THIS POST IS CLOSED
"longer off topic comments" - Episode 42 Life Outside Ambridge
"longer off topic comments" - Episode 42 Life Outside Ambridge
English Robin
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
Just posted a comment and realised the blog has closed!
ReplyDeleteRe weddings
Good luck to your sensible niece ;Miriam
I can’t be doing with fancy weddings.
Too much hanging about.
Far too much money wasted .
If either of my lovely , handsome Canadian grandsons decides to get married I would not dream of going to the wedding.
I would far rather give them the money I had saved on travel ( at my advanced age Business Class of course)
That money could possibly be used to purchase two tickets for the bride and groom to come over to this Country where I would see more of them
No brainier.
I hate weddings. Can’t stand the fancy frock and tights😱🤮 combo. And the expense of the frock and tights combo.
ReplyDeleteHate having that faux smile fixed on your face for hours and getting sat next to someone you don’t know and don’t want to know anything about.
The cost of these weddings are out of this world nowadays.
I found the receipts for my wedding when going through my mother’s things .......total cost for absolutely everything was £6000. We had 54 guests, no evening do...,just back to my parents house with a bbq going and some booze.
1989 that was. Imagine the cost now!!!
I have vowed never to go to another wedding as I don’t enjoy them. They go on forever! Friends spent a lot on daughter’s wedding a few years back and 4 years later she was divorced! Our wedding was very low key as I had a good excuse. My husband had been married before and that was an extravagant do. I said he shouldn’t have to go through all that again. She left him for another man 5 years on. I said ours was just mums and dads, brothers and sister and there were only 12 there. The vicar who gave us a church blessing and wife were invited and the lady who made the cake and supervised the buffet lunch at my parents’ house. I never regretted this modest celebration and we were married for nearly 43 years when his death did us part.
DeleteSounds lovely Ev.
DeleteOur wedding was 22 people whom we actually knew & liked, in a place we loved with no drawn out ceremony or photo sessions, (phones were not allowed in the dining room during dinner!) and people were encouraged to move seats between courses. At night we all went swimming in Loch Lomond and everyone was given the freedom to be in the "Big House", wander the gardens or just sit in the bar. Total relaxation for all!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lovely day Gary
DeleteIt wasn't bad CC! Wouldn't change a thing, which is pretty much the yardstick isn't it?
DeleteIn a previous job I saw up close the sheer horror of massive, vulgar, over expensive weddings that just ended up losing track of what the day should really be all about in my opinion. (I sound sooooo smug, don't I...!!) ☺
My first wedding reception was held in a pub.
ReplyDeleteThere were 60 guests @10/- per person.
I remember the massive tea pots they came round with
My beautiful wedding dress was from C and A -£14.
Borrowed the headdress
My second Wedding reception was held in my Step daughters home.
M and S food.
Children and grandchildren only .
Lovely.
3rd (& definitely final!) wedding was here in France - we trolled up to the Mairie, said 'oui', back down for the vin d'honneur followed by knees-up in the barn!
DeleteNow THAT sounds civilized to me parsley! ☺
DeleteIt was GG - & in the time - honoured French tradition we carried on all next day..!
DeleteThank you Ruthy for using that lovely photo of a robin, my all time favourite British bird!
ReplyDeleteI have just been watching one of our tame robins repeatedly flying up to a bird feeder containing fat balls. These are really provided for the multitude of tits who perform acrobatics to get at the food. The fact that the robin has taught itself to mimic the tits and now manages to hover long enough to get at the fat balls is amazing. (In the past our robins have only been ground feeders)
The robins in our garden have learned to use the feeders but still prefer the table.
DeleteHear hear re the robin photo. Absolutely gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI'm sitting watching 2 magpies taking it in turns to steal the coir on the hanging baskets outside our front door and then fly into a neighbour's tree - despite the fact we put up an old feeder stuffed full of alpaca wool for them to make a luxurious nest with! The cheek of it!!
ReplyDeleteMy mum taught me to comb the long blonde hair out of my hairbrush through the bedroom window because, she insisted, the birds would use it to line their nests.
DeleteNowadays it’s short and white so I don’t know if they’d still be interested!
She also used to hang a string bag full of the contents from our old carpet sweeper, dust and all, from a tree in the garden. Our birds must have had luxury nests.
I have a lovely robin who is a frequent visitor in my garden.
ReplyDeleteMum + Dad blackbird are busy on my back lawn, getting food for their babes, in a nest in my beech hedge (the same place as last year). It is at eye height, but haven't dared to have a peek yet, and pusscat is also ignoring it.
Wedding -
Only a few photos have been sent. My neice + her now, hubbie look so very happy + content.
She wore a gorgeous grecian style (maternity) dress in a deep dusky pink.
They were married in the sunshine, under an arbour of red flowers, on the bank of a lake (no crocs. though), with a willow tree draping over.
It looks idyllic, + was the wedding she wanted, low key with no fuss.
PS My 14 month yr old Grand Nephew Monty, looked wonderful - wearing a white shirt, a black waistcoat with cream chinos, which I expect were not cream after the chocolate Wedding Cake.
Although no wedding video yet, it won't prevent the Prosecco opening - to toast the Happy Couple + family.
Delete...but of course Miriam 😉🍸- details so far sound charming!
DeleteLizzie's therapist will not be heard from sgain.
ReplyDeleteI have read that the lovely Laura Laidlaw ( the therapist - who was Mrs. Tembe in Doctors) will soon be seen on The Cobbles - in other words Coronation Street.
I admit, that after TA, this is the only other serial drama, I follow.
DeleteSo another Archer’s actor is going on the cobbles - our ‘Helen’ was moonlighting there as a Doctor’s receptionist a couple of years back.
DeleteI don’t know if she still is, as I stopped watching Coronation Street around then because it was getting so violent and had ridiculous storylines.
Lorna Laidlaw had spent many years in TV’s Doctors before her appearance in TA. It seems once an actor is immersed in soap-land they never leave!
'Helen" is still at the surgery where she is the practice manager. The character she plays is so different and I don't recognise her as Helen
Delete.
Mr LJ is responsible for feeding the parakeets (sunflower hearts) and I feed the goldfinches (niger seeds) .
ReplyDeleteThe seeds which have dropped out of the feeder are growing into little plants although the wretched pigeons eat them too along with the grass seed.
The robin is happy with the worms I extract from the compost bin.
Years ago we just fed stale bread to the birds.
They are getting spoilt.
EV - this is for you, ( no pressure )
ReplyDeleteI've received a message today about a smallish dog called Simba.
He is on the island.
He was adopted by a young girl and was from Romania. Apparently by an unsatisfactory Rescue who have now been closed down by trading standards.
For various reasons, changing homes, fosterer no longer can keep, and now none of the Islands rescues able to take him, he will be off to the pound within days.
Wondered if you wanted a third ?
Or know any one who might take him.
And I hope you will not be offended by my mentioning it.
PS - Simba is smart and good with people but reactive to strangers and doesn't understand children.
DeleteThe girl says his good points far outway his bad.
Sorry, Mrs P but cannot take a third. Gypsy needs a lot of attention and Buddy is currently being a problem as he is a reluctant eater. The vet has put him on antacids and prescribed a special food which he savoured for a few days and now has gone off it! I think he was probably fed people food when young and is always looking for something better. He did relish a couple of crisps tonight which I gave him as a test so think this is fussiness. So sorry but have a lot to cope with already! Has she tried Friends of the Animals based in Newport? Don’t know offhand of anyone who could take him but will let you know if anyone comes to mind. Of course not offended!
DeleteAnother person on the site said try the friends of animals, but I believe all island rescues full up.
DeleteI dint think you would say yes Ev, just that when I saw the request, I automatically thought of you.
May be my friend Pat who lives just up the road from you would take him.
Must say that two weeks on from very reluctantly getting into the car Lady is now getting in without any problem.
And she is being less reactive to other dogs.
I thought she was about to go for a swim today.
We were walking beside the canal but the river is on the other side of the path.
I stopped at a point where she could get to the edge to drink. She had a lap and then went in. All the rivers in the Five Valleys are fast running and I think she immediately felt the swiftness and backed out straight away. But I suspect she might be a swimmer.
Time will tell.
Lovely discussion on relationships and the diversity of commitment to each other. Unlike in the Kingdom of Brunei where such conversations would result in a horrible death.
ReplyDeleteI shall wear a rainbow ribbon round my hat during the summer to remind me of my freedom to live, love, live and marry in peace and security.
Politics over, for now.
Pandemoniium in garden a short while ago. Pusscat came charging in through cat flap and blackbird was making a racket. There on the patio was one of the fledglings and female was hopping around it. It was still alive and I thought I would have to kill it, but decided to leave it for a while. It suddenly got up and after about 5 mins flew onto a rose bush. Mum + Babe are now back in the hedge near the nest. Think female blackbird attacked pusscat, as she now is wary of going into the garden.
ReplyDeleteUpdate - birds all well tonight. Think pusscat caught the babe, was immediatly attacked by the adult female so dropped it before any damage done. A happy and unusual outcome as fledgling with Mum + Dad are now feeding on back lawn all together.
DeleteJust a reminder - which I know many will not need - is that tomorrow is April 8th.
ReplyDeleteThis was the First True Day of this wonderful blog.
THANK YOU RUTHY.
Where would so many be without you.
I will be doing, as to a previous suggestion, raising a glass at 7.00pm on Monday Night, to mark this anniversary.
It has been a great year, and so may it continue. 😀😆😆
May I apologise to all - due to my many posts (on both blogs) over the last few days.
ReplyDeleteMy "big Sis" is so very upset at not attending + seeing her daughter being married. I have had to be so calm in talking to her about this, and have really tried to help her accept this - but it has been hard. I have talked on here - to keep myself cool + calm + it has helped, so forgive and ignore all my silly bland, wittering comments.
Sorry again.
How lovely to know the blog has been such a comfort to you Miriam so that in turn you have found the strength you need to support your sister.
DeleteRuthy where would we be without you now! (BBC you did us all a big favour !)
Not a problem Miriam, sometimes we are needy. Each of us may well have experienced that, I certainly have been at times, and this forum has provided each of us a place to share our thoughts with friends, yet at the same time has given us a form of anonymity.
ReplyDeleteThanks. As one can imagine emotions have been far greater over this weekend, than I would have ever imagined. I have had to be the, supposedly calm + sensible one!
DeleteTo console myself, I am cooking a favourite meal of mine - chicken, with garlic and a crisp unskined, sliced braeburn apple, cooked in cider, with the addition of cornflour, milk, dble cream + coarse grain mustard, to give a rich sauce. It will be served with mashed pots. brocolli, carrots + sprouts - all timed ready for TA and that Christening.
DeleteBon appetit Miriam. Nothing like good food to soothe the soul. Mr S is cooking us pan fried salmon and vegetables whilst I recover from my long drive south.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally the blog is a beast for collecting background data - whilst away I was on my pay as you go phone as no WiFi set up yet and don’t need a mobile account usually, and if I signed in to the blog it took up to seven quid off me in a day, as opposed to about a pound on days I was signed out. It’s a bit concerning what is going on in the background. Are any computer experts out there who would know if it’s possible to disable something to block all that activity? I switched off everything I could on my phone.
Anyway should say belatedly what a lovely time I had at the Yorkshire moors meet up. A very welcome break from all the house stuff and great to meet Cowgirl and see PtbY again. It’s great how relaxed we are because of the lovely friendship we all have on the blog. Cheers to Ruthy and happy anniversary everyone for tomorrow!🍾🎉🎈
Seasider: I've just consulted the Oracle (otherwise known as Mr BB) and to quote:-
Delete"Web sites can use a lot of tracking code.
For example, a huge majority uses Google Analytics and other things like Facebook code to track visitors behaviour. Normally, the thing that eats the most bandwidth are images. It could also be the sign of a malformed code request repeatedly going round in a sort of loop - or worse - malicious code. It certainly is unusual for a forum - something like a picture gallery. Pinterest for example, would take up much more bandwidth."............sorry but you did ask and I've no idea what it all means!! He also said it might be none of the above either! Useful or what!
Also suggested asking Ruthie as possible support............I bet you wished you'd never asked! 😌
BB and Mr BB, thanks very much. Mr S spent hours looking through my settings and said similar things. I hope those strange posts that occasionally appeared here weren’t hackers??
DeleteAll you cooks on this site put me to shame.
ReplyDeleteLeft to myself I would live on salads and M and S “Count on Us “meals followed by raspberries or blueberries and cream but of course I would start each day with porridge .
If I were feeling particularly peckish in an afternoon I would want to eat a Chelsea bun with butter or a crumpet or muffin with ginger preserve.
fabada asturiana today..
Deletehot cross buns waiting in the freezer!
LJ you are not alone🙄😂
DeleteI am known to be a good cook, but cant be botherd for my self, eating for me is a social occasion.
DeleteI have had a whitlow now for over 3 months, GP said it was because I was run down, so am making a special effort to eat a more balanced diet.
I do admire your efforts Miriam, often when I make a special effort I then don't want it.
I hope you and your Sis are feeling better.
Lady had a wonderful walk today being reactive with other dogs again at the beginning but by the end almost playing. We were walking towards a Jack Russell who was hairing at great speed towards his ball. She stopped and watched, then ran towards him returning and he stopped near her, dropped his ball and let her pick it up. She then ran a few feet with the ball. That dogs dad threw it for her but no response.
ReplyDeleteThese rescues do not know ' how' to play, so this was a big step forward.
Then on the way back to the car park she stopped again and when I looked at what she was staring at I found us just a few yards from a skylark. See them all the time, but never up close on the ground before.
Lovely treat.
May I ask for some thoughts to be with me between ten and eleven tomorrow morning.
ReplyDeleteI have my first viewing !
I live in a very untidy manner. I'm a ' dumper' !
I've done my best to clear the decks, but my best will not be nearly good enough.
The photographs are being taken on Tuesday afternoon and I have someone coming to help me in the morning.
Why am I doing this ?
Ooh......Mrs P, are you planning on buying that house you were on about the other week.....the one that got away?
Delete🤞for you.
Mrs P, my thoughts will def be with you. I am the opposite of you, though since having house animals am more relaxed. I have never on viewing thought about how tidy etc the house is, just looking for its potential, this Is my 7th house so I am quite a seasoned buyer and seller.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a viewing before the photos are up, lets hope it is a good omen,
Good luck
I never even notice the state of a house when viewing. I have very strong visualisation skills and always see without much thought the potential.
ReplyDeleteHowever, having been in the business myself and with a daughter whose career is in that business I do know that most people do not possess these skills in abundance.
And today, ' presentation ' is all important.
I too have a long history of buying and selling, but this one has landed upon me very quickly and without warning or expectation.
Lady R, yes.
Made an offer last week and was asked to raise it.
In order to be proceedable I have to be on the market myself.
But as it is an impersonable on line agency it's all very difficult to negotiate.
Good luck Mrs P, thinking of you. Sounds as though your motivation is driving you through. I really hope it works out well for you.
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear about Lady’s progress as well. She is obviously very happy with you and sounds like a really sweet character. I hope she and Puss are settled with one another.
Good luck Mrs P, thinking of you .
ReplyDeleteMrs P,
ReplyDeleteAm thinking of you as you are possibly showing the prospective buyers round your home.
I know this is not like your place at all ,Mrs P ,but when Mr LJ bought our home -before my time- the Estate Agent said that a bungalow had just come onto the market which would be perfect for them ,he thought.
(Mr LJs first wife was disabled )
The Estate Agent added that in spite of the look of the place he must go inside and he would buy it.
He was the first viewer and he went along with my step daughter .
He was all for turning away but his daughter insisted that they should at least take a look.
Apparently (nothing like yours) it looked a dump on the outside and inside was not much better but at the end my husband was taken into the room in which I am sitting now and that was it.
The owners had had the foresight to extend the small room so that there were large windows on two sides with a patio door ,looking out onto a large (unkempt) garden and Mr LJ saw the potential.
My point ,Mrs P, is (if you haven’t sold it already) ,keep the best until last .
Good Luck.
ReplyDeleteYorkshire lassApril 8, 2019 at 11:36 AM
Oh my I cannot believe this has worked yippeeeeeee. It says sign out at the side of the blog but I am not going to do, unless someone tells me it is not wise to stay signed in!
I am sorry in my excitement I forgot it was one comment only I deleted the above from the celebration blog but thought I would put it here.
Yorkshire Lass - how lovely to see your name again after all this time. I do hope that now you have succeeded in posting, you will do so regularly and we shall read your thoughts much more often.
DeleteRe. the “sign out” - don’t!
I did that once in error and it took me days to get back in again
A while ago many of us had great problems with iPads when the operating system was upgraded and we could no longer post comments. Something to do with Safari browser being incompatible.
So I, and several others downloaded the Google Crome browser and found it easy to post. I keep Chrome exclusively for the Archers blog and it’s always there waiting for me!
Welcome Yorkshire lass! Looking forward to hearing more from you - and I've never signed out from the blog and never had any problems!
DeleteHello fellow yorkshire lass. Agree with others , don’t sign out. I would recommend using chrome. I’ve had no problems with it.
DeleteBienvenue from one ex-Lincs (but 1/4 Yorks!) lass - ditto I use Chrome, have no trouble signing in & out..
DeleteChrome?
DeleteI haven’t a clue what that is .
I think I use Google but it is not my normal email address that it uses.
However if it works and if it ain’t broke.........
I use Chrome as my default browser, but I logged into this site via a gmail account - the only time it is ever used is on this site which is always kept open. It is added to my favourites bar on my main PC and as a shortcut on my smartphone - so can always easily access.
DeleteI can it. Sorry Folks 🤣
Y. Lass so pleased you have managed to join us here! Like others I do not sign out and use Google Chrome just for Ruthy’s blogs after - as AP explained Apple did an iOS update that caused us a problem. Agree with LJ re hit publish and not the sign out. I did it once and a bit of a pain to get back 😡
DeleteYorkshire Lass -
ReplyDeleteSo pleased you have managed it.
Whatever you do though,make sure you press “publish “and not “sign out” as I have done several times.
MrsP - catching up on reading this blog. Good luck with your house viewing! I believe it is a stressful time.
ReplyDeleteYorkshire Lass - good to have you back! Agree with others, don't log out when you've signed in. I have also deleted your second comment on the anniversary :)
ReplyDeleteGreat to have another Yorkshire lass on the blog - I know that you were there before me on the bbc blog. I accidentally signed out a few times and now I am less frightened if it happens. I keep Ruthy’s recommendation of wiki how to join a blog on my favourites and go back in that way. As I mentioned yesterday I had to sign out when I was off WiFi as it was gobbling my pay as you go credit. I found I could read only in private view without much cost.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely posts on the anniversary site.
ReplyDeleteWhat is so nice are the posts from followers who just read but don't post regurlarly.
This just shows how well this blog is liked + appreciated.
✔️ 👏🏻 💐
DeleteTonight on BBC2 I am looking forward to A House through Time. I so enjoyed the first outing of this programme, a few years ago, when the featured house was in Liverpool. I know exactly where that house is and was amazed at what was revealed, as to its historical architecture and its social history.
ReplyDeleteTonights is based in Newcastle, which I hope will be just an imfornative.
Spelling - informative.
DeleteI agree Miriam, a lovely and fascinating programme and an excellent presenter. My tv is set to record in case my regular call to mum runs over.
DeleteHope the viewing went well for you today, Mrs P. - all rather momentous, the story behind it & what is happening now. A move is a terrific upheaval, but I suspect you're unfazed by that prospect & Lady is clearly settling down so we'll.
ReplyDeleteGreat to read all the April 8th comments, what a good idea, & welcome, Yorkshire Lass ! You've cracked it, so hope you add your 'voice' as & when it suits. Warning : it can become addictive...
ReplyDeleteCAN.,IS.
DeleteHello, Yorkshire lass, welcome. I had to create a gmail account to stay in tune with the blog. However, when I clear my history I have to sign in using gmail, sometimes I forget and use my other account with BT and it doesn't work. So don't sign out, and I recommend adding it to your favourites, then it's just a click away.
ReplyDeleteSeasider, I also have a pay as you go smartphone, and made the mistake of leaving mobile data switched on, £50 suddenly disappeared very quickly. I only carry a phone in case of emergencies, but it is very easy these days to find a cafe, shop etc to pick up wifi.
Thanks Stasia, yes there is an Internet cafe in the nearest town.
DeleteAfter the emotions of my nieces wedding on Sat. when her Mum, Dad and her sisters weren't invited, yet another situation has arisen.
ReplyDeleteShe remarried in 2014, and her now husband's sister, sadly but peacefully, passed away this morning, at home in her own bed. Although it was expected, it still very upsetting.
I think I need a double G+T at 7.00pm. Hic!
It is Big Sis in this situation - not my niece.
DeleteHow sad Miriam even when expected losing a loved one still hurts 😢
DeleteThoughts 💕 to all.
This is to bufo9bufo who mentioned me in a post on the Aniversary site and hope she/he reads this reply.
ReplyDeleteGo for the cataract op. as the outcome will be far better than ever anticipitated. It is a short ordeal but well worth it.
Me - I have now to convince the eye clinic to do my other eye, sooner rather than later.
Good Luck.
I admire you Mrs P. with the potential move and the buying + selling of properties. I hope things work out for you, in the way you dream of.
ReplyDelete7.00pm and raising my stiff G+T. Cheers everyone.
ReplyDeleteI raised my glass of red to Ruthy & everyone as the theme tune started, I felt quite emotional. First time in an age I have listened live!
ReplyDeleteMe too though it was a glass of white for me.
ReplyDeleteI set an alarm for 7. Interrupted my telly viewing to raise a glass of 16 yr old arran malt whiskey. 😉
ReplyDeleteNice!
Deletemmmm..!!
DeleteLived on the Isle of Arran PtbY! Excellent choice...
DeleteThat particular whisky is a particular favourite of mine.
DeleteI'm having my glass of sherry now, having just ' listened again' to the ' sounds' of TA.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for the good wishes.
The viewing was odd.
It was ' accompanied ' not by me, and I was trying to get out so that I wasn't here. The woman from the agents said she would show the lady the garden while I got the dog out. They were on their way back down to the house, and the viewer ' applicant' was a local woman I know, not well, but we had met up on the common with the dogs yesterday and she didn't say I'm coming to view your house tomorrow ' even though, apparently, she knew it was mine she was to view.
Very odd !
She is unlikely to buy it though and now two more viewings booked for Saturday.
I viewed a lovely Victorian villa today. In the old town, tucked away behind a gate In a wall with a path leading to the four houses, this being the last with a much loved enclosed garden.
Sorry, wittering away.........
Lovely to see so many old names coming out of the woodwork on the special blog.
Aren't we lucky !
Thank you Ruthy.
Best wishes, Mrs P as you think about moving. I was just thinking the other day how blessed I am to live in a place like this as I went up to little Tesco for a bag of potatoes! The bungalow ticked a lot but not all of the boxes. However we are well situated for shops etc and it occurred to me that you will need to think about that too if you are looking further than the house you mentioned. As we get older it is good to h ave facilities on the doorstep! Sorry to sound like an interfering old biddy! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteTomorrow am having the cavities filled hopefully to save energy and cutdown a bit on heating bills! The general government scheme ended but it is still possible to get this done on the island to reduce my carbon footprint! Every bit helps!
Yes Ev, being in the town was what I wanted, but missing this house twice, and at the time, almost four years now, there was little else suitable to buy. So I ended up here, much as I was in Putney, too far to walk into town in a reasonable time, and in particular here, unable due to steep crippling hills.
DeleteSo it's the car every time, extending my carbon footprint for sure.
This house that I wanted and still want is a stones throw to Waitrose in one direction and the rest of town in the other.
Also the canal is on the other side of Waitrose car park, it's on the flat then, beside the canal for as far as I wish to walk. And I can get a bike again. Gave mine away when I moved in here.
By the way Ev, have just seen a message on the Facebook adopters page, that dog I asked you about has now found a home. Don't know if it's on the island or not though. Good news.
That house sounds ideal, Mrs P and hope it happens for you this time. Really good news about the dog! Buddy ate some elderly dog food on Sunday night as he seems to think Gypsy gets better food and was dipping into her bowl so we gave him some desperate to get him eating. As he hadn’t eaten much previously he was sick yesterday morning but we gave him chicken and rice for the rest of the day and he was just fine. At least Gypsy’s food helped the constipation big time so hopefully he is now on the mend! He really is the fussiest dog ever!
DeleteWill keep the anniversary blog open through the week seems there are some having trouble signing in. Wonderful to read all the lovely comments.
ReplyDeleteWow you’re up early! It is lovely to read the anniversary blog and I had tingles down my spine when I raised my sherry glass as the Archers tune started last night, as if we were all together there in my dining room. Soppy devil!
DeleteI posted the same emotion Seasider !
DeleteMiriam, really sorry to hear your sad news yesterday. What an emotionally charged weekend you have had. Take really good care of yourself. Sending you warm wishes of support.🌷
ReplyDeleteIt has been an emotional few days, which has affected my Big Sis in so many ways. I have just tried to support her, as best I possibly could.
DeleteThanks.
I had a late lunch today, ( as at hairdessers) and saw Oliver "moonlighting" in Doctors. I recognised his voice immediately.
ReplyDeleteI am having a day out with Big Sis tomorrow, plus her grandkids, a grand niece + nephew to me, (2 of 3, but 2 more grand nephews due), who are 7 and 5.
ReplyDeleteI love being a grand-aunty, get them hyper with chocolate and silly games and then leave!
I prefer the label of grand aunty, to great aunty, but I am only ever called "Aunty Xxxxx".
I have just realised that I have a grand niece + 3 grand nephews. How could I forget one! As my grand niece would say:- "Silly Aunty Xxxxx". 😃
Delete😂 indeed Aunty Miriam.....
DeleteHave the lovely day out tomorrow that you and your big sis deserve, I’m sure that the young ones will lift both of your spirits 🥰
My aunt, one of three "ancient aunts" as they were affectionately known, always said that if mothers become grand, then so should aunts. 😀
DeleteHave a lovely day tomorrow Miriam.
What’s happened to Spring? It has been really cold and miserable here today. ☹️
ReplyDeleteA cool breeze but bright sunshine here in Cheshire. Perhaps West is Best for a change - it doesn't often happen.
DeleteKnow what you mean AP and it is going t be cold “feels like” temps for awhile I believe 😐
DeleteI went out today, in sunglasses, jeans, a long sleeved T-shirt and just a cardigan. It was lovely. I have to admit though even with the evening sun, it is getting a wee bit chilly.
DeleteBeautiful day here in Glasgow. Went a walk along the canal and had lunch in the garden.. Sorry Archerphile!
Deletewell it was grey foggy & COLD here in Charente this am, improved no end this afto,
Deleteapéros on the terrace v. 18h30, heard the first cuckoo!!
also spotted 7 magpies argy-bargying in a nearby tree.. what's their secret..?😶
Various folk mentioned on the Archers blog who are absent at the moment. I hope Sarnia and Mr Sarnia are alright, and coping after the recent hospital episode.
ReplyDeleteI hope so too.
DeleteMy thoughts are with them both.
I only get the odd chance to dip in, Seasider, and am not listening to TA at present: Mr S was discharged yesterday after the third admission to hospital as an in-patient in 5 weeks (there were others!) It's all got too complicated to explain and I'm too tired to try. Thanks for the thought, which is much appreciated.
DeleteSarnia, so sorry to hear the severe medical news in your family.
DeleteI do hope there is not a fourth admission that you will both have to ccpe with.
I'm sure we will all be very pleased for you and ready to welcome you back when your lives calm down somewhat.
In your absence we will be thinking of you.
Thank you, Mrs P, but I imagine there are those among you who recognise the signs.......
DeleteThoughts and prayers are with you Sarnia.
DeleteUnderstood Sarnia, and when needed we will be there.
DeleteSadly, I will not be able to join the kids in my sisters Hot Tub tomorrow - it is still too early after cataract op. - a no-no (like swimming) for at least 4 weeks. I am now week 3, so not long now before I can partake again.
ReplyDeleteI will be the - towels at the ready - prefect.😀
What a silly comment, I have just made, as I have just read Seasiders post about Sarnia + Mr.S.
DeleteWhy am I concerned about using a hot tub again - it is nothing but a slight inconvenience.
Many have far greater worries + concerns.
Don’t worry Miriam, of course you will be aware of not being able to participate as fully as everyone else. Totally normal. I admire your positivity and calm approach to life. I would be terrified of the tiniest medical intervention and you have faced it all in an admirably sanguine way. Enjoy your day tomorrow, you deserve it.🤗
DeleteA friend gives me books on a The Archers whenever she spots them in Charity Shop.
ReplyDeleteThe latest one which she gave me this morning is a slight paper back copy published in 2011.
It is called Who’s who in The Archers.(£5.99 when new !)
The only thing I found interesting was regarding Elizabeth
“ Clear thinking Elizabeth can be relied upon to keep a firm grip on reality.
Ther’s undoubtably a ruthless side to Elizabeth as her brother David discovered a few years back when she contested the inheritance arrangements over the family farm.
The rift with David has never fully healed.
More recently she has been critical of his handling of his daughter Pip’s relationship with the much older Jude Simpson.................
She has always been the power behind LL and nothing is likely to change it.”
So there you go.
What a day, said Enid !
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know where that quote derives from ?
A girl friend used to use it frequently.
I had paid help to get some areas of my cottage, well the kitchen/ cum living room, as clear as possible for the photographer this afternoon.
Six hours of solid on-the-go, three to get it ready and three to do the pictures and EPC.
It does look nice.
I think that when I see the pictures I might well say ' oh that looks nice, I might want to live there'.
bravo!
DeleteMallory Towers? St Clare's?
Deffo Malory Towers!
DeleteMy sister had all of those books and I devoured them as a youngster - I loved them! Remember those twins at St Clare's? And Dimsie? The memories are all flooding back...☺
DeletePreferred Malory Towers. I have a vague memory of Dimsie. I would have hated boarding school. Didn't they spank each other with the back of a hairbrush in one book?
DeleteBtw the robin is a European Robin not an English Robin. The national bird of the UK is the European Robin, according to Wiki. Birds recognise no borders. They do have accents though.
ReplyDeleteHH - agree with you that is an European Robin. I labeled it an English Robin as someone had mentioned that is what is called. The American Robin we call Red Breasted Robin locally (or maybe just me) 😀
DeleteI remember them all as well 🤗 ! Then there were the tv shows and “oh I say you chaps wait for me” Billy Bunter and J. Edwards in “Whacko” and I hear that “Crackerjack” is returning. Will it still be in the quiz 2 (?) cabbages and you’re out- or was it 3
ReplyDeleteCRACKERJACK!!!
DeleteCrackerjack is an American treat that is caramel coated popcorn and peanuts. It used to come with a prize (plastic ring, sticker for example) which are now considered choking hazards so no longer included. Cause 1/2 the world is allergic to peanuts so can’t eat it in public. Made famous in a song and sold in ball parks (baseball that is). ‘That me out to the ballgame...”
DeleteYour crackerjack sounds like our snickers Ruthy.
DeleteCrackerjack as above (GG ) was a children's TV programme much loved by those of a certain age, much younger than me and LanJan.
Bloggers - going to keep the anniversary post open for another few days. Hoping that others may add to it. Wonderful comments all - I really think this is movie material.
ReplyDeleteKind of like a modern day 84 Charingcross road, but using posts instead of letters!
DeletePtbY, that’s perfect! I loved that book, and film.📮📬
DeleteJust as long as it’s not along the lines of Calendar Girls!
DeleteIndeed it is Ruthy.
DeleteEveryone will be flocking to see
“Under the clock at. Waterloo “
Didn’t I have you being played by Meryl Streep.?
I think I had Carolyn played by Penelope Wilton -maybe wrong about that .
Maybe that was Lady R.
Mrs P would have been Natalie Wood had the actress still been alive
I think Maggie Smith is to play me as she can act bossy ,
P tbY ,Seasider and Cowgirl have a choice of good Yorkshire actresses like the new Dr Who.
I don’t suppose any of you would nip over the Pennines for Sarah Lancashire?
Now that I have met Spiceycushion I realise that Ingrid Bergman would have been just right.
You see,I am being bossy again.
It is up to you all to choose who will play you.
We will play ourselves, Lanjan ! And why not an element, the saucy element of Calendar Girls + Boys, mustn't exclude GG, though, if he likes, Clooney could do the walk on, no speech, part for the calendar shot. ( nobody would know it was a double)
DeleteGoing back some posts, yes to Malory Towers & Dimsie ( was that the WW1 story, Dad torning up at the last moment, having been missing-presumed-dead ? Favourite was the Chalet School series. Then Wendy &Jinx from 'Girl', though better were Lettice Leaf, famous women on the back page & Belle of the Ballet ( about whom I fantasized, good thing that phase didn't last long, application to Sadlets Wells would have been doomed to disappointment) Thereby hangs a little tale...
ReplyDeleteBelle didn't just pirouette, she was forever uncovering crimes & saving people, after which hailing a taxi, blonde ponytail flying, so she wouldn't be late for rehearsals. We lived near Richmond Park( Surrey, not Yorks.), So often went for walks there with one or other parent, aged 7 through to 8 at the time. There was a fantastic log there, ideal for a taxi, front & back seat, so the parent had to enact a scene every time, & we alternated roles. Belle would be running frantically, calling out, 'Texi, texi, please tell me to Wells !' Note 50s 'excent' ( though, come to think, this happened in the 50s, so that was probably just how I spoke). Then, we'd swap & I'd lower the voice, & change the accent & it'd be, ' 'Op in, miss, we'll get you there in a jiffy !' ( nowadays it would be more ' No sweat, or 'no worrries', jump in, love'.
ReplyDeleteMum obliged without complaint, but when I went with Dad, & she asked if we'd had a nice walk & had we stopped for the taxi, he said yes to both but added, ' However, I did draw the line at playing Belle...'
Love it Carolyn.
ReplyDeleteLovely memories which I can relate to Carolyn.
DeleteI too had a log in Richmond Park up near Ladderstyles, where I combed my Harry before her walk.
Many decades after your ' texi texi take me to the Wells ' tale.
I have a Taxi tale too.
My parents both used ' Taxi ' to signal something ironic to each other. I never understood it, but when much older I suspected it was their version, ironic in itself, of touché.
Are any of you ladies able to help me?
ReplyDeleteI always get mixed up between The Abbey Girls and The Chalet Girls
I know I read them both but thinkI preferred the Abbey Girls.
In one of the books the girls were divided into groups I think .
Were the groups named after flowers?
I don’t remember a Dimsie in Malory Towers but I think there was a Darryl.
I always think that Malory Towers was to St Claire’s as The Adventure Series was to The Famous Five.
Ie the first was far superior -I did read all of them though.
I know I read them and loved them but memories of them seem to be buried.
DeletePerhaps because it was the life I wanted but knew was unavailable to me.
I would have thrived at boarding school.
Enid had a bad press because of the baddy golliwogs but her writing was perfect for children. My daughter learned to read through her books and so did I starting with Noddy! Another favourite author of mine was Malcolm Saville who wrote adventure stories based on the Long Mynd in Shropshire, not far from us in Crewe. They were set around the time of WW 2. I remember one was “Wings over Witchend”.
ReplyDeleteI was a VERY sixties parent.
DeleteAnd very ' right on '.
Enid Blighton was not allowed anywhere near my children.
But nobody has told me about the quote !
DeleteSo I ask again.
'What a day, said Enid '
Oh yes .
DeleteMalcolm Saville .
Lovely stories.
Weren’t we lucky?
We didn’t care that children in the books we read had parents who owned a car.
We would have loved to have gone to Boarding School and had midnight feasts in the dorm (would we have been happy though?I don’t think I would have been)
Our magazines were not full of fashion ,Pop idols ,make up or slimming or anorexia.
We had Jill Crusoe and Terry Brent.
We didn’t care that our friends could shop at Kendal Milnes in Manchester ,George Henry Lee in Liverpool or Pendlebury’s of Wigan whilst we had to shop at C and A for our one best coat and best frock.
It didn’t matter that some of our clothes were made from our mums frocks.
I honestly believe that I had a happier childhood in the 40s and 50s when sweets were on ration and a Mars bar was sliced so that each child had a slice and I wanted an end bit.
Do you know I remember once being given a whole Crunchie bar.
It didn’t worry me that other children went to Knott End or even Torquay for their holidays whilst I went to relations in Wolverhampton
Apart from the advances in Communications and of course Health ,are things any better for today’s youngsters than they were for us?
Taking my time to climb down from my soap box because of my bungalow knees.
Lan Jan, please remind me when we arrange our meet up in Putney ( at Weatherspoons, I haven't forgotten) to bring prepared cut ends of mars bars, lots and lots, for us both to remember our childhoods and our wanting the ' end bits '.
DeleteYou won’t need reminding Mrs P.!
DeleteDo you know how much Mars bars are now?
They used to be 4d -that was when 6d was the equivalent to £1 today.
When my father used to tell me you could buy 30 aniseed balls for a halfpenny I found it hard to believe but we used to get 30 for 3d off the market .
I think it would cost a lot more than 50p if we were to buy them today.
I have loved Ruthy's idea of us as a movie potential.
ReplyDeleteMy thought is a serial radio one, along the lines of "Ladies of Letters". I haven't decided who would play me just yet, but first thoughts are Suranne Jones, Sarah Lancashire or Martine McCutcheon. It has to be someone younger 🤣🤣🤣
What to call it though? Ideas?
I have made a suggestion,Miriam
ReplyDeleteSorry LJ I must have missed that, as I have only done a quick scroll through, so far. Will look back later on.
DeleteUnder the clock at Waterloo. A modern 84 Charing Cross Road
DeleteSound perfect to me.
What a lovely day out today. So sunny but chilly to begin with but warmed up. We went to a place called Ty Maer near to Cefn Mawr not far from the Ponstyllic Aqueduct, but by the adjacent viaduct. It is run by Wrexham council and the only cost was £1 for the car park. Fed rabbits + guinea pigs with grass + dandelion leaves, then a 1.5mile round walk under the viaduct and along the banks of the R.Dee. It was a slow walk and sat at a table beside the river for our picnic. Kids loved it, throwing stones, playing and having fun. Ended up at the playground with ice creams. A good 5hrs of sheer enjoyment by all.
ReplyDeleteI live on the Cheshire/Welsh border + Big Sis lives 22 miles away on the Shropshire/Welsh border and apologise if welsh spelling is not accurate.
DeleteWhat a lovely day Miriam.
DeleteThere is a part of me that envies sisterly friendship.
My sister and I were never friends and have had no contact now for over twenty years.
Mrs P. Myself + my 2 sisters get on so well together, always have and always will
DeleteI have a wonderful family and we all just love each other, and have great times together, when we can meet up. Little Sis and her 2 daughters, son + grandson (plus another grandson due Aug. 1st) live in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge + Leeds, so sadly don't see + visit as much.
I was so sorry to read that Mrs. P. My sister and I live in different countries but we always try to talk once a week and get together when I go to England. In fact I wish we lived closer.
DeleteMiriam, so pleased you all enjoyed your your day.
DeleteI don’t have any siblings and I know from friends some are very close and others have difficult relationships. I did wish I had a sister when I was a child. Quite happy with plenty of my own company now. Must be lovely though when you get on well.
Going back to childhood reads, and especially Carolyn....
ReplyDeleteI too was a dedicated ‘Girl’ reader. I lived for Tuesday morning’s when the paperboy delivered my Comic with the daily paper.
I loved the true life stories on the back page about women like Marie Curie, Florence Nightingale and Gladys Aylward and learnt a lot of history from them. I adored Belle of the Ballet and Lettice Leaf.
And, best of all I still have, and often look at, my Girl Annuals, received each Christmas. They are now around 60 years old, a bit dog-eared but still bring back memories of childhood. They taught me how to make potato prints, knit a teacosy and construct a bird-table as well as having lots of the strip cartoons and longer stories to read. Bliss. ☺️
How lovely that you kept them, Archerphile. I threw out so much when I was about 12 and regret it now. I kept a few favourites such as Anne of Green Gables and Heidi, and a couple of poetry books. I recently took to buying second hand copies of some of my favourite Ladybird books when I rummage on holiday. Mum kept my Sindy doll and clothes in a box, which I intend to have a look at whenever I visit to see what condition they are in, but I don’t seem to get around to it.
DeleteI have some of my books packed away in a box somewhere.
DeleteHoliday at Arnriggs being my favourite. Fell in love with Yorkshire many decades before I went there.
I have collected Anne books throughout my adult life, but haven't the full set.
YET !
Just read your comment ,Mrs P about not allowing your children to read Enid Blyton.
ReplyDeleteShame on you!!
Guilty of same, Lanjan ! I think it was paucity of vocabulary, things like that that put me off rather than golliwogs etc. Agree they are good for reading starters & do remember Mary mouse & the doll family as my own first readers AND, of course, M.Towers a little later + famous five.
DeleteOh dear ,dear!
DeleteDo you think your children ever sneakily borrowed them from friends but didn’t tell you?
How things have changed.
I made my younger son a golly and he was called Big Golly.
He was/is about three feet tall with floppy arms that wrapped round my son when he was ill.
He now resides in his spare bedroom.
I made two smaller goalies and took them to the local Bernardo’s
They were given to twins (a little black boy and girl) who seemed thrilled.
They were not goalkeepers just gollies.
DeleteThey might have been both, sneaking out late at night to go to Toy Town football, preventing all goals, scoring when it was their turn, the heroes of their local team.
DeleteLanJan, I did say I was ' right on'. Less so now !
DeleteAgree with Carolyn, paucity of language but mostly the racism and paternalism.
Pat Archer would not have allowed E.Blyton either.
What's more I make no apology for it now.
I think it’s the paucity of language which made the books easy to read when starting out. You can see it in the Ladybird books too and everyone needs to start somewhere. I started on Noddy and loved the colourful covers and pictures inside, then moved on to Famous Five etc. I also read other authors of course and at the age of 13 or 14 graduated to the adult library where I discovered Conan Doyle, HE Bates and many others. Enid was my first bridge to cross and I can’t see any badness in her books. Apparently she wasn’t a very good mother but that’s another story! Can see the racism issue although a bit tenuous but not sure where paternalism comes in. The library system in the 50’s and early 60’s was that you couldn’t join until you were 7 and then just the separate children’s library and then it was set in stone when you could move on to the adult library. Lovely now to see little ones can get books!
DeleteNone of it bothered me.
DeleteAs a child I had never heard either word.
When a girl of mixed race started our school I was asked to look after her.She had lovely black pigtails.
I was envious.
I thought she was darker in colour to me because she had moved from the south coast.
When it came to my own children.
They are I think older than yours Mrs P and nobody at that time saw anything wrong with Enid Blyton’s books.
I still don’t .
Can anybody tell me why books about a little bear who has a badger as a best friend are still popular?
ReplyDeleteI always got a Rupert Bear Annual at Christmas as did my children
A friend has called their house “Nutwood”
So did I! My dad had the Daily Express and Rupert was in there every day so I would grab it when dad was finished with it!
DeleteI had a Sindy doll, my younger sister however had a Barbie... I also had (& still have ) a golliwog..!
ReplyDeleteThe Dimsie books were written by Dorita Fairlie Bruce.
ReplyDeleteI collected all those schoolgirl books, all in pristine condition, with original covers. Eventually sold them to an antiquarian collector who was married to the poet Adrian Mitchell. She dropped in that tit bit of information whilst we were discussing money, and that he was in his shed.
Lanjan I perceive you to be a "chin up, chest out, Gemina" hope you are not offended.
Sarnia. My thoughts are with you. Keep strong.💕
Thank you. I'm afraid I had the Eagle, not Girl, and my childhood favourites were Biggles by Capt W E Johns and the Hornblower books by C S Forester. In the last few years I've been privileged to be able to sail his route through the bay of Biscay, past Ushant and Cape Finisterre, to Cadiz (I've even seen the Arsenal he is alleged to have blown up!) and Cartagena, which is one of my favourite Mediterranean ports. I'll treasure that for ever.
DeleteGood to hear from you, Sarnia. As you can see, we t Never read hink of you.
DeleteI had Eagle too ! Like Harris Tweed best....Much preferred Girl & more girly stuff really ( Little Women &so on, ok, yuk !) Never read Biggles or the Hornblower series - seems I missed out ! Your trip sounds wonderful. It's so exciting to go, or to have been, to places one's read about in novels
Sorry, goodness knows what went on in that first para. : Of course, ' ....we are thinking of you'.
DeleteCarolyn....were you on the celebratory booze again...???
DeleteHow can you think such a thing, PtbY ?! Phones do funny things. Since then, though, I've been on to the vodka & tonic - excuse, conversation with a friend who's going through some difficult stuff. One of those things where you are as supportive as you can be, but know there's another side to the story...mmn. anyway, supper done, off to local theatre to see Twelth Night.with friends. Could be dire, but might be pleasantly surprised...
DeleteToday, Mr A and I are celebrating our 49th Wedding Anniversary! Its a beautiful spring day and we are going out for dinner tonight, but our real celebration was last night - a concert by the Philharmonia Orchestra at The Anvil.
ReplyDeleteBeethoven's 6th Symphony, The Pastoral, followed by Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique...and it was simply 'fantastique' : three sets of timpani, various large drums, bells, two harps, two tubas, dozens of assorted woodwind and brass all making a glorious noise!
Thank the Lord for Music ( and for dear Mr A )
And still thinking very deeply of Mr and Mrs Sarnia
AP 💕👏 trust you are both having a lovely special meal tonight for your anniversary last night sounds wonderful. Best wishes to you both.
Delete🎉🍾🎉 Happy 49th wedding anniversary Mr. and Mrs. A. Enjoy your celebrations 💐💐
DeleteArcherphile.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary. 🍾🥂🎂
Happy Anniversary Archerphile!
DeleteCongratulations Mr and Mrs Archerphile 💞🥂
DeleteAnd best wishes from me too Archerphile.
DeleteIt's so good to hear of long and lasting marriages.
Lucky both of you.
And good to see Sarnia able to pop in.
Keep going Sarnia, we are all thinking of you.
Well done Mr and Mrs A .
DeletePerhaps when we reach our 49th Anniversary in another 30 years (creating a record for the oldest married couple in Britain,) Mr LJ will have remembered the date of his wedding .This year a card arrived early for us and I usually open joint letters but didn’t on this occasion on purpose.
I slyly watched as he opened it expecting him to slip it back into the envelope and nip out the following day for a card but instead he just said.
“Did you know it is our Wedding Anniversary on Thursday because I didn’t.”
Who said Romance is dead?
Joyeux Anniv M & Mme AP! 🥂🎻(closest emoji to a cello I could find..)
DeleteThinking of you both, M & Mme Sarnia xx
LJ no reason not to make it to your 49th anniversary here in Hampshire we have a gentleman who celebrated his 🥳111th birthday recently. Often pops to local Waitrose for a chat and looks nothing like his age.
DeleteThank you one and all for your kind remarks - and hearty thanks from Mr A too.
DeleteI had to explain who Lady R, LanJan, Mrs P and everyone is, as I’ve never disclosed your names before. He is amazed that we all communicate so readily, and not just about The Archers and thinks it is like a sort of online WI! I told him
we have some gentlemen contributors and he thinks they must be very brave to mix it with a load of gossipy women! (His words, not mine)
Stasia.
ReplyDeleteMy dad used to tell me to keep my chin up if anything went wrong but I.
don’t know what chest out refers to.
I am not offended .
Hallelujah, my post posted! I have tried off and on using my Ipad & computer via Firefox - thought give it one more try using Chrome instead, on such a momentous occasion, as the first anniversary and it worked! Unfortunately going back on my words about buying the pigs especially as my garden is the size of a biscuit but quite near to Richmond Park/Putney as some fellow bloggers! I feel like an alien that has just landed but just to say I know at least other 5 people who read this blog avidly too - thanks from them too.
ReplyDeletePraise be Aesop2! Welcome...☺
DeleteWell done Aesop2 for managing to post. Here and the anniversary thread.
DeleteI moved up from Putney/Roehampton borders to Gloucestershire a while back now.
Twould be lovely if you could get them to post, if only on the Anniversary blog, so that we have a clearer understanding of how many we are.
Were you with us on the BBC blog ? Vaguely recognise your blog name.
Hello and a warm welcome Aesop2. The more the merrier, so perhaps you could persuade some of your friends to join us too 😊
DeleteI trust you enjoyed your special day MR & Mrs A. Heres to your 50th next year.
ReplyDeleteSarnia, thoughts and good wishes to you both at this difficult time. Glad you are able to pop in and draw strength from us.
Lanjan. Just a quick explanation. Gemina was a jolly hockey sticks school girl. Chin up, Chest out was the term used to describe the actions of the saviour of the upper 5th, striding forth, heroine of the school and leader of all her chums. No more on school girls.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile.🍷🍾