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Life outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments" - Episode 14 Life Outside Ambridge Have a seat and let's chat.
I though you all might like to know where some of your fellow bloggers are joining in from around the world...
ReplyDeleteIn Europe we have folk from Spain, The Netherlands, Ireland, Italy and Germany among others - and a special hello to Ukraine!
The Americas are represented by the U.S., Canada and Bolivia and we have friends in both Australia and New Zealand!
And there is at least one person who joins us from the UAE...
Please do feel free to introduce yourselves if we don't already know you!!!
That's amazing!
DeleteHow interesting, Gary ! Quite an eye opener. No idea we had such a reach.
ReplyDeleteWow - some meet up that would be GG 🤗
ReplyDeleteThat’s really interesting. I had no idea you would know that!!🤔🤗
ReplyDeleteEye opening Gary.
ReplyDeleteAre you able to explain how you know that ?
I would find that interesting too, always supposing I were able to understand the technicalities.
Further to last night frenetic activity. All was quiet and neither cat nor dog has been sniffing out the rodent.
ReplyDeleteI may have to draw the conclusion that the snap I heard from Lady, was her consuming said rodent in one piece !
We've had a breakthrough this morning.
A dog at the gate set Lady off barking, but I was able to control her to a degree.
After a chat with the other owner, we decided to walk the dogs together with Lady in front as she is dominant. When we got to the community field we stood together and chatted again with both dogs still on leads and being tolerant of each other. We then let them both off lead and a little further on stood and chatted again. This time Lady initiated play and for the next ten minutes or so as we moved further on the two dogs happily played together.
We exchanged numbers and hope to repeat.
Thrilled to bits am I.
Mrs P that’s lovely. Not so lovely about the mouse. We have a mouse under our shed in the back garden and a neighbouring cat is taking a great interest. Spends time sitting beside the shed. Mouse is interested in the fallen seed from the bird feeder. A lovely sparrow family is enjoying the seed - the young ones flap their wings frantically to try to balance on the feeder. Sun bathing fox still around as well. Plenty of life in the garden. Enjoying it before I drive north tomorrow.
DeleteSeasider, you illustrate the circularity of life in your post.
DeleteWe are all dependent on each other.
What a lovely an unexpected happening Mrs P 🐕 🤗
ReplyDeleteThank you Lady R. It was a thrill.
DeleteBig day in our household tomorrow - Mr A’s 75th Birthday! And I have been organising a surprise gathering for him. Family (and only family) are coming from far and wide for a celebratory lunch at our local golf club, then back home for cream teas and specially commissioned birthday cake (with gliders on it of course!) Hoping weather will be fine so we can have it in the garden.
ReplyDeleteSadly our son and family can’t be here tomorrow from Dubai, but are arriving, God willing, next week for a two week stay. That’s if Airbus don’t insist he has to cancel the holiday so he can attend an important meeting, as they did earlier this year, ruining the family’s Easter plans.
It’s been quite funny keeping the secret - trying to ensure the garden looks it’s absolute best, without giving the game away and trying to explain why I was making such a large batch of scones this afternoon instead of the usual half dozen.
I have been a bit concerned about arranging this secret party in light of what happened to poor Jim, but hopefully, as it’s all family, Mr A won’t feel the need to disappear and no hidden secrets will be disclosed!
Happy Birthday to Mr A, and may the party be all fun and no secrets revealed.
DeleteGG : France.
ReplyDeleteFound our lads today - Thiepval Memorial , Loos Memorial (Dud Corner), Laventie 13th London.. sleep tight.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile, have a lovely celebration tomorrow. Thanks for the feedback on the Ambridge Observer. 🤗
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to Mr A..
GG I am an expat living in Northern Italy
ReplyDeleteBuongiorno Gianna!
DeleteJoyeux anniversaire to Mr A !
ReplyDeleteThanks to all for your birthday wishes for my dear old man - I’ll pass them on this afternoon, as you couldn’t all join us!,
ReplyDeleteBit miffed to wake up to completely clouded over skies after days of brilliant sunshine.
It better clear up this afternoon or I’ll be sending a complaint to the dishy Mr Schaffenaker!
Happy Birthday Mr Archerphile! Hope you all have an amazing day.
Deletep.s. TOTALLY with you on the Schaffenaker " front"....😘
Happy birthday Mr A and hope the weather is good for you! Here on the island it was gently raining this morning but has brightened up now.
ReplyDeleteI have been hearing views from ladies of the TG on the TV licence for over 75’s and how the BBC refuse to fund it after 2020. Those who presently get it are saying they won’t pay and will go to court if necessary. For my part as my husband was over 75 we had a free licence but after he died I had to pay and do so monthly. I rarely watch live TV but do understand as long as I have a receiver I need to pay the licence. My big objection is that the BBC can afford huge salaries for so called stars and their main presenters but cannot fund free licences for senior people. I accept that many pensioners have the means to pay but there are also many just over the pension credit level who will find the £12 a month levy just a bit too much. I have always thought that the licence fee together with the winter fuel allowance should be added to income so that those, including me, who pay tax should be taxed on it. This would assume that the fee would continue to be paid by government. Gordon Brown in his largesse introduced these benefits not seeing that in time they would be unaffordable as the elderly population increased. Unfortunately, having had these boosts many feel unable to go back to living without them. The other GB foible was introducing free bus travel for seniors. Here on the island the minimum charge on buses is £3.50 even for short journeys as each senior journey only yields a small amount to the bus company. I would be happy with maybe half fares rather than travelling free especially as this perk is not available to schoolchildren travelling to school each day. Sorry, folks, rant over!
Ev. I understand your points of view. I am already, not eligible for the winter fuel allowance, a free bus pass, and I still don't get my SSP until Sept. 2020! (I am using pensions, for my income, accumulated over many years of working).Yes, I know that I have mentioned this before, but it still makes me so angry, as the "perks" I thought I would be getting - are now no longer!!
DeleteMy Rant over. 😀😀
I have to add, my Financial Advisor, who consolidated my pensions, so to set my monthly income, was super, in that I don't pay income tax. I have no idea how this works, but it does!
DeleteI had to pay fees, but it was money well spent. Now I just have a qualified advisor, via phone, in case of queries or if things need changing.
As a single person, home-owner, it gives me peace of mind, at this moment in time.
Re TV licences
DeleteSorry but once again I may well be on my own here.
The only reason I don’t want to pay for my TV licence is because it will be going to the BBC who pay vastly inflated wages to the likes of Claudia Winkleman
1000 Pensioners equates to one Winkleman or Linnaker
I do not see why because we are lucky enough to reach the age of 75 we should automatically be given a free TV licence .
I do not agree with the fuel money either or the £10 Christmas Bonus but whoever is in power will never do away with it because they are scared of losing votes.
I think the fuel money should be paid to the company from where you are getting the fuel rather than the money just appears in our Bank.
That would obviously be too complicated though.
I do like the free bus pass but I think it should only be confined to the area in which one lives and we should not go free on buses in the rush hour.
Pensioners get all sorts of perks including free prescriptions.
My husband who has a better head of hair than his son gets cheaper hair cuts.
I agree that there may be some pensioners who just miss out on Benefits and there should be some way that they can make a case for getting part of the licence paid .
I would suggest that very many pensioners are mortgage free.
They are not having to pay out fares or pay for petrol to go to work.
They don’t need as many clothes.
In my case I am not interested in going out for expensive meals.
I have been there, done that ,enjoyed it and am happy now for the odd treat.
Perhaps it is because I never had any money when I was younger that I now feel well off .
I hope I don’t feel holier than thou but if so I apologise.
I am getting the evening meal and on a Sunday I partake in a gin and tonic so it may be the drink speaking.
I
Well Miriam I am my own financial advisor but I do pay Income Tax so possbly I am not as savvy as I thought I was.
DeleteMy hairdresser's no longer gives a discount for senior citizens. Free prescriptions are fine by me, which is the only perk I get, but why should Wales have free prescriptions for all?
DeleteAs to senior citizens not needing as many clothes - I like to buy new ones, to feel good in + look. Also I love going out for meals, perhaps these days, more like wonderful pub lunches, rather than evening dining out. I still love having friends in, when I cook and provide a lovely meal - not as often these days, I have to admit.
We all view things in very differing ways, in the same way we listen to, hear TA and interpret it.
GG. As others have said - which I totally concur with - what an amazing post, as to world-wide listeners. You must be very ITT savvy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for it.
I survived my "sleepover" with the children last night. They behaved well, but it might have been a "one off"!
ReplyDeleteI took the DVD, Rio2, with me, so we settled in their projector room to watch it. All 3 of us enjoyed + loved it.
Simple things, for simple minds like mine, these days.
Mr A’s surprise was a huge success and he didn’t run away!
ReplyDeleteLunch was v. good at the golf club and all the guests arrived before us so it was a big surprise when we walked in
The best bit was tea in the garden, which I have to say looked magnificent ( ☺️) but the weather was very dull and there were spits of rain, but we just about stayed dry under the pergola and the birthday cake didn’t get spoilt. I shall be having words with young Mr S!
My neighbour made a fantastic cake, iced in pale blue with white puffy clouds and a model glider made out of icing and bearing Mr A’s registration mark GC-FWY and a gold 75 in the middle of the sun. It really seemed a great shame to cut into it, but we did and it was delicious.
Now I can’t help wondering what he’s going to come up with for my 75th, next year!
I’m not holding my breath though.
That sounds wonderful - Happy Birthday to Mr A !
DeleteSometimes surprises do work out very happily ( my 60th did, but we went on holiday for the 70th)
I mentioned before but Mr C had his 80th ( wow !!) Back in June, no surprise element there, & it went really well, about 37 mutual friends, a few neighbours & immediate family ( not numerous) & there was such a good feeling. Far too much food, but friends from Florida were staying the week, so we mopped up left over chicken & the cats obligingly helped out....
Regarding ‘perks’ for pensioners - for those of us living out in the country there are precious few.
ReplyDeleteThere is no point applying for bus passes because we have no buses.
To use a bus we should have to drive 10 miles to the nearest town to catch one!
A few petrol tokens would be of far more use to us, or tokens that could be used for a taxi.
We should have been getting a free TV licence now Mr A is 75 but that’s being taken away.
Last year we didn’t get any winter fuel payments - we dont know why, thought they must have been stopped.
Very strange that you didn’t get the WFA. Maybe better chase it this year. Lanjan I agree we shouldn’t get perks just because of our age but they are there so we may as well have them. Just seems a bit unfair sometimes but I suppose you have to take into account our through life contribution to society! G G you are lucky in Scotland. My daughter has chronic psoriasis and needs a prescription every 4 weeks. She has a pre payment card and pays £10 per month. If not she would pay over £24 each time. She has just been told one of the items, T gel shampoo will no longer be available on prescription even though she needs it to treat her scalp.
DeleteEv. This is the new cost cutting NHS. I also have a minor skin condition, which could be psoriasis but not yet diagnosed (cause is a side-effect of one of my BP meds).
DeleteHowever, all things I need, as "prescribed" by surgery, are now no longer available on prescription, so I have to buy them. What happens if can't afford to?
I spent £20 in a pharmacy for cream, bath emollient + shampoo, a few days ago (as advised).This is 3 days worth of food to feed me. Luckily I didn't have to choose between food or other.
DeleteI too have had my bath emollient stopped. Ordered from the chemist and it cost £12 or £14. I have now found a better one in the supermarkets at a cost of three pounds.
DeleteI am very fortunate in that when prescription payments were introduced, Thyroid conditions were included in the exemption category.
I have never paid for a prescription in all the decades since.
However I have at the same time spent huge amounts on paying for osteopathy, massage, and supplements to manage the many conditions that I have been gifted by nature, and by so doing have kept myself fit and healthy.
I have NEVER had a holiday abroad and can count on one hand the number of holidays I have had in fifty years.
I have been advised that I should challenge the loss of the emollient but on the whole feel uncomfortable doing so.
Miriam you ask what those who cannot pay will do.
Well of course many creams, ointments and emollients have been prescribed for ageing skin to prevent skin eruptions and will have saved the NHS huge amounts. When a young nurse half our time was taken up with keeping elderly legs hydrated. I predict that in the future, many elderly people will be getting leg ulcers as in the old days, for the lack of such prescribed medicaments.
We all know the truth, that we need to pay more for the NHS but no government is willing to dare to raise taxes to do so.
Here in Glasgow the council is investigating free bus travel for everyone in an effort to cut down on private car use. And I forget sometimes that in England some people pay for prescriptions - in Scotland they have been free for everyone for years and years!
ReplyDeleteMay I tell you a lovely little story?
ReplyDeleteApparently in Canada there are little birds called phoebes.
There was a nest in the eves of my son’s house which was blown down in a storm.
The parent birds vanished so my son and family searched for any chicks and found one.
They brought it inside and fed it with humming bird food,egg and dog food!
Eventually it seemed to be quite fit so they put the nest in a willow tree in the garden.
The parents returned,the baby was put back into the nest (not sure of the order) and now apparently they are all flying around.
❤️
DeleteLovely little story LJ.
DeleteThank you.
For those who are interested in how I know where in the world visitors to the blog are from - the blog itself tells me! I have access to all of the stats from the beginning. It tells me how many visitors we have, where they are from and when we are at our busiest & quietest. It does NOT give me any information whatsoever about ANY individuals however - I only know what country bloggers are popping in from and total views from that country. (Not a single person is identified at any time, just a literal figure is given! You can only ever be "visible" if you leave a comment...)
ReplyDeleteAnd to add to our roll call - hello Malaysia and Luxembourg!
Are !
DeleteSo are you saying Gary, that individuals from these countries are reading the blog, but not necessarily posting ?
Remember we had an anniversary blog and Ruthie asked everyone to post once.
Was it about 55 posts, or more ?
Those were regular or occasional contributors.
I still wonder and have concerns for Hamburg Gardener.
Nothing she ever said or wrote would cause alarm, but my instincts inform me that something was/is amiss.
There appears to be lots of people who look in on a very regular basis and never post MrsP. It would be fantastic to hear from them, but I do completely understand that some folk are very happy just reading and not posting!
ReplyDelete⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you're reading this and you ARE one of our "silent" friends, I sincerely hope that one of these days you will give us all a little "hello"... ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
And I for one echo GG - do come forward and say hello, we would love to hear from you.
DeleteArcherphile ,reading your 6.54 pm post of yesterday made me wonder whether you had given any further thought about moving to somewhere with better public service.I have to say that it won’t worry me overly when we decide to give up the car because we are blessed with excellent bus and train services where we live but I realise how difficult it must be if you have no bus service where you live.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Lanjan - it is constantly at the back of my mind, and I bring up the subject regularly. But dear Mr A still wont consider the idea of moving, even though I, and both children, point out the advantages of moving now, whilst we are still young (?) enough to manage it.
DeleteOur half-acre garden is getting more of a burden to keep in shape and he hasn’t the stamina to do more than half an hour’s work at a time these days, but he STILL won’t give in and says he enjoys ‘pottering about’ .
One thing that might help is that, as treasurer of his gliding syndicate, he recently had to renew the insurance for the glider and his 5 fellow pilots. It proved very difficult this year due to the age of the pilots - they are all in their seventies now and insurance companies regard their ages as more of a risk. I really don’t think Mr A will seriously consider moving until he is no longer allowed to fly, so we don’t need to live near the club!
Several bloggers mentioned emollient creams.
ReplyDeleteMany years ago I was told about aqueous cream which one can buy in tubs very cheaply.
When I asked for it in Boots the Assistant laughed and said something like”Oh you have discovered our secret”
I always have a tub in the house .
The other day I commented on Mr LJ’s skin and asked him whether he was using my moisturiser on it and he said that he just uses “that stuff” in the tub .
He looks a good 10 years younger than his true age so it must be doing him some good.
Archerphile I was also at a “special” Birthday party yesterday afternoon whilst there I sneaked some Birthday symbols on for Mr A, however they do not appear to have registered so belatedly -
ReplyDelete🎂 🍷 🎈Mr A - and how rotten for you that the tv licence is about to be stopped 😠
Our garden weather varied, sunny then cloudy and quite chilly with a breeze at those points.
AP did you not ring when your WFA did not show on your bank statement. I think the letter received each year advising of the due payment says to do so if not received by a certain date...be sure to check this out this year!
Archerphile- agree with LJ, you should have called D of Work and Pensions to inform them of not receiving it. Even at this late stage, I think you should let them know.
ReplyDeleteThere may be others who, like you did not receive it into the bank account, but like you did nothing. If something amiss, then the department would not know if not informed.
GG.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting us know, about how you knew about others from around the world.
I find it fascinating + intriuging.
As others have said, I also would like to see a post, from these many followers.
Just a simple + quick Hello, would be lovely, such as:-
"I'm Xxxxxx, and I live in Xxxxx"
Well Done Jo.
ReplyDeleteI can now go + get the evening meal started.
It is a lovely one tonight - turkey steaks cut into strips, chestnut, oyster + porcini mushrooms, with the porcini soaking liquid + a porcini stock cube (bought in Italy), made into a sauce with flour, garlic + double cream, served with tagliettelle. It sounds complicated, but is simple to do, and very tasty. It is the ingredients that make it so.
Aqueous Cream.
ReplyDeleteAs someone had said (sorry not sure), is a wonderful, cheap moisturising cream. As an ex- pharmacist, I recommended this a lot whilst working. It is great for general dry skin, baby eczema, mild eczema + similar, but sometimes it is not strong enough for other skin conditions, such as psoriasis, scaly eczema. These need a more intense emollient cream/ointment.
My advice is always talk to your Pharmacist, for advice. These are highly qualified medical personnel, who have to do onging training + prove it. I know, as I have done it. A Pharmacist does a degree course, then has to do a year, on the job, working under a suitable tutor, who assesses their work + progress, then to have to do another exam, to then become a registered Pharmacist. I was a Pharmacy tutor, training those in their post-grad year, before exam + registration. It was hard, but rewarding work, along with my own continous training.
I am no longer a Pharmacist, as I gave up my registration, when I gave up work. How things have changed in just a few years, and I am now out of date.
I often talk to the pharmacist if I need advice - as I know + appreciate their expertise (and never let on I am a retired Pharmacist!).
Similarily opticians are just as qualified + helpful.
PS It now takes a Pharmacist, 5 years to become qualified + put onto the Pharmacy Register, to then serve the public.
DeleteHas the formula for aqueous cream changed? As a health visitor, when I started health visiting 26 years ago, we used to advise AC as an emollient for babies with dry skin. More recently, we have been advised NOT to recommend it, as it can be too harsh applied directly to tne skin. It is still recommended as a soap substitute.
DeleteI have to say that when I used it as a moisturiser, I did not like it.
I can remember when it was recommended for many conditions and for general use.
DeleteSomething changed, I don't remember when, perhaps the eighties / nineties.
Why did it change ? Does anyone know.
Have you tried coconut oil or Waitrose baby bottom butter
DeleteBoth excellent -and not expensive.
I just googled it out of interest. A small study was reported in 2010 suggesting it can thin the skin with repeated use, thought to be due to a detergent in the cream. The report did not say if the formula had changed, but the advice on its use changed as a result.
ReplyDeleteOh, as late as that.
DeleteThank you Z trope
Lady R and Mrs P - no we didn’t do anything about the winter fuel payments. I think we just assumed they had been stopped or we no longer qualified.
ReplyDeleteWe no longer get the notification about bus passes from the local council telling us how to obtain one - so I think we just thought it was another OAP ‘perk’ gone west.
I’ll try and find out what happened and make sure we get it this winter.
My buss pass is out too AP but I’ve only ever used it 2-3 times so assumed I had been dropped.
DeleteHeating letters arrive in Nov and state payment should be in bank within 3 weeks and aim to pay all by Christmas. Did you not even receive your letters?
This payment is to all currently from pauper to millionaire.
I think you should AP.
ReplyDeleteThe £10 Christmas Bonus which was started when £10 meant something just appears in my Bank Account.
ReplyDeleteSome of my friends didn’t even know about it.
Where I live, the bus pass is called a freedom pass.
ReplyDeleteNot only can I use buses and tube trains at any time but I can use the train to get into London free of charge.
I can travel out of London to Buckinghamshire by train free too.
That that is some perk.
I gather though that our Council Tax is one of the highest in the Country.
Win some-lose some..
When I left London to live elsewhere, the loss of the freedom pass was a large consideration.
DeleteFor three years when travelling back to London, I used my bus pass from my local council on buses, the underground and the train, until I was challenged at Waterloo. The Station Master at Waterloo, a woman, told me that I was entitled to use it even though it was issued by Gloucestershire CC, and this was against the understanding of her staff.
S o I did continue to use it.
Until on a trip with my granddaughter, I was challenged again.
' Oh Nanna, she said, your a criminal '
And the person who challenged, GD and self all laughed.
But I haven't used it since except on buses where it is legitimate.
Parsley, I meant to ask about your trip to the battlefields in Normandy and "your lads" - were you searching for fallen family members?
ReplyDeleteMy younger sister did just that, and found the grave of a fallen family member from WW1 (but not sure if Belgium or similar). He would have been only about 20yrs of age on death. All his personal belongings were returned, but his grave was never known. It has now been found, and although I have never seen it, I have seen photo's.
DeleteHe was my maternal grandfathers eldest brother, 7 years older.
I also have a digital copy of a 'photo from about 1905, at my grandfathers christening, with this elder brother in. It is the only image I have of him. It is nice that his short life had a conclusion, when his war grave was found. My younger sister who finally did this, was always fascinated by this unknown family member from years ago, and just worked hard to find his final resting place.
24 hours on.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely summers day - hot, sunny, still + blue skies, so all windows +doors open.
Also the bedding dried outside, so it is lovely crisp + fresh.
I am watching Wimbledon again, Nadal v. Querry this time (after Pella v. B Agut) whilst juggling evening meal (cumberland sausages in a garlic + cider sauce, wholemeal pasta + veg. - not sure what yet).
I hope you all are well.
My mums anniversary today 🌹so I have been to the Crem with flowers and to view the “Book of Remembrance “ (I also buy flowers for home as well) The grounds at the Crem stunning (as always at anytime of the year ) currently of course roses abound - Rose being my mums middle name very appropriate...
ReplyDeleteOur heat in my part of Hampshire anyway - today is 26c but unfortunately very humid with it Miriam so not my style. Enjoy another of your lovely meals 🤗
Thoughts are with you Lady R. It is always a memorable and emotional day.
DeleteAs a family, my Mums ashes were scattered from the top of Beeston Castle (Cheshire). She spent a lot of time there, as a member of the Peregrine Watch patrol, protecting the nesting parent birds + their chicks, so it was felt a fitting place.
PS They didn't catch any egg thieves, instead a London drug dealer. She saw a suspicious car, alerted the police, to find it was not as suspected.
We scattered my Dad's ashes, 4yrs later at the same place, just as a peregrine falcon, flew by. It just felt it was right.
I haven't been up to the castle since, but whenever I drive past, I always have a slight tear in eye.
How lovely Miriam 💕
DeleteMiriam. I’m also watching Wimbledon ( addicted). I’m swapping channels but have given up on Nadal , I find him unpleasant to watch with all his little time consuming mannerisms. Touching of the bum, rubbing eyes nose and ears and other body parts. 🤢 apparently he does this deliberately.
ReplyDeleteI am routing for Querry
DeleteI have had to change channels, yet again, to continue watching.
This is pxxxing me off!
East Lynne on R4ex - how much I am enjoying this.
ReplyDeleteHello everyone and very particularly hello MrsP.
ReplyDeleteFate is a funny thing - I logged on to this blog totally by mistake this evening, as I never wished to participate in the off topic blog, and the first thing I saw was your concern, Mrs P, about my wellbeing. I was so surprised and very touched that after all this time you were still remembering me. I just had to come out of my 'retirement' to tell you that I am ok and to say sorry for my thoughtlessness. I think I did say that I would be taking a break due to various pressures in my life at the moment, but I did not realise that the pressures would continue and the break become permanent. I still listen occasionally to TA, just enough to remain in the picture, but I have to say that the stories are becoming more incredible by the month and it's just not my programme any more. I do dip into the Life in Ambridge blog from time to time to see how everyone else feels, but the old passion has gone - I think I am one of the people who never quite got over the loss of the BBC blog, and never quite took to the more personal style of the new one. This is not to say that Ruthy and now GG haven't done a wonderful job in keeping all those interested together, but from a personal point of view and at my age (75) the pressures of family, large garden and training one group and co-training an advanced group of dancers (which means several hours of practice every day) just forced me to rethink my priorities. I hope you understand and I wish you, MrsP, and everyone here all the very best for the future - and most of all lots more fun and enjoyment of these blogs. I would like to feel that if my circumstances change, I can come back to you all at some time.
Best wishes - HG
So good to hear from you HG! You will ALWAYS be welcomed here - no matter how infrequent or fleeting your visits. I wish you every happiness...
DeleteOh what a lovely surprise Hamburg Gardener, how lovely to hear from you, and a relief to know that all is well with you.
DeleteThank you so much for taking time to let us know that you are still around, however busy you may be.
And as G G says, you will always be welcome to visit occasionally or return permanently.
Indeed a lovely surprise HG and wishing you and your family all the best 🤗
DeleteHG. Thank you for getting in touch. Many of us have frequently wondered how you were.
DeleteAlso carolyn and myself visited your neck of the woods recently. ‘Up North’. I really loved the area.
Please Do keep in contact.
All the best.
Good to know you are okay. 😊
DeleteFrom me too!😊Best wishes HG!
ReplyDeleteVery good to hear from you, HG, nice to know you pop into the blogs occasionally. As you see, you are by no means forgotten !
ReplyDeleteAs Stasia says, we've both been in North Germany within the last year. Lubeck was my destination, fascinating, with so much to absorb,
& thought of you as I had to fly to Hamburg, & then travel by train from there...
All the best.
Belatedly, here's hoping you have a lovely break, Gary, & thanks so much for keeping us blogged up, as it were.
ReplyDeletePleased to hear from you again HG, glad things are well.
ReplyDeleteBack in la belle France after long w/e across to Blighty & very quickly back again. Aunt's obsèques Monday, came in to Stevie Wonder (Sir Duke) out to David Bowie (Starman)! What an enjoyable change to the norm!
ReplyDeleteGG & Miriam - yes, our lads were members of both our families who fell in the Great War. We found them on the Saturday. We had info thanks to family research by my sister & Mr P's brother. Thiepval Memorial was so moving. Over 70,000 listed as missing, no known grave, at the battle of the Somme alone. On to the memorial at Loos, plaques listing the missing surrounding Dud Corner Cemetery. Mr P 's family members were in the Suffolk & Lincolnshire Regiments. On to Laventie - this time a headstone to one of my dad's mother' s cousins, Lance-Corporal in the Grenadier Guards, unusual for a country lad from N Lincs. Lovely spot, small cemetery, he's there with his mates from the same battalion who lost their lives at the same time . We found him at the end of a very long day, more than a few tears were shed.
What a lovely, heartfelt post. 💕
Deletemerci xx 💕
DeleteWell Done England 🏏🏏
ReplyDelete👍🏏
Deleteà dimanche !!
I was bored with both the Wimbledon womens semi-finals. Instead, the men's double matches were/are, far more entertaining.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even bother to watch the Serena match, though channel hopped, keeping up to date.
What bad planning - the Wimbledon Mens Final on the same day as the Cricket World Cup Final.
DeleteWhat + how to watch??
Cricket - England v New Zealand will cost me £12, wheras Wimbledon is free.
What a dilemma.
MIRIAM! STOP!! Take your hand off that remote control - the cricket final is now going to be free-to-air on Channel 4!!! 😀
DeleteGG You are my hero 💗💗
DeleteI csn now watch both free - Thanks.
I might just take a double dose of BP meds though.
Enjoy your hols..😎😎
Spot on Parsley, I have been listening since my early teens. I was taken to Headingly in my pram, so a life long interest.
DeleteMany, many thanks to you all for your comments. It is really uplifting to find one hasn't been forgotton, particularly in such an 'anonymous' space.
ReplyDeleteMrsP, I hope your knee has continued to improve and you are completely back to normal.
Stasia, so glad you made it here - I hope you got to Bad Segeberg. I feel bad about not being able to keep my word on that one.
It's back to the grind now for me (!), but hope to meet up again one day soon.
Take care all,
Hamburg Gardener
It is good to hear from you again as others have said ,Hamburg Gardener.
DeleteIt would be nice if others who have not the time to comment regularly would let us know if they are still listening to the programme.
Is FOSO still visiting Covent Garden I wonder,for example..
Glad to hear you are well H.G.
DeleteThe last time FOSO looked in he told us he was undergoing some medical tests, I do hope all is well as we haven't heard since.
Need to share this as it just shows how somethings one does affects others. Hope there aren't too many 'me too's' who will bristle at my experience yesterday!
ReplyDeleteI did a cricket tea yesterday for Kent 70+ gentlemen. Yes there are those who still play at that age!
Must say firstly that each week I do make a 10" square bread pudding from a recipe I collected when first married in 1971. (Well, I had to do something with all the crusts from the sandwiches each week!) I do admit I get a lot of compliments for it, especially from the older men!
At the end of yesterday's tea a gentleman, in whites, came up and said " I understand you made the bread pudding." I said that I had. He continued " My dear old Mum made the best bread pudding I ever tasted. Yours was very, very nearly as good. It was lovely. Thank you for reminding me of Mum." And he kissed me on the cheek. I was very moved. It certainly made the hard work worth it and overcame the screaming back ache I had from being on my feet all day!
Coffee with friend this morning at her house then another tea tomorrow.
Then Sunday Channel 4 all day!!!
Might eventually get into the garden Monday to see how many red currants the birds have left me!
Lovely compliment and from an old fashioned gentleman Spiceycushion.
ReplyDeleteMy mum used to make bread pudding for me.
No other bread Pudding is satisfactory, ever, sadly.
Next meet up, perhaps you can bring some ?
Why would/ might we bristle at it ? Don't understand !
Mrs P - Certainly will bring some.😃
DeleteBristle - Inappropriate touching, kissing etc. All about the campaign 'Me too!' where suddenly everyone discovered they had been 'assaulted,' offended etc. In my view sadly devaluing the really serious assaults against some women.
✓✓✓
DeleteYes of course Spiceycushion, dumb of me, the clue was in the ' me too !'.
DeleteI should have realised. Sorry.
That's lovely Spicycushion, bringing back happy memories.
ReplyDeleteSympathies re. the red currants. Our Bella cat hides under our biggest blackcurrant bush to try to catch the blackbirds! There are two little sayings I console myself with:
"As to the garden it seems to me its chief fruit is - blackbirds" by William Morris ;
and
" I value my garden more for being full of blackbirds than of cherries, and very frankly give them fruit for their songs" by Joseph Addison. So we are in good company!
It's funny isn't it how whoever we are we still experience similar things in our lives - our common humanity.
DeleteLove the quotations, Janice ! Can echo the sentiments from something that happened today : for blackbirds, substitute pigeons, who've made a nest under our solar panels on the roof. We're a bit concerned they might peck through the wires which make the whole thing work, resulting in expense & hassle to rectify. We discussed between ourselves & a neighbour who has a flexible pole which could dislodge the nest. However, we've spotted movement, which suggests there's still a chick in there. So we are doing nothing for the time being, & keeping fingers crossed ...
DeleteTry putting a statue of an owl up there, Carolyn - that usually acts as a deterrent.
DeleteMrs P: not long now.
Too late for this time, Sarnia, but thanks for the tip.
DeleteSorry to bring you bad news Carolyn, but if you allow those chicks to hatch, you will get them back next year. They will nest where they were born.
DeleteOh, gosh, yes ! BUT if they do no harm to the wiring this year, maybe they just don't find it peckable/the nest itself doesn't cause damage....
DeleteThat is lovely Spicycushion.
ReplyDeleteNobody will ever praise my baking of that I am sure .
I think if you met Mr LJ he would give you a peck on the cheek for a slice of your bread pudding..
He is a b.p.connoisseur.
Just back from horse trekking miles through a majestic Glen Sannox, across 2 rivers and onto a deserted, sun drenched, white sandy beach - from there up through a dappled forest back to the stables. Absolutely magical few hours! Now slumped on the sofa with a cold glass of REALLY nice champagne (that I won in a tombola for 50p!) and awaiting Roger & Rafa...🏇🌞🍸🎾🙌
ReplyDeleteSounds idyllic GG.
DeleteEnvy Envy !
I encountered two young girls on horseback whilst driving down a quiet lane last week, and wondered if I would ever be on the back of a horse again.
Tea ready prepared to just be put in oven.
DeleteWhat an entertaining 1st. semi.that was, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Now for the second...with a bottle of Sauv.Blanc cooling in the 'fridge - think I just might need it.
A Waitrose steak pie for us tonight, I expect you'll disapprove of that, Miriam, but accompanied by peas from the garden & organic carrots....
DeleteCarolyn - I love an own brand Co-Op steak + ale pie. Always have one in the freezer.
DeleteIt saves a lot of effort.
It is delicious, with a shortcrust "bottom" and a puff pastry "top", lean meat and gravy. I can't beat it, but I do prefer to cook my own, so that I know what has been included.
DeleteI am very anti-preservatives + additives, but that's just me.
Sarnia...... 3.19 - today
ReplyDeleteIs your post in answer to comments on June 2nd. ?
If so, understand.
And you know you continue to be in our thoughts.
Indeed, Sarnia. Glad you snatch a little light relief by scanning the blogs from time to time.
DeleteOh. I don't recall - is Sarnia having problems..
DeleteIf so, I wish her well, and she knows where to come to - for a chat, to share experiences, and to just let off steam.
As I know well, (as I have often done this) it helps talking to so many like minded persons, in an anonymous way.
Thinking of you and yours. Take care Sarnia.
DeleteBread pudding - both my Grandma + Mum - used the same recipe. Sadly, it was not passed onto me, as I loved it.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone knows an authentic recipe, please let me know.
I find these days, trying to find a traditional recipe, is very difficult as these are altered to become healthier alternatives.
I think that it is not what you eat, but how often, everything in moderation.
I love a good pork pie, with a proper hot-water crust pastry (made with melted lard), and fatty pork. This is a monthly treat, and not eaten everyday.
PS The apple + apricot cake I made for the kids last weekend, was a great hit, moist + very tasty. It was from Mary Berry's Simple Cakes recipe book, and one suitable for cricket teas.
I also was brought up with cricket. My father was the scorer and Mum helped with the tea - us kids just had fun, but I learnt what the game of cricket was and grew to love it.
DeleteI have been to Old Trafford for ODI matches, county matches, and now have a fully qualified cricket coach in my family, affiliated to a major cricket club.
My Big Sis's hubbie + step-son, were at Edgbaston yesterday. I think they enjoyed it 😁😁
Miriam I love the idea of an apple and apricot cake. Future dil has a stack of Mary Berry recipe books so will try to get a copy. It sounds delicious.
DeleteMy bread pudding recipe comes from a very old supplement I got from the Woman and Home magazine nearly 50 years ago but hardly used it before I started doing teas 15 years ago. Of course it's in imperial measure but is as follows:-
12 oz stale bread,soaked in cold water for at least 2 hours. Drain and squeeze as much water out as possible. Mix with 8oz mixed dried fruit, 3 oz suet (I use the green Atora, veggie one so that I can have a piece as well!) 2 oz castor sugar, 2 tspns mixed spice, 1 tablespoon golden syrup. Mix all together and put into a square 10" ish tin. Sprinkle 3 oz demerara sugar evenly over the top. Cook for 1 hour at about 175 fan.
I usually mix on Friday night and leave in tin (without the sugar topping) First thing Saturday morning I add the demerara and bake. It does tend to get sticky as it gets older!
BTW I use a mixture of brown bread crusts (the end of the slice loaves I mean. I don't trim the sandwiches!) and white. As I make the sandwiches the end crusts get put in a bowl to go stale and I use them the following week.
What a wonderful tennis match.
ReplyDeleteI think I have a few more "silver" hairs than I did, a few hours ago.
What a Final is in store on Sunday. It will be one to watch, whilst juggling the cricket and The Archers Omnibus (to catch up with what I have missed in the daily episodes).
I will not be having my normal Sunday snuggle under the duvet, and a lazy start.
That sounds really interesting spicy. I think I’ll have a go. Never heard of a bread pudding like this. Only the bread and butter pudding type.
ReplyDeleteHang on PtbY !
DeleteAre you serious ? Do you really not know what bread pudding is ?
It's nothing like B&B pudding.
Well if you don't know, wait till our meet up, Spicey is going to bring us some.
We will all chomp together !
Don’t worry P t b Y, until I met Mr LJ ,I hadn’t either.
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued by this.
DeleteDoes this mean that Bread Pudding is a southern dish, unknown in the north of the UK ?
I'm asking this as a genuine question, not a joke.
This is where I will be shouted down.
ReplyDeleteWhy do people ruin lovely fresh fruit by making a summer pudding with bread?
Is most fruit not better eaten as it comes ?
Fresh fruit is wonderful LJ, but not ruined but given different texture by adding the bread into which the juice of the mixed fruit is absorbed.
DeleteAnd this complexity makes it delicious
With the addition of cream Summer Pudding becomes a ' royal dish ' in my opinion.
As said by Spicey below, a thrifty dish along with Bread Pudding ensuring that no food, however lowly was ever wasted.
I imagine that summer pudding was developed to use up irregular sized odds and ends of fruit when you got fed up of jams and bottling.
DeleteI quite often use frozen fruit in my summer pudding and brioche works very well. It’s my default choice when making a picnic for the opera at Glyndbourne or Grange Park, although I will be breaking with that tradition for “ The Magic Flute” this year, as the production is being set in the Hotel Sacher, so I will make a sacher-torte, probably not a patch on the genuine article but I’ll try .
I love summer pudding with cream. Yum! Equally love the uncooked fruit especially strawberries and raspberries with cream. Am starting to get courgettes a plenty b tw!
ReplyDeleteI remember , as a child my brother and I often had a bowl of raspberries and the top of the milk for breakfast! One of my earliest memories is calling to Mum as she picked the raspberries early evening because it was thundering and I was frightened she would get hit by lightening. It was hot, dry and not a sign of lightening! I was under five years old at the time because we moved from that house just as I started school.
ReplyDeleteSummer pudding (like bread pudding) is an old recipe the thrifty housewives made up to use up stale bread I suspect. As with many other recipes such as trifle, and my very favourite rum truffles, no food was left to go to waste!
So true Spicy, good old bubble & squeak (often Monday’s) Sunday joint hot - Monday (wash day) so cold meat from Sunday’s joint plus the B & S then if any meat still left into the mincer - which would be strapped to the kitchen table..
ReplyDeleteI wonder what such memories will be for today’s youth in 50 yrs time... “ I so remember the Pizza delivery person etc 🤣”
My goodness, I hadn't thought of it for years but that reminds me of my Mum's mincer attached to the kitchen table. It was blue and she made shepherds pie with the mince.
DeleteMy mum had one too!
DeleteMine too!
DeleteI love bubble and squeak. I sometimes make it specially (not just with leftovers) and have it with fried eggs
I make it specially too ,Zoetrope.
DeleteLove it with Branson Pickle.
I still have a mincer.
DeleteI will not discard it, for there is always the hope that I will cook ' properly' again one of these days.
🤣 Me too Mrs P - to the last part of your post (re) maybe one day proper cooking 🤣 again!
DeleteOff to our friends today to sit in their beautiful garden surrounded by fields and a belated lunch 🍷 for the lady of the house whose birthday was on Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteOn Tuesday she had another review of “her condition “ at Basingstoke Hospital and it was very good news (see Ambridge it does happen in real life!) 6 mths this time to next check 👏🏻
We are over the moon 🤗 so deserved as 22yrs ago last month they lost their daughter of 25yrs to another form of the same condition and have always supported each other and their son throughout their 55yrs of marriage.
Spicy - thanks for the bread pudding recipe. I will certainly try it , but will use "proper" suet (the "green" one is just not the same to me). I still prefer "proper" for dumplings, as it gives much better results and use for suet-crust pastry.
ReplyDeleteI eat a healthy diet, but I still love these "fat" extras - which I was brought up on, in the late 50's and into the 60's as cheap + cheerful. A meal needed to be filling - 3 kids + 2 adults on a low income, in a council 2 bed property. It was a true loving family enviroment though.
As I have said before, everything in moderation and just to be eaten now + again.
I am lucky, as my chloesterol levels are fine, so no statin just yet, in spite of high BP, which is well controlled with meds.
Gosh I remember bubble + squeak, which I haven't eaten for very many, many years and have almost forgotten about. I now have a memory of my Dad cooking this, for his breakfast. Next winter, I will cook extra pots. + cabbage - to do this for a lunch, with an egg.
ReplyDeleteI too, remember my Mum, clamping the mincer onto the kitchen table, to produce meat for a shepherds/cottage pie, though I have no idea what the meat scraps were (perhaps best not to know). She also used it to make brawn from a pigs head, which was a staple meal, as also were stuffed sheep hearts. She also would buy a cows/ox tongue, to cook + press, to then be sliced, to have with pots + veg. I hated this, but we had food on our plates, and never went hungry. Mum also made the bread. I applaud my Mum + Dad for that. Mum taught me how to cook + Dad how to manage finances. Lessons well learnt + I still use these now.
Oh what foodie memories (and I am only 64). How things have changed.
Same as you Miriam taught to cook but when I was first with Mr R he loved to do this so for many years did not do so, now back in the frame but not something I particularly enjoy - although I love to eat and like ingredients to be of a good quality!
ReplyDeleteMy dad also taught myself and my 2 sisters how to run finances and like you I have had reason to be most grateful for this. My parents did not have much money but bills always paid and good meals on the table and a spare months expenses kept by....
My parents had a hard life, survived and taught their 3 daughters real life lessons.
DeleteI nearly always cook from scratch, using the best (and cheapest) ingredients, I can find.. I enjoy it.
I also just prefer not to have to eat preservatives or additives in any form, but that is my choice which I choose to do.
PS Is this why I still only weigh 8st. 4lbs?
Delete....and have difficulty finding trousers/jeans to fit. M+S size 8, medium length, are about the best I can find. I can't look at "petite" as my legs are too long and I don't like wearing flat shoes/sandals (apart from my trainers and slippers).
DeleteNo, Miriam, you just emerged from a more favourable part of the gene pool than some of the rest of us!
DeleteALERT!!! BORING HOLIDAY DOINGS...
ReplyDeleteOn yet another day of glorious sunshine, we sailed to the Holy Isle. It's 15 mins from Arran and is owned by the same group of Buddhists that have the enormous Samye Ling monastery in the Scottish Borders. There are various retreats on the island, one of which is for women only and apparently there are a few of them into their FOURTH YEAR (!) of being entirely cloistered away from the outside world - we passed as close to their retreat as we were allowed, and must say it did look idyllic. Half of the island you are not allowed to set foot on, and the other half has amazing walks and views as there is an enormous set of hills running right through the centre. There are wild Eriskay ponies, Saanen goats and little tiny brown Soay sheep all happily munching everywhere you go, entirely untroubled by your presence! The gardens of the main retreat house are stunning - they grow their own veg & fruit and it sounds almost trite to say it but it was incredibly peaceful. We ambled around for about 7 hours, had two picnics and had just the most amazing day. And it goes almost without saying, I of course got sunburnt. Again...😂
NOT boring ! It sounds unspoilt, wonderful.
DeleteI'd love to see the tiny brown sheep.
( main outdoors excitement today was staring at the parakeet on our bird feeder, trying to creep closer for a better photo)
Thank you Carolyn, for adding a little more to my parakeet study.
DeleteIf you saw one in your garden then they are spreading further north / NE into the Home Counties.
I wonder if this is a member of the group from the west or from the Dartmouth group.
We will not know !
Not a boring alert Gary. I love a travel blog. Sounds like a wonderful day.
DeleteNow get some sun cream clapped on today.
Sounds like an amazing day Gary.
DeleteGary, it’s interesting that you remarked on the peacefulness of your lovely island. In these places where religion has been practised for ages there is always this stillness which calms the soul. We find it here on our island at Quarr Abbey which is a relatively modern building but the site of an historic monastery. There is also a priory at Carisbrooke which has the same feeling although the nuns are long gone. When we lived in Cornwall we often visited Buckfast Abbey in Devon where as at Quarr the monks are still there but it is open to the public. All have “ the peace of God which passes all understanding ....”
DeleteThe Scottish Tourist Board should employ you,Gary.
DeleteYou make everywhere you go in Scotland sound wonderful-which of course we know it is.
Keep on the good work.
Ev. I liked your expression "stillness that calms the soul". When teenagers our youth group sometimes stayed at a retreat centre run by Fransiscan nuns at Posbury St. Mary in Devon (sadly no longer there). Silence was kept for a good part of the day - but with some time for doing fun things outside to use up energy - and I learnt how in the silence the mind becomes stilled and peaceful. I sometimes think that young people now never experience silence because of the constant bombardment from smartphones and online games etc. Similarly to the retreat centre Gary mentions they grew their own fruit and veg. and had the longest row of runner beans I have ever seen.
DeleteThe youngest nun there, Sister Agnes, who painted and drew beautifully, later visited the Shetlands, felt called there and was given a special dispensation to become a hermit (or should it be hermitess?!) on Fetlar and gradually a little community built up around her.
GG. Your hols sounds wonderful and a real tonic (is there a local gin?)
ReplyDeleteI am just looking in, as nerves are getting shredded, what with Wimlbedon (watching this) but channel hopping to cricket.
A lovely post for a calm down interlude.😀
Looking forward to the next...
Ev when I lived on the Island I used to go to the school run by the nuns at Carisbrooke, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. I remember together with some friends we gave one a lrge gobstoper, knowing that they had to eat what they were given, much to our disappointment she used a hammer to break it up/. Such happy times at that school.
ReplyDeleteGary, you told me the suntan cream was the first thing you would pack..... need I say anymore.
When I kept ponies I used to have an Eriskey, proper little madam she was, but a lovely breed and rare too. So lovely to see they are running freely.
Cowgirl. How very interesting.
DeleteI do love these, fascinating extras.
Do tell why you are now where you are, + why. I, for one, would to love to know. But that is your decision + your individual choice (as Jim is doing) which is respected and understood.
CG, how interesting! I hadn’t realised the priory was a school. The nuns left in 1989 and it is now owned by a trust. They don’t charge to visit but there is a donation box. The aim is to provide peace and comfort for those who need it as we all do sometimes. It certainly was very tranquil with a lovely garden and a wonderful small chapel. I love your gobstopper story and wasn’t she resourceful in breaking it up?!
DeleteCowGirl, I don't think you have ever revealed that you lived on the island as a child before.
DeleteDid you live at Carisbrook as well as bing at school there ?
If so, given your age( roughly speaking) you might well have had friends amongst the family I married into.
The tribe hailed from Carisbrook and were still clustered around there when I was a young woman, and at least one of my daughters cousins is just down the road to Ev.
However they are not a Catholic family.
We started off living in Newport, having moved from Salisbury, my father worked in the bus industry and moved about. We then moved to Brighstone, where we lived opposite the church. The Nuns were fun loving and were known to hook up their skirts to play games with us , so unlike many of the stories you hear about, particularly of orphanages, we were not catholics though.I left the Island when I was about 12.
DeleteMy mother came from Yorkshire, I was born in Yorkshire my father sent us to live with my grandmother during the war as he was then working in Essex.
I spent most of my working life in Southwalk and Handsworth in Birmingham moving back to Yorkshire when my mother died to support my sister and her daughter.
When I took early retirement in my mid 50's I couldn't afford to stay where I was, so wanting to live in an isolated area it as either Scotland or Wales, Wales having won. I am very independent and when I had a new knee I had to rely on other people as my house was a mile down a rough track only accessible by 4 wheel drive, which went against the grain. My niece, to whom I have always been very close, had a baby and a 4 hour drive to visit me was difficult, so I made the decision to move back to Yorkshire, some where more accessible. When I put my house on the market there were plenty of options, but sods law when I sold mine this was the only suitable one for me and the cows, however, it was almost perfect. A mile down a single track road, only 6 houses, though I back onto 2. Very quiet, no transport of course unless I walk a mile, but when I can no longer drive, taxis will meet my needs
.
My great niece and nephew love it, as we can have riding lessons next door and the beach is a few miles away. ( I am referred to as Granty! as opposed to your Grand Miriam )
I am struggling with
ReplyDeleteWimbledon, cricket + cooking evening meal, and now to try to also listen to TA.
This takes multi-tasking, to a new level for me.
Just to add..watering pots, hanging basket + window box also need to be added in!
DeleteImpressed you are doing dinner Miriam we have just had M&S toasted tea cakes with lots of butter and their very strong Cornish Crunchier cheese followed by yoghurts- Yum! that will do for today back to real food tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteWhat a final, my neighbour came to me to watch tennis and we were exhausted at the end and would have loved Federer to win ☹️ but cannot take the win away from Djokovic (Mr R has been in another room all day with Cricket and F1 and we won both 🤗 so a good day really!
I thought the men's doubles match was really good too, and we were pleased the Colombians won as we have friends out there.
DeleteJanice. It was just not good, but enthralling. I watched it in it's entirity. I feel for the Ladies Double finalists, who were postponed yesterday, until today. That must have been hard + they have also had a long wait today. I am too tired too watch them - How sad.
DeleteHow are you doing?
I missed TA tonight - as I was far to engrossed in other events.
I'm doing fine Miriam, been having a lovely time watching the tennis. It's sad when it finishes!
DeleteLady R.
ReplyDeleteI was well organised this morning. I caught up with the TA omnibus, via 'phone + ear plugs, with cricket on TV (with no sound), as I prepared a chicken casserole, plus all the veg + pots. which went into 'fridge. I then tidied the kitchen. I even prepared my lunch, at the same time (an egg salad).
All I had to do, was to get things out of 'fridge + then cook or just eat.
Yes, I was a bit too organised or perhaps even a bit OCD, but my plan went well. I even ironed my duvet, sheet + pillowcases, whilst watching the morning cricket session.
Are you sure you are not my eldest sister on here in disguise you sound so like her. Totally organised i(n her case as many Leo’s appear to be) However I think you are a Virgo / a Sept birthday mentioned? In which case you will still be a very organised person who likes order at all times? My ex of many years ago certainly did...
ReplyDeleteEither way well done to you ⭐️ in truth I am just a little envious 🤗
Leos organised..?? Not chez Parsley..!
ReplyDeleteVirgos are VERY organised. As soon as an event is mentioned I am writing lists. My spreadsheets for tax purposes/claiming expenses from various people and organisations contain not just price of items but comparative prices from elsewhere. My diary has a list of clothes I have in Germany and this is updated on each visit as I swap items and so on!
DeleteMy house looks exceedingly messy, overcrowded and quite frankly some rooms and the garage are like junk shops but when youngest son and future dilmove into their oen new home next month I am going minimalist. Charity shops and eBay beware!
Oh and I cannot help myself but I do tidy up the 'returned' shopping trolleys in the shopping centre car park if they all over the place in their little gazebo parking places! 😏
"future dilmove into their oen new"
DeletePlease read " future dil move into their own new..." 🤦♀️
I asked someone once how she managed to keep her house so tidy. She opened a cupboard packed with stuff, and said the secret is to have lots of cupboards and to chuck everything in them when someone is coming. 🤣
DeleteOh yes the shopping trolley tidy up I’m with you there Spicy, why are people so lazy that they cannot spare a couple seconds to slot their trolley into the line often the bay appears full but when tidied almost empty.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your de cluttering Spicy. I have 2 sisters one very minimalist the other not so much. When eldest moved 5 yrs ago b-i-l ‘s (logged) book collection alone took up 100 boxes 😱
I’m middling!
Spiceycushion - your description of self could be my description of eldest daughter, yes another Virgo.
DeleteBeing an Aries, when announcing pregnancy Mother in laws partner worked out that I would have a Virgo and said sadly, well it will be a hard Road for you, but I am sure you will manage.
My other daughter, a Gemini is also very organised but without any apparent effort.
Me, a ' free spirit ' have areas of organisation, but most of life done on a wing and a prayer.
Very untidy, but when I have cupboards they are pristine inside. In particular airing cupboard and linen cupboard. I am addicted to folding linen and fabrics and admit to tidying up the trolley stand at the supermarket.
Am also obsessive about water saving, done in empty milk bottles, all lined up.
But piles and piles of paperwork, never tidied filed or thrown away.
I'm an Aries too, and am quite disorganised. Especially with papers and filing. I had a 'lightbulb' 💡moment several years ago when I realised my computer desktop looked like my real desk - lots of documents all over the place. Made me realise the problem was in my head rather than the physical bit of paper. Not that the realisation has helped me manage it any better 🤔
DeleteSome people seem to have the impression that I am organised...!
I'm with you on supermarket trolleys though. I have been known to sort out the bay!
GG I felt the peace and tranquillity you described as though I were there with you🙏🏼
ReplyDeleteI once visited Iona that too was as if I were in another world!
Suz,
ReplyDeleteA very warm welcome to Rosie from her virtual friend Misty, another long haired 3 legged black and tan rescue dachshund, time and plenty of TLC is a great healer.
With best wishes to you both for a long and happy life together.
Best wishes to Suz and Rosie from me, Gypsy and Buddy!! It will take time but so rewarding in the end!
DeleteSuz
DeleteI sent a message re Rosie on the other blog.
Hope you see it.
And CG.
Yes, I am a Virgo, who writes lists and likes to be in total control of my simple life.
ReplyDeleteI love being flexible with family and friends though, so often the lists, have to be re-written.
I am worried tonight, as I think a vet appointment is looming. My 15 yr old "Puss Cat" is not herself, she is lethargic, not as active (eg. no longer jumping onto window sills, to sit + look out), and I think that there is a problem starting to show. She has been sick 2x today, producing eaten grass + just a yellow fluid.
I am, sadly, preparing myself for the worst...
Hopefully not Miriam. Maybe the warm weather along with eating grass is taking its toll along with her age 🤞
DeleteI used to have cats so feel your anxiety. Be sure to let us know how things are tomorrow.
Thanks Lady R. My major concern is that she doesn't seem to be drinking, although she has a bowl of fresh, cold water, which is constantly replenished.
DeleteIt's worrying...😺😺
Hope your puss will be OK. Eating grass will make her sick and possibly the hot weather is not good news for her. Buddy isn’t eating well at the moment. Gypsy of course is eating everything in sight! Yes, let us know how she is tomorrow.
DeleteI wonder if she has hairballs. I think cats sometimes eat grass to make themselves vomit to bring up things they don't want in their stomachs.
DeleteGG Where are You?
ReplyDeleteI need a lovely up-date, as to what you have been doing on your Hols.
I look forward to your next post. 😍
What is the BBC up to?
ReplyDeleteI went to listen to TA on i-player, as I always do, only to find I had to log in again. Luckily I found my BBC account password quickly, logged in and so I haven't missed anything.
Why??
I also have 2 different idendities, re this site + others.
DeleteI am my true self here, so what you read and respond to, is my true genuine self. This is how I like it - a simple person, who loves her life, family and friends, be they personal or my virtual ones, on this wonderful blog site. My other identity might be deleted, but not sure quite yet..
Miriam sorry to hear about your cat, hope your fears prove groundless. Did answer your question see shortly below yours above, if you see what I mean !!
ReplyDelete