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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.
*** FROM PREVIOUS BLOG ***
ReplyDeleteLanjan. - August 23, 2020 at 8:27 PM
Basia ,
This is where your prize is going.
This week, we’d like to do something kind for 70 young people from Yorkshire who are at risk of homelessness.
Some of them have recently been homeless, and some are at risk of becoming homeless, for all sorts of reasons. Most have had problems at home and their relationship with their family has broken down, causing them to leave in a rush.
They have all been helped by a homeless charity’s ‘prevention service’ to secure a place to stay, but they have very few - or sometimes no - belongings.
The charity workers helping these young people asked if we could help provide one of the crucial things these young people need – bedding. With your help, we’d like to provide each of these young people with a bundle of new bedding, with a kind message tucked inside.
Janice - August 23, 2020 at 9:22 PM
That sounds a lovely thing to do.
That's a wonderful thing you've done Lanjan.
Delete*** THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS ***
ReplyDeleteAnd the very last name out of the hat is - Janice! Enjoy!
Thank you Gary. I have both a film and a book list, but will go with the films this time round in no particular order.
ReplyDelete1. Beauty and the Beast (2017 version). In memory of happy childrens birthday treats.
2. Avatar. Yes! Fantasy, Sci Fi and Dragons, what more could you want! plus the moral
message that Man needs to develop a whole lot more wisdom before he starts colonising
space.
3.The Matrix. Not necessarily easy or enjoyable, but virtual reality is advancing by leaps and
bounds (I don't know if any of you have experimented with wearing virtual reality goggles,
quite unnerving and not able just yet to make you lose your awareness of the "real" world).
When the technology has perfected itself it will enable paralysed people to escape into a
better quality of life which would be wonderful for them BUT, as in this film, in the wrong
hands it could become an instrument of control and power. It also explores the idea of
parallel worlds. People like Tom Campbell of NASA, and Elon Musk, think we are already
living in a virtual reality, a computer simulation created by some very advanced civilisation;
and if you are interested some experiments are beginning in California to attempt to prove
this. All very interesting stuff. Why am I 70 ?! I want to live long enough to know all this
stuff.
4. Jeremiah Johnson. Have watched this several times. Found it inspiring and moving.
5. The Hobbit. Love Tolkien/Beren and his so well thought out fantasy world.
If there is any underlying theme it is probably the development of character through adversity.
Choosing between them is impossible, maybe Avatar.
Food. Well first a picnic lunch on a sunny day out on the moor with home baked pasties ( and vegetarian ones for people like my son and Anneveggie) and cherry tomatoes from the garden, and not forgetting a bottle of sauce and a big flask of tea. Then after a nice ramble back home again for tea, poached egg on top of rock samphire from the beach steamed, and with butter, followed by using up the leftover pasty pastry to make blackberry and apple pie with either custard or clotted cream, or both!
DeleteThis has been a lot of fun Gary and brought back nice memories, thank you.
Oh dear Janice, I’m sorry I cannot comment on any of you films because I’ve not seen any of them - I might have done better with books!
ReplyDeleteBut your food is very Intriguing.
Picnic fare is lovely; poached egg on samphire, I should love to try. I have heard if it but never tasted any, I imagine it might be like dulce?
And a big thumbs up to the apple and blackberry pie - exactly what I made for dinner last night but sadly only with single cream, not clotted!
It doesn't really taste like dulce, and tastes a bit different from marsh samphire. We have got some of the rarer golden samphire growing here, but I try to stick to the ordinary rock samphire, picking it in June when it is tender and freezing some for the Winter.
DeleteI only know Beauty + The Beast, thanks to the kids.
ReplyDeleteI know of The Hobbit, from the book, but decided I didn't what to see the film, as it would have spoilt my images.
As for the picnic with home-made pasties and then blackberry and apple pie - Yummy.
I am not a samphire fan, as it is too salty for my taste, but a poached egg sounds lovely.
Soaking before steaming will remove some of the salt. It is a marmite love it or hate it type food. My daughter has pickled it before and I find that very nice.
DeleteThanks for your great choices & comments, Janice ! Very much 'thumbs up' for me where Avatar & The Matrix are concerned. I remember being pleasantly surprised that the themes of Avatar surfaced in a popular film. Thanks for jogging my memory about that intriguing/disturbing/ challenging Matrix - a landmark film.
ReplyDeleteYou've made me curious to see Jeremiah Jackson ( but will give the other 2:a miss)
Licking lips over all the food, but not the custard for dessert - definitely clotted cream 😋
Gary G.
ReplyDeleteThank-you, for your wonderful ideas, during both total "Lockdown" and the following time, although this is still far from normal + over.
The DID idea, was just inspirational, and it entertained + educated so many, in the deep and dark times.
Then - Films/Books. Another great one.
I, for one, have so enjoyed reading the choices from the so very, many devotees of this site.
May I, personally 👏👏👏👏 your wonderful care, in keeping me "sane"!
....along with the so many others, who have put up with my inane, witterings, every day. 😂
DeleteI am off to secure my property, as the next impending storm, is due tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI believe it is named as Storm Felix.
Let's hope it is not as bad as it is being forecast.
On Countryfile, last night, the lovely Tomacz, said Autumn is fast approaching - I hope that he is wrong for once, as I am not ready for this yet. To me, autumn is still a month away, which is the end of September.
...and evening meal is leftovers from last night, which was roasted veg (red onion, carrots, courgettes, red peppers, squash + potatoes) and turkey steaks.
DeleteI will do more green veg. to go with it and so enhance it.
I am afraid I haven't seen any of your film choices Janice but I do like a nice pasty.
ReplyDeleteI am not that keen on Cornish ones because I don't like the thick pastry but if they are more like Gregg's or like the ones I had as a girl where the pastry was really thin and they are nice and soft then they would be for me.
I even like them cold.
Fancy the samphire and poached egg .
Please may I have the blackberries before the6 go into the pie with the clotted cream?
Thank you.
Ooh has anyone had a Hollands meat and Potato pie?
ReplyDeleteI think they have to be called a potato and meat pie because there is more potato than meat..
Lovely hot or cold.
I rarely eat ready made pies - I prefer to make my own, so I know exactly what is in it. But that's me being fussy, as usual, though I admit to using chiiled pastry from the supermarket. This I always have in the freezer (both Puff + Shortcrust) when I can't be bothered to make my own, which often happens 😂🤣
DeleteThe rain here this afternoon was torrential -
ReplyDeletewith more to come plus mega wind.
For the Met office Autumn officially starts on September 1st Miriam 🍁
Me 🤗 🍁👍🏻🍁
When did that change, as I thought is was about Sept 20th/21st/ 22nd ie Michelmas.
DeleteAt least today was another hot, sunny + calm one, but this will change in the next few hours, as grey clouds are appearing fast.
I have just checked - the autumnal equinox 2020, happens on September 22nd at 1.30pm.
ReplyDeleteThat, to me, will be the 1st day of Autumn, and not before.
I hate the nights drawing in, and the thought of Winter approaching, so I put off Autumn, as long as I possibly can.
Very interesting choices Janice.
ReplyDeleteFirst your food - thank you for thinking of a veggie pasty which I would very much enjoy on a picnic. The blackberry and apple pie would be delicious with custard for me.
Your films - I haven't seen Matrix, Jeremiah Johnson or Hobbit. I loved Beauty & the Beast and have happy memories of going to see it with my daughter. She had a B & B birthday themed party too. Avatar was spoiled for me as, when I went to see it in a packed cinema, I had to sit two rows from the front as no other seats were available. I was nauseated and had to look away for a lot of the film due to being close to the 3D effects. I would have enjoyed it had I been able to sit farther away from the screen.
Miriam - I think you will find the storm due tomorrow is called Francis, not Felix.
ReplyDeleteNot that it’s name will make difference!
As Lady R reported we had an incredible amount of rain here this afternoon.
The flood stretched right across the road outside. Because the cottage is right on the edge of the road, every time a car or lorry went past it was if somebody was chucking a bucket of water at our lounge window. I felt as if I was sitting in a ships cabin, with the sea splashing up the portholes! 🌊
Janice - thank you! (And apologies for not changing the heading yesterday, but I met up with friends and we decided to get roaring drunk!)
ReplyDeleteI love The Matrix so much - did you know that filming has started on a new one which is due out next year? I also love Avatar and have watched all the Hobbit/Lord of the rings films at least a dozen times each. Have Disney+ so will give Beauty & The Beast a spin later. Never heard of Jeremiah Johnson and will be googling it in a minute...
I will happily scoff your picnic. All of it.
Janice....haven't seen any of your film choices so can’t comment.
ReplyDeleteI don’t care for pastry so I’ll have to be busy washing my hair on the day of the picnic. Lol.
I also can’t do runny eggs 🤮
I have had samphire and was pleasantly surprised.
Janice thank you for your. film choices.
ReplyDeleteI have only seen one, The Matrix, which I did enjoy. Apologies, I do love the cinema but anything related to Tolkien, Is not not my list. The Hobbit is about the only book I have never finished.
I’m not really into science fiction but have checked out Avatar and will try and watch. Had never heard of Jeremiah Johnson, will look it up.
I also love Cornish pasties, hot or cold, ideal for a picnic. Instead of tea I would like a bottle of cold, crisp white wine. Phelps in Hayle make the best bought pasties. However, C’s relatives who live in Falmouth make ‘proper ‘ pasties.
A poached egg on samphire, YES please.
I will have to decline the pudding.
It is all food for thought.
Will there be any cricket today I wonder? Raining here in Kent, quite heavily but at least I don't have to water the tomatoes and beans! Although tonight's planned BBQ will be an 'indoor BBQ.'
ReplyDeleteDifficult night last night so I have been up four hours already!
Lots to do today, all by phone and/or internet. Firstly I must chase up Dermatology clinic to see if I can get an appointment, since I should have seen a consultant two months ago. Everyone has been left in limbo since the providers of that service were kicked out by the NHS because they had concerns due to 'patient safety, unreliable reporting of health data and lack of accountability.' Bit fed up with it all. Only comfort is online information says condition usually disappears within one to two years but can take up to five! Me? Fifteen months since treatment began. I am so trying not to 'wish my life away!'
Second important call is to DWP to see if my pension has been calculated correctly. Apparently many divorced women who stayed at home when married to bring up children and did not do paid work, did not have their ex-husband's NI contributions taken into consideration when their pensions were calculated. I read about this in the DT and it has later appeared on Martin Lewis's website. Initial reading of the DWP website is very confusing about this but I will persevere!
Then I must read printed syllabuses and practice exam papers for the exam I have been asked to mark next summer and finally when youngest son and fiancee come over this evening must discuss what sort and style wedding cake she wants. Wedding next June but typical Virgo I am planning and making lists already!
Personally I love Autumn, harvests, rich colours and the lovely earthy smell of Autumn. Definitely my time of the year!
Goodness Spicy - you are going to be very busy today!
DeleteBut that’s probably better than being bored.
Will love to hear about the Wedding Cake plans. Last one I went to had a ‘cake’ made of dozens of cup cakes built up on a special
Stand. Different flavours & colours so you could pick your own favourite.
Must have been an enormous amount if work to make!
My timetable for today consists of a huge pile of Ironing done in front of an old Peter Sellars film - followed by Rosie’s 18th Birthday tea at which, I am told, a specially commissioned cake will appear. Don’t know what’s on it, but to keep the birthday girl happy it will have to be something to do with the theatre.
Model of the Old Vic + actors perhaps? 😂 🎂
Luckily future dil wants a traditional cake ie.fruit but no idea about tiers etc. It has got to be easier than one of my sisters' second wedding.
DeleteHer request was for an enormous fruit cake bottom tier, madiera middle tier and any type of vegan top tier! What with the hiring of extra large tin for base and hiring of stand and knife, travel to Maidstone shop to collect and return it cost hundreds. Needless to say that was my wedding present to her!
Do tell what the cake turns out be like! Have a lovely meet up with the family.
Spicy the last line of your post at 9.21am I am with you 100% and you so beautifully described Autumn that in my minds eye I could not only see it but smell it too 🤗 🍄 🍁
ReplyDeleteI woke up to a gloomy day, heavy rain and windy. As Tuesday is my "normal" shopping day, I went off as usual (but I don't need to travel far). Gosh it was so empty, but so well stocked, I actually bought all I wanted + more!
ReplyDeleteI was back home, eating breakfast after putting the shopping away, by 9.15am!! What a saddo - 😂
I, however, am so glad that I went when I did, as the wind + rain has been building up all day. It is now quite ferocious.
Keep going Spicy in getting in touch with the Dermatology Clinic - Why should there be no contact from them, re an alternative appointment? It is a difficult situation, but just perservere, as you should be seen.
ReplyDeleteI expect you have aleady rang and e-mailed the office which make the out-patients appointments, rather than the clinic.
I have always found that this is worthwhile, but that is in my own personal experience, only. Every hospital, and NHS trust, do things differently.
Please don't suffer in silence.
I love autumn too. I like the nights drawing in. Settling in arm chair, a cuppa, fire on, crappy telly....bliss. I don’t feel guilty for sitting doing nothing when it’s dark outside.
ReplyDeleteI’ve decided I like November best. Lovely chilly, frosty mornings but still can be bright at times....best time to go for a dog walk.
I love that cosy feel, on a winter Sunday afternoon. But I prefer to wait for this.
DeleteI am hoping for the usual Indian Summer, which often happens in September.
Spicy, husband’s contribution record whether married or divorced is now separate from your record. A apparently it changed in 1978. You will get credits for your child rearing days plus contributions you made when out working. You can pay for extra contributions and if your income is low you will get pension credits. I took it for granted that my pension would be based on my husband’s contributions as had been the previous case but by chance he heard on the radio it wasn’t so and we did over a period pay out to bring my contributions up. Even so, for my age group you needed a total of 39 years which although I paid the maximum, I fell short of the full pension getting 93% of it. I had a small addition for graduated pension I had paid when I was working outside the home.
ReplyDeletePensions, are a nightmare. When I gave up work, I thought my state pension age was 63, only then to find it had risen to nearly 66yrs.
DeleteI was put onto the new scheme, which actually will benefit me, but the wait!
The trouble is things are constantly changing. Although pension age is higher now, they only need 30 years’ contributions apparently. At least I got my pension at 60 although I must say I didn’t feel old enough! I remember when I was in DHSS rules changed so often, it was difficult to keep up so sympathise with DWP if they are confused!
DeleteYes - and the necessary contributions, are now something like 36/37yrs. The goal-posts keep changing. I know that well, but at least I know, I will be OK, and I will get what I have worked hard for.
DeleteWhen my husband died last year my pension was reviewed and I received a considerable amount from DWP back-dated to 2009 because they had failed to take his contribution into account! I must admit to being sceptical at the time, and it has been sitting in a BS account ever since, waiting for them to tell me it was paid in error and demanding it back.
ReplyDeleteSpend it! If the DWP made an error, then that's their problem, not yours. Take it as read and enjoy, in memory of your husband.
DeleteJust keep the relevant communications safe.
You have nothing to worry about.
If you are worried, talk to something like, the Citizens Advice bureau or similar.
Can’t really understand this, Sarnia! Confusion reigns!
DeleteOh, it's earmarked for my Greek courtyard garden (if that ever happens!) which will be a kind of memorial to him - lots of shrubs which happen to bear his name, elements of courtyards we have enjoyed on Greek islands over the years and a 'Roman shrine' corner with spouting lion water feature ,also often found in Greece, as a nod to his interest in archaeology. Some of it will also pay for the Moorish screens on the re-furbished terrace (they still haven't come!), as their name (Alhambra) and style reflect the enthusiasm of his visit to the Alhambra palace.
DeleteWhen we finally get round to organising ash-scattering,(in Sussex near his home town) some will be held back for my daughter's next visit from NZ for a small private gathering in his memorial garden.
We’re just sorting out my husband’s ashes. They are in an urn biodegradable in water. As a boy he used to sail from Hurst Castle as he lived in Milford on sea to Yarmouth on the island. A local tourist boat sails this stretch of the Solent so on October 19th, weather permitting, we have hired the boat to put the ashes into the sea near Hurst Castle. The sea was his life of course as he spent all his adult life in the navy. I tried to organise it for 21st as that is Trafalgar day but daycare for the dogs could only be arranged for the Monday so near enough. We will take a tot and toast the Immortal Memory - Lord Nelson and my Lt Commander!
DeleteHow sentimemtal and well thought out. It will be upsetting, but so very meaningful.
DeleteThat sounds lovely Ev - it will be a very special moment and of course his spirit is and always will be in your heart ♥️
DeleteWell P tb Y unlike for you ,for me the first fortnight on November is the worst time of the year
ReplyDeleteIn fact it starts on 31st October and then there is Divali and Bonfire Night.
All this means fireworks most evenings until the early hours of the morning.
Our Percy cat is petrified even when in the house if he hears a noise .
He spends a lot of that fortnight hiding behind my large desk .
I'll give you that fortnight and wI'll accept any other two weeks in exchange.
I do like Remembrance Sunday because that is the beginning of the end.
Don’t know whether you have tried a mild sedative for him. It helps Dudley a bit as he doesn’t get quite so hysterical!
DeleteIt's funny but in my life I've been 'owned' by twenty-ish cats and we had one dog when I was little and not one of those animals were frightened, in any degree, by fireworks! Certainly never hiding or shaking or whatever! The most noticeable reaction I can remember was a raising of the head and an enquiring look around before head down, nose in fur and back to sleep.
DeleteI wonder whether it was because of living in the country? Not that I have heard an excess of shotguns, cherry-bangers or clay-pigeon shooting going off bang, just occasionally.
Very strange that animals should be so sensitive nowadays.
As a family we have always loved fireworks, and set them off in the garden or field, admittedly mainly pretty rather than very loud ones, and we have always expected our cats to enjoy them as well. As kittens we would cuddle them while watching the fireworks so they became used to them, and there was only one that grew up deciding she preferred to hide under the bed. Probably more difficult to achieve with an older or rescue animal. I do wonder how much animals reflect their owners likes and dislikes.
DeleteBuddy and Gypsy don’t turn a hair at fireworks but Dudley is a nervous dog and gets beside himself.
DeleteLanjan - Thank you for investing my prize so wisely.
ReplyDeleteJanice - I've not seen any of the films but would come to the picnic/foraging.
Basia I am pleased that you gave me the opportunity to do so.
ReplyDeleteI think "52 Lives " is a lovely idea because so often so many needy people lie undetected.
I had a weird experiance, yesterday morning. I didn't post this last night, as it was Janice's day of her choices, so I respected that.
ReplyDeleteI had just got into a lovely bath, relaxing with "bubbles", when I heard strange noises. It was the window cleaner!
Luckily, they are ones who use brushes, so always are only on ground level. My bathroom window (top hung) was open, to let the steam out. As I was soaking, the brushes started to clean the window. I then had a cold shower, as the water shot through the open window, and it hit me, lolling in the bath!
Luckily I pay on-line 🤣
This was 8.00am.
DeleteMiriam, LOL😂🤣😂
DeleteOh Miriam that is priceless. I hope you tell him, he will be able to dine out on that story for weeks! 😀
DeleteGeorge Formby, as I live and breathe, alive and well and still 'at it' in Chester!
ReplyDeleteLanjan.....re November.
ReplyDeleteAh yes I agree to a certain degree. I will admit that I park our car so it blocks the drive on 31st Oct so people can’t get up. Not that we have many kids round us. Flipping American import.
We usually have a couple of nights of fireworks but I tend to just turn the telly up loud to block them out.
Halloween is Scottish!!!!!
DeleteIs trick or treating Scottish too?
DeleteI remember “Oor Willy”going trick or treating! Having a Scottish Dad we always had “The Sunday Post” with Willy and “The Broons”. Mike and Katy bought me a Broons book one Christmas. Katy couldn’t understand it as she said it was in dialect! I am bilingual as had Scottish Dad and Brummie Mum!
DeleteFireworks can go on for a week here around 5th November. Last year someone posted that they were going to have fireworks and if pets didn’t like it tough luck. They can’t ever have had to deal with a frightened dog or cat. It wouldn’t be so bad if it was just one or two nights but it does go on and on!
ReplyDeleteSpicy - 11.23 am
ReplyDeleteYou asked what the cake was like - well I wasn’t far wrong in my guess.
A tall round cake with red icing over top and down the sides with a gap at the front and the red side ‘curtains’ held back with golden tassels, and a golden tasseled fringe across the top - in other words a theatre stage. With a photo of Rosie acting in a recent play fixed to the gap between the curtains. Two beautifully modelled theatre ‘sad and happy’ masks fixed to the top and Rosie’s name on a ‘Banner’ advertising the play held up on flagpoles on the top. The icing around the circular cake board said “All the World’s a Stage”. The cake itself was three deep layers, very lemony with lemon curd butter cream filling.
Needless to say she loved it....and so did we! 😋
That sounds absolutely wonderful. I am glad you enjoyed it Archerphile.
DeleteWow a stunning cake Archerphile - a pity to eat it 🤣
DeleteBeautiful!
DeleteSynaesthesia has been discussed on this blog in the past. BBC World Service has a programme about this just after 3pm today.
ReplyDeleteBelated happy birthday to all who have recent birthdays. 💐💐🎂🎉🎈🎁
ReplyDeleteArcherphile - your granddaughters cake sounds amazing.
Gary. Sorry to dampen your claim regarding Halloween being Scottish, it is originally a Celtic festival which we also celebrated it in Ireland. The tradition was taken to America and of course they made it bigger with giant pumpkins 🎃 and menacing demands. The Catholic Church in the twelfth century appropriated the event by making the festival All Souls’ Day (ghosts) and the 1st all saints day.
ReplyDeleteWe used to knock on doors wearing a home made mask reciting the following,
Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, Please put a penny in the old mans hat and so on. It was originally a pagan ritual at the start of winter to ward of ghosts but maybe also a method of putting on fat for the winter period.
I assume that to what P tb Y was referring is the dreadful practice on 31st October where children wearing masks knock on people's doors demanding sweets.
ReplyDeleteNow surely that did come from America.
Some years we have hardly any trick or treaters but last year we had a lot.
Perhaps because of the Corona Virus we may not have any this year
50 years ago, I and every single one of my friends was doing EXACTLY that. (As MY parents and THEIR parents did decades before us.) We had to perform a song or a dance or tell a terrible joke in order to get our treats.
DeleteExactly Janet.
ReplyDeleteIn the village near us porch lights, or an outside light is left on if you wish to participate, but kept turned off if you don't.
ReplyDeleteIt seems round here if you are keen to participate you place a pumpkin lantern outside the front door. My son does it in Germany too.
DeleteI've never encouraged it but even so when my children were at school it certainly wasn't done around here in N. Kent so that would be about 30 years ago.
I do vaguely remember 'tricking' many, many years ago when talc or flour were thrown at a front doors but can't remember people buying bags of sweets to keep inside the hall ready to hand out to strangers knocking at the door.
Like others my hall light is off and if /when the door bell rings it is ignored!
Belated birthday wishes to 🦁🦁🦁
ReplyDeleteBeen happily becalmed in Corrèze with little or no wifi.
Lovely touching posts, Sarnia & Ev, yesterday 7ish.
Miriam 🤣🤣🤣!
Got home to find someone had nicked my one & only butternut squash from the potager 😠😠
Left all the potimarrons....
Pumpkins didn't exist in Scotland 50 years so we used to carve "neeps" turnips. But we also had to sing a wee song or recite a poem to get a " penny caramel".
ReplyDeleteDressing up was your mother's old high heels and dirndl skirt with a fancy hat and handbag.
My mother had a Fox fur stole that she wore in the 40s that I used . The din clattering up the street in those high heels and of course the pink lipstick. ....no fireworks though. ..at least not intentionally😊😊😊
I read that the original 'Jack o' lanterns' were turnips but when the 'tradition' was taken to America there were no turnips there, just an abundance of wild growing pumpkins, so the residents there used them instead!
DeleteOn the council estate where I grew up in south London,( late forties through the fifties ) we would go door knocking at Halloween chanting exactly as Stasia has quoted.
ReplyDeleteI think some of us may have had flour to mark where we had been.
Sweets were handed out and sometimes pennies given. It was however very low key and I have no memory of dressing up, nor of lanterns made from vegetables.
( we had one dear elderly lady, Scots, who I remember with great affection, who encouraged us children to maintain traditional rituals whenever possible)
On the estate in west London where I lived for two decades, I usually, though not always, joined in by being ghostly or witch like in my response when opening the door, if children were older. I often did buy sweets for the occasion.
When mothers started accompanying their two and four year olds, I bowed out of the whole shenanigans.
Like many other traditions it has been changed by American influence from simple ritual into an elaborate charade.
I almost forgot..when I was in the brownies and guides we had Halloween parties where we had "dookin for apples" and treacle buns.
ReplyDeleteI personally love Halloween..ghosts, spooks , fog and Tam O Shanter.
Me too Autumnleaves. It's my favourite time of the year by far!
DeleteTo be honest I don't mind too much about the handing out of sweets it is the fireworks which bother me more.
ReplyDeleteNight after night we hear the loud bangs ,frightening the animals.
What a terrible waste of money as well .
Years ago we only had fireworks on 5th November .
We all turned up at the Vicarage and ate treacle toffee and parkin.
You could get sparklers which you could hold and whizz round to make shapes in the dark .
I hated jumping jacks .
Catherine wheels often came off the fence to which they were insecurely fixed.
The main thing was to have a big bonfire .
We put potatoes underneath it when it was dying down .
No butter or even marg to add to the potatoes when cooked.
Maybe a bit of salt.
Guy Fawkes night..guisin..Dressing up again probably what you wore on Halloween..taking around the Guy, built by the local kids calling...a penny for the Guy.....and building a big bonfire with baked tatties to eat cooked in the fire..and the smell of sulphur from the fireworks.
DeletePretty much the exact same childhood memories as you Autumnleaves. And the colder & foggier the nights the better!
DeleteWhen this Corona virus started and we were in lockdown straight away I thought I would write down what life was like in the 40s and 50s when I was growing up .
ReplyDeleteWell I have started it .
I have written quite a bit but I have still only got to the age of seven.
No car, holidays spent with relatives, my mum's cast off clothes ,no peer pressure ,little money.
However I still think I had a wonderful childhood.
Those who decided that Enid Blyton should be banned because she wrote about the privileged were wrong.
It never bothered me that other people had what I didn't have .
(I would have loved to have had midnight feasts in the dorm though!)
Does anyone agree with me?
Probably couldn't agree more Lanjan!
DeleteMe too , Lanjan.
DeleteI'm with you Lanjan. Growing up in a small market town, with just a couple of friends from the same lane we spent ages over fields and woods pretending to be on adventures like Enid Blyton characters. We had to make our own entertainment for the whole summer, occasional trips to a village with a beck to play in whilst mother sat in a deck chair, and we loved it. I think my childhood was great. Much better than children have nowadays. Even though my mother lived in the same bungalow all my life, when my son was little I wouldn't let him go traipsing over the fields like we did........in a way, such a shame.
DeleteWhen I lived in northern Virginia I realised that autumn was my favourite season. The colours of the trees in the Shenandoah valley were breathtaking. Little stalls by the side of the road selling chestnuts, apples and cider.
ReplyDeleteNow that I live in N. Italy it's mushrooms, polenta , pears, apples and c hestnusts..many festivals for these foods but don't know about this year with covid. I think all the festivals have been cancelled.
And of course the new wine from "la vendemia"the grape harvest..oh yes I love autumn🍄🍄🍐🍐🍏🍏🍎🌰🌰
I now understand, your "name"..😀
DeleteIt's the song Miriam..."The Falling Leaves.......🎶🎶🎶
DeleteWhere I grew up we didn’t celebrate Guy Fawkes, it wasn’t done to be seen burning catholics. I doubt most children would know the origins of this yearly ritual. When I first came to England I was surprised to see children begging for money ‘for the Guy’.
ReplyDeleteI hate Halloween and always have! This is more prevalent now, with the awful, imported American - Trick or Treat. I know the kids in my family, each year, have fancy Halloween outfits, to wear and go out doing this. Well, they enjoy it, so should I condone it?
ReplyDeleteHowever, November 5th, was/is different.
Like others, I can recall, Catherine Wheels spinning off the fence still alight (as not put on securely enough) and escaping from the Jumping Jacks, which was just pure fun.
We always had sausages, baked beans, and as LJ said, baked potatoes (pre-cooked) but finished off, in the embers of the fire.
But then, the bonfire etc started early, as soon as Dad got back from work. This must have been 5.30-6.00 pm.
What I remember, is that the small bonfires were in your own back gardens. These gardens, must have been so much bigger, but I can't recall that.
As a southerner, it was a fruity gingerbread on Nov5th, as made by Mum, and allowed to "mature", for a few days.
I now know Parkin, along with an Edingburgh Bun for a New Year Celebration.
That should read - Scottish Black Bun.
DeleteI was brought up with Enid Bylton books.
ReplyDeleteNoddy, the Famous Five, the Secret Seven, Mallory Towers and my favourite, The Enchanted Wood, Wishing Chair, Magic Faraway Tree, and this series of books.
I then went onto JRR Tolkien - what a difference, but that was when I went to Grammar School and found these in the school library.
My 9yr old grand niece, is a real "book worm". She loves reading, but in "lockdown" she has become addicted to her i-phone. Mum + Dad, are now limiting her to 30mins a day, she can stiil keep in touch + chat with her friends. Once she is back to school, next week, this might change dramatically, as they don't want her to be dependant + reliant on it.
DeleteShe can use the computer for school work etc, but under guidance.
Technology is important + also very necessary, in this day + age, but it will be done, in a sensible way.
Plus, she and her younger brother, just love board games and jigsaws, particularly Chess + Monopoly.
DeleteNiece + I, last played Monopoly together as a team - we won!!
Lanjan 3.20 p.m. Like you, I too started to write down some memories of my childhood at the beginning of lock down. Haven't got very far and so many memories to write. No central heating of course and running down to the kitchen in the winter where there was an oil heater. Bonfire night and boys outside the newsagents saying penny for the guy. The fireworks which scared me, specially when one got into my shoe! Being in the May Queen. Don't remember Halloween at all though. When I became a teenager I do remember some people having a Halloween party but all very low key.
ReplyDeleteI've had a wonderful laugh in the last five minutes....
ReplyDeleteThe reason ?
Quote of the week in my book.......
" where I grew up......... it wasn't done to be seen burning Catholics "
Thank you Stasia.
Thank you MrsP.
DeleteI surpassed myself this morning.
ReplyDeleteWoke at 5.30, couldn’t get back to sleep
Got up, washed, dressed, had breakfast, sorted out a shopping list.
Left home 7.15, drove to Sainsburys and was in the store shopping at 7.45
Back home at 8.30, carried shopping in (it’s a long trek from the end of the garden), unpacked, put everything away.
Made self cup of coffee, watched news on TV.
9.00 a rather bleary Mr A put in an appearance in the kitchen, totally unaware I had been out and done the big weekly shop!!
Perhaps should add, I am very much a lark and he’s an owl! 🐦/🦉
Congratulations, AP !
DeleteAlso, having had such a busy time so early in the day, you might well enjoy a decent sleep tonight !
I’m with Mr A Archerphile 🤣
DeleteI am a lark. When I fully wake up, I have to get up, I can't lie in bed!
DeleteLike Archerphile, I go off shopping at about 8.00am and home soon after 9.. It suits me and Sainsbury's is always so empty at that time.
I am an early to bed person, and love snuggling into bed, with the radio on but this is now in the dark. 😣
Really interesting dipping in after a few days and reading all these posts. Stasia I think you are right that the tradition of burning an effigy of Guy Fawkes, (although I was told as a child it was because he tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament, and him being a Catholic was left out of the story, and did you know he was from York) is not a part of history that is mentioned any more, nor do folk have a guy on their bonfire or even have a bonfire, just fireworks. I noticed guisers, masks and dressing up have been mentioned here so I am wondering whether guiser became guy, and there was an earlier target before Guy Fawkes.
ReplyDeleteI remember carrying a turnip lantern around the streets for hallowe’en and going to a bonfire and fireworks on the beach and having hot dogs on 5 November. Never a weekend always the 5th. The beach bonfire was great fun but they stopped when one year a girl sitting on the sandbanks was hit by a firework. Thankfully not badly hurt. 4 November was mischief night and that’s when naughty children rattled folk’s bin lids (metal ones then) or hid them or rang door bells and ran away. No waiting for sweets or treats. I only came across the truck or treat thing about 20 years ago down south and didn’t understand it. Some would shout through the letter box “we know you’re in there” and the bell would ring twenty times in an hour. I found it quite intimidating and I hadn’t a clue how I was supposed to respond. Now they leave you alone if there’s no pumpkin outside but the streets are so full it’s like a carnival.
trick or treat of course...
DeleteToday we are both light of heart and once more counting our blessings. Mr R has had a very uncomfortable throat since June. Telephone consultations and a visit to surgery for bloods and exam resulted in antibiotics but no change. Next step a quick referral to Basingstoke Hospital a (week ago Monday) a phone call from them 2days later and a visit yesterday for camera up the nose. Bottom line NOT cancer which was mind blowing great news 🙏🏼 🤗
ReplyDeleteDiscussion and advice given on throat condition and large Hiatus Hernia regarding diet and consequences of that. Also advised on the med taken for this to keep the same but to also use Gaviscon Advanced. The consultant pleased to be imparting good news and kept on apologising for the wait - Mr R replied “I don’t mind how long I’ve waited for to get news like that!”
We thanked him for the job being done under such trying circumstances and how much it is appreciated- rooms cleaned between patients etc extending their work schedule and he seemed not only pleased but a little taken aback. (How sad is that!)
I was allowed to accompany Mr R as a carer, the hospital as always was immaculate and the system in place well organised we thought. Outside the front doors there was an area for Covid testing in your car partly covered to keep the staff dry. I repeat “Oh happy day” 👏🏻
That is truly good news, Lady R - not only not the worst news but a clear diagnosis + treatment. Hope the meds reduce the discomfort of the hiatus hernia. I imagine the difficult bit will be sticking to the diet advice ?
DeleteIt is indeed sad that the consultant was pleased but taken back at being thanked. Would have thought that a grateful acknowledgment was automatic at any time, let alone this time.
Cheers to both of you!
Gaviscon Advance is great stuff. It's my "stand-by" for indigestion and wind!
DeleteThat reminds me - my bottle is out-of-date, so I must replace it.
That’s wonderful news Lady R and must have been a huge relief for both of you.
DeleteBless our great local hospital!
It is good to hear that hospitals are coping with the extra tasks required so well, and with good will.
ReplyDeleteWish I could say the same about the nursing home that my lady is now in.
Resentment all round, dismissal of all concerns from myself and her daughter, and exasperation from them that we even want to visit. Plus a manager who is clearly not managing and is being overruled by her staff.
Lady R, I do hope you and Sir R can now be able to set your worries aside.
Lady R Good News about "Lord R"
ReplyDeleteI am like you, I always say thank-you for good service + attention. People are (or perhaps now that is were) always so quick to complain, and rude.
It is so nice to hear something complimentary, for a change.
I say this from experience, when I was working.
I had a sad case, a young man in his 30's dying from cancer, and at home for his final days.I had to supply and change his oxygen cylinders twice a day, which I did even over a bank holiday weekend. He sadly passed away on the BH Monday afternoon.
Three days later, his wife appeared, with the most wonderful bouquet of flowers, to say Thank-You. It meant a lot,
I had a delay with my 2nd cataract procedure last year. I saw the consultant re my eye pressures in August. She was not happy with the wait and told me she would look into this. As a result, this was procedure was done, 4 weeks later. On seeing her in February, I thanked her, profusely, for her intervention and the speed it suddenly happened.
DeleteAs Lady R, also said, she was surprised at my thanks and gratitude, which I expressed to her.
Delighted to hear your news Lady R.
ReplyDeleteI too am a lark but used to stay up late to listen to The Archers!
Good news your magnificence, LadyR. Did they know you were were a VIP as you bestowed your gratitude? You are important to us on the blog. 😊
ReplyDeleteI am not a natural 🦉 owl, lark or any sort of early or late bird. I do get up early but only because I have to eat. The kettle and toaster call to me around 7.am. I have tried to encourage the cat to go down and act like a Polly with the kettle. No good she won’t play ball. So I end up making her breakfast.
Yes ! And the feline tyrants always have to be fed first, don't they, before you see to your own breakfast ..
DeleteMine just has a bowl of very nutricious, cat biscuits plus water, constantly available, so just eats when she wants! She rarely gets up before mid-day, preferring to stay asleep on my bed.
DeleteWe do our own routines, which suits us 😽
We can’t do that with our dogs as the boys have to be fed separately or Gypsy would eat the lot! They sometimes leave some so we have to take it up before madam helps herself! Her weight is a problem and also her diet important because of her medical problems. 🐶🐶🐶
DeleteLady R so pleased to hear your news! Lovely after possibly fearing the worst!
What a horrible, rainy + cold day. I was so cold, I put on one of my thick winter cardigans. I was determined, not to put the fire on, as August is far too early to do so, and I don't want to start my heating bill, just yet awhile.
ReplyDeleteWhere has the hot August Bank Holiday, disappeared to?
Not that a BH means anything to me now and particulary this year, with this, still very strange time.
I am just feeling a bit down tonight, but this feeling will soon pass.
DeleteIt is my SAD feeling starting, after such an awful, gloomy, and cold day.
Tea is cooking, and will be tasty, and will be ready just in time for TA tonight. 😁
What a lovely and caring group of virtual friends you are.🤗 Mr R thanks you all for your kind messages as do I 🥰
ReplyDeleteHe gets to hear blog highlights and has shared in others pain and has enjoyed many a jolly good laugh too. We also have to smile at our added “ titles” that appear ie Lord, Sir. Lordship & Ladyship, HRH, Your Magnificence etc they all add to the amusement to be found here 🤣
Today I caught up on some sleep after my “post” early afternoon I just conked out and did not even hear the thunder we had, however I did wake to see the rain - yikes could hardly see through it.
We had good news from Canada today.
ReplyDeleteMy son and family have been allowed to return to their home.
Fortunately for them in spite of the smell of smoke and burnt trees there appears to be very little damage although one house in the lane was destroyed.
Apparently the fire stopped about 100 yards away .
The local wildlife seem to have taken up residence in the garden because it is now full of deer poo!
Perhaps it makes good manure for the garden.
Another thing was that all the water bombs from the air watered the garden and my daughter in law has already harvested a lot of fruit and vegetables.
Sadly though a house in the lane was completely destroyed by fire.
Thankfully .no lives were lost.
I wonder if they will change their minds about not moving now, and perhaps go somewhere safer even if it is beautiful there. I didn't realise Canada had fires like that.
DeleteA day of good news all round then Lanjan so pleased that your son & dil’s home has survived and that they have been able to return. A very harrowing time all the same and feel for the owners of the one home lost a sad event even though no lives lost is of course the main thing.
ReplyDeleteMUCH better news, Lanjan - very glad to hear this.
ReplyDeleteSeems to be a good news day 😊
I’ll add to the good news. I got a letter from the hospital today saying I’ve got my Botox appointment for the 22nd Sept. can’t wait.
ReplyDeleteAt last, PtbY- brilliant ! Very happy for you. Less than 4 weeks to go....
Delete( 3rd piece of really positive news on the blog today)
Ptby 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 so very pleased for you.
DeleteGood news all round.
ReplyDeleteLJ- so pleased that Canadian son and family are safe and sound and only clearing up to do. Hope that a good community spirit will help the household less fortunate
And PtbY - that month will pass quickly. Good luck.
You must be very relieved.
Miriam - Ive been putting my heating on early evening for the last week. Just for an hour, it takes the chill off. You've worked hard for your home in the past, don't go without if you don't really need to, now.
I've got a telephone consultation tomorrow for my ankle.
Another hurrah 🤗
DeleteGood news for everyone then!
ReplyDeleteA really good day for many of us. That’s much better all round. I feel cheered up.
My only gripe is that we were flooded again during an enormous thunderstorm this afternoon. Cascades of water thrown up from the road as stupid motorists think they can plough through deep water at 70 mph past our poor old cottage.
Anyone got a Sou’wester I can borrow?
Oh no AP! Do you mean water actually came into your cottage as you have mentioned before your frontage is near to the road?
DeleteNo, not actually into the house this time, Lady R.
DeleteThe lounge window faces the road. Distance Between the window and the road is about 6 - 8 feet and there is a 5ft high fence between us and the zooming traffic.
I sit on the sofa under this window, so every time a great wave of water sloshes up over the fence and hits the window, I find myself ducking to avoid ‘getting wet’.
It’s an automatic reaction I can’t help and I really feel as if I’m going to get soaked! 😂
We could get a higher fence installed but that would cut out light to the lounge and we are reluctant to do it for the sake of one or two floods a year........
Mind you, if this climate change continues......
A better solution would be for the council to come and clear the gullies that are supposed to drain water from the road, so that it doesn’t flood every time there is heavy rain, or put
“Slow Down - Flood” signs......some hopes!
I would buy a couple of "Slow Down - Very Deep Floodwater" signs & put them up myself if the council weren't going to do it! We live in a "20 mph" zone, but the council took away the sleeping policemen for some bizarre reason and of course most motorists don't bother slowing down in the slightest. Grrrr.
DeleteI think your only neighbours live on a higher level Archerfile or I would suggest doing what I did. After years of complaining about the flooding of a tiny 1400's cottage at the bottom of a slope that I rent out, I got together with my tenant and better still with the second home owner who lived next door for 3 months of the year, and we started absolutely bombarding Cornwall County Council. One at a time one after another, and kept it up for months, and in the face of the united complaints they caved in and put new drains and gullies in.
DeleteP.s. it helps to take photos of the flooding.
DeleteAnd of the blocked gullies.
DeleteDelighted to read everyone's good news today. Long may it continue!
ReplyDeleteI too am pleased to read everyone's good news and indeed may it continue.
ReplyDeleteI hope everyone will forgive my rather grouchy (but honest) comment on the other blog BTW.
...and last of all, the nurse has decreed that, bar any odd setbacks, my wound has healed sufficiently to be left without a dressing, so I can reach to open cupboards and bend to pick up flower pots with impunity without worrying about coming unstuck every few hours. (fingers crossed).
ReplyDeleteMy fingers are crossed too, Sarnia. Good news so far. Great.
DeleteFingers crossed indeed Sarnia.
Delete🙏🏼 🤞🏼me too Sarnia
DeleteEchoing comments that it’s good to hear of improvement in folks’ health and well-being and as Gary says, long may it continue 🤗🌈
ReplyDeleteLots of good things happening. That's nice, a good start to what seems like Autumn beginning.
ReplyDeleteGary, did you try the kefir?
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear good news!😁
Ha! There was none left on the shelf Ev - it's STILL on my list...
DeleteDon't be put off if you find the shop kefir too sour. You can make it yourself, which I did for quite some time, and adjust it to suit your own taste. It is really good for you.
DeleteI’ve just ordered some honey and ginger flavour from Morrison’s. I suppose you could add some honey to the plain one to sweeten and flavour it. I’m quite happy with the plain though. It’s all a matter of individual taste!
DeleteHoney and ginger sounds really nice.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your reply Archerphile. Understand why you duck when the flood water hits your lounge window it must make quite a noise too. Are you on a main busy all day road or a cut through “rat runs” as I believe they are called. Either way not pleasant ☹️
ReplyDelete(The rain this week on both Tuesday and Thursday was just unbelievable barely able to see through it 😱)
Lovely to hear good news!
ReplyDeleteHappy days everyone.
Delete☔️ Went to Hereford for a wet outing and this old market town it is like a ghost town. Have never seen so many empty and closed shops. Sad. Had a coffee in a central, very old church, half of which is now a cafe/restaurant. Then came home.
Hereford was getting a bit sad when we lived in Ledbury. There used to be a covered market where you could get fresh fish, meat and veg with other assorted stands. There was a good haberdasher. I think the market subsequently moved. An old fashioned but good department store closed down. Such a sad county town. The cathedral redeemed it a bit with that wonderful Mappa Mundi and the chained library.
DeleteI agree with all, sharing everyones good news, such as:-
ReplyDeletePtby - getting her appointment for the botox and eye treatment, to so help her. This occurs on my "special day".
LanJan - with her Son + Wife, now getting back into their marital home, with no damage.
Happier Times are are beginning again.
Also I think, in just 14days time, Archerphile, will be experiencing her new and forever sight, in both her eyes, for the first time.
We have survived, and we will keep doing so..
I am waiting to hear from my vets re Pusscats yearly vaccine + health check, and also from my surgery re my normal 'flu vaccine.
This is a message for Miriam, so others needed bother to read.
DeleteI have been getting very worried for the past few days because my operated eye ( done exactly 2 weeks ago) has been getting redder, very gritty and I cannot see out of it nearly as well as on the first few days. Everything is as blurred as before the op!
This has really upset me and made me wonder whether to go ahead with the other eye, or just cope with the eyes I’ve got!
Mr A finally persuaded me to ring the surgeon ahead of my checkup appt on Wednesday.
He thinks I may well be allergic not only to the preservatives in eye drops but to the chloramphenicol itself. Some people react badly if they are using them for more than 3-5 days & I’ve been using them 4 times a day for 2 weeks.
So he has told me to stop those drops straight away & just use the dexamethasone ones that, being a steroid, should reduce the inflammation and grittiness. So that’s what I’m doing and hoping that will cure the problem and restore my perfect sight in that eye.
I’m now wondering what will happen after the second op. I’ll obviously have to use something topically to prevent infection but what? Perhaps I’ll find out on Wednesday.
So now I know I am allergic to penicillin and chloramphenicol - goodness only know what will happen if I ever get a serious infection !
Don't forget, that even a simple cataract appointment, is regarded as an op. I also was similar, 2 weeks in, with the same problem with the chloramphenicol (even preservative free). I was told, that it can take up to 4 weeks for full healing to occur and the vision to settle. I was reminded to obey the guide-lines re lifting + carrying, and just being careful.
DeletePS There are other eye antibiotics available.
Do not hesitate in getting the 2nd one done!
DeleteOn the other blog re Robert’s little blue pill, a few years ago we were in Nepal and went to a market. A vendor asked my husband would he like some Viagra to which Mike replied “No, but I would like the antidote!” Nepalese man dissolved into giggles! I do miss that Naval humour!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant. 🤣
DeleteLady R : 1.17
ReplyDeleteOur road is actually the A30 which used to be the main route from London to The West. However, when the M3 and A 303 were built that was supposed to take over all the west bound traffic. It did, and
it was very quiet when we first moved here 38 years ago, but like everywhere, traffic has built and built and we are now used as short-cut rat run for drivers who can’t be bothered to use Junction 7 of the M3. It is worse in the rush hours and at weekends.
Together with many other local folk we are now fighting, tooth and nail, to stop an enormous new distribution centre being built on farmland at Junction 7. They want to build huge warehouses there with 100s of HGV’s accessing the site daily. It will be a nightmare because they are bound to use our road as a rat run.
Local residents are up in arms about it but Basingstoke is considered a growth area so it could well be approved. 😭
😱 oh AP I do hope not!
DeleteArcherphile - your post is very concerning.
ReplyDeletePlease do contact your consultant again, immediately, if you notice any more changes.
I wish you had done so when you first noticed a difference, grittiness etc, possibly a week ago.
Eyes are so very delicate, and we should never presume that any form of medication is going to improve a problem just because it has been prescribed.
When prescribed it is to improve, but might instead make the problem far worse, but the medical profession knows this, which is why every medication comes with a warning.
Sorry to nag !
I've had my muscular/skeletal telephone consultation this afternoon.
ReplyDeleteGood news is that the ex ray on my right ankle shows some but not significant arthritis.
The news for my left ankle was that given my age and other considerations, it was agreed that I should have a steroid injection.
However due to Covid restrictions I would need to self isolate for two weeks prior and another week post the injection.
I have been using twice the amount of Voltorol gel over the period since my last consultation and this has almost completely eradicated the pain that I was formerly experiencing. So I have opted to wait until the present crisis is past or at least abated before having the injection.
I hope this also allows another patient to climb the ladder towards treatment.
Why wait? Just get it done, before Winter arrives. This will benefit you, both now and later. There could be a 2nd covid spike, so get it sorted now, whilst things are a bit more low key, and things are more under control.
DeleteRemember, your walking with Lady - you would want to continue this, surely.
Yes, I am nagging..🤗
Also, this virus is not going away, and a vaccine could be at least away.
DeleteI understand the problem re the isolation for that length of time (I would hate it), but think of the positive outcome, which will so help you, and Lady, with lovely crisp, winter outings together.
Do It!
...this should have read - a vaccine could be at least a year away -
DeleteGetting away from medical issues.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy every-one, this BH weekend with friends and families.
...but I think that "winter woollies" might well be needed 😣
and I doubt lovely, sunny BBQ's will be happening.
Still, a croquet game, can still be done, if Bro-i-law, manages to mow the lawn!
As the single person, I will have to remain outside, (a house-hold too many, to be able to go inside), but I accept this, but it will be great to meet up with family.
I need to find my gloves, woolly hat, and socks!
What a laugh, I have had tonight, watching BBC4 and the Sounds of the Sixties - 1968-1969, even though it was in colour.
ReplyDeleteThe miming to the music being played, was just awful, and as for the clothes + hair-styles..
From the Ridiculous to the Sumblime, the 1st night of The Proms, even in its very different and new, format.
What is the BBC up to, broadcasting the Proms on BBC2, clashing with the Edinburgh Tattoo on BBC1. Surely, both these will appeal to the same type of viewers, after months of pure drivel!
DeleteRant Over!
Easier to listen on R3 Miriam.
ReplyDeleteBut I turned the Beethoven off, and finished my book quietly.
Also - thanks for the nag, but the Volturol is doing the job very well and I am walking well again, so I will wait for the time being.
We watched the ‘First Night of the Proms’ on TV
ReplyDeleteIt was very strange seeing the musicians all spaced out across the stage and no audience whatsoever. We didn’t enjoy the first couple of items (too modern) but Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony sounded as good as usual and the Finnish Conductor was very smiley throughout.
But, I have to say - the Proms, it was not!