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Life outside Ambridge

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  1. I care not that it is out of focus. Sarnia - xxx

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  2. September 4th
    Midday
    Sarnia and family
    Keep Strong
    My thoughts are with you today

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  3. All strength to you, Sarnia. Thoughts & hearts with you. xx

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  4. Thinking of you today Sarnia. There is a nice poem that begins:
    Softly the leaves of memory fall,
    Gently I gather and treasure them all.
    Unseen, unheard,
    You are always near,
    So loved, so missed, so very dear.

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  5. Sarnia. Peace be with you and your family today. 💐

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  6. Janice 8.32am

    Sarnia I cannot better this beautiful verse, strength and peace are wished for you and your family today and throughout your grieving process 🌹

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  7. Sarnia, thinking of you and your family, take care of each other.

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  8. Thinking of you right now Sarnia as you enter the crematorium ready to face today's goodbye.

    You have already demonstrated your strength.
    It will carry you through into the next chapter.

    God bless you.

    E.

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  9. I hope all went well. Thank you for the verse, Janice. At first memories are almost painful but now I can gather and treasure them and so will you, Sarnia. God bless.

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  10. Janice 9.59 pm closed blog.
    Im glad you too still feel young at heart, and so glad you are making such excellent progress. The temptation after your illness to do too much must be great. I haven't quite finished what I set out to do yesterday, but have decided it would be sensible now to stop.
    There is a Kerry Cattle society member who is training his bullocks to pull carts, with some success, at 17 I think Emerald is a little too old ! She would be of no use today as the wood is down in the dell, has been thrown from one side of the stream to the other, then taken across the bridge, (thank goodness I had that made last year, 2 felled tree trunks with planking put across and wire netting to stop slipping in the winter, with a rope rail on one side) then up the garden over 270 feet, dropped over the fence and then stacked in its final resting place in the yard, ready for cutting up next year. Although the next lot are further away it will be easier as I can cut them up there and then some one with a trailer will bring them into the yard for me.

    Next decision is whether I should expend £70 on a 5 ft multi stemmed River Birch, considering I have ordered 3 trees and my rose hedging for little more than double, it does seem very extravagant, I cant find many who sell them and none are cheap.

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  11. CowGirl and Janice, both inspirational women.
    I don't chop wood, but do haul much stuff and carry many bricks or hunks of stone.
    My hands are bug...red from misuse, or looked at in another way, used as tools for many activities throughout my life. But it doesn't stop me until they are beyond use, which then prevents such activities until they are functional and well again.
    Thank you both for your conversation, it inspires me to know there are others.

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  12. How I hope, that all that Sarnia had planned, for her beloved Mr. S. funeral, went as it was intended.
    My thoughts are with her.
    In my personal experience, true grieving only starts after the funeral, the final closure.....

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  13. Spent last night at a civic reception at the Glasgow Science Centre where there was tons of food and drink and the chance to play with hundreds of amazing interactive exhibits whilst mildly inebriated, will spend tonight attending a conference dinner for 1000 people in the heart of Glasgow where they have taken over an entire square for the evening and are having a massive ceilidh! Tomorrow I will rest...

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  14. Ev 1.55pm & Miriam 5.08pm

    Both very pertinent posts 🌹 ❤️

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  15. Sarnia, I hope today has been bearable, I think everyone here had you in their thoughts.

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  16. On Sunday Buddy is competing in the obedience class at a local dog show. The first six dogs get a rosette! Whatever happens we will be proud of him! He will probably be the smallest dog. He started classes when he was six months old shortly after we had him and that was puppy training. At 18 months he’s still in beginners, the next class up, but the lady in charge says he has made a lot of progress. Trouble is he is easily distracted and if it rains he won’t do anything! Our dog minder took him for a walk with the big boys ( a Dalmatian and retriever among others). He is going with her once a week as she sent us a video of his walk when we were away. He was having a whale of a time and we thought he could do with a bit of fun as he has been turning into a little old man only having Gypsy for doggy company! We have applied to foster a Shih Tzu for younger company for him. Not sure how I’ll cope with three but will give it a go!

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  17. Well done Ev for being prepared to give it a go.
    I wouldn't want to have to cope with two.

    Lady is getting very confident and thus very naughty now that she's been in situ for six months. Twice now she has jumped over the front wall.
    Last week she pinched the cats mouse when he briefly dropped it. She took it straight to her bed, and as soon as I approached, she swallowed it whole.
    It was a mouse and I could see a leg wiggling as it went into her mouth - alive.
    Two days ago she ran away at speed just as we got to the gate of the churchyard where she usually gets her lead put back on. The path runs around the side of a cottage above the road below, but soon levels out to be beside the road. Cars come along at speed.
    I screamed for her to come back but no sign for what seemed like minutes then suddenly there she was racing towards and then beyond me with something hanging out of both sides of her mouth. Each time I approached her she grabbed it back and ran again. I could hear the bones crunching in her mouth and soon realised it was a squashed squirrel, blood still fresh. It took me a long time to catch her, eventually by her tail, got the lead around her neck and wrestled it out of her mouth.
    Today it was a sandwich discarded under a bench in the churchyard and then a bone.
    Street dog eh !

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    1. My goodness, it's her old life coming back to her ! Much of it must have been miserable, but always the excitement of the chase & crunch.....
      How nerve wracking for you, Mrs P, plus exposure to nature red in tooth & claw.

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  18. Mrs P 11.05.
    You’ve got your hands full there.
    It’s when they throw up what they’ve eaten on your carpet that really is annoying.
    Very frustrating for you when she won’t come back, she’ll be loving the game.

    Ev ...10.08pm.
    Go on.....get another doggy friend.
    We now are down to 2 dogs. We had 4 for about six years. 1 more doesn’t make a lot of difference. Be a good pal for Buddy to play with.

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  19. Neither Katy nor I could cope with the dogs on our own. I am obviously here while she is at work. I do their morning walk and she takes Buddy out again after work. She feeds them, I give Gyp her almost weekly bath and we deal with her dry eyes between us. My only concern with a third is that morning walk. They are small dogs though so quite manageable and they sleep for much of the day!

    The history of Shih Tzus is interesting. They were bred as companion dogs for the Chinese elite originally. When communism came to the fore, dogs were considered an unnecessary luxury and a reminder of the past inequality so most of the breed were slaughtered. About a dozen were saved and smuggled out to UK. After the war some of the GI’s took them back to USA and so they took a foothold there. As they are bred from such a small pool (although other small breeds were mixed in!) they do have some health issues like Gypsy’s blindness. They are lovely companion dogs but any owner will tell you they can be very stubborn! They do tend to take charge if allowed!!

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  20. Top marks to the NHS
    I had an eye appointment at a non local Hospital at 10:00am this morning.
    I arrived early ,was seen more or less straight way and was out of the hospital by 10: 10 am with my mind put at rest.
    Excellent Service.

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    1. Mr A too, Lanjan - he had to go for annual diabetic eye-test onMonday.
      Walked into waiting room which was empty, Doctor ushered him in straight away, drops inserted, 10 minute wait for pupils to widen, back in to have them photographed, home.
      The whole event took around 15 mins (+ the journey time of course) and the results arrived today! ( both eyes OK)
      Fortunately Hampshire has an excellent Diabetic service, I know other ares are not so lucky

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  21. LanJan 4th 3.28
    Have taken your advice and ordered it ! some will criticise as it is not a native tree, but my little wood is over run with Sycamore, which of course is not a native, though generally thought of as such.
    I shall also be planting a bird cherry and 2 rowans.

    Mrs P11.05

    I understand how you feel about Ladys love of finding her own dinner. I was out with Misty on the long line when she nearly pulled me over having seen something I hadn't. Next I knew she was in the ditch and a cry, she had killed a rabbit, though she wasn't interested in eating it.
    Her previous owners came to see her and were delighted that she remembered them, they realised they made the right decision to rehome her as when they brought their other dogs in(known to Misty ) she was not best pleased and went for them as of old.Clearly she is a dog who needs to be the only one, Lady of course may be the same, given her background.

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  22. Well done Cow Girl.
    I am really pleased.
    When we helped at Mr LJ’s daughter’s allotment we found a tiny oak sapling.
    Mr LJ planted it and put an old tyre round it .
    We went back last week to check up how things were going and it is over 5feet tall.
    He wishes he had brought it home to put at the bottom of our garden.
    We are losing the leaves from our lovely cherry tree.
    I understand that it does not mean the tree is dying but if it does so it will be replaced.
    Cow Girl,you are not as old as me but having been careful with money all my life , my attitude now is.
    If I want it,I will buy it.
    I have the full backing of my sons.

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  23. No internet connection but I am trying this on my phone because apparently I have 4GB whatever they are and they should last me until I get a new router
    I now know how pupils at school feel when they cannot understand some of the maths I tried to teach them
    I just wish I had learned how to use the Internet properly and not picked up bits and pieces as I went along

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  24. I had some good news this morning, as my 2nd cataract op. is happening next week, 11th Sept. It will be the same surgeon, who was lovely last time, and that pleases me.

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    1. Glad you are getting it done soon now. This time next week it will all be over, and your sight will be much better.

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  25. I would like to wish all the meet-up gang a great day chewing the cud.
    Much as I would have liked to head for London, I am going in the opposite direction, Manchester.
    I shall be attending the unveiling of a headstone ceremony on Sunday.
    Maybe next year in Jerusalem or Reading?

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    1. Jerusalem??? At the Mental Health and Trauma Conference ??? To help us recover from all the trauma being thrown at us in the Archers perhaps ? 😉

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  26. Lanjan 4.28

    We lost our email connection all day today. No emails in or out.
    We have just heard that Yahoo has been ‘down’ all over the world since about 7.00 am, but thankfully it is up and running again now.

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  27. Likewise Archerphile, no emails, still able to use internet, look things up etc but no email,junk or otherwise.

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  28. Lanjan 4.28pm
    There has been no Yahoo mail today at all. I was up at 7.00am but other internet sites were okay. My emails for today came through about 3.45pm. I cn't remember whether your email is yahoo or not. My phone has gmail which I hardly ever use but google sends me junk on this.
    So glad all went well with tests etc for you and Mr A
    Fingers crossed still - See you all tomorrow.

    Stasia
    We had planned a 'northern' meeting for this year but somehow it didn't come off. Let's plan on 2020 'up north!' 😀

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  29. I have had no problem with emails today, but I use talktalk. They have had some very bad press over the years, but I have only ever had one problem and they give me the far cheapest package.
    All landline 'phone calls are free 24/7 if less than an hour, plus call identity, messages. I also have a free TV box + recorder linked to the internet, so get all i-players etc, and I can add extra on a monthly basis (eg I have Sky Sports added for a month to watch the cricket). I have superfast broadband, and unlimited downloads etc. all for £36 a month (plus extra £18 for Sky sports this month). I have not yet found another provider who can supply the same, at a lower cost.

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    1. PS I have a gmail address and it is only used on this site, as it is only way I can access it.

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  30. My broadband, phone with free calls and TV box are with Wightfibre which all costs £46 per month. If there are any problems the person on the other end of the phone is based in Cowes and not India! No prejudice there but sometimes it is difficult to understand on their part and mine!

    We have had news today of a 4 year old Shih Tzu, a Male called Dudley. His owners have a toddler and now a new baby. He is anxious about this and prefers a quiet life! Apparently he likes to play and is not aggressive so we will have to see how he and Buddy take to each other. Gypsy, with seemingly no early socialisation ignores other dogs although she occasionally briefly touches noses with Buddy, it occurs that the name Dudley is very similar in dog speak to Buddy but Bud and Dud does have a ring to it! I really wanted a girl but it seems they are having more boys for rehousing. We will see. Most importantly will the dogs get on with each other and will we cope! At least Dud doesn’t have a bad back story!

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    1. Yes. The person who sorts the problem out is important. Mine are in Manchester.

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  31. Miriam 6.39

    My daughter also uses talk talk and agree they are very inexpensive. They also have all the TV connections you mentioned. The best thing for them was that their phone calls to her brother and family when they were in France were also Free!! We had to pay a small fortune to phone France so in the end we used Skype instead.
    They have found the only snag with Talktalk is that they get quite a lot of scam calls purporting to be from
    Talktalk and trying to get their card details etc.
    But all in all they feel they have a very good deal.

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  32. Almost all of this information today is very useful for me.
    It is far too complicated to go into details but I have become extremely confused over phones and because family have questioned I am now looking at my deal with BT.
    I had intended asking on here, but without doing so, you have all given me the answers that I needed.
    So thank you all.

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    1. I stuck with BT for years but their prices were ever rising sometimes without warning. As we moved from Herefordshire we were paying £19.99 per month for broadband with limited download and line rental on top of that. When moving into a new home there was always a wait before they deigned to appear to sort out the phone and broadband. We opted for Wightfibre when we moved to the island and they were here the day after we moved in. Wightfibre is just for the island but shop around if BT is ripping you off!!

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  33. I am up awfully early today because, put in it's simplest terms, I am travelling 1112 kilometres to have a cup of tea with a group of random people that kind of like the Archers...✈☕📻

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  34. Gary 4.04
    A cup of tea!!!! You disappoint me. 🍷🍸🥃🍾🥂🍰


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  35. Years ago we changed to BT broadband from someone else(can’t remember who) and we had such trouble, literally about 3 weeks of Bt engineers coming every few days to try and get our broadband to work that I dare not try to change it again.
    Our house looked like a BT brothel at the time.....so many different vans and men coming and going.
    In the end, when we finally got a more senior bloke to come and sort it, I locked the doors and said I wouldn’t let him out till it was deffo working ok.
    Also, in rural North Yorkshire, we don’t get a lot of coverage with good speeds. We do get BT super fast broadband so just stick with that.
    Don’t have any problems with it either.

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  36. Gary 04.04 I am up early too Gary. Well done you.
    Sorry folks but I won't be joining you today. Not to put too finer point on it I woke up at 3.00am to find that two small blister of the remaining few have burst and arms sore again. I was planning and sorting out timetable for today but just couldn't get back to sleep. Last time I looked at the clock was 5.15! Woke then an hour later with a stonking headache and in need of paracetemol.

    I am so disappointed and I have the bread pudding here all mixed ready to bake fresh too !!😥
    I have texted Lanjan in case she doesn't manage to read here as she was going to 'escort me' to the Barbican as I have only been there once before about 30 years ago!
    I wish you all a happy day and look forward to hopefully meeting up in Reading in the new year.
    Take care all of you.
    Meanwhile back to The Archers.........😀

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  37. Sorry to hear that Spicy. You are really having a rough time. Hope you can get some rest and turn a corner soon. Will be thinking of you.

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  38. Spicy, we're disappointed too, & so sorry you're having such a rough time. Useless to say,
    but it ain't FAIR !
    Really hope you feel better as the day goes on. We'll be in touch. Take care.

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  39. Spicy and Stasia: yes to a northern meet up.🤗
    We did actually have one in the Spring this year in Yorkshire. Three of us met, but perhaps it wasn’t central enough for a bigger gathering.

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  40. Sorry to hear that spicy but I totally understand why with all you are going through. We shall miss you.

    Trouble with a Yorkshire meet up is I guess it would have to be near a main line station. So presume York or Leeds maybe. But I don’t know where we would all meet at these places.

    We’ll have to do some thinking.

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  41. Janice 9.25 pm 5th.
    I gave up going to or organising conferences when I retired. Attending conferences is a costly waste of time when most papers can be read in journals. They are more about networking.

    Next year in Jerusalem, is a saying mainly said at Passover or Shabbat to indicate the importance of the the origins of the faith. It has now passed Into common usage as a way of explaining the importance of friendships.
    The unveiling ceremony of the headstone is an orthodox ritual to mark the anniversary of a death.
    Archerphile will know more than I do. I have a Jewish heritage through my mother, but don’t engage with any religions.
    I’m more traumatised by a blond haired despots than anything The Archers can through at me. Thirteen minutes of ephemeral Archers is my fix before heading to the allotment. 👩‍🌾😄

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    1. That's very interesting. Jerusalem will be here forever, blonde despots are just a passing phase.😊

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  42. Seqsider and Janjan.
    A meet-up in the north 👍 good.

    Spicycushion 7.43 am.
    What a disappointment for you. Please take care.

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  43. Mrs P, Ev, PtyB...last night.

    We are with Bt for phone and broadband, having had a lot of trouble with Virgin, our previous suppliers.
    We have unlimited broadband use and 24/7 free phone calls, (except when phoning a mobile number for which we have to pay)
    We do have to pay extra for line rental.
    Our payments had been going up and up and as we don’t make that many phone calls we were discussing whether to drop the free phone calls option to reduce the payments.
    My husband phoned BT to change our contract and was asked several questions about our calls and broadband usage and was told they had new schemes and the payment was instantly reduced from around £40 per month to £22! (And keeping the free phone calls)
    We think they were desperate not to loose our custom, so were willing to reduce our payments.
    But we heartily wish we had made that call months ago and saved a lot of money.
    Also, that BT had been pro-active and informed *us* that we were paying too much!
    So, the moral of this tale is : ring your supplier if you think your phone/broadband is costing too much and see what they offer you!

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  44. Spicy, so sorry you can’t go to the Barbican. We shall both have to sit at home and wait for a full report from those who were able to make it! Hope you will be feeling better very soon.

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  45. Thank you Spicycushion for the email
    Disappointed that you won’t be able to join us and hope it won’t be too long before you feel better

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  46. Archerphile, 9.46
    At the end of each contract period I always check around and then tell my current supplier I have a cheaper deal, they always reduce the charges.They rely on people, sadly mostly older people not challenging their prices, true of most companys I'm afraid.
    Although I am only 8 miles from Whitby Openreach are unable to supply me with broadband any more, I now use 4g, more expensive but on the whole more reliable and faster than broadband when I had it. They wont be supplying us with Fibre. My neighbour looked at the cost of us buying in the appropriate equipment etc, but being so few of us the cost would have been prohibitive, if and when 5g gets up here it will be just as good as fibre and hopefully the price will go down.

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  47. Spicycushion - 😦 and hope you will be feeling so much better soon...

    I am already at the Barbican. I hope others are on their way here!

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  48. Cowgirl 10.13

    I have heard of 4G and 5G but didn’t know you could use it for computers - or is it just for mobile phone use, so you use the mobile phone to access emails, internet etc?
    If you have a smartphone for this you presumably have to pay a monthly fee which allows you so many phone calls and so much internet usage?
    I only have a ‘pay as you go’ phone as I hardly ever use it to make calls and only ever use WhatsApp to communicate with the family in Dubai, or the internet when at home - picking up the signal from our BT broadband router.
    That way I keep my mobile costs to the absolute minimum (though I have to make a call at least once in 3 months or my number is deleted!
    I should be interested to hear more about this.

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  49. Oh dear Zoetrope & Spicy just been checking the meet up blog so sorry last minute health issues have prevented you attending today’s gathering at The Barbican. Wait to hear updates, I gather you are now at hospital awaiting test results ZT, good just you took that Drs appointment today and did not wait until Monday Evening!
    I had a to visit the dentist this morning as I broke a tooth, Mr A has a skin infection on his right foot so be in and out of Health Centre - now on Antibiotics and Steroid cream, and of course Archerphile is still recovering -what a lot we are 🙄 at the moment.
    However we are young at heart and hopefully we will all be raring to go again very soon....

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    1. There’s nothing wrong with me that a glass of wine won’t sort out, in about an hour. When the sun is over the yard arm.🍷A little drop of the hard stuff and let’s hope all will be well, and all manner of ailments will disappear. 😻

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    2. I meant Mr R of course! Must have been thinking of Archerphile ‘s Mr A 😂

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  50. Spicy and ZoeT - what a shame that you were not able to go to the "meet-up" today.
    I hope that you are both progressing well and will be feeling better soon.
    At least you were both sensible, seeking medical help so soon. Take Care.

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  51. Archerphile 4.54pm.
    I don’t know if you read my response to Janice at 9.35 am about a comment I had made earlier.
    I suggested that you could possibly provide more information.
    I hope you don’t mind.

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  52. My smartphone is a "sim" only deal (O2) for £13 a month. I only have 2G but I never need to use this.
    My 12 month deal suits me, as my family use WattsApp every day, exchanging messages + loads of photos, esp those which come from OZ. I don't do video calls, but I could as it would be at no extra cost.
    Some family have been in Mauritaus for 5/6 weeks, so it has been lovely sharing their hols. with them through photos + group chats. I have something like 8 wattsapp groups/individuals I use regularly.
    I never thought that I would adapt to all this technology, but it's great + easy, now I know how.

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    1. PS Whenever I go to + from the eye clinic, which is quite often, I have to use taxis (in case of dilation of eyes). On leaving hospital I ring on my mobile phone, and then get a text message back giving the vehicle type + registration of the vehicle, picking me up. This is so helpful when at a very busy hospital and also the phone rings.

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  53. Archerphile 12.39
    I have a laptop computer that runs off 4g, it runs off a special router as you would with broadband. I do have a smart phone but am a complete idiot where it is concerned, I only use it as a phone. I no longer have a land line, when I did in the summer it picked up a local electric fence so was constantly ticking about which they could do nothing.
    I am currently using EE (part of BT ) but they are expensive, so I shall be looking at other suppliers when my contract comes to an end.
    I did investigate satellite, but didn't want an ugly dish on the house plus it was no faster than ordinary broadband, the speed effected by the number of people using it. It is only worth using 4g at the moment if you aren't able to get broadband in the normal way. This may well change with the role out of 5 g

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  54. Not sure which blog to put this on so if you’re not interested in meet up pass it by.

    Had an excellent 4 hours!! at the meet up. Think the Barbican is a dump but we did get an excellent place for us all to sit and did not feel guilty for staying that long.
    Amazing how little archers is discussed but conversation doesn’t stop flowing. Was wonderful to see people again and to meet kp nuts for the first time.
    I look forward to next years meet up.
    Gary, after a little rest, I am now in my hotel drinking 2 porn star martinis for £6.50! 2 for 1 in happy hour.
    Couldn’t be arsed to traipse to the ritz in the end. 🍸😊

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    1. That sounds a great day for you all. Enjoy the cocktails 🍹🍸

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  55. So pleased you had a good day at the Barbican and looking forward to more reports!

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  56. Thank you all for your comments, I am now back home with 2 weeks of antibiotics. After a load of tests, it was diagnosed as a simple infection rather than anything more sinister.
    I'm glad the meet up went well. I hope to join you next time.

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  57. Stasia: 5.01

    Sorry, I didn’t read the earlier posts from Janice and yourself but am happy to give information.

    Jewish funerals are supposed to take place very quickly after a death, within 2 or 3 days.
    In the Orthodox tradition, only men are supposed to attend the funeral and one of the prayers they say is called Kaddish. I was told that it is too upsetting for women to attend the funeral of a loved one, and I didn’t go to my mother’s funeral at the Jewish cemetery at Bushey, Herts., something I have always regretted.
    I made sure I went to my fathers, three years later but the rabbi in attendance wasn’t too keen on my being there! My mother and father shared a grave. They had had to book a place and pay for it several years earlier to ensure a place in a Jewish cemetery.
    For 7 days after someone has died it is tradition for the family to stay in the house and male relatives and friends would come each night to say Kaddish for the departed one.
    The stone setting (erection of gravestone) ceremony takes place a year later when all family and friends attend. I was told it was done this way because wive’s, daughters etc had had time to grieve and would not be quite so upset. I’m not sure if that is absolutely true but it seems logical.
    Mr A & I went to my parents stone setting, which didn’t take place until they had both died. Very sadly the headstone which we had chosen had a spelling mistake in one of the names but it would have been too expensive to have it altered.
    I was only 29 - 32 when they died and so my children don’t remember their grandparents at all as they were still only toddlers.

    About ‘Next Year in Jerulsam’ - yes it is the toast at the end of the Seder (Passover meal). During the meal a child recites the story of the flight from Egypt and various foods are always eaten to remember the curses which were put on the Jews. There is always a lamb shank bone, a bowl of bitter herbs and a sweet dish of fruits and honey called Charoset. A place is laid and left empty for an unexpected guest. It is a great family occasion and I used to love it as a child.
    Hard work for my Mum, because all the food had to be prepared and served in special Passover equipment, crockery etc than is used at the other times in the year. And of course no ‘leavened bread, just Matzos which ai still have today.

    Hope that answers all your questions

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    1. I forgot to say that the traditional greeting, the first time you meet someone who has been recently bereaved is to wish them ‘Long Life’. I wish now that I had posted that to Sarnia.

      And ‘Next year in Jerusalem’ is also the toast on other occasions when Jewish people gather. It is partly a wish by many Jews to be able to visit their holy city and also a show of support for Israel, especially prevalent when I was much younger. Many of my friends went to work on kibbutzim and I badly wanted to go too, but my father was too worried about my safety to let me out of his sight!

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    2. Thank you so much for that Archerfile.

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    3. Archerphile, I think I was writing my post below at the same time as you yesterday, so sorry I seem as if I have ignored this. Your account of Jewish customs is so interesting as I didn’t know about the Jerusalem reference, could only guess. I was aware of the lamb at Passover but you have filled out with so many more details. Thank you.

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  58. Zoetrope, we missed meeting up with you. A day in hospital wasn’t in the plan. Glad to hear it’s nothing too serious. Hope you are soon on the mend.

    Missed Spicy and Archerphile as well - healing thoughts also to you.

    Thanks for a lovely few hours to those who managed the meet up, and safe journeys home. It was good to meet KP Nuts and also to meet Lady, who behaved beautifully(Lady that is), all credit to Mrs P, whom she clearly adores. Enjoyed the tour of the conservatory despite being told several times we weren’t supposed to be in there - Mrs P went to a lot of trouble to gain permission and the site manager was very accommodating but omitted to tell his staff. At one point security was contacted!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Yes, Seasider, the lazy few stayed on ground level, nattering & munching whilst the rest of you braved strange plant life & security guards !
    ( Have written more on the meeting blog)

    ReplyDelete
  60. Spicycushion, Archerfile, Lady and Mr R,, I hope you are all feeling better, and are heading in the right direction.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You too Zoetrope! Hopefully we’ll all meet up next year. Keep taking the antibiotics (I am on them too at the moment) and as my doctor said make sure you take the full course, even when you feel better.

      Delete
  61. Thank you for best wishes once again.
    So sorry to have missed you all. I admit after about four and half hours sleep last night I slept most of the morning!
    Nearly finished week one of steroids so come tomorrow I can reduce fron 16 tabs per day to 15 per day! Finish Dec 22nd!!
    Middle son is drawing up a timetable because there are so many restrictions as to what can be taken with and when with the usual tablets (blood pressure, thyroid tabs and statins total 6 per day.)
    Hope all other invalids are progressing well. x

    ReplyDelete
  62. I'm very pleased that you got some sleep Spiceycushion and hope that those two final blisters breaking signifies the beginning of the end of a pretty miserable and painful experience.

    I arrived back at daughters house about an hour ago, journey home being almost worse than journey there.
    KP and self walked with Gary to the London Museum and I got my first bus, only to be thrown off two stops later as Road blocked. So walked to Fleet St and got another bus to Waterloo then final bus for the longest leg home. Lady was trembling throughout the whole journey, even though lots of attention from one man in particular who showed her to his daughter on his phone.
    Lady does settle quickly though and after her supper has slept.

    Great day, ( sorry I was the last to arrive) great company, wonderful conservatory.
    So sorry that Zoetrope and Spiceycushion too unwell to attend but as others have said....the next time.
    Thank you everyone for being so very considerate and helpful towards Lady.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Mrs P and others interested in the sea eagles, if you google Isle of Wight news you can see in the County Press the path Culver took on his journey around the south. He did reach the far end of Kent but is now back home!

    ReplyDelete
  64. Hats off to Mrs P.
    She has so much stamina.
    I flake out at lunchtime and was quite pleased that I was able to last out until 3pm without my usual lunchtime 10 minute doze.
    Lady has a lovely face .
    Ptb Y , Carolyn and I said we would look after her whilst the others went to the Conservatory .
    P Tb Yis a dog whisperer and gave Lady sonme exercise and Carolyn also took her for a visit to the Terrace
    The Company was great.
    We were sorry that Archerphile,Spicycushion and Zoetrope were unable to be with us but it was good to meet KP .
    I admit to being disappointed with The Barbican but perhaps in the summer in the sunshine it is better-though possibly busier.
    The choice of food for such a large place was awful in my opinion .
    However we were able to grab a table and sit round it and chat which was the main aim of our meeting.
    Thank you everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Mrs P, sorry to hear you had such a rotten journey home, but glad you made it safely. I am not surprised that Lady got so much attention, she is an incredibly appealing dog. Have a relaxing day today, Looking to Reading or a Hampshire meeting?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes me too KP. There is a cafe at the Museum of Rural Life in Reading and they always have interesting displays there too. It’s not actually on the University campus but very close by.
      And of course Winchester has innumerable lovely cafes and eating places, some in the cathedral close, and the cathedral to visit afterwards for anyone interested.
      Both places are easily accessible by train, Reading from Paddington or Bristol, Winchester from Waterloo and Southampton.

      Delete
  66. Sounds good Archerphile. PS I put a note in reply further up to your post yesterday evening.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Really sorry to hear that several people thought the Barbican was a dump or were not impressed with the food choices.
    Since it was my suggestion to meet there I feel I should apologise for having done so.

    Nevertheless I thought the large table that we gathered around for most of our time there was more than adequate for our needs.
    And it was very good indeed to meet up.

    I do hope that Spiceycushion and Zoetrope are feeling better, or are at least improving and know they were missed.

    Nothing from Gary I note, so imagine he is having a good sleep today, and hope to hear from him soon.

    ReplyDelete
  68. No need for apologies Mrs P. The space we had, as I said, was ideal for us. I just think the darkness of the buildings and design makes it look like something from Russia in the 1960’s.
    Just not my cup of tea.
    Loved meeting up with everyone though. Thought it was fab. Just on train heading home.


    Hope other bloggers are starting to feel a bit better.

    ReplyDelete
  69. I agree that the most important thing for a meet up is having a central meeting place where we can sit and chat informally for as long as we want to, and come and go as we wish. The Barbican was perfect for those reasons. I go to the Barbican from time to time and I have never enjoyed its aesthetics but if there is an event I am interested in I am happy to be there.

    Thanks also to Carolyn who brought us together again and patiently fielded negotiations on dates and venue. Much appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  70. I agree with P tbY.
    It was good of you to sort something out,Mrs P..
    Absolutely no need to apologise
    We were able to do what we wanted to do which was to have a good chat .
    I really enjoyed myself.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Ev I was so pleased to read that the sea eagle, is now back home - in the IOW.
    How wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have just read your longer post about this, on the other site.
      It's great news.

      Delete
  72. Archerphile 7.23pm 6th.

    Thank you for the info and your sad experiences.
    My Brother in law’s mother had her funeral in the Jewish cemetery with a Rabbi who conducted it entirely in Hebrew. Women stood on one side and men on the other, but only a few old men could say the prayers. Nobody else knew Hebrew.
    We then processed to the burial site and more prayers were said, then we all placed some soil on the coffin. Really not unlike any other funeral. The same procedure will take place at the unveiling.
    My mother stipulated she be cremated as she believed it to be cleaner and better for the environment. When we visited my brother and sister’s grave she always placed a stone/pebble on the headstone.
    Rituals can be comforting for many who experience loss.

    ReplyDelete
  73. Spicy. I understand about the high dose of steroids that you are having to take, but the "job" they do is worth it. Just perservere and it will be worth it long-term. At least they will be finished by Christmas. It is no surprise that sleep is difficult, but the advantages do outweigh the disadvantages.
    Keep Strong.

    After Wednesday, I will be using steroid eye-drops, 4x a day for 4 weeks, but it is to my advantage helping to prevent any problems, which could occur. This I accept.

    ReplyDelete
  74. Stasis 5.50
    Yes you are right that the rituals at this sad time are important and help to give (forgive the dreadful phrase) ‘closure’
    There are different types of the Jewish faith in Britain, the traditional Orthodox which is fairly strict and administered by the Beth Din. Then there are the Reform and Liberal Synagogues which, as the names imply, are more flexible and modern in their approach. Allowing men and women to sit together in synagogue for example and that maybe why there were women at the funeral you attended.
    Then there is also the very strict group called the Hasidic Jews- the men wear large black hats and have long curls. They are mainly restricted to a particular area of London and keep themselves very much to themselves. The follow the Old Testament very literally and women are very restricted as to what they are allowed to do. I suppose it’s similar to the Christian faith where there are C of E, Catholic, Baptist and Methodist churches which all have different ways of administering their faith.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. My brother in law comes from an orthodox background but not as extreme as some orthodox sections. The Catholic Church when I was growing up was more orthodox in its approach, segregating women who played no role in in the ritual of the faith. It is very different today. I occasionally attend with my partner who is a RC. Usually when we are on our way to do something else and it’s more convenient if we go together.
      Hope you are recovering from you fall.

      Delete
    2. Yes thanks Stasia. I no longer have to wear the boot thingy but using sticks to avoid putting too much weight on my foot. Generally feeling much better after the fall but now have a throat abscess being treated by antibiotics.
      It never rains.... !

      Delete
  75. Good to hear that you have progressed beyond the boot Archerphile and hope you will soon be able to manage with one stick.
    Throat problem is probably your body reacting to all the trauma.
    Onwards and upwards though.
    Stoic woman !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mrs P - you and Spicy are the stoic women I admire. But thanks for your kind thoughts. 😊

      Delete
  76. Autumn has arrived! It is only early September, but already the sun is really low, so my back garden has a lot shade nearly all day. The cold mornings cause massive condendastion on cars and the outside of my windows. This morning (I couldn't see out)!
    Lights on and curtains closed soon after 8.00pm .
    It just seems very early to me.

    ReplyDelete
  77. Congratulations to Australia
    They deserved to win today.
    Although I am disappointed that England didn’t manage it ,were it not for bad umpiring we wouldn’t have won the last Test Match either.
    I am sorry to say that Australia at present the better team.
    How great it was that there was such a good crowd at Old Trafford.
    I would have expected nothing less of course.

    ReplyDelete
  78. Yes Miriam “it” (Autumn) has arrived 🍂🍂 🤗 👏🏻 (although my neighbour tells me temps are due to rise up to 26c again before too long) even so the days will continue to get shorter...🧧

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The best Countryfile can predict for my area, is a possible 20C but I happily accept that. I have had some quite cold nights + mornings recently but not putting fire or heating on, just yet.

      Delete
  79. What a wonderful :Antiques Roadshow" programme tonight. It was so very moving with wonderful memorable + personal family items, being shown, by so many.
    I found it very interesting, and I did shed a tear or two.

    ReplyDelete
  80. Lanjan 7. 24

    Oh dear! Ashes back to Australia, but as you say they deserved to win. And what can you do against a batsman like Steve Smith. They are saying he’s the best since Bradman.
    But a word of praise for Jack Leach for hanging on in there for a while.
    Perhaps Root and Stokes could have done with a pair of glasses too. 👓 🏏

    ReplyDelete
  81. Buddy didn’t get a rosette but we were very proud of him. He fell down on the recall where he has to sit and stay whilst Katy turns her back and walks away then turns round and calls him. He gets so anxious about her walking away that he follows her! On the third attempt he did it! He was competing against dogs who have awards up to gold and diamond but he doesn’t have his bronze award yet so he did well! He has so come on since ultra destructive puppy days!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well done Buddy.
      Entering is good enough at this stage. Don't despair Ev, he will continue to improve.
      Back home now from my few days in London.
      Took Lady to a pub in Kennington last night to meet up with a friend.
      Practically everyone in the place wanted to pet and admire her and were interested in her back story.
      This afternoon we met up in Richmond Park with another dog that came on the same transport as Lady, and the owner and I thought that they might recognise each other as they were probably in the same rescue together.
      No apparent recognition, but no aggression either. They got along fine.

      Delete
  82. Thanks, Mrs P for encouragement! It did strike me today that although there were quite a few dogs there was no incidence of aggression. As well as training the classes do teach them to socialise with other dogs which is what you are doing with Lady in encouraging her to mix with other dogs. On a recent walk we met a dog probably a Llapso which lunged at ours growling fiercely but wasn’t properly told off or pulled back and it’s rather sad that some dogs behave like this. Buddy is a friendly chap and Gypsy just takes no notice of other dogs as she is a Chinese princess!!!

    ReplyDelete
  83. Archerphile 9:18am
    What I think was lovely yesterday was to see lots of folk dressed up as Jack Leech lookalikes.
    Specsavers are giving him free spectacles for life apparently.
    They must love the publicity .
    I never saw Don Brahman bat but to get an average of almost 100 says something about his batting.
    I think Steve Smith may be even better because I imagine that bowlers are bowling faster now than they did.
    I am pleased the Old Trafford crowd didn’t boo him
    He has paid the price for his misdemeanour.
    He and Cumming were the main difference between the teams .
    Disappointed with Root’s attitude when being interviewed.
    Why could he not admit that England were outplayed by a better team?
    Leader he is not.
    We need a new Captain.
    He needs to learn how to lose gracefully .

    ReplyDelete
  84. Ev 8th 10.01 Well done Buddy a gold star from us !
    I'm afraid Misty is rather like the dog you describe . The only difference is that if we meet anyone, which is very rare, I always have her in control and explain the problem, she does want to be friends but is so jealous .

    ReplyDelete
  85. Lanjan 9.14

    Mr A and I were talking about the electronic equipment at the crease and the third Umpire for determining if a batsman is really ‘out’, and also the system of appealing for a TV décision.
    We were wondering how many test matches, over the years, have been been wrongly decided before the electronics were invented, due to Umpire error?
    It is so clever how they can view the ball from so many different angles and hear the ‘snick’ these days. Will human umpires eventually be replied by a camera and a computer in the score box?
    Mr A certainly hopes not, it took him two winters to train as an umpire and two written exams, and an oral one before he was allowed to wear the official umpire’s tie!

    ReplyDelete
  86. Ev and CowGirl re reactive dogs.
    Lady was very reactive, and still is, though not with EVERY dog she meets now.
    Still unpredictable though which makes it difficult.

    A local man instructed me about her barking at the gate, where every dog in the district passes by. I had to stand in front of her, and correct the barking. It is now happening a lot less.
    He also took us up on the common to have a lesson in the aggression department.
    He taught me what he described as a method that is 'hard' but effective.
    I can be hard if it's necessary !
    Method, to hold the lead ( I use a slip lead only) in a loop and as soon as the dog makes a sound or move towards the other dog, to stamp foot on loop and use ' down' aggressively. This brings the dog into a down position immediately. His two dogs were used in this lesson.
    Lady stopped this rushing and growling within forty eight hours of using this method.
    She now drops down when I tell her to, at any time without using the harsh method.
    The harsh method, hard as it use, served its purpose. And enables the dog to know that I am in charge, so she doesn't have to be.

    We haven't solved the problem when off lead however, but she is certainly becoming a great deal more social with meeting other dogs and gets better daily.

    Ev, I gave up going to classes. I knew I could do more on my own and I have.
    She now sits at command and also sits before I tell her that she can eat.
    Next lesson to teach is to sit at roadside before crossing.

    Lady has come a long way in seven months and I am proud of her.


    Incidentally...... I have a private drive at the side of my cottage.
    Before I got Lady, I asked permission to use the grass verge in this drive to allow her to pee, as my garden is a long way from the house and uphill.
    In recent weeks, the local Badger, who also uses the drive as part of his territory has created a series of latrines.
    His objection to Lady's presence I believe.

    Even more reason for Lady to always be on the lead when toiletting in this area.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mrs P I guess we’re lucky in this respect with our dogs. Buddy is a friendly chap and enjoys meeting other dogs. Even those who are much bigger don’t phase him. Gypsy just ignores any attention from other dogs and goes her own sweet way! Katy is collecting Dudley, our new venture in fostering, on 18th and apparently he is OK with other dogs. Lady will have had to defend herself in her previous life so you can understand her wariness. Judging from what the others said about her at the reunion, you are doing a marvellous job and you obviously have a lot of experience with dogs. I have found that a sharp NO when they don’t behave is effective and a single sharp tug on the lead such as you describe can curb aggressive or in Buddy’s case nosey behaviour! When we first had him he would bark in excitement when he saw another dog and expect everyone to pet him when putting up appealing paws but this has calmed down now. Apparently he was never taken out of the garden in his first home so this uncontrollable excitement was to be expected when he saw the wider world. However, he had to learn not everyone likes petting dogs and not every dog appreciates being barked at! For me it is all a learning curve as each dog is different. Although I have had a Sheltie and a border collie in the past they don’t show much similarity to a Shih Tzu and a ST /Yorkie cross!!

      Delete
  87. Mrs P 3.12
    Thank you for your advice re aggressive dogs. I will try that method when she meets other dogs.
    As she enjoys walks on the moor and is stimulated we don't walk elsewhere very often as she finds it boring, so our encounters with other dogs is rare. She does bark quite a bit, I shut her up if she is barking at other dogs, but I am reluctant to do so otherwise as when my neigbours were away she alerted me to someone being in their garden. Legitimate as it happens but she didn't know that.

    ReplyDelete
  88. I actually got bored with the cricket, so watched the European Golf from Hamburg instead (but flicked back to the cricket now + again).
    I will have the same problem this weekend. Golf- the Solheim cup from Gleneagles Cricket-the Ashes. Luckily the 2 channels are next to each other, so is just a quick flip on the remote to check what is going on.

    ReplyDelete
  89. Non Cricket fans please ignore.
    Archerphile 11:03
    The Umpiring in this Test series has been dreadful.
    People say what a great Umpire Dickie Bird was but was he?
    How many LBWs did he give or not give which were wrong decisions.
    I am pleased that the technology is there but I don’t think it should make a scrap of difference whether it was Umpire’s call or not .
    If technology says a batsman is out.
    He is out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes. It's no different to the introduction of Hawkeye at Wimbledon. What a difference it makes.
      I also love that there are a limited number of appeals via technology. This can be part of the strategy, when to use or not, as after there are none left, this can make a big difference to the result of a match, be it in any sporting match.

      Delete
  90. On a totally different topic.
    I am so pleased Doctors has started again, my lunchtime interlude.
    I found todays episode very moving.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too Miriam!
      But can’t stand the hanky-panky between the senior partner and the receptionist - very tacky!

      Delete
  91. CowGirl - yes, stopping barking is necessary if it is a nuisance to neighbours, but if remote then a guard dog is required.
    Lady, is not a guard dog. A neighbour came and knocked early this evening and although she went to the door, she showed not the slightest degree of being on guard.
    If we had a burglar I suspect she would greet them as a friend.
    Hope the method described brings some results.


    I have spoken with SARNIA this evening. She is fine and getting on with all the necessary admin now that all the family members have returned to their homes.
    She will post again when she is less busy.
    She also agreed that a meet up in Winchester was preferable to Southampton.

    Part of our conversation was about her profile and the ship. Apparently this was built along with it's sister in Cowes. When a child I was taken to the shipyards at Cowes to see the shipbuilding, ( my father was passionate on the subject having sailed round the cape as a cabin boy in a schooner at fifteen ).
    I'm sure we only went on holiday to the island so that he could spend as much time as possible with his binoculars watching the ships.
    I remember too the sea planes, most of which were built on the island.

    A few years ago I went back to the shipyards with my daughter who was ordering her kitchen worktops being made in those same workshops.
    How the world changes.

    ReplyDelete
  92. Dog news - must just say, after excessive exercise in the woods this early evening Lady met a black lab.
    Black dogs, and bigger than her are her go to victims of / for her aggression.
    I will get to you and tell you that I can stand up for myself if you bully me - is the message given.
    This evening she sniffed noses, sniffed bottoms, turned and made contact again, and then moved on. Not a murmur.
    Well done Lady !

    ReplyDelete
  93. Mrs P. I am glad to hear that Sarnia is coping, like others I look forward to her rejoining is.
    Good to hear Lady is doing so well.
    Definitely getting cooler, sitting in lounge with log burner blazing away, a warming glass of red & nibbling on some very more-ish (and disgracefully calorific) fudge. I like it when the nights draw in.

    ReplyDelete
  94. Mrs P, it's lovely that you are keeping in touch with Sarnia.

    Well done to you and Lady.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Zoetrope.
      I am sorry that we did not get to meet you last Friday.
      How is the throat ?
      You are probably well into halfway through your antibiotics by now.
      Hope your feeling better.

      Delete
  95. Archerphile, are you down to onestick yet ?
    If not, then soon I hope.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Mrs P, around the house at any rate. Will still use two if going out and about for a while.

      Delete
  96. LanJan - just heard.... it’s now SIR Geoffrey Boycott!! thanks to Mrs May’s resignation honours list.
    Also SIR Andrew Strauss.
    Long over due in Boyc’s

    case I think.

    ReplyDelete
  97. Delighted to hear the news ,Archerphile.

    ReplyDelete
  98. Mrs P, 9th,11.02
    I am getting there, thank you. Still coughing, but not as much. On antibiotics for 2 weeks though due to an underlying condition, so will have the effects of those for a little while yet.

    Spicycushion and Archerfile, I hope you are both feeling better.
    And anyone else who is / has been unwell ... Janice, Parsley ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My good wishes to you too Zoetrope. Hope you are not getting the usual side-effects from the antibiotics! I am allergic to penicillin so always have to have an alternative which seem to be even worse for causing the r.ns!

      Delete
    2. Luckily I'm not effected in that way - yet.
      It's more the tiredness which is both part of the infection and the cure.

      Delete
  99. Archerfile 6.08 am: Lanjan 7.34 am.

    A lot of women involved with domestic abuse charities would strongly disagree!

    ReplyDelete
  100. We have not heard anything from SPICEYCUSHION since Friday.

    Hope you are still progressing Spicey, and perhaps too busy to post.
    Whatever may be happening, I'm sure we all have you in our thoughts.
    Let us know how you are, when you can.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have missed her also, and ZoeT. I hope that they are doing well.
      And Archerphile, now with no boot - I hope she also is on the mend.

      Delete
    2. Oops missed ZoeT update, didn't scroll back.

      Delete
  101. B Beeches 11.47

    Sorry, don’t understand your comment. What am I missing?

    ReplyDelete
  102. Geoffrey Boycott was accused of physically harming his girlfriend .
    He was found guilty in a French Court.
    He strongly denied it.
    If I am honest I find the whole business of rewarding Sportsmen for doing the job for which they are well paid totally wrong
    Andrew Strauss was also given a knighthood for services to cricket.
    Sadly his wife died not too long ago and he has been raising money in her name for Charity .
    However ,unlike Sir Ian Botham,he was not awarded the Knighthood for services to cricket and Charity only for services to cricket.
    There are other players equally worthy of such an honour in that case.

    I responded to Archerphile ‘s post first thing this morning and my thought’s then were if John Major can give a knighthood to AlecBedser (my hero incidentally) why shouldn’t Teresa May give one to her’s ?
    Presumably she was prepared to believe he was not guilty .
    I would rather Geoff Boycott be given an award than those who make a great deal of money and then live in Switzerland to save paying tax in this Country.

    ReplyDelete
  103. 2nd cataract op. tomorrow morning - I am scared yet excited. No food or drink after 6.30am and I expect that I will be last on the op. list.
    I have just found that i-player seems to have gone, as for the 1st time, it came up, automatically as Sounds.
    I do not like this alternative, at all.

    ReplyDelete
  104. All the best for tomorrow Miriam. You have waited a long time for this. I hope the op goes well and you will soon be able to plan and book your holidays.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks.
      I can't wait to be able to book a hols. knowing, I can definitely go + most importantly, seeing everything clearly, with the right colouration.
      Look after yourself, ZoeT.

      Delete
  105. Lanjan 3.32. pm

    I believe Lanjan has answered my post Archiphile. (2.01pm) GB. Denied the accusation but was found guilty. So far so good. To quote Lanjan 'I would rather Geoff Boycott be given an award than those who make a great deal of money and then live in Switzerland to save paying tax in this Country.' Ergo:To equate, saving paying tax and beating up your girlfriend, Lanjan feels that GB is the better option! If it is believed by a community that talent surpasses any other (crime) misdemeanor we will probably never progress as a species. I apologize if this post sounds heavy but we are just playing into the hands of REAL abusers.


    ReplyDelete
  106. Totally ignorant & uninterested in sport but do think it is reasonable to reward people of exceptional talent in any field of endeavour, whatever they choose to do with their money.
    However, reading here & tuning into the news today, it really does stink to reward someone who has been convicted of a crime, be it domestic violence, or any style of violence. Surely there has to be a minimal requirement of a person's character, before rewarding them for outstanding achievement.

    ReplyDelete
  107. To add. I use my main PC to catch-up in the afternoon. I do Ctrl+end, so start at the last comment posted. I then read backwards. This is why I miss so many posts.
    It is Ok until I find a comment, such as "Mr.Smith at 8.15am, I think....."
    I am not prepared to go back that far, to read the original post, then to read the reply again. It is far too time consuming.
    I just want to apologise to all posters, whose comments, I no longer read.
    This is purely down to how, I personally, read this blog.

    ReplyDelete
  108. I can certainly understand where you are coming from ,Burnham Beeches .
    I can remember that there was a lot of doubt about it at the time
    If the Powers that be in this Country thought Geoffrey Boycott was guilty ,surely a Knighthood would not have been awarded to him.
    If I thought Geoffrey Boycott was guilty I would not have written what I did..
    Believe me I certainly do not agree with any abuser being rewarded in any way.
    As I wrote earlier ,I commented early this morning and with hindsight since I don’t agree with any sportsman being rewarded for doing what they enjoy and for what they are paid very well for perhaps I should not have written anything.



    ReplyDelete
  109. Reading back, completely endorse those who shake their heads at those who complain about country ways, having decided to move to the country - as you say, what do they expect ?! Another example, but slanted to cultural differences : we lived in West Wales for 4 years in the early (21, & knew some English people who settled there with school age children. They complained that all lessons were taught in Welsh ! This was a Welsh speaking area, & there"s been a long struggle to keep that beautiful language alive, so, again, what did they expect ?
    In fact, & in practice, one of next door's children told me, there was a mixture of English & Welsh used in lessons ( not all the Welsh children grew up with Welsh speaking parents )
    Most people born there were bilingual.

    ReplyDelete
  110. Miriam, you appear to be tying yourself in unnecessary knots regarding this blog! Relax... And maybe try NOT telling everyone that you're not reading every post because you can't be bothered! Not the best look if I'm being honest....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My thoughts only, as I find so much scrolling back is far too time consuming.
      As you are the Administrator, I understand your comment and I am
      very sad that I am accused of being so dictarorial.
      As the Administrator of this wonderful TA blog site, I now "tender my resignation" with immediate effect.
      All I am guilty of, is giving my own views + thoughts, which sadly do not meet the criteria of others.
      It's been fun, but all good things do come to an end.

      Delete
    2. PS
      I will still be a very avid TA listener, with my own thoughts + ideas, and this will never change.
      I will always be an "odd bod", and as the saying goes, a leopard never changes its spots.
      Take Care All.

      Delete
    3. Heaven's above Miriam what an earth is the problem?!! There is no dictator. Do as you wish No one is censoring you for your contributions. GG is only 'suggesting' an easier way of blogging. I cannot believe such a simple idea has caused you so much angst. However, your choice. So go to into the future with an open mind and the best of luck.!

      Delete
  111. Miriam( 5.34pm)please see that no one requires anyone else to follow a particular way of reading the blog. Neither do any of us have the time or desire to answer every post that pops up. We may or may not read every single post. Personally, I like to read all the posts, though I expect I miss some, but only respond directly to a few. I imagine we all engage pretty much in that way.
    I don't understand why you are so bothered, but, of course, you must take the action that suits you.

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  112. Very well put, Carolyn. I find the blog friendly and relaxed, and of course there are times when it isn’t possible to read and comment every day. I think we all engage with the blog in the way that suits us and I think the folk on this blog are fine with that, no shoulds or oughts or directives as far as I can see.

    Miriam I wish you the very best with your op tomorrow and good health.🤗

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  113. Miriam, I honestly fail to see what on earth you are so upset about. I personally have never once suggested to anyone how they should or should not use this blog. Quite the reverse in fact - I have let others float ideas back and forth and never uttered a single word about them. And quite where you get the notion that I was accusing you of being dictatorial ...??

    If you re-read what I wrote above you will see that I was genuinely trying to tell you to not take it all so seriously and, at the same time point out to you that to announce to your fellow bloggers that you would no longer be reading a lot of their posts because it was all too inconvenient for you was maybe not the wisest of statements. I stand by both comments. Your choice. Your loss.

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  114. In case you are reading this Miriam -and despite what you say I think you will be - may I add something?
    Some time ago on the BBC blog Burnham Beeches commented about something I wrote.
    BB was right to do so.
    I thought at the time what good common sense she had and subsequently have mentioned that someone needed “a touch of the Burnham Beeches.”
    Today she has commented about something I wrote(and now wish I hadn’t! )
    We are not going to fall out about it.
    It is finished.
    We move on as I think you should do.




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  115. Please don’t go, Miriam. I have enjoyed your posts and would miss you. Speaking for myself I find the reply posts next to the ones they reply to are more understandable than replying at the end referring to a post at say 8 pm and then you have to scroll back anyway to read the designated post. However, I certainly wouldn’t die in a ditch over it but will just continue to reply as I always have! The main thing is to enjoy the exchange of views and experiences which the blog affords. Every good wish for your surgery!

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  116. Miriam, no-one is dictating how you or any of us should read and / or reply on this blog.
    And I for one do not think you are being dictatorial.
    We all read and interact with the blog in the way that suits us best.- and that's fine.
    I'm sorry that you have found recent ideas / comments upsetting and hope that you continue.
    But if you choose not to, I wish you all the best..

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  117. Flipping heck Miriam, what you spit your dummy out for? No one had been dictatorial to you. We’ve all read your posts and maybe not responded to them all but have never said anything awful to you.
    You do what you feel you have to do then re leaving the blog Miriam.
    I wish you well for your op tomoz. 💐

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  118. Lanjan. 6.15. Totally agree we have blogged together (if that's the right expression) for a while and in this case dissent is the spice of life!..........May it so continue!

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