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Life outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments" - Episode 14 Life Outside Ambridge Have a seat and let's chat.
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ReplyDeleteEv - March 22, 2020 at 7:11 AM
A thought. Not all people in Cornwall are dependant on Truro hospital. I lived in Torpoint and went to Derriford in Plymouth when needed an operation. I wonder what their situation is re ventilators etc. It is a very big hospital. I suppose travel to coastal towns could be advised against by Boris come the summer!
Ev - March 22, 2020 at 7:58 AM
Had another thought that the premise that treatment would only be given to those likely to survive is a measure to be taken if the NHS is overwhelmed with cases and at the height of the epidemic. If the majority of us follow advice the upward curve of cases can be flattened. It is right that leisure and entertainment places have been closed. Tough on some but even worse if infection really takes hold.
*** DESERT ISLAND DISCS ***
ReplyDeleteAnd the next name out of the hat is - Mistral!!
Enjoy.....
Come on mistral!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed yesterdays list. Had to google a couple, inc periodic table bloke. It’s proving educational this DID idea.
Well done Gary.
Decided to go over my list again today after hearing a song on tv last night that I love and had forgotten to include. God it’s hard whittling them down to 8.
HAPPY MOTHERING SUNDAY to all us mothers.
ReplyDelete💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐
Thank you PtbY, and the same to you. And may I add to that all of you who may not have the 2 legged variety but who mother cats,dogs, bunnies, guineapigs, budgies, rare breed cattle etc etc 🐈 🐕 🐩 🐂 🐎 🐖 🐑 🐐 🐤🐥 🦆 🐇 🦔 🐦 🐟 🐝 🐉 🦄
ReplyDeleteI only have goldfish Janice! 🐠🐟🐡
DeleteGoldfish count too!
DeleteAnd I want to include Gary in Mothers Day good wishes because he is like a real mother hen to us all, keeping us cheerful and in touch with each other - more important than ever at the moment.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gary! 💐 🥃
🐓🐔💐😘😘
DeleteWell said Archerphile Gary you are our very own star Gary ⭐️👏🏻🍷
DeleteI had a beautiful card from my dear niece who always insists I should be included bless her 🥰
💝
DeleteOur mothers day in Italy is in May like America but I send all my best wishes to you all even if you are not mums . Another thank you to Gary.
ReplyDeleteThis blog had been a lifeline for me.
So glad it helps, Gianna - you can't catch anything bad here, except an addiction to blogging !
DeleteIt's salutary for us, too, when we get stir crazy & a bit dispirited, to remember how much more challenging it is for others right now.
Gary, a friend of mine in another part of Italy wants to join the blog. Unfortunately I can't remember what I did to join. Would you send me the details so I can send them to her. She reads the blog but has never posted before. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThat will be lovely Gianna - a new friend on the way 👍❤️
DeleteReferring back to a post from Janice yesterday, on the closed blog, about her daughter's place of work ( in Cornwall ?) where some people were ill enough over Christmas & beyond, to require antibiotics, who are being tested to see if they did indeed have coronavirus, well before reports came from China. If so, that is disturbing, but if they then developed antibodies, that could be very useful in the understanding & treatment of the virus.
ReplyDeleteThis made me think again about what happened to us at exactly the same time, both with bad chest infections, Mr C in hospital for some days, with pneumonia, me told to stay at home, both on strong antibiotics. It has struck me since that we had the relevant symptoms, but I dismissed the thought, as it was too early, manifesting boxing day, Dr. later, on 31st & on it went.
However, Janice's post has made me think again !
I have sent Janice's post, plus those posts responding, to my daughter in Cornwall, and have now spoken to her briefly as well. She was also very ill in the NY and apparently she was thinking at the beginning of last week as Carolyn has been thinking, that her symptoms were very similar to those descriptions of the virus, particularly the cough which she had described as ' weird ' .
ReplyDeleteThe sun has been shining on the great sweeps of the Severn that can be seen from our
' ' up tops' and I am desperate to be near water. My trip may have to wait another day, as a meet up with Lady's best friend must be prioritised and Mischas mums car is not reliable enough to do the journey out to the river.
As the dogs have now not met up for over a week they must come first.
No Mothers Day Flowers, but I have picked a vase full of daffodils from my garden.
I believe Cow Girl is having a break from the blog as well as the Archers, for the time being.
OOOH, what a pleasure. And, what a difficult task.
ReplyDeleteHere we go...
1) Swinging on a Star - Bing Crosby. This is to remember my Mum, who LOVED Bing Crosby. When I was small, she was always whistling and singing, and tapping out rhythmns with her wedding ring. I used to to make pig noises...
2) Tubular Bells - Mike Oldfield. I especially like the begining with Viv Stanshall. This is for all those very close friends that are so important in late teens/early adulthood, when life was easy.....I remember being cross with someone who said this music was boring and repetative!
3) Love and Affection - Joan Armatrading. I really love J.A. and went to her farewell concert a few years back. Utterly brilliant, and the soundtrack to the love affair that resulted in marriage and my lovely family.
4) God Bless the Child - Billy Holiday. Wow, what a voice, what a life.
5) Sweet Baby James - James Taylor. I love his voice and folksy lyrics, I could have chosen any number of tracks by him. This is for my children, who remember my Sunday dinners, always cooked whilst listening to J.T. apparently.
6) Les Gymnopedies - Erik Satie. This music is what I turn to to relax, unwind, just to 'be' Utterly beautiful.
7) Lay Lady Lay - Bob Dylan. My absolute favourite B.D. song. Sultry.
8) Largo - Dvorak, sung by Sissel Kyrkjebo. This makes me cry, I find it very moving. It will be played at my final party, I hope. I am playing it now, oh dear, very sentimental choice, but I love it.
So many tracks that I have missed out, but such fun choosing these.
The music I would save would be the Satie, I don't think I could tire of it.
My luxury - everyone who knows me, would know that it is my bed, complete with down duvet and pillows. I would be bereft without them.
Thank you Gary, such a pleasure. xxx
Ooh brilliant luxury Mistral..there's nothing like your own bed to coory down..I'm going to check out your choices now.
DeleteWhat I always love about Did is that it introduces you to music you would never have listened to.
What about the book Mistral
Mistral, my selection will include a Bing Crosby song too, but a different one to yours. I grew up listening to his beautiful voice on my family’s old 78 records. So nostalgic!
Delete✔✔✔✔ 🤗 🤗
DeleteTubular bells , wonderful, wonderful.
DeleteI spent yesterday afternoon and evening trying to compile a list of my 8 tunes and this afternoon I am going to listen to Gianna’s choices and hope to make a start on Mistral’s.
ReplyDeleteI think you said alternate days,Gary so we have all tomorrow to do the latter.
What fun this is.
I am sure there are clever ways on the computer to get an overall top eight pieces of music but I am doing it the old fashioned way with pen and paper.
What I am doing though is if there is more than one version of a piece of music like for example Unchained Melody I am lumping them together.
Ie it will be the top pieces of music and not the top recording.
Will that be OK?
There have been several versions of The Unchained Melody”,..
Have you youngsters heard the Al Hibler version?
He was a blind black American and I love that version although I think that The Righteous Brothers comes a close second..
Lanjan, I wouldn't worry about it too much! As long as there are 8 pieces of music on your list then all is good...
DeletePromise not to worry Gary .
DeleteAutumn leaves, thank you, I can't believe I forgot my book, too busy emoting over the Largo!
ReplyDeleteI would like the collected works of Helen Dunmore. I have read a couple of her books, she is subtle and unexpected. I could re-read her and find didderent things each time, I think.
Mistral, I read Helen Dunmore's 'Birdcage walk' a couple of years ago, sadly she won't write anymore but has left a great legacy.
DeleteShe wrote a book about Eyam Derbyshire -the plague town.,didn’t she ? -or have I got that wrong.
DeleteMistral....lovely selection. Had to you tube the classical pieces....as soon as they start you always recognise them, I never know what they are called or the composer. Now if you’d said Dvorak’s hovis ad....😊
ReplyDeletePTBY - Yes! I love Hovis too....
DeleteHappy Mother’s Day to all. I am not a parent but Auntie to two cats. 👨👨👧👧👩👩👦👦👵👩🏼🦱🍾
ReplyDeleteI love the Gymnopedies too Mistral - and Lay Lady Lay! Used to listen to it all the time with an old flatmate. It was pretty much the only Dylan song that I liked! And have never heard of Helen Dunmore so shall give her a quick Google later....
ReplyDelete(PS - I loves my bed too!) 😴
Bird cage walk is great, her last novel, sadly
DeleteMistral. Thank you for your choice, I know some but not all of the music. I shall head to YouTube and have a listen. I love the Bob Dylan early protest songs. ✊
ReplyDeleteGianna - I have no idea how I was able to post on the blog either! I vaguely remember clicking on the link that Ruthy gave us & that was it - all seemed to work from the get go and have never (so far!) accidentally signed out so have never had that particular problem to deal with into the bargain! Anyone else have advice for Gianna's friend on how to start posting?
ReplyDelete(I did have a look to see if I could remove the "sign out" button, but I can't find a way to do it...)
Thanks Gary
DeleteI know this may seem tasteless, but some funnies are doing the rounds.
ReplyDeleteWe are now being told that the supermarkets are applying the following restrictions.
Tesco. Two loo rolls, one tin of beans and a pint of milk.
Aldi. One donkey jacket, one candle and a plastic waste bin.
Waitrose. Two lobsters, three tins of pāté de foie gras one bottle of Champagne.
Oh, I nearly forgot Waitrose says there is no restriction on wine, but they are completely out of Cornflour.
I’m about to have a cocktail, cheers to all mothers.
Gary. I remember having to create a google account, but can the blog be accessed via the website?
ReplyDeleteWell it just shows that one should not open one’s mouth too soon about neighbours.
ReplyDeleteWe had a Sainsbury’s order this afternoon.
They couldn’t let me have any tonic water but we got. two extra bags of carrots!
The van driver must have mentioned it to some neighbours down the road who have brought me four tins of tonic though
How nice.
They didn’t want the carrots though.
I was sent this earlier. I was hoping to put a link on this blog but that's beyond my tech ability so here it is in full.
ReplyDeleteJust skip if you don't want to read it...
Sing with me ...
“At 1st I was afraid, I was petrified,
There was no loo roll down at Aldi and I nearly cried.
Oh I spent so many nights just thinking how you did me wrong,
I used to wipe,
And now I’m forced to just drip dry !
No anti-bac !
No bloody soap,
and if you think you’re buying pasta well you’ve got no bloody hope !
I would have bought that box of eggs, I would have rationed out my bread,
If I’d have known for just one second everyone would lose their head !
Go on now go, walk out the door !
All you bloody stockpilers,
You are not welcome any more !
Weren’t you the ones who just bought all the sodding beans ?
You selfish gits !
I hope you spill them down your jeans !
Oh no not I, I won’t panic buy!
Though I can’t buy my usual cheese,
This will not bring me to my knees
And I’ll survive, I will survive, hey, hey !
It took all the strength I had not to fall apart,
There was just apples and 1 carrot in my shopping cart,
And I spent hours walking round just feeling sorry for myself,
The empty store, with boxes strewn across the floor
And you’ll see me, somebody who,
Cannot buy anything she came for, and it’s all down to fecking you
And frickin Reg from down the road is such a selfish blimmin git
Because he stockpiled all the loo roll so nobody else can have a s@*t !
Go on now go, walk out the door !
All you bloody stockpilers,
You are not welcome any more!
Weren’t you ones who just bought all the sodding cakes
Can’t you make a crumble,
Do you people not know how to bake ?
Oh no not I, I won’t panic buy !
Though I can’t buy my usual cheese
This will not bring me to my knees
And I’ll survive, I will survive !”
Hey hey😅😅
Delete🤣🤣 can’t beat a bit of black humour.
DeleteFantastic Zoetrope. Just what we need.
DeleteAbsolutely brilliant 👏 🤣Zoetrope- will be passing on
DeleteI have just found out, that a flour mill in a village, a few miles away, is starting to produce bread flour again. It need's to be pre-ordered on tues, to be picked up on friday. I am happy making bread again, if I can get the yeast.
ReplyDeleteKneading a bread dough, is good excercise for the "bat wings" 😁
I am off to start a chicken + mushroom risotto, using as the stock, a "porcini" mushroom stock cube (which is out of date).
DeleteOur many Italian friends, will know these, which are still not available to buy, in the UK.
GG What a brilliant idea about DID on the Archersblog Spot.
ReplyDeleteIt is pure genious.
All will be finding + then listening to, music which was previously,.unknown, and now enjoying.
Brilliant!! 🤗😘
Gianna.
ReplyDeleteIf I remember correctly, I had to sign into google chrome, and create a g-mail account, with an e-mail address + name. Once this was done, after several attempts:-
I was then able to search for archersfan.blogspot.com and here I am (though some might not like it 🤣🤣).
Remember, never to sign out, as this causes so many problems.
If this helps, fine.....If not, I have no other idea.
Thanks Miriam. I've passed it on to my friend
ReplyDeleteThis Erik Satie track was definitely used on an advert some years ago. I cannot for the life of me remember for what.....anyone else remember?
ReplyDeleteIt’s driving me crackers. 🤔
"Be more dog" - 02 advert from 2013
Delete("Lily" by Simple Skincare had a piece of music that was VERY similar but not the same - it had a voice over by Joanna Lumley and showed a white lily being spray painted.)
I hope everyone has taken some pleasure from today’s sunshine.
ReplyDeleteI’m feeling pretty lucky, I’ve got both my daughters at home with me, and have had a lovely day, I have also enjoyed one more glass of wine than is strictly sensible 🍷 a good day!
Glad to hear it KP - we too had amazing weather. Went for a drive to the beach. Was very, very careful not to be within 100ft of ANYONE!!
DeleteI haven't listened to Gymnopedies in years, thanks Gary, and Mistral.
ReplyDelete'Though I think the people in the paintings need to be told about social distancing ...
As of tonight, all the Church building in London are to be completely shut. Can't even be kept open for private prayer : (
ReplyDeleteI don't know what will happen about our local foodbank - I hope there will be exceptions for such increasingly necessary services.
Meanwhile, OMiaS is getting used to recording sermons at home. Until today I didn't even know m4a files existed, let alone how to convert them to the smaller mp3 files. I wonderr what other skills we're all going to learn over the next few months?
Merci Mistral 😙😙
ReplyDeleteHello everybody!
ReplyDeleteHello Hilary. I wonder if you are Gianna's friend? Anyway glad you are able to join in the fun here at the moment. New perspectives and views always welcome!
DeleteOh, good! I managed! Thank you, Miriam! I am Gianna's friend and live in northern Italy and like her am enjoying this blog even more since lockdown began two weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteGlad you made it Hilary.
DeleteThank you Spicycushion! I am very happy to be part of this lovely blog!
ReplyDeleteOld Woman,until today I had never heard of either an MP3 or M4a files so you are loads of steps more advanced than I am.
ReplyDeleteNo Friday Archers so the cliff hangers will now come on different days of the week with next Friday’s coming a week today!
Welcome to Hilary too.
Welcome Hilary!
ReplyDeleteYou’ve joined us at a very interesting time with our DID selections going on. Get signed up and start thinking about your list. It’s kept me occupied all weekend.
Hello Hilary, welcome aboard!
ReplyDeleteBienvenue Hilary 😙😙
ReplyDeleteZoetrope : thanks for sharing that - brilliant! 😂😂
ReplyDeleteThanks Zoetrope.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Hilary. 🤩 we are a very friendly bunch of bloggers.
ReplyDeleteZoetrope. I was halfway through the poem and suddenly I clicked on why you suggested singing it as a song. I shall send it to everyone I know. Thank you.
I have tried to do an on line Waitrose order, what a palaver had to scroll through thousands of items, eventually got to the end only to told there were no delivery or click and collect slots.
I do however have good news, a jar full of CORNFLOUR was discovered in the back of the cupboard. I can now relax.
I was genuinely thinking of getting your details from you & posting you some cornflour stasia - we were talking about you last night!
DeleteI wondered why my ears were burning, and I thought it was being out in the sunshine.🌞
DeleteThank you all for making me so welcome! I love the Desert Island Discs project - what a brilliant idea! - and would be delighted to give my selection.
ReplyDeleteYour name has just been put in the hat Hilary...
DeleteJust logged in this morning to find we have a lovely new member!
ReplyDeleteA very warm welcome from me too, Hilary. 🙋🏼♀️
I’d love to know if you are an Archers fan and regular listener too or just happy to join in the general chat, recipe sharing, etc etc on this part of the blogs.
This one, brilliantly administered by Gary, is proving to be a real lifeline during the present circumstances and is helping to keep me, at any rate, sane whilst isolated at home.
The new feature of sharing our Desert Island Discs is particularly enjoyable and helping to keep our spirits up.
I’m already setting up a spread sheet to analyse all the choices. Shades of Roy and now PIP.
DeleteWell done Stasia.
DeleteThanks
I was going back to the dark days and doing it by pen and paper.
Thank you, Captain Gary! You run a fantastic ship! Please may I put my name down for Desert Island Discs?
ReplyDeleteAlready done!
DeleteOops! I have only just seen your 9.24 post Gary! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Archerphile! Yes, I am an Archer fan and have been listening for several years now. When I first came to live in Italy in 1971 there was only the BBC World Service and reception was frustratingly bad but in this wonderful age of internet my exile is over! The Archers gives a little window into life in England and this blog makes it more real still.
What's it been like in northern Italy for the past few weeks Hilary? Just this second seen that in Lombardy outdoor exercise has been banned. I suppose if it's got to be done, it's got to be done - and it looks as if the UK will be following suit in restricting people's movements sooner rather than later.
ReplyDeleteAnd what a pity the Gov. may have to enforce rules because so many stupid people can’t follow sensible advice! All those people thronging parks, markets, promenades yesterday, obviously think it does not apply to them! 😤
DeleteIt makes me cross too Archerphile! So stupid they think they know better than the Chief Medical Officer etc!
DeleteWell I have been indoors for the past 2 weeks except to go to hospital for chest x-ray. Another 12 to go then!
Cold and pneumonia have now gone and although antibiotics finished still feel a bit clogged up sometimes. If I haven't heard from the surgery by tomorrow will give them a call to see if I can get another course! Just to make sure chest and lungs are completely clear.
Middle son has been self-isolating with me for the past fortnight and went out only once to pick up my prescription. Although still coughing and sniffing he went back to work today and I have just got text message to say he's been sent home again!
If I get one of those letters about 3 months isolation the lady doctor on TV said that people who live with one of the 'vulnerable' should also stay home for the 12 weeks too! He'll have all his Scout meetings, camps and visits for the next 12 months planned and prepared!
Had my first groceries for nearly two weeks delivered on Saturday and was pleasantly surprised to get about 90% of what I ordered. I was careful in deciding what was necessary and what would be 'nice' though.
Youngest son delivered to door yesterday a box of provisions including bread, eggs, cheese and a couple of packets of biscuits and jars of pasta sauce! Also a variety of flowers/flours, some beautiful pink roses and carnations and 3lb SR and 2 x lb plain flour! (Yes I know they are metric but it's still that 'and half a pound of butter' for me!!!
No hugs and he didn't come in, so nearly followed BJ's advice.
Lovely day today. Might get my hat and factor 50 on and walk round the garden! Heartbreaking though to see the mess the winter storms brought!
Stay safe and well everyone and remember to wash your hands ! :)
Nothing much to add from me except welcome to HILARY, but need to try to post as when trying to access a local website I was required to ' sign in ' and was rejected.
ReplyDeleteSo need to see if I'm still allowed in here.
MrsP
You're definitely on here, Mrs P ! Hope you manage to get on to other sites, as well, sooner rather than later.
DeleteAm mulling over the DID but not good at remembering who did what so will join in when have had time to think and put a name to favourites!
ReplyDeleteI was going to have my utility room painted this week but have cancelled to safeguard the painter and ourselves. He was fine about it. He has a small daughter who is of course not at school. My cleaning lady has cancelled too for same reasons so we are kind of isolated but there is plenty to do in house and garden! Katy has had a couple of remote lessons with students some of whom were still in bed!! Buddy has been helping her by sitting on the keyboard and providing lots of amusement to them all! One thing we can be thankful for is our ability to communicate in this way. No fear of infection but helping so much in having company even if it is virtual!
Welcome, Hilary - glad you managed to post so quickly. As you'll have seen, we have Italy & the suffering there very much in mind. Not in ANY smug way, as all of us in Europe will 'peak', & if we think it's not great just now, it will get worse, every individual, institution, business will be further stretched, before the tide turns.
ReplyDeleteLove these musical interludes, still looking up some of the choices. So far, lovely pieces - inspiring, nostalgic & fun. Haven't signed up yet, for same reason as Ev.
I'm driving myself mad with the smell of garlic! Making a huge pot of garlic mushrooms to have with dinner later, but all it's doing is making me want to eat everything in sight...
ReplyDeleteThank you for even more welcomes!
ReplyDeleteGary, the lockdown feels very strange. weird. surreal ..... everyone keeps using these adjectives and now you are in Britain too. Here in Piedmont the situation is less serious than Lombardy and we are still allowed outside for exercise and dog-walking, shopping for food and medicines but only within a certain radius of one's home - 200 or 400 metres I think.
The encouraging news the last two days is that numbers of cases have begun to decrease albeit only slightly. We were told that the lockdown may start to show results after two weeks and that is exactly today so we are all crossing our fingers hard - except when we are washing them hard, of course!
Welcome Hilary! I'm still agonizing over my DID list and as for the book - yikes, I'm lost on that one. I think my music list would be different every week!
ReplyDeleteHello Hilary. Nice to meet you.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same as Ev and Carolyn re the music, but having tremendous nostalgic fun thinking through the songs of the past. Whittling them down to 8 is going to take time.
DeleteNot helped by the fact that my daughter is saying how could I possibly have a list without George Ezra on it !
DeleteMessage for Gary - how does your ingenious idea work, please - people say they want to take part, and you tell them when it’s their turn, and they post their 8 choices, and bloggers find them on YouTube? I think it will take me some time to come up with 8 items so I could let you know nearer the time. Is spoken word allowed?
DeleteOnce you are "ready(ish!)" I will put your name in the hat & every other day I choose a new lucky person and they then post their list. 8 recordings (spoken word allowed), 1 book & 1 luxury - NOT a living person or animal! The ONE record they would save above all the others I post in a video at the top of the blog.
DeleteAll names most welcome!!!!!
An online order made 3weeks ago from Tesco arrived yesterday on the same day that I received extra carrots instead of tonic water from Sainsbury’s.
ReplyDeleteThe cosy the of the original order should have been £55 but most of what I ordered was unavailable
However the order arrived only with substituted cat food -cost £8 .
Delivery charge was £4
Cost not cost.
ReplyDeleteGarlic mushrooms.. mmmmm!! that's supper sorted😊😊
ReplyDeleteWe're enjoying 'aillet' at the moment, the new season's green garlic, delish.
DeleteI go through so much garlic it's almost comedic. I will never understand why some people turn their nose up at it! Never knowingly had aillet before parsley, just Googled them. I now want some.
DeleteI love garlic, onions and spring onions with all of my heart!!!
Grow some?
DeleteDID.. my list currently stands at 18, & that's being strict.. 😕
ReplyDeleteMy list appears to breed in the middle of the night! Got it whittled down to about 16,000 songs, eleventy thousand books & umpteen dozen luxuries...😵
DeleteGosh, Gary - glad I’m not the only one. There is one particular track that will top my list, but I don’t think it’s on YouTube. But if I gave details of the recording, would that do? (For when it’s my turn)
DeleteAbsolutely! But rest assured, I would scour the entire internet looking for it AP!!
DeleteJust had a phone chat with my granddaughter on the other side of town. She says that it looks like schools which usually finish in May will probably not open at all. She is upset as this was her last year in junior school. I reassured her that they will probably be able to.have a party eventually to say goodbye to their teachers and friends.
ReplyDelete😪
DeleteIt's so difficult for these youngsters to understand isn't it Gianna.
DeleteLast week my 16 year old was very upset at the sudden cessation of school,
"I've worked so hard for five years, and now I can't even say goodbye, or do my GCSEs " but last night on the phone she was very different.
She now realises that they can all still be together through different mediums and her school at least had two days notice. Some others left school at three on Tuesday and received emails at five saying no school from today so couldn't even have one day at school to say their goodbyes.
She is going on to her brothers school for sixth form in order to focus on sciences.
I started a Morrison’s order yesterday but when booked a delivery slot - the earliest now 2nd April - the unavailable list came up taking care of at least half of it. Usually on the day too there are further unavailable. I decided it just wasn’t worth it! Lanjan, just can’t believe your experience. All that unavailable and substituted cat food! You’d have thought it wasn’t worth delivering at all! We have been told a farm shop not far from here has plenty of veg so my potato famine fear is put at rest! I just hope that once hoarders have their cupboards full we will gradually go back to well stocked supermarkets!
ReplyDeleteI add my welcome to Hilary and wish you and Gianna and others in Italy all the best! With people’s foolishness over the weekend I think we will be more confined as the government introduces draconian measures. Can’t believe the casual proximity shown on the pictures in parks etc!
Gary 2.45 pm Thank you for the idea of being ready-ish which I'm not yet. My current list is huge and growing. I love music so much and different tracks are so evocative of times in my life. I'm sure everyone feels the same.
ReplyDelete😉
DeleteHello Hilary and welcome 🤗 lovely to have a new contributor to the blog and sending best wishing you all over there.
ReplyDeleteA question if /when neighbours or volunteers do shopping for people how are they to be paid?
For instance cash is not welcome in stores and I always use card anyway and clear account each month and although only 2 of us would need more than 2-3 items for sure. Have never done an online food shop but was happy to try but as all you regulars who do this know nigh impossible to achieve currently.
I had an email from Sainsburys this morning inviting me to register as an over-70 so that I can get priority for click-and-collect (which is fine by me, now driving again) or home delivery.
ReplyDeleteThey give a phone number to do this and needless to say it has been permanently engaged since 9am this morning. Just impossible to get through and I can’t even get through to our local store, or send an email, or message. Nothing works!
They are trying to help but obviously haven’t got the staff to cope.
So, do I risk going to shop in person at the allocated time for over 70s at 8am on Wednesday...or follow official advice for over 70s and stay at home constantly phoning?
Exactly Archerphile 😡
DeleteCiao Hilary, benvenuta! ☺☺
ReplyDeleteJohn’s granddaughter is home from University and popped round to see if we wanted any shopping
ReplyDeleteShe rang the bell and then walked back towards the gate..
I am hoping not to have to use the online shopping for a while after my experiences.
As you say ,Archerphile you can’t get through to Sainsbury’s.
If you do go at 8am ,I would be interested to know how you get on
I think some pensioners are as pushy as some younger shoppers.
Gary....after spending Friday, Saturday and Sunday YouTubing songs to see which I liked best over others, I’ve finished my list. Just letting you know.
ReplyDeleteEach new welcome and all your best wishes bring me a smile. I am glowing with this warm reception from you all.
ReplyDeleteAnd listening to the Desert Island Disc choices is great, It has given a happy new dimension to life in lockdown.
Hello Hilary, I met someone of that name (may not be your real one of course) with the Italian connection, in London in the late 70s; welcome anyway.
DeleteDo you know,I think that they shouldn’t let these young pensioners have special shopping times.
ReplyDeleteI think the age should be increased to 79
What do you think Pierre?
Of course then I suppose they wouldn’t let either of us in because they would probably think we were inflating our age!
Hilary.
ReplyDeleteI also would also like to say, a very big "Welcome" and glad that you have managed to found, and log into, this wonderful site. 🤗🤗
*** DESERT ISLAND DISCS ***
ReplyDeleteThe next name out of the hat is PtbY!
(I HAVE actually put people's names into a mortar, but since PtbY appears to be chomping at the bit I have decided JUST THIS ONCE to forego the grand draw....😁)
Enjoy...
I shopped well today, at a farm shop. I bought lots of pots, "dirty carrots", onions, a red cabbage, bread, milk, baking "fats" (to make pastry along with the flours I have).
ReplyDeleteThere is also a butchers counter, but I couldn't see what I wanted, so I asked. The answer - a wait of 10mins?
Two large pork chops, were butchered in front of me, and appeared 5 mins later, but at a cost. They are about 450gm each, so will now have to think, the best way, to utilise these.
I am sure, I will come up with something...😀🍽
I got FOUR fillet steaks the other day in a supermarket for the grand price of £12.00 - happened to see the tell tale yellow stickers out of the corner of my eye as I minced down the meat aisle! Scoffing two of them tonight with the garlic mushrooms, skinny fries and a peppercorn sauce.
DeleteMincing down the MEAT isle Gary!!🕺🏻👍
DeleteThank you very much ladies n' gentlemen - I'm here all week!
Delete(And for the next 12 as well....)
GG You did well to find any meat, at all, let alone fillet steaks, in a supermarket, as I haven't for 2 weeks now
DeleteI am desparate to find some fish, frozen or fresh. 🐟 😑
Oh my! As I said the other day, I have a feeling that the panic buying isn't as bad up here - some idiots ARE buying loads of toilet roll and other stuff but I think most people are laughing at them to be honest with you!
DeleteWe thought we had the loo rolls sussed when we ordered them from our milkman. The order went through OK but this morning we got a note to say they were ouut of stock after all.
DeleteHowever, OMiaS got to Morrisons this evening just as they were unloading the latest delivery. So we now have *one* pack of 24 rolls - yippee!!
I have spent the day making up craft kits - I said a week ago I'd make some available instead of the children's craft afternoon we were due to have next Saturday. At present the orders stand at 29 craft afternoon sets and 12 toddler group craft sets. There will probably me more requests tomorrow. My shoe has been turned over to craft production and I'm just praying people will be allowed to collect them from our toecap before lockdown gets imposed!
(If you can't find zip-lock food bags, sorry, I've been buying them up to put the crafts in : ))
Hey Gary, cheeky. Not chomping at the bit but everyone else were saying they weren’t ready. Just enabling others to have more thinking time.
ReplyDeleteI will post mine in the morning. 😉
Perfect! Thanks PtbY!
DeleteLooking forward to reading your choices.
DeleteI don't log in until later in the afternoon, so I hope I can find + then view, read + enjoy it.
I, await, in eager anticipation 🎶🎹🎤🎻 etc.
A nephew-in- law (a cricket coach) was videoded by my niece, in their back garden, hitting tennis balls from a machine.
ReplyDeleteShe posted this on his f/b page, where it was picked up by a couple of cricket sites.
He, already has over 60,000 likes - 🏏🏏
A Star in my family. 🌟🌟
My shopping required today, successfully accomplished.
ReplyDeleteOne of the deli's in town where I sometimes purchase my bread, have started a box delivery scheme. I called this morning as I couldn't access their website, and negotiated a bag to be outside for me to collect. I didn't want to waste their efforts at delivering as only two items today. Also negotiated a tab, which I will pay weekly by card over the phone.
Paying for help with shopping has become a logistical ' nightmare' as I pay very little by cash almost all by card. If ones pension is paid directly into an account, where do we get cash from ? And when you get it, it's all £20 notes.
A number of different people are helping me and I'm having to keep lists of what has been bought by who and how much ( or not) was given to them.
But now I have bread and milk for the next few days, as well as a printed list of what they can supply.
Today’s happy observation: it was a lovely sunny day in my corner of Hampshire, a couple of pots of grape hyacinths are in bloom along with the tulips in the sunny patch outside the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteNot looking forward to BoJo’s address to the Nation that we’re expecting in a few minutes, I think it will be proper lock down.
Indeed it is KP! The food situation is the biggest thing. I have finally got registered with Waitrose.com but of course no slots... Iceland was the same. I bet M&S wish they had been able to join up with Ocado last September instead of this year! Waitrose store is nearby so will just have to go only when necessary of course and to M&S the other end of town for my 20% off similarly.
ReplyDeleteMorrison’s are offering food and essentials boxes for £35 including delivery but can’t guarantee what is in them. A bit of a gamble I fear! Actually it is nice to listen to TA in their parallel universe. Enough of the virus I say!! Good old Boris though!😁
ReplyDelete✔️✔️✔️ Ev
DeleteMy daughter went into her secondary school today with some of the other teachers to help look after the children of key workers and the vulnerable ones. Out of almost 1000 children 23 turned up. 18 with key-working parents and 5 whom are known to be vulnerable and the teachers have to feed and keep safe because they come from abusive or non caring homes.
ReplyDeleteShe said is was very difficult trying to keep children of different ages occupied whilst maintaining a 2 metre distance and as the weather was fine they resorted to games of cricket on the school playing field.
After tonight’s news she doesn’t know what will happen tomorrow but is very worried about how to maintain their interest and safety. Our teachers are doing a wonderful job in the present circumstances with very little help from the authorities.
My son teaches at a 6th Form College. He said that 13/20 students were 'present' via tech at his lesson this morning - all in pyjamas, and some still in bed!!
DeleteSame with my daughter. Those in bed not a pretty sight! She did get a full class though!
ReplyDeleteJust woken to an email from Sainsburys telling me I have been put on their priority list
ReplyDeleteNot from anything I have done, but they had my date of birth already. probably from my nectar card.
So I can now go ahead and book a delivery slot if I can find one , have to keep checking back, and am entitled to one delivery a week. The goods will be left on the doorstep & I’m asked to put some boxes, bags or laundry basket outside for the stuff to be put in.
Right - I’m now going to try for a slot - I’ll let you know what happens later........
Well, that was a ware of time - not a single slot available for either a delivery or collection up as far as 13th April, which is as far as the list goes.
DeleteSo much for priority for the over 70s & vulnerable!
Good morning all. Here’s my DID.
ReplyDelete1. Neil Diamond....Sweet Caroline.
Just so joyful. You’ve got to sing along.
2. Fleetwood Mac....The Chain.
A classic
3. Pink Floyd ..... Comfortably Numb
Sit back, drink in hand, lights low, close your eyes and get lost in the music. My song to chill to. A total masterpiece.
4. The Champs....Tequila
Makes you jig along to it no matter how you feel.
5. Judas Priest....Last Rose of Summer.
Takes me back to teen years when I was into heavy rock music for a few years, this was such a melodic surprise. I never get sick of it.
6. Meatloaf....2 out of 3 ain’t bad.
A reminder of 6th form days.
7. The Who.....Baba O’Riley
A classic.
8. Pink Floyd....Shine on you Crazy Diamond.
Another classic. A masterpiece of music.
Book...The Ultimate Survival Guide...I’d need it!
Luxury....Top of the range Swiss Army Knife.
Happy Listening. 😇👍🎧
Whoops forgot. I would save Comfortably Numb.
DeleteWhat a very tuneful list PtbY! All songs I think.
DeleteI love Neil Diamond but I would have chosen Song Sung Blue, which I adore. Sometimes it’s difficult to pick out one track from an artist. Working on my list last night I decided I need a minimum of 12 records to rake to my island!
Tactfully put Archerphile. I urge everyone to listen to the whole of the songs. I know they are long but that’s what you’d need on a desert island.
DeleteHumour me! 😇
I shall certainly listen PtbY. I only really know Neil Diamond as most of your other choices were a bit later than my era so I never became familiar with them. My listening to popular music was mostly in the 60s. By the mid 70s I had morphed into more of a classical music lover. So I am happy to be educated by your list! 😃
DeleteHooray, hooray, hooray!!
ReplyDeleteJust checked Sainsburys online site again and discovered they have added some delivery slots and I’ve managed to book one for lunchtime TOMORROW! And they are only charging 50p for delivery which is amazing.
Just going to phone my neighbour and see if she wants something I can add to my list.
(She is only 69 so doesn’t qualify for priority bookings)
🙂😀😃😄😁. I’m happy!!
Brilliant PtbY! grand merci,
ReplyDeletePink Floyd figure among my choices,
struggling to whittle things down...
Listening to "Comfortably Numb" as I write this PbtY - can't really fault it to be honest with you! My sister was a huge fan of them & Sid Barrett when we were young - she did the whole stereotypical "acid head thing" as a teenager. I can still picture her bedroom wall that had all the lyrics scrawled on it... And who doesn't like a good ol' singalong to Neil Diamond?
ReplyDeleteVERY sensible choices for book and luxury item tho' - after the music choices I was expecting a barrel of Jack Daniels (or tequila!) and some mystical poetry!!! (Or at the very least a big block of Morocco's finest hashish...)
PTBY 7.18
ReplyDeleteAhh, Meatloaf.... he was one of my contenders, such a showman.
There was a good documentary about Sid Barrett on R4X a couple of weeks ago, very late, can't remember what it was called but was very interesting.
going to listen to Judas Priest now, it is new to me. Thank you.
I’m sure my songs will not be to everyone’s taste, but there you go, each to his own.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's the whole bloomin' point!
Deleteexactly!
DeleteHave heard some of the latest H Mantel on R4. It is written in the present tense which I can’t abide! I suppose it is so we can imagine we are there in the moment but it did all happen in the past. I get so irritated by this that as I buy most books on kindle I take advantage on looking inside and if in present tense I don’t buy! Picky I know but I can’t help it!
ReplyDeletePtbY - DID
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I know the Judas Priest track or the Champs, but I love the others. Take me back to my late teens...
I must start catching up though, now 3 peoples choices to listen to, as well as trying to complete mine!
testing
ReplyDeleteI kept pressing on the icon instead of 'Enter your comment' (I've done it before) but fortunately my sister rang and it unblocked my head.
DeletePtbY - I spent half the morning listening to Pink Floyd, 'Shine on you Crazy Diamond' always a treat.
ReplyDeleteI met Nick Mason several times in mid 80s, after they disbanded, I knew someone who worked for him, that's my claim to fame.
PtbY - Yes some Pink Floyd which is on my list too. The Who has to be on mine also. Good choices. I'll investigate the tracks I'm not familiar with. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHilary is my real name, Basia, but I was living in Italy in the late 70s so I don't think we can have met. Now that would have been a coincidence, wouldn't it?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Miriam. Your help was just right. I already had a google account and tried to publish using my ipad but nothing happened and then I realised you had said to use Chrome and it worked!
Ev 12.21: I've been wondering whether to listen to Hilary Mantel's latest or get the book. I absolutely loved the first two books and the present tense didn't bother me at all. She just takes one into the period so completely. I also loved the tv series.
ReplyDeleteI am listening to Anton Lesser reading the Mirror and the Light, despite not having read the other two nor liking HM or her written style.
ReplyDeleteThis mornings reading with the meeting of the nun in Shaftesbury was very interesting.
I admire the research that goes into historical novels, but do not enjoy the very obvious cramming of every ' find' into the writing. I understand that HM includes endless ' lists' into the work, presumably because she has found them in her meticulous research and cannot put them aside.
Can't abide his voice.. & he'll always be More since the TV dramatisation.
DeleteThree really nice things happened to me today
ReplyDelete1) The lovely young woman who signed me up for theHealth Club (when I wanted a jacuzzi and sauna and swimming pool but no actual keep fit ) to help my sciatica and who I found out lived in the same Avenue that we live in has emailed me to see if we need any shopping.
2) A Sikh family who live down the Avenue put a note through the door to see if we need groceries .(I want to say what I would love would be some Indian food because Mr LJ doesn’t’t like it) .
3) A phone call from a Doctor at our local hospital checking up to see if I was all right after last week and whether I was happy with the follow up.
An actual Doctor spending his time phoning me .
I couldn’t believe it .
As I said before the NHS is brilliant .
Now I am going to sit back and listen to P tbY’s. DIs D choices apart from “Sweet Caroline “ which I kept playing and singing along to ,this morning.
As our Tenerife holiday over Easter won’t be happening, we ordered two hampers from Hampers.com which have just arrived! A few special treats for
ReplyDeleteEaster but will probably start to dig in now! Our Easter eggs arrived yesterday too but have put away in the wardrobe until the day! Treat yourselves somehow as it is so important to have something to look forward to especially at the moment.
PtbY. I recognised most of the singers/groups but only knew one song. Sweet Caroline. Am now listening to Judas Priest. Your two items are creative and practical. I would never have thought of a Swiss Army Knife, even though I have one. Bought it in the pound shop years ago, before they stopped selling knifes.
ReplyDeleteA quick message only.
ReplyDeleteI have been unable to read back + enjoy, what wonderful posts have been posted today.
I am eagerly awaiting a group WattsApp face-time, with family (incl OZ).
Just a warning re meds. I am having trouble getting the eye-drops I need for my eye-pressures (as in a controlled, pre-glaucoma situation).
These are made in France, and are now in short supply. My pharmacy is trying to see if another branch, has a spare box and can transfer. My problem is that I need preservative-free drops, if possible.
Must dash. 😀😀
PbtY - just had this great image in my head of everyone on here dancing about the kitchen to "Tequila" whilst getting dinner ready....
ReplyDeleteGary....it’s catchy isn’t it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your lovely posts. I thought people would hate my choices due to lack of classical pieces.
On a different topic.....I’ve been and had my MRI scan this morning. Wasn’t in the main hospital but I was amazed that the appointment actually went ahead. I’ve always wanted to go into a MRI scanner after watching House and ER. I know , very sad. Got to say I found it relaxing being able to be laid down for 30 mins without feeling guilty. That’s a ✔️ Off the bucket list!
Hope the results are exactly what you want to hear PbtY...
DeleteAnd it's not weird at all to "enjoy" being in an MRI scanner - when I had one a few years ago I felt just as you did!! I know exactly what you mean.
And I've listened to ALL of your DID choices today & did indeed jig around the kitchen to "Tequila" while making pizzas! (From scratch I may add......)
Well I really enjoyed your choices P tbY.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
I know very little about music although I did pass the only piano exam I ever took .
Apparently I had “good cantabile “ so there you go.
I reckon but may be totally wrong that there were lots of minor chords around in your choices.
I didn’t know most of them and especially liked Fleetwood Mac “The Chain “ and your favourite “Comfortably numb”
Knew and sang along to “Sweet Caroline”.- David Lloyd singing it at one day Cricket Finals and “Tequila”
👍 glad you liked them.
DeleteMeatloaf was on the same plane that I was on from New York to London in the 1990s .
ReplyDelete(Elizabeth Taylor was on the same plane.She and I were in the Ladies cloakroom together .
I was tongue tied and tipsy so never said a word.
She was not very tall )
Elizabeth was o
Well. it turns out that I really really like Judas Priest!!. You Tube is on a roll, now playing Dreamer Deceiver and Deceiver.
ReplyDeleteWho knew?
(I did like Black Sabbath about 40 years ago though).
Who'da thunk it? This is exactly what I hoped would happen when I started this the other day!!
DeleteBloody hell. What a lot of rockers.
ReplyDeleteLanjan and meatloaf and mistral, well impressed. I haven’t heard either of those tracks. I only liked them in the late 70’s/early 80’s. I’ll take a look at them.
I had a panic attack when I was having an MRI. Extremely unpleasant but I got through it by concentrating on my breathing so was able to stop myself from screaming 'get me out'!
ReplyDeleteI’ve always dreaded having an MRI as I know I would find it claustrophobic. I don’t even like being on a crowded bus! I did have a scan once but it was just a giant polo mint which passed along the relevant part of me. I had to drink about a pint and a half of horrible liquid beforehand.
ReplyDeleteMRI /IRM.. incredibly noisy, but still managed to fall asleep...
ReplyDeleteHow on earth did you fall asleep Parsley! I remember Mr A saying how noisy it was and difficult to lie completely still when you’re in a lot of back pain. So well done, and I hope the results are good.
DeleteAnother bright and sunny day, I’ve just seen a pair of bullfinches in the garden, the male looking very handsome. I also witnessed a standoff between a rabbit and a squirrel before they decided they weren’t in competition, the squirrel then made his way up the bird feeder to the peanuts which the small birds have been shunning. A blackbird then hopped up to collect the scattered nuts as the rabbit nibbled the grass. Nature in harmony!
ReplyDeleteElder daughter, who hardly comes out of her room, had a slightly raised temperature yesterday, but back to normal today, we suspect a virus from her computer 😉
What a beautiful scene you have painted KP. We also had rabbits in the garden yesterday but they were eating off the shoots of my emerging plants, so were not very welcome!
DeleteTime for me to put my chicken wire cages over everything again.
And we are mystified about what is causing so much damage to our daffodils this year. We have had them lining the drive for years and planted lots of new varieties in clumps under the trees last Autumn. They are now flowering but dozens have either had the buds nibbled off completely or the flower petals shredded. I can normally pick armfuls at this time of year but yesterday there were hardly any with perfect blooms. There is something doing all this damage but we can’t work out what it is - Animal, bird or insect.
Any ideas, anyone?