MrsP Ambridge - January 31, 2021 at 11:13 PM Did those of you who are Countryfile watchers watch tonight. Strouds wonderful 'The LongTable' featured and views of my daily walks everywhere. I recognised the hedgehog lady too, but don't know her and didn't know until tonight that she was the hedgehog lady. 'There was an old lady' ? Not just one of my favourites but my dads too. He would often recite it.
Lady R - February 1, 2021 at 10:19 AM Will be watching on catch up Mrs P thanks for the heads up!
From previous blog - Earliest memories. I know my name wasn't in a hat, but this cropped up on the previous blog, in conversation about Ev's garden:
SozJanuary 31, 2021 at 3:28 PM
Ev How about Erigeron karvinskianus , Mexican fleabane. It’s a small daisylike flower. I must have had it in a hanging basket years ago and it spread from there into cracks in cement and concrete nearby. Just another idea for planting between paving.
SarniaJanuary 31, 2021 at 6:47 PM
Also known as 'St Peter Port daisies'. One of my earliest memories is of the little pink and white daisies smothering the lofty granite walls in St Julian's Avenue, the steep road up from the harbour, and also the huge floral arch across the road for the visit of Princess Elizabeth in 1947. There was another at Cobo bay on the west coast, but it was so exposed to the wind that it became an absolute mess in a very short time. There you are, two early memories. I must therefore have been 2 years old.
Looked it up and have seen it at Mottistone gardens where it has spread prettily! Will keep it in mind. Buddy fell into the loose compost in one of the holes. He extricated himself with no trouble but has trodden dirt all over the new patio!
Have listened to the Thursday murder club on R4 and it is in the Present Tense so will not be reading it! Have said before I find books written in the present very irritating. Also cannot bear historians talking about the Battle of Agincourt as if it is happening now! I know, I’m a boring old f**t!
I agree about historians Ev, always talking in the present tense. There is an excellent radio 4 programme called ‘The Long View’ in which Jonathan Freedland compares a present problem or event with a similar one in the past. Both my son and I were very enthusiastic about it. But we have both had to stop listening because of this present tense thing - “Florence Nightingale is going out to Crimea to help the troops, she is setting up a hospital at Sevastopol” . “Hitler is hiding in his bunker and his previously loyal staff are escaping in droves”. Ugh!
However, regarding The Thursday Murder Club I just didn’t notice any present tense problems at all when I was reading it. Perhaps this is another problem with the adaptation for radio?
Totally agree with you Ev. Having been an English and History teacher for so many years I am not all surprised that children find History so boring, but I think the word should be confusing. The rot set in when they asked 13 year olds with little knowledge of past times to 'empathsise' with say, a child in Tudor times or a 'soldier' at the Battle of Hastings. On teaching practise I was lucky enough to accompany a party of 200 11 year old boys to Battle. One remarked that it would have been easy to win, 'They just needed to set up a machine gun post at the top of the hill!' One of the first lessons in written English is that there are three basic tenses in English. If it happened in the past, you weren't there so you are 'reporting' it, in past tense. Cannot stand newspaper articles also written in present tense. I am so glad you warned me about the RO book. No I wouldn't be able to read it with enjoyment either!
Popped over to this blog with a question for Spicycushion - how did your tax return go? I submitted mine and paid up yesterday with 8 hours to spare, spurred on by your example!
Oh maryellen you shame me! Son Jon (who lives with me) got my final spreadsheet done and it is all ready to put onto website. He has said he will enter it for me but it won't be until tomorrow evening. I had no excuse prior to yesterday except that I just got bored with it all. I do not have very long concentration span at the present. I had my Covid vaccination yesterday morning and now have a very sore arm which disturbed my sleep last night. That's my excuse for not doing it today. I told MrsP I was a procrastinator. I wish I hadn't found out about the extension. I work much better to deadlines. Well done you! Only two months to go and we can start again! Ha!
I’m the world’s worst procrastinator, Spicycushion, so entirely sympathise! And bad luck with the vaccination after effect. It certainly puts one off the second jab, but fingers crossed you’ll be okay next time.
Thanks Gary. I didn't know these little videos existed, though it does show many of my walks. The first view - green oblong- is the Iron Age Fort that I recently discovered and wrote about on here.
What a lovely wintery sunny day. My bedding is still on the line outside but it won't completely dry. At least it will be far less wet and will have semi-dried, in the fresh air and breeze.This makes such a difference, so don't mind that it will be draped on an airer overnight.
I noticed today, how much lighter it was this morning and also now, as the sun has not yet disappeared. It is such a difference and mood lifting.
PS My bathroom faces west, and for the first time this year, the setting sun is suddenly shining in. Love this, as it feels that Spring is not far away. Little things like this, help so much.
How much notification did you have and in what way - letter, text, e-mail? Also - did you have to book the appointment or was it assigned to you? I am just curious, as to how this extremely good vaccination programme, works.
Miriam I had a text via my Dr’s surgery with a link which I opened I could then choose appointment from those on offer. If you do not wish to use this you wait for a phone call and they discuss appointment with you. My elder sis had a phone call today as she rarely uses her mobile hates texting and her phone is not a smart one. Last Saturday I received the NHS letter saying time for my jab and could book online for a major Centre - probably somewhere like Epsom or wait for Dr to contact to use local hub ( Basingstoke) 32 mile round trip but happy to do this. Archerphile & Mr A able to attended together in one trip because of age difference between myself and Mr R it will mean 4 trips in total but very grateful all the same AND it’s a trip out 🤣🤣🤣 taking the scenic route just the job. (You’ve had a sunny day!!! Very gloomy here)
I swallowed hard tonight, when I opened up my latest financial report. I drew a large amount of cash out last year, plus also have an income from the inclued SIPP set up for me. I am very happy, as the overall growth is 3.8%, which was not as expected. Now I need to try + spend it!
I had my jab today and was notified by my doctor’s surgery on Thursday. The following day I had a letter telling me I could make an appointment but if I already had one not to do anything. People on the island had this letter, tried to make an appointment and were allocated slots on the mainland! Needless to say this would carry risk just by travelling! The advice was to wait, try again until a slot was available on the island but I wonder how many have been caught out and will go to the mainland! I was glad I had been given mine already! I also had a text to confirm the appointment at 2,22 this afternoon, very precise! It was at a big centre and was so efficient. Stewards were along the route to the vaccine hall to point the way. I was asked which surgery I was from and went straight, with no waiting, to a lovely nurse who administered the jab. It is the Pfizer one. I was given a leaflet with time attached when I could leave. Up to now no ill effects not even an ache in the arm but it was only 4 hours ago. When I came home I had a cup of tea and a rest. The excitement had been too much! I found it strangely emotional.
We took Dudley with us as he can be funny with Gypsy and he was very anxious when I left him and Katy. They waited in the car park and he got excited every time a grey head came out but was overjoyed to see me again. I had only been gone for about 25 minutes!
They have just opened another centre in Newport so think the program is going on a pace on the island. I see Isle of Man has lifted all restriction on their island but they have been far stricter than here and of course they are much more remote than we are.
Well done Ev, pleased it all went well with what sounds like military precision. I've half a memory that Katy has already had hers. Am I right ? If not I hope she gets it soon. I'm in the camp that believes teachers should be pretty high up the priority list.
No, Katy hasn’t had hers yet. I am with the suggestion that teachers should get theirs over half term. She is pleased I have had mine as she is careful but has been worried about bringing it home. It looks as if people in early 70’s like me are being vaccinated well in advance of mid Feb so surely they could pause the elderly jabs to protect teachers. The problem is they are teaching children and teens who can easily transmit the virus.
My neighbour sent me a text last night to tell me that she and her daughter were isolating as they both had Covid. Her father has spent much of last year in a nursing home. Previously living alone in Devon and coping in his nineties with regular visits from his three children, like many others isolated, he became unwell and was hospitalised then sent into a nursing home. He contracted Covid and none of his children had been able to see him. They managed to be able to see him before he died but now of course have Covid themselves. Just one family among many, globally.
That is so sad and meaningful. It just shows, how awful a situation we are all trying to surve in. What an upset for you, and your neighbours. I hope things go well.
Only just read that Spiceycushion had hers yesterday. Sorry about the sore arm. Have you been achy today, or symptoms similar to flue.
Read an article yesterday about worldwide exceedingly low flue. Something like 95% down on normal rates. One suggestion being that many that might have got it, and or might have died with flue, have probably already died with Covid.
Hello Mrs P. Feel rotten today, worse than usual. All very well for leaflet to say watch out for side effects of lethargy, tiredness ( I suppose they mean sleepiness) and nausea. Well I am all those anyway due to immune disease and the tablets which make me feel sick. Anyway really nauseous today. Had toast mid-morning and Jon got me a 'cup of soup'early afternoon. Arm really hurt last night and stupid me, I asked for the jab in my left arm as usual. But I sleep on my left side so kept waking up every hour or so as I turned in my sleep. Never mind. Hopefully will only last a couple of days. The Health Centre was lovely and efficient and there was an air of cheerfulness around, much like an open day at a school or other building. My own GP was there. I'm not sure whether he was injecting or just there in case of emergencies. But he came up to the desk, laughing and joking towards me, very relaxed. Youngest son is just coming out of isolation after getting a dose of Covid, presumably from one of the customers. When he rang to tell me I was very worried as he sounded dreadful but back on form last Friday. He made a Chilli for dinner and because he has no sense of smell doubled the seasoning as he thought it was very mild. Luckily they had creme fraiche in the fridge and he said as long as they got it past their lips without burning them it was edible. Can't face the tax paperwork so Jon has volunteered.That's tomorrow evening taken care of as it's Scouts tonight, practicing map reading and plotting route, planning meals and equipment lists for their Expedition Challenge. Hopefully it will take place this summer. I've rattled on far too long here. Sorry. Spicy
Nurse asked me if I was right handed so gave it in left arm. Like you, Spicy sleep on my left but luckily up to now no discomfort at all at the vaccine site. So sorry you have had bad effects on top of the other things which trouble you. Hope you feel better tomorrow.
I am so happy to live in a country where all this is being carried out so well. Again I applaud NHS! 👏👏👏
Yes Ev, that was another point made in the article I read. And it's more than plausible, but more importantly, Covid might just have paved the way for us all to be so much more mindful of contagion by us becoming aware of the use of masks and hand washing. And of course taking those precautions into the future.
Miriam I meant to point out that I could have had earlier appointments but I didn’t want to drive in the dark (or to an early one) by choice but had it been by allocation only then I would have attended of course.
Oh dear, being having awful trouble posting here today. Had to delete Chrome from my iPad completely, reinstall, create new password etc etc. So I hope this is going to work!
I was interested to see that a new vaccination centre has been set up in Basingstoke, in the Fire Station, a venue very easy to reach. Apparently some of the Firefighters (can’t call them firemen anymore) volunteered to be trained in giving the vaccines and it opened this morning, with BBC TV in attendance. And just guess who was one of the first to be vaccinated, none other than Alan Titchmarsh! Now, I may be sceptical, but I couldn’t help wondering why he was being done in Basingstoke, seeing as he lives further away in the Country and could probably have gone to Southampton, and why he just happened to arrive in time to be filmed? Part of a publicity campaign? I’m probably wrong but it did seem very serendipitous.
My daughter drove home from school past the Fire Station this afternoon and said it looked extremely busy, so that’s a good thing. We are very lucky to have two centres in the town.
Alan T lives in the village of Holybourne Archerphile therefore like us (5 to 10mins away from him by car - but other than that a world away 🤣) his local vaccination area is Basingstoke. I would have thought he would have gone to the Hotel you and I are using but maybe they wanted him to do the Fire Station venue as PR 🤔 🙄 Like you we both went “oh no” and laughed when he saw him .....
I tried to post this earlier but couldn’t get the site to work
I am a bit concerned that you are posting details about your finances. This is not a complaint by any means, but a worry that you may be leaving yourself open to scams or interference. We know, from Gary, that our blog is read all over the world and he has had to delete some suspicious posts in the past. So I’m not sure that it is wise to publish details such as you gave earlier. I hope you don’t mind my saying this but it comes purely from my concern for you.
I nearly forgot again! The answers standing at this platform are: 4. Next stop from here – St Helena Waterloo 5. Penny Lane Liverpool Street 6. ‘Please look after this bear, thank you’ Paddington How did you do?
The next stations to arrive at this train: 7. Constructed a valley 8. Posh Spice 9. Alpine chalet Have fun!
OWIAS: I’m looking forward to last week’s answers and some more questions on the Underground Stations quiz, please. Since beginning of Covid my concentration has gone to pot. I used to read a lot and would finish a book in one sitting, well almost. Now I seem unable to focus on one thing for any length of time so short quizzes, crosswords are ideal.
Thank you OWIAS. Full marks. This week’s - 9 I know will have to work on other 2. I keep thinking of your friends rowing across the Atlantic consulting a waterproof map of the Underground - bizarre!
Well done Soz! The mad rowers had to work from memory. (And I suspect they know the Thames better than the underground.) But they put the week's stations on their blog so everyone who was keeping in touch via satellite phone was able to contribute their suggestions too.
I think station 7 is quite fun - have you got it yet?
Thanks Old Woman. Like Soz says it is funny how things pop into your mind . P tbY I reckon you may be able to do these without Mr P tbY 's help! On the other hand ,number 7 may fox you since you are not familiar with the Underground system.
Miriam.... I’m totally with Archerphile. It is not sensible putting financial details on an open blog. What with hackers etc. It’s not nice to rub peoples nose in it if they haven’t much either. No one else posts about their financial state of affairs or have you not noticed. So....give it a rest love.
I don’t think anyone would be able to trace bloggers from their identity on the blog.
So far so good. No reaction to the jab, not even a sore arm! I am one of the lucky ones I think but thoughts with Spicy and others who have reactions. Better though than getting the virus.
Gypsy is barking for food it being over an hour since she had breakfast! Problem is that she has Cushings which makes her constantly hungry but we can’t keep feeding her. I will have to cut up an apple for her, not too many calories as we have to watch her weight!
Ev - regarding tracing in your first sentence! Not so. I know of a blogger (many years ago) who was astounded and worried by receiving a letter in the post (Royal Mail) from a fellow blogger! The sender had traced them by remembering little details they had posted. Coupled with all sorts of web searchengines tracing addresses, voting lists (public) etc they had correctly identified the 'victim' and their address! It is possible!
After effects of jab all gone! Had a good night's sleep because arm sufficiently painless to sleep as per usual. Managed 7 hours in one go! I am going to switch the weekly methotrexate tablets to another day to see if that may be contributing to nausea as well. Not nice doing Cubs online, believing I may throw up at any time! Blue sky and a breeze now so will put some washing on I think. Hopefully get some fresh air through it before it rains again.
Thank you Spicy! A salutary tale and just shows how careful you need to be. I’m so glad you are feeling better. Just as well I didn’t have a problem as have to go to the dentist tomorrow! I have also had an email from opticians to make an appointment for annual check up! Obviously time for my MOT!
Miriam,for some time I have wanted to say something similar to what Archerphile wrote but did nothing as I believe I have upset you in the past and didn't want to add to it. PtbY is obviously concerned for you as well. As someone who sat down and cried years ago when I lost £5 and who once ran out of housekeeping on aWednesday , I know what it is like not to have money and even now look for bargains whenever I can find theml
Soz - I am so grateful for your observation about concentration! I have also lost the power of concentration and it concerns me, especially as I have secured an appointment for exam marking this summer. (about 500 scripts) That takes an enormous amount of concentration at the best of times. I have tried to keep my brain active with online quizzes, conversations via fb messenger, zoom, whatsapp and of course here, with friends and family. Physically have good and bad days but that is also a worry. However two of my sisters have 'challenged' me to see how we all get on with at least keeping mobile. I have ordered and they have bought a fitbit 'watch' to monitor and hopefully increase our exercise by walking. At present I can only do about 200 yards so hope to increase that substantially! As to reading. Well a friend recommended a series of mystery books. I ordered the first two, sorted them out by reading the blurb then started to read one. Finished in about a week (I only read in bed\) When I got to the end thought 'Good but I wish they didn't keep referring to events I know nothing about.' Yes I had read the second book ! 🤦♀️Now to read the first!
My final OU assignment was on the then current Carnegie Prize winner (Monsters of Men). Not only was it 600 pages long, it was also the last of a trilogy. Our tutor kindly said he didn't feel we ought to read the first two as well. But it did mean there were quite a few sections where I wasn't quite sure what was going on! (The assignment was pretty ropy but it just scraped through - one mark lower and my degree would have dropped down a class. Phew!)
Similarly confusing was a Doctor Who audio CD. Mind you, that conundrum was solved when we realised someone had set it to play on 'shuffle'!
Absolutely! Remember, these crooks do these things for a living - they know all the tricks and shortcuts. What we imagine as being a bit far-fetched or complicated is what they do on a daily basis, and probably without any effort at all.
Miriam, If I were you I wouldn't be giving out a SINGLE piece of information about my financial affairs.
I too was lucky and had no reaction to the vaccine but glad I piled up the logs inside as itis now snowing heavily,though said to turn to rain later on.
Ev have you tried carrots, probably fewer calories than apples and Misty who is in a diet loves them. I buy the small chanteney ones. If I dont watch her she will eat the pears I put out for the blackbirds too.
Yes, she likes carrots as well! The boys won’t touch anything like this! Buddy is partial to pizza and pasta so maybe in his early days was fed such things. He is a very fussy eater and skirts round his own dinner in the hope of something better! If we don’t watch Dudley will then eat his own then Buddy’s thus one fat dog and one thin one!
OWIAS - I'm "usually" pretty good at fiendish quizzes. But so far I have been rubbish. Totally rubbish. That Napoleon/Waterloo one now seems soooooo obvious. Must try harder. (Got the "Posh Spice" one tho'....)
Oh Gary, that was the one I had to look up because I couldn't remember which one she was! I'm fine with these until OWiaS starts referring to stations on lines which didn't exist when I lived in London!
I did get the last three in the underground quiz, and without needing to think about it at all. The next three do not throw up any thoughts. I will try to work them out though.
Lady eats all sorts of fruit and nuts, as treats, but won't eat carrots. But she does get carrot because I grate it into her meal. She wouldn't eat apples either, but on our last visit to Cornwall she watched my daughters Lab eat the fallen apples on the grass and very quickly cottoned on to the idea and was soon pinching them herself. Her next trick was to put her front paws up and onto the trunk and pick the low hanging fruit.
I grew up with a beautiful really dark coloured Golden Labrador, brandy coloured really. She was named Nina after a Russian athlete who was in the news after stealing a hat from Selfridges whilst here for a competition. Very apt name for the dog because she was an awful thief! Given half a chance she stole the sugar bowl off the table, later found in her chair shiny and clean. Coxes apples stored in my (cold) bedroom (we lived in a bungalow) ready for Christmas kept disappearing. I initially got the blame until Dad caught Nina coming along the passageway, from my bedroom back to the kitchen, with an apple in her mouth. Her summer trick however was to go along the raspberry row and 'suck' ripe raspeberries off the canes! We also at the time had a cat who raided the greenhouse and ate the cucumbers!
When Katy was little we kept finding carrot tops in the garden neatly stacked. We blamed the badger but years later she confessed she would pull the carrots up, wash them under the water butt and eat them leaving the leaves of course. How she survived I will never know!! She must have been about five and that part of the garden was away from the house. Although I checked on her regularly I never did catch her at it!
Two of my friends once became aware that there was a hideous stench in their bedroom. After much rummaging about they realised that there was a small hole in the base of the bed and inside was one of their cats who was protecting a weeks old once-frozen bag of sprouts! She had obviously pinched it when they were unpacking shopping one day and had decided that she was going to raise those sprouts as her own children. She apparently put up quite a fight during their attempt to remove them.
Lovely , but smelly story Gary When we get a stink in the house it’s usually due to a mouse getting in - once, horribly, a rat. Unknown to us they get behind the cooker, kitchen cupboards or up in the loft. They can’t get out and die. Sometimes it takes ages to track down the body and remove it. The worst was a mouse that climbed up all this metal pipes at the back of the fridge and died there. Took days to track it down, uninstall fridge and scrape off the remains. 🤧
OWIAS...I could not get the "constructed a valley" one. Husband and friend got it straight away. I eventually gave up. Big groan when I heard the answer. How did I not get that! Got othe 2 though.
Captain Tom Moor has died - of Covid. How wonderful to have achieved such a monumental and memorable humanitarian event in the final year of his one hundred years.
Yes....but this is no different to any family, who loses a loved one, to Covid. At least he reached 100yrs old and had a very fulfilling life. This culminated being a Knight of the Realm, when dubbed personally by HM The Queen. He had a wonderful 100 years, acheiving a lot and became a national icon. He will be missed, along all the very many, who have succumbed to this awful virus, which is now over 100,000.
Captain Tom WAS an inspiration. He had pneumonia which is I believe what kills many older people. His family must be very proud of him. He was however 100 years old and I would suggest that virtually all if not all the people who have died of Covid have been younger than that. He achieved something amazing I bet he would have settled for that
Me too Cowgirl. I was offered the pneumonia vaccine last year with my flu jab but said no thanks. My Dad died of ‘the old man’s friend’ and it was a huge relief and release for him after years of senile dementia. I think I, or my family, might be grateful for a dose of pneumonia in similar circumstances. ( but I must add this is absolutely nothing to do with Covid, for which vaccination I am incredibly grateful.
I was offered it when I went for my flu jab at 65. The nurse got it wrong and injected into the muscle I think. It was very painful! I did have it though.
It appears that Captain Tom and his family flew to the Bahamas for Christmas and returned to England on January 6th. Sadly he developed pneumonia on return but that is hardly surprising seeing the weather we have had since then. He was regularly tested but tested positive about three days ago. I was prepared for the news however as it said in today's paper that his family was with him for the past day or so.
Lanjan and Archerphile in particular. (And of course any other cricket fans) Did you see the report that Channel 4 is broadcasting Indian Tour live? It starts apparently at 4am on Friday! BTW at last Medway's total of new cases today is below the national average!
I may very well set my alarm, much in the same way my daughter and sisters all set theirs for F1 practise and races, when taking place all over the world. Probably fall back to sleep though by 9am!
My very good friend who helped me so much when I got divorced sent me a notelet card in July 1984 telling me she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had been given six weeks to live. She died from pneumonia five days later and I am so glad she did go sooner.
It would appear that Captain Tom died "with" Covid not of it. Re the shingles jab,Spicycushion, I was given mine when I was 78 but I was told that each shot cost £100 which was why the jab was only offered free to people of certain ages .
Thank you for mentioning the cricket.Spicycushion We have Sky but I have to admit that until it was mentioned on the blog I hadn't realised that we were playing Sri Lanka last month!
Nothing has been announced officially so far as I can tell. I saw rumours about it at the weekend then the Guardian said they ''understood' that 4 had signed a deal early this morning. The Mail also said that but 4 hasn't announced anything yet.
I have also had both jabs Anneveggie and luckily not had shingles. My elder sis by 6 yrs had Shingles a few months ago and had not heard of the vac for it but will now be vaccinated. (I had my pneumonia jab when I was 70yrs -3yrs ago)
Very sadly we have had bad news this morning. One of our dear friends, the wife of one of Mr A’s fellow glider syndicate partners, died from Covid 19 last night. She was only in her early 60’s and picked up the virus whilst in hospital after having a mini-stroke, nothing to do with Covid at all. Apparently she was about be sent home and they did a COVID test before she left, which was positive although she had none of the symptoms. They kept her in hospital, as a precaution, where she has died a week later. Though relatively young ( compared with us!) her chances weren’t helped by being a life-long diabetic and quite overweight. But she was such a lovely , kind, funny and caring person, the life and soul of any gathering. Not at all sure how her dear husband us going to manage without her.
Oh Archerphile such terrible news. Sending heartfelt condolences to you both 🙏🏼. One can only imagine her husband’s shock and heartbreak. (Cheshire Cheese and any others with loss through Covid are included)
So very sorry Archerphile for the loss of your so vibrant member of your social group. She will be missed but remembered by you all. I do hope that despite the restrictions your social group en masse will be there for her husband.
Oh yes, Mrs P, we’ve all been offering help of course, but the restrictions make it difficult. However their two grown up children are on hand to help Bob with all that has to be done. He has a chalet at the gliding club where members are allowed to keep a mobile home or rent a very well appointed wooden chalet for use when gliding. I expect he will be spending a lot of time there in the summer where he will be amongst very supportive friends and colleagues.
And thanks to everyone for your good wishes. I just wanted to point out that this awful virus can affect the even younger amongst us without warning. Do take care everyone.
I went to the dentist this morning and the dentist and dental nurse both had very sore arms after the Pfizer jab. The dentist felt quite poorly the next day. I have been lucky then but everyone is different and you never know how it will affect you. However, it is a light at the end of the tunnel and much better than getting the virus with unknown consequences. Stay safe everyone!
Just want to thank you all for your sympathy re my scam - from the last blog. You won't believe this, and I'm fully recovered, BUT the next day i went down like a stone with gastro enteritis. Not something i often get and my husband was fine. I couldn't move for 2+ days and felt impelled to call 111. The doctor thought that it wasn't CV. and I'm back to normal now. I'm feeling like a drama queen and, although I suspect I can be - when the shivering started I thought I'd caught myself acting but I wasn't and I wouldn't publish it. I've taken a Covid test, sent to me very quickly and ordered by my daughter but I think all is well. Hey ho marching on. xxx
Nothing wrong with a wee bit of acting like a Drama Queen Janet, especially when you are feeling really bad. In my mind it's far better than pretending you're perfectly "ok" when you obviously aren't! Hope you get much better soon.
Thank you Gary. I quite enjoy, when I feel absolutely better/cheerful, to regale my pals with 'how bad it was' - be it event or, much less frequently, illness.
I've little doubt that many who may fall ill, from whatever ailment during these testing times, would act a little of the drama queen, Janet. Well done for pulling yourself together after your two days of feeling dreadful. And good to stay in touch on here. Stay well.
Due to our empty days, I didn't turn the page on my diary during last week so didn't realise until last night that I was due for my B12 this week. So I called the surgery at 2.30 this afternoon hoping to get an appointment sometime next week. Someone had just cancelled an appointment and I was offered 4.30 today. Wasn't I lucky ?
Mrs P My doctor has switched me onto Vit B tablets. Can't remember what they are called off hand. When I asked last week if I could go back to injections I was told they are trying to cut down number of people visiting the surgery. It's just that 4 days a week I have 10 tablets a day, 2 days I have 11 tablets and on the 7th day I have 14 to take. Wouldn't mind a break from one or two!
Insist Spiceycushion insist. Those injections are cheap and you have so many many other medical problems to overcome. No surgery wants people in, but it can be managed. At mine we wait outside or in the car park. And this particular surgery is the one designated for Covid injections from a group of five surgeries. It can be done. Almost everyone in the U.K. Is having to fight for B12 injections because the BMA refuse to accept the need. I have been told by one doctor that it's just a vanity product for show biz people. Talk to a Japanese doctor ! Seen very differently in other parts of the world.
Me too Lady R. I could see about five others in our road of about twenty houses. Found out that neighbours one side have had the jab and the two sets the other side have all had Covid. Husband in the end house and wife next door both pretty bad appparently. Perhaps that will stop the teenager next door going off for occasional one night stands! (Grrrr and bitchy I know!) In the end house the wife has also carried on her tanning and nail business occasionally too. Hope they are all feeling thoroughly guilty now! Not Christian I know. Must try harder Spicy!
No clapping or tin bashing here either. I was ready at six with my saucepan lid and wooden spoon, but since no other bugger was bothering, I didn't either !
I just don’t see the point. I admire Sir Tom and all he did and feel the NHS have done a wonderful job but it is not my thing to stand outside an applaud although I do so in my heart.
Mrs P loved your phrasing regarding why you did not bother in the end to bash your saucepan at your front door tonight. Mr R laughed like a drain it’s a wonder you did not hear him as far away as you are 🤣
Just read that the lunchtime soap “Doctors” returns next week after their extra long Christmas break. I shall watch one episode to see what they’ve done with it and then decide whether to carry on!
I think I may have just done something a bit mad! I have signed up with the NHS to take part in Covid vaccine trials. I’m very Interested in the idea of having mix ‘n match vaccines, especially as the Oxford one is being praised to the skies for preventing virus transfer but having had Pfizer as my first dose. I would be very happy to help find out if mixed vaccines give better results. I probably won’t be chosen, but have been able to tick all the right boxes so far. I’m now waiting to see if they get in touch.
Oh Archerphile how interesting and if chosen will look forward to being kept informed about the trial. My 1st vac tomorrow at HCH so I will like others (and yourselves) who have been there have Pfizer and will be glad to receive it but of course now the Oxford is being praised as more effective I wonder how many people will refuse Pfizer. Israel though is saying P after 21 days has 90% efficacy and last for the following 9weeks to second vac, but with the Oxford apparently you will not pass the virus on...
I've manage to make some headway in organising the paperwork that's been cluttering up the place ever since Mr S's demise, but in order to do that other maintenance has had to be delayed... ...
Right, FIRST MEMORIES.... Not quite sure why I suggested this, but anyway....
1) This memory is the most interesting one to me, as it pinpoints the very moment that I had a sense of 'self', i.e. of understanding that I was an entity and an independant being. I used to go to work with my mother at her shop until I started school. I never liked being pushed and pulled aroung and tugged into coats, hats, shoes etc. I distinctly remember crawling underneath a big wooden gateleg table to hide, and getting well caught up in all the folded legs, and being happy. My mother kept calling my name before looking for me and pulling me out, and for the first time I understood that the name was me, and that I was able to be seperate. I was about three years old.
2) An earlier memory was living in a caravan in a farm track, and being taken to see our first house being built, I remember seeing planks over great holes. It was the end semi of a new estate being built, but I can't remember anything about the hustle and bustle that must have been going on all around me, just those huge big holes. My parents bought that house when I was two, for £3000!
3) Before going to school at almost five years old, I spent all my time with my mum, we played a lot of card games and I always, witout fail, listened to 'Childrens' Hour' . I remember 'are you sitting comfortably? Then we'll begin'. If she was busy with customers, I liked to do colouring-in or do dot-to-dot books. So habits are formed, I love the radio, and now occasionally still do colouring-in and mega difficult dot-to-dot books, mainly because I can't see the tiny writing. She used to get sales reps coming in with their latest samples, and one particular man took an interest in my beautiful red ladybird. It was quite large and had flapping wings and light-up eyes. I don't know what he did, but he broke it. He worked for a company called Kosset Carpets. About fifteen years later, I went to the shop to see my mum, looked at the man there, and said, 'you are the man who broke my ladybird'. And he was!! They were dumbfounded.
I would like to do this exercise with my children, because it would be interesting to find out how their interpretations of events differ from my reality.
Thats a great idea Mistral to ask our children their earliest memories. I think we probably influence them in many ways talking about them when they were llittle. I have a gift, and please don't think I am bragging, but I have a photographic memory. When someone talks about a certain event , an image flashes in my mind and I can remember every detail . Even from when I was little. As for the earliest memory, children have no sense of time so if there are several memories I would love to be put in the hat Gary.
Autumnleaves- I don't mean to be rude, but doesn't everyone have that ability ? I have the same and I suppose that I assumed that everyone else has it too. But you talk about it being a gift( no your not bragging) and if some of us have it and others not, then I suppose it is a gift. I just didn't know that it was only some of us.
To illustrate- whenever I read a post from Ev and she mentions something about where she lives ( near to Ryde IOW ) memories of events in that area flood my brain, in pictures. There was an event in, on, around a lake nearby, where I behaved very badly when my children were small, and it cast me in a bad light with my husbands family members. I can see all those faces looking at me with disgust. And whenever Ev mentions the walk to Quare Abbey I am transported to that same walk with my mother in law and us discovering a Judas tree in full flower.
Mrs P, no they don't. I remember events, sometimes in great detail, but only in words. And sometimes a general sense of position. No pictures. But then I can't picture something I looked at 5 seconds ago. Isn't it fascinating how different we all are? And how we assume that our experience is common to everybody, until we find out it isn't!
Lady R, above. Yes, I do like them, garlands and fairy-lights all down the bannisters, and baubles dangling from the kitchen cupboard handles. However, they wouldn't be there if I could just be bothered to shift myself and take them down. I was really pleased to get my tree out last week, it literally took me two weeks just to take the lights off.
My tree is still up. It will stay up until I get bored of it or it loses the will to live and drops all its needles. The Christmas lights across the pelmet to the sitting room bay window stay up all year. They're happy there and they provide a bit of extra light, so why move them? Pity about the cobwebs, though. Usually the Christmas cards across the top of the pelmet stay up until the following Christmas. They won't this year but only because I never got around to putting them up there in the first place. Perhaps we'll revert to our previous practice of putting the birthday cards up there.
Just remember Mistral..... You have been ill.... with what in the future, history will tell the world was the most important world pandemic since biblical times. Some children might ask.... ' what did you do in the pandemic daddy ( mummy) did you have the Covid ' So, no blaming yourself for not taking down decorations....... yet !
Your not alone, I've just signed up for the same and for the same reasons as you. But the information stated that they wanted people over fifty who had not yet been vaccinated. You and I both have, but I thought it was worth signing up anyway, as during the trial they might change the criteria. Besides which I'm interested in scientific research and it might open up other avenues.
Oh dear Mrs P, I didn’t see the bit about not being vaccinated! I did wonder why that question wasn’t specifically asked in the list of medical ones. Probably won’t hear anything any way, but I did say I’d be interested in other research too.
Regarding photographic memories - I also have that ability, I can picture virtually anyone from my childhood, adults, the girls that went to my school, all of the teachers. I have vivid picture memories of all our holidays, even down to which rooms we stayed in, in hotels or guest houses and the beach huts we hired, and clothes I wore. The pipe my Dad smoked, and the smell of his favourite tobacco, the pattern on the dining room carpet, how to tune the huge Bush wireless with its lights indicating stations such as Hilversum and Luxembourg. But I thought everyone did this, I didn’t think it was anything special.
However I am aware that Mr A has a very poor memory, he can’t remember any of the holidays we went on when the children were young. If a location that we have visited comes up on TV and I saw ‘ do you remember we took the children there and Michelle cut her hand in the gate and made a big fuss’, he has no memory of it at all, which is very frustrating!
Apparently the Twelfth Night tradition is a Victorian invention. Traditionally, decorations stayed up until Candlemas, 2nd February. It makes sense to keep a bit of Christmas cheer around during gloomy January. I don't believe in bad luck, so my tree will come down when I feel like it : )
Definitely the old fashioned Candlemass for me! Although the tree went out earlier. I just love sparkly lights, and I like your way OWiaS of leaving some up all year. I have had the Astra vaccine today. My daughter is so happy ( she has been very worried about bringing it back home from the holiday park where she works, although it is completely shut down now for the lockdown) that she cooked me a celebratory fry up lunch as a treat. Yum 🍳🥓🍟 I know I am lucky. They have erected a huge marquee at what is normally the Royal Agricultural Show ground. It is 16 miles away from us but a pretty drive, and it was incredibly well organised, and I barely felt the injection it was done so skilfully.
To add to that thank you to Ev and Spicycushion for mentioning about avoiding having it in the left arm if you sleep on the left side, which I do. She was going to put it in my left but I remembered what you said and asked for it in my right.
Miriam I thought the comment you have removed was interesting, as I think it summed up a way that I think a lot of us have been feeling lately. We are not getting out and about so much and not having the stimulus that creates new thoughts and things to say.
Mrs P , Autumnleaves and Archerfile I think you are very lucky to have photographic memories. I have always had a very good memory but it doesn't function in the way yours does.
As you are there Miriam I thought I would tell you about a meal we are having tonight. I don't know if you have ever tried it . It is surprisingly tasty. It is layers of thinly sliced swede and liver and a layer of sliced potatoes on top, with seasoning to taste. I like parsley and marjoram. It is slowly baked in the rayburn with a bit of butter on top, and a little gravy. Tonight I am trying chicken livers because there were some left over after my daughter made pate, but usually I would use lambs livers.
I do similar, with sliced pots, swede, carrots, cooking apple, with slices of belly pork (with stuffing as a topping) placed on top of the veg. It has stock + mixed herbs to slowly cook in. It is sweet + succelent
And it smells, liver should not be overcooked. I was given raw liver for anaemia as a child, only managed to swallow it once. Now I only keep my own...
When I lived in Aus I went to the butchers to get some liver for a lovely liver, bacon and herb dumplings casserole. The butcher went to get some remarking "The cats and dogs really love this don't they?" I didn't dare tell him it was for my and husbnds dinner! I'd like it if my carnivorous sons liked offal but neither of them do. Now being vegetarian I couldn't face liver, especially chickem liver. I did use to chop up the internal organs from a prepared chicken for the cats though!
My latest 6 month energy bill arrived today. Do I care what it was - No! I just want (+ Puss Cat) to stay safe, warm, comfortable and content, in these still, very uncertain times. Is this too much to hope for?
Janice, that recipe sounds good, I like liver, I went off kidney after doing them in biology! It is interesting how we lay down memories, I think they can be “crystallised “ by photos, but the mind is a weird and wonderful thing.
Come on Miriam cheer up, you mustn't let it get you down, we are all struggling and you are as entitled to struggle as any one else. Write and tell us what you have cooked tonight, or if you don't read this until tomorrow, tell us tomorrow's meal. Or explain how your memory works. Do you see a memory in pictures ? Or in words ? Or perhaps in feelings ? Try not to get bogged down we need you on here, as you often give us food for thought !
*** FROM PREVIOUS BLOG ***
ReplyDeleteMrsP Ambridge - January 31, 2021 at 11:13 PM
Did those of you who are Countryfile watchers watch tonight.
Strouds wonderful 'The LongTable' featured and views of my daily walks everywhere.
I recognised the hedgehog lady too, but don't know her and didn't know until tonight that she was the hedgehog lady.
'There was an old lady' ? Not just one of my favourites but my dads too. He would often recite it.
Lady R - February 1, 2021 at 10:19 AM
Will be watching on catch up Mrs P thanks for the heads up!
Yes we watched it Mrs P. We had a family holiday in that lovely area a good few years ago, it is lovely.
DeleteI know nothing about Stroud MrsP, so decided to investigate! Then I thought I would share this little video of walks in the area that I found...
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely video Gary. We are lucky to live in such a beautiful country, not all rocks or deserts or both!
DeleteWow, Mrs P, don't know this part.
ReplyDeleteFrom previous blog - Earliest memories. I know my name wasn't in a hat, but this cropped up on the previous blog, in conversation about Ev's garden:
SozJanuary 31, 2021 at 3:28 PM
Ev How about Erigeron karvinskianus , Mexican fleabane. It’s a small daisylike flower. I must have had it in a hanging basket years ago and it spread from there into cracks in cement and concrete nearby. Just another idea for planting between paving.
SarniaJanuary 31, 2021 at 6:47 PM
Also known as 'St Peter Port daisies'. One of my earliest memories is of the little pink and white daisies smothering the lofty granite walls in St Julian's Avenue, the steep road up from the harbour, and also the huge floral arch across the road for the visit of Princess Elizabeth in 1947. There was another at Cobo bay on the west coast, but it was so exposed to the wind that it became an absolute mess in a very short time.
There you are, two early memories. I must therefore have been 2 years old.
Looked it up and have seen it at Mottistone gardens where it has spread prettily! Will keep it in mind. Buddy fell into the loose compost in one of the holes. He extricated himself with no trouble but has trodden dirt all over the new patio!
DeleteHave listened to the Thursday murder club on R4 and it is in the Present Tense so will not be reading it! Have said before I find books written in the present very irritating. Also cannot bear historians talking about the Battle of Agincourt as if it is happening now! I know, I’m a boring old f**t!
I agree about historians Ev, always talking in the present tense.
DeleteThere is an excellent radio 4 programme called ‘The Long View’ in which Jonathan Freedland compares a present problem or event with a similar one in the past. Both my son and I were very enthusiastic about it.
But we have both had to stop listening because of this present tense thing - “Florence Nightingale is going out to Crimea to help the troops, she is setting up a hospital at Sevastopol” . “Hitler is hiding in his bunker and his previously loyal staff are escaping in droves”. Ugh!
However, regarding The Thursday Murder Club I just didn’t notice any present tense problems at all when I was reading it. Perhaps this is another problem with the adaptation for radio?
Totally agree with you Ev. Having been an English and History teacher for so many years I am not all surprised that children find History so boring, but I think the word should be confusing. The rot set in when they asked 13 year olds with little knowledge of past times to 'empathsise' with say, a child in Tudor times or a 'soldier' at the Battle of Hastings. On teaching practise I was lucky enough to accompany a party of 200 11 year old boys to Battle. One remarked that it would have been easy to win, 'They just needed to set up a machine gun post at the top of the hill!'
DeleteOne of the first lessons in written English is that there are three basic tenses in English. If it happened in the past, you weren't there so you are 'reporting' it, in past tense. Cannot stand newspaper articles also written in present tense. I am so glad you warned me about the RO book. No I wouldn't be able to read it with enjoyment either!
Popped over to this blog with a question for Spicycushion - how did your tax return go? I submitted mine and paid up yesterday with 8 hours to spare, spurred on by your example!
ReplyDeleteOh maryellen you shame me!
DeleteSon Jon (who lives with me) got my final spreadsheet done and it is all ready to put onto website. He has said he will enter it for me but it won't be until tomorrow evening.
I had no excuse prior to yesterday except that I just got bored with it all. I do not have very long concentration span at the present.
I had my Covid vaccination yesterday morning and now have a very sore arm which disturbed my sleep last night. That's my excuse for not doing it today.
I told MrsP I was a procrastinator. I wish I hadn't found out about the extension. I work much better to deadlines.
Well done you!
Only two months to go and we can start again! Ha!
I’m the world’s worst procrastinator, Spicycushion, so entirely sympathise! And bad luck with the vaccination after effect. It certainly puts one off the second jab, but fingers crossed you’ll be okay next time.
DeleteI was going to post a reply but perhaps I'll do it tomorrow ; )
DeleteOWIAS - 👏👏👏
DeleteOWIAS - 🤣🤣🤣
DeleteThanks Gary.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know these little videos existed, though it does show many of my walks.
The first view - green oblong- is the Iron Age Fort that I recently discovered and wrote about on here.
What a lovely wintery sunny day.
ReplyDeleteMy bedding is still on the line outside but it won't completely dry. At least it will be far less wet and will have semi-dried, in the fresh air and breeze.This makes such a difference, so don't mind that it will be draped on an airer overnight.
I noticed today, how much lighter it was this morning and also now, as the sun has not yet disappeared.
It is such a difference and mood lifting.
PS My bathroom faces west, and for the first time this year, the setting sun is suddenly shining in.
DeleteLove this, as it feels that Spring is not far away.
Little things like this, help so much.
Off for my Vaccination this coming Friday 🤗 2pm at same Hotel as Mr R (and Mr & Mrs Archerphile)
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful news. 🤗
DeleteHow much notification did you have and in what way - letter, text, e-mail?
DeleteAlso - did you have to book the appointment or was it assigned to you?
I am just curious, as to how this extremely good vaccination programme, works.
Miriam I had a text via my Dr’s surgery with a link which I opened I could then choose appointment from those on offer. If you do not wish to use this you wait for a phone call and they discuss appointment with you. My elder sis had a phone call today as she rarely uses her mobile hates texting and her phone is not a smart one.
DeleteLast Saturday I received the NHS letter saying time for my jab and could book online for a major Centre - probably somewhere like Epsom or wait for Dr to contact to use local hub ( Basingstoke) 32 mile round trip but happy to do this.
Archerphile & Mr A able to attended together in one trip because of age difference between myself and Mr R it will mean 4 trips in total but very grateful all the same AND it’s a trip out 🤣🤣🤣 taking the scenic route just the job.
(You’ve had a sunny day!!! Very gloomy here)
I swallowed hard tonight, when I opened up my latest financial report.
ReplyDeleteI drew a large amount of cash out last year, plus also have an income from the inclued SIPP set up for me.
I am very happy, as the overall growth is 3.8%, which was not as expected.
Now I need to try + spend it!
I had my jab today and was notified by my doctor’s surgery on Thursday. The following day I had a letter telling me I could make an appointment but if I already had one not to do anything. People on the island had this letter, tried to make an appointment and were allocated slots on the mainland! Needless to say this would carry risk just by travelling! The advice was to wait, try again until a slot was available on the island but I wonder how many have been caught out and will go to the mainland! I was glad I had been given mine already! I also had a text to confirm the appointment at 2,22 this afternoon, very precise! It was at a big centre and was so efficient. Stewards were along the route to the vaccine hall to point the way. I was asked which surgery I was from and went straight, with no waiting, to a lovely nurse who administered the jab. It is the Pfizer one. I was given a leaflet with time attached when I could leave. Up to now no ill effects not even an ache in the arm but it was only 4 hours ago. When I came home I had a cup of tea and a rest. The excitement had been too much! I found it strangely emotional.
DeleteWe took Dudley with us as he can be funny with Gypsy and he was very anxious when I left him and Katy. They waited in the car park and he got excited every time a grey head came out but was overjoyed to see me again. I had only been gone for about 25 minutes!
They have just opened another centre in Newport so think the program is going on a pace on the island. I see Isle of Man has lifted all restriction on their island but they have been far stricter than here and of course they are much more remote than we are.
Well done Ev, pleased it all went well with what sounds like military precision.
DeleteI've half a memory that Katy has already had hers. Am I right ?
If not I hope she gets it soon.
I'm in the camp that believes teachers should be pretty high up the priority list.
And good luck for Friday Lady R.
No, Katy hasn’t had hers yet. I am with the suggestion that teachers should get theirs over half term. She is pleased I have had mine as she is careful but has been worried about bringing it home. It looks as if people in early 70’s like me are being vaccinated well in advance of mid Feb so surely they could pause the elderly jabs to protect teachers. The problem is they are teaching children and teens who can easily transmit the virus.
DeleteMy neighbour sent me a text last night to tell me that she and her daughter were isolating as they both had Covid.
ReplyDeleteHer father has spent much of last year in a nursing home.
Previously living alone in Devon and coping in his nineties with regular visits from his three children, like many others isolated, he became unwell and was hospitalised then sent into a nursing home. He contracted Covid and none of his children had been able to see him.
They managed to be able to see him before he died but now of course have Covid themselves.
Just one family among many, globally.
That is so sad and meaningful. It just shows, how awful a situation we are all trying to surve in.
DeleteWhat an upset for you, and your neighbours.
I hope things go well.
meant - survive in
DeleteOnly just read that Spiceycushion had hers yesterday.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the sore arm.
Have you been achy today, or symptoms similar to flue.
Read an article yesterday about worldwide exceedingly low flue.
Something like 95% down on normal rates.
One suggestion being that many that might have got it, and or might have died with flue, have probably already died with Covid.
Hello Mrs P. Feel rotten today, worse than usual. All very well for leaflet to say watch out for side effects of lethargy, tiredness ( I suppose they mean sleepiness) and nausea. Well I am all those anyway due to immune disease and the tablets which make me feel sick.
DeleteAnyway really nauseous today. Had toast mid-morning and Jon got me a 'cup of soup'early afternoon.
Arm really hurt last night and stupid me, I asked for the jab in my left arm as usual. But I sleep on my left side so kept waking up every hour or so as I turned in my sleep.
Never mind. Hopefully will only last a couple of days.
The Health Centre was lovely and efficient and there was an air of cheerfulness around, much like an open day at a school or other building. My own GP was there. I'm not sure whether he was injecting or just there in case of emergencies. But he came up to the desk, laughing and joking towards me, very relaxed.
Youngest son is just coming out of isolation after getting a dose of Covid, presumably from one of the customers. When he rang to tell me I was very worried as he sounded dreadful but back on form last Friday. He made a Chilli for dinner and because he has no sense of smell doubled the seasoning as he thought it was very mild. Luckily they had creme fraiche in the fridge and he said as long as they got it past their lips without burning them it was edible.
Can't face the tax paperwork so Jon has volunteered.That's tomorrow evening taken care of as it's Scouts tonight, practicing map reading and plotting route, planning meals and equipment lists for their Expedition Challenge. Hopefully it will take place this summer.
I've rattled on far too long here. Sorry.
Spicy
I do normally know the difference but the Scouts are 'practising' their map reading tonight!
DeleteNurse asked me if I was right handed so gave it in left arm. Like you, Spicy sleep on my left but luckily up to now no discomfort at all at the vaccine site. So sorry you have had bad effects on top of the other things which trouble you. Hope you feel better tomorrow.
DeleteI am so happy to live in a country where all this is being carried out so well. Again I applaud NHS! 👏👏👏
I suppose the social distancing and mask wearing have given protection against flu. We have also been made more aware of hand washing of course.
ReplyDeleteYes Ev, that was another point made in the article I read.
DeleteAnd it's more than plausible, but more importantly, Covid might just have paved the way for us all to be so much more mindful of contagion by us becoming aware of the use of masks and hand washing.
And of course taking those precautions into the future.
Miriam I meant to point out that I could have had earlier appointments but I didn’t want to drive in the dark (or to an early one) by choice but had it been by allocation only then I would have attended of course.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, being having awful trouble posting here today. Had to delete Chrome from my iPad completely, reinstall, create new password etc etc. So I hope this is going to work!
ReplyDeleteI was interested to see that a new vaccination centre has been set up in Basingstoke, in the Fire Station, a venue very easy to reach. Apparently some of the Firefighters (can’t call them firemen anymore) volunteered to be trained in giving the vaccines and it opened this morning, with BBC TV in attendance.
And just guess who was one of the first to be vaccinated, none other than Alan Titchmarsh!
Now, I may be sceptical, but I couldn’t help wondering why he was being done in Basingstoke, seeing as he lives further away in the Country and could probably have gone to Southampton, and why he just happened to arrive in time to be filmed?
Part of a publicity campaign? I’m probably wrong but it did seem very serendipitous.
My daughter drove home from school past the Fire Station this afternoon and said it looked extremely busy, so that’s a good thing. We are very lucky to have two centres in the town.
Alan T lives in the village of Holybourne Archerphile therefore like us (5 to 10mins away from him by car - but other than that a world away 🤣) his local vaccination area is Basingstoke. I would have thought he would have gone to the Hotel you and I are using but maybe they wanted him to do the Fire Station venue as PR 🤔 🙄
DeleteLike you we both went “oh no” and laughed when he saw him .....
Miriam - re your post at 5.59
ReplyDeleteI tried to post this earlier but couldn’t get the site to work
I am a bit concerned that you are posting details about your finances. This is not a complaint by any means, but a worry that you may be leaving yourself open to scams or interference. We know, from Gary, that our blog is read all over the world and he has had to delete some suspicious posts in the past. So I’m not sure that it is wise to publish details such as you gave earlier. I hope you don’t mind my saying this but it comes purely from my concern for you.
I nearly forgot again!
ReplyDeleteThe answers standing at this platform are:
4. Next stop from here – St Helena Waterloo
5. Penny Lane Liverpool Street
6. ‘Please look after this bear, thank you’ Paddington
How did you do?
The next stations to arrive at this train:
7. Constructed a valley
8. Posh Spice
9. Alpine chalet
Have fun!
OWIAS: I’m looking forward to last week’s answers and some more questions on the Underground Stations quiz, please.
ReplyDeleteSince beginning of Covid my concentration has gone to pot. I used to read a lot and would finish a book in one sitting, well almost. Now I seem unable to focus on one thing for any length of time so short quizzes, crosswords are ideal.
You must have read my mind!
DeleteThank you OWIAS. Full marks. This week’s - 9 I know will have to work on other 2.
DeleteI keep thinking of your friends rowing across the Atlantic consulting a waterproof map of the Underground - bizarre!
Well done Soz!
DeleteThe mad rowers had to work from memory. (And I suspect they know the Thames better than the underground.) But they put the week's stations on their blog so everyone who was keeping in touch via satellite phone was able to contribute their suggestions too.
I think station 7 is quite fun - have you got it yet?
Yes . It’s funny how the name just pops into your mind - it’s a good one. Working on Posh spice.
DeleteThanks Old Woman.
ReplyDeleteLike Soz says it is funny how things pop into your mind .
P tbY I reckon you may be able to do these without Mr P tbY 's help!
On the other hand ,number 7 may fox you since you are not familiar with the Underground system.
Will give them some thought later. Already got posh spice.
DeleteI've got 7 and 9, now to get 8.
DeleteMiriam.... I’m totally with Archerphile. It is not sensible putting financial details on an open blog. What with hackers etc. It’s not nice to rub peoples nose in it if they haven’t much either. No one else posts about their financial state of affairs or have you not noticed.
ReplyDeleteSo....give it a rest love.
✔✔
DeleteI don’t think anyone would be able to trace bloggers from their identity on the blog.
DeleteSo far so good. No reaction to the jab, not even a sore arm! I am one of the lucky ones I think but thoughts with Spicy and others who have reactions. Better though than getting the virus.
Gypsy is barking for food it being over an hour since she had breakfast! Problem is that she has Cushings which makes her constantly hungry but we can’t keep feeding her. I will have to cut up an apple for her, not too many calories as we have to watch her weight!
Ev - regarding tracing in your first sentence! Not so.
DeleteI know of a blogger (many years ago) who was astounded and worried by receiving a letter in the post (Royal Mail) from a fellow blogger! The sender had traced them by remembering little details they had posted. Coupled with all sorts of web searchengines tracing addresses, voting lists (public) etc they had correctly identified the 'victim' and their address! It is possible!
After effects of jab all gone! Had a good night's sleep because arm sufficiently painless to sleep as per usual. Managed 7 hours in one go!
I am going to switch the weekly methotrexate tablets to another day to see if that may be contributing to nausea as well. Not nice doing Cubs online, believing I may throw up at any time!
Blue sky and a breeze now so will put some washing on I think. Hopefully get some fresh air through it before it rains again.
Thank you Spicy! A salutary tale and just shows how careful you need to be. I’m so glad you are feeling better. Just as well I didn’t have a problem as have to go to the dentist tomorrow! I have also had an email from opticians to make an appointment for annual check up! Obviously time for my MOT!
DeleteFull marks so far OWiAS!
ReplyDeleteGot 8 & 9, 7 en cours..
Miriam,for some time I have wanted to say something similar to what Archerphile wrote but did nothing as I believe I have upset you in the past and didn't want to add to it.
ReplyDeletePtbY is obviously concerned for you as well.
As someone who sat down and cried years ago when I lost £5 and who once ran out of housekeeping on aWednesday , I know what it is like not to have money and even now look for bargains whenever I can find theml
Soz - I am so grateful for your observation about concentration! I have also lost the power of concentration and it concerns me, especially as I have secured an appointment for exam marking this summer. (about 500 scripts) That takes an enormous amount of concentration at the best of times.
ReplyDeleteI have tried to keep my brain active with online quizzes, conversations via fb messenger, zoom, whatsapp and of course here, with friends and family.
Physically have good and bad days but that is also a worry. However two of my sisters have 'challenged' me to see how we all get on with at least keeping mobile. I have ordered and they have bought a fitbit 'watch' to monitor and hopefully increase our exercise by walking. At present I can only do about 200 yards so hope to increase that substantially!
As to reading. Well a friend recommended a series of mystery books. I ordered the first two, sorted them out by reading the blurb then started to read one. Finished in about a week (I only read in bed\) When I got to the end thought 'Good but I wish they didn't keep referring to events I know nothing about.' Yes I had read the second book ! 🤦♀️Now to read the first!
My powers of concentration have gone comple.....Oh look! 2 foxes fighting in the garden!
DeleteMy final OU assignment was on the then current Carnegie Prize winner (Monsters of Men). Not only was it 600 pages long, it was also the last of a trilogy. Our tutor kindly said he didn't feel we ought to read the first two as well. But it did mean there were quite a few sections where I wasn't quite sure what was going on!
Delete(The assignment was pretty ropy but it just scraped through - one mark lower and my degree would have dropped down a class. Phew!)
Similarly confusing was a Doctor Who audio CD. Mind you, that conundrum was solved when we realised someone had set it to play on 'shuffle'!
EV....8.30..... exactly. We don’t think, or know, how these hackers do stuff. So better to be safe than sorry.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! Remember, these crooks do these things for a living - they know all the tricks and shortcuts. What we imagine as being a bit far-fetched or complicated is what they do on a daily basis, and probably without any effort at all.
DeleteMiriam, If I were you I wouldn't be giving out a SINGLE piece of information about my financial affairs.
You are right, although on the surface it seems impossible they are very devious and clever so best to be careful.
DeleteI too was lucky and had no reaction to the vaccine but glad I piled up the logs inside as itis now snowing heavily,though said to turn to rain later on.
ReplyDeleteEv have you tried carrots, probably fewer calories than apples and Misty who is in a diet loves them. I buy the small chanteney ones. If I dont watch her she will eat the pears I put out for the blackbirds too.
Yes, she likes carrots as well! The boys won’t touch anything like this! Buddy is partial to pizza and pasta so maybe in his early days was fed such things. He is a very fussy eater and skirts round his own dinner in the hope of something better! If we don’t watch Dudley will then eat his own then Buddy’s thus one fat dog and one thin one!
DeleteOWIAS - I'm "usually" pretty good at fiendish quizzes. But so far I have been rubbish. Totally rubbish. That Napoleon/Waterloo one now seems soooooo obvious. Must try harder.
ReplyDelete(Got the "Posh Spice" one tho'....)
Oh Gary, that was the one I had to look up because I couldn't remember which one she was! I'm fine with these until OWiaS starts referring to stations on lines which didn't exist when I lived in London!
ReplyDeleteI did get the last three in the underground quiz, and without needing to think about it at all.
ReplyDeleteThe next three do not throw up any thoughts.
I will try to work them out though.
Lady eats all sorts of fruit and nuts, as treats, but won't eat carrots.
But she does get carrot because I grate it into her meal.
She wouldn't eat apples either, but on our last visit to Cornwall she watched my daughters Lab eat the fallen apples on the grass and very quickly cottoned on to the idea and was soon pinching them herself. Her next trick was to put her front paws up and onto the trunk and pick the low hanging fruit.
I got all three, the spice one is easy but the other two I'll try to work out with my sister.
ReplyDeleteI meant 4,5,6 and now having looked at the map 7 is obvious, it was at the end of my road but I rarely used it.
DeleteI grew up with a beautiful really dark coloured Golden Labrador, brandy coloured really. She was named Nina after a Russian athlete who was in the news after stealing a hat from Selfridges whilst here for a competition.
ReplyDeleteVery apt name for the dog because she was an awful thief! Given half a chance she stole the sugar bowl off the table, later found in her chair shiny and clean. Coxes apples stored in my (cold) bedroom (we lived in a bungalow) ready for Christmas kept disappearing. I initially got the blame until Dad caught Nina coming along the passageway, from my bedroom back to the kitchen, with an apple in her mouth. Her summer trick however was to go along the raspberry row and 'suck' ripe raspeberries off the canes!
We also at the time had a cat who raided the greenhouse and ate the cucumbers!
When Katy was little we kept finding carrot tops in the garden neatly stacked. We blamed the badger but years later she confessed she would pull the carrots up, wash them under the water butt and eat them leaving the leaves of course. How she survived I will never know!! She must have been about five and that part of the garden was away from the house. Although I checked on her regularly I never did catch her at it!
DeleteAh, the things family and other animals get up to, especially your cat and dog Spicy!
DeleteEv, perhaps your daughter needed some extra beta carotene.
Two of my friends once became aware that there was a hideous stench in their bedroom. After much rummaging about they realised that there was a small hole in the base of the bed and inside was one of their cats who was protecting a weeks old once-frozen bag of sprouts! She had obviously pinched it when they were unpacking shopping one day and had decided that she was going to raise those sprouts as her own children. She apparently put up quite a fight during their attempt to remove them.
Delete🤣🤣
DeleteLovely , but smelly story Gary
DeleteWhen we get a stink in the house it’s usually due to a mouse getting in - once, horribly, a rat. Unknown to us they get behind the cooker, kitchen cupboards or up in the loft. They can’t get out and die. Sometimes it takes ages to track down the body and remove it.
The worst was a mouse that climbed up all this metal pipes at the back of the fridge and died there. Took days to track it down, uninstall fridge and scrape off the remains.
🤧
Got Posh Spice now. First time I've got all three.
ReplyDeleteOWIAS...I could not get the "constructed a valley" one. Husband and friend got it straight away. I eventually gave up. Big groan when I heard the answer. How did I not get that! Got othe 2 though.
ReplyDeleteNo. 7 🤣🤣!
ReplyDeleteYup - Got all 3 today by using my cryptic crossword brain!
ReplyDeleteCaptain Tom Moor has died - of Covid.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have achieved such a monumental and memorable humanitarian event in the final year of his one hundred years.
It is sad that he died from Covid, after being so inspirational to the NHS, to fight it.
DeleteAs I read the news just now on my phone I couldn't help it but tears were running down my cheeks!
ReplyDeleteYes....but this is no different to any family, who loses a loved one, to Covid.
DeleteAt least he reached 100yrs old and had a very fulfilling life. This culminated being a Knight of the Realm, when dubbed personally by HM The Queen.
He had a wonderful 100 years, acheiving a lot and became a national icon.
He will be missed, along all the very many, who have succumbed to this awful virus, which is now over 100,000.
Yes. I know I have been vocal + harsh.
DeleteIt is just my initial reaction, with a tear in my eye.
I don't think you've been harsh in the slightest Miriam.
DeletePerhaps others will become just as motivated, and will do things similar, in his memory.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
Delete😪
ReplyDeleteYou have not been harsh,Miriam.
ReplyDeleteCaptain Tom WAS an inspiration.
He had pneumonia which is I believe what kills many older people.
His family must be very proud of him.
He was however 100 years old and I would suggest that virtually all if not all the people who have died of Covid have been younger than that.
He achieved something amazing
I bet he would have settled for that
Pneumonia used to be referred to as 'the old man's friend.'
DeleteMy immediate reaction to the comment on my post I have deleted!
And that is exactly why I refused the jab.
DeleteMe too Cowgirl. I was offered the pneumonia vaccine last year with my flu jab but said no thanks. My Dad died of ‘the old man’s friend’ and it was a huge relief and release for him after years of senile dementia. I think I, or my family, might be grateful for a dose of pneumonia in similar circumstances.
Delete( but I must add this is absolutely nothing to do with Covid, for which vaccination I am incredibly grateful.
I never knew there was such a thing as a pneumonia vaccine.
DeleteI was offered it when I went for my flu jab at 65. The nurse got it wrong and injected into the muscle I think. It was very painful! I did have it though.
DeleteGary you are too young !
DeleteMy sister died with it too and thank goodness, as her cancer would have meant an painful death.
Neither did I Gary! I have only been offered Shingles jab with my annual flu one.
DeleteWas that your twin sister Cowgirl, or did you have another sister? Very sad.
DeleteI did have the pneumonia jab about the same age as Ev.
My twin sister, I had 2 older brothers. It isnt offered before 65 if I remember rightly.
DeleteIt appears that Captain Tom and his family flew to the Bahamas for Christmas and returned to England on January 6th. Sadly he developed pneumonia on return but that is hardly surprising seeing the weather we have had since then. He was regularly tested but tested positive about three days ago.
ReplyDeleteI was prepared for the news however as it said in today's paper that his family was with him for the past day or so.
Miriam.....have you read the earlier posts meant for you from this morning?
ReplyDeleteIf not, please check them out.
From friendly concern Miriam 🙂
DeleteLanjan and Archerphile in particular. (And of course any other cricket fans)
ReplyDeleteDid you see the report that Channel 4 is broadcasting Indian Tour live? It starts apparently at 4am on Friday!
BTW at last Medway's total of new cases today is below the national average!
That will have to be recorded then. Mr A will be very happy, thanks for the info Spicy!
DeleteJust heard!
Delete🤞🤞
I may very well set my alarm, much in the same way my daughter and sisters all set theirs for F1 practise and races, when taking place all over the world.
DeleteProbably fall back to sleep though by 9am!
Pneumonia was my old dad's "friend".
ReplyDeleteHe was not aware, just slipped away, thank goodness.
My very good friend who helped me so much when I got divorced sent me a notelet
ReplyDeletecard in July 1984 telling me she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had been given six weeks to live. She died from pneumonia five days later and I am so glad she did go sooner.
It would appear that Captain Tom died "with" Covid not of it.
ReplyDeleteRe the shingles jab,Spicycushion, I was given mine when I was 78 but I was told that each shot cost £100 which was why the jab was only offered free to people of certain ages .
Thank you for mentioning the cricket.Spicycushion
We have Sky but I have to admit that until it was mentioned on the blog I hadn't realised that we were playing Sri Lanka last month!
Nothing has been announced officially so far as I can tell. I saw rumours about it at the weekend then the Guardian said they ''understood' that 4 had signed a deal early this morning. The Mail also said that but 4 hasn't announced anything yet.
DeleteRIP Captain Sir Tom Moore.
ReplyDeleteI have had both pneumonia and shingles vaccinations. Having had shingles I really wanted to get that jab asap.
I have also had both jabs Anneveggie and luckily not had shingles. My elder sis by 6 yrs had Shingles a few months ago and had not heard of the vac for it but will now be vaccinated. (I had my pneumonia jab when I was 70yrs -3yrs ago)
DeleteI also wish to add my respect to the memory of Sir Tom - what a final year and a place in history for all time 🌹
DeleteVery sadly we have had bad news this morning. One of our dear friends, the wife of one of Mr A’s fellow glider syndicate partners, died from Covid 19 last night.
ReplyDeleteShe was only in her early 60’s and picked up the virus whilst in hospital after having a mini-stroke, nothing to do with Covid at all.
Apparently she was about be sent home and they did a COVID test before she left, which was positive although she had none of the symptoms. They kept her in hospital, as a precaution, where she has died a week later. Though relatively young ( compared with us!) her chances weren’t helped by being a life-long diabetic and quite overweight. But she was such a lovely , kind, funny and caring person, the life and soul of any gathering.
Not at all sure how her dear husband us going to manage without her.
How sad for you all Archerphile. My condolences. x
DeleteHaving lost close friends to Covid I know how you are feeling Archerfile, it's so sad.
DeleteSending you sympathy Archerfile.
DeleteAP 💕
DeleteMy heartfelt condolences Archerphile.
DeleteArcherphile, thinking of you both.
DeleteOh Archerphile such terrible news. Sending heartfelt condolences to you both 🙏🏼. One can only imagine her husband’s shock and heartbreak.
Delete(Cheshire Cheese and any others with loss through Covid are included)
My condolences to all of you who have lost people dear to you.
DeleteSo sorry to hear this. Hugs.
DeleteVery sorry Archerphile lots of hugs
DeleteSo sorry, Archerfile for the loss of a dear friend. Thinking of you and Mr A and of course her husband.
ReplyDeleteI want to add my condolences to Archerphile for your sad loss.
ReplyDeleteSo very sorry Archerphile for the loss of your so vibrant member of your social group.
ReplyDeleteShe will be missed but remembered by you all.
I do hope that despite the restrictions your social group en masse will be there for her husband.
Oh yes, Mrs P, we’ve all been offering help of course, but the restrictions make it difficult. However their two grown up children are on hand to help Bob with all that has to be done.
DeleteHe has a chalet at the gliding club where members are allowed to keep a mobile home or rent a very well appointed wooden chalet for use when gliding. I expect he will be spending a lot of time there in the summer where he will be amongst very supportive friends and colleagues.
And thanks to everyone for your good wishes. I just wanted to point out that this awful virus can affect the even younger amongst us without warning. Do take care everyone.
I went to the dentist this morning and the dentist and dental nurse both had very sore arms after the Pfizer jab. The dentist felt quite poorly the next day. I have been lucky then but everyone is different and you never know how it will affect you. However, it is a light at the end of the tunnel and much better than getting the virus with unknown consequences. Stay safe everyone!
ReplyDeleteJust want to thank you all for your sympathy re my scam - from the last blog. You won't believe this, and I'm fully recovered, BUT the next day i went down like a stone with gastro enteritis. Not something i often get and my husband was fine. I couldn't move for 2+ days and felt impelled to call 111. The doctor thought that it wasn't CV. and I'm back to normal now.
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling like a drama queen and, although I suspect I can be - when the shivering started I thought I'd caught myself acting but I wasn't and I wouldn't publish it.
I've taken a Covid test, sent to me very quickly and ordered by my daughter but I think all is well.
Hey ho marching on. xxx
Hope you feel better soon Janet. Keep up the fluids!
DeleteSpicy
Nothing wrong with a wee bit of acting like a Drama Queen Janet, especially when you are feeling really bad. In my mind it's far better than pretending you're perfectly "ok" when you obviously aren't! Hope you get much better soon.
DeleteThank you Gary. I quite enjoy, when I feel absolutely better/cheerful, to regale my pals with 'how bad it was' - be it event or, much less frequently, illness.
DeleteI've managed to get back to being 'Janet'
I've little doubt that many who may fall ill, from whatever ailment during these testing times, would act a little of the drama queen, Janet.
ReplyDeleteWell done for pulling yourself together after your two days of feeling dreadful.
And good to stay in touch on here.
Stay well.
I agree with Mrs P Janet ☺️
Delete😊👍 Back as Janet again
DeleteDue to our empty days, I didn't turn the page on my diary during last week so didn't realise until last night that I was due for my B12 this week.
ReplyDeleteSo I called the surgery at 2.30 this afternoon hoping to get an appointment sometime next week.
Someone had just cancelled an appointment and I was offered 4.30 today.
Wasn't I lucky ?
Absolutely 🤗
DeleteMrs P My doctor has switched me onto Vit B tablets. Can't remember what they are called off hand. When I asked last week if I could go back to injections I was told they are trying to cut down number of people visiting the surgery.
DeleteIt's just that 4 days a week I have 10 tablets a day, 2 days I have 11 tablets and on the 7th day I have 14 to take.
Wouldn't mind a break from one or two!
Insist Spiceycushion insist.
DeleteThose injections are cheap and you have so many many other medical problems to overcome.
No surgery wants people in, but it can be managed.
At mine we wait outside or in the car park. And this particular surgery is the one designated for Covid injections from a group of five surgeries. It can be done.
Almost everyone in the U.K. Is having to fight for B12 injections because the BMA refuse to accept the need. I have been told by one doctor that it's just a vanity product for show biz people.
Talk to a Japanese doctor ! Seen very differently in other parts of the world.
Didn't realise you were in showbiz, Mrs P - you kept that quiet!
DeleteJust 👏🏻 Captain Tom at door. No one else out in our Close but could hear some more clapping from afar 🙂
ReplyDeleteMe too Lady R. I could see about five others in our road of about twenty houses. Found out that neighbours one side have had the jab and the two sets the other side have all had Covid. Husband in the end house and wife next door both pretty bad appparently. Perhaps that will stop the teenager next door going off for occasional one night stands! (Grrrr and bitchy I know!)
DeleteIn the end house the wife has also carried on her tanning and nail business occasionally too. Hope they are all feeling thoroughly guilty now!
Not Christian I know. Must try harder Spicy!
No clapping or tin bashing here either. I was ready at six with my saucepan lid and wooden spoon, but since no other bugger was bothering, I didn't either !
DeleteI just don’t see the point. I admire Sir Tom and all he did and feel the NHS have done a wonderful job but it is not my thing to stand outside an applaud although I do so in my heart.
DeleteDidn't know about it!
DeleteIt's 8.25 and for the first evening in at least a week I'm not falling asleep.
ReplyDeleteI have an evening ahead !
Thank you NHS for my B12
Great news Mrs P !
DeleteMrs P loved your phrasing regarding why you did not bother in the end to bash your saucepan at your front door tonight. Mr R laughed like a drain it’s a wonder you did not hear him as far away as you are 🤣
DeleteWell Lady R..... that's given me a laugh as well.
DeleteSo thank you Lord R.
I've just completed on line, a survey ' how have you been affected by the corona virus' for the Office of National Statistics.
That's my bit done !
Quick message for MIRIAM, and, I think, SPICY
ReplyDeleteJust read that the lunchtime soap “Doctors” returns next week after their extra long Christmas break. I shall watch one episode to see what they’ve done with it and then decide whether to carry on!
Thank you Archerphile. Looking forward to see some hopefully familiar faces!
DeleteI think I may have just done something a bit mad!
ReplyDeleteI have signed up with the NHS to take part in Covid vaccine trials.
I’m very Interested in the idea of having mix ‘n match vaccines, especially as the Oxford one is being praised to the skies for preventing virus transfer but having had Pfizer as my first dose.
I would be very happy to help find out if mixed vaccines give better results.
I probably won’t be chosen, but have been able to tick all the right boxes so far. I’m now waiting to see if they get in touch.
Oh Archerphile how interesting and if chosen will look forward to being kept informed about the trial. My 1st vac tomorrow at HCH so I will like others (and yourselves) who have been there have Pfizer and will be glad to receive it but of course now the Oxford is being praised as more effective I wonder how many people will refuse Pfizer. Israel though is saying P after 21 days has 90% efficacy and last for the following 9weeks to second vac, but with the Oxford apparently you will not pass the virus on...
ReplyDeleteSarnia how is the delayed maintenance going - I’m still managing to delay quite a lot 🤣
ReplyDeleteI've manage to make some headway in organising the paperwork that's been cluttering up the place ever since Mr S's demise, but in order to do that other maintenance has had to be delayed... ...
ReplyDeleteVery understandable then Sarnia paperwork in your circumstances more than enough to be going on with!
DeleteMy maintenence is so delayed, (dead really), that I still have Christmas decorations in the hall and kitchen.
ReplyDeleteWonderful Mistral are the decorations keeping your spirits lifted by still being there 🤔 😂
DeleteRight, FIRST MEMORIES....
ReplyDeleteNot quite sure why I suggested this, but anyway....
1) This memory is the most interesting one to me, as it pinpoints the very moment that I had a sense of 'self', i.e. of understanding that I was an entity and an independant being.
I used to go to work with my mother at her shop until I started school. I never liked being pushed and pulled aroung and tugged into coats, hats, shoes etc.
I distinctly remember crawling underneath a big wooden gateleg table to hide, and getting well caught up in all the folded legs, and being happy. My mother kept calling my name before looking for me and pulling me out, and for the first time I understood that the name was me, and that I was able to be seperate. I was about three years old.
2) An earlier memory was living in a caravan in a farm track, and being taken to see our first house being built, I remember seeing planks over great holes. It was the end semi of a new estate being built, but I can't remember anything about the hustle and bustle that must have been going on all around me, just those huge big holes. My parents bought that house when I was two, for £3000!
3) Before going to school at almost five years old, I spent all my time with my mum, we played a lot of card games and I always, witout fail, listened to 'Childrens' Hour' . I remember 'are you sitting comfortably? Then we'll begin'. If she was busy with customers, I liked to do colouring-in or do dot-to-dot books. So habits are formed, I love the radio, and now occasionally still do colouring-in and mega difficult dot-to-dot books, mainly because I can't see the tiny writing.
She used to get sales reps coming in with their latest samples, and one particular man took an interest in my beautiful red ladybird. It was quite large and had flapping wings and light-up eyes. I don't know what he did, but he broke it. He worked for a company called Kosset Carpets. About fifteen years later, I went to the shop to see my mum, looked at the man there, and said, 'you are the man who broke my ladybird'. And he was!! They were dumbfounded.
I would like to do this exercise with my children, because it would be interesting to find out how their interpretations of events differ from my reality.
Thats a great idea Mistral to ask our children their earliest memories. I think we probably influence them in many ways talking about them when they were llittle.
DeleteI have a gift, and please don't think I am bragging, but I have a photographic memory. When someone talks about a certain event , an image flashes in my mind and I can remember every detail . Even from when I was little.
As for the earliest memory, children have no sense of time so if there are several memories I would love to be put in the hat Gary.
Autumnleaves-
DeleteI don't mean to be rude, but doesn't everyone have that ability ?
I have the same and I suppose that I assumed that everyone else has it too.
But you talk about it being a gift( no your not bragging) and if some of us have it and others not, then I suppose it is a gift.
I just didn't know that it was only some of us.
To illustrate- whenever I read a post from Ev and she mentions something about where she lives ( near to Ryde IOW ) memories of events in that area flood my brain, in pictures.
There was an event in, on, around a lake nearby, where I behaved very badly when my children were small, and it cast me in a bad light with my husbands family members. I can see all those faces looking at me with disgust.
And whenever Ev mentions the walk to Quare Abbey I am transported to that same walk with my mother in law and us discovering a Judas tree in full flower.
Mrs P, no they don't.
DeleteI remember events, sometimes in great detail, but only in words. And sometimes a general sense of position. No pictures.
But then I can't picture something I looked at 5 seconds ago.
Isn't it fascinating how different we all are? And how we assume that our experience is common to everybody, until we find out it isn't!
Lady R, above. Yes, I do like them, garlands and fairy-lights all down the bannisters, and baubles dangling from the kitchen cupboard handles. However, they wouldn't be there if I could just be bothered to shift myself and take them down. I was really pleased to get my tree out last week, it literally took me two weeks just to take the lights off.
ReplyDeleteMy tree is still up. It will stay up until I get bored of it or it loses the will to live and drops all its needles.
DeleteThe Christmas lights across the pelmet to the sitting room bay window stay up all year. They're happy there and they provide a bit of extra light, so why move them? Pity about the cobwebs, though.
Usually the Christmas cards across the top of the pelmet stay up until the following Christmas. They won't this year but only because I never got around to putting them up there in the first place. Perhaps we'll revert to our previous practice of putting the birthday cards up there.
Just remember Mistral.....
ReplyDeleteYou have been ill.... with what in the future, history will tell the world was the most important world pandemic since biblical times.
Some children might ask.... ' what did you do in the pandemic daddy ( mummy) did you have the Covid '
So, no blaming yourself for not taking down decorations....... yet !
Archerphile 9.27 am
ReplyDeleteYour not alone, I've just signed up for the same and for the same reasons as you.
But the information stated that they wanted people over fifty who had not yet been vaccinated. You and I both have, but I thought it was worth signing up anyway, as during the trial they might change the criteria.
Besides which I'm interested in scientific research and it might open up other avenues.
Oh dear Mrs P, I didn’t see the bit about not being vaccinated! I did wonder why that question wasn’t specifically asked in the list of medical ones. Probably won’t hear anything any way, but I did say I’d be interested in other research too.
DeleteRegarding photographic memories - I also have that ability, I can picture virtually anyone from my childhood, adults, the girls that went to my school, all of the teachers. I have vivid picture memories of all our holidays, even down to which rooms we stayed in, in hotels or guest houses and the beach huts we hired, and clothes I wore. The pipe my Dad smoked, and the smell of his favourite tobacco, the pattern on the dining room carpet, how to tune the huge Bush wireless with its lights indicating stations such as Hilversum and Luxembourg.
ReplyDeleteBut I thought everyone did this, I didn’t think it was anything special.
However I am aware that Mr A has a very poor memory, he can’t remember any of the holidays we went on when the children were young. If a location that we have visited comes up on TV and I saw ‘ do you remember we took the children there and Michelle cut her hand in the gate and made a big fuss’, he has no memory of it at all, which is very frustrating!
To all of you who didnt take your Christmas decorations down on 12th night, they must stay up all year or you will have bad luck !!!
ReplyDeleteApparently the Twelfth Night tradition is a Victorian invention. Traditionally, decorations stayed up until Candlemas, 2nd February. It makes sense to keep a bit of Christmas cheer around during gloomy January.
DeleteI don't believe in bad luck, so my tree will come down when I feel like it : )
Definitely the old fashioned Candlemass for me! Although the tree went out earlier. I just love sparkly lights, and I like your way OWiaS of leaving some up all year.
DeleteI have had the Astra vaccine today. My daughter is so happy ( she has been very worried about bringing it back home from the holiday park where she works, although it is completely shut down now for the lockdown) that she cooked me a celebratory fry up lunch as a treat. Yum 🍳🥓🍟 I know I am lucky.
They have erected a huge marquee at what is normally the Royal Agricultural Show ground. It is 16 miles away from us but a pretty drive, and it was incredibly well organised, and I barely felt the injection it was done so skilfully.
To add to that thank you to Ev and Spicycushion for mentioning about avoiding having it in the left arm if you sleep on the left side, which I do. She was going to put it in my left but I remembered what you said and asked for it in my right.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMiriam I thought the comment you have removed was interesting, as I think it summed up a way that I think a lot of us have been feeling lately.
DeleteWe are not getting out and about so much and not having the stimulus that creates new thoughts and things to say.
Mrs P , Autumnleaves and Archerfile I think you are very lucky to have photographic memories. I have always had a very good memory but it doesn't function in the way yours does.
ReplyDeleteYou have started me puzzling now as to exactly how I do remember things.
DeleteI deleted my comment, as it was not at all relevant.
ReplyDeleteMy conversation has now dried up!
Our comments came at the same time Miriam. See mine after yours above.
DeleteI will look in again.
DeleteAs you are there Miriam I thought I would tell you about a meal we are having tonight. I don't know if you have ever tried it . It is surprisingly tasty. It is layers of thinly sliced swede and liver and a layer of sliced potatoes on top, with seasoning to taste. I like parsley and marjoram. It is slowly baked in the rayburn with a bit of butter on top, and a little gravy. Tonight I am trying chicken livers because there were some left over after my daughter made pate, but usually I would use lambs livers.
DeleteI do similar, with sliced pots, swede, carrots, cooking apple, with slices of belly pork (with stuffing as a topping) placed on top of the veg.
DeleteIt has stock + mixed herbs to slowly cook in.
It is sweet + succelent
Forgot the sliced onions...😂
DeleteThis is memory from my Mum. This is to keep on topic as to early memories.
DeleteIt was, and still is, a cheap meal yet nutritional and tasty.
Urgh! Last time I had liver was at infant school. It looked and tasted like leather.
DeleteBut I managed to eat it, just. Unlike kidney, that I can't abide.
And it smells, liver should not be overcooked. I was given raw liver for anaemia as a child, only managed to swallow it once. Now I only keep my own...
DeleteWhen I lived in Aus I went to the butchers to get some liver for a lovely liver, bacon and herb dumplings casserole. The butcher went to get some remarking "The cats and dogs really love this don't they?" I didn't dare tell him it was for my and husbnds dinner!
DeleteI'd like it if my carnivorous sons liked offal but neither of them do.
Now being vegetarian I couldn't face liver, especially chickem liver. I did use to chop up the internal organs from a prepared chicken for the cats though!
My latest 6 month energy bill arrived today.
ReplyDeleteDo I care what it was - No!
I just want (+ Puss Cat) to stay safe, warm, comfortable and content, in these still, very uncertain times.
Is this too much to hope for?
Not at all Miriam I feel the same and I’ve no doubt that like me you just wish it could be so for everyone.
DeleteApologies for being vocal, and wittering on, yet again. 😣😢
ReplyDeleteJanice, that recipe sounds good, I like liver, I went off kidney after doing them in biology!
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting how we lay down memories, I think they can be “crystallised “ by photos, but the mind is a weird and wonderful thing.
Ow in a shoe,
ReplyDeleteIt was said tongue in cheek. An excuse for those who were prevaracating
We use the same part of the brain to imagine and remember.
ReplyDeleteCome on Miriam cheer up, you mustn't let it get you down, we are all struggling and you are as entitled to struggle as any one else.
ReplyDeleteWrite and tell us what you have cooked tonight, or if you don't read this until tomorrow, tell us tomorrow's meal.
Or explain how your memory works.
Do you see a memory in pictures ?
Or in words ?
Or perhaps in feelings ?
Try not to get bogged down we need you on here, as you often give us food for thought !