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Life outside Ambridge


Comments

  1. *** FROM THE PREVIOUS BLOG ***

    Ev March 28, 2020 at 9:06 AM

    I know a lady called Leslie, yes the male version as her dad spelt it wrongly when registering her birth! Another friend was destined to be April but her dad had a few bevvies on the way to the registry office and she ended up as Avril. I registered Katy myself at the maternity home as Mike was dyslexic and goodness knows what Katherine would have ended up as!



    Gianna March 28, 2020 at 9:46 AM

    My mother was convinced that I was going to be a boy so had no female names ready. While she was in hospital the lady next door had a present of a cake from the local bakery called Janet's so she named me after a bakery. As I was born in December 1947 they had to pay for the hospital stay.

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  2. Awaiting Miriam’s Desert Island Disc choices with great interest.

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  3. Good Morning.

    It is my honour, to be the latest castaway, on the Desert Island.

    All the pieces of music, I have chosen to take with me, I love for very many differeing reasons. I just hope that you enjoy, at least some of my 8 discs.

    If you are sitting comfortably, then I will begin.

    1) Dancing Queen - ABBA. To have a bop to.

    2) Saint-Saens Symphony Organ No 3 - The Finale.
    The first time I heard this, was a concert in The Royal Albert Hall.

    3) The Sea Symphomy - Vaughn Williams - the opening chorus.
    Just because I love it.

    4) Zadok The Priest - Handel.
    A good sing-along. I sang soprano in this, but sadly can no longer do.

    5) Piano Concerto No.2 in A minor - Greig.

    6) Concierto de Aranjuez - Rodrigo. The brass band melody version, as in the film "Brassed Off". A film I enjoyed, a good story + good brass band playing.

    7) The Overture to West Side Story - Leonard Bernstein.
    A wonderful musical I saw for the first time on TV in the '70's.

    8) Rockin' All Over The World - Status Quo.
    Head banging music, from student days. Lots of memories with this, but I am not saying any more!


    That"s All, Folks.

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  4. I have enjoyed choosing my discs.
    Please Note - I kept it sensible.πŸ˜πŸ˜‚

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    1. Thanks Miriam - but you forgot your book & your luxury item! And you need to tell us what ONE piece of music you would save if they were all being swept out to sea........

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  5. Some very good pieces Miriam, some of which might be on my list, especially the Handel, Bernstein, Rodrigo and Saint Saens.

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  6. Miriam...can’t beat a bit of dancing queen. Makes you immediately get up and dance. Will spend time later this aft you tubing the classical stuff.

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  7. Miriam
    ZadoK the Priest is one of my favourites too

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  8. As you’ve chosen Gypsy’s favourite ABBA, she will be joining you!

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  9. Miriam I absolutely love Zadok, abba (I listen to abba while doing my house) and status quo.
    But I'm most curious about your luxury. Knowing all your interests a nd talents this must have been the most difficult part for you.

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  10. Since Stasia has mentioned it, I must 'fess up.
    When we met with me in my large pink hat, I addressed her as - Star sia.
    She gently corrected me and explained that the correct pronunciation was - Sta sha.
    Which I should have realised had her origins been Russian but did not know that this was also the Polish pronunciation.
    Ignorance on my part.

    To add to the naming conversation.
    We had a long list of boys names for our first child but a much shorter list for girls.
    When she arrived we both instantly plumped for Little Nell.
    My mother was appalled !
    " our old dog was called Nell, we used to call her from the step, Nell Nell, Nell. Please don't call my first grandchild Nell "
    We were stumped !
    We tried a different name each day for a week. None of them seemed right.
    Eventually we decided on Ella Nell. The same name in two different forms.
    When we went to register her the registrar, an older very formal gentlemen, was not at all sure he could allow the two different but same names. The three of us entered a discussion and eventually our choice was allowed.
    As she developed, little Nell became Nellie and eventually settled on Nell, and she is still Nell within the family and amongst close friends, however as an adult she used Ella combined with her three syllable married surname as her professional name.
    Of course in time my mother did come to terms with her name.

    There were multiple reasons for Nell.
    Dickens Little Nell.
    Nellie Lucher, an American blues singer a favourite of my husband.
    Ella Fitzgerald a favourite of mine.
    And to top It off......we lived just off the Kings Road in Chelsea and very close to Nell Gwynns house, at that time a deserted wreck which we enjoyed exploring.

    Lan Jan, Myrna Loy was a great favourite of an uncle.
    He used to say that he would commit murder for her.
    I rather like that name.

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  11. Desert Island Discs Part 2.

    My luxury item is a fully stocked + equipped mobile home, with a solar powered generator and a filter pump, for fresh running water.

    My book is a compendium I have on a bookshelf. This is a compendium of Rebecca, My Cousin Rachel + Frenchman's Creek by Daphne du Maurier.

    The disc I would save is - the opening movement to The Sea Symphony. The reason being, I sang soprano in this, in a concert with the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. This was recorded and later broadcast on radio. This was back in the '80's and was a memorable moment. I still have a cassette with the broadcast recorded on it!

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    1. Miriam, a performance artiste - I like ABBA for all occasions, Concierto de Aranjuez I know and like the guitar version.

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  12. What a brilliant choice for your luxury Miriam.

    Of course Roy Plumley would never allow it.

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    1. I'll have what she's having..to quote a famous line from a film.

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    2. Ooh that’s cheating Miriam .
      I must say I am looking forward to sitting down and listening to your choices this afternoon as I crochet a dishcloth for a good friend of mine! -as one would .

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  13. Especially love West Side Story, fantastic work. Did a fair bit of head-banging myself back in the day, waist-length hair, often to the Quo..

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  14. Thursday was the night for visiting bands at Cleethorpes Winter Gardens (sadly no more) : Quo, Queen, Suzi Quattro, Cockney Rebel, String-driven Thing, Ducks Deluxe.... What times!

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  15. Ooh Steve Harley. .had such a crush on him

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  16. I still love West Side Story. It was way before its time, so memorable. Good old Status Quo. I love your luxury item Miriam. How clever of you.

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  17. Miriam, you choice of Saint-Seans Organ Symphony absolutely delighted me - it’s one of my favourites too.
    In fact, if it is playing on Classic fm, when I’m driving along, I turn the volume up to maximum so it fills the whole car with magnificent sound. Wonderful!
    Thank you for picking it and also the Greig, another lovely piece of music. 🎢🎢🎢
    And your book - I was going to choose Rebecca too, the first adult book I read as a teenager.
    So, it seems we have several tastes in common. 😊

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    1. I have recently finished a 1000piece jigsaw. Some parts were very straight forward, others not so. The important things are:- It was lovely to do + importantly, I enjoyed doing it. It is by Gibsons, titled Italian Cafe.

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  18. Miriam, Great selection. πŸ‘ The Rodrigo and the Vaughan Williams, I know I know them, but can't bring them to mind without listening to them. I'm considering Zadok for my list - I love the introduction and turn it up full blast, hoping I get the timing right to turn it down as the singing starts!
    With organ concerto - I had no idea about it, but liked a pop song (first line - If I had words I'd...) that was based on the finale. Years later I heard a colleague humming the tune. She told me it was from the organ concerto. I went out the next day and bought the LP. Played it to my husband who said he'd been wondering what piece it was from for years, having heard it on a TV documentary!

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    1. I remember a group/vocalist using it in a popular song - but know idea who it was and when.
      Anyone who can remember, can share my mobile home, when they are cast away!! 🀣

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  19. Miriam...The Saint Saens track was the tune used in the film Babe. Like that very much. Recognised that Zodak one. Love the Rodrigo track.
    Bernstein overture.....put it this way...it's much better than the film cos that was a waste of 3 hours of my life that I'll never get back.

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  20. Miriam, thank you for entertaining me this afternoon with your choices. I reminisced about some of the places I’ve been to, such as Greig’s house in Bergen. Have been to Aranjuez twice and had a plate of the most disgusting food I have ever eaten, creste de gallo. I still fell sick thinking about it. Zadock took me to Wigan and Bernstein to New York. I was seasick during the Vaughn Williams but comforted by the Saint-Saens.
    A mobile home, that’s a luxury however am not sure if you would be allowed to have it totally equipped.

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    1. A gal can but try..😘

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    2. Sea Symphony is an acquired taste. I spent very many months, learning it, so got to know it and then, love it.

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  21. Miriam since you have from time to time thought you were ' got at' I hope the many lovely responses you have received for your choices have made you feel very appreciated.
    Clearly lots of us love your selection and share your love for many of the pieces you have chosen.

    I do love Stasias way of appreciating the pieces of music that remind her of places either associated with them or perhaps where she attended concerts.
    What nice memories you have Stasia.

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  22. Thank-you....
    for the responses to what was, my very personal music choices.
    I tried to give myself differing things:- pop, rock, organ, piano, brass band, choral/vocal etc. in possible ways.
    πŸ˜€πŸ˜€πŸ€—πŸ€—

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  23. I sang in a choir for over twenty years until a few years ago and have sung several of the pieces of choral music which have been chosen on various lists. We especially liked pieces like Zadok the Priest, where you could sing your heart out at the top of your voice!

    I thought the person who wanted a Swiss Army knife as their luxury was pushing it a bit but to have a mobile home is going beyond!
    The whole point of a 'luxury' was that it was not to of any *practical* use whatsoever, like a photo of a loved one. I do remember Roy Plomley refusing a castaway a grand piano because' it could be fashioned into a shelter!
    Jacqueline Du Pres was allowed her husband as she was disabled at the time. The two young ladies who have been presenting DID recently have definitely stretched the idea of what is allowable though.

    Gary I have finalised my 8th record so am ready to be put into the hat.(my list, not me!)

    Archerphile Have at last been contacted by Sainsbury to say they have me down as a vulnerable person. After four emails confirming this they have at last recorded it on 'My Account' with them so when I looked this morning I could have booked a slot for Monday 31st. However I am fully stocked up now so won't need to till next week at the earliest. Thanks for the tips.

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    1. PS Can't beat Abba and Quo to get into the mood for bopping and singing along.

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  24. I mentioned to my daughter in London that the clocks go forward tonight and she answered wouldn't it be nice to put them forward 3 months. If only.

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  25. In fact the last DID I heard the person asked for a grand piano and was allowed it..

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    1. Admittedly a mobile home is a bit OTT but it is just ONE luxury item!
      I heard someone had a tennis court and another had the entire recordings of TA..

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    2. The new woman who does D isl Discs isn’t as strict as Kirsty was .
      She is too lenient.

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  26. Do the clocks go forward tomorrow ?
    I thought we had done that a few weeks ago.
    I'm obviously getting old.

    I do agree that the DID luxury has been stretched in recent times, and I do think it's a shame. In former times the luxury really challenged an individual.

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  27. Oh P tb Y ,how could you.
    I loved Westside Story .
    Saw the film in the 1969s and the show in the 1990s .
    Also PtbY you did cheat with the army knife as did Miriam who wanted everything but the kitchen sink-I think she wanted that too actually .

    Have had a very enjoyable afternoon Miriam so thank you.
    Nearly finished my dishcloth .
    What has surprised me is that ,so far ,nobody has chosen any of the pieces I have chosen
    I am amazed!

    I honestly thought there would be some repeated pieces too.
    Just shows how much good music there is ,and has been ,around.

    This is great.
    How many more of us ,Gary ,are there to come forward with our choices?





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    1. I think there's still 17 people in the hat now that I have added The Cushion!

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    2. When the 1st bowl is empty, can I have a place in the 2nd?

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  28. Miriam..I was surprised by your luxury.. but then I thought if you don't ask you don't get...I expected a cooking pot..or knitting or jigsaw.
    By the way I've been bopping while making dinner to status quo.
    Lovely choices all of themπŸ’•

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  29. This is fun isn't it because it also reveals a little of the personality of our bloggers..love itπŸ’›

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  30. Miriam, I claim my space in your fully equipped, solar powered mobile home!
    I've just googled the first few words of the song. It's by Scott Fitzgerald and Yvonne Keeley.

    Need to Google it again to check the year...

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    1. It reached number 3 in the UK chart in 1978!

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    2. Well Done. Welcome aboard.

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    3. I couldn't remember it.
      Now I know. Thanks.
      For others its's called "If I Had Words".

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  31. GG Great new "title" video.. 😍

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    1. What great work you do for us all. It is so appreciated. πŸ‘πŸ‘

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  32. Off to cook tea - a chicken breast wrapped in smoked bacon, roast pots, a "stuffing ball" along with cauli, green beans, carrots + gravy.

    Back tomorrow.
    Take Care, Keep Safe and Sleep Well All.
    Miriam Xxx

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  33. PtbY.....
    .
    I will never forgive you.

    I probably won't be choosing West Side Story in amongst my selection, even though it is one of the greats, but to say it was a wasted three hours of your life is disgraceful.
    I M O the film was wonderful and the original NY production was magnificent.
    At age 16 I was taken to see that original production on Shaftesbury Avenue, ( or was it the Haymarket ? ) the boyfriend definitely wanted to impress me. It was the opening week and we had a box. ( would never choose to be in a box. Wrong angle if too near the stage, therefore uncomfortable) and then a few years ago the original production was recreated at Sadlers Wells and I treated myself.
    As for the best piece... 'America' for me, very modern Jazz.
    Thank you Miriam.

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  34. To go back briefly to the name conversation - my 'blogname' is based on my middle name (no prizes for guessing!)
    My first name is my position in the family - the 5th.

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  35. Mrs P, have you ever heard the operatic version of WSS, directed by Bernstein? It had Tiri de Kanawa as Maria. I loved it so much I bought the C.D. sometime around 1985.

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  36. I don't think I have Mistral, I will look it up.
    Thank you for directing me to it.

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  37. I am intrigued by the Wigan connection Stasia.

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  38. Change of subject : just watching "The Falkirk Cowboys" - brilliant!!

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  39. Oh noooo! I got signed out.
    Fortunately I remembered my password.
    Unfortunately my contibution to this thread has vanished.

    I realised today I know exactly what my luxury would be on the desert island. Something I have neither the time nor the space for in my shoe. (Not to mention the fact that OMiaS has vetoed it!) Gary, does the island have a large, flat space, protected from the rain?

    Now I just need time to think about my music choices. So I'll stay out of the hat for now but hope to join in later. In the meantime I'm enjoying reading everyone else's suggestions. I liked your luxury Miriam. I had considered taking my fully equipped craft box. But as this is usually known as my shoe I thought Gary might rule it out : )

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    1. I have absolutely no idea where your post disappeared to OWIAS! My reply to it has vanished as well. Hmmmm....

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    2. Probably got washed overboard ; )

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  40. Mistral, I did look it up but didn't watch much.
    I dislike the operatic voice. Always have.
    This was difficult for the ten years that I worked with and for an operatically (?) trained singer. However we did manage to singalong together from time to time without any problems.

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  41. OLd Woman - Are you going to ask for an aircraft runway ?

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  42. Many Thanks to whoever mentioned listening to The Ambridge Spring on Sounds.
    Unable to sleep I just tuned into this delightful few minutes of birdsong, countryside sounds and snatches of lovely music, interspersed with Ambridge voices. How poignant to hear the brief exchange between Lynda & Robert, in their present circumstances, and a brief word from old Joe about cider.
    I really enjoyed this short escape from our current problems.

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  43. Miriam , how interesting that you sang with the Liverpool Phil.
    When I lived in Birmingham, I used to sing Alto with the Birmingham Choral Union, we used to sing with the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, before they had their own. After a concert there was a dash to the newsagent the following day to read the reviews ! My friends and I used to call ourselves the three budgies as we wore these dreadful turquoise crimpelene dresses.
    I never sang again when I moved, b ut still retain all my old scores.

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  44. I wore a blue crimpolene button-through robe when I sang with a choir for a while until the vicar fell out with various folk and a number of us left. It didn’t keep the cold out and bulged if you tried to put too many layers underneath.

    Really glad to be able to post again thanks to LanJan and others recommending google chrome, which I have at last set up. Hopefully no more problems.

    I am really enjoying the Desert Island Discs, and have been kept busy whilst locked out of posting. Great choices and many of my favourites - trois gymnopedies, Pink Floyd, Concerto d’Aranjuez...and great to meet some new tunes as well.

    Gary, have you got enough room in your hat for another blogger? May I join in, better late than never?

    You are doing a grand job with keeping us entertained and what a scoop, with the lovely messages from Nick and Tim - much appreciated.πŸ€—

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    1. Ta Seasider - and your name is now in the hat!

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  45. Mrs P, glad you checked it out. I love it so much that I got the singer's name wrong!
    I am smiling at the thought of you warbling along with an opera singer employer....

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  46. 4 times a week from May and a different format.

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  47. May I share a heartwarming story with you?

    My Canadian son and his fiancΓ©e were due to get married in May and spend their honeymoon in the UK and Italy.
    Obviously that will not now be able to take place .
    On Thursday my son heard that the one place where they can obtain a marriage licence may well close down so in between patients he managed to obtain a licence, find a venue and someone to marry them in less than two days time.
    He told his fiancΓ©e on Thursday evening what was happening on Saturday(they were both working on Friday-she is a nurse.)
    I am pleased to say that the marriage did take place .
    I have seen the photographs .
    My son is in a kilt - presumably because he has Scottish blood in him.and he went to University in Scotland.
    That is allI know at present but am delighted for the pair of them.


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    1. Really heartening news, Lanjan, & well done to your son for being proactive in difficult circumstances & getting on with it !πŸ€—πŸ˜Š

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    2. Congratulations to them both Lanjan!

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    3. A great cause for celebration in these troubled times.

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    4. πŸ’• 🎊 🍷 Happy news indeed LJ just what we all need right now πŸ‘πŸ»

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    5. How lovely Lanjan, and some really heartening news for you. Wish we could see your son in a kilt!

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    6. Many congratulations to the happy couple!

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  48. That's a lovely story LanJan.
    Well done your son for running ahead of the situation and getting them wed.
    I hope they can now self isolate together if they weren't already.

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    1. Love conquers all..even the coronavirus.
      My very best wishes to them both🍸🍸

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  49. Congratulations to Mr and Mrs LJ juniorπŸ’‘. I should think their colleagues were delighted to hear such good news in amongst all the heart ache.

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  50. Replies
    1. Lanjan. The dream couple. Let’s hope they can have a brilliant honeymoon when life eventually gets back to normal. πŸΎπŸ‘

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    2. Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs.!

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  51. Congratulations to the happy couple 🎊πŸ₯‚

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  52. PtbY, from the old blog, I'm in this country not abroad. I did try to answer you there but it wouldn't publish, I suppose because it was a bit full up! Looking out the window today I could be anywhere though, one minute sunshine, the next snow/hailstones!! πŸ™„

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  53. Threatening snow overnight here too, can't believe it..

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  54. LJ.
    What fantastic news about your son + new daughter-in-law.
    They did well, to beat the odds. You + Mr. LJ must be absolutely delighted and I hope that you are celebrating with them, in style.
    Did you know in advance, or was it a surprise?

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  55. Does anyone know that today is Carlin Sunday?? We kept this tradition when I was growing up.

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  56. What is Carlin Sunday Seasider?

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    1. I'm afraid I've never heard of Carlin Sunday.
      Is it a Yorkshire event ?

      PtbY ?

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    2. It is another name for Passion Sunday when black peas (Carlins) are eaten.

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  57. I tried to download An Ambridge Spring but got a message saying 'This content is not available in your location'. Did you have any luck Autumnleaves? I was looking forward to hearing the sounds of spring.

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  58. I have just googled Carlin Sunday and it is a celebration of Passion Sunday in the north east of England when they also eat small black peas. The peas are called Carlin.
    They also have a rhyme which is a corruption of the Latin Te deum, Mi deus, Miserere Mei.
    Amazing πŸ˜‰

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  59. As a result of the present Public Health Emergency I have been remembering in the early 60s a farm worker character played by Bernard Miles with a large cartwheel. He was not keen on mains water and preferred his old well, in spite of the health inspector saying that it was "full of bacteriums, microphobes and minute animal h'organisations"
    He also mentioned an old man from his village who had died from "One of they new fangled diseases what you don't know you've got until after you're dead"

    Eerily prophetic?

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  60. I have also noticed the Sounds of Spring, in my back garden.
    It is so quiet here, that all I hear now, is wonderful birdsong.
    It is so lovely. I hadn't realised the impact of noise from cars + 'planes, until now. πŸ˜€

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    1. PS I think I have a pair of robins, nesting in a hedge in the garden.
      I hope so.. 🀞🀞

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  61. Mrs P
    Never heard of Carlin Sunday. But I do have a friend that was originally from Teesside and he said Carlin’s are what they used to call rabbit droppings. Which I can see why if it’s something to do with black peas. He’s 72 though so maybe it’s an old fashioned thing.

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  62. I have just googled black peas.
    I am glad, (that as we are now), I have no desire to go out and buy some.
    Frozen peas, will do me just fine!

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  63. Miriam. I agree with you about the peace and quiet.
    Living right on the main A30 (it runs about 2 metres from our front door, no front garden or pavement) we have become used to the constant sound of traffic passing. The M3 is only a quarter of a mile away and we have a microlight club just along the the road. So you can imagine how noisy it is here. Almost impossible to hold a conversation in the garden on Sunday summer evenings when everyone is rushing back to London after the weekend in their West Country holiday home!
    But now.......bliss! No cars or motorbikes, just the odd delivery lorry on its way to stock up the supermarkets in Basingstoke, and they are usually at night.
    We can enjoy our garden again, in peace and quiet.

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    1. I am so glad that your garden is your own, once more.
      Enjoy it - though it was a bit cold today.

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  64. Tid, Mid, Miseray, Carlin, Palm and Paste-Egg Day. My mother learned this from her mother but didn’t know what the first part meant so thanks Stasia, I have learned something.

    We had carlin peas with our Sunday roast as a child and I was told it was something to do with a cargo of them running aground at ?South Shields or somewhere on the north east coast on this day back in history.

    Incidentally when my Gran was surprised about something she would say “well I go to Shields!” and it sounded like a very long way.

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  65. I am eagerly awaiting, to hear who the next DID castaway will be. 🌴🌴☀️☀️

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  66. Thank you for your comments about my son’s wedding .
    To answer Miriam,I didn’t know about it until it had all been arranged but then neither did the bride to be!
    I asked my son when he phoned this evening whether they had a wedding breakfast but he said they went out shopping immediately afterwards to buy some more protective clothing.

    Talking of which.
    My son’s Practice is in what I would call a Red Indian Reservation but is correctly known as a First Nation Band
    He has patients who are both First Nation as well as later arrivals .
    Apparently the First Nation people make quilts and one building houses a great many sewing machines for that purpose.
    His new wife has arranged for surgical masks to be made there by the women who normally make quilts.
    The masks can be made of different material-the best homemade ones are apparently made from vacuum cleaner bags but a very effective one can be made from a tea towel .
    She is going to send me the pattern!
    If we can’t go out I can’t see me making any but it will probably be more use than a crocheted dish cloth.





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  67. You don't need a pattern LJ - I can picture our masks from my early nursing days before paper ones were introduced.
    Two slightly elongated triangles sewn together with a French seam plus a tie at each end.
    Simples !
    And yes tea towels or old muslin nappies would be fine.

    Before the drugs to treat cancer evolved we used to soak our masks in air wick solution to mask the smell when having to treat cancer patients.
    As a result I lost my ability to smell mostly unpleasant smells, although I don't have much capacity to smell even nice smells.

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  68. I'm still not ready to join the boat to the Desert Island but I thought you might enjoy this little ditty OMiaS discovered via facebook: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMBh-eo3tvE&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0IVWDhJpk8y6OnvdP4m5FgIq93DUwAtolJT0toOW6D3s20o2f7QXoJTso

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    1. Just watched it OWIAS - sang along with my morning cuppa!

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    2. It's coming up as not available when I try the link...

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    3. Morning Zoetrope! If you go to YouTube & search for "Do Re Mi - Covid 19 version" you should find it easily enough...

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  69. That's me going to bed laughing OWiaS, thank you and Mr. O.
    Aren't people clever?

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  70. *** DESERT ISLAND DISCS ***

    And the next name out of the hat is....*drum roll*.... stasia!!!

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    1. Well bither and bother I’ll get on to as soon as I can.🎹🎼

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  71. Congratulations, Lanjan, on your son’s wedding! That is heart-warming news. Very best wishes to your son and his bride.

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  72. Desert 🌡 Island Discs.

    They are in no particular order except for the first.

    No.1.The Kilfenora CΓ©ilΓ© Band.
    Live reels.
    I had to learn Irish dancing and went to CΓ‰ILΓ‰S from an early age. I always went with my very first love πŸ’“ up to the age of 16 and then we the went our separate ways. I used to write him poems. Spinning round is a six hand reel is a dizzying experience.

    No 2
    A feather on the breathe of God. Hildegard Von Bingen, Emma Kirkby, Hyperion records
    I first heard this on the BBC programme’ Homeward Bound’ whilst driving home after a stressful day at work.

    No. 3 Bedlam Boys, Steeleye Span, The Lark in the Morning. I love Maddy Prior’s voice. I was never into pop, rock music. But I loved to go to the folk clubs here and in Belfast where I grew up.It also reminds me of where I trained in psychiatry.

    No.4. The coffee cantata. J. S. Bach. Emma Kirkby and David Thomas. Jolly Bach.

    No.5. Stabat Mater. G.B. Pergolesi Mirella Freni andTeresa Berganza. I first heard this as a student and it was the most emotionally moving piece I have ever heard.

    No.6. Mattie Groves. The wonderful but sad Sandy Denny with Fairport convention.

    No7. Queen of the Nigh’s aria Der HΓΆlle Rache. Sumi Jo WA Mozart, DieZauberflΓΆte.

    No.8. Ode to joy, L.V. Beethoven no 9.
    I will always need to be reminded that I am European.

    I would take the Beethoven No 9, not because it is my absolute favourite but that it would remind me that I would still be part of the 🌍 world.

    My luxury is an endless supply of Glenturret 10 year whisky. The best little distillery in the world.

    As you can see most of my choices are vocal and they reflect both my past and my previous job.
    Talking and singing two important aspects of life and essential for communication.

    ReplyDelete
  73. OWiaS and Gary, thank you for the link and telling me how to find it. Brilliant 🎢

    Has anyone seen / heard the Coronavirus Rhapsody song?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry, my post crossed with Stasia's DIDs. Didn't mean to..

      Delete
    2. Yes I did while looking for OwiaS's. Have already sent it out to colleagues and family..very clever

      Delete
    3. Completely forgot.
      As Miriam requested a mobile home, can I have the complete works of Jane Austin. I first read Pride and Prejudice aged nine and then over the years reread ......

      Delete
    4. Thanks stasia - and complete works are fine by me!

      Will delve deeper into the rest of your choices once I have tackled the remaining weeds in the front garden. My motto now is "kill weeds while the sun shines"!

      Delete
    5. Thanks for the Rhapsody Zoetrope - also brilliant : )
      I shall be forwarding it on to my friends and family.

      Delete
  74. What an interesting selection, Stasia, couldn't resist tuning in to the Irish reels straightaway ! They just COMPEL me to moveπŸ˜… (though, personally, I'd go for one of the rebel songs), which is cheating, because certainly haven't caught up with most of Parsley's & Miriam's, maybe even one or two of PtbY's still unchecked....How strange, more time these days, & yet .... It isn't as if I've spent the last week doing a massive clear out ! Social distancing physically, yes, but more communication going on by the other means. Is that how it is with others ? Bet it is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I’m spending far too much time online Carolyn!
      Even more, now that our family in Dubai have discovered they can download the ZOOM ap which we can use to video conference with them. Skype and Facetime are banned in Dubai, there’s only WhatsApp and that is only for messaging, not phoning.
      So yesterday, we downloaded Zoom too and spent half an hour watching the grandsons playing the piano, out in the garden, being shown their ‘at home schooling ’projects and having a good old chat with our son and d.i.l. It’s brilliant and a real family life- saver for us!

      Delete
  75. From a comment in the Grauniad about an article on the perils of video conferencing...

    Eating anything is bad enough, but there's little more disgusting than seeing someone spraying mouthfuls of biscuit crumbs towards the camera whenever they speak on a video call. So here's a tip you might find helpful.

    Before you start on a call, always go into software preferences and be sure to disable cookies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hang your head in shame for that one Zoetrope!!

      Delete
    2. Sorry folks πŸ˜₯,
      It made me laugh πŸ€”(πŸ˜‚)

      Delete
    3. 🀣 I had to read it again before I twigged it !

      Delete
  76. A lovely selection of mixed genres Stasia. Shall enjoy dipping into all of these and finding something new to love. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  77. Stasia, I'm always impressed by the sheer skill required to deliver Queen of the Night, as well as physical fitness.

    ReplyDelete
  78. stasia, just listened to Fairport Convention for the first time in my life. I loved it!

    ReplyDelete
  79. A QUESTION FOR GARY.

    Do our eight records have to be what they would have been when we started listening to the bloggers eight discs?
    I ask this question because one of the pieces I heard for the first time from one of the choices I would really like to include now.
    May I do so please or is that not allowed?
    (You have been very lenient with other bloggers ,,Gary .
    Won’t mention any names but - compete works of an author, a Swiss Army knife and thousands of luxuries packed into a mobile home!
    They didn’t even ask for permission! )

    ReplyDelete
  80. Gary,
    Please ignore my previous post!
    I have decided that would not be fair on those who contributed earlier .
    After all when they have heard my choices they might want to change the lot!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lanjan, you can choose WHATEVER recordings you like! And as long as it's not a living being, your luxury can be ANYTHING! (But not a department store or a radio or a working TV!!)

      Delete
    2. Lanjan, the choices we make are personal to us, they don’t necessarily have to mean anything to other bloggers. Indeed others may find our selection boring. I have not included any rock/pop because it is genre of music I know very little about. Does it matter if we repeat some bits. I will listen again, even to the Pop/rock stuff. I have listened to everyone’s pieces and some I have really enjoyed even The dancing Queen. I included my book choice on the basis that the programme in reality is evolving.
      I suspect were I to be in a different mood I might come up with some changes to my list.
      As the song says! Relax! I shall listen to all your music.

      Delete
    3. Tut! "Not a living being" Gary. So that's Hauser, a Friesian horse, and a flock of Rhode Island Reds (good layers) out the window then! πŸ˜‰
      If I'm not already in the hat please can I go in Gary?

      Delete
  81. Lanjan.
    I am perfectly sure that very popular recordings have appeared multiple times on DID. In fact, I once saw a top twenty list of the most requested music. Things like The Lark Ascending and The Enigma Variations.
    So I don’t see why we cannot choose something already listed by someone else.
    But of course, it’s up to Gary to make the rules for our own version of DID.
    (Including how strict he is going to be about luxuries and books)

    ReplyDelete
  82. Stasia. Some great choices.I am so looking forward to hearing your chosen pieces, that I am not familiar with.

    ReplyDelete
  83. Is anyone familier with the poem:-
    "And People Stayed At Home".

    A poem by Kathleen O'Meara.
    This was written in 1869 after the famine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. “And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.

      And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.

      And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed."

      Delete
    2. Someting to read, whenever time is available.

      Delete
  84. Beautiful poem Miriam.

    Perhaps humanity will press the 'reset' button once this is over.

    But it had been attributed incorrectly to a poet from the 1800s. It was written recently in response to the pandemic.
    (discovered when I googled it)
    Thank you for posting about it, and Gary for putting on in full.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes..It is recently written. I was mis-informed (by Big Sis)!!

      Delete
  85. Thanks Gary.


    Archerphile,I obviously didn’t make my point clearly enough.
    I realise that some pieces of music my be on several people’s list and that is completely to be expected and nobody would delete a piece of music of his or her choice because .of that.
    I am actually surprised that there have been no repeated pieces of music so far.

    However after I had made my list , one person chose something I had never heard before which bowled me over so I wanted to know if I could change my mind and leave off one of the original ones I had chosen.

    Then I couldn’t think which one to leave off so reverted to my original list!



    ReplyDelete
  86. It is inevitable that some choices will coincide with others.
    I have not completed my choices yet, that is I haven't whittled it down to eight.
    However one of my pieces would have been a choice between two, one of which Stasia has chosen.
    Therefore rather than repeat her choice I will now choose the other one.

    ReplyDelete
  87. Gary please see above 9.07. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have been added to the hat Janice! And no living creatures!!!!!

      Delete
  88. Liked your folk choices Stasia. Took me straight back to the folk club scene of my younger years.

    ReplyDelete
  89. A hen coup would be handy! A fresh egg every day! Must admit I am not a classical person and some of the choices have left me cold but I dare say my choices won’t appeal to everyone. That’s the magic of it that we are all different and indeed unique!

    ReplyDelete
  90. When it gets round to my turn I shall probably have half popular and half classical music. Up until my thirties I was very into jazz, 60s pop, Beatles, Stones etc. Then I discovered some of the romantic classical pieces and the rest of my life has been very dominated by classical music. I know absolutely nothing about ‘pop’ since ABBA and Dire Straights and couldn’t recognise anything played on Radio1 or 2 these days. A musical life in two halves!

    ReplyDelete
  91. My list is still changing daily. Too many and I keep whittling them down. Still stuck on the book.
    I remember 'All Around My Hat' by Fairport Convention - lovely stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  92. I had about 50 to choose from so when someone chooses something in my top few I am tending to think of choosing something else so we can enjoy the variety, but it’s interesting to know where we choose the same music. I had Satie on my original list which was in memory of an old friend, and Hildegard of Bingen, which I play when I make my Christmas cake every year. Hard to replace these if I were really on DID but great for these purposes to have another slot for something else off my list.

    Archerphile, can I ask if you set up Zoom on a computer or a mobile device? I was hoping to join in an online course that requires Zoom but I don’t have a computer.

    Incidentally re your question the other day about daffodils being eaten, I discovered a beautiful jonquil flowering for the first time in years - I bought a mixed collection of bulbs in the Isles of Scilly. A couple of weeks later I found a tiny snail in the middle of it chewing away. They eat my clematis and even my roses 🐌🀨

    ReplyDelete
  93. Returning to Stasia's choices .. we discovered a Cornish folk group "Dalla" when we were over in Perranporth on an exchange with the choir a few years ago, this is their version of The Lark in the Morning : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5AeXwE8NkQ

    ReplyDelete
  94. For some reason, with lots of extra time on my hands, I'm behind not only with TA, but also with listening to bloggers DID choices. I've listened to one or two pieces... I now have a Bluetooth speaker (a birthday present) so will settle down for a proper listen.
    I have to say though, that one I have listened to is the Rodrigo 'Brassed Off' version chosen by Miriam... absolutely beautiful, sends shivers down my spine 🎢. Thanks Miriam πŸ’

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too, Zoetrope! Braised Off was a great film.πŸ‘

      Delete
    2. Was "Braised Off" the one about chefs in Grimethorpe cooking after a decade long struggle with fire-pit closures ...?

      Delete
    3. I haven't seen the film though - something to do in the lockdown πŸ“ΌπŸŽ₯

      Delete
  95. Have you put your name into the hat Gary or are you waiting until everybody has had their turn?

    ReplyDelete
  96. Esscee -
    I dont know for sure that Roy P did specify a tropical island but I do believe that he developed the idea for the programme from home.
    He lived in Putney, in one of its premier roads with a garden leading down to the Thames. It can be pretty grey down there near to the river and I imagine that he did see 'his' desert island as having sun sea and sand.
    His wife had insisted that his name should always be attached to the programme and it still is although I often wonder if she is still alive.
    Edna O'brian lived in the same road, again on the river side, and its only a hundred yards or so from the site now designated as the home of Thomas Cromwell.

    ReplyDelete
  97. The website shows a palm tree with a hammock, so we are led to believe it is in the tropics.

    ReplyDelete
  98. I am the same as Zoetrope.
    Now I am in "lockdown", I seem to have less time to log in, and catch up with others.
    I don't know why though??

    My only thought is that, I have to keep active + positive, and not become a "couch potatoe".
    Also there are so many messages etc. from friends + family on Wattsapp, etc.
    I too have getting behind.

    PS Did a Sainsbury's trip today. It was great, very quiet, almost fully stocked and all were very wary of others and where they were. I got held up going into the bread ailse, as a lady was taking every loaf of a particular type, off the shelf, to find the one with the latest date!!
    I got all that I needed + also, what I wanted, including fish (which I had run out of).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PS No going out now, until next Tuesday, for my next weekly shop.

      Delete
    2. PPS I have written myself, a massive list of things "to do".
      This is to keep me active + occupied.

      Delete
  99. Seasider - sorry, only just read your post of some time back asking about Zoom
    I downloaded the Zoom app from Apple apps onto my iPad and it automatically appeared on my little iPod but not on this iPhone. So I just went to Apple apps, put Zoom in the search box, and downloaded it from there. So it looks as if it will work.
    I joined with my email address and a password and signed in. To hold a ‘conference’ with someone else, they have to have the app too, then you send them an email inviting them for a chat, they sign in to their account and off you go!
    You must be careful not to exceed 40mins or you will get charged.
    I found the sound and picture quality were much better than Skype. It is wonderful for me to be able to see my family in Dubai like this as the other face-to-face apps are banned there.


    ReplyDelete
  100. I am having many problems, accesing this site, on my Android 'phone. If I try + use my PC, it says comment as....and this is my normal e-mail address, which gives my true name + identity.
    I have to log out, to then try + log in again, using a different e-mail account and keep my pseudonym.

    🀞🀞I can do it, quickly + easily, so not to miss, all these lovely posts.
    This might take a while, but will post, when sorted.πŸ˜€πŸ˜€πŸ€—

    ReplyDelete
  101. The music played at the start is called something like “A sleepy lagoon” .
    That sounds a bit like Hawaii to me.
    On the other hand if it were a real desert there would little vegetation and be few if any trees or animals and very little rainfall.
    The desert island I am going to land up on with all my pieces of music etc is going to be one with lots of trees,green spaces and friendly animals where the temperature is warm /fairly hot but not humid .

    ReplyDelete
  102. Esscee -
    The information I gave earlier was true, as far as I knew it to be.......
    However I then googled Roy Plomley and discovered that I had not told you all the truth. He did live in Putney for many years, but was not apparently living there when he conceived the idea of DI D. At that time he was in truth living in a cottage in Bushey Hertfordshire, but perhaps that was gloomy too, and so he looked to his sleepy lagoon on a warm and sunlit deserted island for inspiration.

    ReplyDelete

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