We use the 2 bin food waste system here in South Gloucestershire. I started using the worktop sized one and wrapped the waste in newspaper to go in the bigger kerbside bin. Now I have bought a nicer looking bin for the worktop and buy the degradable bags or use Co-op bags, also biodegradable. All food waste goes in as Mrs P has described and goes to an anaerobic digester to produce electricity.
Didn't Brian and Adam discuss having one of these some years ago?
I have tried composting the non meat waste in our garden compost bin, but stopped that a year or so ago when we had rats in the bin and garden 😳 I remember the rag and bone man coming round. Mrs P, I was near(ish) your way this morning, to see the Severn Bore at Epney. My first time seeing the bore. Lots of surfers and paddleboards about.
Miriam - October 18, 2020 at 4:29 PM That must have been a magnificent sight to see. 😀🏄♂️
Zoetrope - October 18, 2020 at 4:51 PM It was fascinating. The wave was lower than I expected. I know it varies, but don't how how today's bore compared to others. The whole phenomenon was interesting though, seeing the flow of the river in reverse, the speed of the flow etc. Especially seeing whole trees go by in the 'wrong' direction 😀
Archerphile - October 18, 2020 at 5:01 PM All our vegetable waste goes in one of our several compost bins. Food that can’t be composted (eg meat bones, chicken carcasses, after using for stock etc) gets sealed in a recyclable plastic bag or foil and goes in our grey bin which is for non- recyclable rubbish. It is collected weekly . All recyclable stuff, paper, card, certain plastics (but not all) go in the green bin which is collected fortnightly. All glass goes in a spécial box which is collected, when full, with the green bin, fortnigjtly. No problem.
Thank you Gary. You are spot on with the flag, the White Ensign. This is hoisted in the morning and taken back down each evening in every Naval establishment. The Officer of the Day supervises and Mike did just that many times in his career. We managed to get one to cover his coffin at the funeral. Thank you so much, I am so very moved x x
Ev. What a memorable day for You + Katy, tomorrow. I wish you well, and a calm sea. GG Has done you proud with the picture above. It shows how much we all care
My thoughts are with you, on this sad final event, yet ce
I feel for you Ev , the childrens grandfather who was a keen sailor left the same way from the Isle of Wight. His daughter lives in Ryde. We had a wreath in the shape of a sailing boat with the Blue Peter flying, the old meaning of "this vessel is about to leave port".
Ev, I do hope it's a memorable day tomorrow and I wish for you good weather. It will be sad, but you will feel good about giving Mike his final send off.
My father signed up as a cabin boy on the old schooners at age 14. He was at sea until he joined the army at 17, but although he said little about his experiences he always had pictures of sailing vessels on the walls and asked to have his ashes afloat off Southend Pier. My mother sister and I did our duty.
It's interesting to me that you mention shi tzus not liking boats. You may remember that I had a Tibetan Apso fifty years ago. This arose because I met a lady on the boat going over to the island with several Shi Tzus surrounding her. I approached her to admire the dogs and she told me to come and visit her in Newport. She lived quite near a cousin, so we did visit, and she told me all about the breed and advised me to consider Apsos as well, which is what we got eventually.
I reading a book where the main character has a Tibetan terrier so looked them up. They have a similar history to Shih Tzus having been bred by monks. They are a bit bigger than ours but not too big! Buddy has a bit of Llasa Apso in his interesting lineage! Am kind of dreading tomorrow but at the same time feel so much it is the right thing. Thank you all again for all your kind thoughts.
Zoetrope - I was there at the Severn at Epney myself yesterday. Took Day for a long walk on the canal then went to the river for some me time. I have been fascinated by the bore like Gary for decades. I think it was probably seeing it on 'Points West' when we lived in Malmesbury in the seventies. But I've never got to see it since living here. The reason being its very often in early morning, or late evening. I was out on a walk one evening a couple of summers ago and my friend and I heard a strange sound. She had seen the bore herself and had been telling me about it. We had also seen a man in a wet suit and with a board getting into the water as we arrived for our walk. Suddenly, seeing the man and hearing the sound triggered the thought, and I said " is it the bore ?" And we were there at the waters edge and saw it. But it was only a small one. I wasn't disappointed but still don't feel that I've seen the real thing. It really is fascinating. And it's so interesting to see how the paddle boarders negotiate the wave isn't it. I love the river, I see it daily when I walk Lady, and high up here on the edge we can see great sweeps of it. At sunset the glow on the mudflats or the water itself is magnificent.
Mrs P, I parked just past the Anchor. I met some friends there from our nordic walking group. We had planned to go on to Saul Junction afterwards, but another bore - watcher said that many people do that so we drove to Frampton on Severn and walked along the canal from there. It was beautiful. We had cheese flapjacks and a delicious chocolate orange and ginger cake on the green to celebrate the birthday of one of our group. Breakfast at the Anchor will have to be another visit.
Bringing back memories of my father who was in the Navy from leaving school to post WW2. I didn't know him as a naval officer - he went into the church after leaving the Navy, I only knew him as a vicar. He continued to listen to the shipping forecast though.
Zoe T - that's where I park when I go to Epney. But I did the same walk as you at Frampton yesterday. I had hoped to have tea at Mrs Massey's but they were closed. Walked along the canal to the next bridge and then back through the village and along the road to the car. I went on to Epney afterwards and also went down to the Passage just to be as close to the river as possible. The bench that I sat on would have been completely covered by the river during the bore this morning.
I like the sound of cheese flapjacks. Never heard of them before.
The White Ensign is such an emotional symbol for me too Ev. My father was an Officer in the Royal Navy in WW1 and spent his whole life telling tales of his exploits, never wore any tie but his Royal Navy Reserve one, wore his medals to attend Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph and instilled in me a love of the Senior Service that I still have today. So I wish you well for tomorrow and will be thinking of you and mentally saluting the Ensign (and probably humming ‘For those in peril on the sea’, the only hymn I ever heard my Dad sing)
Mrs P, I'm sure I've written a reply about the cheese flapjacks, but it has disappeared. I first saw them in a Cranks recipe book from the 70s. I no longer have the recipe, but I remember they had rosemary in. They were delicious.
I too served as an officer in the Royal Navy and rased and lowered the ensign on many occasions. Splendid tribute and many memories for me. Ev, I wish you and Mike fair winds and a following sea.
Oh dear!, As I half expected, our roof menders have uncovered a right old can of worms! They’ve stripped the slates off our gable (terrible mess of broken slates everywhere) and found rotten timbers, masses of woodworm and Lord know what else. I am not really all that surprised as the cottage is so old and we’ve never had that section of roof repaired before. Mr A is up there now with them to see what has to be done. I think our quote of £4000 is just about to get much higher. 😩
On a less gloomy note, I made my first loaf of soda bread yesterday to go with some homemade butternut squash soup. I can’t believe how easy it is. Only 4 ingredients, no special flour required, no ‘starter’, no leaving to prove, 30 mins at 180C and we had a beautiful, golden crusty loaf to go with the soup. Easy Peasy! Can’t believe I’ve never done it before. 🥖
I could not attend the scattering of "the ashes", of either of my parents. I just found it a step too far. I said my final farewells, at the crem. at both times. Luckily my family understood. I did join in, with the pub lunch afterwards!
My grandfather was a Royal Navy officer. Mum cut her wedding cake, with his ceremonial sword. Grandfather was on "The George" when "The Hood" went down in Scapa Flow in WW2. I still have the "navy crown" pin, as worn by my my true Grandma, who died of tuberculosis in 1930, when mum was still a baby.
My thoughts are with Ev tonight, on such an emotional day. 🇬🇧
My grandfather was in the merchant navy and my Gran loved to sing “f or those in peril “ and found it very emotional. I have been researching some of the places he travelled to, which are written on the back of a photograph of my grandmother, which he took with him. Mum recently showed me their atlas from 1908 which he bought my grandmother as a birthday present the year he made the voyage logged on the photograph. It showed the shipping lanes in the Black Sea and names of places I was struggling to decipher. He also travelled to South America and later Australia and New Zealand. They were thinking of emigrating there but he died in his forties when Mum was a baby.
We had lovely weather, sunny and not too cold. The Solent was generally calm and we dropped the ashes with Milford on Sea in sight. He spent part of his childhood there and it was from there he learned to sail when he was about 12! We expected the urn to float for a little while and then sink but it went in with a big splash and disappeared from sight. It reminded me of a trip he and I had on a pseudo Santa Maria in Madeira. The deck was about 20 feet above the sea and we stopped for a swim with a rope ladder down the side. He just leapt from the deck much to my horror but all was well! On telling his brother about it on our return, Andrew said “Well, he WAS a Naval Diver! And so he made a big splash today which he would have loved! We then put in some posies from the garden for each of us and those who couldn’t come and finally a bunch of Rosemary for remembrance and the last red rosebud from the garden. We then went on to a pub lunch near Yarmouth. It is in farm grounds with lovely countryside around. It was lovely to see Michaela, the twins’ granny, her husband Tony and their lovely little dog, Pip who patiently enjoyed her boat ride and was so well behaved we couldn’t believe it. Nearly acquired dog number 4 but they wouldn’t part with her! Our dogs had a nice time in day care and even went as spectators to dog agility with Hannah and her dog, Barney. Dudley behaved impeccably for a change and Buddy just enjoyed being Buddy! Gyp was not too happy as at her advanced age she likes to know where exactly she is. Mike would be appalled we have 3 dogs! Yes, was nervous about today but am so very glad we did this and honoured his memory. Your support has made such a difference too. Love you all!xxx👏😍
We finished our voyage with a complimentary rum each and toasted “The Immortal Memory”! Katy did all the driving as Michaela and Tony came over as food passengers. They are all such a lovely family. Being a stepmother was not easy but at this point of my life so worthwhile! I am also truly blessed with my lovely daughter!😍
Thank you for sharing your day with us Ev, it feels as though it has left you feeling (quite rightly) both proud and uplifted! So very pleased for you and indeed honoured that you used a bunch of “me” as one of your last tributes - given the game away now haven’t I 🤣
Sounded like the perfect way to say farewell Ev. So glad the weather kept fair for you too. That’s exactly what my Dad would have wanted, had it been possible .
Can I have a little moan? I am cross with Mr A, even more cross with his gliding friend C C is forever buying new (secondhand) cars. He gets a fancy for a particular model, usually a sports type, looks for one up for sale on eBay, will travel anywhere in the country to view it and sometimes buys. He must have changed his car twice a year since we have known him. His wife is very ill with a rare type of leukaemia, having chemotherapy and shielding at home.
Last night C phoned & told Mr A he had agreed to buy a TR7 (I think) from a seller in Maidstone, Kent. As his wife is too ill to take him down to collect it, would Mr A drive him down there? Maidstone is a hell of a long drive from here. 2 -3 hours via M25 etc, then back on his own.
We have the roof men working here. They quite often knock on the door with the latest bit of bad news and want to speak to Mr A about it. He goes up the scaffolding to have a look and make decisions. They may finish work later today. Mr A should go up to check the work is OK before we had over a very large cheque. I certainly can’t do that! But he will not be here. He will be indulging C’s latest car obsession by acting as a taxi driver between here and Maidstone.
I want to ask, genuinely, am I right to be annoyed that Mr A agreed to do this long car journey today and didn’t at least say ‘ sorry, I can’t manage today, but perhaps later on the week when the roof is finished’. Personally, I think C has a blooming cheek asking in the first place!
AP, you have every right to be bloody furious with him. And even more so with C - who goes on a long road trip across the country during a pandemic to buy a new toy? While his extremely ill wife is shielding at home? Selfish little boys, that's who.
Perhaps it’s C’s way of coping with his difficult situation, and perhaps Mr A feels sad for him, but, blummin ‘eck, I would definitely be furious for all the reasons you and Gary outline. Totally justified I think AP.
Ev, so glad yesterday went as it did. Hopefully another memory to add to your lovely memories of your husband. I can picture you out there on the Solent, as the New Forest and that part of the world has a special place in my heart.
Miriam thanks for commenting on my post. Coincidentally last night on the telephone Mum said I should have the atlas and some of the postcards Grandad sent to Gran, when I visit again, hopefully in the spring. I was very moved.
Seasider, you are very generous to think it’s C’s way of coping. Sadly, he has always been like this, for many years before his wife was taken ill. It was his decision to sell their beautiful converted Barn near here and buy a property in Australia where he goes gliding in the winter months ( not this year though, tee-he!). During the summer he and his wife live in a log-cabin type chalet on the airfield so he can glide every day. His poor wife is having to shield in this cabin! I’m afraid he is one of those selfish men who always put their own concerns first. He started the glider syndicate of which Mr A is a member, so Mr A does not want rock the boat, as it were. Sadly Mr A seems unable to say no when C waves his little finger, to my great annoyance!
I really don't see why Mr AP can't postpone the trip till after your roofers have completed the job satsfactorily. How hard is it to explain that simple fact to the obsessed C ?
We had a neighbour like this. He and wife had a bungalow in Tewkesbury and one day wandered over to Ledbury to look at new build Barrett estate. They had a look at the house out of interest she thought. He marched into the site office and said they would have it without talking to her. I would have said to Mike “see you in the car” and walked out. However we always made decisions together especially on house purchase! This guy later went on to choose their leather suite and curtains. They had separate bedrooms and she had to put up with ancient wardrobe etc whilst he spent a fortune on new computers, cars and huge TV screens. C sounds just as selfish and Mr A is encouraging him by giving in to his demands. However, not much you can do AF. Maybe Mr A can do his inspection tomorrow before paying up. It’s not worth you getting too upset but understand how you must feel.
Thank you all again for good wishes! Katy remarked what a lovely group you are as she knows many online blogs can get a bit nasty!
I'd slaughter him Mrs A. 1 Don't hand over any money until Mr A. has checked the roof. I was a bit concerned when you said there were shattered slates down in the garden. Slates should be checked and those that are reusable saved to be used again. Nails get fatigued especially if old, but slates can last a lot longer. 2 I have become used to dealing with builders but had some hiccups in earlier years when they thought they could try it on with a woman You are not used to such things so when Mr A gets home you say to him you are never again being left alone to deal with builders and so you want to move post haste to a modern bungalow that doesn't need work doing. 3 Before you do move you would be doing that selfish Mr C's wife a favour if you gave him a right talking to, before that preferably. If there was a coolness created between Mr A and C then Mr A might be keener to let go of his links with that particular club and move. 4 Don't even think of having a meal ready for Mr A when he gets home.
Oh Janice, I like it, I like it! 😈 To be fair, the builders have saved a lot of the slates which can be used again. It’s just the badly broken ones that are littering the garden along with rotten battery’s and mouldy roofing felt.
I agree with others that you have a right to be aggrieved Archerphile and that Mr C is clearly a very selfish man, as was the man that Ev has described.
Ev described someone from the past, you are talking about someone now, I am reminded, through Ev's post of my father who did exactly the same, visited friends, liked what they had, and seriously disrupted the lives of his wife and both daughters, by relocating us all at a very crucial time. ( and this impacted on my sister and I far far into our future lives, both of us needing to access our educational needs as mature students ) My father was an Edwardian in outlook, these men, Mr C and perhaps Mr AP and certainly Ev and Mikes friend may have been born at a later date, but I see them as relics of that period. Feminism and the rights of women in decision making has passed them by. They know and understand how it has changed the world but it's not changed them and they are old men now. And crucially they have got away with it this long, why should they not continue ? I understand that the divorce rate among women of over sixty rose dramatically some time ago. Woman who had put up with this mindset for decades deciding that they wanted a different life, and doing something drastic to change their situation. But were there just as many woman who chose to stay with those dictatorial husbands. Better the devil you know ? The attitudes may have been mostly left behind, and the generation of such men is on its last legs, and I do have compassion for the women still having to cope with such attitudes. Yes Archerphile you have a right to moan, and you have support to do so on here. I hope you can find the right words to explain your grievances to Mr AP and that he has the capacity to understand. People can change, even old men !
Ev - Carolyn's suggestion is spot on. What you have written about yesterday is so lovely. Do keep it for remembrance. You might well have many years beyond Mike. Capturing your feelings now will give you a warm glow in the future. You are a very lucky woman to have had your life with such a loving husband.
Archerphile, What a couple of Pillocks. So selfish. If you are able to drive now with your eyes, if you see what I mean, I would be out going to view houses without Mr A and tell him that's it, we are moving. Even if you don't mean it it might give him food for thought.
Do not hand over any money to the builders. That's Mr A's responsibilty and if the builders moan then tell them to moan to him.
AP, not that generous. Just a tiny bit of me trying somehow to make sense of their actions. In your shoes I would be furious and wouldn’t have held back!! I agree with others that Mr AP needs to take responsibility for any hold up to checking the roofers’ work and paying them. Good luck!
Oh Mr A you’ve let our Archerphile down 😡 out of (misplaced) kindness! Is C in the same age group AP either way he should not be involving Mr A in this way during a pandemic. Putting everyone at risk with such close contact especially his vulnerable long suffering wife.
Him - I don’t care about as the whole silly and indulgent situation is of his own making.
On a different note, I had an appointment at the hospital eye clinic today, and all went really well. I am only mentioning this, to say - do not be anxious about a necessary hospital appointment. I felt far safer there, than on a supermarket visit. The only problem was, on returning home, I had no keys, so I was locked out. I rang the taxi firm, who picked me up earlier and the keys were found. The taxi driver brought them back to me, within 15 mins. It was just as well, as I needed the loo. I gave him a very genorous fee of £10 - but I was so grateful and solved a lot of problems.
When I some roof work done, a few years ago, I thought I was being conned, as an individual female. I was not allowed to view the problem myself, so the person, with me watching every movement, went up the ladder and took photos, which were then shown to me. Only then did I agree as to the problem and OK'd the repair needed. I get fed up, as an individual female home-owner, that I am thought of as an easy target. 😁
AP: it was hardly ever worth arguing with Mr S as he had somehow managed to elevate stubbornness to art form. I used to bide my time and saved my energy for the occasions when I needed to rear up and simply say NO! In my view, this is one of them. Tell him he's not going and there's an end to it!
When I did put my foot down, even Mr S knew better than to cross me, he'd just sulk for days. Remember when he kept threatening to discharge himself from hospital? It was nonsense because he could barely manage to get across the ward with a walking frame, but the staff were so fed up with hearing it I confiscated his bus pass just to shut him up.
Miriam, sorry to butt in, I just want to tell everyone :
The End of the Tale! Firstly my sincere thanks to everyone for your support today - and for some jolly good suggestions! 😈
Mr A’s round trip took 6 hours, partly due to closures on the M25 & C forgetting final directions to the farm where the car was for sale. It was duly bought & Mr A followed C all the way back home in case of any breakdowns. Fortunately, the roofers were still here finishing off and clearing up, so Mr A could go up and inspect the work, ask questions etc. They did clear up very well and even pressure washed the path to the front door where they’d been working.
Then Mr A and I had a cuppa and a good talk. I explained my feelings exactly & he agreed his friend C is rather a stupid, man who gets obsessions and trades on their friendship. We had a long session discussing the way C conducts his life, the decisions he makes and our sorrow for the wife who puts up with it all, despite being ill. Mr A realises he should be less accommodating where C is concerned. But truthfully he is always ready to help anyone out, never says no and is often, I think, taken advantage of. He agrees that these major repairs have to be done before putting the house on the market (a good thing) and I believe he now accepts a move will have to be taken sooner rather than later. I predict next spring will see us actively taking steps!
Final, final news.... we had an email from C thanking Mr A for all his help today & saying he had put £100 into our bank account for petrol etc. So it turned out OK in the end and my feelings have been recognised and well & truly taken note of! (Lady R - C is a couple of years older than us & his wife a bit older still)
I hate wearing a face mask. 😷I have tried several types, disposable and cotton washable ones. I feel claustraphobic in them, and I have now sore skin and a rash, on my cheeks + chin. I saw an advert for another type, and after a lot of research, I ordered some. They have arrived and are brilliant, and washable. I can now breathe easily and my glasses don't steam up! Sadly I cannot tell the make here, as it would be advertising.
Advertise away Miriam! No such rules here - I remember a couple of years ago having to remind everyone that they didn't have to type things like A**a & T***o when they meant Asda & Tesco!
Archerphile. What do you mean "butting" in? I was just telling about my day, as you are doing. It is lovely to hear and share, our lives plus the problems, be they good or bad, on a daily basis. I am now in Tier 2, so I am now home alone, I am lucky, compared to Big Sis, who lives only 20 miles away, in Wales ..so Lockdown again! I have no idea, when I will see her again. 😣👭
Archerphile, I admire MrA's stamina, a 6 hour round trip and climbing up on the roof. You are in good hands as you don't need reminding and you are able to discuss things.
Well done Archerphile, I hope all our posts today helped you to have the confidence to say how you felt. I said that even old men can change, and it sounds as though Mr A is learning that lesson too. And well done you for finding the right words for him to listen to. And if he gets stubborn again, use Sarnias tactics, she seems to have had lots of experience. I do like the lost keys and no bus pass Sarnia. .
And as for keys..... oh poor you Miriam. But you seemed to have coped in a calm manner, so well done.
Great news Archerphile. I am with P tbY Start looking at "Right Move" now. Strike while the iron is hot. Let the roof repairs.be the last big money you are spending on your home. Maybe C's wife felt like a day to herself.. C was pretty generous too Write down all the things you want for your new home which you haven't got now -proximity to shops perhaps, regular buses ,near to hospitals but not so close to the road. Good Luck.
Miriam - why did I apologise for ‘butting in’? Because I had been taking up a lot of blog space today, telling about my builder & husband problems and receiving lots of advice from our friends. I thought I had finished that topic. Then you joined us and wrote about your hospital visit and new car and problem with keys etc Then, rather than acknowledging your post and commenting, I wanted to tell everyone the conclusion of my Mr A story and say it had worked out OK in the end. I felt I was being rather rude by going straight back to my concerns rather than acknowledging you, so I apologised for butting into your story. That’s all there was to it.
Perhaps the layout of the log makes it difficult to keep track of various posts and topics. We did start putting the name & time of a post we were replying to but that seems to have been abandoned now So I thought it was polite not to ignore your first post of the evening and to apologise for cutting across you, as it were.
Archerphile - I read all the posts about your husband's 'adventures' and am pleased to hear how it has all worked out. Always good to have a chat over a cuppa and get things out in the open air. Sounds as if you've made new plans and decisions and I wish you luck with everything.
It’s funny how things work out. If the dogs had been in day care today we would have booked the boat today. However, the weather is bad this morning, rain and greyness. As it happened we had the best day of the week. It was meant to be!
I had the decking, drive and paths pressure washed yesterday. Last evening my neighbour came round to say we should inform our workers that they had splatted mud over her new drive and roped fence which comes right up to our path at the front. I went with her to have a look and there was a trace of sandy deposit on the edge of her drive and nothing I could see on the ropes. I said that it would rain today so would disperse the offending deposit. Nevertheless she was going to brush it down. The fact is that drives will get dirty and will not stay in the pristine new condition which is why I have had my drive pressure washed! Over the five years we have been here her oak tree at the back has shed leaves all over my garden and I have had to either tackle them myself or pay someone to clear them. A fact of life! I just don’t know why she was fussing but stay calm and don’t think it worth falling out over! The pressure washing won’t occur every week after all!!🤔🥴
Trafalgar Day - always a big occasion in our family! Dad pristine in his old Navy Uniform, wearing tie and medals (even in his eighties). Two union flags above the front door (sure the postman wondered why on Earth they were there!) and the loyal toast before dinner. Dad was adamant our first baby would be born on 21st October but she had the temerity to arrive a week early!
Miriam, 6:47 yesterday I’d be very interested to know where you got your face masks, if you don’t mind telling us. They sound exactly what I’m looking for as I haven’t found any that are comfortable or don’t cut across my eyes yet.
Miriam, re your keys, I have a key safe outside the front door. We had it put in through Age Concern. It is there in event of emergency and as you live alone would be handy if anyone had to get in. You just need to give the combination to a few people whom you trust. It also comes into its own if you lose or misplace your keys! I know you are very young but looking forward it could be a good thing!
Ev, thanks for posting that about the key safe. Have discussed this with my youngest who lives nearest, but didn't know you can get it done via Age Concern. Will put that on the to do list.
Thank you Gary. I've chosen tv progs. and they're in no particular order:-
1. Downton Abbey I just loved this series and managed to visit Highclere once. Loved the stories, the cast and those wonderful costumes. 2. Game of Thrones There is plenty of violence, nudity and sex so be forewarned if you plan to watch. I took a while to get into this series but was hooked once I did. 3. Wolf Hall Absolutely loved this series. The attention to detail and atmosphere they managed to create was wonderful. 4. Dinner Ladies A favourite with gentle humour and the wonderful Victoria Wood who wrote it. 5. Poldark I enjoyed the 'new' version and also loved the original with hunky Robin Ellis.
I am stuck on something I hate as, to state the obvious, if I don't like it I don't watch it. Can I be excused from this?
We bought a key safe from Amazon (or EBay,) It wasn't very expensive.
The reason I bought one was that if one of us was alone in the house and perhaps fell ,although Mr LJ or I could possibly crawl to reach a phone the handle of the front door might not be able to be reached to admit a neighbour or indeed a medic All that is needed is to say the combination(four digits) and the Good Samaritan could be admitted. Also good in the circumstances Miriam mentioned.
You all must be mind readers, as after my experience yesterday, a key-safe has already sprung to mind. I have the ideal place to put one (behind my window box). I knew where the keys were most likely to be. I knew that they weren't in the hosp., as I checked my own assigned, + socially distanced seat, in the waiting room, on leaving. I realised in the taxi going home, that my keys were missing. I stayed calm, rang the taxi firm, explaining the problem. By chance the driver, who drove me in, was at the office, and he went and found them (distinctive as my front door key has bright purple top). I asked if he could return them, which he did within 20mins. I was relieved, as I needed the loo, hence the £10 I gave him, as it solved so many problems. Big Sis (in Wales) has a spare key, but I knew she was playing golf. I would have had a long wait, for her to bring them to me, and she would not have been happy. The keycard for the car was locked in the house, so I couldn't drive to her.
Archerphile - the face masks I have just bought, are from Smart Masks UK. They are re-usable, 3- layered ones, and washable. I wore one for over 2 hours yesterday, and it was comfortable. The difference is the inner layer, is soft, so does not irritate. They are about £11 each, so there could be similar and cheaper ones available. I will still use disposable ones, when doing quick shops, to avoid constant washing.
LanJan - Sir Geoffrey is 80 today and wrote a short article in The Telegraph ( with a nice photo of him in his garden). He was talking about not commentating for the BBC any longer and blamed the BBC’s obsession with political correctness, citing this summers crew of ethnically correct, female commentators. I must say we agree with him and not just in the area if Cricket. We miss his input. Hé also talked about being ‘sandbagged’ by Marta Kearney on the Today programme when he was invited in to talk about his knighthood, and all she wanted to question him about was his court case. It upset him greatly, and I’m not surprised. I heard that interview and thought it was crass and insensitive. Happy Birthday, Sir Geoffrey! 🎂 🏏
I too love "Dinnerladies". I must have seen each episode at least half a dozen times! I know I would LOVE "Game of Thrones but I have yet to get around to it. (I'm rubbish at starting things.) Only ever seen about 10 minutes of "Downton" and it just didn't grab me - I suppose it's one of those shows that you have to start from the beginning. The other 2 programmes aren't really my cup of tea. I'm sure they are very well done, but there you go!
Like Miriam I adore "Brideshead", but my favourite TV things are probably ALL sci-fi.
The series with Lorne Greene, Dirk Benedict and Jayne Seymour. As for Star Trek, love them all, esp. the many spin off series - which just got better + better. These are not true Sci-Fi as such, but, the concept of space etc. I so enjoyed. Another oldie but goodie (well for me) was Space 1999. That is a blast from the past!
Archerphile, yes I know that Sir Geoffrey is 80 years old today. I am with him all the way and I miss his contribution to TMS I am sick and tired of listening to the female commentators who never played against the likes of Warne,Sobers etc. I didn't hear his interview with Martha Carney. Had I done so I reckon I would have been disgusted.
Someone mentioned recently ,rather than using the reply button we could refer back to a previous post by mentioning the time it was posted.. That way it means that the posts remain in sequence and if somebody scrolls back to the post last read then no posts are missed.
Now for Anneveggie's choices. I did enjoy Downton Abbey . I love the clothes worn by the women particularly in the Edwardian era. I didn't watch either Wolf Hall or Game of thrones.. I used to watch Dinner Ladies though and really enjoyed it
Thanks, Anneveggie. 2 + 4 I never watched, (maybe Dinner Ladies once - why didn't I continue ?! Loved Victoria Wood, &, though I know a number of people who really enjoyed G of T, especially the earlier series, just never got round to it myself)
Loved Wolf Hall, which included the 2nd one of the trilogy - so well acted & true to the spirit of those remarkable novels, & Downton was a wonderful series of period escapism ( & gave far more credence & reality to 'downstairs' than ever 'Upstairs & Downstairs' did, back in the day!) Like you, also visited Highclere - very much geared to plugging the TV series....
Liked Poldark - also enjoyable period escapism( & all those cliff top rides & emotive starings out to sea...) & vaguely remember seeing some of the Robin Ellis version, bit this one was better, I thought- more consonant with our times, I suppose.
Dinnerladies is so funny. As it was written by Victiria Wood, it her sense of humour, yet much more subtle, with a brilliant cast, who are natural and straight faced, even with their comic lines + interludes. I can watch this, over and over again.
I like period dramas very much Anneveggie, so a yes to Downton Abbey ( which we also saw at the cinema), Poldark, and Wolf Hall. Game of Thrones I only saw a bit of in passing when someone else was watching it, and the blood curdling screams and violence completely put me off. Dinnerladies I have never seen but will look up, especially if it is funny. I had never heard of Ev's earlier mentioned Not Going Out, and have since found some episodes on You Tube and found them really funny.
Gosh,I missed writing down that I loved Poldark . I actually preferred the second version. Could have been something about the actor playing Ross . I also enjoyed Brideshead Revisted.
Late to the party Anneveggie but agree about Downton 100%, Highclere is not far from where we live and we have driven past it and been to events there for years before it was used for the programme I was going to watch Game of Thrones until my daughter warned me of the violence, sex etc as she knew I shouldn’t like it. Victoria Wood was one of my favourite people and I’d watch absolutely any programme she had anything to do with. Dinner Ladies was one of my least favourite of her shows, my favourite was ‘Housewife 49’ which she wrote, directed and starred in. I really recommend reading the new biography of her which has just been published. It is very enlightening.
I'm late to the review party too. I feel the need to apologise, but at the same time know that I shouldn't, ( need to ! ) but I never took to Victoria Wood with the exception of Housewife 49 which I thought excellent. So I suppose what I feel is that rather than being funny, I preferred her being serious. How different would her career have been if she had pitched herself as a serious actress I wonder. I've only ever seen a little of Downton, did see the film, and one recent series shown again, but would love to see the complete work.
Never watched the seventies Poldark but remember parents being very keen on it. But have enjoyed the new one and adore Demelza. ( but can't ever forget the wonderful Angharad Rheese (sp ?)
Never could be sure of my feelings about Wolfe Hall. Loved it, the lighting the costumes the acting..... but somehow it didn't all gel for me. But did enjoy the discussions with teenage G daughter following each episode.
I've got a bat in my kitchen. It's a baby and its exquisite. Very dark brown and furry like a tiny bear. I can see it's eyes, its teeth and its minute fingers. It's about an inch long and about three quarters an inch wide. Very beautiful.
The cat bought it in and dropped it on the floor and I thought it was a leaf until picked it up and felt it's warmth. I've followed instructions and it's in a box with water.
Coincidentally a friend is coming over to our local wonder Woodchester Mansion on Friday, because he needs some bat poo, for a research project for the book he is writing. Woodchester Mansion has a bat room with glass panels where the public can view them in a natural setting.
I will release our new little friend tomorrow evening when it's mother will come and find it. There is a very high wall in part of my garden and the cat will be kept inside. The last time he caught a bat that's where I put it and it had gone in thirty minutes. Lady is intrigued because she can hear it moving about in the box.
I had a session of acupuncture on my ankle today. I hope to get to sleep without being in pain tonight.
Well, I really enjoyed Wolf Hall, am currently about 1/2 way through GoT, love a bit of blood & guts (not to mention the sex... 😲😉), got irritated by dinnerladies 1st time round but now appreciate & enjoy the wit & intelligent observation. Saw some early Downton but it got too soapy for me... Haven't seen any of the Poldark remake! Fond memories of Robin Ellis...
I loved Downton Abbey, recorded all the repeats over the summer and I am working my way through them again. I would like to visit Highclere one day. I loved Dinner Ladies and all Victoria Wood’s work, and remember loving her in the mid eighties when she came to fame. Housewife 49 I have seen several times. She wrote it and acted it beautifully. I also have the diaries of Nella Last, which people probably know were sent to the mass observation project (to which I have made a small contribution during the lockdown).
I also loved both series of Poldark. I watched the first with my mum when I was a teenager and I can’t rate either above the other.
I didn’t get around to Wolf Hall, although I keep meaning to read Hilary Mantel, and I think Game of Thrones was on a channel I don’t have, but from the comments here I don’t think it’s for me.
Mrs P, really interesting story about your bat. Wishing it a safe return to its family. I was delighted to see a hedgehog in my garden when I was in Yorkshire. As it was morning I was a little worried as they are nocturnal but it looked fine and moved swiftly up to the top of my garden and later disappeared.
I love Dinnerladies too. A wonderful cast and apart from Victoria loved Julie Walters as her Mum! Mike and I enjoyed Poldark but somehow couldn’t continue to watch it on my own. We watched Downton Abbey from the start. Again a wonderful cast and good story. Have not watched Game of Thrones or Wolf Hall but all in all good choices AV!
Mrs P, lovely about the bat and hope it’s release goes well!
Rare for me to comment at this time of day. I slept without pain in my ankle and a friend, an early riser called me just before seven. Wonderful to be up early. The bat has been put on the roof of the garden shed. I hope it was not too late for mum to find it. Car service and replacement of seat belt today.
Talking about wildlife, I went to the podiatrist the other day and as I walked into her drive I saw what looked like a lovely garden ornament and then it scuttled away. It was a red squirrel which had some white streaks. I occasionally see them running over my rear fence and they do vary in colour. Some are pure red and others have white or black streaks. We are so lucky to live here where our native species still exists. 🐿
When I lived on Arran I was practically tripping over red squirrels every day - there are no grey squirrels to be had on the island. What with them and the deer sitting in the middle of the road and seals on almost every beach I went to, it was like living in a "Countryfile" calendar!
It has always been a great disappointment to us that, even though living in the country, with a large garden full of the things wildlife are suppose to enjoy, we have never seen a hedgehog here in 38 years.....and only once a (Grey) squirrel.
Lots of rabbits, a couple of Muntjac deer, pheasants, a moorhen, herons and an egret, but never hedgehogs or a resident squirrel. 🙁
We saw a hedgehog in our garden in Ledbury. It had been farmland before being developed so think he was a leftover. Sadly he didn’t stay. We had a toad in our water feature. Mike plunged his hand in to clean out the battery area and touched something gooey! I called him Fernando after the F hideaway song. He stayed in residence for the whole summer. It was ideal for him as it was secluded, damp at the bottom but room to come up for air!!
I had read all the Game of Thrones books (enormous tomes!) so I wasn't particularly worried about seeing the series, so I didn't! The books were hard going when it got to about the fifth volume as it was obvious the author was tired of it and it became far too repetitive. In the end HBO (?) who made the TV series had to employ alternative writers to finish the series after waiting years for GRR Martin to complete it! I loved the latest Poldark. I believe the first one was on TV when I didn't have a set just after moving from the village into a bedsit in town. I also loved Dinner Ladies whenever I managed to catch an episode. Very witty and wonderful dialogue. I tried Wolf Hall but found the darkness on the screen too trying to enjoy. I wanted to watch it as I find Mantel's written works unreadable! Obviously I'm very much in a minority as with Downton Abbey. Stopped watching after about 30 minutes into the first episode after a servant (in 1912) called one of her 'betters' "a bleeding Nazi!" As a history graduate I am totally pedantic about historical details! 😀☺ At the moment Jon and I are thoroughly enjoying The Last Kingdom (on Netflix) based on the excellent books by Bernard Cornwell about the bringing together of the old Anglo Saxon Kingdoms into the original England by Alfred and his descendants.
Do you find it annoying, Spicy, when historians speak in the present tense? This morning one of them recounted how Marie Antoinette is currently marrying Louis! I suppose they think it makes it more relevant but what is wrong with putting history in the past?? As I have said before I can’t bear reading books written in the present tense. Just me I suppose!
No not just you! Newspaper reporters do it too sometimes and many other writers! I want to shout at them "There is a reason why it's called 'reported speech!'" Lucy Worsley is an historian who drives me up the wall too! Pretending she is a lady in waiting to Catherine of Aragon or someone similar! I am just a grumpy old woman now but so many things are annoying. Although two out of the three sons will correct and challenge me! I did have a row online with daughter too about Lewis Hamilton and his arrogance! I started reading Wolf Hall and have given up each time. It went to the Scope charity shop in pristine condition!
I swear by acupuncture. I am pleased you had success with it Mrs P. Better than a Countryfile Calendar ,Gary.re 8:51 am Remember the winner last year set up the scene with a harvest mouse . It wasn't natural at all. There was a red squirrel NT Reserve not far from where I used to live on the NW Coast . Lovely . They came into the garden but then so did the greys.
Anneveggie. I have only ever watched two of the programmes you mention. Dinner Ladies and Wolf Hall. Victoria Wood brought together Some wonderful women actors. I don’t know how they kept a straight face with the lines they were given. Especially Maxine Peake who did a wonderful dumb dinner lady. They were all wonderful. Went to her one woman show! She certainly had a lot of stamina and was very witty. Similar with Wolf Hall. Mark Rylance is superb, have had the pleasure of seeing him at the globe. I also loved Bridehead. I adore bats 🦇 we have lots round here and in the evening can watch them fly past seeking food. Found one hanging on the curtains. So sweet.
Ev. I’m glad you had a clear day and everything went well. My thoughts to you and Katy and family.
The baby bat has gone. Do hope it was mum that collected it. Puss was indoors.
I have had acupuncture in the past. I think it was a person needing to monitor their treatments for training, organised by my daughter who is very keen on Acupuncture. Haven't had it for years though. This man recommended by my gym mistress !
I saw Rylance as a young( ish) man in the Tempest , at midnight on a ley line, Corfe Castle. Can't read Mantel. But I've written about her in the past.
Ev, I've seen the reds on the island but didn't know that some had various colourings. When we lived in Malmesbury we had colonies of hedgehogs. I would frequently spend my evenings in the garden with them. They hoot when they are courting.
I thought G of T was quite spectacular..loved it. I also enjoyed Downton Abbey. Thought Maggie Smith was hilarious. I think I started to watch Wolf Hall but I was a bit dissapointed with the actor who played Cromwell, I'm sure he's a very good actor but his physical appearance didn't jive with what I had imagined from the book. I haven't seen the rest but I'm definitely going to check out Dinner Ladies..goodness knows we all need a good laugh now more than ever.
We have just watched our garden bin being wheeled away. I wondered why, as the garden waste lorry came a couple of hours earlier, and I hadn’t put it on the pavement because it was empty. I went out to retrieve it and there wasn’t any sign. I rang up our council and they said it was because we haven’t paid our annual subs. Problem was they suspended them because of Covid and didn’t let us know they had started taking payments later in the year. (I know, we should have remembered to check. Again.) So seeing our bin wheeled away was the first we knew. It says in their policy they are supposed to inform us in writing in advance of a renewal due. I was planning a pruning and tidying session this afternoon.😬. Oh and their system is down so they can’t take the payment anyway and what annoys me most is what are they going to do with a perfectly good bin in these days of environmental concern. *!*!* I think as I have a compost bin (and not the tidiest of gardens - I like a natural look) I will see if I can manage without and save our eighty quid.
We have plenty of grey squirrels and foxes here in SE London - I mentioned in the summer I caught one of the latter with one of the former in its mouth and managed to make the fox drop the squirrel unharmed. Loved seeing red squirrels in the Lake District a good few years ago. Not as easy to spot as the pesky greys that empty our bird feeders.
Greys are very much bolder than the reds. Had I encountered a grey the other day it would just have sat and looked at me unlike the red who scuttled away! We used to see greys in Ledbury when we walked up to the swimming pool via the rec ground.
Yes, reds are really shy, aren’t they. I remember as a small child being taken on a trip to a big park and advised to look into a particular tree to see the squirrels (red at that time) and being terribly disappointed they were nowhere to be seen. Anyone remember the Tufty Club?
Off to collect daphne this evening. Had planned on leaving it till Nov 1st to enable us to help our son move into his first house and collect her on the way home but with greater Manchester now in highest tier we decided we had better collect her in case it gets any worse. How we are going to do a house move with a 10 week old pup in tow I don’t know but we’ll just have to manage. So I’m expecting quite a sleepless night tonight and no more late morning lie ins!! Think I may have a nap after lunch to fortify myself!!
I do hope it was the little bat's mum who collected him/her Mrs. P. Always pleased to hear of a healthy hedgehog since they are apparently at risk of extinction. I'm quite envious of those who have seen Mark Rylance act. I think he was wonderful in Wolf Hall. It was rather dark but it was filmed with the light that would have been available in that period and added to the atmosphere IMHO. Good luck with your pup PtbY. Love the name.
PtbY. What a wise move, to get the puppy early. She will be fine with your TLC and loving care. What is the breed, I can't recall. Good Luck 🐶
I am off to The Zoo tonight, virtually, if my link works. The area that was burnt down, almost 2 years ago, after many delays this year, for obvious reasons, is about to re-open. I have the priveledge, of viewing it tonight. It is 🤞that the link, I have been sent, works. If not - then Che Sera. I will see it for myself in a fortnights time. I cannot use my members pass on weekends nor in half-term, but I don't mind a slight wait. It will be worth it.
I went to the large Sainsbury's near to Cheshire Oaks today, the first time since before Lockdown. This store has the entire TU range of clothes, 25% off at the moment. I bought myself some items, a blouse, a jumper, a cardi, a new pair of slippers. I didn't need them as such, but I wanted something different after 7 months of wearing + looking at the same. I also got a lovely outfit for my latest grand-niece, for whenever. I certainly used a lot of my accrued Nectar points, and why not. It was also an excuse to drive my new wheels again..which I just love and suits me fine. I chose well, for me, as to the comfort and the way I drive (a speed person 😣). Take Care All..🤗
I always take advantage of sales Miriam even if I don't need them at the time. I always think ahead and yes tomorrow I am definitely going to need these items.
Welcome Daphne. .she's a lucky pup. RE bats..I would be terrorized. .I hate anything that flies. In winter the crows come down from the high mountain and cling to the walls and swoop down in droves looking for food. I made a mistake once of leaving my bedroom window wide open to air the bedroom and and found a big woopsie in the middle of the bed. I honestly don't know what I would have done if I had found the crow in the room. Now I am much more careful and close the nets when airing the room. But when I am hanging out washing in winter I'm always dodging them.
To change the subject the Christmas markets have now been cancelled in my region which includes Trento and Bolzano which attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world. A real blow to the economy.
Yes. Christmas markets in all nearby areas to me, have also been cancelled. I saw the open-topped tourist bus a few days ago. It is normally packed, but there were just 2 on it, both wearing masks. A sad sight.
My Zoo linked worked. What a lovely 45 mins watching live, (on You Tube) the new + magnificent new exhibit. I will be visisting again, in about 2 weeks time, to see it for myself. Louise Michin, from the BBC, was the presenter, but she lives very locally. Just time to get my meal, ready for TA and whatever that might surprise us with. Miriam. 😁
I had another go at the painting we did last week as I missed the first half where he was painting the sky! This one is a bit bolder and enjoyed sloshing the paint on so will continue to try to capture the magic of the sunset! Next week we are painting roses but mine will not be as good as Archerfile’s! I have a feeling it will not be very detailed.
Autumnleaves, last summer a pigeon got into the house and was flapping about on the kitchen windowsill. Fortunately when I opened the window he flew out but it can be a bit scary when they get into a panic!
Welcome to Daphne and look forward to hearing about her. Remember ptby, whatever happens she will grow out of it! Buddy had me despairing but he is a lovely boy now. You do have the great advantage over us as you have her right from the beginning. He was 6 months old and we were his third home as he had original owners and then a foster home before he came to us. Enjoy her!🐶🐶🐾🐾
Ear plugs in!!! You’d think we had a marauding chimpanzee in our kitchen with the noise daphne is making. We’ve had one wee o the kitchen floor but we’ve managed a wee and a poo outside before bed. Now to the archers!!!
LANJAN - ‘tis the lady of the house speaking 🤣 and wishing you a very very Happy “Special” Birthday. I do hope that Mr LJ and yourself spend a very pleasant time together and look forward to hearing from you as and when ...... 🎂 🍷 🤗 🎈 🎉
Thank you very much ,Lady R. We are in a tier 2 area so cannot have visitors but we ARE going out. Mr LJ has two hospital appointments today . A taxi there and back . I have decided that I will be a little ray of sunshine. I shall be wearing a bright yellow top and bright yellow scarf .. They will see me coming My newly highlighted hair (Mr LJs present to me last week in case the restrictions get worse and I would have to revert to my boring mousey brown hair)will add to the brightness. Mr LJ was concerned that he could not get out to buy me a card so I got out the box with all the cards he has chosen for me throughout the years and invited him to choose one. I will hopefully have a g and t later when I plan to open any cards or presents . I plan to send out for Ubereats fish and chips too.
Lanjan, thank goodness for Lady R and her memory for birthdays, I shouldn’t have known about yours, else! Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday! I hope you have a really lovely day, enjoy your f & c’s and Mr Lj’s birthday card and everything you do today in your lovely bright yellow. 🌼 🌞 🌼
And special good wishes to Mr Lj for his hospital visits.
And a big Happy Birthday to Lanjan from me too! Like everyone else, I love your "card trick" too - inspired idea! I hope that after MrLJ's successful appointments you can both enjoy a wonderful day out...xx
LJ. A massive big "Happy Birthday" - also from me. 😘 I love the idea of wearing bright yellow - so to be noticed and with your new highlights - a "Gal" after my own ideas (except I love my now natural silver streaks). I loved the idea of Mr LJ choosing a previous Birthday Card, to give again - what a lovely sentiment.
I hope all went well, at the hospital. My experience on Tuesday, was so positive, as I felt so safe, at all times.
Enjoy the your evening together. Any special plans?
On a different note, I learnt that my 9yr old grand-niece, has been sent home from school, plus her entire class, as a fellow class mate, has had a +ve test result. She is now stuck at home, no going out, for 14days. This is happening over half-term, so all the days out planned, are now cancelled. It is just 🤞she stays symptom free, but it will affect her 6yr old brother as to what he can do, and the entire family, as to the general living. I was planning, a meet up with them, be it socially distanced in their garden next week. It won't happen now, but although I am disappointed, the reasons are so very important and cannot be ignored. Big Sis is upset (as it is her eldest grandchild) as she is in the Wales Lockdown, starting shortly, so cannot visit and give any help needed.
Many Happy Returns Lanjan. And many more. I hope both you and Mr LJ enjoy today despite hospital appointments. I made a bread pudding yesterday and thought 'I wonder if I could courier some to Mr LJ?' Possibly will be too stcky., but I'm working on it!😁
My mum used to make bread pudding especially for me, right into her final years. I've never been able to make it sufficiently well, so I haven't had any bread pudding now for over thirty years. I envy you Spicey
A Late Great-Aunty of mine, made a lovely Bread Pudding, the likes of which I have not tasted since. I remember, a regular poster, gave a recipe for such, which was served at cricket teas. This I would so like to see again. Whoever it was, which I cannot acknowledge, please give the recipe again... That poster, will know who she/he is. I wait in anticipation. 😀
*** FROM PREVIOUS BLOG ***
ReplyDeleteZoetrope - October 18, 2020 at 4:20 PM
We use the 2 bin food waste system here in South Gloucestershire. I started using the worktop sized one and wrapped the waste in newspaper to go in the bigger kerbside bin. Now I have bought a nicer looking bin for the worktop and buy the degradable bags or use Co-op bags, also biodegradable. All food waste goes in as Mrs P has described and goes to an anaerobic digester to produce electricity.
Didn't Brian and Adam discuss having one of these some years ago?
I have tried composting the non meat waste in our garden compost bin, but stopped that a year or so ago when we had rats in the bin and garden 😳
I remember the rag and bone man coming round.
Mrs P, I was near(ish) your way this morning, to see the Severn Bore at Epney. My first time seeing the bore. Lots of surfers and paddleboards about.
Miriam - October 18, 2020 at 4:29 PM
That must have been a magnificent sight to see. 😀🏄♂️
Zoetrope - October 18, 2020 at 4:51 PM
It was fascinating. The wave was lower than I expected. I know it varies, but don't how how today's bore compared to others. The whole phenomenon was interesting though, seeing the flow of the river in reverse, the speed of the flow etc. Especially seeing whole trees go by in the 'wrong' direction 😀
Archerphile - October 18, 2020 at 5:01 PM
All our vegetable waste goes in one of our several compost bins. Food that can’t be composted (eg meat bones, chicken carcasses, after using for stock etc) gets sealed in a recyclable plastic bag or foil and goes in our grey bin which is for non- recyclable rubbish. It is collected weekly
. All recyclable stuff, paper, card, certain plastics (but not all) go in the green bin which is collected fortnightly.
All glass goes in a spécial box which is collected, when full, with the green bin, fortnigjtly.
No problem.
I've always been fascinated by the Severn Bore Zoetrope, ever since I saw it on an old episode of Blue Peter many moons ago.
DeleteEv, I hope I have got the right flag to celebrate Mike, his career & his love of the sea. I wish your family a beautiful day tomorrow...
ReplyDeleteCalm waters and peace for tomorrow Ev...
DeleteThank you Gary. You are spot on with the flag, the White Ensign. This is hoisted in the morning and taken back down each evening in every Naval establishment. The Officer of the Day supervises and Mike did just that many times in his career. We managed to get one to cover his coffin at the funeral. Thank you so much, I am so very moved x x
Deletexx
DeleteMiriam dear Nigel is in a Dinner ladies diaries sketch right now 🤗
ReplyDeleteEv. What a memorable day for You + Katy, tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI wish you well, and a calm sea.
GG Has done you proud with the picture above.
It shows how much we all care
My thoughts are with you, on this sad final event, yet ce
...yet a celebration of Mike's career and love of the sea. You will do him proud.
DeleteOMG I am shedding a tear, at your loss 😢
DeleteEv my thoughts will be with you all tomorrow on such a very special and emotional day 🚤 ⚓️ 🌹
ReplyDeleteEv that's a lovely tribute. I hope you and yours have a memorable day filled with happy memories.⚓⚓
ReplyDeleteThank you all. It is wonderful to have such caring friendship x x
ReplyDeleteI think that is a lovely idea,Ev.
ReplyDeleteYour day will be memorable and I hope the weather is kind to you.
I feel for you Ev , the childrens grandfather who was a keen sailor left the same way from the Isle of Wight. His daughter lives in Ryde. We had a wreath in the shape of a sailing boat with the Blue Peter flying, the old meaning of "this vessel is about to leave port".
ReplyDeleteEv, I do hope it's a memorable day tomorrow and I wish for you good weather.
ReplyDeleteIt will be sad, but you will feel good about giving Mike his final send off.
My father signed up as a cabin boy on the old schooners at age 14.
He was at sea until he joined the army at 17, but although he said little about his experiences he always had pictures of sailing vessels on the walls and asked to have his ashes afloat off Southend Pier.
My mother sister and I did our duty.
It's interesting to me that you mention shi tzus not liking boats.
You may remember that I had a Tibetan Apso fifty years ago.
This arose because I met a lady on the boat going over to the island with several Shi Tzus surrounding her. I approached her to admire the dogs and she told me to come and visit her in Newport. She lived quite near a cousin, so we did visit, and she told me all about the breed and advised me to consider Apsos as well, which is what we got eventually.
I reading a book where the main character has a Tibetan terrier so looked them up. They have a similar history to Shih Tzus having been bred by monks. They are a bit bigger than ours but not too big! Buddy has a bit of Llasa Apso in his interesting lineage! Am kind of dreading tomorrow but at the same time feel so much it is the right thing. Thank you all again for all your kind thoughts.
DeleteZoetrope - I was there at the Severn at Epney myself yesterday.
ReplyDeleteTook
Day for a long walk on the canal then went to the river for some me time.
I have been fascinated by the bore like Gary for decades. I think it was probably seeing it on 'Points West' when we lived in Malmesbury in the seventies.
But I've never got to see it since living here. The reason being its very often in early morning, or late evening.
I was out on a walk one evening a couple of summers ago and my friend and I heard a strange sound. She had seen the bore herself and had been telling me about it. We had also seen a man in a wet suit and with a board getting into the water as we arrived for our walk. Suddenly, seeing the man and hearing the sound triggered the thought, and I said " is it the bore ?" And we were there at the waters edge and saw it. But it was only a small one. I wasn't disappointed but still don't feel that I've seen the real thing.
It really is fascinating.
And it's so interesting to see how the paddle boarders negotiate the wave isn't it.
I love the river, I see it daily when I walk Lady, and high up here on the edge we can see great sweeps of it. At sunset the glow on the mudflats or the water itself is magnificent.
PS - did you have breakfast at The Anchor ?
ReplyDeleteMrs P, I parked just past the Anchor. I met some friends there from our nordic walking group. We had planned to go on to Saul Junction afterwards, but another bore - watcher said that many people do that so we drove to Frampton on Severn and walked along the canal from there. It was beautiful. We had cheese flapjacks and a delicious chocolate orange and ginger cake on the green to celebrate the birthday of one of our group.
ReplyDeleteBreakfast at the Anchor will have to be another visit.
Ev, my thoughts are with you for tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteBringing back memories of my father who was in the Navy from leaving school to post WW2. I didn't know him as a naval officer - he went into the church after leaving the Navy, I only knew him as a vicar. He continued to listen to the shipping forecast though.
Zoe T - that's where I park when I go to Epney.
ReplyDeleteBut I did the same walk as you at Frampton yesterday.
I had hoped to have tea at Mrs Massey's but they were closed.
Walked along the canal to the next bridge and then back through the village and along the road to the car.
I went on to Epney afterwards and also went down to the Passage just to be as close to the river as possible.
The bench that I sat on would have been completely covered by the river during the bore this morning.
I like the sound of cheese flapjacks. Never heard of them before.
The White Ensign is such an emotional symbol for me too Ev.
ReplyDeleteMy father was an Officer in the Royal Navy in WW1 and spent his whole life telling tales of his exploits, never wore any tie but his Royal Navy Reserve one, wore his medals to attend Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph and instilled in me a love of the Senior Service that I still have today.
So I wish you well for tomorrow and will be thinking of you and mentally saluting the Ensign (and probably humming ‘For those in peril on the sea’, the only hymn I ever heard my Dad sing)
Ev 💕
ReplyDeleteI want to join in everyone's good wishes and thoughts for Ev.
DeleteMe too. What a lovely tribute.
DeleteMrs P, I'm sure I've written a reply about the cheese flapjacks, but it has disappeared.
ReplyDeleteI first saw them in a Cranks recipe book from the 70s. I no longer have the recipe, but I remember they had rosemary in. They were delicious.
I've probably got that recipe book somewhere, and since I worked at Cranks, it can't be true that I've never heard of cheese flapjacks.
DeleteLet's just say that I've clearly forgotten half my life !
I did look up the recipe and found some other interesting savoury biscuits too.
Zoetrope, I've just looked up cheese flapjacks too and have been informed by MrGG that I am to make some ASAP!
DeleteA midnight feast or early breakfast Gary?
Delete😂
DeleteI too served as an officer in the Royal Navy and rased and lowered the ensign on many occasions.
ReplyDeleteSplendid tribute and many memories for me.
Ev, I wish you and Mike fair winds and a following sea.
Please send some in a Jiffy bag GG
ReplyDeleteOh dear!,
ReplyDeleteAs I half expected, our roof menders have uncovered a right old can of worms!
They’ve stripped the slates off our gable (terrible mess of broken slates everywhere) and found rotten timbers, masses of woodworm and Lord know what else. I am not really all that surprised as the cottage is so old and we’ve never had that section of roof repaired before.
Mr A is up there now with them to see what has to be done.
I think our quote of £4000 is just about to get much higher. 😩
On a less gloomy note, I made my first loaf of soda bread yesterday to go with some homemade butternut squash soup.
ReplyDeleteI can’t believe how easy it is. Only 4 ingredients, no special flour required, no ‘starter’, no leaving to prove, 30 mins at 180C and we had a beautiful, golden crusty loaf to go with the soup.
Easy Peasy! Can’t believe I’ve never done it before. 🥖
Well done Archerphile, so food on the table just the roof overhead needs fixing...
DeleteBest wishes to you & your family, Ev, on this special day. Hope all works perfectly in every way ( & that the weather is your side)
ReplyDeleteInspired motif, Gary, for this blog+ the right flag!
Such a glorious day weather wise Ev 🌞 for honouring your very special and dear Mike 🥰
ReplyDeleteI could not attend the scattering of "the ashes", of either of my parents. I just found it a step too far. I said my final farewells, at the crem. at both times. Luckily my family understood. I did join in, with the pub lunch afterwards!
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather was a Royal Navy officer. Mum cut her wedding cake, with his ceremonial sword. Grandfather was on "The George" when "The Hood" went down in Scapa Flow in WW2. I still have the "navy crown" pin, as worn by my my true Grandma, who died of tuberculosis in 1930, when mum was still a baby.
My thoughts are with Ev tonight, on such an emotional day. 🇬🇧
Ev, thinking of you today.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather was in the merchant navy and my Gran loved to sing “f or those in peril “ and found it very emotional. I have been researching some of the places he travelled to, which are written on the back of a photograph of my grandmother, which he took with him. Mum recently showed me their atlas from 1908 which he bought my grandmother as a birthday present the year he made the voyage logged on the photograph. It showed the shipping lanes in the Black Sea and names of places I was struggling to decipher. He also travelled to South America and later Australia and New Zealand. They were thinking of emigrating there but he died in his forties when Mum was a baby.
What a lovely post.
DeleteWith you in spirit tomorrow, Ev.
ReplyDeleteWe had lovely weather, sunny and not too cold. The Solent was generally calm and we dropped the ashes with Milford on Sea in sight. He spent part of his childhood there and it was from there he learned to sail when he was about 12! We expected the urn to float for a little while and then sink but it went in with a big splash and disappeared from sight. It reminded me of a trip he and I had on a pseudo Santa Maria in Madeira. The deck was about 20 feet above the sea and we stopped for a swim with a rope ladder down the side. He just leapt from the deck much to my horror but all was well! On telling his brother about it on our return, Andrew said “Well, he WAS a Naval Diver! And so he made a big splash today which he would have loved! We then put in some posies from the garden for each of us and those who couldn’t come and finally a bunch of Rosemary for remembrance and the last red rosebud from the garden. We then went on to a pub lunch near Yarmouth. It is in farm grounds with lovely countryside around. It was lovely to see Michaela, the twins’ granny, her husband Tony and their lovely little dog, Pip who patiently enjoyed her boat ride and was so well behaved we couldn’t believe it. Nearly acquired dog number 4 but they wouldn’t part with her! Our dogs had a nice time in day care and even went as spectators to dog agility with Hannah and her dog, Barney. Dudley behaved impeccably for a change and Buddy just enjoyed being Buddy! Gyp was not too happy as at her advanced age she likes to know where exactly she is. Mike would be appalled we have 3 dogs! Yes, was nervous about today but am so very glad we did this and honoured his memory. Your support has made such a difference too. Love you all!xxx👏😍
ReplyDeleteSo pleased it was lovely weather to enhance your day Ev.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for letting us know how it went.
Make sure you have a good rest tomorrow.
Ev....sounds like a lovely event. Time to remember all the good times. Glad the weather was kind.
ReplyDelete💐
We finished our voyage with a complimentary rum each and toasted “The Immortal Memory”! Katy did all the driving as Michaela and Tony came over as food passengers. They are all such a lovely family. Being a stepmother was not easy but at this point of my life so worthwhile! I am also truly blessed with my lovely daughter!😍
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your day with us Ev, it feels as though it has left you feeling (quite rightly) both proud and uplifted! So very pleased for you and indeed honoured that you used a bunch of “me” as one of your last tributes - given the game away now haven’t I 🤣
ReplyDeleteYes you have but I won’t tell anyone!😉
DeleteEv, I am so glad all went well today. As others have said, it sounds as though it was lovely.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely send-off Ev. It all sounds splendid and I'm glad you feel happy about how it went.
Delete
ReplyDeleteSo pleased your day was exactly as you hoped it would be,Ev,
Sounded like the perfect way to say farewell Ev. So glad the weather kept fair for you too.
ReplyDeleteThat’s exactly what my Dad would have wanted, had it been possible .
Ev, so pleased.
ReplyDeleteEv, thanks for sending this moving account of a wonderful day.
DeletePlease save it somewhere, printed or copied by hand ! I
believe it would give you a lift to reread, & recall, on the bleak winter days ahead.
Can I have a little moan?
ReplyDeleteI am cross with Mr A, even more cross with his gliding friend C
C is forever buying new (secondhand) cars. He gets a fancy for a particular model, usually a sports type, looks for one up for sale on eBay, will travel anywhere in the country to view it and sometimes buys. He must have changed his car twice a year since we have known him.
His wife is very ill with a rare type of leukaemia, having chemotherapy and shielding at home.
Last night C phoned & told Mr A he had agreed to buy a TR7 (I think) from a seller in Maidstone, Kent. As his wife is too ill to take him down to collect it, would Mr A drive him down there?
Maidstone is a hell of a long drive from here. 2 -3 hours via M25 etc, then back on his own.
We have the roof men working here. They quite often knock on the door with the latest bit of bad news and want to speak to Mr A about it. He goes up the scaffolding to have a look and make decisions. They may finish work later today. Mr A should go up to check the work is OK before we had over a very large cheque. I certainly can’t do that!
But he will not be here. He will be indulging C’s latest car obsession by acting as a taxi driver between here and Maidstone.
I want to ask, genuinely, am I right to be annoyed that Mr A agreed to do this long car journey today and didn’t at least say ‘ sorry, I can’t manage today, but perhaps later on the week when the roof is finished’. Personally, I think C has a blooming cheek asking in the first place!
AP, you have every right to be bloody furious with him. And even more so with C - who goes on a long road trip across the country during a pandemic to buy a new toy? While his extremely ill wife is shielding at home? Selfish little boys, that's who.
DeletePerhaps it’s C’s way of coping with his difficult situation, and perhaps Mr A feels sad for him, but, blummin ‘eck, I would definitely be furious for all the reasons you and Gary outline. Totally justified I think AP.
DeleteEv, so glad yesterday went as it did. Hopefully another memory to add to your lovely memories of your husband. I can picture you out there on the Solent, as the New Forest and that part of the world has a special place in my heart.
Miriam thanks for commenting on my post. Coincidentally last night on the telephone Mum said I should have the atlas and some of the postcards Grandad sent to Gran, when I visit again, hopefully in the spring. I was very moved.
It may be C's way of coping and he's living in denial, doing what he's always done.
DeleteAll the same Mr A could have postponed C's self-indulging trip.
Seasider, you are very generous to think it’s C’s way of coping. Sadly, he has always been like this, for many years before his wife was taken ill. It was his decision to sell their beautiful converted Barn near here and buy a property in Australia where he goes gliding in the winter months ( not this year though, tee-he!).
DeleteDuring the summer he and his wife live in a log-cabin type chalet on the airfield so he can glide every day. His poor wife is having to shield in this cabin!
I’m afraid he is one of those selfish men who always put their own concerns first.
He started the glider syndicate of which Mr A is a member, so Mr A does not want rock the boat, as it were.
Sadly Mr A seems unable to say no when C waves his little finger, to my great annoyance!
I really don't see why Mr AP can't postpone the trip till after your roofers have completed the job satsfactorily. How hard is it to explain that simple fact to the obsessed C ?
DeleteWe had a neighbour like this. He and wife had a bungalow in Tewkesbury and one day wandered over to Ledbury to look at new build Barrett estate. They had a look at the house out of interest she thought. He marched into the site office and said they would have it without talking to her. I would have said to Mike “see you in the car” and walked out. However we always made decisions together especially on house purchase! This guy later went on to choose their leather suite and curtains. They had separate bedrooms and she had to put up with ancient wardrobe etc whilst he spent a fortune on new computers, cars and huge TV screens. C sounds just as selfish and Mr A is encouraging him by giving in to his demands. However, not much you can do AF. Maybe Mr A can do his inspection tomorrow before paying up. It’s not worth you getting too upset but understand how you must feel.
ReplyDeleteThank you all again for good wishes! Katy remarked what a lovely group you are as she knows many online blogs can get a bit nasty!
I'd slaughter him Mrs A.
ReplyDelete1 Don't hand over any money until Mr A. has checked the roof. I was a bit concerned when you said there were shattered slates down in the garden. Slates should be checked and those that are reusable saved to be used again. Nails get fatigued especially if old, but slates can last a lot longer.
2 I have become used to dealing with builders but had some hiccups in earlier years when they thought they could try it on with a woman You are not used to such things so when Mr A gets home you say to him you are never again being left alone to deal with builders and so you want to move post haste to a modern bungalow that doesn't need work doing.
3 Before you do move you would be doing that selfish Mr C's wife a favour if you gave him a right talking to, before that preferably. If there was a coolness created between Mr A and C then Mr A might be keener to let go of his links with that particular club and move.
4 Don't even think of having a meal ready for Mr A when he gets home.
Oh Janice, I like it, I like it! 😈
DeleteTo be fair, the builders have saved a lot of the slates which can be used again. It’s just the badly broken ones that are littering the garden along with rotten battery’s and mouldy roofing felt.
Battens, not batteries!
DeleteI agree with others that you have a right to be aggrieved Archerphile and that Mr C is clearly a very selfish man, as was the man that Ev has described.
ReplyDeleteEv described someone from the past, you are talking about someone now, I am reminded, through Ev's post of my father who did exactly the same, visited friends, liked what they had, and seriously disrupted the lives of his wife and both daughters, by relocating us all at a very crucial time.
( and this impacted on my sister and I far far into our future lives, both of us needing to access our educational needs as mature students )
My father was an Edwardian in outlook, these men, Mr C and perhaps Mr AP and certainly Ev and Mikes friend may have been born at a later date, but I see them as relics of that period.
Feminism and the rights of women in decision making has passed them by.
They know and understand how it has changed the world but it's not changed them and they are old men now. And crucially they have got away with it this long, why should they not continue ?
I understand that the divorce rate among women of over sixty rose dramatically some time ago. Woman who had put up with this mindset for decades deciding that they wanted a different life, and doing something drastic to change their situation.
But were there just as many woman who chose to stay with those dictatorial husbands.
Better the devil you know ?
The attitudes may have been mostly left behind, and the generation of such men is on its last legs, and I do have compassion for the women still having to cope with such attitudes.
Yes Archerphile you have a right to moan, and you have support to do so on here.
I hope you can find the right words to explain your grievances to Mr AP and that he has the capacity to understand.
People can change, even old men !
Well Archerphile, Janice has really spelt it out.
ReplyDeleteAnd she is absolutely right.
It's time for you to speak up.
Ev - Carolyn's suggestion is spot on.
ReplyDeleteWhat you have written about yesterday is so lovely.
Do keep it for remembrance.
You might well have many years beyond Mike. Capturing your feelings now will give you a warm glow in the future.
You are a very lucky woman to have had your life with such a loving husband.
Archerphile, What a couple of Pillocks. So selfish. If you are able to drive now with your eyes, if you see what I mean, I would be out going to view houses without Mr A and tell him that's it, we are moving. Even if you don't mean it it might give him food for thought.
ReplyDeleteDo not hand over any money to the builders. That's Mr A's responsibilty and if the builders moan then tell them to moan to him.
Bloody fellas!
AP, not that generous. Just a tiny bit of me trying somehow to make sense of their actions. In your shoes I would be furious and wouldn’t have held back!! I agree with others that Mr AP needs to take responsibility for any hold up to checking the roofers’ work and paying them. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteOh Mr A you’ve let our Archerphile down 😡 out of (misplaced) kindness! Is C in the same age group AP either way he should not be involving Mr A in this way during a pandemic. Putting everyone at risk with such close contact especially his vulnerable long suffering wife.
ReplyDeleteHim - I don’t care about as the whole silly and indulgent situation is of his own making.
With you AP. Bannishment to the dog box is recommended.
ReplyDeleteHuge BZ to Ev and family.
On a different note, I had an appointment at the hospital eye clinic today, and all went really well.
ReplyDeleteI am only mentioning this, to say - do not be anxious about a necessary hospital appointment. I felt far safer there, than on a supermarket visit.
The only problem was, on returning home, I had no keys, so I was locked out. I rang the taxi firm, who picked me up earlier and the keys were found. The taxi driver brought them back to me, within 15 mins. It was just as well, as I needed the loo.
I gave him a very genorous fee of £10 - but I was so grateful and solved a lot of problems.
PS The keycard for my wheels, was locked inside the house, so I couldn't even drive anywhere!
DeleteI have learnt a lesson.
When I some roof work done, a few years ago, I thought I was being conned, as an individual female. I was not allowed to view the problem myself, so the person, with me watching every movement, went up the ladder and took photos, which were then shown to me. Only then did I agree as to the problem and OK'd the repair needed.
ReplyDeleteI get fed up, as an individual female home-owner, that I am thought of as an easy target.
😁
AP: it was hardly ever worth arguing with Mr S as he had somehow managed to elevate stubbornness to art form. I used to bide my time and saved my energy for the occasions when I needed to rear up and simply say NO! In my view, this is one of them. Tell him he's not going and there's an end to it!
ReplyDeleteWhen I did put my foot down, even Mr S knew better than to cross me, he'd just sulk for days.
Remember when he kept threatening to discharge himself from hospital? It was nonsense because he could barely manage to get across the ward with a walking frame, but the staff were so fed up with hearing it I confiscated his bus pass just to shut him up.
If he couldn't find the car keys he couldn't go, could he?
DeleteOh what a remimder, I need to apply for my bus pass, now I am eligable. 😣😂
DeleteMiriam, sorry to butt in, I just want to tell everyone :
ReplyDeleteThe End of the Tale!
Firstly my sincere thanks to everyone for your support today - and for some jolly good suggestions! 😈
Mr A’s round trip took 6 hours, partly due to closures on the M25 & C forgetting final directions to the farm where the car was for sale.
It was duly bought &
Mr A followed C all the way back home in case of any breakdowns.
Fortunately, the roofers were still here finishing off and clearing up, so Mr A could go up and inspect the work, ask questions etc.
They did clear up very well and even pressure washed the path to the front door where they’d been working.
Then Mr A and I had a cuppa and a good talk. I explained my feelings exactly & he agreed his friend C is rather a stupid, man who gets obsessions and trades on their friendship. We had a long session discussing the way C conducts his life, the decisions he makes and our sorrow for the wife who puts up with it all, despite being ill.
Mr A realises he should be less accommodating where C is concerned. But truthfully he is always ready to help anyone out, never says no and is often, I think, taken advantage of.
He agrees that these major repairs have to be done before putting the house on the market (a good thing) and I believe he now accepts a move will have to be taken sooner rather than later. I predict next spring will see us actively taking steps!
Final, final news.... we had an email from C thanking Mr A for all his help today & saying he had put £100 into our bank account for petrol etc.
ReplyDeleteSo it turned out OK in the end and my feelings
have been recognised and well & truly taken note of!
(Lady R - C is a couple of years older than us & his wife a bit older still)
Really glad it turned out ok AP, but neither of you should ever have been in that situation! (In fact, all 3 of you if you count in poor MrsC...)
DeleteI hate wearing a face mask. 😷I have tried several types, disposable and cotton washable ones. I feel claustraphobic in them, and I have now sore skin and a rash, on my cheeks + chin.
ReplyDeleteI saw an advert for another type, and after a lot of research, I ordered some. They have arrived and are brilliant, and washable. I can now breathe easily and my glasses don't steam up!
Sadly I cannot tell the make here, as it would be advertising.
Advertise away Miriam! No such rules here - I remember a couple of years ago having to remind everyone that they didn't have to type things like A**a & T***o when they meant Asda & Tesco!
DeleteArcherphile.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean "butting" in?
I was just telling about my day, as you are doing.
It is lovely to hear and share, our lives plus the problems, be they good or bad, on a daily basis.
I am now in Tier 2, so I am now home alone,
I am lucky, compared to Big Sis, who lives only 20 miles away, in Wales ..so Lockdown again!
I have no idea, when I will see her again. 😣👭
Archerphile, I admire MrA's stamina, a 6 hour round trip and climbing up on the roof.
ReplyDeleteYou are in good hands as you don't need reminding and you are able to discuss things.
Well done Archerphile, I hope all our posts today helped you to have the confidence to say how you felt.
ReplyDeleteI said that even old men can change, and it sounds as though Mr A is learning that lesson too. And well done you for finding the right words for him to listen to.
And if he gets stubborn again, use Sarnias tactics, she seems to have had lots of experience.
I do like the lost keys and no bus pass Sarnia. .
And as for keys..... oh poor you Miriam. But you seemed to have coped in a calm manner, so well done.
Great news Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteI am with P tbY
Start looking at "Right Move" now.
Strike while the iron is hot.
Let the roof repairs.be the last big money you are spending on your home.
Maybe C's wife felt like a day to herself..
C was pretty generous too
Write down all the things you want for your new home which you haven't got now -proximity to shops perhaps, regular buses ,near to hospitals but not so close to the road.
Good Luck.
Miriam - why did I apologise for ‘butting in’?
ReplyDeleteBecause I had been taking up a lot of blog space today, telling about my builder & husband problems and receiving lots of advice from our friends. I thought I had finished that topic.
Then you joined us and wrote about your hospital visit and new car and problem with keys etc
Then, rather than acknowledging your post and commenting, I wanted to tell everyone the conclusion of my Mr A story and say it had worked out OK in the end.
I felt I was being rather rude by going straight back to my concerns rather than acknowledging you, so I apologised for butting into your story.
That’s all there was to it.
Perhaps the layout of the log makes it difficult to keep track of various posts and topics.
We did start putting the name & time of a post we were replying to but that seems to have been abandoned now
So I thought it was polite not to ignore your first post of the evening and to apologise for cutting across you, as it were.
Archerphile - I read all the posts about your husband's 'adventures' and am pleased to hear how it has all worked out. Always good to have a chat over a cuppa and get things out in the open air. Sounds as if you've made new plans and decisions and I wish you luck with everything.
ReplyDeleteKeep the flag flying, Gary. Tomorrow is Trafalgar Day! To the Immortal Memory!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the Bravo Zulu, Pierre!
🇨🇷
Delete(as close as I could find to "affirmative" in flag talk!)
It’s funny how things work out. If the dogs had been in day care today we would have booked the boat today. However, the weather is bad this morning, rain and greyness. As it happened we had the best day of the week. It was meant to be!
ReplyDeleteI had the decking, drive and paths pressure washed yesterday. Last evening my neighbour came round to say we should inform our workers that they had splatted mud over her new drive and roped fence which comes right up to our path at the front. I went with her to have a look and there was a trace of sandy deposit on the edge of her drive and nothing I could see on the ropes. I said that it would rain today so would disperse the offending deposit. Nevertheless she was going to brush it down. The fact is that drives will get dirty and will not stay in the pristine new condition which is why I have had my drive pressure washed! Over the five years we have been here her oak tree at the back has shed leaves all over my garden and I have had to either tackle them myself or pay someone to clear them. A fact of life! I just don’t know why she was fussing but stay calm and don’t think it worth falling out over! The pressure washing won’t occur every week after all!!🤔🥴
Trafalgar Day - always a big occasion in our family! Dad pristine in his old Navy Uniform, wearing tie and medals (even in his eighties). Two union flags above the front door (sure the postman wondered why on Earth they were there!) and the loyal toast before dinner.
ReplyDeleteDad was adamant our first baby would be born on 21st October but she had the temerity to arrive a week early!
Miriam, 6:47 yesterday
ReplyDeleteI’d be very interested to know where you got your face masks, if you don’t mind telling us.
They sound exactly what I’m looking for as I haven’t found any that are comfortable or don’t cut across my eyes yet.
Miriam, re your keys, I have a key safe outside the front door. We had it put in through Age Concern. It is there in event of emergency and as you live alone would be handy if anyone had to get in. You just need to give the combination to a few people whom you trust. It also comes into its own if you lose or misplace your keys! I know you are very young but looking forward it could be a good thing!
ReplyDeleteEv, thanks for posting that about the key safe.
ReplyDeleteHave discussed this with my youngest who lives nearest, but didn't know you can get it done via Age Concern.
Will put that on the to do list.
*** FIVE OF THE BEST ***
ReplyDeleteIt's the turn of Anneveggie - whenever you're ready AV!
Thank you Gary. I've chosen tv progs. and they're in no particular order:-
Delete1. Downton Abbey
I just loved this series and managed to visit Highclere once. Loved the stories, the cast and those wonderful costumes.
2. Game of Thrones
There is plenty of violence, nudity and sex so be forewarned if you plan to watch. I took a while to get into this series but was hooked once I did.
3. Wolf Hall
Absolutely loved this series. The attention to detail and atmosphere they managed to create was wonderful.
4. Dinner Ladies
A favourite with gentle humour and the wonderful Victoria Wood who wrote it.
5. Poldark
I enjoyed the 'new' version and also loved the original with hunky Robin Ellis.
I am stuck on something I hate as, to state the obvious, if I don't like it I don't watch it. Can I be excused from this?
We bought a key safe from Amazon (or EBay,)
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't very expensive.
The reason I bought one was that if one of us was alone in the house and perhaps fell ,although Mr LJ or I could possibly crawl to reach a phone the handle of the front door might not be able to be reached to admit a neighbour or indeed a medic
All that is needed is to say the combination(four digits) and the Good Samaritan could be admitted.
Also good in the circumstances Miriam mentioned.
Also if you don’t want the key safe to be visible they can be tucked under a window sill or around the side if you have such.
DeleteAge Concern arranged it and I think it cost £18 to put in.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea - Thanks. 😁
DeleteYou all must be mind readers, as after my experience yesterday, a key-safe has already sprung to mind. I have the ideal place to put one (behind my window box). I knew where the keys were most likely to be. I knew that they weren't in the hosp., as I checked my own assigned, + socially distanced seat, in the waiting room, on leaving. I realised in the taxi going home, that my keys were missing. I stayed calm, rang the taxi firm, explaining the problem. By chance the driver, who drove me in, was at the office, and he went and found them (distinctive as my front door key has bright purple top). I asked if he could return them, which he did within 20mins. I was relieved, as I needed the loo, hence the £10 I gave him, as it solved so many problems.
ReplyDeleteBig Sis (in Wales) has a spare key, but I knew she was playing golf. I would have had a long wait, for her to bring them to me, and she would not have been happy. The keycard for the car was locked in the house, so I couldn't drive to her.
Archerphile - the face masks I have just bought, are from Smart Masks UK. They are re-usable, 3- layered ones, and washable. I wore one for over 2 hours yesterday, and it was comfortable. The difference is the inner layer, is soft, so does not irritate. They are about £11 each, so there could be similar and cheaper ones available.
I will still use disposable ones, when doing quick shops, to avoid constant washing.
The window box, sits on metal brackets, which are larger than the box, so there is a gap behind.
DeleteThanks for the mask info, Miriam. I check it out.
DeleteLanJan -
ReplyDeleteSir Geoffrey is 80 today and wrote a short article in The Telegraph ( with a nice photo of him in his garden).
He was talking about not commentating for the BBC any longer and blamed the BBC’s obsession with political correctness, citing this summers crew of ethnically correct, female commentators.
I must say we agree with him and not just in the area if Cricket. We miss his input.
Hé also talked about being ‘sandbagged’ by Marta Kearney on the Today programme when he was invited in to talk about his knighthood, and all she wanted to question him about was his court case. It upset him greatly, and I’m not surprised. I heard that interview and thought it was crass and insensitive.
Happy Birthday, Sir Geoffrey! 🎂 🏏
Annevegie, from what I've heard I'm sure I'd have enjoyed Downton Abbey for the reasons you stated.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorites, is the original series of Brideshead, with Jerenmy Irons + Anthony Andrews plus "Aloyicus"..🐻.
DeleteYes, I liked that too.
DeleteThanks Anneveggie!
ReplyDeleteI too love "Dinnerladies". I must have seen each episode at least half a dozen times! I know I would LOVE "Game of Thrones but I have yet to get around to it. (I'm rubbish at starting things.) Only ever seen about 10 minutes of "Downton" and it just didn't grab me - I suppose it's one of those shows that you have to start from the beginning. The other 2 programmes aren't really my cup of tea. I'm sure they are very well done, but there you go!
Like Miriam I adore "Brideshead", but my favourite TV things are probably ALL sci-fi.
I loved Battlestar Galatica...
DeleteThe series with Lorne Greene, Dirk Benedict and Jayne Seymour.
DeleteAs for Star Trek, love them all, esp. the many spin off series - which just got better + better.
These are not true Sci-Fi as such, but, the concept of space etc. I so enjoyed.
Another oldie but goodie (well for me) was Space 1999. That is a blast from the past!
Archerphile, yes I know that Sir Geoffrey is 80 years old today.
ReplyDeleteI am with him all the way and I miss his contribution to TMS
I am sick and tired of listening to the female commentators who never played against the likes of Warne,Sobers etc.
I didn't hear his interview with Martha Carney.
Had I done so I reckon I would have been disgusted.
Sky sacked David Gower .
Why ?
Someone mentioned recently ,rather than using the reply button we could refer back to a previous post by mentioning the time it was posted..
ReplyDeleteThat way it means that the posts remain in sequence and if somebody scrolls back to the post last read then no posts are missed.
Now for Anneveggie's choices.
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy Downton Abbey .
I love the clothes worn by the women particularly in the Edwardian era.
I didn't watch either Wolf Hall or Game of thrones..
I used to watch Dinner Ladies though and really enjoyed it
Gary 7.22p.m
ReplyDeleteI love Brideshead too. Didn't think of that one when I was compiling my list.
Thanks, Anneveggie. 2 + 4 I never watched, (maybe Dinner Ladies once - why didn't I continue ?! Loved Victoria Wood, &, though I know a number of people who really enjoyed G of T, especially the earlier series, just never got round to it myself)
ReplyDeleteLoved Wolf Hall, which included the 2nd one of the trilogy - so well acted & true to the spirit of those remarkable novels, & Downton was a wonderful series of period escapism ( & gave far more credence & reality to 'downstairs' than ever 'Upstairs & Downstairs' did, back in the day!) Like you, also visited Highclere - very much geared to plugging the TV series....
Liked Poldark - also enjoyable period escapism( & all those cliff top rides & emotive starings out to sea...) & vaguely remember seeing some of the Robin Ellis version, bit this one was better, I thought- more consonant with our times, I suppose.
Dinnerladies is so funny. As it was written by Victiria Wood, it her sense of humour, yet much more subtle, with a brilliant cast, who are natural and straight faced, even with their comic lines + interludes.
DeleteI can watch this, over and over again.
Annieveggie I have seen all your choices and enjoyed them all very much.
ReplyDeleteI like period dramas very much Anneveggie, so a yes to Downton Abbey ( which we also saw at the cinema), Poldark, and Wolf Hall. Game of Thrones I only saw a bit of in passing when someone else was watching it, and the blood curdling screams and violence completely put me off. Dinnerladies I have never seen but will look up, especially if it is funny.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of Ev's earlier mentioned Not Going Out, and have since found some episodes on You Tube and found them really funny.
Anne veggie ....loved Downton. Never seen any of the others.
ReplyDeleteBrideshead was lovely too.
Gosh,I missed writing down that I loved Poldark .
ReplyDeleteI actually preferred the second version.
Could have been something about the actor playing Ross .
I also enjoyed Brideshead Revisted.
Thank you everyone. It's great to get feedback and love that so many like my choices.
ReplyDeleteLate to the party Anneveggie but agree about Downton 100%,
ReplyDeleteHighclere is not far from
where we live and we have driven past it and been to events there for years before it was used for the programme
I was going to watch Game of Thrones until
my daughter warned me of the violence, sex etc as she knew I shouldn’t like it.
Victoria Wood was one of my favourite people and I’d watch absolutely any programme she had anything to do with. Dinner Ladies was one of my least favourite of her shows, my favourite was ‘Housewife 49’ which she wrote, directed and starred in.
I really recommend reading the new biography of her which has just been published. It is very enlightening.
I'm late to the review party too.
ReplyDeleteI feel the need to apologise, but at the same time know that I shouldn't, ( need to ! ) but I never took to Victoria Wood with the exception of Housewife 49 which I thought excellent.
So I suppose what I feel is that rather than being funny, I preferred her being serious.
How different would her career have been if she had pitched herself as a serious actress I wonder.
I've only ever seen a little of Downton, did see the film, and one recent series shown again, but would love to see the complete work.
Never watched the seventies Poldark but remember parents being very keen on it.
But have enjoyed the new one and adore Demelza.
( but can't ever forget the wonderful Angharad Rheese (sp ?)
Never could be sure of my feelings about Wolfe Hall. Loved it, the lighting the costumes the acting..... but somehow it didn't all gel for me. But did enjoy the discussions with teenage G daughter following each episode.
No Game of T either.
I've got a bat in my kitchen.
ReplyDeleteIt's a baby and its exquisite.
Very dark brown and furry like a tiny bear. I can see it's eyes, its teeth and its minute fingers. It's about an inch long and about three quarters an inch wide.
Very beautiful.
The cat bought it in and dropped it on the floor and I thought it was a leaf until picked it up and felt it's warmth.
I've followed instructions and it's in a box with water.
Coincidentally a friend is coming over to our local wonder Woodchester Mansion on Friday, because he needs some bat poo, for a research project for the book he is writing.
Woodchester Mansion has a bat room with glass panels where the public can view them in a natural setting.
I will release our new little friend tomorrow evening when it's mother will come and find it. There is a very high wall in part of my garden and the cat will be kept inside.
The last time he caught a bat that's where I put it and it had gone in thirty minutes.
Lady is intrigued because she can hear it moving about in the box.
I had a session of acupuncture on my ankle today.
I hope to get to sleep without being in pain tonight.
Well, I really enjoyed Wolf Hall, am currently about 1/2 way through GoT, love a bit of blood & guts (not to mention the sex... 😲😉), got irritated by dinnerladies 1st time round but now appreciate & enjoy the wit & intelligent observation. Saw some early Downton but it got too soapy for me... Haven't seen any of the Poldark remake! Fond memories of Robin Ellis...
ReplyDeleteI loved Downton Abbey, recorded all the repeats over the summer and I am working my way through them again. I would like to visit Highclere one day. I loved Dinner Ladies and all Victoria Wood’s work, and remember loving her in the mid eighties when she came to fame. Housewife 49 I have seen several times. She wrote it and acted it beautifully. I also have the diaries of Nella Last, which people probably know were sent to the mass observation project (to which I have made a small contribution during the lockdown).
ReplyDeleteI also loved both series of Poldark. I watched the first with my mum when I was a teenager and I can’t rate either above the other.
I didn’t get around to Wolf Hall, although I keep meaning to read Hilary Mantel, and I think Game of Thrones was on a channel I don’t have, but from the comments here I don’t think it’s for me.
Mrs P, really interesting story about your bat. Wishing it a safe return to its family. I was delighted to see a hedgehog in my garden when I was in Yorkshire. As it was morning I was a little worried as they are nocturnal but it looked fine and moved swiftly up to the top of my garden and later disappeared.
I would love to have a bat in my kitchen! I've got several in my belfry...
ReplyDeleteG G - 😀😀😀
Delete🦇🦇🦇- not you Gary! I don’t believe it! 🤣
DeleteI love Dinnerladies too. A wonderful cast and apart from Victoria loved Julie Walters as her Mum! Mike and I enjoyed Poldark but somehow couldn’t continue to watch it on my own. We watched Downton Abbey from the start. Again a wonderful cast and good story. Have not watched Game of Thrones or Wolf Hall but all in all good choices AV!
ReplyDeleteMrs P, lovely about the bat and hope it’s release goes well!
Rare for me to comment at this time of day.
ReplyDeleteI slept without pain in my ankle and a friend, an early riser called me just before seven. Wonderful to be up early.
The bat has been put on the roof of the garden shed. I hope it was not too late for mum to find it.
Car service and replacement of seat belt today.
Glad the acupuncture worked MrsP. Was this a new treatment or have you had it before?
DeleteTalking about wildlife, I went to the podiatrist the other day and as I walked into her drive I saw what looked like a lovely garden ornament and then it scuttled away. It was a red squirrel which had some white streaks. I occasionally see them running over my rear fence and they do vary in colour. Some are pure red and others have white or black streaks. We are so lucky to live here where our native species still exists. 🐿
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived on Arran I was practically tripping over red squirrels every day - there are no grey squirrels to be had on the island. What with them and the deer sitting in the middle of the road and seals on almost every beach I went to, it was like living in a "Countryfile" calendar!
DeleteIt has always been a great disappointment to us that, even though living in the country, with a large garden full of the things wildlife are suppose to enjoy, we have never seen a hedgehog here in 38 years.....and only once a (Grey) squirrel.
ReplyDeleteLots of rabbits, a couple of Muntjac deer, pheasants, a moorhen, herons and an egret, but never hedgehogs or a resident squirrel. 🙁
We saw a hedgehog in our garden in Ledbury. It had been farmland before being developed so think he was a leftover. Sadly he didn’t stay. We had a toad in our water feature. Mike plunged his hand in to clean out the battery area and touched something gooey! I called him Fernando after the F hideaway song. He stayed in residence for the whole summer. It was ideal for him as it was secluded, damp at the bottom but room to come up for air!!
DeleteI had read all the Game of Thrones books (enormous tomes!) so I wasn't particularly worried about seeing the series, so I didn't!
ReplyDeleteThe books were hard going when it got to about the fifth volume as it was obvious the author was tired of it and it became far too repetitive. In the end HBO (?) who made the TV series had to employ alternative writers to finish the series after waiting years for GRR Martin to complete it!
I loved the latest Poldark. I believe the first one was on TV when I didn't have a set just after moving from the village into a bedsit in town.
I also loved Dinner Ladies whenever I managed to catch an episode. Very witty and wonderful dialogue.
I tried Wolf Hall but found the darkness on the screen too trying to enjoy. I wanted to watch it as I find Mantel's written works unreadable! Obviously I'm very much in a minority as with Downton Abbey. Stopped watching after about 30 minutes into the first episode after a servant (in 1912) called one of her 'betters' "a bleeding Nazi!" As a history graduate I am totally pedantic about historical details! 😀☺
At the moment Jon and I are thoroughly enjoying The Last Kingdom (on Netflix) based on the excellent books by Bernard Cornwell about the bringing together of the old Anglo Saxon Kingdoms into the original England by Alfred and his descendants.
Do you find it annoying, Spicy, when historians speak in the present tense? This morning one of them recounted how Marie Antoinette is currently marrying Louis! I suppose they think it makes it more relevant but what is wrong with putting history in the past?? As I have said before I can’t bear reading books written in the present tense. Just me I suppose!
DeleteNo not just you! Newspaper reporters do it too sometimes and many other writers! I want to shout at them "There is a reason why it's called 'reported speech!'"
DeleteLucy Worsley is an historian who drives me up the wall too! Pretending she is a lady in waiting to Catherine of Aragon or someone similar!
I am just a grumpy old woman now but so many things are annoying. Although two out of the three sons will correct and challenge me! I did have a row online with daughter too about Lewis Hamilton and his arrogance!
I started reading Wolf Hall and have given up each time. It went to the Scope charity shop in pristine condition!
Should be ....reading Wolf Hall three times
DeleteI swear by acupuncture.
ReplyDeleteI am pleased you had success with it Mrs P.
Better than a Countryfile Calendar ,Gary.re 8:51 am
Remember the winner last year set up the scene with a harvest mouse .
It wasn't natural at all.
There was a red squirrel NT Reserve not far from where I used to live on the NW Coast .
Lovely .
They came into the garden but then so did the greys.
Anneveggie.
ReplyDeleteI have only ever watched two of the programmes you mention.
Dinner Ladies and Wolf Hall.
Victoria Wood brought together Some wonderful women actors. I don’t know how they kept a straight face with the lines they were given. Especially Maxine Peake who did a wonderful dumb dinner lady. They were all wonderful. Went to her one woman show! She certainly had a lot of stamina and was very witty.
Similar with Wolf Hall. Mark Rylance is superb, have had the pleasure of seeing him at the globe.
I also loved Bridehead.
I adore bats 🦇 we have lots round here and in the evening can watch them fly past seeking food. Found one hanging on the curtains. So sweet.
Ev. I’m glad you had a clear day and everything went well. My thoughts to you and Katy and family.
The baby bat has gone.
ReplyDeleteDo hope it was mum that collected it.
Puss was indoors.
I have had acupuncture in the past. I think it was a person needing to monitor their treatments for training, organised by my daughter who is very keen on Acupuncture.
Haven't had it for years though.
This man recommended by my gym mistress !
I saw Rylance as a young( ish) man in the Tempest , at midnight on a ley line, Corfe Castle.
Can't read Mantel. But I've written about her in the past.
Ev, I've seen the reds on the island but didn't know that some had various colourings.
When we lived in Malmesbury we had colonies of hedgehogs. I would frequently spend my evenings in the garden with them.
They hoot when they are courting.
I thought G of T was quite spectacular..loved it. I also enjoyed Downton Abbey. Thought Maggie Smith was hilarious.
ReplyDeleteI think I started to watch Wolf Hall but I was a bit dissapointed with the actor who played Cromwell, I'm sure he's a very good actor but his physical appearance didn't jive with what I had imagined from the book.
I haven't seen the rest but I'm definitely going to check out Dinner Ladies..goodness knows we all need a good laugh now more than ever.
We have just watched our garden bin being wheeled away. I wondered why, as the garden waste lorry came a couple of hours earlier, and I hadn’t put it on the pavement because it was empty. I went out to retrieve it and there wasn’t any sign. I rang up our council and they said it was because we haven’t paid our annual subs. Problem was they suspended them because of Covid and didn’t let us know they had started taking payments later in the year. (I know, we should have remembered to check. Again.) So seeing our bin wheeled away was the first we knew. It says in their policy they are supposed to inform us in writing in advance of a renewal due. I was planning a pruning and tidying session this afternoon.😬. Oh and their system is down so they can’t take the payment anyway and what annoys me most is what are they going to do with a perfectly good bin in these days of environmental concern. *!*!*
ReplyDeleteI think as I have a compost bin (and not the tidiest of gardens - I like a natural look) I will see if I can manage without and save our eighty quid.
We have plenty of grey squirrels and foxes here in SE London - I mentioned in the summer I caught one of the latter with one of the former in its mouth and managed to make the fox drop the squirrel unharmed. Loved seeing red squirrels in the Lake District a good few years ago. Not as easy to spot as the pesky greys that empty our bird feeders.
Greys are very much bolder than the reds. Had I encountered a grey the other day it would just have sat and looked at me unlike the red who scuttled away! We used to see greys in Ledbury when we walked up to the swimming pool via the rec ground.
DeleteYes, reds are really shy, aren’t they. I remember as a small child being taken on a trip to a big park and advised to look into a particular tree to see the squirrels (red at that time) and being terribly disappointed they were nowhere to be seen. Anyone remember the Tufty Club?
DeleteYeeeeeehh. My little sister went.
DeleteDog alert!!!
ReplyDeleteOff to collect daphne this evening. Had planned on leaving it till Nov 1st to enable us to help our son move into his first house and collect her on the way home but with greater Manchester now in highest tier we decided we had better collect her in case it gets any worse.
How we are going to do a house move with a 10 week old pup in tow I don’t know but we’ll just have to manage.
So I’m expecting quite a sleepless night tonight and no more late morning lie ins!! Think I may have a nap after lunch to fortify myself!!
Welcome Daphne ! You have a lot on, PtbY, but the new arrival will just have to fit in, won't she....good luck ,!
DeleteI do hope it was the little bat's mum who collected him/her Mrs. P.
ReplyDeleteAlways pleased to hear of a healthy hedgehog since they are apparently at risk of extinction.
I'm quite envious of those who have seen Mark Rylance act. I think he was wonderful in Wolf Hall. It was rather dark but it was filmed with the light that would have been available in that period and added to the atmosphere IMHO.
Good luck with your pup PtbY. Love the name.
PtbY. What a wise move, to get the puppy early. She will be fine with your TLC and loving care.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the breed, I can't recall.
Good Luck 🐶
I am off to The Zoo tonight, virtually, if my link works. The area that was burnt down, almost 2 years ago, after many delays this year, for obvious reasons, is about to re-open.
I have the priveledge, of viewing it tonight. It is 🤞that the link, I have been sent, works. If not - then Che Sera.
I will see it for myself in a fortnights time. I cannot use my members pass on weekends nor in half-term, but I don't mind a slight wait. It will be worth it.
Daphnes mum is an Alsatian and her dad is an Alsatian cross a mastiff. 🐶
ReplyDelete...and I thought it was a little "pooch"!
DeleteHave fun...🤣🐶 and I hope you get some 💤💤
I went to the large Sainsbury's near to Cheshire Oaks today, the first time since before Lockdown. This store has the entire TU range of clothes, 25% off at the moment. I bought myself some items, a blouse, a jumper, a cardi, a new pair of slippers.
ReplyDeleteI didn't need them as such, but I wanted something different after 7 months of wearing + looking at the same. I also got a lovely outfit for my latest grand-niece, for whenever. I certainly used a lot of my accrued Nectar points, and why not.
It was also an excuse to drive my new wheels again..which I just love and suits me fine. I chose well, for me, as to the comfort and the way I drive (a speed person 😣).
Take Care All..🤗
I always take advantage of sales Miriam even if I don't need them at the time. I always think ahead and yes tomorrow I am definitely going to need these items.
DeleteWelcome Daphne. .she's a lucky pup.
ReplyDeleteRE bats..I would be terrorized. .I hate anything that flies.
In winter the crows come down from the high mountain and cling to the walls and swoop down in droves looking for food.
I made a mistake once of leaving my bedroom window wide open to air the bedroom and and found a big woopsie in the middle of the bed. I honestly don't know what I would have done if I had found the crow in the room. Now I am much more careful and close the nets when airing the room.
But when I am hanging out washing in winter I'm always dodging them.
To change the subject the Christmas markets have now been cancelled in my region which includes Trento and Bolzano which attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world. A real blow to the economy.
ReplyDeleteYes. Christmas markets in all nearby areas to me, have also been cancelled. I saw the open-topped tourist bus a few days ago. It is normally packed, but there were just 2 on it, both wearing masks. A sad sight.
DeleteMy Zoo linked worked. What a lovely 45 mins watching live, (on You Tube) the new + magnificent new exhibit. I will be visisting again, in about 2 weeks time, to see it for myself. Louise Michin, from the BBC, was the presenter, but she lives very locally.
ReplyDeleteJust time to get my meal, ready for TA and whatever that might surprise us with.
Miriam. 😁
I had another go at the painting we did last week as I missed the first half where he was painting the sky! This one is a bit bolder and enjoyed sloshing the paint on so will continue to try to capture the magic of the sunset! Next week we are painting roses but mine will not be as good as Archerfile’s! I have a feeling it will not be very detailed.
ReplyDeleteAutumnleaves, last summer a pigeon got into the house and was flapping about on the kitchen windowsill. Fortunately when I opened the window he flew out but it can be a bit scary when they get into a panic!
Welcome to Daphne and look forward to hearing about her. Remember ptby, whatever happens she will grow out of it! Buddy had me despairing but he is a lovely boy now. You do have the great advantage over us as you have her right from the beginning. He was 6 months old and we were his third home as he had original owners and then a foster home before he came to us. Enjoy her!🐶🐶🐾🐾
The sky as good as Ev-er!
DeleteEar plugs in!!!
ReplyDeleteYou’d think we had a marauding chimpanzee in our kitchen with the noise daphne is making.
We’ve had one wee o the kitchen floor but we’ve managed a wee and a poo outside before bed.
Now to the archers!!!
LANJAN - ‘tis the lady of the house speaking 🤣 and wishing you a very very Happy “Special” Birthday. I do hope that Mr LJ and yourself spend a very pleasant time together and look forward to hearing from you as and when ......
ReplyDelete🎂 🍷 🤗 🎈 🎉
Thank you very much ,Lady R.
ReplyDeleteWe are in a tier 2 area so cannot have visitors but we ARE going out.
Mr LJ has two hospital appointments today .
A taxi there and back .
I have decided that I will be a little ray of sunshine.
I shall be wearing a bright yellow top and bright yellow scarf ..
They will see me coming
My newly highlighted hair (Mr LJs present to me last week in case the restrictions get worse and I would have to revert to my boring mousey brown hair)will add to the brightness.
Mr LJ was concerned that he could not get out to buy me a card so I got out the box with all the cards he has chosen for me throughout the years and invited him to choose one.
I will hopefully have a g and t later when I plan to open any cards or presents .
I plan to send out for Ubereats fish and chips too.
Lanjan, so it's today, yes, be bright and hopeful. I like your idea with the card.
DeleteMake the most of it, Happy Birth-Day!
Birthday felicitations LanJan 🥂 I really love the idea for the card,
ReplyDeleteHope Mr LJ’s hospital appointments go smoothly.
Lanjan, thank goodness for Lady R and her memory for birthdays, I shouldn’t have known about yours, else!
ReplyDeleteHappy, Happy, Happy Birthday!
I hope you have a really lovely day, enjoy your f & c’s and Mr Lj’s birthday card and everything you do today in your lovely bright yellow.
🌼 🌞 🌼
And special good wishes to Mr Lj for his hospital visits.
And a big Happy Birthday to Lanjan from me too! Like everyone else, I love your "card trick" too - inspired idea! I hope that after MrLJ's successful appointments you can both enjoy a wonderful day out...xx
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Lanjan! I love all things yellow!
ReplyDeleteHope the sun shines to match your outfit Lanjan. Happy happy birthday.🎂🎉🎈🎁🍾🌻
ReplyDeleteOh, a very Happy Birthday to you, Lanjan ! (( Claps & cheers to Lady R for keeping track of such a significant date 😉)
ReplyDeleteI see you're making a gleaming bright yellow day of it - great idea. Hope the hospital visit goes very well. Thinking of you both.
Lady R, do you keep a chart ?
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY MY FRIEND LJ
Happy birthday to you
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear Lanjan
Happy birthday to you
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Have a lovely day, Lanjan!🥂Cheers!
ReplyDeleteLJ. A massive big "Happy Birthday" - also from me. 😘
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of wearing bright yellow - so to be noticed and with your new highlights - a "Gal" after my own ideas (except I love my now natural silver streaks).
I loved the idea of Mr LJ choosing a previous Birthday Card, to give again - what a lovely sentiment.
I hope all went well, at the hospital.
My experience on Tuesday, was so positive, as I felt so safe, at all times.
Enjoy the your evening together. Any special plans?
On a different note, I learnt that my 9yr old grand-niece, has been sent home from school, plus her entire class, as a fellow class mate, has had a +ve test result.
ReplyDeleteShe is now stuck at home, no going out, for 14days.
This is happening over half-term, so all the days out planned, are now cancelled.
It is just 🤞she stays symptom free, but it will affect her 6yr old brother as to what he can do, and the entire family, as to the general living.
I was planning, a meet up with them, be it socially distanced in their garden next week. It won't happen now, but although I am disappointed, the reasons are so very important and cannot be ignored. Big Sis is upset (as it is her eldest grandchild) as she is in the Wales Lockdown, starting shortly, so cannot visit and give any help needed.
Happy Birthday LanJan. I hope you have a fun celebration. Great idea about the card BTW.
ReplyDeleteMany Happy Returns Lanjan. And many more. I hope both you and Mr LJ enjoy today despite hospital appointments.
ReplyDeleteI made a bread pudding yesterday and thought 'I wonder if I could courier some to Mr LJ?' Possibly will be too stcky., but I'm working on it!😁
That sounds delicious.
DeleteMy mum used to make bread pudding especially for me, right into her final years. I've never been able to make it sufficiently well, so I haven't had any bread pudding now for over thirty years.
DeleteI envy you Spicey
Lanjan. Happy birthday to a proud Lancashire woman.
ReplyDelete🥳🤩🍾👏🎂😺
A Late Great-Aunty of mine, made a lovely Bread Pudding, the likes of which I have not tasted since.
ReplyDeleteI remember, a regular poster, gave a recipe for such, which was served at cricket teas. This I would so like to see again. Whoever it was, which I cannot acknowledge, please give the recipe again...
That poster, will know who she/he is.
I wait in anticipation. 😀