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Life outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments" - Episode 14 Life Outside Ambridge Have a seat and let's chat.
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ReplyDeleteOldWomanInAShoe - January 18, 2021 at 9:34 PM
We have crazy friends who rowed the Atlantic a few years ago.
Our contribution was to send them regular clues to London Underground and DLR stations.
Here are the first three:
1. The monarch is not happy
2. Make them more ecological
3. Entertainment in a seat of learning
Can you work them out.
If people like, I'll post the next three in a week or so, and keep going until you beg me to stop! (Or in 3 months' time when I run out of clues.) Something to tickle the old braincells : )
Sarnia - January 18, 2021 at 11:53 PM
ReplyDeleteI achieved No 2 by means of a process of elimination. Very droll!
Hilary - January 19, 2021 at 6:33 AM
I will have to cheat and look at an underground map!
Great idea, OWIAS, and I loved your emojis!
Lanjan - January 19, 2021 at 8:40 AM
Lovely idea Old Woman.
Come on P tbY.
You can't let me beat you.
I have done all three
However I do have the advantage of living in the area.
Proud to be Yorkshire - January 19, 2021 at 9:04 AM
Right I’ve got 1 and 2 now. Ok I had to look at a list of stations to get 2 but cut me some slack.....I’m a long way up north!!!
Just got to concentrate on 3 now Lanjan. I’ll not let you beat me!!!!
You adopted southerner you!!!
Ha! Got it!!😊
DeleteThanks OWIAS - great idea.
ReplyDelete(I've had brain fog for a couple of days now, so I haven't got any of them!)
Oh brilliant Gary! Wherever did you find that iconic map brought up to date.
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way....are we still doing ‘My 5 Favourite Things”? I never did get the call.....
If it’s too late, perhaps we could start another list of something cheerful to help Lanjan through her current worries and provide a glimpse light in the gloom?
Sorry AP! I have no idea how you managed to slip through the net - why don't you do yours over the next day or so?
DeleteAnd any suggestions for possible cheerful things we could do are much appreciated....
Just looking at the map made me feel nostalgic, I wonder what my station is.
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in London I don't think I used the tube once. Glasgow's tube is much better - there's only 15 stations and it's as cute as a button! (It's also the third oldest in the world.)
DeleteAh, very wise, I only converted to buses towards the end of my stay, there a few to choose from just down the road and the tube much further.
DeleteI have memories of the Glasgow tube and also the trams. In the midlands there were also trolley buses taking their energy from lines above them. Maybe these old methods of transport would fit into the desire for greener energy now!
ReplyDeleteI got 1 and 3. A couple of near fits for 2 but not positive. Thanks owias! Getting the leetle grey cells working!
ReplyDeleteMiriam, yesterday 5:25 PM.
ReplyDeleteOnly just caught up with the posts so apologies for not replying to your question about my granddaughter's age sooner. It was her 9th birthday yesterday.
Oh memories.
ReplyDeleteAs a child I was fascinated by the trams and trolley buses. South London was full of them as no underground until you got to New Cross.
I've probably told this before ......
One day a live eel escaped from their box at the front of the fishmongers, wriggled into the road and was stuck in the tram rail out in the road.
I watched, enthralled as it was rescued.
A never to be forgotten event !
My daughter got these because she lived in London briefly and used the tube, but I don't know London so wouldn't have a clue.
ReplyDeleteLove the very unhelpful map Gary. 🤣 As a country maid I can well believe Monsters be Here, and I would Abandon Hope, but meeting Sherlock Holmes might be interesting.
DeleteI remember the Glasgow underground. It is one of my most vivid childhood memories. Especially the smell...as you walked down the steps you would be greeted with a gust of wind as the trains passed together with the smell of dampness from the tunnels.
ReplyDeleteThe trains themselves we beautiful ..beautiful shiny red leather seats..a bit rickety in the ride . It was always a thrill to ride ..this was in the 60s.
Then they introduced the blue train from Queen street stationll
I also remember the tramcars in Glasgow
DeleteThere were trolley buses in Bournemouth and the poles would come off the wires at a busy crossroads most days.
ReplyDeleteChildhood transport memories: trams along the promenade at Blackpool. Still running too!
ReplyDeleteTube stations: I suddenly got 1 and 3, lightbulb moment just as I was about to consult the map, but not sure about my answer for 2.
These were OK, but when we moved out of London the Victoria Line was still a work in progress so by now there will be plenty of new stations to catch me out.
ReplyDeleteI like the map Gary - funny stuff.
ReplyDeleteHaven't got the answers yet.
I have not a clue about the London tube! I have always hated it and try to avoid, but I haven't been to London for a great many years.
ReplyDeleteMy only experience of underground trains, is in Liverpool, which has what, 4 stops.The overground then goes underground, under the Mersey, to then appear in the centre of Liverpool. This I can cope with..
I love that so many know it, and so know the answers, I am looking forward to reading more clues...I might just know some!
As to trolley buses, I remember these well and I also love the Manchester tram system.
Where is this storm?
I went out shopping very early this morning, to avoid the rain + winds as forecast. The storm, has not happened yet, it is just breezy with an odd shower, and I even had sunshine this afternoon.
I have to say, my S/bury's let me down this morning with veg. There was plenty, but not what I would call fresh. I did find things which will be OK and keep - a red cabbage, leeks and string
..stringless beans. Not what was planned but will suffice.
DeleteSorry, managed to post by mistake.
I get veg from a local greengrocer called Barrow Boys. They are based in Ryde and during lockdown 1 did a sterling work in home deliveries and then after lockdown people went back to the supermarkets. There was some publicity about this and I decided to go to them just to support a local small business. They deliver free on orders over £8 and I have found their veg very fresh with a lot of island produce. In addition they go over to the mainland early in the morning for fresh produce from the wholesale market. One of the delivery drivers told me their main aim is to keep the High Street alive. They are a bit more expensive than the supermarkets but worth it for quality and unlike supermarkets generally deliver a day after ordering. As they say, what’s not to like?😊
DeleteLast April, during the first lockdown we started getting a veg box from a farm about 12 miles away, I wish we'd done it years ago. They pick the veg on the day that they are delivered so are very fresh and taste so much nicer than anything from the supermarket.
ReplyDeleteI am missing the farm shop I always used, when so much was home grown and has a great butchers counter.
DeleteThis, sadly, is in Wales, and the border has been, and still is,
a "no-go" area.
OWIAS What a brilliant idea you have posted. 👏👏
ReplyDeleteWell Done for something so original and interesting.
I have looking forwards to seeing more, not that I have a clue, but that is not important to me.
Miriam, my Sainsbury delivery yesterday warned me in advance that they were unable to send some vegetables with as long a ‘use-by’ date as they would normally like. They specified it was the fine green beans that had a short shelf life and said I could return them if not suitable
DeleteWhen the delivery arrived I checked and found the beans needed to be used by today, so I cooked them for dinner last night.
I was impressed that they should give me this very informative warning so I could do something about it. I guess they are having delivery problems with continental veg due to the Brexit holdups at the ports.
Thank you for my invitation Gary - I think it’s going to be favourite smells!
ReplyDeleteI’ll work on refining my list tonight.
Love the mag Gary
ReplyDeleteMrNuts and I both grew up in London and are familiar with the tube system, when we took our daughters to the Isle of Wight we were really pleased to see the old tube trains from our childhood being used. I saw on the news the other week this old rolling stock is finally being decommissioned.
Yes, we now have new trains, 40 year old shells but refurbished inside with recharging facility! They came over by ferry. The old ones had a lot of character but were very rattly being about late 1930’s vintage. I had only been on them for the short journey along the pier in Ryde to the ferry terminal but they went down to Shanklin and Ventnor. Apparently some of the rolling stock was older than that on our steam railway! That goes from Wootton to Sandown and at Havenstreet on the line there is a museum and shop. It’s well worth a trip if you are ever down this way.
ReplyDeleteI think the railway line to Ryde is closed until April as they have to upgrade it for the new rolling stock some of which is still to arrive.
DeleteAnd from what I saw on South Today, the old ones were incredibly rusty!
DeleteOn a different note, and this is a "one-off" post only.
ReplyDeleteI read a wonderful book, many years ago, called "The 20th Day of January"
It was to do with a USA presidential election, and how the USSR campaign behind the puppet President elect, had to be revealed, before January 20th inaugaration. It was fascinating, and just a really good thriller.
I am not posting anything political at all, but just sharing a interesting fictional book, which I just enjoyed.
I am now in tears, big time.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine's Mum, sadly passed away due to C 19, yesterday. She obviously is in bits, as she has to now isolate for 14days due to close contact. As such she cannot do what is needed to sort things out.
I knew her Mum, who was such a lovely, warm + caring person.
It is 😭😭😭 big time tonight.
Sorry for a post such as this.
Sad times, thinking of you.
DeleteMiriam you are on your own receiving this awful news where else would you turn!
DeleteEspecially hearing about it in the evening - sending heartfelt thoughts to you and your friend of course who has a really emotional time ahead but you will be there for each other even a phone call will help.
Oh, Miriam, so sorry x x x
ReplyDeleteI had a call today from my oldest friend.
ReplyDeleteWe were student nurses together in the early sixties.
Her husband died at the weekend.
We had spoken last week about his treatment.
She lives in Northamptonshire.
She will only want her daughters and her grandchildren to be at the funeral, but she does know that I will be there if, or when, she needs me.
They had lost their second dog earlier last year and her older sister had also died in 2020.
So sorry to hear your news MrsP and Miriam.
DeleteBeing unable to gather together and support each other at a funeral just adds extra pain to the loss. But I'm sure your love and support will be most appreciated - whether it's sent by phone, letter, or by Zoom. Or, of course, in person - when that's finally allowed.
Hugs.
Such sad news tonight. It’s coming a bit too close to home now. Keep strong everyone.
DeleteThinking of you and your friend Mrs P - such sad times 😔
DeleteMrs P, Miriam, thinking of you.. so hard. 💕
DeleteMrs P & Miriam - sorry to read of both of your sad news. xx
DeleteI add my thoughts.
DeleteI'm glad the Underground quiz is proving popular. Well done everyone who has solved the first three. I'll wait until next Monday before I post the answers and the next 3 stations - so you've still got time to have a go.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's perfectly acceptable to use the map - we used it to compose the quiz. (OK, I did, OMiaS prides himself of knowing the Underground backwards.) But I'm not sure the marvellous one Gary has provided will be much help ; )
Gary, I assume you also know The Great Bear version.
I've also found these: https://www.insiderlondon.com/blog/quirky-tube-maps/
4th one down is my favourite. I'd be interested to know whether LanJan and Sarnia agree with number 10
My Five Favourite Things (a bit late,)
ReplyDeleteSmells, perfumes, aromas and pongs, in no particular order:
1: Apple Blossom perfume by Helena Rubenstein
This was my Mums favourite perfume and her bedroom was filled with the pretty pink containers of perfume, bath crystals and a huge tub of dusting powder. It was the scent of my Mum and my childhood, sadly no longer available, nor is any of the Helena Rubenstein range.
2: The smell of bread baking in the small local bakery I passed each morning on my way to Iver station to catch the train to work. The bakery was owned by friends & I loved going in the shop to buy their little iced cakes. (Like today’s Iced Fancies) and warm doughnuts.
3: The perfume of White Alyssum plants, often alternated with blue lobelia along the edges of flower beds years ago. Warm, spicy, heady, I still plant it in tubs, just for the smell.
4. Right Guard spray deodorant for men, in the ‘Clean’ variety. I buy it for Mr A because I love the smell which seems to perfume the whole house with one spray. It’s warm and soft and lovely, the opposite of some of those overpowering, harsh, nose- shrinking smells of some men’s sprays!
5: The smell of summer - flowers on Privet hedges in July which remind me of a visit to the open air theatre in Regents Park to see A Midsummer night’s Dream when at school - again, spicy and warm and very evocative, combined with the smell of freshly mown grass (OK, that’s a bit of a cheat having two, but they go together for me)
And my most hated smell, makes my nose wrinkle up and has bad memories is-
Jeyes Fluid! As used in disgusting chemical toilets at West Wittering beach when I was small, and in the foot bath we had to dip our wellies in at the farm when there were infectious pig or chicken diseases about.
I hope you enjoy my choices, all apart from the last one. 😉
How beautifully you describe your smells and the memories they evoke for you Archerphile I was transported along with you as one is in a “page turner” book
Deletethank you. ( Even for the Jeyes fluid / public toilets 🚽 🧻 !
I remember the smell of privet hedges too, a rare experience these days.
DeleteI love the smell of baking bread which I can smell right now as Mr CC is currently doing his freezer batches of bread, foccacia and paninis.
Thank you AP!
DeleteThank you all. Just thinking about and recalling those smells lightened the gloom for me this morning!
DeleteMy smell of summer too Archerphile, flowering privet hedges, rarely smelt now.
ReplyDeleteIn suburban outer London as a child post war privet hedges were abundant on my walk to school, and that summer flush of perfume will always brighten any day.
Even now if I see a flowering privet I cannot resist plucking a small head of blossom to hold in my hand for an hour or so.
Mrs P any progress regarding “house viewings” of are you going to defer them for the time being?
ReplyDeleteAlso Miriam how are your neighbours have they continued to settle in well?
Gary, if the hat for favourite things is still available I'd go in.
ReplyDeleteConsider yourself in CC!
DeleteNo progress on viewings Lady R.
ReplyDeleteNot impressed with the current agent.
I emailed yesterday. No reply so far !
😕 disappointing Mrs P
DeleteVery brief update:
ReplyDelete1) got covid from work, feel fine, just a bit headachey/breathless
2) dog much better/brighter, eating small meals about 4 x daily
3) off work for at least 10 days, possibly for ever, not sure yet
4) Son with cancer has finally had tests completed after 3 weeks of delays, got morphine, and hopes to have a consultation re surgery this week.
5) Baby grandson is thriving, we do a family zoom each week.
Whilst things are far from well, I feel more positive that action has been taken, and there are outcomes which are acheivable. Whilst we can all cope with one or two problems, once they start all piling up at once, it is difficult to process.
I can't find any magic moments yet, but have just had a lovely chat with the test and trace person, who praised my intelligence and good sense (!), so that was cheering.
Thanks to everyone for your concern and good wishes, xxx
To which I had mine Mistral 🥰
DeleteMistral, all the best under the circumstances, stay with the positive attitude and keep us posted.
DeleteYou have so much to cope with at the moment, so look after yourself Mistral.
DeleteSending love and positive thoughts, and hope to hear better news soon.
Mistral, every good wish for your recovery. Shocking that it has happened through lax standards. Hope your workplace has learned from mistakes.
ReplyDeleteMrs P one thing I learned from various moves is you never show people around yourself. We once did on a Sunday when estate agents were closed and viewers “could not view any other day”. A couple rolled up with another couple and it became obvious they were just out for a joyride. Also when we were outside one of them wanted to go back in so I made sure I accompanied her. Although they expressed interest and even measured up to see whether they could get a large piece of furniture in, we heard no more from them and it had wasted our time. The fact is that you end up paying the estate agent much more than the solicitor and they should earn their money by showing people around and taking responsibility for the safety of your property. When we moved from Ledbury I stated very clearly that they had to perform these duties!
I expect as you have moved a lot like us, you will be well aware of this!😊 Their slice of the property price is excessive I think!
I didn't do Sunday viewings mainly because if someone couldn't find the time and had no respect for mine then I wasn't interested. Also, as I viewed myself during the day without the owners present, I always stepped outside to let the people get the feel of the place and let the agent do their job and didn't get involved.
DeleteSpicycushion, are you well?
Ev Basia my experiences are different from yours. I have always shown people round all the houses that I have sold, I have used estate agents, but always believed that they want to sell the house quickly and underprice in order to do so; with one exception when I didnt know its worth, I have always sold at a price greater than the estate agents suggested.
DeleteI like to be shown round by the owners as I can then ask pertinent questions, which are never satisfactorily answered by the agent.
Time wasting can be on both sides, I went to view a smallholding whose acerage was supposedly in good condition. They werent quite ready for me to view the house so we looked at the fields first, they were poor and covered in bracken. poisonous to my stock. I never did look round the house, much to the annoyance of the owner, my journey had been wasted
You are a strong woman,Mistral.
ReplyDeleteMy very best wishes to you.
I hope your son gets all the treatment he needs quickly .
Pleased about the dog's improvement too
With your positive attitude whatever you decide about your job will.be right for you.
To add,Mistral,I hope it won't be long before you can share a magic moment with us.
DeleteA nice collection of scents ,Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteI love the smell of bread baking.
I cannot recall the scent of Apple Blossom.
It was Yardley's freesias and then Tweed when I was growing up.
I didn't realise alyssum had much scent but do remember the scent of the flowers on privet hedges.
Thanks AP! Especially the privet - there was a hedge along our road on the way to school...
DeleteMistral - sending positive waves 💕
ReplyDeleteMistral I hope you recover soon. Your positive attitude to the very real difficulties you’ve faced puts my little niggles and moans into perspective. As you say, you can deal with one or two problems but cannot cope with an onslaught.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear that your sensible actions were appreciated.
Enjoy your zoom times with your grandson.
Mistral, I feel so angry on your behalf about the practices in your place of work. I hope action is being taken.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile I’ve always thought it very difficult to put a smell into words; yet you have done it so effectively.Your description of Right Guard as “overpowering, harsh and nose-shrinking” is perfect!
ReplyDeleteI love the smell of an old fashioned iron mongers shop; sadly there are not many left.
;
Oh yes, the paraffin, turps, polish and candle wax ! Mmmmm.
DeleteAnd it is the Right Guard ‘Clean variety’ that I love, but I can’t bear ones such as ‘Brute’ or even Right Guards ‘Cool’ variety.
Very relieved that you have felt able to let us know how things are MISTRAL.
ReplyDeleteYou coping, your dog improving, and your son on his way for treatment.
Never mind the magic moment at present.
Focus on getting better and as LJ has said you are strong, and when better from the Covid, you will be stronger again.
For the moment just look after yourself and the dog, because you will need that strength to give to your son and his family in the months to come.
Thanks for the advice Ev, but to remind you, I get all that from the estate agent daughter.
ReplyDeleteHowever it's not advice that I agree with.
Every home I've had my E A daughter has criticised as too personal a house to sell, and advised me, of course to not do viewings myself.
I've sold every one of those homes very successfully and always to some persons that I have interacted with myself.
I'm not doing the viewings this time nor did I when I put the house on the market about eighteen months ago.
I've done a great deal of fundamental work on it, but not the cosmetic elements, and because of its position it is not an easy house to sell.
The world of estate agency has changed since I worked in it, and today very little information is given initially about a property. I'm not at all sure that the current agents are doing what I would consider a proper job, but we shall see.
I have great belief in everything in life happening at the time that it should, and if it doesn't ' happen' it's not meant to.
What will be will be.
In the meantime I'm using my creative energy on property porn courtesy of Rightmove !
Mrs P
DeleteI was just posting at the same time as you.
I agree wholeheartedly as you will see above..
The last estate agent I used was basically a small on line one, who were extremely efficient, and whose photography was far superior to any that I have seen.
As a matter of course I always ring one minute after official opening time to check their efficiency, the usual response is "office opening hours are " A black start from the begining
I see your point Mrs P. I just think Estate Agents should earn their money! Last time we moved we paid them over twice as much as the solicitor who had worked very hard on our behalf. I cannot believe that simply advertising the property is so very expensive. I certainly did learn from that Sunday viewing and would now say Sunday isn’t convenient for me! However, am very happy where I am and have no intention of moving! I hope it works out for you. As you say what will be will be! I have just that philosophy!
ReplyDeleteWell the expected storm has not happened here.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have had rain today and it has been very gloomy, but nothing as predicted.
I hope others have fared, as well as I have.
Rain has now stopped and is a lovely + bright early evening.
I have been very interested about viewings when selling a property. The last property I sold, was not my own - but my late fathers bungalow. This was easy, as it was not no longer lived in.
When my '"awful neighbours" home went on sale, they went away for a night, arranging an open evening for viewings.
It worked, as interested buyers then booked a 2nd viewing, hence my lovely new neighbours. It saved time-wasters messing about.
That seems like a very good idea, Miriam. Certainly cuts down on viewers spasmodically coming along disrupting your life! Katy sold her house quickly before coming to live here. It was an ex council house in Cowes and was bought to rent out. She went with Purple Bricks, an online agency and their commission was very reasonable.
DeleteMistral : sending you lots of good wishes for a speedy recovery, and a good outcome for your son. Glad your little dog is brighter. It is awful when a lot of dire things happen at once.🌻🌼🌷
ReplyDeleteMistral.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you, with these two very difficult situations, which have been siddenley thrust upon you.
I, for one, would just love to read a daily up date from you, as talking to unknown persons, can help in a strange way.
Take Care and 🤗🤗. Miriam Xxx
Archerfile : I too very much like the smell of a privet hedge. So much so that a couple of years back I made a beeswax perfume using privet flowers, and then I realised privet can be poisonous and haven't dared use it, but I have a sniff of it occasionally! I know it's not good for animals if people throw prunings over their hedge into farm fields.
ReplyDeleteSmells can be so evocative of people and places. My Gran's favourite perfume was called Desert Flower and I kept a half used bottle after her death in 1974. Still have it and just a smell of it brings back lots of memories of my Gran.
Old Woman,
ReplyDeleteRe Underground map,
Are you referring to the one which names the stations with foodstuff rather than the actual places?
If you're trying the puzzle, the proper map wll work better!
DeleteBut I thought you might like James Wannerton's Synaesthesia map. It's not all food: I've spotted Burnt Matches and Wet Wool. I have to say, Spam and Chocolate is an interesting combination!
I presume there is a great variety in how different synaesthsiacs perceive different words. I wonder how your map would compare with this one?
Why, oh Why, am I now having to watch a recorded TV programme, due to the American Presidential Inaugaration which is live on so many TV channels?
ReplyDeleteI am not interested in watching this, but others might be and this I accept...🇱🇷
I’m not interested either. It did go on a bit but I turned it off! Certainly no need to put it on multiple TV channels!
DeleteMistral, I'm so sorry to hear that you have contracted Covid, I hope that your is uneventful and don't rush back to work.
ReplyDeleteHas any-one experienced the same as me, which are e-mails inviting me, to take part in current surveys?
ReplyDeleteOne seemed to be from the BBC, but I am ignoring these as potential spam, fraud etc.
I was tempted with the BBC one, so I could say what I feel, but the risks are far too great.
It might have been genuine, but didn't want to chance it. 😉
As to the e-mail about a BBC survey, it was not addressed to me personally in any way, It was just posted to the BBC Account holder, hence why I ignored it.
DeleteIt should have had some sort of personal detail included. Well that was my thought - rightly or wrongly.
Yes Miriam I had the BBC survey email this afternoon but had exactly the same thoughts as you and deleted it.
DeleteI deleted it because I couldn't be bothered to fill it in!
DeleteI do the John Lewis questionnaires sometimes. I think they find it more helpful if you've actually bought something there in the last year ...
I have just suscribed to the Roger Allam and Joanna Lumley series, just being listened to before TA.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea if it is good or not. I just love the two main persons, so I will wait + hear. It could be good listening whilst hoovering, cleaning etc..
I listen to this program. I really like it. I love Roger allams voice. He can do nothing wrong in my eyes.
DeleteAgree about Roger Allan, notntoo sure about the series though.
DeleteNot too that should be!
DeleteI like Joanna Lumley and at times they make me laugh but most of the time they sound too much like reading the script, not enough effort. Don't quite know how hoovering and listening work together...
DeleteI love it. I've got a Zoom now so will catch up on tonight's episode later - missed it live.
DeleteI love it too and have listened to previous series.
DeleteTonight's was pertinent for me, my best friend having just lost her husband.
But it also made me feel sad that I am not the one caring for my dying ex husband.
And yes Roger Allam is a wonderful radio actor. He is so different in the psychiatrist series. Whiny and self obsessed. But still very good, if irritating.
I thought I recognised his voice - he's First Officer Douglas Richardson.
Delete...and chief Inspector Fred Thursday.
DeleteHe's got a voice like a hospital consultant - all light brown velvet!
DeleteOWiaS I was puzzled by the synaesthesia map. All my linkages - colour, words, sounds are related to the various areas of my 'ministry'. ie poetry, painting and music and as each can be used to interpret any of the others, over the years they have all become interchangeable. Heaven forbid that 'Abide with me/Fast falls the eventide' should culminate in funerals tasting of chocolate or bacon! (or weddings of Turkish Delight, which to me tastes like bath oil).
ReplyDeleteOne day Sarnia, we shall have to meet so you can describe all this to me in more detail.
DeleteAs an aphantasiac I find it particularly fascinating that some people should be blessed with an abundance of imagery.
I've never tasted bath oil - but if it tastes of Turkish Delight it's definitely to be avoided ; )
And so I can see your wonderful garden, hear your music and poetry, etc, etc. In fact, from the glimpses of your life we've had here, it would have to be a pretty long meeting to fit the synaesthesia in!
DeletePerhaps a short holiday from your shoe?
DeleteI've been glued to the radio and some of television much of the day.
ReplyDeleteThe politics of the USA one of my passions.
I subscribe to a survey and get one weekly.
Often about current affairs and sometimes about consumer affairs.
I'm not a consumer of much. Don't know about cars, or washing machines or different banks, or insurance companies, so I feel that I leaven out the statistics.
I've also in the past often subscribed to general surveys.
They are important and help in the planning of the country's infrastructure.
I feel for you, Mrs, P(8.22pm) It takes me back..... I wouldn't have volunteered for the opportunity for such an experience, but I would have been loath to let it go.
ReplyDeleteEv - as I'm sure you've picked up, I have an 'oracle' daughter too. The one who has had a career as an estate agent.
ReplyDeleteShe has always been rigorous in seeing through sales and maintained that this is the most important part of the job. It's one thing to sell a property but the real work is in navigating it through to the end. She frequently criticised solicitors for being slow and lazy, and spent amazing amounts of time in checking facts and figures that they had made mistakes with.
There is a mountain of work to be done by the agent beyond capturing an offer, an acceptance and a deposit. And it often takes months of work chasing solicitors.
She found a good one years ago, and gave her masses of work over the years and is still recommending her now.
Sorry if I caused offence Mrs P and I’m sure your daughter is excellent at her work and conscientious. I know I don’t like it when teachers are rubbished! I n both cases there are good and bad ones in the profession! I can only speak from experience and we did have quite a good EA in Ledbury but in the past they haven’t been worth their rations! We have been lucky with solicitors as I knew the one we had in Cornwall and our Ledbury one was a. very efficient young lady. It can be frustrating though when others involved in a transaction drag their feet. I’m pleased your daughter did find a good colleague though!
DeleteNo no no Ev.
DeleteNo offence taken.
Both self and daughter are scathing of lousy EA s, her especially.
She insisted on seeing what mine intended to write, then re wrote it direct to them. They made one change and got that wrong.
Hopeless bloody lot.
She stayed in the same district in London for thirty five years. Had a black book to die for. Her first clients came back to her for their next house and the very first who knew her when she was eighteen were sending their grandchildren to her at the end. They followed her from company to company. Her big mistake was not going out on her own ( lack of confidence I think) when she was established.
It has just started snowing heavily here!
ReplyDeleteNot expected, so probabley won't last long. Lovely to see though, and my car is now covered in snow.
I bet it will be gone by the morning.
We’ve had the gales here, Miriam, and a miserable, wet day today. Hoping for improvement tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteWe watched the inauguration from beginning to end. I always feel I want to ´participate’ In such important ceremonies, and this one, in particular, was so important for the whole world, To see a mixed race woman become a Vice President of the USA was a huge moment and I didn’t want to miss it!
ReplyDeleteThe thing that made us both laugh was Melania Trump emerging from AF1 in Florida ...., having boarded the aeroplane in a demure black suit she emerged wearing what appeared to be a deckchair!
Same here Archerphile.
DeleteAs for Melania’s dress - words fail me 🤣
I am late in reading all the posts but want to wish Mistral Get Well Soon.
ReplyDeleteGet well soon Mistral
ReplyDeleteMistral, I just want to join everyone in wishing you and your family well. And that all the other worries that you are having to contend with at the moment soon have a happy conclusion. It seems so much, what you are having to endure - our thoughts are with you. xx
DeleteBig day for Lily - at the vet's to be spayed... she'll come home with a tattoo in one ear!! 6 months, but she's still so little... 🐈❤️
ReplyDeleteOh dear Parsley. I forgot which blog I was on and thought you were talking about Lily Pargetter for a moment! 🤭
Delete🤣🤣🤣
DeleteAP - too funny!!!
Delete3rd attempt 😡
DeleteHilarious Archerphile - just imagine! Best wishes to the real Lily 🐈
Has anyone been in touch with Spicycushion, on fb or otherwise? We know she lives with her son but is not usually absent for long. Let's hope we hear from her today.
ReplyDeleteThank you Basia for thinking of me. I'm afraid I've been a bit depressed and honestly fed up with EVERYONE in my life so have been keeping my head down 'cos I'm too grumpy!
DeleteSpicy x
I do that too Spicy - it's a practice that more people should follow! See you on the other side...x
DeleteTotally understand Spicy 🥰
DeleteSpicy, I really hope it's not e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e, take your time...
DeleteSpicy Try screaming very loudly - when nobody else can hear.
ReplyDeleteKBO Spicy 🥊
ReplyDeleteWell, that was a surprise! The ONS people phoned up to say my swab was positive. (I presume they meant Tuesday's, but we haven't had letters about last week's swabs yet so you never know.)
ReplyDeleteNo symptoms, I hadn't been out of the house for over a week - OMiaS does the shopping (I think I went out once the previous week), and no other shoedwellers have had the phonecall. Not to mention OMiaS had negative swabs but were positive for antibodies two weeks earlier.
So now we're stuck in the shoe for 10 days. But at least I'm feeling OK. (Or at least as 'OK' as normal!)
Good Lord OWIAS - here's hoping you and the family stay well.
DeleteSorry to hear about that, hope you continue to feel OK
DeleteContinue to keep feeling OK Owias.
DeleteOWIAS.
ReplyDeleteA nightmare for you, and all your shoe-dwellers.
I wish you all well. 😀
OWiAS - hope you stay well.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone.
DeleteI've now been banished to the spare room - it has its own sink so I won't need to use the one in the bathroom.
The room is a MESS - general storage, residence of shoedwellers in university vacations, craft and study room when I can find the desk, home of the lost tribe of the Incas, .... I guess I can use my 10 days of isolation in tidying it up a bit!
I had a bad dream last night, I was trapped in a supermarket full of people who weren't wearing masks. I had done a shop in the morning but hadn't experienced any problems, funny thing the mind.
ReplyDeleteI have had similar and vivid dreams, also.
DeleteIt just shows how much this is in our sub-concsious..
I am also dreaming about work again, in a Pharmacy with problems...
I’ve also had dreams like this. I suppose you anticipate others’ thoughtlessness!
DeleteWhich many do, Ev.
DeleteOh dear, I dream I've just come out of a shop and realise I didn't have a mask on.
DeleteI hope I haven't gatecrashed any of your dreams - humble apologies if I did. I promise I didn't breathe on you ; )
I couldn't believe the snow last night, as it was so unexpected.
ReplyDeleteIt did turn back to rain, but then stopped and froze.
The snow has finally melted, but now ice is starting to form!
Big Sis sent a photo this morning - half their garden flooded and the other half still covered in thick snow, and her two ponds have now emulgitated into one.
Poor sister : (
DeleteI hope the flooding has gone down during the day.
'Emulgitated' - what an evocative typo. It really deserves a definition - cna we come up with one between us?
Merged ???
DeleteMutated?
DeleteEmulgaded? But I like emulgitated better : agitated emulsion perhaps. I can imagine the pond waters looking white with half melted snow.
DeleteJanice, that's almost literally what I pictured "emulgitated" to look like too!
DeleteI hope Mistral is still doing well.
ReplyDeleteHow said this wonderful site, has now two regulars suffering.
ReplyDeleteI want to wish them Both Every Good Wish, for themselves along with their families.
Keep Positive All, and just do as best as you can, as to your own home set-up.
Typo - I meant sad...
DeleteSorry to hear about your test OWiaS - sometimes the ‘negative’ letters can take over a week to arrive, sometimes two. But they will contact you very quickly if positive so you can isolate. What a blow for you. Keep calm, keep busy, keep and try not to worry.
ReplyDeleteI add my condolences Old W. does this mean that one of your shoe dwellers or Mr OW might be a carrier ?
ReplyDeleteWhatever it is, don't do as I do, and DO tidy that room. At the very least you will have achieved something.
Will the shoe dwellers feed you through a hole in the door ?
Will the shoe dwelling cat or dog be allowed to visit ?
Mistral - hope your still coping. Thinking of you.
Miriam, I've just had a conversation with a friend in the nearby town, who told me about the freezing rain that then turned to snow this morning at about seven. Apparently followed by a massive bang.
I was dead to the world but when I woke at 1pm it was a bright sunny day.
I wake up soon after 6.00am (old habits die hard). I stay snuggled in bed listening to R4ex, until the CH heating starts. As it gets lighter, it is then on witj my dressing gown + slippers and then downstairs, by 7.30am.
DeleteIsn't it strange how different all our lives are??
No shoe-dwelling cats or dogs, and the fish don't look very cuddly. However, I have my faithful teddy bear who is immune to bugs and other nasties. ('Though the light is better than in my room - he's rather less white than I thought. Methinks he needs a bath.)
DeleteBuddy has a favourite toy, a little pink fluffy pig. We were dreading anything happening to piggy as he even takes him to bed with him but we are saved as Pets at Home have just recommenced piggy making and Katy has obtained two, one for now and one as a spare! Original piggy is well overdue a wash so will be popped into the machine with doggy towels! What am I like? I can hear all you non pet owners groaning!! Well, it keeps me amused!😁🐶🐾🐖🐖🐖
DeleteOwias sorry to hear about your test and confinement to the spare room but at least you don’t have to do the washing up for 10 days!! Keep smiling!😊😊😊
I envy you Miriam.
ReplyDeleteIt's not my choice to live in the way I do.
My circadian cycle has been out of sync for over twenty years now. And nothing I've tried, including a sleep clinic has changed it.
And in winter such as today, I might have as little as three hours of daylight, but at least with the dog now, I do spend a substantial amount of that three hours outside.
I’m not an early bird either but when Katy is at work she gets up at 6.30, brings me tea at 7 and then I usually get up at about 7.30 to join her for a chat before she leaves at about 8. She is having to stick with the timetable and have online lessons when she would be teaching at school so still gets up early when she has lessons first thing but as I see her later in the day now I forego the chat and usually get up at about 8. At weekends and holiday times we do drift into later hours but twice a week our boys go off for walks with the dog walker so we have to get them ready for 9.15. It’s more arduous sometimes than getting children ready for school! I’m sure that if I was on my own I would drift into later mornings and maybe not cooking meals for myself so as well I have incentives! I do sympathise with Mrs P as the night watch is not a happy time and you can’t help it if your sleep patterns don’t conform. It’s nice that Lady and the cat fit into your rhythms! 😊🐾🐾
ReplyDeleteThank you Ev, for your understanding. Not everyone does.
DeleteTwenty two years ago I had three major losses in six months.
That's when my cycle disappeared. I've had to manage my time accordingly since, and because of it I achieve much less than I would like.
And of course a large part of it is living alone.
I read a great deal in the night, but there is also a lot of tossing and turning too.
The animals are amazing. I worried about getting a dog and the morning wee.
But she goes out just before my bedtime, and then she is on the bed with me when I wake, the cat on the pillow above my head, and she doesn't fuss to get me up. In fact when I do get up and go to the bathroom she snuggles down into my smell in the bed and would be happy to stay there if I didn't go downstairs.
The cat has a tray in the bathroom but uses it about once every six months.
I too had everything topsy-turvy for about 2 decades MrsP. I just decided to go with the flow. That's why daytimes (especially mornings) confuse me sometimes. I seem to have gotten quite a bit less of a night owl as I have gotten older, but I put that down to not living alone anymore as I did for years and years. (Mr GG is the exact opposite of us - up before the lark every morning. I get up when I get up and don't worry a jot about it.)
DeleteMrsP, I can sympathise with your erratic circadian rhythms, my elder daughter, aged 23, still lives at home with us, has a condition called Non24 hour sleep/wake disorder. Basically her circadian cycle is about 26 hours so her natural wake-up time shifts day to day, so over a couple of weeks she cycles between joining MrNuts and I for meals to being completely nocturnal and we’ll see her only briefly. Apparently this is more common in blind people who don’t have daylight to help regulate their body clocks, but it is also seen in those like my daughter on the autistic spectrum. As you can I imagine this makes trying to plan anything quite difficult as it is difficult to predict with any degree of certainty whether she’ll be awake. Needless to say her somewhat hermit like existence has not been impacted hugely by lockdown, although she does miss being the only one in the house now MrNuts is working from home. It is a slightly strange set-up but she is happier than when she was in her teens when we were battling to keep her in routine to get her through her A levels, we had to give up on school and work with tutors instead, that was stressful, now we just go with the flow and hope that eventually she will find the motivation within herself to move on with her life.
DeleteIt's strange because we can be reading this blog for ages and then from something mentioned the realisation hits that some are very bravely coping with very difficult things.
DeleteMy sympathy KPnuts because it is very hard when something affects our children.
Hello, I am here again, thanks everyone, the support on this blog is very uplifting.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you've joined me Owias.
I am glad I live alone, it would drive me crawling up the wall to be confined to one room.
I am warm and fed, got a cough and very sneezy today, but nothing painful or worrying. I made a big pan of soup yesterday to keep me going, and an apple crumble. I am aiming to complete one thing every day.
Had a zoom meeting this evening with my three 'children' and their partners. We are planning a murder mystery game via zoom next week, which I am really looking forward to, you can download them from the internet.
I think I know all three cryptic underground stations.
I thought it might be interesting to compile a list of first memories, if anyone is interested?
That is a bloomin' FANTASTIC idea I think Mistral! I could open up the old hat again for names? All in agreement?
Delete✔
DeleteSorry to hear the news OWiaS - and just as I was looking forward to hosting that short holiday away from your shoe. I have a cunning plan for tracking you down: I shall write to his Extreme Reverence the AB of C to check which of his dioceses have had the ingenuity to house their clergy in a Parish Shoe! Ingenious or what!
ReplyDeleteSarnia reminds me OwiaS, that I keep wanting to ask you, were you once ' The Vicars Wife' ?
DeleteUsed to be on the BBC Blog.
There was also ' the Lady Vicar'. She's probably a Bishop by now and too busy to blog.
DeleteOh yes.... so there was.
DeleteWell remembered.
MrsP, sorry, no, I've always been an Old Woman
DeleteSarnia, I don't think we ever told the diocese that their very nice vicarage got transformed into a piece of footwear. Better not tell them now or we might get booted out ; )
Good to hear you more than a little positive MISTRAL.
ReplyDeleteyour doing better than me. I only manage half of one task each day.
And that's a brilliant idea.
Next blog opening I shall collect names for "My First Memory"!
Delete(Not forgetting that Cheshire Cheese has still to do the final "Favourite Things"....)
I'll get on with that.
DeleteHave just discovered a new author to me, Robert Goddard. I have just finished “Past Caring” and have bought another one “Long time coming” from Amazon for my IPad. The former had lots of intrigue plus historical, albeit mainly fictional accounts of the early C20th. Something to get your teeth into and a change from lighter stuff!
ReplyDeleteEv
ReplyDeleteI have most of Robert Goddard's books.Some are in hardback and some are paperbacks.
His earlier books like "Past Caring" are ,in my opinion the best.
"InPale Battalions "is my favourite
I once read that Robert Goddard was the favourite modern author of a certain former Prime Minister..
Name dropping now!
I confirmed that fact when I asked
I really like the idea of earliest memories, would we do just the single first memory or choose say five key memories.
ReplyDeletehim
ReplyDeleteOh I reckon one is enough KP.
ReplyDeleteOne of us at least has a long way to go back to search for more than that.
Thinking Allowed: The Bed, was about just that, its invention and various uses plus sleep. I'd heard before that people used to sleep when they needed and at very "odd" hours. It was the industrial revolution that introduced work hours and people had to be rested and ready at designated times. I never adapted to the 9-5 regime and managed to avoid it for most of my life but that's how our society works.
ReplyDeleteFive favourite things in my garden:
ReplyDeleteThe pond. It attracts more wildlife in the form of insects, amphibians and birds.
The compost heap. I never cease to be amazed by the lovely black compost that emerges after throwing in garden waste and shredded paper. There is the extra advantage that no one is going to decipher our personal details from compost.
The herb beds. I just LOVE growing herbs.
The veg beds. I don't grow a lot of vegetables but like to have fresh salad and radishes throughout the summer. I also enjoy things like courgettes, broad beans and French beans when they are smaller and tastier.
The potting shed. Many a happy hour has been spent in there, never more so than during this pandemic.
My dislike, not strictly in my garden but encroaches on it, is next door's massive leylandii hedge.
CC ✔✔✔ to herbs and veg beds. I don't have a proper pond but instead 3 old Butler sinks that have hosted tadpoles since the children were young. One year we had young newts that did their best to eat the tadpoles so we evicted them to a nearby stream.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter in law introduced me to Cuban Oregano. It is part of the mint family and extremely pungent . It can be used in stuffings, and put in drawers with clothes. An interesting herb to try if you haven't already. A strong smell and flavour.
I'll look into the Cuban Oregano,I don't grow it.
DeleteThe newts do eat tadpoles but the worst offenders are the dragonfly larvae.
DeleteJanice - you wrote about Cuban Oregano previously.
ReplyDeleteI have a note in a diary.
I think it was about insect bites ?
Interesting to see how many of us are extreme night owls.
ReplyDeleteMy day tends to run from 10 or 11 am to 2 am.
If I go to bed earlier I often struggle to sleep.
Advantages:
the shoe is quiet at that time of night.
OMiaS gets a few hours uninterrupted snoring.
I get a few hours in the morning with a whole bed to myself and no snoring.
Two younger shoedwellers are similarly nocturnal. As KP says, it makes getting up for school something of a challenge ....
Owias I manage 9.30am but yes a 1.30 to 2am person. It is so restful and quiet. Mr R 9.30am also and bed around 11 - 11.15pm.
DeleteSending all the best to you and Mistral in your self isolation 💐
Thank you OwiaS and Lady R, you both help me to feel less alone in my sleeping patterns
DeleteYes please Gary for the first memories, if I can remember one!
ReplyDeleteAnd Lan Jan, I have a collection of Robert Goddard books and Pale Battalions is my favourite too.
My copy has a photo of the Theipval Memorial on it and not long after reading the book we went to visit the Memorial.
We were on a short visit to northern France to find the locations where Mr A’s father had fought in WW1 (and survived). That memorial is an amazing piece of Lutyen’s architecture and reading the thousands of names recorded on it one of my most moving experiences.
If I can remember any! first memories could be fun. Please add me in.
ReplyDeleteYou and me both, OWiaS, 10-2 shift, although I sometimes manage to get back to 8.30 - 12.30. Trouble is, by myself in the house and never any visitors there are no obstacles to complete self-indulgence!
ReplyDeleteBrain -teaser for you: my 'place of work' has the Wessex Synod Office outside the back door.
No brainteaser, Sarnia, you gave us clues when we were still on the BBC blog.
DeleteMaryEllen did most of the solving then. And I was slow to remember that I knew Alma and Gordon.
I do have friends who might know you. What links do you have with the neighbouring churches?
4.45 am last time I looked at clock last night , but awake and up by 11.30 so a decent length of daylight today.
ReplyDelete