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Life outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments' - Episode 8 Life Outside Ambridge Beach Chairs
*** FROM PREVIOUS BLOG ***
ReplyDeleteGianna - May 25, 2020 at 11:14 AM
We have just had a lovely weekend in the hills. The family picked me up Friday evening. We have only limited internet there which was reserved for my grandson's lessons on line Saturday morning and my granddaughter had a chat with her scout master. They were both able to meet up with one friend last week using masks. Unfortunately our favourite restaurant across the road is still closed but we saw the owner Stefania so it won't be long. It was a perfect weekend.
Gary Gilday - May 25, 2020 at 1:08 PM
Sounds pretty damn good to me Gianna!
How I long to be in the hills - I can see them from my house, which doesn't make it any easier... In Scotland restrictions are to ease a tiny bit from Thursday. We are only allowed no more than 5 miles from our house, but we can stay out for longer. Baby steps. But steps nonetheless!
*** THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS... ***
ReplyDeleteI have decided to go for movies - these are in no particular order, but I do love the trailer at the top...
Cinema Paradiso - A love letter to cinema, to your younger self & to the joys of being alive. The music is absolutely sumptuous. The whole experience is like being given a long warm hug from everyone you have ever loved. (warning - have tissues at the ready...)
The Wicker Man - I once watched this film 3 times in one weekend. Chilling, funny and thought provoking. And the music is amazing - one or two nearly made my Desert Island Discs.
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon - The images from this film are burned into my brain. I love Chinese films and fantasy films, so for me this is a perfect blend of the two. And an achingly beautiful love story to boot.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind - Possibly the film I have watched more than any other. Richard Dreyfuss' childlike wonder throughout this film is astonishing. Coupled with the mastery of Spielberg, the music of John Williams & my total love of sci-fi , to me this is nothing short of perfection.
The Shining - a study of a slow descent into madness coupled with 3 amazing performances & an almost clinical attention to detail in the direction makes this the only "horror" film I have ever enjoyed! Jack Nicholson & Shelley Duvall are simply mesmerising to watch in this.
And I WILL do the food too...
A perfect little bowl of Cullen Skink
Anchovy & caper pizza as made from scratch by me! When I get it spot on there is NOTHING I enjoy more!
A selection of cheeses & biscuits to nibble on after the meal. To nibble on constantly for about 5 hours... Blue cheese, cheddar, brie, more blue cheese - it doesn't REALLY matter what kind!
Gary
ReplyDeleteCinema Paradiso - Yes, I remember such evenings with films shown in a local hall when on holiday, nostalgic. I saw the last two of your selection but not to my taste - I prefer your culinary offerings, even though I'm not a foodie. I'd have a spoonful of anything with potatoes if there's any left which I imagine not (I had to look it up of course).
Gary, I can’t comment on any of your films as I havent seen any of them !
ReplyDeleteBut I can say how much I like the sound of your anchovy and caper pizza. I always put anchovies on mine too (much to some family member’s disapproval) and have a tendency to put capers in anything and everything. A jar lasts about 2 weeks! I do prefer the extra large ones to the little non- pareilles and most years I pickle the capers that grow in our garden. Caper spurge plants grow like weeds here and I won’t let Mr A glyphosate them!
Eclectic choices, Gary, with appetizing commentary from you ! Emphatic ✓✓✓✓ for Close Encounters + Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, both superb films.
ReplyDeleteMust have wimped out on Shining, judging it as probably too scary for me.....don't know why I missed Wicker Man, but now curious, & you've given me a taste also for Cinema Paradiso. Thanks, Gary !
Gary... haven’t seen cinema paradiso in years but I can remember I loved it.
ReplyDeleteWicker man is good and the Shining was nearly on my list.
Haven’t seen close encounters but I’m not a fan of science fiction.
Will have to check out crouching tiger hidden dragon.
I haven't been to "The Pictures" for ages and we rarely watch any films on TV so like Archerphile I can't comment on your film choices ,Gary but I would like to try your home made pizza .
ReplyDeleteYou haven't mentioned THE best cheeses though which are of course
Lancashire Tasty.Lancashire Creamy ,Lancashire Crumbly (better than any for a Welsh Rarebit)
I am looking forward to bloggers ' book choices .
ReplyDeleteWill they be made up of books people have loved for years and like Mrs P (with Sara Dane) periodically reread them or like Maryellen said ,one's taste changes as one gets older and sometimes books we once loved we no longer even like very much.
I can remember as a teenager reading "Peyton Place " and enjoying it!
What an admission.
I loved Cinema Paradiso + Close Ecounters but hated The Shining..
ReplyDeleteThe other two I don't know.
The phrase "crouching tiger" means something different to me. This is what I call the awful female loo's, when it is just a hole in a ceramic base! Too much said, SORRY 😣 to say this at tea-time.
I love Cullen Skink, but sadly I don't eat anchovies nor cheese.
Perhaps I could have a double helping of the Cullen?
I love smoked haddock (or cod), as long as it is un-dyed.
DeleteI am a bit behind but have now enjoyed listening to your music choices, Gary, especially Kate Bush and particularly And Dream Of Sheep.
ReplyDeleteHow are you doing? 😀
DeleteI am fine thank you, Miriam! Since May 4th I have been able to see my son and family a few times and we even had a pizza with them on Saturday evening. Tomorrow for the first time I will look after my grandsons. I will bring them back to my house so they will finally have a change of scenery! It feels strange - and wonderful! - now to be returning to what was once routine.
Delete🤗🤗
DeleteYou are so going to enjoy tomorrow Hilary!
DeleteYep! I certainly am!!
DeleteMmm, I think I am being treated to a smoked haddock chowder in a few weeks. I don’t have food cooked for me very often but this dish is an exception. Is Cullen skink any different? I used to love anchovy and capers on my pizza when we went to a local restaurant as a student, and as for cheese, I can eat it until it comes out of my ears... I have to take issue with LanJan of course as she didn’t mention Wensleydale cheese, which is perfect and essential with Christmas cake, apple pie, ginger parkin...
ReplyDeletenow the films, the only one I know is Cinema Paradiso. I used to work in a tiny cinema years ago and we showed quite a lot of foreign language films. Loved it.
I missed Cinema Paradiso and have always regretted it, as I am absolutely sure I would love it.
ReplyDeleteI felt the same as you Gary about Last encounters and loved it.
The Shining, altogether different. I still have flashbacks. I don't need horror or a descent into madness in my life. Too close for comfort.
The Wicker Man similar regarding horror, though not to the same extent.
Crouching T never seen and don't really know about other than the title.
Must look up Cullen Skink. If it's got potatoes in it I would probably enjoy it.
The pizza with anchovies and capers I would also enjoy.
I've actually been yearning for a pizza throughout lockdown.
Apologies if I've said that before.
Have googled Cullen Skink and am unsure about liking it or not.
ReplyDeleteFish pie and any fish soup are utterly unpalatable to me and always have been.
However thickened by potatoes does tempt me and I do like smoked haddock.
Maybe one day I will try it.
And Seasider, while googling I discovered that smoked haddock chowder is more or less the same as Cullen Skink.
ReplyDeleteOld a Woman,You mentioned "The Citadel" .
ReplyDeleteHave you read the book recently?
I ask because I remember reading AJCronin when I was a teenager like "The Citadel" and "The Stars look down " but haven't read either of them since.
I have just read a book called "The librarian of Auschwitz ' which is based on the story of a survivor of that dreadful place and she ,a young girl of 15 years of age really loved The Citadel.
I must re read it to see whether I still would enjoy it.
Lanjan,
ReplyDeleteYes, I bought The Citadel from ebay the other week. Read it in a couple of days - my reading habits are rather like my jigsaw habits, I really can't get the hang of just reading a chapter or two at a time!
I loved the book, even when it made me cry. I *didn't* love the Radio 4 adaptation. Too much alteration of a perfectly good story for my liking. I'd have prefered it if they'd written a sequel taking up the story where Cronin left off.
I was in love with Thomas Hardy as a teenager. I went off him when I read A Pair of Blue Eyes - the plot seemed too similar to Tess, my second favourite. (My favourite was Jude. What a ghoulish child I was!) I forgave him some years ago and started re-reading. I have to say, reading Hardy as a parent is heavier going than as a matter-of-fact teenager!
Definitely approve of the Cullen Skink and even more those lovely cheeses. Don't forget to include a St Endellion Cornish brie, and a wild garlic Cornish yarg. We live not too far away from the Davidstow Creamery that makes cheese including Cathedral City cheddar. I had good friends from a big family and when at school they worked there in the summer holidays because at the end of the week they were given a chunk of cheese to take home.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any of your films Gary. I deliberately avoided The Shining and The Wickerman. I don't like films that are horrific. When I was in my twenties I went to see the first Alien film and literally had nightmares for weeks afterwards and wished I had never seen it!
A nice costume drama with a happy ending is about me! I haven't finished listening to the music choices yet so don't put me down for this until later. Ta!
Owias Thomas Hardy has been one of my favourites too. He was the architect for the renovation of St Juliot's Church not far from us. A lovely little church beside a tiny lane and facing down a valley, and it is surrounded by hundreds of snowdrops in Spring. He met his first wife Emma Gifford there.
ReplyDeleteI was amused because his wife said of him " he was never so happy as when writing a miserable tale".
Have you read his poem "The Robin". 😉
I also loved Close Encounters and could easily watch it again and again. I dislike horror so The Shining and Wickerman aren't for me. I don't know Cinema Paradiso, have heard of it of course, but it sounds interesting. Crouching Tiger would not be my cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteI love capers and cheese but not anchovies. Roasted veg pizza would be my choice.
Lockdown:
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I'm unable to join in with the obvious enjoyments of your home-made entertainment. The fact is, on the whole I'm finding lockdown very difficult indeed. As long as the sun shines and I can potter in the garden or think about re-designing it I can just about keep my head above water, but my serotonin levels are dangerously low, so that as soon as I have to remain indoors all my systems begin to close down. The rooms are still in turmoil from replacing old and broken furniture and general re-organisation around the renewed heating. There are books and other items everywhere which still need relocating and are too heavy for me to carry, but no-one is allowed in the house to help. When I have to spend days indoors alone the greyness closes in, the nightmares and flashbacks return and I find myself reliving Mr S's last months when he was confused, angry and very frightened - and cross with me because there was nothing I could do to take it away.
Until March my son was coming once a month to stay overnight, so that things were talked through together and various small tasks involving bending and lifting were accomplished. He still phones and we have tea/coffee dates via Zoom, which is better than nothing, but afterwards it's almost worse and I miss him dreadfully. My daughter rings every week from NZ, sometimes more than once, but she is dreadfully worried about the Covid situation here in the UK, and the fact that she can do nothing practical to help me, so I do my best not to alarm her.
I was asked recently what contribution music makes to my life at present, to which the answer was, 'none whatsoever': I can't play any of my instruments or even listen to music , as I find the emotional content exhausting and just can't cope with it. I don't read or listen to the radio for the same reason, and TV watching is limited to gardening programmes and marvelling at the industry and flashes of creative genius shown by the people who have chosen to escape to a chateau. I'm doing well if I've dressed, done my hair and washed dishes by lunchtime. This morning in a fit of application I cleaned the bath, which left my brain out of focus for the rest of the day, which was spent in the garden, watching the effect of the changing light patterns.
I've never minded my own company before - in truth, in recent years there's been precious little of it so that at first it was a luxury. But a few weeks ago when I caught sight of my reflection out of the corner of my eye as I passed through the dining room, for a split second I was puzzled because I couldn't work out who it was and I knew I had reached rock bottom.
Since then things have gradually improved and I've begun to feel better mostly, I think, because the situation has eased, younger friends have brought me plants from the garden centre and the landscape gardener is able to start work on some of my longer-term plans. Of course, that doesn't help the situation in the house, and I long for a visit from my son, but as the restrictions in Wales are different, that may not be for some time yet.
I apologise for the lengthy post, which is not made for the purpose of getting you all to feel sorry for me, because I know there are those among you in very poor health who are much more deserving of your concern. There must be others all over the country in a similar position, most of all the poor souls who have lost spouses/family members without being able to share their suffering, say goodbye or even attend a funeral - I'm just telling it like it is.
Sarnia, I don't know how to respond, but I really appreciate your very honest and truthful message. I wish you a long, hot summer, and a beautiful, peaceful haven in your Mediterranean garden. xxxx
ReplyDeleteSarnia I feel your pain and totally understand you not being able to listen to or do certain things that during the current circumstances are more distressing than comforting for you. For instance Zoom get togethers lifting the moment but then feeling even more at a loss afterwards. Although able to emphasis with you it is also hard to learn that you are having to endure such feelings but 🤞🏼we are beginning to see a chink of light at the end of the tunnel 🙏🏼
DeleteMiriam has some down days too we know, thank goodness you both have the salvation of your gardens and the good weather. Thoughts are with you 🥰
Empathise of course!
DeleteOh Sarnia,
ReplyDeleteLockdown is supposed to be protecting the vulnerable. But sometimes the solution can cause as much suffering as the problem : (
It sounds as though you had quite enough to contend with even before all the restrictions started. Isolation is just making it all many times tougher.
It's good that your garden brings you peace and joy. Stay out there as much as you can and try to forget the turmoil indoors. (Is there a room you can stick some of the stuff in and then close the door on?)
Have you got neighbours you can talk to over the fence? Or local volunteers who can chat from the garden gate? It's not the same as having your son with you in the house, but it would at least give you some real human contact.
Of course you're deserving of our concern. Yes, lots of people are struggling in many ways. Many of them, like you are struggling with crushing loneliness. Do, please, keep coming in here, even if you'd rather read than post. Remember, you're amongst friends.
Virtual hugs are a poor substitute for the real thing. But they're flying across the internet to you by the dozens. All this will pass and you will have you soon with you again soon.
🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
Sarnia my heart goes out to you in this awful time for you. We are now able to see and hug our family members after our severe lockdown of and hope you will be able to do so soon. Keep on reading the blog. I found it a tremendous help in the lonely days.
ReplyDeleteSarnia, I can only begin to imagine how difficult this time must be to you and others who were adjusting to life changing events when the virus struck. I hope you can pace yourself through this without feeling any pressure to go faster than you can. Your garden plans sound beautiful and really important as that’s where you are finding a little energy. Take very good care of yourself, and take each day gently. 🙏💐🌈
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY GARY 🥳🎂🍾
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Gary, I hope you'll soon be able to go on that special train journey.
ReplyDeleteSarnia, your garden sounds beautiful from the description you put on here a short while ago. I wish you a long hot summer, so you can spend most of your time enjoying it. So sorry that you are finding the lockdown painful and difficult. I hope that as the restrictions are eased you will start to feel better. 💕🥀🌻🌼💕
ReplyDeleteThinking of you Sarnia...
ReplyDeleteSarnia, my husband’s last few months were awful for him and I do think back to it especially when waking in the night. It is a nightmare to see someone you love going through so much and in a way afterwards you suffer a kind of ptsd. Time does make it easier. This lockdown has concentrated your feelings and magnified your negative thoughts. I am lucky in having my daughter who lives with me and our dogs have made a big difference but it must be very hard for you to be alone. As others have said, concentrate on your garden and just enjoying it. In the house try to do just a little bit each day but don’t exhaust yourself. If you can get one room straight it will be good for you. As for the rest, who cares? As long as you are comfortable that’s all that matters. I’m so glad you felt you could confide in us and we are all with you in spirit. 😊
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Gary. I hope you get your walk in the hills soon.
ReplyDeleteSarnia, so sad to read your post, no magic wand around, obviously, but you can see, feel, I hope, that we are with you virtually - the only way possible.
ReplyDeleteYes, everyone is going through this crisis, all suffer in vastly differing degrees, depending on personal circumstances, temperament, so much else, but please, please don't compare, or ever think of yourself as less deserving - you clearly aren't. ( Have always found the refrains ' others are worse off, count your blessings blah, blah', singularly unhelpful; the only reply can be, 'So what ? How can that possibly make ME
feel better ?!') To echo Seasider, you're not accountable to anyone for activity or inactivity, no judgement makes sense. Your feelings are totally valid, & who could not see that.
I'm sorry you can't find solace in music these days, as it has been so important to you, but can see why it''s painful now.
Whilst you can't heave heavy stuff around without help, is there a place in your home that can be fashioned into a little haven, when wind & rain keeps you from the garden ? Maybe that could help.
Glad you've talked to us. I'm surely not alone in admiring you for the way you face stark reality at this time. Fervently hope there's some respite for you soon.
Oh Sarnia 💕🤗💐💐
ReplyDeleteGG - so long since I saw Cinema Paradiso, loved it. Used to watch a fair amount of horror, so the Wicker Man & the Shining are v familiar! Saw Close Encounters, not Crouching Tiger (Miriam, you've got a lot to answer for!!!)
ReplyDeleteLove your menu. Nothing sweet in sight.
Sarnia....I'm thinking of you. xx
ReplyDeleteSarnia - what an insightful post about your current situation. I am so very sorry that you are finding this lockdown so difficult, as must be many people who are having to get through it on their own.
ReplyDeleteI cannot offer any magic solutions, but just to let you know that your Archers blog friends are all here whenever you need us. Whether it is for comfort to know we all care about you - or simply to have somewhere safe to unburden your thoughts.
I went through a very black time a few years ago, so bad that I couldn’t go to work and had months of extended sick leave. But my GP prescribed some medication that eventually helped me see light at the end of the tunnel and I have been on a tiny maintenance dose ever since. It has prevented me suffering from anxiety and depression ever since, for which I am extraordinarily thankful. Perhaps speaking to your doctor would be useful? He may be able to suggest a councillor who could help (online or via telephone) or group who could offer support, if the type of therapy I received would be unwelcome to you.
Sending my love and support and hope that you will get through this enforced solitude very soon.
GARY - I didn’t know it is your Birthday today, I wonder how Seasider knew?
ReplyDeleteBut anyway, have a super day, a walk on the beach (if that is allowed in Scotland), an afternoon of your favourite films or music, and an Anchovy & Caper Pizza for Supper. Enjoy! 😘 🥃 🍕 🏴
Gary told us and I said it nearly coincided with the Archers revival, so I made a note.
DeleteYes, he mentioned it a couple of weeks ago on the blog and let slip that he is 🗣*50*🎉🎈🎈🎈🕺
DeleteHappy birthday, Gary!🎉🎉🎉😊🥂🥂🥂
ReplyDeleteDIDs, I was wrong, the BBC are copying Gary's idea in full to send with with a hashtag.
ReplyDeleteAlan Smith said his would be the theme tune from Cinema Paradiso.
Hang on in there Sarnia. One hour at a time, one minute at a time even. You will come through this. Great big hug.
ReplyDeleteGary, happy half century! 😁🎂🍷🍷🎉🎈🎉🎈
ReplyDeleteWell young man, I hope you have as lovely a 50th birthday as you possibly can in these strange times, and with lots of tasty cheeses for tea. 🎂🎁🎈🧀🍕
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for the birthday wishes!
ReplyDeleteIt's a strange old day to say the least - but the sun is shining & in the great scheme of things I consider myself to be one of the luckiest people on the face of this planet...
Good for you, Gary ! And as happy a birthday to you as possible - certainly the strangest you've ever had, I imagine. Hope there are some treats lined up.
DeleteWishing you a very Happy Birthday Gary!! Enjoy your day.
DeleteSarnia, I know that the level of grief you are experiencing may well mean you will need to follow the path Archerfile mentioned, but every little helps and (you may already know this) eating foods that contain tryptophan helps in the production of serotonin. Things like Turkey, chicken, eggs, milk, cheese (Gary should be a very happy laddie), fish and best of all chocolate ! etc.
ReplyDeleteAlso, and I know it is difficult to do when actually in the grip of something, practising yoga calming breathing exercises to be used when needed can be useful. You can find examples online and you might find one that suits you. Take care.
Off to the beach again today now that lockdown has eased a little bit! Can't remember if I said before but the beaches haven't been so empty since I was a child because there are no holidaymakers, just a few local surfers and dog walkers so social distancing is no problem at all. Sylvie will swim. I just paddle and sit in the sun as my strength isn't back to swimming yet. Used to love sea swimming in the surf. Watching dogs rushing in and out of the water having fun is nice. 🏊♀️ 🐳 🌞
ReplyDeleteI have heard that the virus can't survive in salt water. I don't know if it is true or not, but if it is then it seems to me cleaning things in a salt water solution might be just as effective as all the shop bought sprays.
My very best wishes to you Sarnia.
ReplyDeleteI think that you have had some very good advice from your friends on this site .
The fact that you were able to tell us about how you are feeling ,I would think , must help ..
You have a lot of support here.
Are you able to do what I do each day?
However dreadful the day has been I write down something good that has happened ,
however small.
They often are connected with the garden.
For example today I noticed that a coral coloured penstamen had flowered.
Yesterday it was the scent of the roses
A few days ago it was that a lovely maroon poppy appeared .
You love your garden so you would probably find something new in it every day.
Lanjan - I remember you telling us this tip, years ago on the old BBC blog.
DeleteIt’s a very good idea, sort of keeping a good things diary.
I have a calendar with quite a big space under each day for logging appointments etc.
As I now have no appointments to log I shall use it to do what you suggest and put something happy there each day.
Today’s entry: the bright orange geum at the bottom of our garden is now blooming and looks stunning under the golden-leaved Viburnum and next to the purple aubretia. Such a happy colour combination.
Thank you all. In fact I am already on medication for the serotonin deficiency, have been for several years now, and it's possible that the dosage needs adjusting, but as our surgery is closed for the foreseeable future I really can't be bothered to jump through all the technological hoops a GP appointment now entails. Trouble is, when I emerge from a 'black hole' I tend to discover that I've lost track of the days and have been forgetting to take it!
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit annoyed with myself, really. I'm no stranger to bereavement, having been dealing with it one way or another since childhood, although this time it's more complicated because of the years of neglect to house and garden which are next to impossible to work on under present circumstances. I think what sparked yesterday's diatribe was the understanding that there are many thousands of people experiencing myriad forms of distress and hardship without thinking of themselves as special cases, whereas certain Very Important People can't cope without running round the country to other family members when we've all been told not to.
I'll just keep taking the chocolate!
Sarnia when needed I set the alarm on my phone as a reminder for pill taking 🤔
DeleteDear Sarnia, I am sending you positive and loving wishes for you to heal and feel better very soon. These difficult times will pass and it is hard but enjoy your garden and whatever else brings some lightness. Stay online as you have friends in this place.
ReplyDeleteTo Gary G I'd like to say
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a lovely day.
The sort of day that you would choose
Good company and food and booze.
Don't worry that you're getting old.
You still look youthful-so I'm told.
When I last saw you ,you looked fine
I'm sure you'll pass for forty nine!
Meanie, Lanjan !! I'd go 40yrs 6 months....
DeleteLove the poem Lanjan. A right Pam ayres you are.
DeleteYou tell me Carolyn what rhymes with months?
ReplyDeleteCan't think of any !! 😗 Dunce is kinda close, but you don't want to use that word in connection with Gary, do you ? I mean, he so isn't one....
DeleteYour ryhme is better than a B-day card, I reckon !
‘Chumps’? Also not at all appropriate for Gary 😦 😆
DeleteHappy half century Gary G
ReplyDeleteSarnia. What a heartfelt post, which I have only just read.
ReplyDeleteI understand your angst.
As onother living alone (my choice), I am finding things difficult, but only at times, so I understand what you are experiencing. I chat to neighbours outside - nearly always in the front garden.
As so many others have said:-
Join in and just tell all, to your virtual friends, and remember - you are not alone. 🤗🤗
Happy Birthday Gary...😁🍾🍸🎂
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your evening.
It will be memorable.
I bet this was not how you wanted to spend your "half centurary"?
I have to ask, what plans have you had to cancel?
My actual 50th was spent in Italy, followed by 6 months later, with a 3.5 week tour of Ecuador, with a 7day cruise, on a luxury yatch round the Galapagos Islands.
How times change - as my highlight today - was buying both plain + SR flour, at the same pre-covid price.
How little things, now mean so much.
Miriam, the half realised plan was to go on a cruise (!!!) to Japan then on to China, where amongst other things we were to attend a private dinner & concert for 300 people on the Great Wall - hosted & performed by Katherine Jenkins! Neither of us give two hoots about her or her music but we thought it would be a big, daft, silly memorable way to celebrate a couple of big birthdays!!! Went for a long walk in the nearby hills today instead, and it was bloody fantastic...
DeleteYay Gary ! 🎂 🍷 🎈 🥃 🎉 🍺 ⭐️🍸“Happy 50th” well you certainly won’t forget your special day that’s for sure - what times! (Trust you are being spoilt rotten by Mr GG)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday 🎈🎂🎈 Gary. I hope that today has gone well and you have a special meal this evening. Enjoy!!!!!🍷🍸🍷🍺🍹
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to you, happy birthday 🥳 to you
ReplyDeleteHappy 😊 birthday dear Gary
Happy birthday 🥳 you.
Fifty is the new forty.
We none of us can really enter into world of someone else’s despair.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it is hard, even for ourselves to understand and identify the boundaries and limits of our own wellbeing. That might include the separation between ourselves and the many differing aspects of our close environment.
When we experience feelings of despair which it is further enhanced by loneliness, it is difficult to reach out and touch objects and those we love. This is now compounded by the current circumstances we are all experiencing through enforced separation.
Being separated from the most important people in our lives is a loss and our response is to grieve and seek comfort and support so that we can deal with our new reality.
In times difficulty getting through the day becomes a challenge and sometimes that requires a reorganisation and motivation of our routines.
You are a skilled person with ambitions but maybe in the circumstances some modification to your coping strategies would lessen the burden you seem to be carrying.
Remember we are only human and sometimes that might mean standing back and only doing what is important to you at this moment in time.
A Mediterranean garden sounds wonderful.
This blog, as others have confirmed is here and we I’ll listen.
😉 Good luck
The above is for Sarnia.
DeleteThanks - s'all right, I've managed to move on from yesterday. Doesn't mean I won't finish up back there again from time to time, but hey - onward and upward!
DeleteGary...tchin tchin 🍸🍸
ReplyDeleteWill admit, I’m on the second.
Sybille Bedford was the subject of Great Lives today. I've read nearly all of her books and prefer the non-fiction on travel and justice to the novels. I wrote to her once c/o her bank, she telephoned in reply and we discussed books and authors.
ReplyDeleteGG to quote you - a "couple: of big birthdays - do tell, at some time.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime - just enjoy this, your very Special Day.
You will remember it. 😍
Happy Birthday, Gary! The walk in the hills you have been yearning for must have felt very special indeed and I trust you are now enjoying a super half-century birthday evening.
ReplyDeleteMy first day looking after my grandsons was marvellous!
AND today was another first - I went to the ......wait for it ......HAIRDRESSER'S!!!
Bit like buses .....you wait ages for one etc etc!!
So what with that AND Gary's birthday AND Miriam's flour it's been quite a day!
And I hope your day, Sarnia, has been bearable and that you perhaps found some solace in your beautiful garden. The situation is now improving in Italy and as you in the UK are just a short way behind it shouldn't be long now before Britain too starts to be able to ease lockdown. My virtual hugs join all the ones you have been sent from this Archersblog haven.
Hilary - I’m rotten jealous!!
DeleteGrand children AND the Hairdresser - you lucky, lucky person!
Joyeux Anniv' GG, bit late in the day... 🥂🥂
ReplyDeleteMorning everyone, I hope GG isn’t feeling too fragile 🥴 ( or that it was worth it )
ReplyDeleteToo much food. Too much drink. So much fun. 😋
DeleteWorth paying the price, eh ? 😉
DeleteTesting
ReplyDeleteRedoing my last as it wouldn’t publish! Just to say we are using our hard en a lot more under lockdown and the sunloungers nearly put up for sale last year through lack of use have come into their own for morning coffee! Katy has a coffee maker and has stocked up with pods and it comes out at about 50p per cup! Far cheaper than Starbucks and just as nice! So it’s latte and a lounge mid morning for us!😁☕️☕️☕️😁
ReplyDeleteWe are using our garden!
ReplyDeleteAs to gardens - my new fence is being put up this week, and all debris has now been removed.
ReplyDeleteIt is so nice to enjoy the garden again, without seeing burnt items and no burnt smell.
My garden is now very exposed, so no topless bathing!
Joking apart, things are now moving along quickly and I will have a new fence, at no cost.
That fire did me a favour, in a way. Even the third unburnt panel, is being replaced..😁
My problem with gardening, is that the garden bins, have not been emptied since March.
ReplyDeleteI have so much to cut back, but what do I do with the garden rubbish, as also the tips are still closed.
PS compost bin is also full!
Like my hair, my garden is also getting very shaggy. It also needs a good chop.
Turkey/Oat meatballs tonight.
Totally Off topic.
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed, last night, watching the 1st episode of the new BBC2 series, A House Through Time..
I found it fascinating, and I learnt a lot, about social history, at that time, which was previously unknown to me.
I am hooked, so much so, it is now on "series record".
Thank you, Hilary, yesterday was a distinct improvement and today quite good, really. Allowed out to be taken for the weekly flit to Sainsbury's and came back with some campanula for the border in my new cottage garden and two huge planters for the oleanders that arrived on Tuesday. The 'burden' that Stasia perceives was many decades in the making and will take more than modification of coping strategies to alleviate, it's going to take time (of which I do not necessarily have a lot to spare) One day I expect I'll wake up and realise that it's gone, but that won't be for a while yet. In the meantime , o _ _ _ _ _ _ and u _ _ _ _ _ _!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have been the invisible guest at your birthday celebrations, GG, as you certainly know how to have fun.
I watched it too ,Miriam and agree with you.
ReplyDeleteFascinating viewing.
I can recommend the programme.
There have been two previous series.
One of the houses was in Liverpool and the other was in the north east -I think Newcastle but
may be wrong.
Sarnia, I am very happy to know that you have found a little improvement. Your mention of your new planters for your oleanders reminds me that I was told about a documentary recently on Italian tv about the monumental construction of the first motorway, from Milan, section by section cutting through mountains and bridging ravines and finally connecting with Naples. For the inauguration two women drivers were chosen to drive, one starting in Milan and the other in Naples and meeting halfway, but it was also interesting because an unprecedented decision was made to plant oleanders in the central division. Some pink, some white they are a festive splash of colour as one travels the legth and breadth of Italy.
ReplyDeleteLength and breadth ..
ReplyDelete*** THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS ***
ReplyDeleteThe first name out of the hat is......Autumnleaves! Enjoy!
Gosh I didn't think it would be so soon. I could've easily chosen 10 .
ReplyDeleteHere we go then ..it's films. No particular order.
1. SENSE AN D SENSIBILITY. ....everything about this film was beautiful..the scenery, the costumes, the music and the character's.
2. AIRPLANE ...the funniest film ever made and not just my opinion.I think I know the script by heart and it still cracks me up. And don't keep calling me Shirley😂😂😂
3.AMADEUS. ...for the same reasons as S and S ...the location, the costumes , beautifully made and of course the music.
4.REAR WINDOW. ...I had to have Hitchcock in the list. .. his films never date and this is a masterpiece. James Stewart and Grace Kelly ..Hollywood legends together with the master of suspense.
5. CINEMA PARADISO......sorry I couldn't leave it out . Gary summed up the film earlier. I'd just like to add that it shows the magic of childhood even through trying times . As adults we return to our hometowns expecting things to be exactly as we left them..but they never are...the magic of our childhood years are gone.
This film also has one of the most beautinful endings I ever seen.
Honorouble mentions were To Kill a Mocking Bird , Little Miss Sunshine
Food...I love everything except liver and tripe
Fettucini with ragu ( Home made of course)
Grilled salmon with bell pepper stew and fresh asparagus with olive oil and lemon juice.
I haven't got a sweet tooth but since you're twisting my arm
Apple pie with vanilla ice cream (very American)
Alka Selzer
Thank you Autumnleaves!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Airplane - I used to watch it obsessively and know it line by line too. Excellent choice! Rear Window is another stone cold classic for me too. Of the other 3 the only one I haven't seen is S & S.
Maybe one day we will meet up and watch Cinema Paradiso, sat outside in the late evening with a few cold beers & a glass or two of wine! Who knows, eh!!!?
With you on the Apple Pie and Ice Cream...
Autumn Leaves - the only one of your films I have seen is Amadeus (via a DVD at home) and I must say I agree. Of course the music was wonderful but the film taught me so much I didn’t know about Mozart and Salieri and was funny and tragic at different times.
ReplyDeleteAnd Mr A and I still often quote the line “too many notes Mr Mozart, too many notes” when listening to a particularly difficult piece of music!
Archerphile..the film and previously the play are very loosely based on fact . M ozarts pupil Sussmayr was credited with finishing finishing the Requiem.. apparently he made such a good job of it you can't hear the "join".
DeleteAutumnleaves - S & S - the best of British actors, I reread it recently. Rear window was on my list, I particularly liked the ballet dancer who had many suitors but her real love went straight for the fridge - the way to many hearts, mine certainly because I can't cook. Speaking of which, I like your main course, it'd be quite enough for me.
ReplyDeleteI especially loved the banter between Robert Hardy and Elizabeth Spriggs ( Sir John and Mrs Jennings). Both sadly no longer with us.
DeleteAutumnleaves.
ReplyDeleteI actually know all your films, which surprises me.
Rear Window + Amadadeus were on my long "short list" as I love them both.
Good choices, but that is my taste only..
PS Must learn to spell - Amadeus.
DeleteI saw this in the cinema with my little sis, who had just moved into a new house. In the opening scene, she whispered to me, "that's just like my house". I remember it well.
DeleteIf the film Cinema Paradiso is based on a book then I feel I want to read it..
ReplyDelete"The magic of childhood.....
One of the most beautiful endings I have ever seen...." (to quote Autumnleaves.).
Sounds my cup of tea.
I don't know anyone who's seen it that didn't like it Lanjan.
DeleteThanks, Autumnleaves. Now, with 2 plaudits, have an appetite to see Airplane & Cinema Paradiso....S.& S is on my list too.Will probably let it stay.
ReplyDeleteThanks Autumnleaves, wonderful Alan Rickman... 💔
ReplyDeleteSeen all the films. All good. Absolutely love Rear Window. 😊
ReplyDeleteThanks Esscee - big building work? Anything interesting?
ReplyDeleteI looked to see if any of the films Gary and Autumnleaves have chosen are available on youtube and found trailers. For Rear Window it said at the end " See the film from the beginning" which reminded me that films used to be shown continuously so one could go in at any time during the film and stay as long as one wanted!
ReplyDeleteAnd everybody stood for the National Anthem at the end of the night.
DeleteDo they even play it these days?
If you went in half way through the B movie, you stayed long enough to see the beginning as the films were on a continuous roll! I seem to remember a rush for the door before the National Anthem but if you couldn’t make it in time you just had to stand to attention until it played out. Another memory is the wafts of smoke in the beams from the projectors. Cinemas must have stank with cigarette smoke but it was just the norm! At least we didn’t get the tedious and loud adverts we have to suffer nowadays at the beginning!
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in Italy in my student days our cinema viewing was dictated by the bus time-table. We would arrive in the middle and watch till the end, then from the beginning to where we had started and run for the bus back to the halls. There was a season of Bunuel films.
ReplyDeleteEven earlier, on a rainy holiday in Cornwall we went to the cinema quite a lot, I particularly remember Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.
Just watched The Magnificent Men again very recently as it was on telly!
DeleteWe recorded it and are going to keep it.
It was great seeing all those actors over again, everyone from Tony Hancock to Eric Sykes, Sarah Miles to Gert Frobe. Magnificent and very funny!
Someone used to say "I think this is where we came in." and we would get up and push past people and leave!
DeleteAnd when you arrived if there were no seats left people would stand in the aisles along the sides of the auditorium!
The cigarette smoke used to be pretty dense in Italy in the early seventies until a tragic fire in a cinema I think in Turin changed that.
I'm with you on the mess & upheaval - can't stand it! And as you say, the best part is making it look fantastic after other people have cleaned up & left...
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed you will get to spoil them two grandchildren sooner rather than later Esscee - and, oh, the stories you'll get to tell them when they're older!
We are trying to shop for a neighbour in her mid 80's, but we are always beaten to it by other people. But we do manage to get her newspaper for her every other day, so feel as if we're chipping in a little bit.
I am the last of the big spenders.
ReplyDeleteOn the recommendation of Autumnleaves ,Gary and others I have just ordered the DVD of. Cinema Paradiso from EBay.
We were given a DVD player years ago but since we don't usually watch films it has never been used.
Looking forward to watching it.
Thank you .
I am so glad to hear that Lanjan! We have decided to watch it again in the garden tonight. So excited...
DeleteOh that sounds great Gary. And Lanjan I think you asked earlier if there was a book. Well no ..the film was actually based on the childhood and youth of the director Giuseppe Tornatore🎥🎥🎬🎬
DeleteSo much praise for Cinema Paradiso, I just have to watch it. I love Airplane, still funny no matter how many times you watch it. I've never seen Rear Window maybe because it's Hitchcock. I really hated Psycho and tend to associate him with films like that. S & S - yes and Amadeus - no for me.
ReplyDeleteAnneveggie - do please try to ' get over' your resistance to Hitchcock.
ReplyDeleteI understand your feelings about Psycho. I tried to get up and walk out of a screening at the NFT and was pushed back down in my seat by my husband. I have always considered Psycho to be utterly ridiculous.
BUT - his earlier films are all brilliant. Rear Window, North By Northwest, Vertigo, ( will be on my list) The Birds, not so good IMO.
Do give yourself a treat and try them.
I remember missing Paradiso and have never managed to see it and regret that.
Never seen Airplane or Amadious but know that I should.
On the subject of films.
Can I recommend to my older friends on here a programme on R4 that I heard yesterday afternoon. I was in the car and parked near home but couldn't get out of the car as entranced by nostalgia of the sweetest taste.
Francine Stock with the Film Programme - the British New Wave of the early sixties.
The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, Billy Liar, Shirley Anne Field, Avis Bunnage, Tom Courtney ....... I could go on and on but will leave others to add to the list of memories.
Thank you Mrs P, I will give RW a try. I think I've seen a bit of North by Northwest if it's the one where a man is trying to hide from someone spraying crops.
DeleteA while ago we went to Brading Roman Villa for dinner and a screening of “Vertigo” with James Stewart, a favourite actor of mine! It was a very suspenseful, gripping film but at one point someone was thrown from the top of a building hurtling past a window and it was so obviously a dummy that everyone laughed thus killing the mood! When you look at old films you realise the skill acquired over the years in achieving realism. Nevertheless these old films can be superb and agree Hitchcock is well worth watching especially with James Stewart!!
ReplyDelete100%!
DeleteIt is lovely to hear so much about others preferences. Sadly James Stewart, is far from a favourite of mine.
DeleteI have a joint 1st, with regard to Hitchcock productions.
These are:-
Rear Window
To Catch a Thief.
Both of these, I know, have been mentioned by GG + Autumnleaves recently....and rightly so.
As the current topic is films I though some might like this advert on a cinema.
ReplyDeleteNOW SHOWING
NO CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF ANY KIND
Shame.
Good news today - which is so very simple.
ReplyDeleteThis is my garden re-cycling bin, will be emptied, for the 1st time next Fridayy since March 20th.
I little things, mean so much, in this new situation.
I actually wrote "how little thongs mean so much".
DeleteLuckily I spotted it, but then did another typo. I instead of how.
I you get my drift.
My garden bin was emptied this morning and it has carried on fortnightly through the lockdown. How lucky are we?? Well done, Amey! 👏👏
DeleteFilms of the 60s and 70s were somewhat marred for me. We didn't leave early to miss the National Anthem but to catch the last bus out to my village at 9.50! So many films I never saw the end of!
ReplyDeleteNow when I go with my sons, we stay all through the credits because there are often 'Easter Eggs' (surprise scenes hidden in video games and now after the credits on films) There is a terrific one at the end of the first X-Men film.
I can't remember whether there was one at the end of Fellowship of the Ring but I know the credits take 17 minutes to roll through!
I'm afraid I never have liked the 'kitchen sink' type of drama on TV or film. I wanted escapism!
I was brought up on 'Cowboys and Indians' and WW2 films in the 1950s. The very first film I saw was either Lady and the Tramp or Dambusters, both in 1955and I was 7! Mum, Dad, together with me and my brother went to both sometime in that year.
Our main cinema in Tunbridge Wells was an Essoldo but hilariously built over the railway tunnel that came in under the town to the station south of it. While watching a film you could hear the trains and feel the rumble as they pulled in to the platform!
My all time favourite film star is James Stewart, whether he was a cowboy, a journalist or a business man. I just love his accent and slow drawl!
When I told my son about the favourite films 'theme' we are now doing, he named all of my five choices! Even though we have a 7-shelf bookcase full of Dvds!
He knows you well then , that boy of yours Spicey.
ReplyDeleteOh Spicy - Dambusters 😁
ReplyDeleteA great uncle of mine, worked at Ellstree Film Studios, and he made the Dams for that film, plus a lot more (eg Moby Dick-the whale).
He also did Summer Holiday, with Cliff Richard.
Sadly, he didn't keep any memorabilia from this time in his life.
The dams were small, but cinematography showed them differently, and Moby was made out of papier-mache!
DeleteMy great uncle told so many wonderful stories, about his life in films at Elstree Studios.
The one person that he did not like - was Elizabeth Taylor- for some reason.
On a completely different topic-
ReplyDeleteWe ventured down to our local garden centre this afternoon (only a mile up the road)
The car park was busy, but they were using distancing with a queue outside at 2m intervals and only allowing you in when someone came out.
All I wanted were a couple of geraniums or fuchsias, a bit of trailing lobelia or bidens to put in 2 pots on our terrace.
Oh the disappointment! When I got inside, the tables were bare apart from some very old plants, straggly, half dead, left over from last year.
The outdoor area with herbaceous plants, trees, perennials etc was the same.
So sad to see so many almost-dead plants and nothing worth buying.
All I ended up with were 3 tiny cacti to put in a terracotta pot I brought back from Dubai at Christmas and a small bag of cactus compost!
The worst bit was when we returned to our car; a man came up to Mr A and accused him of damaging the man’s car, as Mr A got out of our car when we arrived. He pointed to a bit of plastic that was missing on his car door. Mr A assured the man we had parked next to a white van, not his car, and he had most certainly not hit anything with his door as he got out.
The man was really agressive & swore it was Mr A who had done the damage and wouldn’t accept we’d parked next to the van. Then his wife joined in and it all got a bit nasty.
Anyway, we left without further argument but I expect the angry man took our car registration and I’m worried about repercussions. Why do people behave like this? It was very upsetting.
Is it lockdown anger, or the heat?
So sorry to hear of this incident AP as though the pressures of life are not bad enough at the moment. I concur with Miriam & Mrs P but a distressing end to what was not a very successful GC visit anyway ☹️
DeleteSending thoughts🌈
Wow Archerphile...what an awful experience and so upsetting to you both.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds a try on, by that person.
This happened to me 3 yrs ago, and took a year to sort out.
How about ringing/e-mailing, your car insurance, telling the tale, but saying you are not putting a claim in, as nothing happened.
This incident will then be logged in, so if a fraudulant claim is put in later, you have covered yourself.
In my experience, my insurance details were found via my car registration number, and a claim was made against me, which was false.
DeleteThe claim against me, was put in 3 months later!
DeleteI can only give you my experience, which might or not, help.
How I wish I had reported it to my car insurance, at the time, as I did think that might happen, but didn't 😵😵
Thank you Miriam. I’ll suggest your advice to Mr A.
DeleteWho know what might happen, down the line?
My garden is so very dry, and there is no hanging basket, no window box and no plants..
ReplyDeleteAll I have, are burnt plants and dry, empty flower beds, but it is still my garden and it will come alive again.
I can accept this.
Most unpleasant situation Archerphile and very upsetting I can imagine.
ReplyDeleteI would endorse Miriam's advice though. Contact your insurers and send a documented account in the post within 24 hours of the incident.
Did you take mr Angry and Aggressive registration number.
Also worth remembering that the garden centre may well have CCTV footage able to prove your assertions.
But you do have to be on the ball and act quickly if you choose to do anything to cover yourselves.
I agree Mrs P. It is better to cover yourselves, just in case.
DeleteHopefully, this won't be necessary. 🤞🤞
I wouldn't contact your Insurers yet Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteI would ignore the whole thing.
You know you didn't do it and therefore Mr Nasty can not prove that you did.
When our oven stopped working I contacted the Insurers to see if we were able to claim on the Insurance and was told we couldn't but she said she would have to put it down as a claim that was refused!
I was only making an enquiry
Remember that Insurance Companies always say that you should never admit a fault even when you know you have committed one.
I very much doubt that the Garden Centre would have CCTV footage .
They will be trying to save money now.
However if they do have it and the little Van is there in the photograph then you will be proved to be right.
Mr Nasty is trying it on.
Sounds like that. What a thoroughly unsatisfactory afternoon you've had, AP. Sorry to hear it. Unless there is CCTV footage, the man can't prove a thing, so nothing to worry about. If there were, with the van in shot, he'd be left with egg on his face !
DeleteReckon Lanjan is right, do nothing - perhaps he makes a habit of this, a careless driver who gets scratches & dents, & then tries to blame someone else !
I seem to have wasted my time, telling about my own experience and what then went on, for over a year. This involved, giving court statements, having my car officially examined and so on.
ReplyDeleteOthers obviously know so much more and can give better advice, than me.
How I wish I hadn't given my thoughts + experience.
One day, I will learn by my mistakes - but when 😂
Oh Miriam! Please, please don't be so hard on yourself. Everyone's opinions & experiences are of equal value on here - at least, that's what I choose to believe! x
DeleteAt least the claim against me, was finally proven fraudulant, but my car insurance doubled, and has not yet gone down.
DeleteWithout knowing, of course, but it sounds as if your experience was different from Archerphile's, Miriam, very likely less clear ? Evidently you were right to take the action you did, but from what AP has told us, it's just one raging idiot's word against Mr AP, who saw the white van beside which he parked his car.
DeleteMiriam,you haven't chosen to say whether it was a similar incident to Archerphile's.
ReplyDeleteYou have given your opinion as to what Archerphile should do and Carolyn and I
have given ours.
If Archerphile chooses to follow your advice I am not going to lose sleep over it and I am sure that Carolyn won't either.
If Archerphile and her husband know that they have done nothing wrong why contact the Insurance Company?
You said your Insurance doubled when you did that even though you were innocent which was a point I made in my earlier post 7:39pm
Because Archerphile mentioned it , some of us have made suggestions and obviously Mr and Mrs A will decide what to do now so you don't need to worry about it.
It sounds as if this man might be the type to accuse people when the damage was caused elsewhere to get them to pay up. Probably best to ignore but perhaps worth informing the police who won’t do anything about this incident but could log it in case he tries it on again. There are some nasty people out there. One chap took umbrage once when my husband politely asked him to move a bit in the supermarket so we could get an item from the shelf. A load of vitriol followed and I lost it and told him not to be so bloody rude! I’m not usually so rude myself but it did work! I do feel sorry that on a venture out day after the confines you were met with this situation. Take heart though, there are a lot of nice people out there!
ReplyDeleteI concur with Lanjan any contact with car insurers will be recorded. I know this to my own cost when I queried an increase in my payment. Someone drove int the side of the passenger door, they accepted responsibility, and all ended very amicably. Her insurers immediately provided me with another car. I informed my insurer and that was a mistake.
ReplyDeleteAll opinions are valid, and I'm sure none of us intends to upset others.
ReplyDeleteI went to my local, small and friendly garden centre last weekend. If it had been my first visit, I not have been impressed. Not many plants, it was a windy day and lots of pots had blown over. But still friendly, and I guess we have to make allowances for their difficult circumstances this year and maybe the resulting rush as they opened. I'm going again today to see what they have...
Re car insurance - I had my number plates stolen a few years ago I informed the police, but not my insurance company,and bought replacement plates for about £35.
When I renewed my insurance, the premium had gone up - because I had had an incident!
Would not have been impressed...
DeleteOr Lord! Wish I hadn’t mentioned yesterday’s incident now!
DeleteI really didn’t want to stir up controversy on here and I thank *everone* for their opinions.
I forgot to say, that when we returned our car, the space next to us was empty. The white van had left. The man with the ‘damaged car’ had stopped it further along towards the exit and then walked back to harangue Mr A. So we have no proof if he ever did park where the white van had been or not. He tried to get some folk who were parked behind us to say they had seen Mr A open his door into the man’s car but they were non-commital, so unless somebody has a dash-cam or CCTV there is no proof of what he alleged.
Note for Miriam - thank you for you advice, offered so quickly. But please don’t take offence that one or two others disagreed. We all have different experiences and opinions and you really shouldn’t think people are against you just because they contradict what you have posted.
And, knowing Mr A’s opinion of the incident I don't think he is going to take it any further
Today I went into the centre of town after two and a half months and it was packed with all shops open and people sitting outside the coffe bars enjoying the sunshine. Nearly everybody had a mask. I only saw about half a dozen who didn't. The mayor has declared that it will be compulsory to wear a mask in the centre punishable by a fine. Only 2 people are allowed in the small shops at one time so there were people queuing up into the road. It was very difficult keeping a 2 metre distance. I'll probably go to more isolated places for my next walk.
DeleteWe were going to join up with our next door neighbours for a BBQ this evening. Taking our own plates, cutlery, glasses etc. Actually going through the gate & not just across it.
ReplyDeleteJust the four of us.
I mentioned this plan to my daughter....who went berserk!
“Mum, you can’t do that, it’s not legal until Monday”
But its only two days!
“It’s still ilegal, supposing somebody sees you and reports you to the police”
Don’t be silly, there’s nobody to see us out here, the other neighbours are too far away.
“But the Government make these instructions for a reason, they know better than you & Dad”
Etc, Etc, Etc.
So we’ve given in to offspring pressure and will be BBQing on Monday instead! 😇
Isn't it funny to get to an age when our daughters tell us off. Role reversal and a half. 😂
ReplyDeleteI got to that age about forty years ago Janice, and that was almost halfway to where I am now.
ReplyDeleteI have had just a wonderful chat with my eldest grand niece, who is celebrating her 9th birthday today.
ReplyDeleteHow I wish I could have visited her, and given a big birthday hug, but sadly it is still not possible yet.
Big Sis + I have a plan. There are 2 villages, one in England and one in Wales. The plan is we park on different sides of the border, and meet up 2m apart, on the bridge. This is a single lane, pack-horse bridge, the centre being the border, the middle of the river.
We can meet up, me in one bridge place, and her in another, not far apart and still on different sides of the border.
It might just work.
Sounds a bit like our gate parties Miriam, but with different languages! 😁
DeleteThe single track bridge (from roman times) as triangular areas, which jut out from the bridge + over the river. This is where we hope to meet, one in Wales + one in England.
DeleteHow strange the rules are, that we still have to remain separated. It is so near, yet so far.
History wrong. The bridge was built in the 1300's (not roman) and is Grade 1 listed.
DeleteIt floods frequently.
I think that's very nifty of you and your sister Miriam.
ReplyDeleteGood luck
You might just feel like naughty schoolgirls though.
We still are 😂
DeleteThat sounds lovely Miriam. This weather you could even paddle keeping a 6 foot gap of water between you in the middle of the river (unless very deep of course).
DeletePersonal - to Archerphile only.
ReplyDeleteMay I politely suggest, that both you + Mr. A. individually write down your experience with this couple (while still fresh in your mind) - in what was said and by whom, how they behaved towards you both together + individually, how you both felt etc.and then keep your writings safe. I just hope you haven't been targeted by an unscrupulous couple, who prey on unsuspecting people.
As said, this is personal to Archerphile.
Thanks Miriam. Xxx
PS Don't forget to give the date + time.
DeleteThanks once again for your concern Miriam. It was such an inoffensive place to be caught up in an argument like this. I have heard of people being deliberately run into on roundabouts in order to claim false insurance payouts etc ... but, honestly, a garden centre car park! It’s ridiculous really.
DeleteWe have done as you suggested and written down what happened, when & where, just in case. But Mr A does not want to alert insurance people unnecessarily in order to avoid an increase in premium.
But we have it all documented, just in case, so thank you once again.
PS My incident was at a roundabout..
Delete*** THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS ***
ReplyDeleteThe next name out of the hat is......Seasider! Enjoy!
Ooh er...I have a film list and a book list but books were my first love so I have chosen books:
ReplyDelete1. AA Milne - Winnie the Pooh. If allowed I would sneak in the whole boxed set with the verse as well, as I loved all these books as a child and have good memories of Mum reading them to me and engendering a love of stories and poetry. I gave them away as a young teenager and had to buy new copies later.
2. Emily Bronte - Wuthering Heights. My favourite book in mid-late teens and I wrote an extended essay (not particularly groundbreaking) at college about the book and its setting in the moors (although not “my” moors). Love all the film and TV versions as well.
3. Thomas Hardy - Jude the Obscure. Difficult to select only one Hardy but this made a particular impression, not least because of the criticism Hardy received.
4. The Rattle Bag ed. Seamus Heaney. I would have to have a poetry anthology which is a quiet passion. Hard to choose just one but this covers a wide spectrum.
5. Meadowland - John Lewis-Stempel.
I love nature writing and this book takes you through a year in an English meadow, really looking at everything that lives and evolves in that time and place. I love really paying attention to sensory detail in that way.
My meal:
For a starter it would be smoked salmon pate and homemade bread
main course: roast duck with chestnut stuffing, roast mixed root veg, red cabbage and sherry vinegar sauce (our Christmas meal)
or for summer sea bream fillet with a light paella/prawn risotto (not too heavy on the sea food)
dessert: tiramisu.
I couldn’t eat all the courses in one sitting but I could spread them out over a day.
Thanks Seasider!
DeleteHave only read the Pooh books! (Got a free CD with a newspaper once of Alan Bennet reading the "House at Pooh Corner" and listened to it during a hike along the West Highland Way. Perfection!) Never heard of John Lewis-Stempel, will investigate further later...
I love a duck - have never tried it with chestnut stuffing. Sounds good to me. I loathe tiramasu!
Oo...great selection, Seasider, though I can't abide Wuthering Heights, give me Charlotte Bronte any time.
ReplyDeletePooh definitely my childhood choice, & being read to from them.
Totally in accordance with you on Jude. Brave, dark, realistic - surely Hardy's best, as well as his last.
Am encouraged to read the Heaney collection, probably not the nature writing ( wasted on me)
I reckon I'd enjoy every succulent mouthful of your meal, but, like you, not eaten all at one sitting.
Thanks so much for this !
An interesting selection Seasider.
ReplyDeleteLike Gary I've never heard of Lewis -Stempel, but love that kind of book.
Will look it up and also the Heaney.
We sometimes have duck at Christmas but personally I'm not too keen on it.
Seasider, I reread Winnie the Pooh recently, I think I like the idea of it but certainly love the illustrations by E.H.Shepard who also illustrated The Wind in the Willows.
ReplyDeleteYour sea bream would be enough for me.
Sadly, I am not a classical book reader.
ReplyDeleteI have read some Jane Austen, such as Pride + Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, some Charles Dickens and I particularly liked David Copperfield, but my knowledge is very limited.
My DID book choice was a Daphne du Maurier triology, but I don't class that as, classic english literature.
I therefore, cannot comment on Seasider's book list - which I imagine is just brilliant. 📖📚
PS I have never even read Winnie the Pooh, though I know the story, just like Toad of Toad Hall.
Delete....or is it Wind in The Willows? This shows how much I don't know 😥
DeleteOff topic slightly, which is not in line with Seasider's list.
ReplyDeleteBeing quick - if any one of you have the BBC News app, there is a great piece "A practical guide to how to socialise in England now" Interesting reading.
Sorry to interupt "off topic".
Gary, thank you for your heading!!😊
ReplyDeleteMiriam, I loved Jamaica Inn and Frenchman’s Creek and was very excited to visit the places that inspired the novels when on holiday in Cornwall, and see the house Du Maurer lived in, across the water from Fowey.
I read Rebecca quite recently and enjoyed that and the film, which I believe we discussed on here a while ago.
Seasider : loved your list (and Gary’s spelling of ‘Exquisite!). Not read all of them but will definitely put the ones I don’t know onto my reading list.
ReplyDeleteOne of the books you mentioned, Seasider is on my list and one of the authors could easily have been .
ReplyDeleteWill check out "Meadowland" .
It sounds like the sort of book I will enjoy.
Thank you
As for the meal.,just to let you know that when I pop round to see you ,you don't need to go to so much trouble!
🤗
DeleteThank you for your list Seasider. I have the audiobook of Jude read by Jeremy Irons so know that quite well. I know Wuthering Heights too and love Winnie the Pooh. I will have to research the others.
DeleteI'm like you Gary and loathe tiramisu.
I'll have those lovely fish dishes please Seasider.
ReplyDeleteHave had great fun in the past playing pooh sticks with my children.
Like Wuthering Heights very much, films and book. Hardy was an author I studied and liked despite thinking a lot of his work was darkly dire, especially Jude! Can't go wrong with poetry, any poetry ! Have never heard of J.L.S. so thank you for introducing someone new to me, am now off to track down Meadowland as that sounds just like my thing.
Miriam I once watched an outdoor performance of Jamaica Inn actually in the courtyard outside Jamaica Inn. It was performed just as dusk was coming down, the inn sign was creaking in the wind. The actors were moving amongst us and suddenly I realised the hanged man was swinging from the sign behind us. It was probably the most atmospheric play I have ever seen.
ReplyDeleteI think Daphne du Maurier was a really good storyteller. Doesn't matter if an author is considered classical or not. The only thing that matters in my book is if the author can tell a story that enthrals and holds the reader to the very last page.
Miriam, now that Cornwall has been brought into my life courtesy of my daughter and her husband I am looking forward to discovering Daphne du Maurier her books and the places she set those books in.
ReplyDeleteAs Janice has said, atmosphere, the story and how it makes the reader feel is what is important, not what the literary world considers classic, or not.
Wonderful experience you described Janice.
When living in Dorset for a while I sat on the hillside at Corfe Castle at midnight on midsummers night and watched a special outdoor performance of The Tempest.
Those special performances are often so magical.
Thank you for all your comments and interest in my choices. Anneveggie: Jeremy Irons reading Jude 😍.
ReplyDeleteJanice, your experience of Jamaica Inn at Jamaica Inn sounds really enthralling. I saw A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the grounds of Edith Wharton’s house and the characters coming out of the trees on a warm summer evening added a wonderful dimension to the experience.
For those who are interested in the nature writing, I almost picked Wildwood by Roger Deakin, who is another writer (sadly died) whose work I admire and can immerse myself in the places he experiences.
Sorry to the veggies for my food choices. I actually don’t like to eat meat very often and I am just as happy with a plate of pasta primavera. Could have chosen this, but now I am cheating, throwing in more choices 🤫🤭
M’y only experience of outdoor theatre was being taken to the open air theatre in Regents Park on a school trip. It was to see A Midsummer Nights Dream which we were reading for A Level. Seeing the play made understanding the book so much easier, I think all Shakespeare should be seen as a live play before being read!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it was on a very hot summers day and there was a long walk from the coach through the park to the theatre. The thing I remember most was the strong scent of privet hedges which were in flower. To this day, whenever I smell flowering privet it takes me back almost 60 years to Regents Park.
Thanks Seasider..I really don't know most of your choices except Winnie and I do think I remember Alan Bennett being on Jackanory many many years ago reading the Pooh stories.
ReplyDeleteLove fish Seasider so smoked salmon and bream are given a thumbs up👍👍👍
Seasider. Books.
ReplyDeleteI have never read any Winnie the Pooh. When I was very little it books on Rupert the Bear.
I have always found Wuthering Heights fascinating and when I first read it aged 11 It scared me witless.
My sister did Hardy for A Level so we had to read him with her.
Like some others here I have never heard of Meadowland.
S Heaney. Another product of the Land of Saints and Scholars. He reminded us that we “as humans are the hunters and gathers of values, that our solitudes and distresses, are creditable, insofar, as they, too are an earnest of our veritable human being” So apt for the world we live in today.
I’ll give the sea bream a miss, but would happily eat everything else. With lots of wine.