gossip to pass on.
Oh my....I sound like Susan.
Ooh do share the goss!
DeleteSounds Wonderful.
DeleteEnjoy.
We expect a post first thing in the morning PtbY
DeleteMake sure you include all the interesting details and gossip!
DeleteSo ..... disappointing on the gossip front.....as in there wasn’t any.
ReplyDeleteIt was an enjoyable evening though.
Part Lillian, part Sunny.
A lot of poetry, limericks and parts of plays and books being read out.
After the interval there were questions and answers. Nothing startling though. She knew nothing of Leonard and the size of his part!!!! Lillian speak there.
She did admit that there is always space in Lillian’s heart for her Tiger and if he returned she wasn’t sure what Lillian would do.
She was very entertaining, brilliant at various accents but just not enough Archers content for me.
She did say if Jill went off with Leonard she reckoned they’d all starve to death at Brookfield.
A nice, light, have a laugh Sunday evening.
So although not up to your expectations PtbY, nevertheless a good evening out.
ReplyDeleteAnd, at the very least, you have tested her out for anyone else who might be tempted.
So well done.
P tbY
ReplyDeleteDid she do that irritating
Were the majority of folk in the audience Archers fans would you say?
ie Were most of the questions about the programme?
She asked who were archers fans and not. There was one big fat bloke that wasn’t!
ReplyDeleteAll the questions were about the archers. How long to record a programme. How long they had to get a script. How she got the part.
Who was a good night out with a member of the cast.
If it involves kissing one of the pair did it on they’re hands.
Said only about 6 actors per episode due to monetary budgets.
Got to admit by the end I’d had enough of the filthy laugh at the end of every bit of poetry/limerick. Too affected.
She has started doing this one woman show to coin some dosh in when she’s not in the archers.
Sounds a bit disappointing PtbY.
DeleteI wonder if she finds it irritating that all the questions are about TA and not about other things she has done? She has been in many other radio (and I presume theatre) productions - did she speak about any of those?
I think that I, too, would get very fed up with the laugh, it’s always been one of the things that spoilt her performance as Lilian, for me and made it a bit of a caricature.
Yes Archerphile, she spoke of other productions she'd been in and did a bit of Shakespeare. Also spoke about her family and where she'd grown up in Cheshire on a dairy farm. All very interesting but everyone was there because of the Archers.
ReplyDeleteGlad I went.
Writing on laptop so I don't know if profile name and pic will come up.
They used to go on Cruises to make extra money but it was never people like Phil but folk like Clive Horribin.
DeleteThere were a group of them who did it and the leading light was the actress who plays Kathy.
When I went to a recording of aChristmas Show,folk like Phil were "stuck in traffic"
Kathy had to do a dance to a recording of the Archers theme tune.
There were only a few characters there
Jack Wooley was one.
Eddie and Jill were involved and Clarrie.
IThey were Archers Adicts but they have now disbanded.)
The book by the actor playing David Archer called something like"Being David Archer " was most disappointing.
It was less than 10% about the programme .
Yes the dog is there PrbY.
DeleteI hate that laugh.
As you say, forced, affected. The reason I could not bring myself to sit through her performance.
Sunny has been doing this show for some time. She appeared at the theatre in Ledbury some 4 or 5 years ago. We lived there before moving to the island. I didn’t go as my husband wasn’t an Archers fan and I didn’t have transport, not wanting to walk through the rec ground which was on the route home at night. There were no buses after 3.30!
DeleteThe actors who play Jennifer and Brian did a very amusing performance some years ago in the radio tent at the Royal Cornwall Show. After introducing themselves they stayed in character throughout. Their accompanying facial expressions were excellent, and of course that ability doesn't show on the radio.
DeleteI did Miriam’s turkey meatballs last night and they were delish! As they contained oats they were of course gluten free so my daughter could enjoy them as well. I made 24, put 12 in the freezer and the rest did our evening meal and a lunch for her today. Great taste and great value! Thank you, Miriam!
ReplyDeleteHad the turkey meatballs again today! Played around with herbs and spices. It just cries out for that. Perfect! So much lighter and easier on the digestion than red meat.
ReplyDeleteThink I may try this recipe with minced pork and grated apple next. Yes, BB, I had a little play with herbs and also put a tsp of paprika in.
DeleteEv Also do similar with low fat pork mince, mulched with onions, wholmeal bread and herbs, (in the food processor) cooked in cider/stock/apple + veg. (eg.carrots, swede, leeks) then finished with a thickened gravy.
DeleteAll to individual tastes.
I try to cook cheap, cheerful and 70% healthy meals.
DeleteI always cook a roast meal, with all the trimmings, sometime over the weekend.
I also love sausages, which I do in a stew, with veg. peppers, toms.onions, herbs etc with added beans (haricot or canellini). It is sausage + beans in a different way.
One of my favourite (but not cheap) meals, is a lasagne made with lightly smoked scotiish salmon steaks, asparagus and a home made white sauce with cream, milk, parsley + dill. It is for speacial occasions only, as is costly, but worth it.
I don't like the new BBC Sounds app. except that believe can listen to downloads offline.
ReplyDeleteI have found out that. i-player + Sounds are running parallel for a few months, until I-player disappears being replaced soley by Sounds.
Why change something, aka i-player, which has worked so well, with something which to me seems inferiour.
Gosh, I am getting a cranky person.
I acceot change for the better, but this isn't, so far.
Totally agree Miriam
DeleteI couldn't even find i-player, last time I tried. Sounds seems to take a lot of clicks before you get to what you want.
DeleteYes and the play lists/poetry reading details are difficult to access or incomplete. Really frustrating.
DeleteTotally agree about ‘why change Radio i-Player for this new Sounds app’. I have both on here and far prefer the old i-Player. So easy to find what I want via the daily schedules.
DeleteI have tried Sounds and find it difficult, lengthy and frustrating to navigate.
I like to listen to an old play or serial in the afternoons and they are very easy to find on the old app under the Drama heading. Unless you know the exact name of the play you want to hear it is more difficult on Sounds.
I think the idea is to attract younger listeners which, I suppose, it is why it is full of pop music genres and podcasts which are of no interest to me.
I hear there have been lots of complaints about how Sounds works, so perhaps some changes will be made. Meanwhile I anm hanging on to Radio i-Player as long as I can!
Hmm, I didn’t know it was still available. Whenever I try to find a programme the website takes me away to “sounds “.
DeleteArcherphile, sorry to be late but really good luck with the moving project. I have met many single people who are reluctant to move from their home of many years after it has become unmanageable for them. It is really a wrench but often a relief afterwards. It must be particularly hard when you feel differently about it from Mr AP. I do hope with your family’s support you can come to a solution for you both. All the very best!
Thanks Seasider! Much appreciated. 😊
DeleteRuthy did you go out to a bar at the weekend?
ReplyDeleteNot yet - will try this weekend!
DeleteI am loving listening to the L-shaped room on R4ex (the omnibus of the first 5 epidodes was broadcast on Sunday morning, Feb. 10th. The second 5 episodes omnibus due on Sun. 17th).
ReplyDeleteIt seems familer but don't recall it, as such.
PS I believe it was a 1962 film with Lesley Carron, but have never seen it.
DeleteIt certainly was, and responsible for tipping me over the edge.
DeleteI was dissapointed that The Archers was not the No1 greatest radio show ever, but No2 is well deserved.
ReplyDeleteTo be beaten by Desert Island Discs is understandable - another wonderful R4 long running programme.
They should have been joint 1st.
2nd is very gratifying. Nice idea to have them as joint winners though.
DeleteWell done Joe Root.
ReplyDeleteIndeed! Well said that man! 👏👏👏
DeleteAbout time.!
DeleteSorry but I don't have a lot of time for Root either as a player or a Captain.
Too onconsistent
......but then,aren't they all?
I see on the other blog that somebody from Doctors is to join the cast of The Archers.
ReplyDeleteI ask the qustion.
Am I unique,unusual or neither of these in that I cannot for the life of me why anybody watches soaps about hospitals or doctors?
I know Call the Midwife gets a lot of viewers.
Why?
Isn't there enough about illness ,babies,sickness,death on the News?
To continue with my bah humbug ....
ReplyDeleteI don't watch anything connected with Celebs,any Award programmes,Cooking Programmes.Talent Shows,Dancing programmes,Going back in time programmes. -the list is endless.
However last night I watched a lovely programme -Channel 4 -about three little girls from different backgrounds who met up for play dates at each other's homes.
All the little girls were delightful but I particularly felt for the one who lives alone with her disabled mother and who admits herself-she is 10 years old-that she is growing up too quickly.
Heartbreaking but heart warming too.
Good God Lanjan, you must hardly watch any telly after that list. I love American hospital dramas. Much more entertaining than British ones. I've learnt loads off these which stands me in good stead sometimes on University challenge. Mr PtbY looks amazed and says " how do you know that ?" ER or Greys Anatomy is usually the answer.
DeleteGot to admit I am a telly addict. Watched a good prog yesterday we'd taped (wrong terminology I know). James Martin British Adventure. He's started off in the Orkneys. You get to see the area and he does a bit of cooking. Quite like him, he's stayed true to Yorkshire. Today he's going to Blair Castle in Scotland and tomoz he's going to the Edradour Whiskey Distillery at Pitlochry. Very interesting.
P tbY
DeleteMichael Portillo train journeys,Countyfile,Only Connect,University Challenge,some of the drama,,programmes like I watched last night-How the other kids(why can't they say children?) live.
Did any of the older bloggers see the programme 7Up ?
It started in the 1960s and was about a group of seven year olds from very different backgrounds.
Every seven years the programme returned .
We met the children when they were 14, 21 etc I think to 35
It was fascinating.
It was based on the saying(who said it?)
"Give me a child when he is seven and I will show you the man"
In some cases that seemed right but in one case it was definitely wrong.
Them crazy Jesuits said it....
DeleteGG. It certainly was, possibly St. Ignatius. Seven is, or was an important age as the RC church deemed the child should be able to tell the difference between right and wrong.
DeleteWe all made our first confession of sinning at seven and then received communion. Two years of catechism from five to seven, lots of input on the various forms of sinning. Catechism continued until I left primary school. We had an hour of religious teaching every day before school commenced. The only aspect from that time that try to uphold are the Corporal Works of Mercy.
You had sin lessons, stasia?
DeleteI think seven used to be described as the age of reason.
Our church confirmed youngsters at 11 or 12, and it was expected that we would make confession prior to this. We were given a long list of sins, to read out from, but I hadn't had the benefit of your "sin lessons" Stasia, and being very naive didn't have a clue what some of them were so I thought I had better play safe and confessed to all of them!
DeleteAlso attributed to Aristotle, St Francis Xavier, . . .
DeleteMy goodness, Janice! What did that let you in for?
DeleteOh dear PtobeY, I don't watch television full stop. I listen to the Archers and ciicket on the radio and sometimes radio 3 , mainly opera. I haven't had a television for 35 years, even when I had part time foster children.
ReplyDelete(The only one I bought was because I didn't think I would see the boyfriend of the time as it was the Olympics, I was young and foolish then ! ) I read endlessly to the younger one, the elder had his music, neither of them were really interested in TV.
I don't have a television either, though I do try to watch some things on IPlayer, when I remember.
DeleteHave managed to see Les Miserables which I enjoyed as a drama.
And I do watch Midwife.
It's full of humanity LanJan !
I'm another one that doesn't have a television but I use the Iplayer on the computer to watch nature programmes, and my daughter likes cookery programmes.
DeleteI am obvoiusly very different again, as I love some cookery programmes, talent shows, and police dramas.
ReplyDeleteI am very choosy though as to what I watch.
Love Endeavour, Call the Midwife, Masterchef + Great British Bake Off not forgetting reruns of Lewis + Midsomner Murders.
I was pleased to see the return on BBC2 last night of the Sewing Bee. I loved it
I know how to sew, so can appreciate what is going on + the challenges. It must be so boring to many others.
I think I'll be watching a bit of TV over the next few days. We got back from Singapore yesterday where I spent most of the time flaked out on the sofa. I think managed the journey home on adrenaline and will power. My sore throat has cleared up but l still have a nasty cough and am exhausted and have zero appetite, the only consolation is that no one else got it.
ReplyDeleteI was refered by GP via optician for cataracts June 2018 with a slight complication of glaucoma.This isn't the case, just ocular problems which is well controlled by drops. I have found out today, after lengthy 'phone calls, that the earliest date for procedure is now April.
ReplyDeleteI suppose a 10 month, NHS wait has to be expected.
This is very minor, but my vision is not good.
That is for the 1st eye. It will take time for the 2nd eye to be done. At this rate, there will be no holiday again this year.
DeleteOh well, my sight is very important but didn't think it would take over a year, for both eyes.
My hosp. is good. As my queries (when I finally got through to the right person/s) were answered very efficiantely, and I soon got the info. I required. Can't fault it, just the wait!
DeleteSorry to hear that you have such a long wait for your treatment Miriam.
DeleteWishing you a rapid recovery from sore throat and exhaustion, Ch Ch (was it worth it?), and a rapid improvement in vision when you finally get your treatment, Miriam.
DeleteWonder whether you picked this bug up on the plane CC. Hope you fell better soon. These coughs do hang on! You are probably exhausted by the journey too. Take it easy! BTW I was brought up in Crewe probably not too far from you. My two brothers still live there but I was the maverick who left home! I was born in Glasgow so maybe never fitted in there! I much prefer the island and being by the sea!
DeleteMy mum had her eyes done, a year apart. I'm not sure why they spaced them so far apart but think it is quite common to do that Miriam.
DeleteI think it's to be sure that the first eye has 'worked'. If it hasn't, I imagine you risk having worse vision than if nothing had been done. But I believe cataract operations are usually successful. They go back a surprisingly long way: I think Patrick Brontë (father of the more famous ... etc.) had them.
DeleteLanjan I picked up watching Doctors (about GP practice) as I gave up listening to TA during the Rob and Helen storyline. It's on about 2pm when I used o listen as I am usually out early evening tutoring etc. I am able to 'leave it alone' for some weeks but then return.
ReplyDeleteOnly Connect is our family favourite and like others I like Bake Off and Sewing Bee. Used to like University Challenge but have gone off Paxman.I never watch celebs, fly on the wall documentaries or too violent/dark dramas. I didn't think much of the first episode of the latest Endeavour. Too many holes in the plot!
I love Call the Midwife because of the social history woven into the stories and I love Strictly because I enjoy the dancing and the music rather than the celebrity aspect. I have been without a TV at various points in my life out of choice and thought I wouldn’t bother in my house up north but Mr S says he couldn’t manage without the football. Tempted.
DeleteI’d die without my tv.
ReplyDeleteHere’s one for you all to be appalled at......I’m a sucker for real housewives of New York/Beverly Hills/Orange County / Sydney/ Miami. Love em.
In fact I think I should have been a real housewife of Yorkshire.
Its ok PtobeY, I,m not appalled as I havent a clue as to what you are talking about!!!
DeleteI love the Housewives too - I've been watching them for years! My friends and husband think I'm insane (apart from the friend who turned me onto them - and she is one of Scotland's foremost clinical psychologists!!) We are both absolutely secure enough in ourselves to not give a damn for being hooked on them. Love them! That Teresa Guidice! Even that bloody Vicki Gunvalson....
DeleteI’m sure there are many good programmes from the USA but the one we loved was “Everyone loves Raymond”. Wonderful cast and really funny! The thing I hate about TV is the endless soaps on at peak times nearly every night. When Corrie started it was twice a week and now seems to be on nearly every night sometimes twice! I gave up watching when Katie killed her father. Wellreally!! We watch mostly recorded stuff. Lately have watched “Dogs behaving badly” which makes us feel better about Buddy! He is one in March, still full of himself but a lovely little companion!
DeleteEv: 9:51pm. My husband was born in Crewe. He never went back after university but his parents lived there until they died.
ReplyDeleteMy parents lived out their days there too but Dad was from Glasgow and Mum from Crawley Heath in the Black Country. They moved to Crewe in 1951 for work purposes. Crewe has changed a lot. The railway works are gone.and the extensive market is sadly depleted apparently. I haven’t been back since Mum died in 2006 though of course I have met up with my brothers and keep in touch by phone.
DeleteThat should be Cradley Heath! Darned auto correct again!
Delete❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteTo Maryellen.
The maker of the most amazing gin
Sends this to one who's there through thick and thin
(In truth I'm getting sick of moaner Pip
If you come knocking I'll give her the slip)
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
🤣🤣🤣 very good LanJan.
DeleteI am looking forward to Maryellen's Ode to Toby.
DeleteMe too.!
DeleteGary.... got o photo of myself standing outside Sonia’s house in New York. Went to villa Blanca for dinner this last year. Very disappointed that Lisa VP wasn’t about. I love her.
ReplyDeleteBeen to Melissa’s shop “envy” twice. She sells tiny clothes for tiny skinny airhead type people, but managed to find an envy T-shirt ( large size!) that fitted and a sweat shirt.
My son lived in New Jersey for 5 years and went to a wedding at the “brownstone”. I was sooo jealous.
We tried to find it when we were there but, Paterson where it is, the area was such a dump we gave up.
Love vicki gulvenson .....she’s totally mental. Woo hoo!!!!
Teresa ....she’s mental too and those kids!!!!! Milania wants a good clip round her ear.
Joe Gorga......makes me want to vomit!!!
I have a friend who got me into the housewives but I don’t know anyone else that watches. It’s nice to find another addict. 😊👍
The cranes are migrating north - spring's coming!
ReplyDeleteWhere are you Parsley ?
DeleteI was reading about Cranes returning to the UK recently.
I would love to see some in the wild.
I've only seen one Heron since being here, but saw them almost daily in West London.
Ah Ev ,Glasgow
ReplyDeleteI have my grandparents marriage certificate .
They were married there
My mum was born there.
My younger train mad son is there at the moment because he had been to Edinburgh by train but on the way back he could get a full English breakfast if he went back home from Glasgow so he decided to do the trip from Edinburgh to Glasgow to get a free breakfast-as you would
He is in your neck of the woods P tb Y at the weekend .
Half Term ,so duties on the NYM steam Railway..
I'd forgotten all about half term. Where does he stay when he's playing trains!!😉
ReplyDeleteThe Mallyon Spout Goathland.
DeleteLove it!!! Never stayed overnight though, must be wonderful.
DeleteI have just seen photos + video of my 7yr old Gt.niece in the 6000 childrens choir singing with Tony Handley in the MEN arena last night. Typically she was central and only 3rd row up!!
ReplyDeleteMrs P - Charente! (16) The cranes use the river Charente & other features to navigate their way, usually over our house! They often circle around higher & higher to find a good current to help them on their way. They call to each other constantly, it's such a wild call, it stirs your innards! (les tripes, as the French say)
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful weather here at the moment, going on into next week, frosts overnight still, but the flight of the cranes heralds the coming of spring!
I'm pretty sure they were re-introduced on the Somerset levels & have established, not too far from you..?
Yes not too far, and I have a cousin nearby.
DeleteBut at 96 she's not much interested.
I did try to speak to her about it, but because she is so angry at being so old and infirm with it, not much gets into her very very bright head as it has to pass the anger first.
My geography of France is not good. I will look you up.
The herons in the park at the end of our road have been nesting for a week or two. A great tit couple were chatting to each other outside our bedroom window this morning. Spring is definitely in the air.
DeleteWe're 1/2 way down the left hand side, between Poitiers and Angoulême.
DeleteLots of egrets in the fields at the moment.