this post is closed
Life outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
Popular posts from this blog
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 ***
ReplyDeleteMiriam - September 29, 2020 at 6:59 PM
I was appalled today on shopping. Why are people panic buying again, as there is no need.
There were no tinned chopped tomatoes and the choice of pasta was limited, both of which I needed.
I do keep myself more stocked up than previously, but I cannot understand this need to panic buy, + why.
This is one advantage of living alone, as it is amazing how I can make a pack of 8 sausages into 4 tasty meals, using extra ingredients like dried lentils, veg. and whatever is available. I reckon I can feed myself for at least 4/6 weeks.
Miriam - September 29, 2020 at 7:13 PM
PS I replaced the milk in the freezer today, after the mishap on Sunday morning, along with a new loaf of bread. I always keep these as standby's, in case of snow, illness etc.when I don't feel like going out..
Lady R - September 29, 2020 at 7:33 PM
Very wise Miriam but of course you now have 2 knights in shining armour next door should an emergency arise 😘
Anneveggie - September 29, 2020 at 11:08 PM
My name is Anneveggie and I'm not an alcoholic. I did drink a fair bit in my youth and was ill quite a few times after too much so maybe that's a factor. I don't like the taste of a lot of alcoholic drinks. Most red wine is like poison to my taste, so sour and bitter. Plus, after a bit of a buzz I'm then left feeling a bit down so why would I be tempted.
Anneveggie I expect you know this but genetic variations affect our perception of bitterness and sweetness. In the past being able to easily perceive bitter foods was a protective thing because most poisonous plants are bitter.
DeleteI am in a minority of people who have a genetic variation that can pick up on aldehydes very easily. People who have this find that coriander leaves taste soapy. My daughter and I used to argue about putting coriander in salads etc. She experiences it as lovely, and just couldn't believe me when I said it tasted like soap. I was glad to eventually discover a reason why.
My daughter likes highly spiced food and I don't , so I just smile sweetly and say well it must be because it has aldehydes in it.😉
Miriam, I too am appalled at your recent shopping experience - but am happy to report that in Glasgow there appears to be no sign of similar.
ReplyDeleteAnneveggie, I share your intense dislike of red wine. I once attended a 2 day wine course and had to "suffer" the horror of spending an entire day tasting & talking about the horrible stuff. As I think i've said on here before, to me all red wine tastes like two pence pieces...
I'm with Anneveggie and Gary.
ReplyDeleteRed wine has to me the most awful taste, and it lingers.
White wine I am able to enjoy sometimes.
Like AnneV I drank quite a lot when in my late teens. Lots of gin !
Wouldn't touch with a barge pole now.
I grew up in a teetotal household and we attended the Salvation Army, so alcohol came with a dreadful warning, which I managed to overcome gleefully when young and pubs were large in my life.
But it was youthful activity, and when very drunk and sick and accompanied by the horrendous giddiness more than three or four times I soon walked away from alcohol.
And on the whole I've stayed away from it.
I am pleased to know that others share my dislike of red wine. Sometimes you can be made to feel like a party pooper if you demur. So not alcohol but I may be a Maltesers addict!!
ReplyDeleteAnneveggie - I reckon it's best to ignore party poopers, setting themselves up as the alcohol police !! Any gathering should be supplied with both red & white wine in order to cater for all( as well as water, still & fizzy, + soft drinks perhaps, if being extra considerate, which isn't so easy, as people vary even more over those)
DeleteVaried tastes indeed.....I like both red & white, dry or medium dry, with a slight preference for white these days, because, to me, it is less heavy. Purists wince at this, but I dilute both with water these days, to make the glass last longer ! Kind of daft.
ReplyDeleteOh, just to add, have discovered organic reds & whites at Tesco's ( yes!) & really experience the difference, with no diminishment of flavour. Others we know agree, so not just a subjective view. They cost a couple of quid more, but well worth it, I believe.
DeleteFavourite drinks - last blog, a late -in- the- day comment - fascinating reading Parsley's & MrsP's choices - everyone develops very definite tastes, it seems. BTW, never heard of Gerwurtz - what is it ??
ReplyDeleteNoted a general agreement with a) not coming to in the morning without a hot drink b) preference for Yorkshire tea. I concur strongly with both.
I usually only have one coffee per day, too hyper otherwise, &, if a second one happens, never late at night. Am moving recently towards black coffee as well.
Gewurtztraminer is a fruity white wine from Alsace. Like Piesporter these sort of wines are normally shunned by 'real' wine drinkers, but who cares. As for diluting, again, purists can say what they want, Shula used to drink white wine and soda.
DeleteI like a good Piesporter, a wine I had on my final family caravan holiday, in Germany and Austria age 17yrs. My final school year and college/uni. then beckoned, in the many years that followed.
DeleteGood news today as my niece tested -ve for the dreaded lurgy. She is obviously pleased, as can now get back to her normal life, but on the other hand, she is slightly disappointed. This is a strange thought, as she has been quite poorly but not very ill. Her idea was that if this it it - then I am surviving and it's over, and now have some sort of further protection. I understand her thinking, I think.
ReplyDeleteGG. What a great job l, in highlighting AP's lovely apple.
ReplyDeleteI haven't eaten nor seen, a James Greave apple for years.
My parents had such an apple tree in their garden, so I knew this variety well.
Now with the new rules in N.Wales, I might not be able to go to the Farm Shop I love, where so much produce is home-grown, as it is just across the border. I might just go, and do the innocent female act, if challenged. I do an oscar winning perfornance of this.
Thanks for the Gerwurtztraminer info', Basia - sounds nice. A white wine & soda is a spritzer.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, snobbery abounds about wine ( as about many other things !)
Parsley's list of choices yesterday, was brilliant. It inspired me to write my choices, now list No# 5.
ReplyDeleteThis might be the same as others, and if it is, then all I will say "Great Minds think Alike".
It is a Lucky Dip, so I will be waiting patiently for when I appear like the rabbit, from GG's hat.
I am off to cook chilli tonight. I am using turkey mince (2% fat) as a healthier alternative. It will still be hot + spicy, with both red + green peppers and pure chilli powder, kidney beans, mushrooms, stock, tom.puree + whatever else I decide to chuck in 😀
To be served with brown rice, of which I have plenty, unlike my wholewheat pasta, which I am in short supply.
DeleteI also haven't seen James Greave apples for years. The apple I do miss is Russetts. They have such a lovely nutty flavour and my mum used to have a tree in her garden.
ReplyDeleteI am liking buying locally grown Cox apples. These are the best I can find, alongside local Bramleys, from the same place.
DeleteAlso the local potato crop is great and so cheap.
I hope I can continue to go + purchase from this outlet, with the brilliant butcher's counter. This is a local farmer, who does his own butchery and the meat is of a fantastic quality, fresh and he will cut meat to suit. OK a bit pricey, but well worth it!
PS I know this meat, was reared just 4 miles away, but as I have said, this place is in N.Wales. So can I go again?? Too early to tell.
DeleteAutumn/Winter is starting.
ReplyDeleteI ordered 3 new 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles on Monday.
These have just been delievered and are looking good and challenging.
I’ve just ordered a new 1000 piece jigsaw today too..... Flags of the world.
ReplyDeleteI've been doing quite difficult ones on line.
ReplyDeleteCan't get beyond 250 pieces though, even those are so small I can't really see them very well.
Flags of the world sounds interesting.
My mums favourite apple was a russet and I am very fond of one too.
ReplyDeleteI have a neighbour with a tree.
Very nice.
Have a new 1000 piecer waiting :a Renoir classic, can't remember which...
ReplyDeleteLove Alsace wines, esp. Pinot Gris & Gewurtztraminer, don't treat ourselves often enough, a bit awash with claret in our neck of the woods, not altogether bad! 😉
I have only just logged in for the first time today and must say how flattered I am that Gary should think my apple good enough to grace this page
ReplyDeleteThank you Gary!
You are most welcome AP!
DeleteRegarding jigsaws, Mr A and I are doing an exceptionally difficult one at the moment. A Victorian painting of posh folk walking around a ornamental lake in a London park. Surrounded by masses of trees and acres of white sky. I think we may have to admit defeat on this one. Waiting next in line is a rather beautiful and famous Van Gogh painting of blue irises.
ReplyDeleteCan’t wait to get started on that!
I have to admit to quite enjoying sky.. 😕
ReplyDeleteI wish I enjoyed doing jigsaws but I get bored after a few minutes and want to go and do something else. I have several friends who do them constantly and the harder they are the more they love them. Each to their own.
ReplyDeleteSadly my eye-sight is not good enough to do jigsaw puzzles in reality, as it were, but I can complete those online. I have the screen 'sitting' on my chest and do them without my glasses on as they make things worse at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI have tried Microsoft jigsaws but like Mrs P find the pieces too small and they are more difficult I think! The puzzles I work on every day are in facebook Gameroom. It's fine as long as you ignore all the trailers for other games and offers to buy special privileges it pleasantly passes the time!
I like doing the sky first as well!
One was a street party scene, I got heavily involved in sky and bunting!
ReplyDeleteDoes everyone always complete the edge first? We do, and it is difficult with the ‘House of Puzzles’ brand, which has lots of unusual shaped pieces, because some of the internal pieces have straight edges too!
ReplyDeleteI get many of our puzzles from eBay or charity shops and very often the seller will have put the edge bits in a separate bag, which makes life much easier
Yes always do the edge first, even the round ones! The puzzles I do have no picture visible so it's a complete guess what 'this brownish' piece is. It could be the fur of an animal, a rocky beach, the gravel at the bottom of an aquarium and so on! Suddenly I exclaim "Oh it's a kitchen table with an onion on it!" I spend far too much time on them !
DeleteYou spend far too much time on them. Spiceycushion ?
ReplyDeleteHow come, when you manage to do SOOOOOOO much else, and while you are ILLL for g.....s sake ?
You are amazing woman !
Yes I always do the edges first, then sort, colours into different piles.
I do lots of sorting and resorting throughout and rarely look at the picture.
Though I must admit to having needed to look at the picture of the most recent one which was extremely difficult and which gave me great pleasure and satisfaction.
I sort a puzzle in that way too Mrs P. My jigsaw board has 4 smaller boards, so on sorting I put pieces of similar colour, trees, sky or similar onto them.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbour has come and cut back the big shrub, I had in my front flower bed. It was far easier than thought, as it is half-rotten! I am seeing part of my drive for the 1st time in years. It shows however, how uneven the paving slabs have become, so it will be re-done + block-paved. This will definitely be done, but might be a while yet.
ReplyDeletePS I don't like House of Puzzles jigsaws, due to the strange shaped pieces. One of the ones I have just received is a montage of Venetian masks. I hadn't noticed on ordering, that is a Eurographics one and so also has unusual pieces. Still I will do it, as I love the image.
PS We filled 3 garden bins with the debris. I had to use 2 from other neighbours, who were quiet happy to let us.
DeleteIs "montage" the right word?
DeleteIt is a jigsaw of many ventian masks, all with differing colours and sizes, slightly overlapping.
Mrs P Thank you. I am feeling better this week after starting back on Methotrexate which I was on in March but then it was stopped because it wipes out totally the immune system. Within a week I had 'blistered' again until the increased dosage of steroids took over. Apparently the Methotrexate is much better as fewer unpleasant side effects and so far no long term disadvatages. Steroids, my GP warned, can trigger diabetes on prolonged use.
ReplyDeleteMy main problem apart from chronic fatigue, is I get very breathless very quichly. GP gave me an asthma pump months ago and at the start could count to 3 while inhaling and it makes a noise like a kazoo if not used correctly (too hard breaths) Instructions say count to 8 and no noise! I have improved and I can now count to 5 and no tune!
Sadly I didn't get to see my brother last weekend as my sister decided in view of the increases in covid numbers etc it wasn't wise to travel all that way especially with me having to stop every hour for calls of nature!
But son and eldest granddaughter are coming over from Frankfurt on Saturday for 5 days. At the moment all is well as long as they don't set physical feet on Belgium soil! Last stop Cologne then straight on no stopping till Brussels and Eurotunnel!
Needless to say I am VERY excited!
What a lovely meet up to look forward to.
DeleteIt is no wonder you are so excited.
My family in OZ are missing visits from family in the UK.
They were due to visit all family in the UK, for Christmas this year. It is not going to happen, sadly, but it is far better to stay safe + well.
Great you are back on the methotrexate, a drug which can be so beneficial for so many, but it can sometimes contribute to other problems. It seems to be the right one for you, so take it as prescribed, and just be aware of other ongoing situations, which could affect you...
DeleteI am so pleased you are now onwards + upwards again, and stay as positive as you always are.
I am wishing you well..
Miriam 😍
Two of my sisters were booked to visit my daughter in Oz this month but was cancelled some months ago. Daughter is coming to UK next June for her youngest brother's wedding (as it stands at the moment!) My youngest son and fiance are working on three different wedding day scenrios! One for the original 100 guests, one for 30 and now one for 15! They are hoping that because of the time lapse they will not have to pay for sit down meal for 100 if they are only allowed 15!
DeleteI am so glad I didn't buy my outfit yet, as yes, like many, many others I have gone back to my original dress size after it had taken me ages to lose that 2 stone. 😡
When I get a bit more energy back I'll have to start all over again but quicker!
Good news from you Spicey, getting back on track we hope.
ReplyDeleteSorry you did not get to see your brother but think your sister made the right call.
I am fortunate in that neither poor health or the crisis have prevented me from seeing anyone as I don't see anyone anyway. I have managed to see both daughters and my grandchildren at least once this year but wonder if any of us will be able to visit at Christmas.
I can no longer see my Big Sis for at least 14days. They are, as from 6.00pm tonight in lockdown in North Wales. I go to a retail park, just over the border to a Tesco's + Boots, as these are classed as necessary visits, but if I bought an item of clothing from Next, Primark, Warehouse etc. I could be fined, as it is not an essential buy!
Delete🤷♀️ Crazy isn't it?
DeleteYes ! A shop is a shop is a shop ...no logic there. Plus, who can make a judgement call on what is 'essential' or not ?
DeleteCaroline yes! It could be a necessary buy of new knickers - that would be essential.😀
DeleteTo me it's the same principle as during the lockdown here: only food outlets and chemists were open, oh and tobacconists - they had the longest queues. The idea is to limit the circulation. Not many observe the one metre rule and I'm often standing outside the bakery which has a notice of max two customers inside which is widely ignored and people rush past me.
DeleteSpicycushion, I'm glad you're feeling better, with a family visit to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteBig Sis came back from a short break away last night, to learn about the new N.Wales lockdown. She went out today to the supermarket, for essentials + necessities. She then dashed to meet up with her daughter + grand-kids; as they returned from school. As she has said, the new rules are for 14days but this could be extended. She just wanted to see her family.
ReplyDeleteShe has had to cancel a trip to her youngest daughter + latest granddaughter (now 8 1/2 months) for this weekend, plus another short break in an airbnb, due the week after
She now cannot play golf, as her club is in England, so can't go. Her hubbies golf club, although in Wales, is members only from now on, which she isn't, so she can't join him.
She is far from happy tonight.
It is for the best, though It is so very hard for so many, but life and survival, are so very important.
DeleteSome of the shopping rules seem to be very silly.
ReplyDeleteI have at last found the right boots to replace some much loved calf length boots that have kept me going for years. The new boots were in Sainsbury's but cannot be tried on in the store. So I bought two pairs, size 5 and 6 and took them home. Neither fitted, so I had to take both pairs back and exchange them for two more pairs 7and 8.
At last the size 7 fits, but I will have to take the other pair back.
So.... three visits to buy one pair of boots, which of course are not essential, even though I've been searching for years.
Dear oh dear !
By the way Miriam....... knickers are really not essential !
Mrs P, we don’t all go commando! It’s too draughty!😉
ReplyDeleteMy brother went to Christy’s again today. He saw the head of things and they are continuing with the Immunology and combining it with weekly radiotherapy. They really are pulling out all the stops for him and at a grim time it is good news!
After my course of antibiotics, the urine infection is better. As a preventative and with advice from the NHS website, I started to take DMannose which is supposed to interfere with the bacteria which cause these infections. It didn’t work last time but I was taking far less than the suggested dose so have now upped it so 🤞it will prevent another attack!😊
That's good news Ev. So science has come up with a preventative, that's good news too.
ReplyDeleteBut of course if we did go commando Ev there would be a lot fewer UIs !
Good news about your brother too. I hope it all continues well for him.
Good news for several our our friends which is excellent, though very sad about visits that can’t take place.
ReplyDeleteJust heard that Mr & Mrs Trump have Covid, which doesn't surprise me at all, seeing their reluctance to adhere to advice and wear face masks. Hopefully thus might encourage other reluctant folk to wear them and take the possibility of infection seriously.
Archerphile. It’s all FAKE news. Said with a Trump accent.
DeletePoor Melania! Imagine being in isolation with Trump for two weeks! Will she have to do the cooking?!!🤔
DeleteThe announcement came from Trump himself, so could it be an attempt to grab sympathy or just lie low after his less than impressive performance the other night? I imagine he’ll just get junk food delivered, rather than asking Melania to cook (he’d probably have understandable concerns about her poisoning him)
ReplyDelete😁 apparently he only eats burgers. Maybe the most important man in the WORLD has someone test his food for him. 🤮
DeleteMust admit my first thought was that it was a specially invented story, so that he can emerge after 2 weeks, miraculously cured and fit as a fiddle to win the election 😉
ReplyDeleteSorry, sorry, this is verging on politics, so I’ll say no more! 😔
To be honest over the past couple of years I wouldn't put anything past all those PR and 'publicity advisers' that so many people have (the Sussexes also being a case in point.)
Delete"Cured" as in after injecting disinfectant? 🤣
DeleteA nice bottle of bleach to go with his 🍔 burger.
DeleteYummy.
🤣🤣
DeleteWhat brilliance and cyniscim, about the "Fake News". I hadn't thought about that, but it does sound like a good "stunt".
ReplyDeleteI nearly choked on my Earl Grey tea, wth laughter, on the reading related posts...😂🤣🤣
I have just been out, to secure the garden gates, making sure the recycling bins are safe etc. as my area has an amber warning for wind + rain, from early morning until midday on Sunday! It might not happen, but I am prepared. I do not need to venture out, until Monday, so can stay home with Puss Cat. At least with a cat, I do not have to take her "walkies"!
ReplyDeleteMy area is now on the Governments "Watch List" re Covid. This does not surprise me at all, as the local government has requested this, more as a prevention and protection situation.
Whatever happens, it will not affect me too directly, and I just will accept and adapt to, any new rules.
I am bemused about the ruling of pubs closing at 10.00pm, and how this is difficult for so many.
In my younger days, the pubs always closed at 10.30pm as that was the licencing law, at that time. We just went home to bed.
Quite so Miriam. For years Supermarket- well certainly M&S had to completely cover alcohol counters if open outside of licensing hours. Especially when stores began opening on Good Friday. In my time I held the licence for our small store - name over the door etc had to go to court to be granted. I remember one occasion not sure if it was a rest for me when a police officer tried to buy alcohol which being in uniform was of course not allowed and refused.
ReplyDelete🤣🤣 👨🏭
Delete*** FIVE OF THE BEST ***
ReplyDeleteNext out of the mortar is .....Janice!
Down at the creek where I walk the dogs there are two lovely swans. The year before last they reared 7 cygnets to adulthood. Last year and this year they are alone. Talking to a lady who lives there it seems they have had eggs but the foxes have taken them. I love animals but this is one species we could do without!
ReplyDeleteI love my foxes Ev!
DeleteAll birds and swans in particular are very faithful partners. When a swan's partner dies they mourn for a long time and then join a colony of other bereaved swans. I think all animals have they right of place - except fleas and mosquitos which I kill! If I come back I'll have to choose between a sea horse who will carry babies or a swan for life.
DeleteGary, I’m glad you love foxes but I don’t share that love. When I lived in Cornwall a sow belonging to a local farmer had a litter of piglets. She had refused to come in for the birth choosing to have them out in the open. In the morning all 11 had been killed by the fox and their bodies left so not even for food. A lady down by the creek had all her much loved chickens killed recently. A while ago a fox got into a house where infant twins lay sleeping and attacked them. This latter case was in the newspapers. Reynard holds no charm for me I’m afraid!
ReplyDeleteI can see though that some animals have to kill to eat like lions catching the lovely impala. This cannot be helped and at least has some purpose.
I think in the fox/dog family in the wild when they kill more than they need they come back and bury the rest for future use, but in the above kind of scenarios they are disturbed by humans and can't get back to bury them.
DeleteThanks Gary.
ReplyDeleteWell, as I made a list of books as well as a film list I will do the books now. These are just 5 of many books I like. They are ones you may not have heard of so will probably not inspire a lot of discussion but there are one or two gems among them well worth reading.
1. The Snow Queen, an adaptation of HCA by Yevgeniya Yeretskaya. There are some fine illustrators around. This is a stunning pop up book. The kind that you share with children at Christmas, and her creations are becoming collectors items. Well crafted and utterly magical.
2. Assassin's Apprentice and all the books set in the world of Elderlings, by Robin Hobb.
An intricately woven fantasy world with well drawn characters, and surprising twists and turns that link all the books together. Plus dragons. What more could you want! I think she gives Tolkien a run for his money.
3. Precious Bane by Mary Webb. Set in a rural area in the time when it was unusual to move out of your village, and with superstition and savagery still there just under the surface. Survival in spite of adversity.
4. Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky. He died in about 1972 but I regarded him as a mentor through his books. Would like to have known him.
5. A Culinary Campaign by Alexis Benoit Soyer. I have a great deal of respect for this man.
He was a celebrated Victorian chef who cooked for the rich and famous, but much more than that he used his talents to help try to alleviate the starvation during the Irish Famine, organising soup kitchens, despite the fact that he was only given the cheapest of ingredients to work with, and he then gave away the proceeds from a specially written cookbook to help raise funds. Then later he joined the troops in the Crimea, to begin with at his own expense, in order to organise the proper feeding of the soldiers who were suffering from malnutrition and often food poisoning. Everyone has heard of Florence Nightingale. Very few have heard of him but he saved many lives and boosted morale.
Forgot what I don't like. I prefer a straightforward story even if it has twists and turns; the stream of conciousness books, although I accept some are regarded as masterpieces, and I have struggled my way through them, I don't read for pleasure.
DeleteWell, your book list has given me plenty of future reading to do Janice (if I can find copies still in print. A very eclectic collection, if I may say so, plenty of variety and gems for me to discover.
ReplyDeleteThe only story I am familiar with is the HCA. I adored his stories as a child and had a collection in a beautifully bound and illustrated book which I still treasure.
Thank you.
Janice, a very interesting selection. I particularly like the sound of 'A Culinary Campaign', food and shelter which we all need. Stream of consciousness is not my favourite genre but I recently re-read Mrs Dalloway by just going with it. It helped that I'd seen the film and had images in my mind.
ReplyDeleteYears ago, Precious Bane was serialised probably by the BBC. Patrick Troughton played Gideon Sarn and he had a sister, Prue who had a hare lip. It is many moons ago so I might not be accurate but I know my family enjoyed it and looked forward to the next episode. I am moved to reprise it by reading the book! Thank you, Janice, for this reminder!
ReplyDeleteThank you Janice! I have heard of precisely NONE of your choices! Having googled "The Elderlings" series you mentioned, they seem to be right up my alley - I did red all of the David & Leigh Eddings books many years ago. I do like an epic story...
ReplyDeleteWell Done Janice 👍
ReplyDeleteSadly like GG. I do not know any of your book choices. I am sure that they are wonderful, and many will know them, and also enjoy in the coming months. I am sorry that I am unable to join in the discussion, re your choices 😣
What an awful day, which is still continuing, with heavy rain, winds and cold. On waking up this morning, it was so dark, I thought it was still quite early....but the heating was going and it was nearly 7.30am. I had to put lights on though, in the kitchen, to make my 1st caffeine fix.
On such an awful day, I have been catching up this afternoon, with viewing things I have recorded, whilst continuing my knitting (slowly but surely).
I was enthralled by the drama "Elizabeth Is Missing", recorded last Christmastime, starring Glenda Jackson. It was brilliant.
That's my input for today.
I will be back tomorrow.
And Janice, I wish I could acknowledge your book choices in some way.
My reading these days, is very limited to just a few types of styles, which I like.
Thank you Janice for your choices. Like Ev, I have read Precious Bane and watched the TV version.
ReplyDeleteI’m not a fan of Tolkien style literature. Have only read the Hobbit and found it pretty boring.
I checked out Robin Hobb and discovered she was brought up and lived in Alaska. I can therefore understand why writing fantasy would be more ‘natural’ given that one could easily live in another world in that state.
I have never heard of Saul Alinsky but it is on my list to buy. Organised radicalism sounds interesting.
I did read HCA as a child and found his stories frightening.
I have read about Alexis Soyer and admire his work to feed the poor. Unfortunately I don’t think his efforts in Ireland to provide nutritious soup during the famine went far. The money and ingredients given by the government we’re pitiful.
I like stream of consciousness books as well as straight forward stories.
Your choices have given me something to think about whilst the wind howls and the rain pours.
Good to see your choice of books Janice.
ReplyDeleteHCA Snow Queen has been close to my heart from very young so I would certainly like to see and read a copy of your choice.
I have heard of Precious Bane and certainly recognise the name of Gideon Sarn, so perhaps I heard it as Ev has.
The others I do not know of, and will look up the fantasy novels if GG suggests that they are ' epic'.
I do wish I knew where and how far my cat travels.
Puss went out at around 1am last night and has just returned at 6pm and wet through.
It is less than 100 yards to fields for a cat traveling through gardens and I suspect he goes to another part of the parish ten minutes away by foot on the roads but probably less than a minute for him through the sheep in the pastures.
It would be interesting to track your cat, Mrs P! The sea eagles have a tracker and one of them has recently returned having spent two months up in Scotland! Maybe she thinks it will be warmer down south! It is encouraging though that some of them regard the island as their home base.
ReplyDeleteI wish my Puss Cat would go out! She must be desparate by now, but will not go through the cat flap (due to the wind + rain) and will not use the litter tray. I hope she uses the bath, which is easy to clean up afterwards....😂
ReplyDeleteI tried to manually put her out, but she just came back in!
DeleteOh Well, I am prepared for whatever happens..💩😸 along with Marigolds, bleach + carpet shampoo..what will be, will be 😻
I wish all well - with this awful weather, especially those who live in Europe, which has been severely hit, France + Italy particularly. I hope the regulars, who live in all affected regions, UK or Europe, are safe, well and dry. 🌨🌧
ReplyDeleteThank you Miriam, my sister left Nice today after a night of deluge. They were visiting family and didn't witness any damage because it's very localised. They are now safe in the Lyon area before resuming their journey home.
DeleteJust been reading about the atrocious weather. We were fortunate enough to have an absolutely beautiful day yesterday - warm enough in the sunshine to sit in the garden! It has been quietly drizzling since this afternoon though. Stay safe & dry everyone...
DeleteJanice ,having heard of "Precious Bane" I decided to order it from the library .
ReplyDeleteand at the same time decided to order the book by AB Soyer.
He sounded like such a kind and generous person .
Unfortunately they haven't that one in stock
It's been raining non stop here for three days.
ReplyDeleteAfter two days it starts to puddle up on the common, it's a thin layer of Earth on top of the limestone.
I drive up to the common even though it is only a few hundred yards but is also extremely elevated from my plateau and I can't climb up and then do a decent walk.
The drive up the hill passes through a tunnel of thick woodland scrub on both sides which is dark even in bright sunshine. This evening at dusk for the first time ever for me the cows were walking up this stretch of the road at the time I was driving.
Pouring with rain with our lights on and windows open and all hazard lights winking all cars had to slowly wend our way through about thirty cows slowly wandering up the road and moving from side to side. Lady, who now sits in the back of the car, did not bark when one Cow put its head very close to my open window.
What fantastic images you have put in my head MrsP, thank you!
DeleteMy pleasure Gary, and thank you.
DeleteJanice, thank you! Remember Precious Bane adaptation, Janet McTeer ? Haven't read the book.. Alexis Soyer, yes, Snow Queen, yes, the others, no...
ReplyDeleteAn interesting selection Janice. I only know of Precious Bane which was a tv series I believe. I like pop-up books for children so will have to look into this.
ReplyDeleteEveryone seems very quiet this damp and dreary day, I am currently procrastinating as the exciting options I have are cleaning and re-setting the log burner, thoroughly cleaning the bathroom, and ironing, also need to make supper, but I don’t mind that so much, my life is so exciting 😏
ReplyDeleteSorry KP, but it's another sunny day in Glasgow! Just back from a walk and a lovely lazy brunch.
DeleteGary grrrrr! 🤣 like KP I am in Hampshire ☔️ but to be fair you usually get more rain than us overall?
DeleteKP I have done some polishing and washing but now seated with feet up and looking into blog and surprised to see only your entry and Gary’s reply. Maybe everyone is feeling 😴
It’s pouring with rain on the island and seems like it will last all day. No walkies if it does!🐶👏Dudley will be pleased but Buddy will be hyperactive! Spent the morning thoroughly defrosting and cleaning fridge freezer. Wait for it,,,, We now have a wine cooler but unlike Brian’s it only holds 7 bottles!
ReplyDeleteI’m just back from up the woods dog walking. About to get my “leopard lounge wear!!!” on and my arse glued in a chair for the rest of the day.......telly watching, reading, tinternet and warmed up curry from last night for tea. Bliss.
ReplyDeleteOh and it’s lovely weather here with a slight breeze.
ReplyDelete😱 Ptby - never mind we are treating ourselves tonight from a local pub that started in lockdown to do takeaway / free home delivery within 3 miles ( we are about 1 mile) so Roast Lamb and all trimmings will arrive on our doorstep we ordered this for the first time roughly 6 weeks ago (with a certain amount of trepidation) but it was delicious and piping hot so 🤞🏼for tonight.
DeleteAll I need to do is heat plates and get the 🍷 out 🤗
Miriam and other cooking lovers will be appalled no doubt 😲 but Lanjan may well understand the appeal of our treat 😂
ReplyDeleteFar from - it sounds delicious with the bonus of no clearing up the kitchen. This I did this morning (whilst listening to TA omnibus) after doing R.Lamb last night.
Delete👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Miriam 🤗
DeleteLadyR.... got to admit that it is a homemade Thai curry with pumpkin and salmon
ReplyDeleteI cannot make an authentic curry, I have to use a "jar" (as I do with a sweet + sour..)!
DeleteI love making a curry.
Delete👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 to you as well Ptby 🤗
DeleteI woke up to a very wet road + garden, but no rain nor wind. The sun came out, and it's been warm, sunny with blue skies - sorry. It was too wet + soggy to garden, but great for an invigorating walk..
ReplyDeleteThe low sun is coming straight into my lounge and the thermostat (in the dining area with no direct sun) is showing 19.7C and there are also windows open.
DeleteIt is not often I have better weather than others, this is an exception.
PS I went to a local hardware store this morning, and found what I need....jam pot covers, as the ones I thought I had, were down to only 2. I can now make my marmalade, not sure when, but soon.
DeleteI love this shop, as it sells basic balls of string, garden twine, candles but not "fork handles". Joking apart, it is nice to still be able to frequent and use, such a "basic" family run, successful and ongoing business.
DeleteGood for you Lady R .3:06 pm.
ReplyDeleteWhy waste time cooking when someone else can do it for you?
Glad to report our roast was delicious top quality lamb and trimmings. (Not particularly fond of cooking but love eating and only like quality ingredients ideally from local sources)
DeleteOur meal consisted of melt in the mouth lamb, roast pots, yorkshire pud selection of veg - parsnip, broccoli, cauliflower cheese, carrots and a yum gravy aahhhh 😴
and stuffing....
DeleteTwo days of a howling gale down here. There is a lovely smell from the kitchen though. I very much like a harvest festival service but although I attended via Zoom this morning it couldn't be the same because of Covid; no fruit,veg displays or flowers ( which usually brighten up the local Care Home afterwards) so my daughter has attempted the traditional harvest loaf today. A sheaf of corn with braid around the middle, harvest mouse (with clove eyes) and a poppy. It has just come out of the oven and when it has cooled we are going to have some with butter and honey. Wish I could send you all some. Happy harvest time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a talent. It sounds delicious.
DeleteThank you Janice for sharing, nothing beats the smell of fresh bread.
DeleteJanice - thank you for reminding me about Harvest Festival. Have happy memories of the celebration in junior school days when we'd take tins of food and make up hampers for needy families. I like John Betjeman's poem Diary of a Church Mouse which mentions this celebration.
DeleteTried to put a picture of Sylvan holding her harvest loaf, but it isn't very clear.
DeleteLooks good to me Janice 👏🏻 to Sylvan.
DeleteEven after my roast I could eat some of it with your suggested butter and honey 😛
It looks good Janice.
DeleteI enjoy cooking, but I always make a mess.
ReplyDeleteFor me it is important, to know what is in my food, and by preparing + cooking it myself, I know this. I try to avoid all artificial additives of any sort, be it preservaties or colourings (as I react to some).
This is simply, my way only, as it suits me. I buying the most fresh and natural foods, I can.
I agree Miriam, I'm the same about the ingredients, though far from an accomplished cook like you.
DeleteJanice. I have never been brought up to celebrate harvest festival.
ReplyDeleteIs the harvest loaf something different?
Is it baked in a special with different ingredients?
It is cooked just like usual bread, but if for any reason you wanted to keep it rather than eat it you could use a salt dough. In my youth I can remember village ladies making very intricate ones. After the crops were gathered in it was usual to have a thanksgiving service followed by a wonderful very much home baked tea. The harvest loaf in the shape of a sheaf was usually the centrepiece of the displays of fruit and veg. There would be a fun auction afterwards and the proceeds would go to a charity that needed it. We would encourage our father to bid for the bread. Although edible it was a work of art. He was usually the auctioneer though as he was very good at joking his way through it and getting people to bid against each other so that a good sum was raised. But it was mainly for fun, and you could find yourself coming home with a marrow when you thought you were bidding for apples. I am sure people celebrated the gathering in of the harvest long before it became a Church service. The old festivals give a rhythm to the year, and I would find it very sad if they died out completely.
DeleteI have tried to put a picture on here of my daughter holding her one. Really the piece below the braid (twist ofstraw on a real sheaf) should be as long as the top part, but it is the first one she has made, and she did get the harvest mouse and the poppy (sort of!)
I love “We plough the fields and scatter” and the smell of the Autumn earth and of course the 🍁
ReplyDeleteMiddle of Oct good weather to come I have heard 🤞🏼
My favourite hymn Lady R.
ReplyDeleteI used to enjoy Harvest Festival at the SA and at School.
Hardly see a service advertised now.
Janice when I spoke to my son in Law in St Keverne yesterday he said it was a lovely sunny day with no rain.
They have had their first paying guest this weekend. And he was new to Cornwall and looking forward to exploring.
We had a dry afternoon and Lady walked with her Rumanian friend Misha.
Unfortunately while they were playing ( and we make sure that we are well away from other dogs 'cos they ply rough ) a tiny dog appeared from nowhere and butted in. Lady took exception and while I was attempting to restrain her the owner puffed up, shouting and aggressive and took photographs and demanded my name and my telephone number. I calmly gave it to her and wanted to help her to see if the dog was injured, but she shouted out to keep away from her and her dog. She refused to give me her name or her telephone number.
My friend and I continued our walk and when I got home I sent a long report of the incident to the dog warden myself.
Then discovered a private message from the woman herself on Nextdoor telling me to look at the local dog lovers site, which I did and discovered a photograph of me the dogs and my friend and a report of the incident but without any detail and giving only half the truth.
I then sent her a very long message pointing out the truth of the incident telling her that I had reported it myself, and warning her about the illegality of publishing photographs of strangers taken and published without permission.
This was followed by a phone call from my friend telling me that she had had a call from another friend having seen her photo on Facebook.
What a day..... said Enid !
Oh to live in south Cornwall !
DeleteI expect by next year they will be doing a roaring trade. This year has been a write off for so many people.
DeleteI am glad you had a friend with you for company when the other woman got so aerated. Not nice on a Sunday afternoon.
We are near the coast and wet winds seem to come straight up the slope from the sea and catch us. Our trees, what there are, all bend one way ! My dream is to have a sheltered field instead of windswept ones. As a child out in the cliff fields in a storm I had to crawl on all fours to get back to the shelter of the lane.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSorry posted twice, don't know why. So have deleted.
DeleteThree days of solid rain, road flooded, garden flooded and now.....
ReplyDeleteRain dripping through bedroom ceiling. down wall, soaking carpet and some clothes left on a chair under the leak.
Looks like a job for roofing specialists as Mr A can see some cracked and missing slates in a valley between two Gables. It is right next to the road and will need scaffolding to get to.
More expense! 😢
But look at the possibility of a silver lining AP.
ReplyDeleteHe might decide as a result that moving sooner rather than later might not be such a bad idea.
Janice, northeast coast also has bent trees. Mr S thinks I am odd when I comment that the rain is coming “straight down “. I am so used to rain driving sideways. The rain came straight down here on Saturday and I heard someone on the local radio say it.
ReplyDeleteLovely day here most of yesterday. An almost full moon still up when I was out running (a very very short one, not the London marathon) yesterday morning.
Harvest festivals: I attended one last year with my mother at the Methodist church where I grew up. They had a lovely display of fruit and vegetables. Southwark Cathedral are having one next Sunday, on line as well. Supporting the local food bank.
AP I sympathise. Been having my own saga with house repairs and it’s two steps forward and one and a half back.
Janice. Thank you for the explanation about the harvest loaf.
ReplyDeleteI clicked on the picture and admire your daughters baking skill.
I bake bread but that intricate creation would defeat me.
I wonder how our friends in Italy are after the terrible weather?
Here in Emilia Romagna (Reggio Emilia) we have avoided the storms. Yesterday morning I went for a walk into town and saw lots of others enjoying the sunshine. I even sat in the park for a while. In the afternoon the sky became very dark and there was a strong wind but nothing happened. I don't know what it was like for Hilary and Autumnleaves but we escaped th worst.
DeleteThank for reassuring us Guiana. I believe things were worse in N Italy.
DeleteWe have had torrential rain for 3 days but luckily no major damage. We are having aw glimpse of blue sky at the moment.
DeleteNothing compared to 2 years ago when forests were destroyed in the Val di Fiemme. I went up there (an hour from my part) a few months later to Cavalese. I never realised how devastated the landscape was due to the high wind...forests of pines twisted up like matchsticks. It was heart breaking.
Luckily nothing like this this time.
Mrs P (10.46 yesterday)
ReplyDeleteI tried that - ‘ A 200 yr old cottages needs so much maintenance, you cant go up scaffolding any more, repairs getting so expensive’, etc etc!
The reply- ‘Well we’ll have to get it all shipshape before trying to sell, prospective buyers bound to want full structural survey” etc etc
Funny thing is, we’d had a Zoom session with son in Dubai earlier in the day and he’d kept on about it being a good time to sell, country property offices shooting up etc etc.
So, who knows . All these little cumulative things seem to be totting up and I’m keeping fingers tightly crossed.
Getting builder to come and quote for roof repairs tomorrow. The size of the quote might be a cumulative factor too!
For offices, please read prices!
Delete"Little Sis" is just on the point of completing on their holday cottage in Norfolk. It was put on the market last year and then this year Lockdown started. She sold with a cash buyer, but their was a problem further down the chain, which is now sorted (I think).
DeleteProperties are selling fast in her area, as people want to move to more a rural location, now that so many are now working from home. Also there is quite a good direct train journey to London.
Also people want more outside space, many walks not far away and a less stressful life.
Good God......how on earth do you get a builder to come and look at the job so quickly. Unheard of round us. I've just waited 2 weeks for a tree surgeon to get in touch after sending him an email!
DeletePS The Beluga XL flies over my home, quite frequently now. I just love the smiley face + eyes. I was at The Zoo a few weeks ago, crossing over a wooden bridge on the way back to the car. There was a crowd looking at something-I kept back due to the numbers. On bypassing the crowd, I saw the reason, it was the Beluga XL on a low descent into Hawarden...a wonderful sight.
DeleteTo add, I live in an area which is not totallt rural, but then, not a suburb, it is difficult to describe..Properties are selling quickly here, within 10 days and prices are going up, quite significantly, each time a new property is listed For Sale.
DeleteDon't hesitate AP, just do it, whilst you can still can...
Going back acoupleof days(!), Was interested by your unusual book choice, Janice. Precious Bane was the only one I've read, decades ago, & didn't take to it then, but, there again, we change, & have discovered recently that novels I read in teens or 20s lose their appeal later & vice versa -tastes mature ! So not dismissing your recommendation at all.
ReplyDeleteHave heard of Robin Hobb, both Mr C & a friend very
much enjoyed his books, so maybe I should give him a go sometime....
Don't know the other 3, but Rules for Radicals sounds intriguing, & the Victorian chef/philanthropist sounds admirable - excellent to hear that healthy diets were on the agenda of some people back then ( including Nightingale with hygiene).
Thanks, Janice, for your choices & comments.
I have a separate insurance policy (only a few £ per month) which covers door locks for if I lose keys, glazing in windows if damaged, and roof problems. A few years ago, a storm on N Yrs Eve, resulted in some roof tiles coming down. These were replaced on Jan. 2nd.
ReplyDeleteAlso I always ring trades people, as to talk directly is always more beneficial than an e-mail enquiry.
I have just rung my car dealership.
ReplyDeleteMy new wheels, is still in Southampton, awaiting transport. There is a back-log, and I have been told that he will try + accelerate this - but to me, that is normal sales patter!
The monies are in place, so all I can do now, is to just be patient and play the waiting game.
This wait is frustrating, simply in that I am only driving the car I am trading in, in a minimum way, as I don't want it damaged. I am looking at another 10 days now. 😣
I am not sure if my new "wheels" are in a dealership in Southampton, or stuck in a container in Southampton docks!
DeleteIt will happen, though.
It is the necessary transportion to Chester, which is the hold up.
My electric bicycle wheel docked at Felixstowe on Sept 20th and is still waiting to go through customs! It has taken more than 6 months to come from China, although as the ship was reported as travelling at a speed of 3 knots I suppose that's hardly surprising.
ReplyDeleteIt's frustrating, isn't it.
DeleteWhen you finally get it, don't do a Simon Cowell!
What does that mean, Miriam?
DeleteSarnia he says he did not read instructions (and then fell off and broke his back , and is now in the process of recovering from major surgery)
DeleteWhat is it with men and instructions..........
DeleteCareful there Sarnia! 😉
Delete😂😂😂 Gary
DeleteI've had good news in an email from the dog warden that the other party would be told that she was deemed to be at fault for her dog, off lead and out of her immediate control.
ReplyDeleteReassuring, but there is still the matter of the taking and publishing of unauthorised photograph on a social website.
Have yet to hear from the police but I do have an incident number and will follow up.
Agree with Miriam, a phone call, or better still a conversation with a tradesman, preferably when he/she is up a ladder, far better than an email.
Get them off the ladder, back to the van for a business card.
That way they remember you and act.
Re getting trades men - we now have two firms coming to quote for the roof repairs tomorrow now, one in the morning & one in the afternoon.
ReplyDeleteWe always use the Checkatrade online directory. You put in your post code and the type work you need doing, and it finds you suitable tradesmen that do that type of work in your area.
There is always a full description of their business, the type of work they can undertake, photos of work completed and recommendations from customers who give a grading.
We have found several excellent workmen by this method (plumber, carpenter, oil boiler installer etc) and never been disappointed.
I feel you are lucky then Archerphile. Some years back (about 10 I think) I had a leaking gutter, right over the front door. Difficult to get a tradesman as the house is three storey town house. I eventually went to Checkatrade and got two reasonable quotes. Some others wanted scaffolding. Anyway I accepted one quote and 2 men came down from Essex. (Always difficult when you put in an address radius because from where we are the computer program just does a circle and then goes across the Medway/Thames estuary into Essex although it takes a couple of hours to drive round the M25!)
DeleteThe men then went up a long ladder, fiddled about, went off to Wickes etc and charged me £200 for the fixing. The first time it rained the repair disintegrated! My neighbour then went up the ladder and said they had just used Mastik to 'glue' the two gutters together. He went to B&Q got a bracket to replace the one on the wall. Total cost £3.49!
I now only go on personal recommendation! It may take longer but at least you get an idea of how honest the workmen are!
As I type Trump landing at “The White House” all a stunt 🤔
ReplyDeleteYears older than Boris but no isolation for him he can’t hack it
and certainly no ICU. Although to be fair people around him have contracted
the virus - unnecessarily?
What a poser.....
Archerphile sorry to hear of your wind and heavy rain damage you are having a tough year again, as are many here, wish all of you less expensive and aggravating times.
Mrs P just out walking lady and all that palaver broke out I feel affronted on your behalf and if I was not a lady ( which I am not 🤣 in either sense) I could say a lot worse 😡
Just failed twice to post.
ReplyDeleteStasia (9.02)
ReplyDeleteWe had the storm but the nearest damage was 18 miles away.
Oh good! It worked! So ai will write more! We had very heavy rain and lashing winds. 18 miles away in the foothills of the Alps a bridge over a river collapsed. Luckily no one was on it at the time. It had been closed as a precaution during the storms and had only been reopened a few hours before.
ReplyDeleteIt is where we used to go gathering porcini mushrooms 40 odd years ago in the days when you didn’t have to have a licence to pick them.
Hilary, do hope you didn’t incur any damage yourselves. We saw film of terrible devastation in some areas hit by Storm Alex. Bridges washed away, roads collapsing and an elderly couple killed when their entire house was swept away.
DeleteMakes me ashamed of complaining about a bit if a roof leak letting some rain into our bedroom.
No, Archerphile, no damage ourselves but the local railway line to Milan was closed because of flooding and on Sunday when we went to a farmhouse restaurant in the middle of the countryside we saw fields of rice flattened, either by wind or by flooding. Some fields were less badly damaged. The last few days the ricefields had looked so lovely: deep “Van Gogh” yellow against the dark grey sky. Very dramatic!
DeleteMrs P, you are quite right in reporting this woman for publishing the photo without your permission. She sounds unpleasant and best kept at a distance. Katy was saying that since lockdown Buddy can sometimes take a stance against bigger dogs especially squashed nosed ones for some reason. He is very small and the owners usually just laugh at him and a bulldog recently casually turned him over and walked on! She likes to let him off the lead when possible but when she sees other dogs approaching she makes him sit and puts the lead back on. That woman was so wrong to blame you when her dog intervened in Lady’s run around with Misha.
ReplyDeleteEv. I do like your new painting 🖼 the yellow and orange colours are vibrant.
DeleteSo do I! And the previous ones too. Lovely colours and they are so peaceful, a pleasure to gaze at.
ReplyDeleteThank you both! My zoom sessions start again soon so hope to have some new ones. I’m not very good at getting down to painting on my own!
DeleteJust had first roofer to inspect and quote. OUCH! More work required than we could see from the ground, whole gable to be completely re-slated, new lead gully and flashings, ridge tiles repointed as they are letting in water as well. Quote of over £4000!!
ReplyDeleteBut they could do the work end of next week.
We’ll see what the other firm says this afternoon!
Ouch indeed, but when you come to sell you can advertise it as having had all this work done which will make it more attractive to buyers.
DeleteBon courage, Miriam, my bike wheel arrived this morning, one year after it was ordered! Of course, my son was here last week, so I now have to find a bike shop that will come out and set it up.
ReplyDeleteWe had a quote for a new shower just before lockdown.
ReplyDeleteUsed Checkertrade
Chose the one which had most 5 stars .
Very pleasant man came out and gave us a quote which we accepted.
Then lockdown.
It wasn't vital but since then I have 'phoned several times and each time he has said he will get back to us.
He didn't .
At the moment we have had more important things on our mind than worry about a.new shower but last week we had a leaking radiator so I phoned again and he has promised to come out on Saturday to see us.
I have my doubts.
Where to I go next?
I'm not even sure of personal recommendations .
The "lovely" young man Ichose from Checkertrade happened to be working on a neighbour's house recently.
They think he is wonderful.
Is our job too small?
Fingers crossed for Saturday.
I think they’re all very busy after lockdown. Was due to have work done on my shower room this month but he has been held up on previous job! Also having work on the garden but the man can’t come until December!🤞🥴🙁
DeleteGood luck Lanjan.
DeleteI never let Maisie off her leash. Having been attacked and badly injured by a dog that got loose, I will never feel safe with dogs off leashes. The owner of the dog that attacked Maisie had to actually lie on top of her dog to restrain it! That was a struggle too as it was a Pyrenean Mountain dog and very large.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck Sarnia.
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear about your bike, as I have often thought about buying one myself. 🚲
Having a cat is easier, but does have its problems - like when my cat came in poorly, with a wound.
ReplyDeleteAfter dashing her to the Vet's as an emergency - she had been "shot" in the rump, with a shotgun pellet. Luckily, all was fine.
I might be being cynical, but I think that many are literally "cashing in" using Lockdown as an excuse! The backlog should have gone by now, especially as no more works would have been quoted for nor arranged, in that time.
ReplyDeleteI have a local, monthly news handbook, where local people advertise there trades, which I have used.
As a single female, I am not gullible, which is so often assumed. I stand no nonsense, and any contracter I use, soon learns this!
I can also be a "sweetie" with a supply of teas, coffees, biscuits etc for the right ones.
Off to prepare my evening meal, which is simple tonight. It is a portion of mince + a small portion of puff pastry, both taken out of the freezer this morning, to be made into a pie.
DeleteThis will be cooked in a small enamel dish. I use enamel dishes a lot, and I love them, but these were what were used, when I learned how to cook.
How are others grand-children, who are in universities doing?
ReplyDeleteI hope that they are all safe + well.
Lovely long weekend with sons and granddaughter. Played a board game (Agricola) for 3 hours until 12.30 on Sunday evening where Jon beat his older brother by just 1 point! Next day every time Jon saw Chris he started 'singing' 1 point, 1 point,to the tune of Amazing Grace!
ReplyDeleteSaturday I was the first to go to bed after making up the sofa bed and getting a mattress out for the visitors! (Chris and Evelina then had to sort out who slept where. Chris lost and slept on the mattress on the floor!)
Then going upstairs:-
Me - Night Evelina!
Evelina - Night Nanny
Me - Night Chris!
Chris - Night Mum
Me - Night Jon Boy
Jon - Night Grandma!
Who else remembers The Waltons? 😀
Absolutely Spicy 🤗 seems like yesterday!
DeleteWhat about “Little house on the prairie” / “The Beverley Hillbillies” with Ellie May and grandmama (?) Look what you’ve started 🤣
Oh yes Spicy!. On the odd occasion when all our family are under one roof for the night, we go through the ‘Night Ma’, Night Lizabeth, Night John Boy routine as well.
DeleteLoved the Waltons. I always called my father in law Jim Bob.
DeleteJust to finish my leaking roof story - second roofers came to inspect the work needing to be done and came up with a slightly higher estimate which Mr A managed to haggle down to the same as the first ( and included painting the facia on the gable end which we can’t reach without scaffolding). So we are going for that quote and hopefully will be fitted in in about 2 weeks time.
ReplyDeleteAnd as Janice mentioned, even my moving-adverse husband said it would be as well to get all these maintenance jobs done before trying to sell the property! I regard that as progress!
Wow AP 👏👍🏻
DeleteMy tree surgeon came, lovely lad, and quoted for pruning our silver birch. £280ish for a mornings work for 2 of them. Don’t know whether that’s good or bad. Just pleased he actually turned up. On the list now but probably won’t get done til mid December.
ReplyDeletePs. I just know that Mr PtbY will then claim that it’s my Christmas present!
Anyone else had any tree pruning done lately? Does that amount seem reasonable?
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteMy fingers are fumbling and the iPad has decided to do it for me. Unfortunately it doesn’t always make much sense.
DeleteWe’ve just had a quotes for removing 2 HUGE conifers, one alder, grinding out the stumps and trimming our long line of conifers, top and sides, along our road boundary.
DeleteOne was just over £3000, the other £2,500.
Don’t know if that is relevant,really, in your case, but I should think it’s Ok. Just make sure it includes cleaning up and removing all debris.
The last people we had left trimmings all over the place, including stuck in rose bushes etc - took several days to clear and burn it all.
P.S. make sure they are certified tree surgeons, because if they are not, they could leave your trimmings in a lay-by somewhere and you (not them) could be prosecuted!
PtbY
ReplyDeleteHow old is your tree ?
I've always understood that the life expectancy of a silver birch is around 25 years.
I may be wrong.
My neighbour has a silver birch tree which has been there the whole of the time I have lived here which is 33 years! It is taller than our 3 storey town house so I suppose about 40 ft high?
ReplyDeleteWhen my brother-in-law came over to drive me to hospital for chest x-ray when my feet were bad he remarked that when he was working as a school caretaker they had three or four birches of similar size along the side of a playground. After one violent storm he came into work one morning and found all had 'snapped' off and appeared to be rotten inside so he told me to tell neighbour to beware!
The 'Christmas' tree I had which was about 30ft high and 25 years old was chopped and sawn down by my two youngest. Both having been Scouts they know how to use axe and saws! Tree was taken down to ground level and then I got some copper nails from Amazon and Jon hammered several into the stump which is about 8 inches in diameter. Various websites say it might take years to rot! But I have more light and I can move various pots onto the bare ground and use the resulting space for more digging space next year!