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Life outside Ambridge
(now with added fashion advice...)

Comments

  1. Replies
    1. Brilliant Gary, you have done some research for Carolyn and I am sure she will look just as glamorous - no housewife look here.

      The ramble below is a response to Mrs P’s post on the previous blog, which I must have typed whilst you were opening this one.

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  2. Gary, I’m pleased you have gone for a fashion-themed blog. I was just typing that I went to the Mary Quant exhibition last week at the V&A. It was excellent. Many of the exhibits were donated by people who wore the dresses in the sixties, and their photos in the outfits appeared alongside in the displays. There was a TV programme about the V & A on Thursday showing the conservators preparing a dress for the exhibition. They spent a great deal of time and care making it look like new and the owner of the dress was thrilled with the results.

    I think only my Sindy wore a copy version of Mary Quant although I had some of the make up when I was a teenager. I did love Laura Ashley and made several post Christmas trips to York to spend my Christmas present money on another skirt or dress.

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  3. Seasider: I was also taken up with all the Mary Quant era fashion and make-up.
    To the horror of my father, who had forbidden me to have my very long fair hair cut, I saved up to travel up to London, secretly, and go to the Vidal Sassoon hairdressers to have a Mary Quant bob!!

    Dad was furious when I got home, refused to speak to me for days except to say I had ruined my hair (which had never been cut in my life before)
    Apparently he had been exactly the same when my Mum, then his young wife, had had her long Edwardian style hair bobbed back in the twenties.
    I had photos of my new style taken at Polyphotos, where you got dozens of tiny pictures at all angles and could choose which ones you wanted enlarged. To be honest, I looked awful in all of them! The angled cut, longer on one side than the other, didn’t suit my chubby face at all, made me look squat and fat. I hated it!
    So I started growing it again but never did get back to hair long enough to sit on!
    So much for teenage rebellion!

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  4. My hair was very thick, wiry and naturally wavy so would never adapt to a Mary Quant. However, the first time I had it blow dried was a revelation. It was nearly straight! Prior to that I had always asked for huge rollers at the hairdressers and they always put in medium ones so it looked far too bubbly! Thick hair has advantages though as thinning with age means I still have plenty and it is far easier to manage than it was!

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  5. Archerphile that’s a great story - I really admire your spirit. I remember tearful sessions after a haircut that didn’t work, and so much hope beforehand of a life transformed...

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  6. In the early 60s and possibly the 70s I wore a scarf in the way shown in the photos
    It didn’t look as good on me as on the film stars shown.
    (An aside- I really do think that film stars were much prettier back then )
    I have given away all my big square silk scarves .
    Pity.
    What I had in mind for Carolyn was a smaller one made of cotton which could be tied behind her head but not under her chin.


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  7. I had very long fair hair too Archerfile. I was quite happy with it long, but then when I was15 my older cousin wanted her two bridesmaids to match and as the other one had short curly hair I had to have mine chopped off and curled as well. We did get to keep our beautiful pale blue dresses which helped compensate, and like you I grew it again but never to the same length.

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    1. That’s interesting to hear Janice, that you loved your long hair.
      My Dad was very Victorian in outlook and thought women should never have their hair cut, but could ‘put it up’ in late teenage. I think I hated mine because all my friends at school had short hair and I used to get teased unmercifully about my old fashioned locks, usually worn in plaits or a messy Ponytail. In six form I adopted a French pleat, which was a bit more fashionable then, but took ages to arrange in the mornings with dozens of Kirby grips. It was a pain!

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  8. The film stars of the day were much more individual many today appear to be mass produced!
    I guess the only saving grace with a disappointing hair cut is that it will grow again, for me the worst thing was having had very successful (gentle) highlights at a reputable hairdressers they suggest applying them with foil instead of through the cap method. WELL I ended up looking like a lady of the night 😱 and had to go to work (which involved the public) like it - just dreadful. It was in the days of being meeker and milder than now and even though I did go back they were deemed to be ok in their opinion.
    A colleague told me to by a “Touch of silver” shampoo and keep washing my hair to tone down the brassiness (if that is even a word) and thankfully it did if not immediately. That finished me and I decided to let nature take its course from there on in πŸ€—

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  9. Well Archerphile how lovely to hear your tale of your trip to Vidal Sassoon to get the famous bob.
    I was one of the hair models that he experimented on to evolve the cut.
    I continued to be a hair model at different times ( not with Sassoon though) throughout my life, though not the times when I had long hair. I swung from ' short and sharp' to 'long and frequently up' until I lost all my hair about fifteen years ago.

    Going back to Laura Ashley - did anyone else have any of her early heavy cotton dresses that were similar to an empire line ?
    A friend had two, a coral pink and a blue during her pregnancy and passed them on to me for my growing period. They were sleeveless and so useful over a tee shirt in summer or a winter woolly. And I tied my hair back with a LA handkerchief scarf to match.
    I still have my LA scarves.

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  10. Does anyone remember 'ironing' their hair to get that very long straight with fringe look?! πŸ™„

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    1. I was "lucky" enough to be a teenager in the '80s Burnham, and I got to a point where I almost wouldn't leave the house without ironing my long fringe! Oh, how I hated the curly kinks in it! Before the advent of super strength gels etc my friends and I used to rub damp bars of soap on our hair to help keep our quiffs solidly in place. There's no greater pain than getting that residue running into your eyes whilst trying to look cool in a club at the age of 15!

      One friend in particular once used super glue to keep the end of her massive bleached creation immobile & later on that night it literally snapped off. Aaaaahhh, the memories.....

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    2. My dad used Brylcreem on his quiff all his life. He was a good looking man and his hair never did go grey...😑 🀣

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  11. I miss my dead-straight waist - length curtains... "where did your long hair go"... but not enough to grow out my short sharp cut 😘

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  12. Off to watch our local rugby team, recording the England /Ireland match to watch later, so No Spoilers!!

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  13. I reckon when we were younger we wanted what we couldn’t have.
    I wanted to be petite with long jet black hair in a pony tail.
    I was tall with short mousy hair.
    The only thing for it was to get a different role model.
    Kim Novak had very short hair and a d.a * at the back but it was blond.
    I got some Richard Hudnut ‘Light and bright’4/6 which was probably just bleach and that was that.
    I still have mousy hair though but it is now highlighted because unlike the more sensible Lady R I haven’t let nature take its course although had nature decided to give me the lovely silver hair my mum had when she was my age that would be fine .
    *da -duck’s” backside”



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    1. It's a "duck's arse" Lanjan, no need to be so coy!

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    2. Gary ,indeed you are right.
      I will remember next time that I don’t need to be coy! πŸ˜€

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    3. Lanjan 1.43 - Light & Bright, I remember it well and was, as you say, probably just bleach. You could just dab it on and your hair became gradually lighter. I had a Kathy MacGowan hairstyle - long and straight with thick fringe. I felt sorry for friends who had to iron their hair as mine is naturally stick straight. I always wore false eyelashes, white lipstick, mini skirts. It was such a fun time to be a teenager.

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  14. You didn’t realise that you would start a new theme when you told us about your hearing problem ,Carolyn.
    I hope it won’t be long before you can benefit from your recent operation

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  15. Ah Laura Ashley.
    I loved her clothes .
    I remember coming down to London to buy some at her first London shop which I think was in Pelham Road.
    There was a lovely shop soiled white cotton bridal gown for sale at £10 .
    I wanted to buy it to make underskirts but couldn’t afford the £10.
    After that I used to get two trains and travel to Chester where the nearest LA store was.

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  16. When on a short cruise last year I had my hair done and the hairdresser , a forthright Philippino said it was a bit yellow and to make it silver grey used Scwarzkopf colorfreeze silver shampoo for the second application followed by blondme spray conditioner which you leave in. I came away smarting at the £25 for the two! He had them in the smart carrier bag before I could reject them! However, both last a long time and have been very effective in conditioning and making my hair a nice colour without heavy dyes. It is much more manageable too!

    The duck’s arse reminded me of a stalwart churchgoer I knew in Cornwall who much to my surprise coined that very phrase about the church treasurer who he opined was “tight as a d.a.!!” πŸ™€πŸ€­πŸ¦†πŸ¦†

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  17. Sartorial memory lane is the theme of the moment, then...I loved LA too, but the brand went off the boil eventually, as most do. Couldn't do Quant, Biba etc. as I wasn't flat chested back then, so quite an off trend shape in the Twiggy era.
    As for hair - constant experimentation with length & styles though not with colour until aged 57. 10 years of fun with that, liked the results, but then thought I'd 'go natural', which is ok, as it happens.
    Scarves around neck only ! Until now, it seems....

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  18. I am enjoying reading all these comments, about hair do's.
    I loved the Mary Quant sleek bob.
    At that time, I was in school, with a short hair, short skirts + short ankle socks. All I had on my head, was a felt hat (winter) and a straw boater (summer).
    I remember the Twink home perm. It was the smell, the perming rods + the tiny papers, as Mum used to do my Grandma's hair.

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    1. As to hair styles, I loved mine until last week.
      I was watching a classic Corrie episode from 1995, when Deidre married Samir.
      She had a new, short and very sleek hair do.
      It is 2020, and mine is exactly the same!

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    2. Miriam. If you like it , stick with it. Never mind anyone else.

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    3. Life goes round in circles Miriam..... as you have discovered this week.

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  19. I had long hair and when young I had it platted Tyrolean ‘Sound of Music’ style by my mother. Nobody else in the community had such a style, and I hated the mostly positive comments. Neat, tidy, clean well presented.
    When I got to thirteen my mother agreed to a small haircut πŸ’‡πŸ½‍♀️ for both myself and my sister. So off went to the hairdresser, only we didn’t make it. We decided to cut each other’s hair and pocket the money. We didn’t see anything wrong in our creative thinking, we were fledgling entrepreneurs.
    Of course my mother realised immediately and to bed we were sent.
    I went to Vidal Sassoon once and didn’t like what they done.

    Since that time I have always kept my hair reasonably short, no longer than shoulder length.
    I’m not really into clothes and have never had head scarfs, only those that go round the neck in winter. I do like hats and wear them in the summer.


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    1. I have a wonderful big straw hat, I bought it in a market in Cuba.
      It is gorgeous, with a wide brim + lovely decorative flowers.
      When looking to buy it, I gasped at the price, as it was so cheap!
      The seller thought the opposite, so reduced the price! I paid about £6 for it.
      It is very stylish and suits me.

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  20. It's Sunday night, tea is nearly ready, I am relaxed and looking forward to TA.
    Well, so I thought. My neighbours are screaming + shouting at each other again and it is not nice to hear.
    At least, they have sold the house, so I just hope the sale goes through quickly, and the buyers are much quieter 🀞🀞
    If only I could have afforded to move to a detached house, but sadly that has not been an option, for many reasons.
    Oh well, perhaps tonights TA will cheer me up, or I might need a "Scruff + T" or two.
    Any excuse..πŸ˜‚

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    1. I really do sympathise Miriam (memories of days past) So pleased for you that these inconsiderate neighbours are on the move. Now might be the time to ask them if they are going to be living in a detached property next time and if not point out their unacceptable behaviour.
      Because you are so quiet maybe they think you can’t hear them. Although I recall they have behaved just as badly outside 😑

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  21. I love big hats and as you will have found Miriam ,one advantage of being tall is that we can wear big hats.
    I bought a straw hat in Woolworths for £1 about 30;years ago put some satin ribbon round and wore it to a wedding .
    Somebody asked me where I had bought the hat and I told the truth and the person laughed and said something like “Now tell me the truth “ so I lied and said “Harrods” and was believed.
    When my mother in law died 25 years ago I bought a big black hat..
    I thought it was just the thing to wear to the funeral.
    Her best friend didn’t and told me in no uncertain terms that I looked dreadful and must remove it
    which I reluctantly did.
    I never did wear it.
    You can’t win them all.

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  22. Talking about weddings as I was a minute or two ago, when I went to a family wedding a year or two back I borrowed my friend’s “mother of the bride” outfit to wear .
    I was the only woman wearing a big hat.
    I suppose it was over the top really but I would have looked a plonker if I had worn one of those fascinators that other women were wearing .



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  23. With the corona virus outbreak in Italy, will this affect Ev with her painting holiday?
    It is a concern.

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    1. I have stopped looking for a holiday.
      It will be "Argate" again, until things are more under control.

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    2. It is in the north, Venice & Lombardy and I go to the south, Tuscany. Nevertheless will be following the occurrences. Note that two more from quarantined ship, returnees to Uk, have tested positive. It is a very serious issue.

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    3. Correction, four have been found positive & we now have 13 in UK. Trouble is we all travel nowadays.

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  24. I've been worrying about Autumnleaves 🍁🍁& the wretched virus...

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  25. Replies
    1. I only just read about how it's affecting Italy, I had no idea. Scary stuff.

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  26. Thank you. We have just heard that all schools are closed for a week. All the celebrations for carnevale are cancelled. I am going to stay closed in my flat until I get the all clear.

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    1. Gianna, you are of course doing the right thing - hopefully you will all get the all clear soon! The carnivals being cancelled was just what I was reading about. Take care...

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    2. Sorry to hear you are affected Gianna, and sincerely hope you will continue to be safe.
      I'm sure we will all be thinking of you and AutumnLeaves too, and hope that we might hear from her soon.
      Perhaps you might keep us posted.

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  27. I have been following the story of Mr & Mrs Abel who were stuck on that cruise ship for so long and are now marooned in a Japanese hospital with serious pneumonia. Their distraught son has been on TV several times, very worried about them.
    It seems dreadful to
    me that the British Embassy appears to have done very little to help them in Japan, or their family back here.
    The coincidence for me is that the cruise they were on was to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary, just what we shall be doing in April!
    We just hope the virus doesn’t get out of control in Portugal or Spain, or we could find ourselves in a similar position to the Abel’s. πŸ˜·πŸ€’

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  28. My son bought face and eye masks before they went back to the Philippines as they seem to be running out of stock out there. He reckoned the masks bought online here are now 3 times the ordinary price, the only difference being they are now labelled coronavirus masks.

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  29. Replies
    1. Sorry Mrs P. Of course not everyone travels but many do. As a child I thought Llandudno was exotic!

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  30. Thank you all for your good wishesπŸ’—πŸ’—
    I just woke up this morning to discover that 3 family members on holiday in trentino from the Milan area and who tested positive were actually on holiday in my village...howz about them apples😣😣 they arrived on Friday and immediately felt ill..the local doctor followed all the protocol to contain the virus and the family were immediately transfered to Bergamo.
    Well have to wait to see if our village goes into lockdown. Schools were already closed Monday and Tuesday for carnival.
    Whatever it takes to keep everyone safe and healthy.

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    1. I intend to do exactly what Gianna is doing..hunker down and wait till it blows over.
      The cupboards are full and so is the freezer so we don't need to venture out at all.

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  31. Gianna and Autumnleaves, thinking of you, stay safe and well.

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  32. Sorry to hear you are going through worry & incarceration, Gianna & Autumnleaves. It's impressive that you both sound so sensible & well prepared. Best wishes & thoughts to you both, together with your families & friends.

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    1. I am backing up carolyn’s comments.
      Hunker down in the bunker with as much luxuries as you need.😘

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  33. Good to hear from you as well AutumnLeaves and that you are safe and well. We must all hope that stays that way.
    You and Gianna both know that even if incarcerated you will be able to talk with us and keep us updated.

    Like a train journey interrupted by some disturbance on the line, difficulties that we all need to share bring us closer. And at the moment that seems to be floods and corona virus.

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  34. It sounds as if the Italian authorities are doing everything they can to contain the virus and hope cases will be limited as a result. Thinking of you both, Autumn leaves and Gianna. All will be well!

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  35. I too would like to add my good wishes to Autumnleaves and Gianna and their family members.
    Thank you both for keeping us abreast of how things are with you

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  36. Good news! my village won't be quarantined. Contact with the infected tourists was absolute minimum at th every most anyone who had contact will have to be tested. Schools in the province have been closed for the rest of the week and all carnival celebrations, sports events and school trips cancelled.
    I am certainly not taking anything for granted and am not going to take unnecessary risks. I will continue to avoid crowded places and wash hands to the tune of happy birthday.
    Thank you again for your good wishes...you are so very lovely.
    Grazie dal cuore πŸ’•πŸ’•

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  37. πŸ€— great news Autumnleaves! Agree with your sensible plan to still be careful.
    Is it your birthday πŸŽ‚? If so πŸ’ πŸŽΌπŸ‘πŸ»

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    1. 😁😁no no Lady R.....i read in the newspaper a couple of weeks ago that we should wash our hands for at least 2 minutes or for as long as it takes to sing happy birthday.

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    2. Ah yes I remember now πŸ™„

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  38. Very pleased to hear your news Autumnleaves

    I heard a doctor on the radio say that hands should be washed for 2O secs.
    That is a heck of a long time.
    I have never done that on a regular basis and I very much doubt most people have.
    I do think however that soap and water is best.

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    1. 20 secs is not that long, and is easy to do. Soap is fine.
      I now have an anti-bacterial gel in my car, which I use on leaving shops, supermarket etc. and before starting to drive home.
      It is just a precaution.

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  39. It appears that an outbreak can occur, anytime or anywhere.
    It is quite a worrying situation and is spread by global travel, but this is so normal now.

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  40. Autumnleaves + Gianni.
    I feel for you both.
    As others have posted, you both can still chat here. But then do you want to hear about flooding, rainfall, gardening (which is not that possible) etc..

    Take Care, with big πŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ€—

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    1. How different things are, at the moment. It can soon change though, and quickly.
      Stay in touch.

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  41. Sorry Gianna, as I posted the male equivalent of your name!

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  42. Thank you all for your good wishes. My son telephoned me to say some low lifes are going round trying to sell kits to diagnose the virus. Don't worry about the name change Miriam. It's only an Italian version of my real name.


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  43. I have done it! I now have a yearly subscription, for a new TV/Radio guide. It is not as good as the RT, but is so much cheaper. It will suit my needs, well I hope. For a year, I have paid, £67.80 and it will be delivered free every week, via the post.
    Why did I choose this one - as it gives all the radio programmes with synopsis, and there is an also an Archers Diary.








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    1. Sorry I have had problems with my internet connection so couldn't answer before. No it is Janet as the Gi in Italian is pronouced as J and nearly all female names in Italian end with an a and boys with an o. There are notable exceptions like Andrea (Andrew) and Luca (Luke)

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  44. Only just logging in today so I rather belatedly send my love and good wishes to our Italian dwelling members.
    The cases of this virus seem to be spreading fast in many countries now but I hear that 8 out of 10 cases only result in a fairly mild flu like illness. It is mainly the very elderly and people with problems like diabetes (Mr A could be one) who are at serious risk .
    So, even if it is spreading, hopefully it will be carefully enough managed in each country to avoid the most vulnerable being affected.
    Keep well everyone!

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  45. Change of subject.
    Difficult day in prospect tomorrow.
    Funeral of ex-pupil, 15 yrs old, died in light aircraft crash 10 days ago.
    Started cello with me, up to my retirement 2018.
    None of us can quite believe it.

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    1. That is deperately sad, Parsley. I guess, painful though it will be, you would rather attend the funeral than not, in respect of the life cut short, & in some kind of support to those closest to her.

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    2. So sorry to hear about this, Parsley. That’s dreadful news for you all to deal with. I hope that somehow the funeral will offer a moment of comfort, if at all possible, at such a difficult time.

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  46. That is very, very sad ,Parsley.
    It is terrible to hear of a young life cut short .
    I will be thinking of you and the parents ,family and friends of the young person tomorrow.



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  47. So sad to hear that Parsley. I always count my blessings at a time like this. And shall do so now.....

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  48. Many thanks for all your support. Woke up to a wet & windy morning, not encouraging.
    It will be a packed church.

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  49. Sending love and support today Parsley.
    Such a waste of a young life and a tragedy for his parents and family.

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  50. He'd recently decided to pursue aviation as a possible career, had been looking forward to the flight with qualified instructors since November. The plane went down not far from the Millau bridge, difficult winds, cadeau de Storm Dennis "the Menace".

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    1. Oh Parsley, what on Earth was the instructor doing to let them take off in poor conditions?
      Our son was gliding from age 14 and took his first solo flight on his 16th birthday but no way would he have been allowed up in windy conditions. I really feel for the family as I can put myself in their place, so to speak. A completely avoidable tragedy.

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  51. To our ‘Italian’ members - I have just heard that our Gvmt are asking people returning from Italy, especially the north, to self-isolate if they feel unwell and those who have been to the quarantined areas to self isolate even if they feel OK.
    Hoping Autumnleaves and Gianna have not been having visitors recently who might be affected.
    It does seem that our health authorities are taking things seriously and are preparing for outbreaks of the virus here.

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    1. No visitors recently and we have had no cases here.

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  52. parsley. How sad for you and his family. I have been over the Millau bridge and it is stunning. I would have been terrified in high winds.
    A young death is always very sad.

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  53. I echo Archerphile’s comment to Autumnleaves and Gianna plus those who listen and don’t comment. Stay safe and protected.

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  54. There were 4 of them in the plane, all died. A 2nd plane, also with a youngster on board, diverted and landed safely. Apparently the area is notorious for difficult conditions. There is an on-going investigation.

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    1. So I should hope! It sounds unforgivable to me that the flight was allowed to continue.
      I hope the flying club concerned is thoroughly investigated and changes are made to their practices. 😑

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  55. So sorry to read of your young pupils death Parsley.
    But he died doing something he had become passionate about.
    Nevertheless sad for all others and for him.
    I hope he has a wonderful send off today.

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  56. Parsley16.
    What sad news, which is so hard to accept and understand the, Why?

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  57. It seems that Italy is the latest corona virus "hot spot".
    A school about 28 miles away, has been closed, purely as a precaution, at this time. Pupils + staff have just returned from a skiing trip in Italy. Several now have 'flu like symptoms, so the Headmaster acted immediately closing the school for a week, whilst tests are done. How sensible.
    I also believe that a hotel in Tenerife, is now in lockdown, as an Italian visitor has tested positive.
    Modern travel around the world, has to be part of this problem.



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  58. I wish Our friends in Italy, will remain safe + well.

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  59. Final comment.
    I did a supermarket shop today. When I returned home, I had a lot more than I needed.
    This was partially due to the fact, that I left my shopping list at home.
    I then realised (that in my sub-concious thoughts) I had bought more store cupboard essentials, which are not required just now. It appears that I am starting to "stock up"

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  60. Dear parsley what heartbreaking news πŸ’”
    My thoughts and πŸ™ have been with you and all friends and family of your talented young man.

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  61. I am Very, Very worried tonight. It appears a girl, who is in my 5 year old grand nephew's class, was in the school skiing party, (from Cheshire) who have just returned from Italy and was in school yesterday. She went with her older brother, who goes to another school.
    🀞🀞🀞 all is OK and tests are negative.

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    1. Having seen the local BBC news tonight, the 6th form in the senior school, next to my grand nephews school, are now in self isolation
      They too, have just returned from Italy skiing, and some are ill.
      My niece doesn't know what to do for the best.. Does she keep her children home, or let them go to school??

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  62. Well, we're back.
    Church was packed, standing room only.
    Beautiful playing from ex- collègues.
    Wrung out.

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    1. It must have been an wonderful service, but how sad that a young life as gone.
      I hope you are OK. πŸ€—

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    2. I’m sure you are parsley (bless you)
      may you find some rest this evening after such a sad sad day 🧚 πŸ₯°

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    3. Better now 🍷🍷🍷

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    4. Pleased to hear it parsley 🍷

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  63. Where is everyone- apart from on the other blog πŸ€—

    Really cold day but SUNNY yay! Mr R & I went out for our lunch and then called into a garden centre and actually enjoyed the outside air until the sun went in for a short time πŸ™„

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  64. I have just come onto the blog.
    Nothing much to report, except how angry my neice + fellow parents are. To precis - the 6th form from the next-door school, which is on the same site as my grand-nephew's school, has been closed down (after a skiing holiday in Italy). All the pupils are now in self-isolation
    However, their brothers + sisters, can still attend their schools, which are throughout the town. The question is - Why??

    I am cooking chilli tonight, so I hope Susan isn't..as I want to enjoy mine.

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    1. Certainly seems odd Miriam if the 6th formers are self isolating at home with brothers and sisters who are still attending their own schools πŸ™„
      I’ll keep my fingers 🀞🏼 In hope of you being able to enjoy your Chilli tonight 🀣

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  65. Lady R.
    The water here is rising fast as it rushes down the Severn from towns further up. We had a little respite and have been getting out to shop and do more essential things. We are now being told that the flooding will be back to the levels we had last week. Friday will make things worse with more rain on the way.
    Living in a 🌡 desert sounds lovely.

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    Replies
    1. What an awful situation. I saw earlier what the situation with the River Severn is. It must be worrying + frightening.
      Are you in danger of flooding?

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    2. Stasia what a time you are having sending thoughts and take care 😘

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  66. Some slightly Good News from me!
    The SOLD sign has now gone up next door, so it seems the sale is progressing 🀞

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  67. My "job" tomorrow, is to defrost the freezer. It is forecast to be cold/frosty in the morning, so I will put the drawers outside on the patio table. The rest will be in an insulated bag, with ice blocks as freezer is quite empty at the moment.
    It is easy to do, as I use roasting tins filled with boiling water and constantly topped up. It can be done in 2 hours.

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    Replies
    1. The way I used to do ours Miriam (before automatic defrost) yes it will be an ideal day to get this job done πŸ€—

      Delete
    2. My freezer is old, but it still suits me, at the moment.
      I know it needs to be replaced, sooner rather than later, but it is still OK
      It is just another expense, I don't need just now.

      Delete
    3. Our auto defrost (Bosch) is 17yrs old Miriam 🀣 (still going but won’t be forever I know)

      Delete
  68. A quick extra.
    It is 6.00pm and I have just poured myself, a "Scruff", to then find that I have no T, to go with it 😣
    I will have to make do with - orange+mango squash with a splash of water.

    It will be interesting and different!

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    Replies
    1. My chilli smells gorgeous, but I think that I have over done the garlic.
      At least I live on my own!

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    2. In my humble opinion, there is no such thing as too much garlic!

      Delete
  69. Dinner will be late tonight as I seem to have lost an hour somewhere! Katy was late home as she had stayed at school to do some marking. She then took out the boys for a walk and we had our cup of tea watching The Chase when they returned. Then suddenly realised it was 6 o’clock and had pork chops to braise! After preparation it will be ready at about 8! She did offer to order pizza from Dominos but far too expensive even if she does pay!!

    Taking Dudley to the vet tomorrow as he seems to have a problem with his eye. He is a bit snappy when his face is touched and won’t let me near him so if drops are prescribed it will be very difficult. I think he would be hysterical if muzzled. May just have to drop them in from above and hope they hit the spot! Gyp has to have them twice a day permanently and is very good as if she knows it is for her good. A treat is essential afterwards though! Buddy has to have a blood test next week as he drinks a lot of water and wees a lot sometimes having to go in the night! Know just how he feels!

    Now have to get tatos on!!πŸ€­πŸ‘©‍🍳

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  70. GG. My chilli meal, was delicious, esp. with the extra garlic.
    The smell of this, is now permeanting throughout my little home.
    I think that I will need, some extra strong mints tomorrow.



    ReplyDelete
  71. Found a vet practice not far away which does have a part time chicken specialist, so tomorrow we are taking Pecca Hen, who has an egg problem, &, from being the most pushy, greedy of the 3 girls has lost her peckability. Certainly evidence yesterday & today of eggs breaking inside her. Could be peritonitis. Fingers crossed we're not too late & that something can be done.
    She's got lots of character, a lovely bird.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope it is nothing serious and can be sorted. Our animals certainly cause worries.

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  72. Good Luck Pecca Hen.
    Hope the vet sorts out your problem.
    From Poppy and Percy

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  73. Hope Pecca will be OK, Carolyn. I was very worried about Gypsy but she pulled through her op and is even more feisty! Most demands are for food!πŸ€žπŸ”You get so attached to them!

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  74. Thanks, folks ! We'll see.
    Goodnight from me, & cluck, cluck from her....

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  75. Certainly miss our hens, what characters.. Titch, Gertie et al.. 🀞Carolyn...

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  76. Lots of good wishes to Pecca hen from all the chickens next door, and also from the young hedgehog who thinks he's a chicken and sleeps there as well. πŸ“πŸ£πŸ€πŸ₯πŸ¦”

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  77. Carolyn. Hope Pecca is sorted and can go back to laying her eggs πŸ₯š.

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  78. Hello everyone. I thought I'd give you an update of how things are going in Northern Italy especially since this virus has been found in other parts of Europe including the uk. First of all don't panic! Measures taken by the regions in italy e.g.. closing of schools and festivals, sports events have been done not through fear of getting the virus but as a precaution to limit the spread of it. As you all well know certain people with chronic health problems at any age can be vulnerable to the most banal conditions. Who can forget the news reports from China when a whole city was on lockdown.
    Anyway my message is dear friends take care of yourselves..a little prevention and common sense is the best medicine.

    On a personal note my work decided to follow the schools policy and has closed till at least Monday. ..can't say I'm disappointed I've enjoyed the rest and have been taking advantage to catch up at home. Especially cooking..chicken stew tonight Miriam.
    The big worry now is the effect on the economy. .my village which is a ski resort is deserted and bookings are being cancelled. The economic comequences will be disastrous for Italy.

    Parsley..so sorry about you student..my condolences. πŸ’•
    Carolyn..hope your little hen is on the mendπŸ₯

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  79. I’m due to go to Italy in June and Tenerife in April. Both could be shaky if the virus spreads. It is tough being confined but is for the greater good. One lady caught in the Tenerife hotel was appealing to Boris to act to “get the hell out of here” but this could mean them coming into contact with others on their journey home and although hard it is sensible to isolate them. I have heard though that many are ignoring advice to stay in room and are sitting around the pool. I think in the case of cruise ships the aircon will spread the virus but in this hotel they do have access to fresh air from the room. It is scary but hopefully will pass. Autumn Leaves glad to hear you are using the time to catch up and best wishes to you and Gianna!😊

    ReplyDelete
  80. NEWS Re ARCHERS CONFERENCE THIS WEEKEND

    If any of you want to watch some of the Conference live (who could possibly miss Gary’s turn on Sunday morning ?) I have the site address, given below. It is being transmitted on a voluntary pay as you watch basis so the Conference can recoup some of the expenses incurred in running the weekend. As I said, this is a voluntary donation so don’t let it put you off watching.

    https://www.youtube.com/c/JohnPophamUK/live?app=desktop

    Further information is given on the Archers Conference Facebook page. John Popham is one of the organisers who has arranged this link with YouTube. For those of us that wanted to go to Reading, but no longer can, this would be a good way to feel involved.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry, should have clarified the Facebook page is called ‘Academic Archers’ if you want to find it. It is a member only site (I have joined) but even if you are not a member you can read the posts, just not add your own comments.

      Delete
  81. Archerphile kind of you to post the link. At the very end of it is desktop so not for iPad?
    Clips of last years occasion can be seen on you tube (just google archers academics and they will appear and once you have clicked on one that takes you to you tube & others will be there) so I guess it will be the same after this conference 🀞🏼
    Anyway “Go Gary” πŸ‘πŸ» πŸ€— πŸ‘

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  82. I got a message from Archers Academic this morning, but gave the information that live streaming was available for Saturday.
    Sunday was not mentioned.
    I understand Gary is presenting on Sunday morning.

    Perhaps for those of us that do not manage to see GGs presentation ( I am unlikely to be awake ) clever Gary, I hope, will find a way for us to see it a few days later.

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  83. Thank You Autumnleaves for your thoughtful update and advice.
    I'm sure you will understand that we wish you well in your present situation but at the same time hope that we will not be falling into a similar situation ourselves.

    Like Ev I took exception to the woman who expressed her anger at needing to ' get out ' of being isolated in her holiday destination on the news last night.
    Not everyone can see the dangers posed to others and think only of their own comfort and needs I suppose.

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  84. Hope Carolyn has good news about the hen.
    My local hens ( not mine) provide me with eggs regularly, for which I am most grateful.

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