THIS POST IS CLOSED
"longer off topic comments" - Episode 43 Life Outside Ambridge
English Robin 

Comments

  1. Egyptian goose couple has moved into my local park and they have nine goslings.🦆

    (yes, that’s a mallard but they live there as well and usually have ducklings).

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  2. Sorry bloggers - been so busy this week, just repeated the same 2 posts as last week's. Will try better next week - if not as busy.

    I have to look up a mallard - they live in the North America too - maybe the same or maybe different? I wish blogger can post photos - that would be nice as a feature. Has any one ever tried?

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    1. No need to apologise Ruthy. That picture of Rosie makes me smile every time I see it.

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    2. I prefer the robin ! ( Rosie's wearing a silly hat but doesn't realize it...)
      Doesn't alter the fact that it's very good of you change the blogs in such a timely fashion, Ruthy, even when you are under time pressure. We certainly won't give you a Rosie style stare if we go over 200 !!

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    3. I've often thought it wouldbeniceto be able to post photos but haven't looked into the possibility.

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  3. Thanks Ruthy! also much prefer the robin, don't do babies. 🦇🐓🦉

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  5. Ruthy ,not sure what has happened.

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  6. Are people having problems? All seems to be working fine here for me.
    Except:
    - my tall freezer (only 5 yrs old) packed up yesterday leaving me with a mound of frozen food to distribute amongst kind neighbours until a new one can be delivered next week at vast expense.
    - our electric shower pump which packed up last week so you have to get out of the bath/shower and drip across the room to switch the water off, otherwise it just goes on and on - engineer coming next week.
    - our lawnmower which Mr A has just tried to start - and it won’t, so he’s gone off to the garden machinery store
    - and to top it all, we had to have a delivery of heating oil on Monday, which cost over £500!

    So, all in all, this is turning out to be a very expensive month! Why does everything go wrong at once? 😡

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  7. Ruthy - I love the repeat of the photos - I don't get confused 😀😀
    You so kindly provide these sites so any photo is fine.

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  8. I too am having an expensive month. My car insurance - which is costly due to a slight incident, in 2017 (no damage, so no claim) but had a proven fraudulent injury claim submitted. Still although fraudulent, I am paying the cost.
    Yesterday I had all my fascia boards + soffits replaced with UPC ones. I joked that, why not paint the decorative timber on house, (as ladders and pkatforms were in situ) at same time. They did, for a cash in hand fee, after I dashed out for materials. It is a job well done, and highly delighted. Can't say the same about my bank balance though. 😭😭

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    1. PS Lawns look as if it has snowed. Some white cavity wall insulation came out with the works. It will all be scooped up by lawnmower next week.

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  9. Well just come to me ,Archerphile Miriam.
    I am obviously rolling in money.
    According to the Inland Revenue I got Interest from just one Bank Account of over £20,000 last year!
    No wonder they say I need to pay them extra.
    Can’t get through to them because they are too busy .
    You go through all the jargon about NI numbers etc and hear how to do things online and then they say they will connect you.
    Short pause.
    They are sorry but they can’t take my call.
    I will have to ring back later.
    Added to that I have been all afternoon trying to sign onto our blog..
    I hope I have managed that one!




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    1. I never sign out. I use Chrome with a g-mail account which is only used on this site.
      I have this bookmarked as a favourite on PC + as a shortcut on 'phone.
      So far 🤞 no problems.

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    2. Good Luck with HMRC
      My experience is to do an on-line chat which has always worked for me. Perhaps just lucky.

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    3. I don’t sign out either Miriam but apparently the new IPad I have hasn’t been programmed properly or something.

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  10. AP, Miriam & LJ sending sympathy to all what frustrating times 😡

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  11. Yes, can certainly sympathise, with my experience up north trying to restore the house to a liveable state, after it took two two plumbers to clear the drains, a roof tile was replaced twice, the timer went on the boiler and every time I had one problem repaired I uncovered another. New windows and back door next month and removal of a big pile of rubble left behind in the garden by the tenants will clean out my surplus at the next visit. I just have to hope my ancient car will keep going a bit longer but by 2021 it will have to go because of the emissions charge in London on old vehicles.

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    1. I so agree, one job always leads onto another..and so on.
      Hopefully I have covered all the major expensive ones, though there are always ongoing other things to be done. A home/house is never finished.

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    2. PS My works went very well yesterday. In the afternoon it became very warm, so I saw a lot of flesh + "builders bum". It was fun.

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    3. Depends on the bum!!!😍😆🤓

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  12. My comment on bad news.
    Found my car today, with very bad scrapes around front drivers side. All paintwork gone and through to metal plus a dent.
    It was pristine when I left it parked yesterday afternoon.
    No polite note of course.

    My house on line today and two viewings tomorrow plus another on Monday.

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    1. That's awful with your car. Where was it parked, a supermarket?
      Would think it is Fri. 13th not the 12th.
      The sad thing is that if you do an insurance claim, after repair quotes, you will be penalised and unfairly so, as not your fault.

      Good Luck with your house move.

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    2. Supermarket car parks are the pits. My little car has a long deep scraped dent all along the back wing and back door at exactly the right height for a trolly being pushed between my car and the next one!
      No apologetic note of course and the culprit would certainly been aware they had done it.
      I was heartbroken when I saw it because I love my 19 year old little Micra and it was in perfect condition for its age (and has just passed its MOT with flying colours)
      Some people just don’t care! 😡
      Oh dear! That’s my second 😡 today, not good.

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  13. We had three accidents in the past few years in Car parks.
    None was our fault but the fuss and palaver was so bad that the third time it happened I phoned the woman who had reversed into us to tell her to forget it.
    It wasn’t badly damaged -just cosmetic really .
    If I were really honest I would happily give up the car but Mr LJ isn’t having any of it .
    We don’t drive far now and I am sure we would actually save money we’re we to use taxis everywhere we go.


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    1. I meant to say that I was sorry to hear about your cars being damaged MrsP and Archerphile
      Good Luck with your viewings Mrs P.

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    2. No it wasn't a car park, it was on the ground Road about a hundred yards from my house. Probably someone leaving the pub last night.

      If I did that to somebody else's car I would leave a note in apology and my telephone number.
      B----erds.

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  14. Thank you for keeping the Anniversary blog open,Ruthy.
    Maybe Aesop’s friends might like to post comments.
    We don’t know how many folk are out there reading the comments .made by bloggers.
    I suspect there might be a fair few.

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  15. Only just now realized I posted wrong :( Will Copy this to TA page.

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  16. Thank you Ruthy for the beautiful little Robin.

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  17. A lovely sunny day, but so cold + chilly. CH is on full blast again, just when I had changed the settings for warmer times.
    I have had 3 very frosty mornings and another tomorrow (Sunday). Winter sweaters are being worn again.

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    1. Oh well, I have a beef joint braising in oven in red wine, herbs + stock. Roast pots + yorkshire pudding, carrots, broccoli + green beans, to accompany it, along with a very hot horseradish sauce.

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    2. I've been in the garden all day and it was pretty cold over here in east Cheshire as well Miriam. I was very glad to get back indoors, no beef joint but Mr CC made a very good roast butternut squash and sage risotto with toasted pine nuts.

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    3. I just love risotto and often make chicken + mushroom or smoked salmon + aspargus.

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  18. Risotto Milanese with softened onion, white wine, and saffron - finished with Parmesan and some strips of chicken fried in butter .........

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    1. yummy (except the chicken fried in butter - I don't eat meat)! I am jealous as I am without a kitchen for at least a month.

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    2. Ruthy, the chicken strips are mainly to pacify carnivous menfolk. I would be happy with a salad to accompany, but am tempted by the chicken if I cook it. How are you managing without a kitchen for a month? Are you having a new one put in? I don't need meat but do like something hot and tasty in the evening!

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  19. I love chicken and mushroom risotto too! Had a nice surprise this morning. Katy took me out for breakfast to the Italian restaurant in the village. I had pancakes with maple syrup and bacon. Have never understood the American way of having a full English with pancakes and maple syrup on the same plate but got an inkling of the appeal today! She had a pan fried breakfast with sourdough bread. A great treat! Afterwards we had a browse round the charity shop and a nice chat with two ladies I know there.

    It was chilly here today but sunny and I got out in the front garden to plant 4 shrubs we bought yesterday. I have planted my tomato plants outside far too early but have protected with fleece and hope for the best! I will try courgettes this year. When we lived in Herefordshire they started off well and then got mosaic disease but hope for better things in the South! The seeds I bought are disease resistant so we will see. My gardening is by no means full of expertise but it’s always worth a try!

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  20. when my courgette plants thrive, we have a lovely yummy summer. Small, sweet courgettes, and the best thing of all, is courgette flowers filled with ricotta and grated lemon zest, and fried in a very light batter. Maybe one of my favourite things in the world, and the very taste of summer. Unfortunately my courgettes don't grow well every year! It's a bit random.

    Ev, btw I do "get" the maple syrup, pancakes and bacon thing .... American and delicious.

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  21. I had a bumper crop of courgettes last summer and made courgette bread, (like banana bread, more cake-y). and the best soup ever, comprising courgettes, spring onions and cheddar, literally ready in 15 mins. I made tons of it and froze it, really delicious. the recipe is on the BBC food website.

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  22. Chilly gardening for me too today. Mr A tried out the new lawnmower he was forced to buy when the old one finally conked out the other day and I must say the garden looks so much better now the lawns are trimmed.
    I had a big disappointment when I discovered several of my pots of Heuchera had been attacked by Vine Weevil over the winter. The plants looked reasonable but the top of each plant just lifted off the pot to reveal most of the roots eaten away and dozens of the white larvae in the soil
    So everything had to be burnt and the remaining pots drenched in Vine Weevil insecticide. I had a collection of around 25 different varieties of Heuchera, so I now have lots to replace 😢

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  23. Have looked up the soup recipe and will definitely try if I get a good crop! Many thanks, Mistral!

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  24. Archerphile,,I have had the same problem with pansies in pots .... Seem to be thriving, full of flowers, then wilt, and tops separate off - the horrible weevil at work. I don't do very well with her heucheras. I have had them over the years in different leaf colours, looked very nice, but failed to thrive and eventually faded away. I've now given up - I'm very impressed by your many varieties.

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    1. They are amongst my favourite plants Minty and I love the names like, Plum Pudding, Lime Marmalade and Ginger Ale. Mr A reckoned I almost held the National Collection!
      But after advice I aim to replace the lost ones and make sure I use the special insecticide twice a year. I hadn’t realised that Vine Weevil target plants in pots but now I am forearmed!

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    2. Archerphile, good luck with replacing the collection. Such lovely names for these delightful plants.

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  25. It's my birthday tomorrow and I had asked daughter and grandchildren to come to see Dumbo with me.
    I also asked two different people to have the dog, two possibilities, but both have been unable to help.
    So I've had to cancel the cinema treat, having already paid for the tickets, and will be off to Bath instead.
    However, on the common last evening and this afternoon and no aggression from Lady.
    Lots of barking at other dogs, but all mouth and no trousers I reckon.

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    1. MrsP - let me be the first to wish you a Very Very Happy Birthday! Too bad about Dumbo but enjoy your day with family!

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  26. Many Happy Returns Mrs P! 🎈💐🎈

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    1. Happy Birthday, Mrs P ! ( I''ve lost the plot, who's Dumbo ? He/she isn't mentioned on this blog)

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    2. Dumbo is the elephant with ears so big he can fly!

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  27. Many happy returns Mrs P.

    I had my combined birthday and Mother's day present yesterday - my birthday was the day before Mothers day . My daughters treated the 3 of us to a spa day in Bath We went to a spa at a hotel with beautiful gardens and an outdoor pool that was warm enough to enjoy . It finished with a facial for me and massages for the girls. A lovely day.
    I hope you enjoy your day Mrs P.

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  28. Greetings Mrs P, enjoy your day.
    I hope your viewings went well yesterday and the one on Monday too.
    Hopefully now you are on line you will get many more.
    Good to hear of Ladys progress.

    I took Misty for her vaccinations. She did do her usual barking at the other dogs, but no more so than another black and tan daxie and no snapping, so some very slow progress is being made, we rarely meet dogs when I am out walking with her which would speed up the progress.

    I am busy cooking at the moment, ready for Easter when I have a housefull, my niece and her family and some friends of hers with their 2 children, they have been coming to me around 10 years. These days I find it easier to be well prepared, especially now my niece, who was veggie has now turned vegan, but not her family, so have had to re think my meal planning.
    It will be a horse riding lesson next door on Friday Runswick bay, fossil hunting on Saturday, Sunday not decided yet, but of course there will be the big Easter Bunny hunt, Misty included !

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  29. Joyeux anniversaire Mrs P ! 🎉🍾🎈

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  30. Happy birthday, Mrs P! We’ve looked at Dumbo and see it is now a film with people and digitally enhanced ears! Shame you had to forgo. We have a day care facility here but costly on top of everything else. Next year the meeting together of southern TG’s is in Bournemouth but not over half term so because of dogs will not be able to go. Hotel costs plus day care for them mount up!

    Zoetrope spa day sounds lovely! CG would not dare take Gypsy on a Easter Bunny Hunt as she would eat all the bunnies and then have to be taken to the vet! She is so greedy!

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    1. Ev don't worry, it is only in the garden. Our rabbits must have had mixi or some other devastating illness as there are few about, I am hoping Misty will keep them out of my garden in the future.
      Poor Gypsy, it must be hard work keeping her weight down.

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    2. Yes it is hard work especially as Buddy is the opposite and picks at his food so we have to take it up or she would eat his too! She has lost over a kilo since coming to us in May last year. Looking at the before and after pics she has done well. A big thing has been regular exercise. So many people seem to think small dogs don’t need walking but just mooching around the garden. Just like us exercise, gentle at my age, is important! I have to add I have lost half a stone since having the dogs!

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  31. I attended the wedding of the daughter of a friend of mine yesterday in our local town hall. It is famous for being the first place the United Italian flag was flown. The bride is half Italian, half Scottish and the groom is French so the ceremony took place in English, French and Italian. It was delightful seeing a coming together of 3 different nationalities.

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    1. Was there a bewildering (but delicious!) meal afterwards Gianna?

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  32. Congratulations and Many Happy Returns dear Mrs P. I hope you have a lovely day, whatever you are doing and really enjoy yourself
    💐💐💐

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    1. Happy Birthday Mrs P! Hope your day will be even half as pleasant as mine will hopefully be - I'm in the middle of preparing a buffet full of delicious treats to see me through 8 or so hours of football & golf! Chores just about done, garden up to date & nothing else to do but sink into the sofa & enjoy... I loves life!

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    2. Sounds wonderful Gary... enjoy !

      I have just received an online card from my daughter, card came in post yesterday.

      In the email she has sent a photograph of me in a Taxi with her on my lap.
      I remember we were on our way to a wedding.
      Carolyn, she is wearing a Broderick Anglese (?) predictive won't spell it !
      B A mob cap just like that silly hat Rosie has on her head. I expect I made it.
      I am wearing a large cream coloured straw, my white crochet dress and my beloved 20s black crepe coat.
      It is a lovely photograph.
      Thank you daughter.
      Made my day.

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  33. I have tried to update my profile picture.
    Let's see if it works.

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  34. Replies
    1. Mrs P, you and your little daughter look beautiful, what a lovely photo. (I managed to see it larger by clicking on your name which took me to your profile)

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  35. Happy Birthday ,Mrs P.
    Enjoy yours afternoon in Bath.

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  36. Spring has really arrived. Had a nice afternoon in Manhattan yesterday. Was at the Metropolitan Opera House to see Wagners Siegfried. Must say they can’t get the dragon to look menacing but only ridiculous. But the performance was great. And I have left to the last day to do my taxes again. Due tomorrow so will be getting into that after my Sunday morning swim. Wish everyone a good day.

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  37. Many happy returns Mrs P and Zoetrope and happy weekends all. Weather is set fair for next week and the cherry trees around here are looking gorgeous.

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  38. Gainna. A multilingual/international wedding, must have taken some time. Sounds great. 👫🇪🇺🇫🇷🇫🇮

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    1. Sounds wonderful Gianna, do update us on the food ..

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    2. It was a wedding on a budget so there was just a small reception afterwards with an aperitif and nibbles.

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    3. But in northern Italy, I'm sure the aperitivo was absolutely squisito?

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  39. Ironing in front of the golf - F1 highlights later ! ⛳🏌️🏎️🍺

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    1. Smoked salmon in front of the golf! 😀

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    2. Chicken chorizo & chickpea casserole with a scummy Navarra !

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    3. What the heck is a "scummy" Navarra parsley? Auto correct I hope!!! 😅

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    4. Yikes!!! definitely scrummy, counting on it 🍷🍷

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    5. Otherwise sounds like a murky glass of wine🤢 Planning assorted tapas for supper tonight 🍷 Will probably need to light the log burner too, it’s chilly in my corner of Hampshire

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    6. Fire's gently burning, cosy 🙂

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    7. I don't know who I want to win! How about you?

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    8. I was thinking football - Scottish cup? Eagles put to the sword by Man city.. 😣

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    9. Hoping Molinari holds on, but it's all getting a bit TENSE..

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    10. I chose to watch the golf over the Celtic game because I assumed that they would win. And, happily, I was correct! Am still watching the golf but keeping half an eye-ball on the Liverpool/Chelsea game.

      I THINK I want Molinari to win too. (and Chelsea, but don't tell Lanjan...!)

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    11. Chelsea ! 😲 o la.. Disappointed..

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    12. I just hate the constant cries of "get in the hole" 🏌️‍♂️
      I am also watching.

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    13. So partisan. As the leading European really hope Molinari can hold it together ..

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    14. I just love Peter Allis and his commentary, but can't abide Tiger Woods. Any-one to win, but him.

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    15. Absolutely agree, but it's not looking hopeful ..

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    16. Well there we are, it was meant to be.

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    17. Parsley, you would aller d'accord with my husband . He disappeared to watch the (recorded) f1 this afternoon, while I faffed around in the garden in a chilly easterly wind. He didn't reappear, so hours later I took him a cup of tea, to find he was by then transfixed by a golf game. Eventually emerged for supper ....

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  40. Janice, good to read your comments on the anniversary blog, hope all is well.

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    1. Thanks Cowgirl. March was a very tough month. Best friend from childhood died at beginning of month after a 2 year battle at only 68. I was run down physically from what the doc thought was an ulcer. Then I was rushed into hospital with crushing pains in the chest, and apparently I was lucky to get there in time. 😭 They put a miniature camera along the artery from wrist into the heart ( I was petrified and would have done a runner if I'd had the strength! but will say in case anyone else has to have it done that the thought of it is worse than the actual procedure, and being able to watch it on a screen and see the inside of your own heart is fascinating!) My arteries were fine but my left ventricle had sort of gone haywire causing heart failure. It was something more unusual called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy which can apparently be caused by stress, although they think it is a combination of things and that inflammation in the body plays a part. The good news is that it is reversible and can completely heal in time. They let me out after 8 days, and the cardiac nurse has visited. I apparently have to rest,rest and more rest, and it could take several months to get back to full strength. I am so weak at the moment, but think that is partly due to the meds as they deliberately lower your blood pressure right down to make less work for the heart as it heals. And of course it gave the children a fright and they are saying that I must now completely retire and put my little rental business in the hands of a rental agency. Cowgirl this is strong healthy meet life head on tackle - anything me , how on earth could this have happened? I could weep! I am, says the nice nurse, allowed to walk gently across the front lawn to the garden gate and back each day, then on 8th May I go back to the hospital for tests to see how the heart function is improving. Blast and damnation to it all, and where is my best friend when I need her to talk to, dead. Sorry for the rant. Good to get it out my system, thanks.

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    2. Janice, I'm pleased for you that you feel able to rant on here to us.
      Well done you.

      I also feel for you in your frustration.
      I too have a personality such as you describe, and through health issues have been set back time and time again, so I really do understand how you must feel.
      But I would say also, congratulations for allowing yourself to ' rest, rest, and more rest' - the price to pay, if you don't, which your family will actually pay, you know very well.
      It will get better. And please continue to post.
      It has been good to hear from you.

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    3. Janice, every good wish. So sorry to hear about your friend too.

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    4. Janice what an awful time you have been through (and for awhile yet I’m guessing! )
      I am posting warmest thoughts 🙏🏼 💐 and good wishes to you and as others have said - rant away as much as you like here on the blog, thanks to Ruthy we have all been able to share our sadness, fears, frustrations happiness and funny moments together and what a godsend it is!

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    5. My good wishes to you in this very trying time.

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    6. Janice, wishing you all the best.

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    7. Thank you all for your good wishes and support.

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  41. Mrs P.
    Happy Birthday. 🎂🥂🍾👍

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  42. Seasider. How are the Egyptian Geese + goslings?

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  43. Mrs P, also have a 20's black velvet coat /cape with 3/4 cuffed sleeves, comes out regularly for concerts. Love it.

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    1. Mine was lost for decades but did find it in my move.
      It is still in the garden shed waiting to be restored.
      I bought it in Shepherds Bush Market it was long and my mum and I shortened it, which of course I now regret.
      Edge to edge with a hook closure with collar and cuffs in tight pleating.
      Have not had the courage to look at it to see how ruined it is.
      I am ashamed !

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    2. Mine was a gift from a flatmate in the 70's - also unfortunately shortened - hook & eye fastening at the Peter Pan collar, boxy square shape.

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  44. Ev, are on the Isle of Wight?

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  45. Mrs P.- I have just commented about your lovely photo, way above. So many post in-between I thought you might miss it. (Haven’t been able to log in since lunch time)

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  46. Basia, are you enquiring about today’s awful accident on the island? One poor lady died and about 15 taken to hospital. Crash between two cars and the bus also involved. As everywhere bus drivers here are excellent so doubt whether he or she was to blame. We are 3 miles from Newport and only outing today was dog walk down to the creek.

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    1. I didn’t include 4 people who were airlifted to the mainland. The bus driver was badly injured and 10 passengers injured. I often wonder about lack of seat belts in buses.

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    2. Yes, Ev, I heard just before the Archers but from your comment on the other blog knew you were all right. 22 people injured that's a lot for the resources.

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  47. Gary ,not only did Liverpool win and deserve to but so did Lancashire in the County Championship
    against Middlesex.
    Very pleasing.
    Sadly for Chelsea they are more or less a one man team.
    I will grant you,Gary that Chelsea could have drawn because they were unlucky not to have scored twice but that is the way of things in games.
    Very pleasing.
    I get quite emotional when I hear the crowd “singing”
    “When you walk through a storm”.
    Gerry Marsden’s rendering of the song might be the worst ever but I love it.



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    1. Lanjan & parsley, it's not that I support Chelsea - it's just that I unsupport Liverpool...!

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    2. just to clear that up then..!

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  48. Just seen the news about the poor woman being killed not far deform you ,Ev.
    Very sad.
    I hope the other people are not too badly injured.

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  49. A woman on the bus has said that a mini pulled out of a side road and collided with the bus which then collided with a car coming in the opposite direction. The lady who was killed was in the oncoming car and the other three in the car are injured. This is unofficial of course.

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  50. Oh Janice, what a truly crappy time of it you've had lately. I can only hope that you get both body & mind better with the support of those around you and at a pace than suits you. Losing a close friend is an awful thing to happen at any time but I can only imagine what it's like for it to happen at a time that you need them most. I feel for you and send a hug and best wishes...

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  51. Janice, I have only just caught up with this afternoon posts and was very distressed to hear about the awful time you have been having recently.
    I’m sending my very best wishes for a full recovery and hope you will be back to better health soon. To have lost such a good friend must have been dreadful for you and perhaps led to your ill health. I hope things will be much better for you soon. Keep your pecker up (as my mum would have said) and I am sure all your virtual friends here will be supporting you.

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  52. Happy birthday Mrs P. Have a lovely day.
    Janice , oh my word what a time you are having. Certainly rest, see this time as a chance to relax and maybe do a lot of reading. I’m so sorry about your friend. Rant away on here and get things off your chest. It helps and we are all here to support you and we don’t mind a rant.

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  53. Janice, so sorry to hear your "news". AS others have said take your strength from us, keep posting of your progress and your frustrations. As somebody who cant sit still for long I know how difficult it will be for you, but the end results will be I am sure worth it. All good wishes.....

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  54. Janice, I've only just caught up with your comment. I'm so sorry to hear what an awful time you have been having and hope that your recovery goes to plan.

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  55. Janice, rant away, on te tient au cœur. 💕

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  56. Only just caught up properly with this blog, enjoying the mouth watering recipes, but brought up short by the appalling time you're having, Janice. I'm so sorry about the sad loss & health scare. Obviously, you're very frustrated as well right now, but hope it helps a little to express it here. We're routing for you through this tedious time of necessary rest ! Must be hard for you to see the end of it, but, from what you're telling us, the prognosis is good. Take care.

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  57. Janice. What a sad time for you, losing your best friend and traumatised by illness. Please take your time to recover physically, and try to remember the good times. Shout and scream on this friendly blog as much as you can, in between the little walks, and let go, we are all good listeners.
    💐🍇👍

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  58. Janice ,I have read what you have written several times and obviously you have my deepest sympathy for all you are going through.
    What I think is this..
    At the moment things are not looking good but things are now improving.
    You have a lot going for you.
    Sadly you have lost your friend which is awful I know but you will still have your memories.
    You became ill but fortunately the doctors are sorting things out now for you and your health will improve.
    You have your family which must be a great help.
    You have us,here at this blog who are all very supportive.
    You have a great sense of humour.
    You have to rest.
    Do just that.
    Get yourself lots of good books and soon when the weather is better you might be able to sit outside and take advantage of the sunshine.
    Your best friend from childhood has died aged 68 so I assume you are of a similar age so retire.
    Let someone else do the work .
    I was going to tell you a little tale passed on by my Dr son which I thought you might smile at but decided not to post it in case it seemed insensitive.
    Look after yourself .
    Tell us what sort of books you like to read and we will give you some recommendations.
    Take Care
    GrannyLanjan


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    1. Thanks Lanjan, sensible and good at summing things up as always. My daughter is going to raid the charity shop of all the historical dramas and nature stories she can find! Plus any humorous books as they say laughter is the best medicine.

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  59. Dear Janice, sending you warm wishes of support.🤗💐

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    1. Many thanks to all of you for your kindness and support.

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    2. And have just remembered I have got over a months worth of the archers to catch up on so that will be something good to do.

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  60. Miriam, the goslings are really big now. I went for a (very short) run yesterday morning and Dad was standing on top of the railing of the decking beside the lake. Underneath was Mum and babes. A woman arrived with some seed, said she’s been feeding them, so great excitement all round.

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    1. They sound gorgeous. I have always been told to never feed bread to ducks, swans etc. as they can develop a problems with their wings. Always feed with seeds, so I believe.

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  61. Janice, wishing you every good wish with your recovery.
    Take Care. 🤗

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  62. I finished my weeks radio "research" diary yesterday. What has surprised me is how much I have the radio on in the car. I am driving nornally now, so out + about nearly every day, driving to family etc.
    My car does not have a DAB radio (nor a CD player even though is only 4 yrs old), and so I hope that my survey will show that radio programmes, still need to be broadcast on a Am/Fm waveband, for at least car use.

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  63. We ( me, him & the cat!) have taken to deliberately watching feel good movies of late - Fri night it was "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe" and tonight it will be "Kind Hearts and Coronets". Well, that's if I can stay awake. Maybe overdid the cycling a tad today - found myself in the old town of Helensburgh, birthplace of John Logie Baird. Got there via Loch Lomond and then through the hills of Glen Fruin which was jam packed full of lambs! Some of them must have been just hours old as they could barely walk. Dear reader, I was smitten...

    Also, have a touch of sunburn! Madness!!

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    1. GG
      Just love both those films.
      Have you watched "What We Did On Our Holiday" with Billy Connoly + David Tennant? I loved it, and a film I laughed all the way through.
      I reccomend it.

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    2. It was my sense of humour, which might be very different to others.

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    3. Helensburgh, also the home of CRMs Hill House.

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    4. Gary ,you and I agree on something!
      I loved Fried Green tomatoes.........
      Saw it on a long haul flight once.
      I have the book
      That is equally as enjoyable.
      The other two books/films I have really enjoyed are The Help and The bridges of Madison County.
      Gary if you haven’t seen The Help,it is brilliant.

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    5. I was so enthralled with Hill House and also saw the original Glasgow School of Art before either fires. I love CRM and his style.

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    6. GG, Once upon a time in the West, A Matter of life and death, the Italian job (original of course )

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    7. parsley - love, and own the first two, never seen The Italian Job! Will get round to it at some point...

      Miriam - don't mind CRM but there's far too much of what I call "Mockintosh" tat in Glasgow. Can't stand Billy Connolly I'm afraid.

      Lanjan - we agree on just about everything! The Help is on my list.

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    8. Miriam, I loved What we did on our Holiday.

      So sad about Notre Dame.

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    9. Will I ever convert you to liking Liverpool.?
      (The football team I mean.)
      If you haven’t been to the City you definitely would love it.)
      Both the Cathedrals are amazing and the Georgian architecture around Abercrombie Square is splendid_or was when I was last there.




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    10. Love Klopp & his enthousiasme !

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    11. Sorry Lanjan!
      I am a *****DRAMATIC MUSIC***** Man U supporter!!!!! 💀☠😈⚡
      Well, mostly! I actually do have a bit of a soft spot for Chelsea - and have done since the early 90's.

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    12. I cannot believe it .... oh well, perhaps I can...!

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    13. But they are only my English team parsley. I started to become a fan of theirs in about 91/92 - so there is no question of me being one of them glory hunters! Celtic are my true love though...🍀

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  64. Another programme, which I just love, as to my silly sense of humour, is R4- The Unbelivable Truth.

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  65. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, is on fire. How sad.

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    1. I hope nobody has been injured.

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    2. Notre Dame is the heart of the nation

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    3. North tower has taken light

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    4. Whole building unstable now roof's gone

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    5. Poor Paris. It's really been through the mill for the past few years hasn't it? We were planning on being there for our 1st anniversary in July this year but decided against it because of the "Yellow Vest" protests - we thought it could be potentially horrific around Bastille Day. Never got to see Notre Dame. Never will now. I bet it was beautiful beyond compare in the flesh...

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    6. Visited 1st time in early 90's , climbed up n tower - wonderful view , even better gargoyles! Also sung there with the chamber choir I was with..

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    7. GG I saw Notre Dame for the first time in 1993 and remember being singularly unimpressed. It was so dark and dismal inside and the portraits around the walls were so blackened by candle smoke you could barely make out what they were about. Then I returned about eight years ago and the change was remarkable. Much lighter, either new potraits and paintings or they had been cleaned and a different atmosphere altogether. It was outside in Paris which deters me from ever going back, being 'hustled' by illegal street traders every few yards!
      Sadly much of the stonework and carvings were defaced and vandalised during the Revolution with the 12 Tribes of Judah statues on the outside of Notre Dame ending up faceless, headless or armless. The guide books said it was because the revolutionairies believed the statues over the entrance to the cathedral were of French Monarchs!
      However it was a magnificent building and one could only marvel at the whole thing being built with what must have been pretty primitive tools about 900 years ago. So sad when history is destroyed. 😥

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  66. Interested to see how Macron comes out tomorrow...

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  67. Firstly to Janice. I have only just read through posts from Thursday onwards so I missed your original post. I feel for you as I lost my very supportive 'best' friend just after my divorce. She sent a card saying she had just six weeks to live but died only three days later of pneumonia, before I had chance to say Goodbye. As Lanjan says keep the memories alive by remembering her, weeping as much as you want and then the memories of the happy times will take over. (Very strangely I can hear her voice in my mind even after 25 years, as I can my Dad's, but cannot remember Mum's voice at all both of whom died 20 years ago.)
    I hope you continue to make progress with your health. Rest, and put your feet up, in the lovely Spring sunshine! I think you mentioned historical thrillers in your preferred reading. Susanna Gregory writes a very good story, although as with Tolkien sometimes you think it's the end but there is more to come! Her historical periods are the Matthew Bartholomew series set in Cambridge just after the Black Death in 1365 (?). The other series stars Thomas Chaloner an 'intelligencer' or spy in today's language. He lives in Restoration London and works for the Earl of Clarendon. All very enjoyable. I have nearly finished re-reading them for the second time. I honestly don't remember 'who dunnit!' even the second time around.
    Anyway take care of yourself and don't fret! Indulge yourself.

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  68. Missed posts in the past three days as suddenly requested to provide cricket tea on Sunday which I agreed to, despite due to fly to Frankfurt today. So pretty exhausted but am now safely in Hattersheim am Main with son and granddaughters. DIL is in Moscow with her mother who is receiving medical treatment she can't get in Turkmenistan. Granddaughters on school holidays, so much entertaining needed although at least son has booked holiday too. Hopefully lovely weather will last.
    Three times during the eight months I have driven to Heathrow, which both the AA and RAC agree that, abiding by all the speed limits, it should take 1 hour and 10 minutes. Once it took 5 hours and twice (today included) it took three hours. Today it was a lorry and coach which 'came together' and blocked three lanes of the four lane carriage way. I assume it was without serious consequences though as I see it is not on the web anywhere. But it took about an hour and a half to go just 6 miles!
    Anyway back with cats , Bonya and Luna, who didn't remember me and a fortnight to spend with son and granddaughters.
    Have just realised my computer is one hour slower than my watch and as I have been up for about 18 hours and travelled a few hundred miles I think I will 'retire' now!😴

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