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Life outside Ambridge


 

 



 

Comments

  1. *** FROM PREVIOUS BLOG ***


    MrsP Ambridge - October 7, 2020 at 9:19 AM
    PtbY
    How old is your tree ?
    I've always understood that the life expectancy of a silver birch is around 25 years.
    I may be wrong.



    Spicycushion - October 7, 2020 at 10:44 AM
    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?
    When 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!

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  2. We are waiting for our tree surgeons to come & do their thing too. Hopefully we will only have to wait another few weeks. The cost of having 3 trees pruned, an enormous beech hedge trimmed, a smallish fir tree removed & a HUGE jaggy, evil bush cleared is only £250. Very happy with that quote! Very happy indeed. (We have used them for a few years now - they send a large squad of men to every job and tidy up incredibly well.)

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    1. I’m not surprised you are happy with that quote Garry, sounds like you have an absolute bargain there!
      Love the new picture by the way - glorious Autumn colours. Wonder if there are any Dippers in the steam. Mr A is obsessed with Dippers and looks for them in any wildlife programme or photos of rivers and streams!

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  3. Mrs P. Tree must be older than 25 yrs. We've been here 23 yrs and it was a reasonable size then. Wouldn’t want to get rid of it cos it’s quite near the house and must take up a lot of water so we don’t get waterlogged near the house. If that makes sense.
    Archerphile....thanks for advice. I’ll check on his web site again to make sure.
    Gary.....you’ve got a right bargain there I reckon.

    Also Archerphile......add that cost to your list of why it would be economical to move!!!!

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    1. Yes PtbY. Low maintenance and cost, is a good incentive for Archerphile's case for moving.

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  4. I have just read the latest rules for Scotland.
    Gary, I hope these will not affect you too much.

    That quote sounds so reasonable.
    I pay £80 to have my hedges cut, which I do 2x a year. I don't mind paying this, as all the mess is cleared up and the hedges are perfectly straight. I could do them myself, but I do not like using my hedge-trimmer, whilst standing on low, sturdy steps. Besides, I always get them "wonky".

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    1. Miriam, been to the pub a handful of times over the past 8 months, so no big change for us. Of course, it's a massive concern for the tens of thousands of people that work in the hospitality sector. I'm glad there is no travel ban again as we are hoping to escape up to "Tinkerbelle" at the end of the month.

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    2. This sounds such an idyllic place, to escape to, and in autumn too, just before winter starts.
      I will keep everything crossed (not physically!) that it happens, unlike my family in N.Wales who have a travel ban. Their breaks away, have had to be cancelled, short term.

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  5. I had Wonderful news from OZ this morning.
    Remember one of my grand nephews, who was born 15 months ago, and was a "blue baby", cord around his neck, touch and go, to then find heart valve problems??
    He was diagnosed with a hole in the heart, alongside the continuin valve closure problems.
    He went to the paediatric heart specialist yesterday. This was the crucial appointment, as to whether to operate or not.
    The news was brilliant, as everything has healed, totally naturally, and his heart is now 100%.
    It is just a routine 12month check up now.
    There were tears of relief from his Grandma aka "Big Sis".
    She + Hubbie were due to visit over Christmas + New Year, but again, all plans are now cancelled.

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    1. Oh Miriam such joyous news for you all 🤗

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    2. You must all be so relieved. Such a worrying year for your family.

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    3. Thank-you all so much.
      It has been worrying, but seeing the latest videos from OZ over the last few months, with him running around and behaving like a young tearaway, I was not overlly surprised, but it was still 🤞
      It is just so great to hear this news, and that he should have no further problems, from now on.
      It is a relief. 😁

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  6. Miriam that is wonderful news about the blue baby. Everyone must be so relieved and joyful.

    Sorry about my misinformation about silver birches.
    I'm sure I thought 25 years to be the lifespan since I was a child.
    Silver Birch my favourite tree.
    I have grown one in the last two years from a seedling and it is now about a metre high and in a container.
    Gary - that picture ? Did you go down to my daughters place, that's just what her woodland looks like.
    So very very beautiful. Thank you for finding such an apt picture for our chilly start to Autumn.

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    1. Chilly - more like cold!
      I went out last night to look for the Draconian meteors, but nothing.
      Sadly it is cloudy tonight, but I will go out later on, just in case.
      All I acheived last night, was wet feet, as the lawn is so soggy.
      It is wellie boots tonight - but I am not expecting to see anything, due to the amber warning of rain.

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  7. Really pleased to hear the news about the baby , Miriam.

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  8. What good news that the baby's body has healed itself, Miriam ! The last 15 months, with the various crises you've told us about, must have been a nightmare for all the family, especially the parents & it's wonderful that all is well now.

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  9. Another great picture, Gary ! My favourites in recent weeks are Archerphile's mouth watering apple & Ev's scene.

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  10. Lanjan how is Mr LJ? 🤞🏼 he be able to enjoy his day (🎂) on Sunday.
    Sending good wishes 🤗

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  11. Lovely picture Gary!
    Pleased to hear about the baby Miriam.

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  12. Glad about the baby Miriam.
    That nice seasonal picture Gary looks like Golitha Falls but I don't suppose it is?

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  13. Lovely news about your great nephew, Miriam! My news is that my step granddaughter had her twin boys this morning 20 seconds apart by Caesarian! 👏😁 No further details yet but am so glad as she had a rough time giving birth to Freddy, her 3 year old. He is being looked after by Granny Michaela who was woken at 3 this morning so she will be exhausted at the end of the day! However, she is a natural with children and will be uplifted by the joy!

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    1. 🤱🤱 how lovely Ev. Congratulations all round (especially step grandmother 🤗)

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    2. Congratulations to all concerned Ev!

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  14. So pleased to hear about the little boy, Miriam, must be a huge relief for all his family and lovely to see him running around.
    Hoping to hear good news about Mr LJ too, and Spicy and all our other friends who have been having problems.

    Rather surprised (and pleased) that my eldest grandson, who will be 22 next week, has asked for a selection of chilli plants and seeds from a specialist chilli nursery as his birthday gift.
    I thought it would be an Amazon voucher, or DVD or book as usual, but, no, being stuck at home with no job yet, he has become interested in horticulture and already planted a herb garden for my daughter. I am delighted he has inherited the family’s green fingers gene!

    And talking of daughter, who also has a birthday (49th) next week, I was amazed to hear she had run a half-marathon on Sunday; in the pouring rain, over a mud encrusted, uphill route from Winchester, cross-country to Stockbridge. She just send a photo of herself at the finish line, mud- encrusted, red-faced, exhausted looking, but triumphant she had completed the run in slightly over 2hrs. Three years ago she was an overweight, very inactive middle-aged mum doing a sedentary job with not the slightest interest in exercise. What a difference 3 years can make!

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    1. Was it part of the "distanced" London Marathon?
      Well Done to your daughter, I admire her achievement. 🏃‍♀️

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  15. Great and positive news for all. 👏👼🏃‍♀️

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  16. I am pleased that there is good news around
    Lovely to hear

    Regarding MrLJ.
    I am afraid he won't be living it up on his birthday as he has no appetite at all.,Lady R .(8:55pm )
    It is sad to see that a man who had a healthy appetite even with my cooking and who never left anything on his plate now has no interest in food.
    However he did manage to eat a little bit of
    stew on Wednesday and says he would like some on Sunday for his birthday tea!
    Lady R -I made it!
    None of your M and S stews for me.
    My "Private Consultant " from across the Atlantic says John's improvement will be a very slow process.
    Six weeks ago I wasn't sure that he would make his birthday.
    I therefore feel very positive.




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    1. Lanjan, that's the way to be. MrLJ obviously enjoys your cooking and will do so even more with time.

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    2. That sounds so very positive LJ.

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  17. Archerphile, great news about your family. People are beginning to look around them. Your daughter being physically active, without any special equipment. Your grandson taking advantage of his surroundings. Is he the one who wrote the Russia related dissertation?

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  18. Very good to hear the positive news from all on this blog, Miriam, Archerphiles daughter and grandson,and about Mr LJ who HAS made it as far as his birthday.
    As your private consultant says LJ, its a slow progress....... but it is progress all the same.

    Archerphile - a long standing friend of mine, a man, is growing chillies in his shed and has set up lights and heaters and is intending to start selling them on line.

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    1. Mrs P. Lights and heaters - is it just chillies he is growing?
      Don't accept a home-made muffin or brownie, just in case!
      🤣🤣

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    2. I am chuckling here Miriam and wonder whether you know about such things because you have cooked such things yourself or been given them. I went to a small dinner party prepared by an excellent cook when younger, and the meal finished with a very nice cake which made me feel somewhat hazy. I asked him what the herbs were in it and he said those out there, and he had a veritable jungle of cannabis plants growing on his patio. I do think it is naughty of people though to give you things without your knowledge. Perhaps I was just more naive than the others.

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  19. Ooh Lanjan you are putting me to shame now 🤣 Glad to hear though that Mr LJ is going to enjoy the treat of your culinary skill on his birthday bless him.
    Don’t dessert M&S completely though I need my pension 😂

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  20. Such good news from all.

    Ev - Congratulations on the arrival of the twin boys, but I am confused - does this make you a step Grandma or a step Great-Grandma 😊
    I just couldn't work it out.
    Also are they prem...

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  21. I’m a great grandma! My stepdaughter is Michaela, the Granny! The due date was actually in November but twins just about always come early and the estimated date was mid September to mid October. The C section was because one was breech. Also of course she had a bad time with Freddy. Am poised to hear names!

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    1. I am so pleased for you all. The boys have arrived safe + well.
      Do tell more, when more is known.
      What does this make Katy?

      I hate the name "great", as in me being a great Aunty. They youngsters always call me just Aunty, and I prefer the term used in Australia and America - a Grand Aunty or a Grand grandma.
      After all, this what we are, just lovely Grand family members, who are loving + caring for all.

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  22. Katy is a great or grand auntie and she’s only 44! Michaela is 8 years older than her and she had her children quite young in early twenties. Mike’s sister is a great, great aunt but she just likes to be called Tass by all the offspring! Tass is short for Natasha. Mike’s mum had just read War and Peace when she was on the way!

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    1. Lovely...
      I love that there is "great great" Aunty. I have never come across one before, in any way.
      Tass must be so delighted with her latest, the twin boys.

      Does any-one else, have the priveledge of being a "great great" in any way, in a family?
      I would love to hear about this.

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  23. In answer to a couple of queries above
    Yes, my daughter was doing half marathon ( an organised event) on the same day as the virtual London marathon. She said she doesn’t have any ambition to do the real thing because 26 miles is too boring and is all on paved roads which is very hard on the knees. She prefers running off road, and preferably up hill! She would love to do some fell running one day 🤯
    And Basia , yes the chilli- grower is the same grandson who did the Dissertation on post USSR politics. His aim is to join the police as a direct entry post graduate to the detective branch.
    Unfortunately one if the requirements is to have a current driving licence. He’s had the lessons but cannot get a date for a driving test as there is a backlog of thousands (quite literally) of candidates wanting driving tests since lockdown messed everything up! We are hoping it’s not going to scupper his chances of getting on the scheme.

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    1. In the past being able to drive was not a requirement in joining the police, they had/still have their own driving schools because it is naturally a part of the job. Yes, I also hope, that bearing in mind the current situation your grandson will accepted on the scheme.

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  24. I do hope it doesn't scupper his chances Archerphile.
    He is likely to have a good career ahead of him.

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  25. Wow Ev that has made me realise that when my only niece had her first baby at 19yrs that made me a great aunt at 34yrs 😱 as I am only 15yrs older than her. I became a great great aunt at 53yrs ( I think) Makes one realise how fast the years slip by.....

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  26. Had pics of the twins on What’s App. They are called Harry (5lbs 10 oz) and Alfie (5 lbs 4 oz) Harry looks as if he will be in charge! A good weight for twins!

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  27. Lady R and Ev, my mum was the youngest in a family of 18 the majority of her siblings being girls. When she was four years old her eldest sister gave birth to her first child a girl. Which made my mum an aunt at a very young age.
    My mother always remembered this as when that little girl was a year old, the only thing that my mother owned, a doll, was ripped from her arms and given to the other child, who promptly dropped it down some stairs and my mother watched it smash to pieces.

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    1. Such a sad little scene you paint MrsP, but I'm assuming there must have been upsides to having such a large family. (Although I must admit to be struggling to think of any!) My father was one of 14 children, which is unfathomable to me.

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  28. Miriam 4p.m.
    Mrs P. Thank God for contraception. Your Mum's mum must have been worn out.

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  29. Mrs P, what a sad story. Presumably it was the child’s birthday and they had nothing to give her but how cruel to your Mum who would have been a small child herself.

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  30. *** FIVE OF THE BEST ***

    Miriam, it's you... Enjoy!

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    1. I can’t hold my in my excitement until 16.00 hundred hours.
      💃😺

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  31. Lanjan, how is your grandson doing in his new job?

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  32. Thanks for asking Basia.
    I feel really sorry for him because he is working from "home" and has not met any of his colleagues at all.
    I have not seen him yet as he seems to be working very long hours and I am not in the position to go and see him in London or have him to visit us here even if he has the time which seems unlikely.
    Still it was his choice to come to London and work .
    The interview for the job here was done by video link from Canada
    I dare say if he wanted to he could return to Canada when he wants to.
    I am hoping he will stick it out for a while though.
    I hope he is not a quitter.
    Were it me I would have knocked on the doors to the other flats in the block but I doubt he will do that.
    We have been in touch by phone but not since Liverpool -who we both support- had the disastrous Game last week.


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    1. Bother, but at least he has a job and the option of going back. A knock on the door may not be welcome these days. I hope you'll manage to speak in spite of Liverpool's defeat and see each other soon.

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    2. Yes Basia you are right about not knocking on the doors of the other flats and as you say he has a job and many sadly have not.

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  33. I have just seen that I have been pulled out of Gary's mortar.

    I am being slightly naughty, in that I am going to keep you waiting, as to my choices, until tomorrow! 🤣

    It probably won't be worth the wait, though...

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    1. I am too engrosssed in a jigsaw, at the moment and then tea. I only looked in, as I was drinking a cup of tea. Back to it - while the sun in still coming into my lounge.

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    2. I have stopped doing my jigsaw, just for now.
      I now need to sort my evening meal out, and to also check "my list" for spellings + how to phrase it, before posting tomorrow.

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    3. Looking forward to your choices Miriam!

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    4. GG. These are simple, and probably won't appeal to very many.
      But - they will be my own individual choices, and that it was is most important, to share these, with others.
      This is what makes this, so special.
      Thank-you. 😁

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  34. I'm getting a bit fed up that over the past week I have had several 'lost' posts. I type it all out, press publish and get a message 'Ooops something went wrong, please try again' and of course the typed words have disappeared!
    What I wanted to say that the gentleman who wrote Barwick Green (see top of other blog) also wrote music to The Lord's Prayer. Back in the 60 when a Christian Assembly was required for all schools to have each day my school sang the prayer to seven different tunes. Each tune was sung every morning for a fortnight. You could mark the progression of the term by which name was up on the hymn number plaque which was next to the stage.
    That, together with one Old Girl of my school posting on our facebook page a dozen photos of the interior of some classrooms, the Gym and The Hall, has brought back many memories this afternoon, some pleasant and some not so! Not the Gym (hated it, much preferred hockey or tennis) but lovely to see the Domestic Science room where I made my first Christmas cake!

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    1. All I made in domestic science was:- blancmange, pastry, a victoria sponge, steamed jam pudding, stew, and other simple things. I never made anything so interesting as a Christmas Cake. You were lucky.

      I wonder what others made?

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    2. I also remember -
      Fruit pies, crumbles and custard, but do not remember anything using fish.
      Perhaps that was that time, due to its availability and cost, I have no idea though.
      This could be why, I am not a massive lover of fish, as I never had it, nor cooked it, in my early years.
      I do love smoked haddock or cod now, along with Scottish smoked salmon steaks.

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  35. Semolina with meringue on top.
    Ginger biscuits.
    fruit salad in sugar syrup-ugh!
    I think I may have mentioned before that I know how to divide a block of margarine into eight equal (is) pieces,
    We only had half a term of cookery and half a term of needlework.
    We had to make a drawstring bag and cami knickers.!
    What a waste of time it all was.
    We were taught to make a buttonhole and darn a sock though.


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    1. Domestic Science things we made: cheese and potato pie, rice pudding, cornflake crispies (a favourite), grated apple sandwiches (not a favourite!). I can't remember any more although there must have been more than that.
      We also had to make aprons and matching headband to wear in DS. Gingham fabric and we did learn to make buttonholes too.

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    2. I remember making scotch eggs and a ladybird pin-cushion. We called it "Home Economics" in Scotland.

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  36. I can't believe I missed out on the Honours List yet again!

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    1. Don't worry, Gary, your time will surely come, for services to deprived Archers fans. Lord Gilday of Tinkerbelle!

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  37. Yes, gingham headbands and aprons made in needlework for D S.

    Apple crumble I remember but the most vivid memory and still often with me was Cornish pasty with new potatoes and carrots and peas. And this would have been before frozen peas had arrived in the U.K. In 1954 (?) most British homes did not yet have a refrigerator.
    I'm very impressed with the making of a C'mas cake. Did you make it one week and ice it the next.
    Janice - I'm pretty sure we chopped up our potato and swede for the pasty.
    Not minced.

    As for buttonholes, I still made my own by hand right up until I was in my thirties, when I then made them on the machine.

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    1. Yes indeed, definitely not minced. I chop the swede, but slice the potatoes, and add some onion. If I want a quicker baking time I cook the pasty meat first so it is really tender, and steam the swede and potatoes ahead of time. A pasty should be crimped on the top too. The mass produced ones are generally crimped on the side but that is just because it is easier for machines to crimp on the side, and there is a generation growing up thinking that is the right way to do it. One of my milder acts of rebellion at Uni. was to cross out the word Cornish , whenever the menu went up with Cornish Pasty on it , because they were Ginsters type rubbish. It was in the days when girls halls had very strict lady wardens, and she was not amused. As I was the only Cornish person in the hall I suppose it didn't take long to work out who was doing it.
      Like Spicycushion we made a Christmas cake in our cookery classes. It was the highlight of the year, and I can still remember mine. It was iced in white with pink swags all around the edges and with those little silver balls. I think my mother was a bit puzzled I had used pink as a Christmas decoration, but it tasted good.

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  38. Aunt before I was born (!), great aunt at 17, probably into at least 3x great by now but have never met any of them. One year of dom sci produced the dreaded gingham apron and a flared skirt with a waist that was too tight. After that chose Latin which was much more interesting.

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  39. Tidying my attic a couple of days ago and I found an embroidered pencil case, gingham PE shoe bag and a tray cloth, all made at school by me. They were in a bag of old linens Mum gave me. Can’t think why they were kept as they were all pretty ropey.

    I am sad that Mum recently cut up an apron she had made at school to make a face mask. I am sure it would have been much more worth preserving.

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  40. I was at school in Brussels for the first year of seniors, so missed out needlework that year when I suspect basic techniques were taught. As a consequence all the clothes I have made ( mainly for my children) had popper or hook and eye fasteners as I never learned how to make button holes.
    School cookery was uninspiring, quite a lot of my efforts were rejected by our springer spaniel. Regardless of this start I am now quite an enthusiastic and, I think, competent cook.

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  41. White stew, brown stew, shudder time soused herring! I bought the fish on way to school as the open fronted fishmonger was opposite the square where the bus went from. We had to cut it open, but it and press it open extracting the backbone. My mum ate it as she loved such things but to this day cannot face such fare! We also did jelly with sliced bananas. This hadn’t set by the time I went home and bounced around in the open top bowl as I made my way home on the bus! My Victoria sponge sank in the middle as I was so slow in making it and as the other girls’ cakes baked they opened and shut the oven! Some small cakes I made were such a failure that the teacher gave me some of hers! I did successfully make pastry which has stayed with me and the stews meant that I could make casseroles if not much else when I was first married! Domestic Science alternated with needlework and the only success here was that I learned to thread a sewing machine which again has proved useful in later life! I think it is a pity these lessons don’t happen so much nowadays as if nothing else they do give a good basis for the practical things in life.

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    1. Gut it not but it! Auto correction buts in again!

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  42. I have just had a flashback about the gingham PE bag. Our teacher was checking our sewing one Friday and I was so far behind (incompetence rather than laziness) she told me off and said I had to take it home and finish it by Monday. I spent the whole weekend fretting over it with Mum supervising so it took a lot of her time as well. I got it finished, just, and took it into school as told to do on the Monday morning. The teacher had completely forgotten about it and didn’t mention it all day.

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  43. Good Morning, every-one, on this cold, wet, blustery and gloomy, Saturday morning.

    I am sitting with a cup of coffee, whilst I write this. I had several ideas about what to do as my list, non of which, really inspired me.
    As you know, I enjoy cooking and I also love Italy, so I decided to combine these. Hence:-

    Italian Foods - I love.

    a) Venetian Liver - calves liver, with slightly caramelised onions and a white wine sauce.
    b) Porchetta - Spit roasted, fennel stuffed pork. This is great bought from a street stall and served in ciabetta bread.
    c) Risotto - A mushroom one, made with canaroli rice, porcini and other types of mushrooms, the stock being the "soaking liquid" and a porcini stock cube.
    d) Ragu - as taught to me by a "Mama", in a trattoria in Bologna. This has a soffritto base of diced onions, carrots, celery and garlic, mince, cooked in red wine and stock. It does not contain any tomatoes.
    e) Saltimbocca - pork escallopes with prosciutto and sage leaves, served a light sauce.

    The food I Loathe - Cheese, of any kind.

    On typing this out, I have made myself hungry, so I am off to raid the cupboards for a snack.

    Back later.

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  44. This is an interesting list Miriam. I'm not familiar with these except for the Ragu, but would love to try the others except for the one with mushrooms ( ate a mushroom once that wasn't😱).
    Cheese I love of just about any kind.

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  45. Janice, Mr Nuts says “all fungi are edible, but some only once!,”
    I’m with you on the cheese, there are few cheeses I don’t like, although I have little time for regular Edam and I loathe the highly processed yellow plastic that some Americans call cheese.
    Miriam I’d join you for all of those dishes, I really like calves liver and most forms of pig meat.

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  46. Miriam, I don't share your love of cooking but like all things Italian: food, clothes, cars.
    Mushroom risotto for me as I eat hardly any meat now (nor cheese).
    In my old, student days I enjoyed a lasagna on a Sunday and I also liked spaghetti alla carbonara.

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  47. I share your love of Italian food Miriam - I make ragu, risotto, lasagne & pizza on a VERY regular basis. In fact, just had some bolognese on a bagel topped with Parmesan. If I couldn't have tomatoes, garlic, basil or pasta I don't know what I would actually eat.

    The best meal I ever had was in a little restaurant in Rome where we had seen locals queuing up to get in so we thought "that must be the place to eat" and joined them. Once we got inside we quickly realised that you got served whatever the chef was making. 6 courses later we reluctantly had to stop eating. (And if I remember correctly it cost about £25 per head & that even included 2 very generous carafes of very gluggable vino!)

    But I love cheese with a passion! I particularly love Gorgonzola & Parmesan.

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    1. Lord Gilday of Tinkerbelle (see 1,38 above)

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    2. Sounds plausible to me Sarnia! 😆😉

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    3. Gary G. I did the same in Urbino, a while ago now. We followed the locals, to a lovely little place, which was very tucked away. The food was delicious and a great way to celebrate my birthday. I remember it well, with a spicy arriabata sausage + pasta dish.
      My version is similar, but far from identical..

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  48. I had a poisoning episode once as a child through touching wild mushrooms in a wooded area of our local park. So that put me off them, but added to that my father was allergic to them so we never had them at home.
    I have never taken to mushrooms as an adult, don't like the texture, but do like mushroom soup.
    But I do enjoy seeing the different fungi on my walks in the woods.

    Reading of school aprons has reminded me that deep in my linen cupboard is a capacious apron made by my grandmother from a rice sack and embroidered with large yellow daisies.

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  49. I didn’t like cheese until as an adult I tried Brie and liked it. From there I progressed to others and now enjoy a good mature cheddar amongst many others. We get a particularly good Gouda from the wholesaler who now delivers to households. The Gouda from supermarkets is very inferior to this one! We have found top quality from this wholesaler and will go on buying from them. On the food program today someone was saying they loved cheese pie at school. I used to give my portion away but would probably love it now! Miriam, presume you put cheese in quiches which I think you make. Do you like it in this guise?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't eat cheese, even in a quiche.
      There is an exception though - marscapone + a light curd cheese in a cheesecake or tiramasu, but these do not taste like cheese. I can't even stand the smell, so much so, I avoid the Cheese Shop in town, and the cheese stalls in the market.
      My lasagne has a home-made white sauce, with either basil + garlic, or nutmeg, in it. Both work equally well.

      Delete
  50. Only the risotto for me Miriam for obvious reasons. I do love rice dishes and anything with mushrooms so this would be right up my street. Sorry but the thought of lamb's liver makes me gag.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Spicy - 6.41 yesterday. ( Sorry so late, only just reading yesterday’s and today’s posts,)

    You post about finding old school photos reminded me that back in the summer I found my old school prospectus, the 1951 edition according to the note written inside by my mum. It is full of photos if the house and grounds, classrooms etc and Includes the table of fees, list of staff etc.
    Interesting that I could remember every single one of them!
    We have on old girls Facebook page so I scanned the images and put them on the site where they engendered quite a bit of Interest. Also some if my photos, (me in the Fourth Form photo and as a member of Austen House.

    Sadly the school closed down in the mid 80s after well over a hundred years existence. The beautiful old building has now been converted into luxury appartments, costing over a million a time!!
    If anyone is interested you can find it, and me, at Halidon House School, Stoke Poges, Bucks. That the name of the Facebook page.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now “Framewood Manor” I see AP. One can see pics of a flat for sale! How nosey am I 🤣 A totally gorgeous building what a place to have gone to school 🤗

      Delete
  52. Interesting - in that I have being talking about Italian food.
    I will be cooking Spanish tomorrow....this has already been decided, as I needed to get the chicken pieces, out of the freezer.
    I plan my meals, a week in advance, and then buy what I need. This saves both time and money, as I don't buy what I don't need.
    Yes - OCD - but in a good way.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Miriam. At last. My anxiety, as I awaited your favourites has been abated, relieved as I soaked up the the food you so deliciously describe. 👩‍🍳😋 I was licking my lips as I read. The only think I would do is change the pork to something else.
    Garlic, onions, herbs, wine Great ingredients for any food. I also use a lot of spices and my own 🌶. I grow about six or seven different varieties.
    I absolutely love cheese, my mother would buy the smelliest cheeses and we would have the oozing softness on Vienna rolls. Wonderful.
    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I couldn't change the Porchetta, as this is so traditional.
      However, it is easy to substitue the pork escallope, for a chicken or turkey one, and this would just as tasty, with a few more herbs, added in.
      I am eating Roast Pork tonight, with all the extras, but it is a "cheats" version, as it has come out of the freezer, but it is home-cooked.
      The roast pots + veg,
      will be done fresh, though.

      Delete
    2. Made minestrone today after potting up some bulbs and planting violas in the beautiful sunshine.

      But right now I am enjoying a Filthy Gin Martini made with caper brine... 🍸🍸🍸

      Delete
    3. Sunshine, how lucky GG.
      I have a lot of new bulbs to be planted, but it is still too wet + squelchy. It wiĺl happen, though.
      I have some more tete-à-tete, early flowering minature iris, multi-coloured crocus and a narcissow called "minnow". All should flower at about the same time, hopefully.

      Delete
  54. If you didn't tell me what is in the meal.Miriam I could eat any of your dishes but if I knew the dish was calves liver I wouldn't touch it .
    I am not over fond of pork except when it is made into sausages
    Given the choice I think I would settle for the risotto.
    I am not a great meat eater.

    ReplyDelete
  55. I finished my jigsaw this afternoon. It was a good one as was a picture of a library - so many books to be put into place, on the right shelves. I was glad I had good reading glasses!

    ReplyDelete
  56. If it's the one Mr S had, the titles of the books are hilarious.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Gary,I can understand your disappointment in being overlooked when it comes to the Honours (10:37 pm)
    I think I know why -you are too young.
    Do not expect anything until you get it from King Charles Iii or King William V
    Are you doing the right things now though
    Here are some hints as to what might help.

    1)Become a Patron of a Charity
    You don't need to know anything about it but you will have your name on theIr notepaper and have to go to a few Dinners.
    2) Be very philanthropic.
    However do not do what one of your Countryman *did and try to keep your generosity secret .
    You must let everyone know somehow what a great bloke you are.
    * Andrew Robertson gave a large sum of money to a food bank or homeless shelter in Glasgow but the story was leaked
    Other footballers as well like Sterling,Henderson and Milner also have done that but it has not been "big" news.
    3)Keep trying if one Good Cause doesn't work try another.
    Poor Joanna Lumley tried with the Gurkhas ,Oxfam and the Garden Bridge
    She'll get there in the end
    4) Find a PM or perhaps Nicola - who had a photo of you on the bedroom wall when a teenager.
    5) I think Sarnia 1:38 pm has the best idea.
    Tell us what you want and when and we can all write to The Palace
    You might have to start at the bottom with an MBE and work your way up
    On the other hand when we all wrote to the BBC they didn't take any notice ......

    I haven't been much help have I ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wouldn't mind whatever the lowest rung is! I DO like shiny things...

      Delete
    2. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 LJ /

      🥇never mind Gary you are our number 1 right here and now 🤗

      Delete
  58. Gary, I'll send you a couple of glow worms.
    Very shiny and sparkly.

    ReplyDelete
  59. I was planting bulbs in the garden today too. Little Oliver Narcissus, Red Riding Hood botanical tulips and 3 varieties of crocus. These might be a lost cause because wretched rabbits have eaten crocus in the past but they don’t touch daffodils or narcissus - in fact I think the bulbs are poisonous.
    Anyway, it was a beautiful sunny, but chilly day and lovely to be able to do things outside.

    Yes, Lady R, our school was in Framewood Manor, the name was always on the entrance. The grounds were extensive with beautiful Cedar Trees and banks of rhododendrons. The developers have put in an extra tennis court and a swimming pool. The pool was not there when it was a school.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Last week I planted many bulbs, carefully, in two large pots, but squirrels or foxes unearthed many so they were replanted all higgledy piggledy instead of the lovely concentric circles of colour I originally did!
      The bulbs included some beautiful dark red double tulips (well they look good on the label!) but then watching GW Monty said dont plant tulips until November and he'll explain why then! Darn it! I have 'planted' hyacinths so I was pleased that was okay but mine are not in earth but in those bulb jars which look like egg timers. Now they are in the dresser cupboard until the shoot is a couple of inches tall then they will be put on the dresser to flower at Christmas. This year I bought a lovely delicate yellow one so hope that is successful.
      When I was teaching I was Head of Austen House! Didn't like it much because I had to plan and lead an Assembly once a week. To stop the Jehovah's Witnesses walking out no mention must be made of God or saints or such like! Very difficult and restrictive in just talking about being kind and thoughtful every week of term! also had to organise sports team for Sports Day and two days cross curricla activities, off timetable, with girls of all ages mixing in working teams. All this was planned and set up in the 'holidays!'

      Delete
  60. Oh Miriam 💕💕!! miam miam.. 🤗 love & have eaten /eat all your dishes.
    but cheese please...!!!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Lady R.
    Some might call you nosy.
    Others might think you inquisitive and interested in the world around you and the people in it.
    You strike me as the latter.

    A friend of mine went to Warwick Girls.
    We went to visit the castle and she pointed out her sixth form room.
    It was a turret room above a gateway.
    Elizabethan !
    Was I impressed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That sounds a bit like Hogwarts, the school in the Harry Potter books that was also located in a Castle!
      My school was boarding but also took day girls of which I was one. I’d have hated to board there, the food was awful! But I’d have loved to go to Malory Towers, next to the sea, midnight feasts and horse riding. (And not bottle green uniforms)

      Delete
    2. Thank you Mrs P I am not much of a practical person but enjoy anything people related and it is a pleasure to be a part of everyone’s lives her on our blog where we experience both joy / laughter and sometimes unfortunately sadness together.

      Your friends room in the turret at her school sounds very intriguing what an experience I like you should love to have seen it!

      Delete
  62. Mr LJ 🎂 🎈🤗 have the best day that you can and enjoy a little of LJ’s stew.

    ReplyDelete
  63. I've just listened to Desert Island discs with Baroness Fiorella Benjamin telling her story of her life in Jamaica to becoming a television presenter and now a dame. A very inspiring lady.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Lanjan - (10/10/20 5.53pm)
    When I went to live in Aus for three years I was still then a meat-eater. I had a delicious casserole I used to make with lamb's liver and bacon with herb dumplings. At that time steak was extremely cheap in Aus and we had steak every night for about the first two weeks !
    I went into a butcher's shop and there was a tray of 'Lamb's Fry' and asked for half a pound. The butcher was chatting as he served me and said "Awh the pets love this don't they?" I didn't like to say that my husband and I were going to eat it!
    Soon after Aus signed a big trade deal with Japan for beef and the price of steaks, domestically, rocketed. The Aussies soon started eating more 'offal' after that!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I absolutely hated offal as a child, but I suppose it was very cheap for midweek meals. My mum often used to make roasted stuffed hearts which I couldn’t bear - all those little ‘tubes’ to extricate and tough old meat. I did like liver, but perhaps that’s because it was kosher liver, prepared in a different way by the butcher. Kidneys were off the menu as being non-kosher so I was spared those.
      My two most hated childhood meals were boiled beef & carrots (slices of salt beef, carrots & onions floating in very salty, watery liquid in big bowls) and roast veal which we sometimes had for Sunday lunch. Veal was quote popular and cheaper than beef back then but I hated all the layers of what Mum called ‘flare’, sort of connective tissue between the layers of meat. Yuk!

      Delete
    2. I had to endure lamb stuffed hearts, home pressed tongue, kidneys, and liver (as probably ox liver, tough and always full of the tubes). I hated the lot and ate what I could, as I was hungry.
      I do like liver now, as long it is not very strong, so veal or lamb only.

      Delete
  65. You are not nosy,Lady R
    You're kind and thoughtful so you are
    From what I've gleaned (I'm sure it's true )
    You think of others never "you"
    Tomorrow though (I'd like to say)
    Enjoy your birthday-It's YOUR day.


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ...and you’ve just made it LJ and I am thrilled to be honoured with one of your poems 😀

      Delete
  66. I am doing a quick look-in.

    Happy Birthday Mr. LJ and enjoy your birthday meal. It sounds delicious, as nothing can beat a lovely stew. You do realise, that you are as well known, as your lovely wife.

    ReplyDelete
  67. I am feeling a bit smug tonight, as I finally got round to making my marmalade, this morning.
    It has turned out well, so far, as I have not tasted it yet. I only made 4 + 1/2 jars, not the 5 that I had hoped for. There are still the 3 jars to be given to neighbours, and the rest is for my use.
    The making was easy, but the clearing up was not so, as everything, and that includes me, was slightly sticky.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Replies
    1. If it is, then a big Happy Birthday from me yer Ladyship! And to Mr Lanjan too!

      In fact, Happy Day to all!!!

      🎂🥂🍾🥳

      Delete
    2. I wish I had known..so Happy Birthday to both.
      🍹🎂🎉🎈🎁

      Delete
  69. Just a quick extra.
    I have found Tom Wrigglesworth on Sounds. This appeals to my sense of humour, as it makes me laugh out loud, even when on my own, with ear buds in! Also, Jill's lovely Leonard aka Paul Copley, is brilliant.
    I am working my way through all 5 series, but I am still on series 2..

    ReplyDelete
  70. MIRIAM - I have specially changed my profile photo for you! My son just sent this from Dubai, a photo of an A330-900 that has been given an anti-Covid face mask!
    The full size photo is very funny, sadly it hasn’t come out very clearly here. Apparently quite a lot of Airbus planes are being given new paint jobs with face masks, a bit like the special dolphin Beluga you enjoy seeing.

    And now - Happy Happy Happy Birthday to my Hinton Ampner friend, Lady R- may your year be full of hope, good health and flowers. 🌸🌷🌹🌺🌻💐

    And the same to Mr LJ with special emphasis in good heathland an improving appetite. 🍳🥩🥗




    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have just googled this - it is fanstatic, so topical and so realistic.
      I prefer the Belugas smiley face though...to keep me cheery. 😁

      Delete
    2. Thank you Archerphile for your very kind wishes for tomorrow 😀

      Delete
  71. Happy birthday Mr L. J. 🍾🍷🎂
    And a very happy birthday to you Lady R. I hope you were able to do something nice today.🎂🎉🎈🎁

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomorrow Janice - but many thanks. I shall no doubt eat 🎂 and 🍷 raise a glass to all my virtual friends😘

      Delete
  72. Stew update

    Mr LJ really enjoyed it .
    Didn't leave any.
    I am so pleased.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow what great news LJ I echo your joy, a memorable day after all 🤗

      Delete
    2. Oh, LanJan, what a relief. A husband with little or no appetite is very worrying.

      Delete
  73. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  74. Had a lovely day with our vocal ensemble, 6 of us today. 1st time since before the confinement. Larmes aux yeux.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Parsley, how lovely to be able to sing today.
    The best I could do was to listen to Choral Evensong from Wellington NZ

    HAPPY BIRTHDAYS
    To Mr L J
    And Lady R tomorrow

    And Happy Birthday to any bloggers preferring to keep it quiet.

    It was my cousins 98 birthday yesterday but I couldn't speak to her because she has mislaid one of her hearing aids.

    Had a family visit with a lovely slow roast lamb and so many vegetables, a lively conversation with both teenagers about apprenticeships, and some face time with the one at university.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Happy birthday Lady R. Hope his lordship panders to your every whim today. 💐🍰🍾🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

    ReplyDelete
  77. Lady R, have a very Happy Birthday! 🎉🎉🥂🥂

    ReplyDelete
  78. Lady R. Happy birthday distinguished one. I, a humble blogger, hope you have a wonderful day with the inhabitants of your regal domaine.
    Wear the tiara with pride 👸👸 and have a wonderful day.🍹🍾🎂

    ReplyDelete
  79. Thank you all for your very kind (and amusing message(s) stasia)
    Regal status 🙃 as the man across the pond would say “FAKE NEWS” 🤣😂🤣😂 but it brings some amusement at the same time. His Lordship has made a ☕️so I will now enjoy.
    A quiet day to come bar many phone calls etc an outing to view the 🍁 will be undertaken soon on a sunny day and a small get together at that time too 🤞🏼

    ReplyDelete
  80. I am wondering if Lady R you are actually higher up the social scale than a mere Lady!
    (I would prefer not to know the answer !)
    Like Stasia I am delighted you are one of us .
    I remember when on the BBC site I wrote several points about me that could equally have been written about someone much more important -my father's Christian name, where he was born, where my mother was born etc
    Dublin Dolly (remember her?) admitted she was almost fooled.
    My post was removed!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Put it this way Archerphile knows the truth - so it is a let down for you I’m afraid 😟

      Delete
  81. Happy Birthday to all who are celebrating!
    The talk about meat reminded me of my dear Auntie Annie who cooked lambs' brains for us once and another time tongue! Yikes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My mum quite often cooked a whole tongue, not sure from which animal. It looked absolutely disgusting tied up in her biggest saucepan, but once allowed to go cold and skinned it tasted wonderful.

      Delete
  82. Grrrrrrrrrrr! Just had my SIXTH call today from ‘Amazon’.
    Everyone has looked as if it came from a different number, or number withheld. Each time I have pressed the red button to block the number but they come back with a new one every time.
    I think this b....dy nuisance may be being timed to coincide with a big Prime marketing event Amazon are having at the moment, so these rotten scammers think we are all stupid and will fall for giving out our private details.
    😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have noticed this, these scammers always use a different no. when being "targetted". This has not happened to me, for a while, but it could change, at any time.

      Delete
    2. I get the American recorded 'lady' confirming my recent purchase on my debit card of £600 - I only pay that amount to my garage!
      Usually I just put the phone down but one time I hung on and then got a foreign man (Asian) began to speak to me. I said that I knew he was a fraud, a scammer, a thief and did he think his mother was proud of him? Then put the phone down!
      Three useless phones calls this afternoon.
      First to surgery to book flu jab - no vaccine till 20th, ring back.
      Second to Phlebotomy clinic - 2 week waiting list for appointment but as it's a request from a consultant ring the hospital.If they can't see me sooner ring back.
      3 Rang hospital- 10 minutes of 'holding music' then recorded message to say no-one can answer phone, leave message. 🤦‍♀️
      I'll try again for a blood test tomorrow!

      Delete
    3. That is awful Spicy. Get in touch with your consultants medical secretary, who should be able, to help. This is just an idea, as you should not be kept waiting, for the much needed blood tests.
      As for your 'flu jab - words fail me. Ring again and say how a priority you are + why, so demand an appointment ASAP, when supplies are available. Do Not be put off, by those who do not know your situation.

      Delete
  83. Happy Birthday, Lady R.
    This time it is on the correct day.
    So again - I hope you are enjoying your day and you are being spoilt. 🎁🎂🎉🍾🍫 and more 🍫

    ReplyDelete
  84. I am hating this, "buy now for Christmas" so to not to miss out and be disappointed, campaign.
    It, to me, is just preying on the more vunerable persons, who cannot afford to buy now, so take on credit agreements.
    That is how I see this situation.
    I do understand that the supply of goods, is probably more limited and that delivery times are so much longer, but I think it is a too much, too soon.

    Having said that, I have hair appointments already booked, for early November + mid December. I was happy to do this for 2 reasons:-
    I know my hair will be done as I like it, by my regular stylist.
    I want to give my hair salon, the regular business, so that they stay a viable concern.

    ReplyDelete
  85. Happy Birthday to YOO-oo🎵🎶, Lady R 😊

    Belated birthday wishes to Mr LJ as well ! So glad he relished his stew yesterday, LJ - surely a sign of returning strength.

    ReplyDelete
  86. Archerphile. Cool your jets, ease of the 🍊orange tiger, mellow out and be steady as you go.
    At least you haven’t had several phone call from HM tax people informing you that the police will be coming to arrest you for tax fraud. That is unless you press the button.🥰

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have had a similar one, about I was being prosecuted for unpaid taxes! It was quite scary as to its tone, but I knew it was a scam, as I don't pay tax (thanks to my clever Money Man).

      Delete
  87. With the Covid new rules being anounced, I have just learnt that, I am now in an area of Level 2 in the new system (High Alert).
    I don't think it will affect me too much, at the moment, but I need to read more, understand + digest, what it all means.
    I hope others are doing better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought of you Miriam when I heard Cheshire (or parts of?) mentioned in the new 3 tier system speech.....

      Delete
    2. The whole of Cheshire has been upgraded today. It is not surprising due to the surrounding areas - Wales (in "lockdown") just 3 miles away, The Wirral + Merseyside, Manchester, Warrington, etc. where there are lots of commuters to and from these areas. Also the University of Chester had positive cases, within 2 weeks of starting term.
      It won't really affect me, I hope.

      Delete
    3. 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼 for you!

      Delete
    4. Our granddaughter at Warwick University has just been locked down in her residential block. She was fine, getting face to face tutoring, able to get around the buildings etc until Sat night when one student on her corridor reported symptoms. Now the entire block has been quarantined until they all have Covid tests.
      Oh well, it was only a matter of time.

      Delete
  88. And talking of Covid tests - we got our first visit from the ONS Covid research tester today.
    He had to conduct a lengthy questionnaire and present us with our testing kits whilst standing out in the cold, because he is not allowed to enter the house. We had to do our own tests, seal the long stick in a test tube and plastic bag, then hand it back to him.
    The whole thing took about half an hour - thank goodness it wasn’t raining or he’d have been soaked! I offered a mug of coffee but he’s not allowed to accept, poor lad, I felt very sorry for him.

    ReplyDelete
  89. Katy was chosen at random to do a test as part of a research program. She had the kit through the post. After doing the test we had to keep it in the fridge and it was picked up the next day. Much better than your experience I think AF. Very tough on the man waiting on the doorstep and for you a bit of a rush in actually doing the test which isn’t one of the most comfortable things to do. Her’s came back negative and hope and trust yours does too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ev. Apparently the test is sent to the special lab at Milton Keynes and if negative, we won’t be informed, but the tester will be back next week. If positive, they inform our GP who will advise us what to do (self-isolate, I presume). This will carry on for 5 weeks, then once a month for another year.

      Delete
  90. I've got an anti-body test at 3.30p.m. today, at a local-ish hospital. They take a blood sample for analysis. I'm not happy to go to the hospital, but interested in the result. I am in a local lockdown area, now tier 2, I think. I am just really confused, as soon as 'social bubbles' were introduced I lost the plot.
    First grandchild will be born on Thursday, I hope they clean their windows so I can see it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am now in tier 2 also. I sat this morning, a cup of coffee in hand, working out what this actually means. It is more simple than I imagined, and I assumed the new rules would be much stricter. At least I can still see the kids, if we are socially distanced, in an outside space (if no more than 6).
      At least, our neighbourly chats in the road, can still go on, come rain, wind or shine.

      Delete
    2. Mistral - I'd be interested in how you got an anti-body test? My GP confirmed my slight suspicion that I had had Covid in March when I was diagnosed with pneumonia. He said 'You may very well have my dear!' However as the tests were for keyworkers etc I never got the chance to take one. Since then (I'm not a hypochondriac really!) I have had most of the symptons that have been reported in the press for 'long covid.' I'd dearly like to know the state of play.
      The government said back in the summer that all people would be able to test in November but I doubt that will come to pass.

      Delete
  91. Mistral. If I may, I want to wish you:-
    Good Luck for Thursday.

    You must be devastated, not be be able to meet + greet, your 1st grandchild personally.
    Perhaps an open window will help, as long as "Babe" is well wrapped up, and kept warm.


    ReplyDelete
  92. I have recently realised that, I am entitled to the Winter Fuel Allowance this year, for the first time. After reading the Gov.UK site, I realised that I need to claim for this 1st payment. The forms have been printed off, as the choice was by post or over the 'phone. I tried the 'phone option, but after 30mins, I gave up! I
    I am using the older method of communication, which will be - pen, paper, an envelope and a stamp - along with a walk to the nearest post box...it will be worth it 😀

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's strange. The Govt must have changed the rules then, as I never had to claim. My aunt told me it would be paid automatically and there in my bank account, in the first November after my State Pension began, the £200 appeared. This is along with the £10 'Christmas bonus' in December introduced many years ago. So long ago I can't remember which Chancellor instigated it!

      Just checked and it says you do not have to claim either 'benefit' as they will be paid automatically if you get a State Pension and are resident in UK - Unless you are in a care home, prison, hospital or not in UK or in a Mediterranean country! Perhaps worth checking again?
      I dislike the term 'benefit' as I blooming well paid NI for over 40 years and rarely saw the doctor till I retired apart from two pregnancies!
      The £10 bonus was introduced in 1972!

      Delete
    2. Why on earth don't they scrap the £10 bonus?
      The Government could do it now because they are likely to be in power for mote than four years.
      Give the money to those who really need it.
      As for the fuel allowance ...........
      Both Mr LJ and I get it .
      Until this year he has been getting more than me but I think I will get the extra this year.
      I have always thought that the money ,rather than being put into personal Bank Accounts ,should be sent directly to the Company from one gets the gas and electricity supply and that there should only be one amount given per household.
      Do the elderly who perhaps live with their children get the allowance too ?
      Oh and I am ,.like Pierre, getting another 25p per week soon.
      This money could be put to better use.

      Delete
    3. Miriam, thank you. I don't want to get into direct contact with the baby, even if I could, because my D.I.L. has asthma and has 'shielded' since March. I haven't been in their house since then, as she sees her family, although my son has been to my house and sat in the garden. I don't want to put anyone at risk. It's still exciting though. :)

      Spicy, since I retired from my proper job, I have been working as a 'bank' support worker with vulnerable adults. For the last three years I have averaged 3 shifts each week, except for March-May when I felt it was too risky. I work for a national charity, and they have offered the anti-body test to all 'front line' staff.
      It was very quick, easy and well-managed, I will get the results in 48 hours.

      Delete
    4. Do let us know, Mistral when your status changes!

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    5. Lan Jan, over 80’s get a bit more. I live with daughter and as she doesn’t qualify for the WFA I get £200. When Mike was alive we had £100 each. We do have her income coming in but probably spend a bit more on heating as I am at home during the day. Having said that I usually only have the heating on around midday during working hours! Gordon Brown introduced it and I think it was a bit over generous! I think it should be added to income so that those of us who pay tax will be taxed on it. Somehow it should be paid direct to energy companies but nowadays with so many of them and the way we switch around this could just be too complicated! That £10 was worth a whole lot more in 1972 but is a bit meaningless now and the WFA wasn’t in existence then and does help the finances round about Christmas time.

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    6. I always have a large credit, with my energy company when October arrives. I pay the same each month be it summer or winter. This credit, always pays for the extra daily heating, and the gas fire, I use in the winter months.



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    7. ...so I always very warm and snug!

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    8. Yes, I do that Miriam. Spreading the cost is so worth it. It took ages to get my Mum to Direct Debit her bills. She would invariably get a bill, put it aside and forget it before the arrival of a final demand!

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  93. £10 (1972) = £132.82 in 2020

    Therefore I agree with LJ to scrap it would be unnoticeable for most people but collectively would give a meaningful sum for the government to use in another way.
    Ev is right about the WFA being too complicated to pay directly to the energy companies as indeed there are just so many around and most people it seems keep changing /combining
    suppliers - not us cannot be bothered. Sorting out upgrading tech when absolutely necessary is more than enough to drain me 😂

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  94. I used to pay quarterly by direct debit because I refuse to pay energy companies in advance so when I followed Martin Lewis' advice to change my energy company, I timed it so that the monthly payments are keeping up with the bills so I haven't built up a credit.
    No-one's getting my money before I get the goods!

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  95. Since earlier this year when I changed my supplier, I have been paying a fixed amount each month. It has helped me and last month I was in credit. That credit will diminish throughout the winter, but build again next year.
    I'm happy with this situation.

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    Replies
    1. My energy company give interest on the credit accrued, in my second year with them 4%. I keep the credit within reasonable limits so not a lot but every little bit helps! It is a good idea to build up some credit for the winter as it takes away the worry of meeting bigger bills.

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    2. I haven't heard of a scheme like that Ev! Certainly worth investigating.
      I have to make some decisions soon as my fixed rate finishes in November! Will see what Martin Lewis suggests.
      All my insurances come up for renewal too in November so I think I will be 'surfing' a lot more in the next couple of weeks!

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  96. Still can't get a flu jab. Both local chemists are Boots, who have run out, and each time I try to ring the surgery (which I can't get to anyway, as it's a £10 taxi ride away) I'm 17th, 18th, 19th in the queue. At one point I was only 14th, so decided to persevere, after 10 minutes I was still 14th and 5 minutes later I was down to 12th. As the Americans say - Do the math.

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    1. That is dreadful Sarnia! I had to hang on for 15 minutes when ringing the surgery the other day and I thought that was bad enough!
      When I did get through the receptionist was extremely curt, anticipated my question (wrongly), hardly gave me a chance to explain why I was ringing and then couldn’t give me the information I needed. But I suppose one has to make allowances for a very busy workload.
      But you should be able to get your flu jabs and your surgery seems even worse than mine.
      It’s not right!

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    2. I suspect there are two reasons why flu jabs are difficult to come by this year.
      1 More people are getting them because of Covid.
      2 Laboratories are not making so many because they are working on Covid vaccine?

      My doctor's surgery is usually quite quick in answering the telephone nowadays. I think they may have installed extra lines. There are certainly more 'girls' in the office. When I started at that practice there were just two receptionists manning the desk, sometimes only one at a time. One doctor only as well, and he was very, very lazy! Then about 35 years ago my present doctor arrived and soon expanded the practice. There are four or five 'girls' in the office/reception, a nurse, a Practice manager and a pharmacist, two regular doctors and sometimes a locum as well.
      Of course as with so many other places there are many more houses built around here and much woodland and green space have been built over. More doctors etc are needed anyway.

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    3. I had no bother and in fact the surgery rang to say they had availability earlier than my appointment on 20th so had the jab last Thursday. I wonder whether there isn’t so much a shortage as Boots etc not ordering enough of them! Sarnia, your experience is dreadful and wonder whether you could change your doctor maybe for one a bit nearer?

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  97. My car has arrived in Chester. I am waiting for an e-mail which I need to sign "virtually", to register it. Once I have the registration number, I can sort the insurance. I also need the bank details, so I can transfer the monies due (gulp!).
    I am, provisionally, picking it up on Saturday morning. There could still be some hiccups, but a delay of a few days, well that I can accept.


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  98. Ev, this IS the one that's a bit nearer! All six surgeries in the area have been combined into one large partnership, including my local surgery about 10 minutes up the road, which is probably the smallest and therefore one of the four which are shut. Only the two largest remain open, which accounts for the huge number of calls, rubbishing their idea that nearly everything can be dealt with online.

    Today I got the usual 'go online', followed by 'too busy, call back later'.

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