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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.
After yesterday I think many of us could be doing with one (or two!) of these bad boys....
ReplyDeleteWhich one is a Brandy Alexander, I want to try one! 🍹
DeleteNone of them! Was going to post a pic of one, but this image just looked nicer AP!
DeleteRoll on "l'heure intelligente"!
DeleteArcherphile. A brandy Alexander is made with single cream, brandy, créme de cacao and nutmeg sprinkled on top. It is usually referred to as dessert in a glass. I usually add a touch of milk to lighten the thickness of the cream.
DeleteI first came across it when watching Brideshead Revisited.
Some campToff called, I think Acton, seemed to drink nothing else. Then I discovered a restaurant that made them.
Archerfile on the closed blog I agree that Gary as the controller of the blog has a right to override comments and he is right to steer away from controversy over real people. My objection was the strong language used where a mild rebuke would have been more appropriate. I sincerely hope Miriam will get over this and come b ack to the blog. She is a lady who lives alone and has made many good contributions not least her recipes and news of her cat! I would miss her if the break is permanent! I apologise for any comments I have made in the past which could be near the mark but sometimes I can’t resist having a say on current news items! I hope it does work out for Harry and Meghan incidentally!
ReplyDeleteYes myself and my daughter like hearing her recipes, somehow it is more interesting than looking through cook books, especially when we get bored cooking the same old things.
ReplyDeleteWe had some incredible culinary experiences when my daughter in law was here, and she introduced us to things I had never heard of. Also, she was brought up to eat things that I would run a mile from : fish heads including the eyes, chicken feet to chew on. My son who adores her says he is glad he is a vegetarian! and it is touching how she cooks things that he will like, including our British cakes. She eats a lot of fish dishes and can tell with accuracy if a fish is more than a day old, and introduced me toTilapia fish which I had never eaten before and which has a lovely delicate flavour, and it can be found in Morrisons.
Archerphile- your post at 9.08 this morning.
ReplyDeleteI do hope Miriam is ' lurking' and reads it.
I think you put so very well, what many of us must feel on both aspects of yesterday's altercations.
Thank you.
Sorry I've been absent for so long , but life has been a bit complicated and I daren't let myself become too distracted ... but I had just decided that I needed the pleasure of catching up with everything and saying a big thank you to someone here who helped to give me the incentive / courage to go for cataract operations. I had the first one 5 weeks ago and the second last week and the difference it has made to my vision is amazing. The world is a different colour , sharp and bright, and I can clearly see the moorhens , even against dark foliage, which I couldn't do before, even with glasses! Anyway that someone is Miriam, so I do hope that she reads this because I found her account of the whole process and her encouragement reallly helpful. Thank you so much , Miriam, for giving me the confidence to go ahead..I've not been able to read and catch up with everybody yet, so I hope that all is well with you and that life is better for those of you who were having difficulties. Love the sound of the brandy Alexander! might it be a good medicine for self- isolation? Hoope you are all well and "pop" free.... By the way , does anyone remember the Asian flu epidemic - about '56 I think . I'm sure I remember classes being put together because of all the absences of pupils and teachers?
ReplyDeleteWelcome back bufo! And so glad to hear of your renewed vision - sounds fantastic! Enjoy catching up...
DeleteGreat news bufo and as you say it is a whole new world post cataract ops 👀 and lovely that you found the support to go ahead on this very blog from Miriam. I do hope that she looks in and reads of your appreciation and the new lease of life the ops have given you. Miriam 👏🏻
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe deleted comment was one I should have put on the other blog .
ReplyDeleteIt seems there has been a sad event in Ambridge. Just one more omnibus and then this week's episodes and I'll be up to date.
ReplyDeleteMiriam, if you are reading this blog, please come back. I enjoy reading your comments and recipes. As a vegetarian, I would not includes the meats, but your combinations of veg, herbs and spices are always interesting.
Oh, you're in for a good listen Zoetrope!
DeleteThat film that some of us have mentioned, Parasite, saw it last night. Very impressed. It seems to break all the rules yet it somehow works brilliantly ! You get plenty of insights into a society very different from a European one on the face of it, but human nature is what it is anywhere, oh, & mobile phones play an important role....
ReplyDelete'Breaking the rules' : for much of the film there's a strong comedic element, but it changes dramatically which you'd think might jar & not fit at all, yet it somehow enables serious points to be made. It is thought provoking, as well as gripping visually, with terrific performances.
Much recommended !
My daughter had to take a group of her Year 9 pupils to the House of Commons today, on an educational visit.
ReplyDeleteWe were glued to PMQs and the Budget but didn’t see her or the children. Apparently they were shown around the chamber before the MPs assembled, then watched some of the proceedings from the StrangersGallery.
The highlight of their day was meeting Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson outside the Lords Chamber. The children knew who she was much better than any of the politicians my daughter pointed out!
Pirate update....
ReplyDeleteHospital appointment yesterday for eye. Got a stick on prism on specs now to correct double vision so no patch at the mo. Might get used to prism and double vision will come back so then it’ll be patch again. Waiting for a MRI scan to check eye socket and then on a waiting list for Botox in the under eye muscles to relax them. These are dragging the eye ball down because they have stiffened.
Gonna be a long drawn out carry on but at least I’m in the system and there’s a plan.
At the moment there are a great many people in a worse situation than me.....just look at Linda!!!
Wow, PtbY, a carry on indeed ! The plus is that there is a detailed plan, if lots of ifs & buts along the way.
DeleteDoes it feel good not to have the eye patch now ? Fingers crossed this prism thing works for a long time, if not forever, & that the other measures are taken as quickly as possible.
Thanks for telling us & take care.
Aarrr PtbY. We’ll all feel safe now with our jewels, no piracy for you.
DeleteI wish you well and hope this plan works.
👁👀
Thank you.
DeleteI actually feel a bit naked without me patch on!!! Had got used to it.
(It was a good excuse for....oh I can’t do that, I’ve only got 1 eye!)
Oh well. Off to mend bedroom curtain rail now.
I was sporting an eye patch round about New Year PbtY - it's a very strong look isn't it!?
DeleteHere's hoping you are nearing the end of all your troubles and don't have to wait too long for your next appointments...
Ptby 🤗 onwards and upwards! Good to hear positive news in the current climate!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your ongoing eye probs PtbY. A friend of ours also has a prism stuck on his specs to alleviate double vision. He says it makes it easier for him to watch TV. I do hope they can sort this out for you. But who would have thought Botox might be part of the treatment - you’ll be able to take on all those super-models. 😉
ReplyDeleteOh no Archerphile will keep everything 🤞🏼for you. Although it might have to be a case of better to be safe than sorry. As I said before you have already had two holidays blighted because of the bad knee you had and now when you are a new (bionic) woman the CV crops up ☹️ Not much of a 2020 so far...
DeleteBon courage PtbY 👍🏴☠️👀
ReplyDeleteBit of bad news for us this am (though nothing as serious as things others are facing up to)
ReplyDeleteOur anniversary cruise ship, Braemar, which is currently in the Caribbean has five cases of confirmed corona virus on board. People are being isolated in their cabins or taken to hospital.
The ship’s next cruise has already been cancelled. So we wait to see whether everything is cleared up before end of April. We wait to hear from ‘Fred’.
Sorry AP I’ve replied under your above post re your hols news 🙄
DeleteYou are a stoic PtbY.
ReplyDeleteI have heard that the best medicine for your condition is a touch of retail therapy ,a dose of local football ,the company of four legged friends and the odd cocktail or several which must be taken regularly.
Dr Lanjan had spoken.
DeleteWise advice we should all heed ( with slight variations, according to individual preferences)
👍😊
DeleteI have just had proof that panic buying is going on, even down here in leafy Hampshire.
ReplyDeleteI arranged a home delivery from Sainsburys to save me from another long, painful haul round the supermarket this week.
It has just been delivered and no fewer than 7 items were unavailable. These included such mundane things as two types of own brand breakfast cereal, a jar of pickled beetroot and large eggs (they sent small ones) which I have never known to be in short supply before.
I queried this with the driver and he told me some of the shelves in the store were empty and they were running out of many items, not just toilet roll and hand cleanser.
What is going on with people?
Who needs to panic buy pickled beetroot?
😣 🤔
Very popular pickled beetroot Archerphile. Anything that can be stored, dried or pickled will be snaffled as soon as you can say Covid -19.🦠🔬💉
DeleteWish I’d pickled my own last year now! ( but we eat them all, fresh)
DeleteThe whole thing is ludicrous and a nightmare for supermarkets. Yesterday in little Tesco heard a lady asking for toilet roll. Fortunately for her a batch had just been delivered but the shelves were obviously empty. She said she had had a delivery but toilet rolls were not available. Apparently in Italy not such a big problem as they very often have bidets. I have never been comfortable with using them but guess in Europe you are brought up with a bidet!!😊🧻🧻
ReplyDeleteI've managed to get through this week without needing to shop so far. But I will have to go today at some point so will find out for myself what's happening locally.
ReplyDeleteI've always yearned to have a bidet, but never been fortunate enough to have one, or had a large enough bathroom to house one.
No toilet rolls here, in Tesco hypermarket or medium Sainsburys. No pasta, little handwash liquid, and, disaster!! - no dried cranberries. I love dried cranberries.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I am pleased for the opportunity to use up some of the scores of hand soaps I have stolen from many hotels, some are very old now. Lovely.
On a different note, I went to see RSC Measure for Measure last night, I've never seen it before, very relevant in respect of the 'Me Too' movement, and the recent prison sentence announced for H. Weinstein. What struck me though, was the amount of litter left by these theatre-goers, ice-cream tubs, plastic beakers, sweet wrappers etc. it was almost like wading through the pile of muck left in cinemas these days. what on earth is wrong with people??
Before I moved south ,Mrs P,I had a bidet.
ReplyDeleteI loved it .
If I had a large enough bathroom would definitely have one.
Bufo,you mentioned having your cataracts removed and I am really pleased that your vision has been enhanced by having the operation.
ReplyDeleteHowever may I mention a note of caution if you want to do so privately.?
There was an excellent programme-“Inside Health “ on BBC4 recently about cataract removal and it is well worth listening to
Last year I went for my eye test and was told that I had cataracts in both eyes.
I knew that but having seen specialists on the NHS , I knew that as they were not causing me problems they did not need to be removed.
However ,the very nice Optician suggested I should go to see a certain Consultant which I did ,privately.
He told me I could have them removed at a Clinic some miles from my home and it would cost me several thousands of pounds .
A day or two later I got a letter from the Clinic wanting the money up front.
Since I felt I could see fine, without glasses (except for reading) I decided to join the NHS queue and start again.
I saw an NHS Consultant at an excellent hospital within a few months.
Apparently my eyesight is better than it needs to be for driving and although I have cataracts they may not get any worse.
If I notice a deterioration that is the time for me to have treatment.
Bufo ,you obviously needed treatment but if one doesn’t there is no point in having it.
Makes one suspicious of the private sector, Lanjan ! Absolutely no call to rush into cataract operations until necessary, in fact, as I've gathered from opticians & others like yourself, very much the reverse.
DeleteArcherphile ,perhaps the hens are on a reduced diet which accounts for the smaller eggs.
ReplyDelete😁 🐔🐣🐥
DeleteBoth my cousin and my sister inEngland have bidets. I wouldn't be without mine. I have been in the flat since Saturday. Luckily I have enough supplies to keep me going for another week. Although we are supposed to be at home we are allowed to take solitary weeks with no contact with other people. As an older person (72) I don't want to take risks so I'm staying indoors. I do miss the grandchildren who are on the other side of the city but hopefully this will contain the outbreak.
ReplyDeleteThat is walks not weeks
ReplyDeleteDo feel for you, Gianna, & Autumnleaves. Italy is suffering the most in Europe currently, though it's intensifying for the rest of us.
DeleteAdmire the way you're coping & bearing up.
Had a notification from Fred Olsen today with an update on the virus/cruise situation. They really are at sixes and sevens about the worldwide reaction to the virus. So many ports are refusing to let cruise ships in they are going to have to reorganise many of their routes and decide which ones may have to be cancelled completely.
ReplyDeleteIn answer to Boris Johnson’s advice that 70+ year olds should not cruise at all, they are offering a transfer to a different cruise anytime in the next 3 years. Comforting, but not much good for our anniversary! I don’t envy their staff with all the reorganisation and notifying of clients they are having to do - a momentous job I should think, especially as the situation is constantly changing.
How many weeks to your sailing date Archerphile and is your Anniversary during the trip?
DeleteAs things are at the moment it is a concern without a doubt.
Next Thursday will be our neighbours “Diamond” Anniversary the arranged family and friends meal will now be cancelled I’m sure. I also fear that many businesses are going to suffer badly maybe even go under - job losses☹️ but lives are at stake for the time being. I feel for retail staff who naturally have no choice to work from home.
Mr R has had notification from his Dr’s practice today that all pre booked appointments and clinics are cancelled and no online bookings must e.consult or ring and post discussion should you need to see a Dr they will sort personally how this will be done!
(Susan and Neil may well have to be written in as stranded now)
Headline in the Sun newspaper today.
ReplyDeleteCOUGH
AND
YOUR
OFF.
Very responsible?
I went out to buy cat food and it was pandemonium. No tinned foods, flour, pasta, rice. Restrictions on toilet 🧻rolls! Only one pack per customer. Staff were making sure no one took more than allowed. No hand washes🧴. Never mind we will have spotless hands and well 🚽 wiped bottoms.
While I can understand your disappointment Archerphile in probably not being able to go on your Cruise on your special Wedding Anniversary ,if I were in your position I would be delighted that the Company has offered you a Cruise within the next three years.
ReplyDeleteIt is “Your” Anniversary and you and your husband will be.able to spend it together
On the recent Cruise you went on you were limited because of your knee.
Obviously you are not in top form yet so may still not have been able to participate as fully as you may have wished .
With the advice from the Government not to go on a Cruise if one is over 70 years of age I think Fred Olsen is acting responsibly and indeed generously.
Next year you will be feeling much stronger and will have something to look forward to.
Yes, Lanjan, I totally agree with your very sensible advice above.
DeleteBut no need for us to worry about deciding what to do now - the cruise has been officially cancelled! In fact the company has cancelled all sailings until the end of May so there are going to be hundreds of disappointed clients like us.
They have been very fair and offered us the choice of a full refund or rebooking on a future cruise. We have to think about what to do over the weekend.
Whilst I am obviously disappointed ( and not least because I needn’t have spent all my savings on an early knee operation!), I feel dreadfully sorry for all the staff and crew of the cruise companies who have an enormous job to do notifying everyone and must be losing loads of money. The fantastically friendly and talented crew of Fred’s ships are mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia and work away from home for months to send money back to their families. I do hope they will be looked after.
Bad luck Archerfile, but better to be safe than sorry.
DeleteBufo.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that your cataract ops went so well, and you can see so well again.
I am so pleased for you.
What I hadn't realised, was how colours change + gradually diminish, even vision doesn't.
Like you, to suddenly see colours bright + vibrant again, was such a surprise. I hadn't realised, how this had slowly deteriorated and changed, without knowing.
I am certainly not back, as I still feel so very hurt and victimnised. I just needed to reply to Bufo, after his lovely post from a few days ago. I am glad things went so well and has made a difference, to his life-style.
DeleteIf you're posting, Miriam, you have come back, however briefly. There is no call to feel hurt or victimised, nobody has been horrible to you.
DeleteHope you can get over this in time, Miriam. We would welcome you back. I’m pleased you saw Bufo’s post.
DeleteArcherphile ,if you get the choice to get a full refund rather than a postponed Cruise I would take the former.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago Mr LJ who usually takes no interest at all in Shares ,thought we should get some Saga shares..........
Everyone was going on Cruises,what could possibly go wrong?
You know what is coming.
The cost per share was £1:85
Yesterday the cost was 14.1p.
A real disappointment for you both Archerphile but at least you are not in limbo anymore. I agree about possible job losses and hopefully the company itself will come through!
ReplyDeleteI still think you were wise to have your knee op privately especially as the health situation is now, plus it will cause an even longer list because of cancellations (and the Winchester business on top)
Some consolation 💐 for you.
Only a few quilted version loo rolls at Waitrose this evening, it doesn't matter, I have enough for the next week or two. Almost all pasta gone, but I only need a new packet of spaghetti, very little dog food.
ReplyDeleteMy local movie night has been cancelled as well as our Sunday Social.
The world is going mad !
But I have been given permission to take the dog with me to a performance of the Messiah although I suppose that may well be cancelled as well in due course.
I had confirmation today of my X-ray of my ankle and was told it is significantly bad arthritis. I was shocked at how extensive it is. Apparently the replacement of ankles does not have a good outcome. Much better is fusion or pinning. For the time being I will continue my daily walking and use of Voltarol Gel, will be reviewed in six months and continue to cope with the pain.
Nothing so bad as poor Spiceycushion.
Local cinemas (v small near us) open, limited to 100, but plenty of room. Concerts /theatre cancelled.
ReplyDeleteWe are stocked up, bit by bit, full freezer, we always have plenty of tins & bocaux. Also loo rolls. 😉
ReplyDeleteAs the virus news seems to be getting worse and worse, I’m sending my love and thoughts to all our bloggers and hope that you all manage to get through this difficult time unscathed. We will probably all be affected in one way or another but I am sure we are all tough enough to to survive!
ReplyDeleteSpecial thoughts to our ladies in Italy - keep safe and well.
And to those living alone or with difficult health problems, accept help if you need it and don’t be afraid to ask.
I think we are in for a difficult few weeks but I’m sure, courtesy of these blogs, that we can keep each other’s spirits up. Bless you all.
What a well thought out post ,Archerphile 10:37pm
ReplyDeleteI certainly agree with everything you said.
My thoughts are particularly with our friends in Italy and those who are not well at the moment ,especially Spicycushion who has gone through so much without complaining and who ,is still suffering.