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Life outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments" - Episode 14 Life Outside Ambridge Have a seat and let's chat.
Janice - February 10, 2021 at 12:32 PM
ReplyDeleteEarly memories:
1. Sitting on slate flagstones in coloured pools of light. About 2 years old. It wasn't until I was grown up that I could place that memory. Before moving into the farmhouse my parents had lived briefly in a place that had slate flagstone flooring and a porch door with old Victorian stained glass in the top half. The glass is still there. I think that experience must be why I have always liked stained glass windows.
2. I must have been about 4 and at our local beach in the summer with my mother. This was in the days before it became well known to visitors, just a few were beginning to find it, and long before there were lifeguards . It was a rough sea and there is a dangerous rip current just off shore. Three men on holiday were in bad trouble and some local men who could swim well had gone in to attempt a rescue. They got one to shore and laid him on the sand just a few feet away from us, and there was nothing they could do because he was already dead so they went straight back out again to try to help the others. I remember my mother saying Poor man, poor man, and me looking down at him and thinking how very still he was. Then mum decided it was best to take me home so I was never sure what happened to the others.
Thinking about Linda (Snell) a man in our local village received the OBE a few years back after many years of spending his spare time running the local lifesaving club for generations of youngsters. They were all taught skills that will last a lifetime including how to cope if caught in the rip , how to rescue people, and how and where to tombstone correctly (as they were going to do it anyway!) and there are a fair number of people alive now rescued by people that he trained as youngsters.
3 I think the summers of the 50's really were warmer and drier, and occasionally my mother if she had time would make miniature cakes and jellies and tiny sandwiches, and I would have a doll's tea party on a little wooden table under the sycamore tree just outside the farmhouse. The guests were usually my two dolls Angela and Melanie ( my dad had wanted to call me Melanie but my mum apparently wouldn't so I called the doll Melanie for him instead) Golly and Teddy, and whatever animal friend happened to be around at the time.
Oh to be young and free as the air again.
Lovely memories Janice, although the middle one perhaps not so lovely.
ReplyDeleteAt which point in your growing up did you realise that the man lying on the sand, was/ had been dead, as I imagine you did not realise it at the time ?
People were saying he was dead so on one level I knew, but I'm not sure how much I actually understood the reality of death. I knew he wouldn't move again.
DeleteOh, Janice, I wouldn't be young again if I could - too many people constantly telling me what people like me wouldn't be able to do!
ReplyDeleteI love the mental picture of the flagstone floor and the stained-glass windows. Yes, I remember summers in the late 40s/early 50s as being warm and sunny - certainly all the family photos of that era are taken on the beach (Fermain, Soz!)... with the possible exception of August, as I seem to recall visitors with miserable children in plastic sandals and see-through macs, trailing around Town in the rain, as they were locked out of B&Bs until the evening in those days.
DeleteThe dolls' tea party sounds idyllic - and wasn't your mother a good sport.
Thank you Janice! As MrsP said, some truly lovely images conjured up and one pretty gruesome to say the least...
ReplyDeleteOh lovely picture , you've even got a tiny tea set. Mine was pale green and cream and I've still got it!
ReplyDeleteYes, one lovely picture to illustrate one lovely memory.
ReplyDeleteLovely memories Janice, which made a lasting impression for you.
ReplyDeleteMy memories of the '50s, '60s and '70s, are all still vivid.
However after the mid '80s until the Millenium, these are very weak.
To add.
DeleteI have been inundated both by post + e-mail over the last week, for booking a holiday in Africa in early 2022!
As I would even consider this just now!
Plus so many Saga Cruise brochures keep appearing, and I have never been on one.
How are all your wonderful, cats + dogs coping with this cold weather, be it snow or just ice.
ReplyDeleteCat is furious.
DeleteAs is mine. No snow as such, but very icy cold. Puss Cat, does not like going out 🙀
DeleteThey have a fleece. Buddy’s has legs.as he has fine hair and feels the cold. He looks as if he has red pyjamas on! Dudley has a turquoise one which fastens under his chin and his tummy as he won’t tolerate having anything over his head! Gypsy has a pink one with leg holes at the front as her legs are so short and it goes right down to her tail. The only thing is they get cold feet but at least the mud has solidified so no bathing of paws! Dudley and Gypsy being Shih Tzus have thick fur especially Dudley. They were bred for the cold conditions in Tibet. It is cold out though but today is very slightly warmer so hope that goes on!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds a real fashionable and colourful, dog show.🐶 🐕
DeletePS As is the TV show Pooch Perfect. I am liking this, surprisingly.
DeleteThis shows just how bored I am at the moment.
DeleteI am also watching The Pottery Showdown, along with the Best Celebrity Home Cook.
Simple things, are so amusing to me, at the moment. 😂😂
Radio programmes - I just love "The Unbelievable Truth", which is still being broadcast with strict Covid restrictions in place.
ReplyDeleteIt just appeals to me, as so silly, light- hearted, yet fascinating.
We have snow and both dogs love it. After a walk they are then both back in either on the sofa or one in the dog bed in front of the fire.
ReplyDeleteNow that the wind has dropped the house is quite warm. The wind from the east was hitting my sitting room windows on the 1st floor and made it freezing. Told youngest when he rang that for once we had every single radiator in the house turned on! Usually I have no heating in my bedroom and at the moment none in my 'study' as I am not working down there. Never have radiator on in the kitchen as the cooker warms up everything.
DeletePredicted minus 6 tonight but haven't seen the gritter go down the road yet. Road is clear but paths and gardens still have four or five inches of snow. Hasn't snowed since about 2pm.
Jon has postponed his evening run and I have yet to step outside and do a couple of hundred steps as a starter. Sisters are already up to a mile! Darn it!
Oh dear Spicey you wouldnt like my house, I havent used the central heating so far this year. the only concession to the cold spell is to light the sitting room fire where I sit in the evening after breakfast instead of around 2. When I have visitors and put the heating on I swealter.
ReplyDeleteMiriam my little dog ( long haired dachshund ) hates wearing a coat, I have several styles to no avail. Today she came home from our walk covered in what looked like little snowballs, having only 3 legs it is easier to run than walk, so I guess she keeps warm enough
.I generally shop on a Thursday, but I think our road will be impassible tomorrow as we have had more snow this evening and it was pretty treacherous earlier, no sign of the snow plough or gritter this time, but none of us will starve !
Same here with the heating Esscee. In the Navy heating went on 1st October and off 1st April. We have always pretty well followed that! At least now though I can choose to put it on if cold whereas in the Navy it didn’t matter how cold or hot it was outside! I don’t like it too hot and set it at 18 degrees midday for about an hour and 20 degrees at night when sitting. I don’t like electric blankets as I like to get in a cold bed and feel it warm up! Often even in winter I will throw the duvet off to cool down now and again! My mum always had her heating at 28 degrees and I found it stifling when staying with her. We used to turn the thermostat down a bit but she complained to my brother so we had to behave! I thought it was because she was old but I am nearly that age now. I find if you keep moving during the day you don’t need much heat.
ReplyDelete'In the Navy heating went on 1st October and off 1st April. '
DeleteIt used to be like that in school when I was teaching. One year we had a very cold snap but were told on Monday t wasn't worth putting the heating back on because the boilers would take a week to get back to full power. By Wednesday we were told it wasn't worth doing it because the boilers needed at least 4 days. But Friday it was admitted that in future it would be wise to check the forecast for the week!
We had a school jumper that the pupils hated. So they would sit there in their shirt sleeves telling me that it if got really cold they were allowed to put their coats on. I pointed out that, no, *I* was allowed to let them put their coats on but that their jumpers would be a good start. They chose to remain cold!
I admit I usually only have heating on twice a day too but this cold snap has not been pleasant.
ReplyDeleteOh Cowgirl I wish I could have a real fire! I used to love laying the fire and lighting it, even cleaning out the ashes as well. I have so many memories of 'doing the fire' at home and at my aunt's where I used to stay at weekends when I was a teenager, well she was only 10 years older than me.
We burned chestnut logs which my Dad could get for free from the farm after the 'good' trunks where sold and taken after coppicing.
One Easter the whole weekend was spent with Dad on a tractor and trailer , Mum, my brother and I loading, taking the trunks home, unloading and then sawing and splitting them. We spent the whole four days doing this. I was probably about 14 and my brother 12. Hard work but we had hundreds of logs for the winter!
Confession time, I do use an electric blanket. In the days when I lived without electricity I used a brick heated in the Aga and wrapped up. Still hot in the morning. It was one of the highlights for visiting children in the winter.
ReplyDeleteSpicey, up until I moved here 5 years ago I used to cut and split all my own wood. My neighbouring farmer cut the large trees down for me I did the rest, though he had the main trunks. I still cut some of my own wood, though these days I use my neighbours log splitter, one of few concessions to old age !
I wouldnt buy a house without a fire, there was an open one here , the first thing I did was to replace it with a log burner and have one installed in my work room. One of lifes real pleasures
We have still got one of those old longhandled copper warming pans that my great aunt used to warm the bed.
ReplyDeleteIn Italy people used to warm the bed with a "prete" (priest!). It was a wooden cage which was placed inside the bed. Hot ashes or embers from the fire were then placed in a metal or earthenware container under this cage.
DeleteApparently the name refers to what may have gone on when husbands were away for the transhumance or during the harvest!!
😂
DeleteJanice, the more I think about the 4 year old you on that beach the more it gives me the shivers. I unfortunately saw a corpse about 10 years ago in the River Clyde and the memory still pops unbidden into my head from time to time.
ReplyDeleteDuring "normal times" I am often to be found off the beaten track out hiking or on my bike, and I am always waiting for the moment I stumble across a dead body. I just assume it IS going to happen one day.
It happened to me Gary, in a more ‘suitable’, ‘expected’ (?) place.
DeleteI had an appointment at my surgery one day. There were a flight of steps up to the entrance with a corresponding slope next to them.
I started going up the slope when I realised there was an elderly man collapsed at the top of the slope. I had to step over his legs and rushed into the surgery for help to get him up.
I went back out with the receptionist, who immediately called one of the Doctors.
The poor man was dead. He had just seen the Doctor and apparently (I heard later) had a heart attack on his way out.
Gary.....you will never come across a dead body. It is ALWAYS a dog walker that finds the body!
ReplyDeleteCorrection P T Y always a dog ! with thier walker
Delete😂
DeleteGary, I've always believed or felt, that one day I would find somebody hanging.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was married I lived with the fear that it might be my husband.
Totally irrational !
Spiceycushion, I'm the opposite to you.
Having watched my mother clean out the ashes and re lay it for the fire, I refused to ever do it.
When we found our first rented flat my husband said - ooh good, an open fire.
I promptly told him that if he wanted an open fire he would have to do it himself.
He was as good as his word, and would clean out the ashes and re lay it every day before going to the studio, and I would light it in the afternoon.
It was the only open fire we ever had though. CH ever after.
I love open fires. We have a log burner which is fine but it is not the same as having no barrier between you and the flames. In my old home I had one. Yes it was dirty; things would acquire a film of dust which I couldn’t see with low lighting and with delayed maintenance, the film of dust developed to many layers. But I spent such happy hours sitting on the floor as close as I could get without singeing myself, mesmerised by the glow of flames and embers.
ReplyDeleteAnd you can’t beat roasting chestnuts on a coal shovel on top of an open fire!
DeleteSomething else you can’t do with a woodburner, as we found to our disappointment.
Archerphile I just open the door if I want to roast chesnuts or toast. Mine have glass doors so you can see the flames, at least with a log burner you dont lose all the heat up the chimney and they are more efficient.
DeleteMiriam the advantage of a log burner is you have heat and can cook if the top is flat when the electricity fails as I have had to do on numerous occasions. I boil all my water on top inthe winter, I acknowledge that regulating heat is more difficult, but not impossible
Archerphile - My Nan had a long handled brass toasting fork and we'd sit on Wednesday evenings toasting crumpets over the wood or coal fire. Always Wednesdays because that's when the baker's roundsman delivered!
DeleteCrumpets toasted under the grill or in a toaster just aren't the same!
Here is Winnie the westie catching snowflakes in Glasgow 💖💖💖
ReplyDeleteSo cute. She’s really grown.
DeleteJust Gorgeous. 🐶
DeleteI’ve just changed my photo. This is daphne in the snow.
DeleteNearly 6 months old now.
💖💖 to Daphne and pusscat and all the pets who make our lives so much better. Even if in my case my little grandoggy lives far away.
DeleteMaybe I should get a dog. I'm sure it would be less demanding than my children
DeleteDont kid yourself OwiAs
DeleteLess argumentative then?
DeleteHappy to test the theory if someone wants to do a 6 month exchange ...
The window cleaner came mid-morning. The front was fine, as it was getting the winter sun.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the windows on the back, then had frozen droplets on, which are still there.
I love the polka dot windows.
PS They use the water spray/brush method.
I would hate to have, both an open fire or a wood burner, though they are lovely to sit by and just watch.
ReplyDeleteMy reasons are two-fold - cleaning them out along with having the chimney/flue cleaned, plus once lit, the heat cannot be controlled in a specific way.
I have a coal effect gas fire, which looks like the real thing, but I can control its heat output.
At the moment my CH is on all day (7.00am to 8.00pm) BUT I turn the thermostat down low during the day, to then boost it up as needed.
I love a warm + cosy home, but not too hot, unlike others I know and where I feel "stiffled".
I only have a temp. of 19C as normal, but this suits me.
To add - I don't need an electric blanket or a HWB, as my lovely PussCat snuggles up with me at night. It is mutual "warmth".
Delete"Doctors" - I am probably in a minority as to that, I am still watching it (be it recorded) and really enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteYes - it is different but that has to be expected, but the ongoing stories are intriguing.
Miriam - I can't have a log burner because I have a 'vigorous' allergy to formaldehyde, (which is also carcinogenic), and wood-smoke is full of it. My new coal-effect stove is very cosy, but like yours, it's gas-fired.
ReplyDeleteJust remember a CO moniter, which I am sure you already have.
DeleteMine is situaited between the lounge + kitchen - for the gas fire + gas boiler.
I have an electric fire in which you put water in a tank which then comes out in a flame effect. We would have liked a gas fire but not possible here. I do like the look though and enjoy it in the winter!
DeleteThis is my latest painting. The perspective on the steps isn’t right and with a different artist who works quickly it wasn’t very easy but really enjoyed it. I have put off my Italian painting holiday yet again until next year so am hoping third time lucky! These zoom sessions have been invaluable though in getting through lockdowns. We might get away for a change of scenery in the summer but we are likely to stay on the island. There is a lovely cottage in Ventnor advertised and with the climate over there we can pretend we are somewhere more exotic! There are tropical gardens out of doors!🏝🏖⛱🏝
My spiritual home Ev, Ventnor.
DeleteStill looking at Rightmove there.
It looks lovely and sunny and warm in your painting. It is bitterly cold here, and our normal south westerly onshore wind has reversed and the tops of the waves are being blown back out to sea.
DeleteI enjoyed reading your memories Janice. Lovely times, apart from the beach one of course.
ReplyDeleteOld Woman in a shoe......She is stubborn, demanding, noisy and believes she is number one and a killer to boot, still want to exchange ?
ReplyDeletePS I do love her though
Yes, but does she refuse to do her schoolwork? If not, deal's on!
DeleteAfraid so, Ive given up trying ! Forgot to say shes a tea leaf too, she pinches the boys next door toys
DeleteLily is now a teenager, throwing her (small & sylph-like) weight about & generally being provoking.
ReplyDeleteMolly is forbearing.
Small flock of storks in the flooded field along the road, cranes been heard but not seen in the murk,
Spring must be on its way... 🤞🤞
We have a log burner in our lounge which I love. I insist on laying the fire myself and take pride in lighting it with one match ( obviously no fire lighters) although I let MrNuts chop the wood. We do have a log splitter that I use occasionally.
ReplyDeleteMany years ago my brother made a toasting fork in metalwork at school. I don’t know what happened to it, hopefully he claimed it when we cleared our mother’s house I didn’t have an open fire at that time, although I did take the fire irons and fire screen.
You put me to shame, I use firelighters, gone are the days of making paper spills, any way no newspaper deliveries here , nearest shop a 10 mile trek
DeleteCatching up on posts from yesterday.
ReplyDeleteFires - our cottage lounge has a wide hearth under a brick faced arch and chimney piece above, up to the ceiling ( very typical of old cottages in our part of the country). Back in the 1800s it would have had an old fashioned Victorian style range on which all the cooking was done and would be the only warm room. That was removed in the 1900s and a simple open fire was installed, as by then a proper kitchen had been built on the back of the cottage fitted with an electric cooker.
When we moved in we had a very wide fire basket made at the local forge and had stonking big log & coal fires every night in the winter. Chestnuts roasted, as mentioned somewhere far above, toast and crumpets done with our long-handled brass toasting fork, which came from my parents and still hanging on the fireplace.
But the problem with this wonderful open fire was, not the laying or clearing up every day (which I didn’t mind, the ash went on the garden) but the fact that it just got too hot! We’d start the evening sitting close, and gradually had to move further and further back, until the whole room was so hot we’d have to open a window! But the advantage was the whole brick wall warmed up and acted like a radiator and it went up through our bedroom above and warmed that too, so no central heating was required.
Five years ago we decided to have a wood burner installed as we had so many logs from trees cut down in the garden, didn’t want to continue buying coal. It is much easier to regulate the heat in the room by simply opening or closing little controls on the front of the stove. We still see the lovely flames through the glass doors and it is much cleaner, no sooty deposits everywhere like before, the chimney is lined and only needs sweeping once every 3 or 4 years and it uses a lot less fuel than the old open fire. We store the logs each side of it on the open hearth.
So what’s not to like?
And yes, Miriam, we do have a CO monitor in the room, (and in the kitchen). It’s one of the regulations the woodburner fitters have to adhere to!
Archerphile I had to smile when you said you had to gradually edge away from the fire-side! I imagine you surreptiously edging you way backwards. Silly but to me amusing!
DeleteIn the council house I lived in as a child we had a central chimney with a small range cooker in the kitchen and an open fire back to back with it in the 'Front room' The two larger bedrooms upstairs had very tiny open fireplaces, but were never used as the chimney warmed both rooms.
The ashes from the fires always went to make a path down though the extensive garden to the chicken run.
On the topic of winter dogs - Maisie has three coats. One is quite thick and she doesn't like wearing that one as much as the other two. Her best look is her navy and cream coat which has a cream collar which fits beautifully. We sometimes get nice comments from fellow walkers on her wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteI recognise the need to move away from the heat of an open fire Archerphile and understand why you had the log burner installed. We live in a small cottage and the log burner is a more sensible choice but I would prefer to have an open fire which is so obviously alive - constantly moving, sometimes crackling. You not only see it but can hear and smell it.
ReplyDeleteI also understand that for some the dirt and lack of control is a big issue. Dirt doesn’t bother me - the farmyard doesn’t stop at my front door! In the winter my kitchen is full of muddy wellies, coats and bits of straw; in summer there is a huge trail of straw following my husband around the cottage. Oh for a porch or utility room!
Here are Buddy and Dudley just back from a chilly walk in their fleeces and waiting for a welcome treat!
DeleteHow sweet, they look lovely.
DeleteGreat. Love the red suit with legs. Will save a lot of muck coming in.
DeleteIt absolutely does and also keeps him relatively clean in muddy conditions except the paws of course!🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾
DeleteThey're adorable Ev💕💕
DeleteKaty said she isn’t that fat just that she had stuff in her pockets!
ReplyDeleteIt has been snowing again all morning here and Misty has just come in from the garden covered again in little snowballs, fortunately she has sat her side of the sofa for once.
ReplyDeleteOh dear Soz I do have a utility room, but I still trail through the house in my wellies, shavings and sawdust is the problem here, sticks to your clothes, cant bed Emerald on straw as she will just eat it and she is on a strict diet, doesnt seem to be losing much though
Cow girl I also know that even if I had a utility room, it wouldn’t be used, at least not by Farmer Giles. You will understand that all kitchen surfaces are a haven for tools, bits of blue water pipes, grey plastic screw things, binder twine, broken ear tags .....I could go on. Miriam you would have a fit.
ReplyDeleteTrouble is I add to the clutter; at the moment the kitchen is also full of pots of dahlias and other plants - I really do need that potting shed!
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ReplyDeleteSoz, yes Miriam might have a fit, but she would also have a fit about my place.
ReplyDelete( we are not teasing you Miriam, just respecting your need and desire for a clean and tidy environment) and owning up about ours.
I have limited kitchen surfaces and most of them are piled high with non kitchen paraphernalia. I am unable to throw anything away and re use anything that might have the possibility of re use.
I refuse to buy plastic bags in order to dispose of dog business, so any paper bag is kept, ( lots of paper bags and little plastic in ' green ' Stroud) along with any empty crisp bags and similar cheese wrap or sausage packaging. Lady's business is picked up by a sheet of brown paper and deposited in 'plastic' type bag for disposal in the dog bin provided by the local council or NT.
Then there is the filing which finds its place in various piles. ( but I always know which pile any particular paper is in )
Most of my bits of blue pipe, binder twine, rubber bands, found buttons etc remain in my pockets.
I've got another viewing tomorrow afternoon.
That means I will have to do some cleaning.
P S - I don't think I have any broken ear tags...... currently.
DeleteGood Luck with the viewing. Who knows, they could be the ones🤞🤞
DeleteI have read though, about people booking house viewings, as an excuse to go out in Lockdown, as it is a viable reason to travel.
I so hope, that this is not the case with you and your viewers.
My Brother once told me I kept the cows cleaner than the house, I think it was when he discovered dust on the top of light switches .As if thats a problem
DeleteThanks Miriam for your kind thoughts.
DeleteDust and fluff advanced here CG.
Why is it that we like to run ourselves down about cleaning and household chores.
ReplyDeleteIf we really cared that much, we'd do something about it.
Those who do live in dirt don't make any excuses.
Sadly, I am one of those who suffer as to a dust allergy. As such, for me, it is better to keep on top of the cleaning, rather than using unecessary meds. to control the sneezing, blocked sinuses and irritated, bloodshot eyes!
DeleteDo you damp dust Miriam? You might find that helpful. When I do have a go at rearranging the dust 😉, I use a slightly wet cloth to prevent the dust flying around in the air; and every now and again I just rinse the cloth out. I use a few drops of orange or lavender essential oil on the cloth so that things smell nice afterwards.
DeleteMy elder daughter used to suffer from really severe eczema. The dermatologist ran a series of allergy tests, I was hugely relieved that she wasn’t allergic to house dust! I am pretty relaxed about housework, it gets done when we have guests ( not often) or when the build up is such that I can see a satisfying difference.
ReplyDeleteSomeone once said to me that ex Wrens amused her as they let things go and then have a massive cleanup as if cleaning for Captain’s rounds! Not far off t he mark! Mike used to write “dust me “ in the inevitable dust to which I used to say “ you know where the dusters are kept!” Dusting has always seemed pointless as you dust things and it just settles again! My mother in law had two nervous breakdowns and I swear it was because she was so fussy about housework! Life really is too short!
ReplyDeleteMy mother waged a life-long campaign against dust. The dust got her in the end.
ReplyDeleteEarth to earth
DeleteDust to dust
That gave me a laugh Sarnia.
Oh bother. Just wrote a long piece and it’s gone - error message. Will try again later.
ReplyDeleteI love hearing about wellies and straw and ear tags and sweet Emerald!
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteMy mum died during a severe asthma attack which promoted a heart attack. She only started suffering asthma in her 60s whilst her sister and brother had it from childhood.
ReplyDeleteCo-incidentally, at the time she died, I was working at the MAFF pest control laboratory at Slough.
I was assistant to the scientist who discovered that the link between house dust and asthma/ breathing difficulties was due to house dust mites (Dermatophagoides sp.), or rather their droppings accumulating in the dust. These mites are microscopically small, can’t be seen with the naked eye, and I spent my days breeding them and counting them under a microscope. We were trying to find the best way of eradicating them; using other non-allergenic mites to predate on them, fumigation, insecticides, temperature/humidity control etc
Sadly our discoveries came too late to help my Mum.
So, to this day, I regularly vacuum my mattresses, wash or or buy new pillows, vacuum under and especially behind the bed, and hang our duvet and pillows on the line or out of the bedroom window on hot sunny days. Mites don’t like hot, dry conditions, but revel in moist places where minute flakes of skin lurk. (And household dust is full of human skin detritus!)
Having an asthmatic daughter is why I got into the habit of dusting.
DeleteOn the topic of asthma, I was pleased that my daughter has an appointment for her Covid jab next week. She's a teacher so, hopefully, it will give her some protection when the schools reopen. I was quite worried about her having to go in last term, she's teaching from home full time at present.
*** My Earliest Memory ***
ReplyDeleteCowGirl, it's your turn now. Enjoy!
Janice -
ReplyDeleteyour post about damp dusting brings back memories.
As a young nurse, the first duty of the day for the very junior nurse was the damp dusting of the ward.
I still only damp dust to this day, though I have to admit that it's nothing like daily.
I also damp dust. I use a micro-fibre cloth, wrung out after really well, after wetting it in cold water. It has to be totally cold water, as warm or hot water, doesn't work as well.
ReplyDeleteI was told this decades ago, by a hospital worker, and it works really well.
No cans of spray polishes for me, so I am at least, helping the enviroment in a slight way.
A really cold day today, due to the bitterly cold and strong, easterly wind, along with snow flurries, which were not expected.
The only aerosol I have in my home at the moment, is a can of hairspray. I bought this in Lockdown #1. This was to help keep my hair Lockdown Locks, under control.
ReplyDeleteIt might just be needed again, sooner rather than later! 😂😣
The "shaggy dog" hair style, is not quite happening yet.
DeleteMrs P viewing completed? Hope it was a serious one and not one of the time waster ones that can as (Miriam suggested) be the case. Although in this weather one would suppose that no one would want to be out unnecessarily 🥶
ReplyDeleteMrs P. I agree with Lady R..so 🤞🤞
DeleteMy earliest memory is of sitting on the kitchen table with some strange woman pulling my arm. I
ReplyDeletedont remember any pain, but I had dislocated my shoulder, how I dont recall, this was before the days of the National Health Service, so I could be no more than 2. I was told later the woman in question was a Mrs Truckle the go to woman who lived on our street.
It happened again a couple of years later when we were on holiday, on the beach this time my brother pulled me up by my arms, nothing sinister something that happens naturally. Hospital this time. Joy of joys , when we got back from the hospital it was tea time and my sister and I were allowed to have tea with my parents instead of nursery tea.
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DeleteBet your brother was in the doghouse!
DeleteWhenever I access this site on my phone (Android), I get the page of comments posted on March 14th 2020.
ReplyDeleteThese are still so fascinating to read, as this was the first time, we all experienced this strange and worldwide lockdown experience.
It is also, interesting reading the posts from our continental friends, in France, Italy and also areas elsewhere.
One thing I have noticed, is that now, we all just accept the rules and regulations.
By that I mean, what we all felt then was very strange, scary as we were all so bewildered, but now this is now becoming almost "normal".
Sorry Cowgirl.
ReplyDeleteOur posts overlapped, so mine, appeared after your Memories.
This was not intended.
🙈😢
Cowgirl.
ReplyDeleteYour earliest memory is certainly very different, and I thought Ouch!
Were you in a Farmhouse or elsewhere? Please tell more.
I chuckled at your Mrs. Truckle.
It reminded me of the person, often mentioned in the radio programme - I Haven't a Clue - something to do with a road in Scotland - if I remember correctly.
Mrs Trellis from wales.
DeleteThanks! She eluded me. I hope others can see as to my giggle at Mrs. Truckle!
DeleteGG 56,000 Glasgow homes without water re burst pipe 🤞🏼you are not one of them!
ReplyDeleteI was Lady R! It came back around 4 this afternoon - it had been off since about 8am. One of those days when you truly do realise the things you take for granted!
DeleteVery true GG! Thank goodness you are now reconnected 🚰 🚿 🛁 (🚽 🤣)
DeleteWe take water supply for granted until it goes. Hope all well now in Glasgow, GG!
ReplyDeleteOn Friday we woke to no hot water or heating! I couldn’t contact my usual plumber so Katy put out an SOS to her friends on social media and we had a dry local firm recommended so I phoned and the man came out in the afternoon. The problem was loss of water pressure and the boiler had switched off for safety. It was very easily remedied and he showed me how to keep an eye on the pressure. He didn’t deal with payment but said it wouldn’t be much as he was only here for a few minutes. After hearing of problems with British Gas I was struck with how quickly the problem was solved. In Ledbury we were paying BG about £20 a month for servicing etc and they were driving forward every year the servicing so it was by no means yearly on the dot. I find it easier to have my boiler serviced yearly and pay about £60 for that and the saved £240 per year will cover that and any call outs which are few. In the event of needing a new boiler, BG didn’t cover that anyway! I will certainly use this firm again and will get them to do the servicing in September. 😊.
...dry should have been very!
ReplyDeletePleased to hear that you got it sorted out so quickly Ev.
DeleteThe gritter has just gone up our road for the second time this week, too late for my neighbour who had to cancel his covid jab yesterday as the road was all but impassible, earlier he had had to help one of the livery people dig out her car as she hit a drift, the wind was blowing the snow across the road. we might now get some post next week !
ReplyDeleteSome 30 odd years ago we had a very very cold spell at least in Yorkshire when some of the mains water pipes froze.
Miriam in answer to your question, no we were not living in the country, but in Salisbury, in sight of Old Sarum, its ancient cathedral now in ruins, a favourite haunt as a child,
Thanks CowGirl! One of my earliest memories is medical related too.
ReplyDeleteI am far too young to have any knowledge of life before the NHS - it all seems very strange and hap-hazard to me!
I like the picture of the nurse. That's how my elder sister used to look.
ReplyDeleteI had a dog walker just like that one!
ReplyDeleteI had the astra zenecka jab yesterday. Slightly sore arm today.
ReplyDeleteMrGG had his first jag last week and am pleased to report no side effects so far. Hope your arm only continues to get better Mistral.
DeleteThanks Gary, it's fine. Only mentioned it because most poeple on here seem to have had the other one :)
DeleteCow girl I take it that those shoulder dislocations haven’t affected your ability to swing an axe or two!
ReplyDeleteMistral did you see the dog walker they had on Repair Shop? As with everything they do, it was beautifully repaired.
ReplyDeleteI had my Astra Zeneca jab over a week ago. I had slight headache the next day but nothing else. I hope you are feeling back to normal after Covid.
I didn't see it Soz, but will catch up sometime. I am feeling fine, thank you, just getting smell and taste back. I have been very lucky :)
DeleteMy mum had a photo of me in my uniform. Precisely the same but for the cuffs.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't have white cuffs. Just neat sleeve edges.
And I still have my dog from my dog walker.
I wrote a post last night which got lost.
ReplyDeleteI will write again later.
I have only just realised, that it is Valentines Day today!
ReplyDeleteI hope all of you, who are in a relationship with a partner, are making it a memorable Lockdown one, and are having treats together.
As for those who cannot do this, and there are quite a few of us, then just enjoy your pets and livestock. These also mean so much to us, at this moment in time.
😺🐶🐴🐎🐖🐑🐰🦃
And for Jazzer - 🕷
A quick extra.
ReplyDeleteI have been watching, in these cold + snowy days, the All Creatures Great + Small new series, which I recorded last October, I think.
All I can say is:- it is just wonderful and a joy to watch.
I love that it has kept the original and very realistic feeling, as to the first series broadcast, without changing anything re the location, and the true story.
It is a delight.
Oh Dear, I'm posting again.
ReplyDeleteI just want to thank, PtbY, for her reply yesterday.
I was amused at the name of Mrs.Truckle in Cowgirl's wonderful memories post.
It reminded me of a name in a radio show.
I now know that this is:-
Mrs Trellis from Wales.
I hope others can understand, why I found it amused me.
I’m aware Alan T is not so popular on here and I understand. However I noticed he had Will from the Repair Shop as one of his guests today so we caught his interview. Very interesting and he is just such a lovely man. (ITV hub Love your Weekend Sunday am)
ReplyDeleteWendy Craig was his other guest and I like her very much too.
I do not like Alan T nor Gyles Brandreth, as they both just, do not float my boat! Personal preferences only.
DeleteAs to Will Kirk, I love him and really enjoy his slots on the BBC1 Morning Live programme..
I think he could be a great potential participant, in the next Strictly series, whenever that might be...
Was not aware of the “Morning Live” programme Miriam but glad to hear Will has been featured in it.
DeleteSoz, it was the archery practise that strengthened the muscles.
ReplyDeleteI miss my archery. Grrr.
DeleteI see that the Archers Academics, or whatever it is called, will still take place be it on-line only.
ReplyDeleteGG - Are you taking part again?
I will be "attending" it Miriam, but not doing a paper or anything. Really looking forward to it - 3 days of something different!
DeleteI’ve also signed up Gary, I enjoyed last year and as you say it’s something different, although I’ll probably be getting on with other bits and pieces as I listen.
ReplyDeleteMany of you enjoy jigsaws on this blog. I wondered if you’ve looked at this website. Theyorkshirejigsawstore.co.uk
ReplyDeleteI’ve been to the shop before. It’s fantastic. It deals a lot online and ships all round the world.
I’ve just been having a browse. There are some lovely jigsaws by the firm galison and piatnik, unusual ones.
Worth taking a look to support a small shop rather than Amazon for a change I think.
Thanks , just ordered my great niece and nephew some, excellent selection for children, dont do them myself !!!
DeleteThanks for the suggestion PtbY. As soon as I have a permanent address I'll order one. We are still waiting for our new house to be finished and, 2 weeks ago I had to move from my temporary flat to another temporary accomodation. The house was supposed to be completed a year ago. The hope is now for Easter.
ReplyDeleteHere in Italy we are behind G.B. as we are just vaccinating over 80s. The 70s (my age group) should be getting theirs in April. I always enjoy reading news from you and has helped to keep my spirits up everytime we have had yet another delay.
The last time I visited my daughter and sister in England was October 2019. Thank goodness for Skype.
I bought a jigsaw from the garden centre. It was not a brand I knew. It was not good quality and when finished had a piece missing. Turned out to be cheap Chinese sh*t.
ReplyDeleteThat’s why I started browsing the Yorkshire jigsaw store.
Now the decision is....which one to choose? 🤔
Oh PtbY, I’ve just bought one of those from eBay. The listing showed 2 alternative pictures and I chose the one of Paris with the Eiffel Tower. Cost £8.99, free postage.
DeleteWhen it arrived on Saturday in was in a tiny box with no picture on the lid. Just said it was a jigsaw. Inside was a tiny (less than postcard sized) picture. You’d need a magnifying glass to pick out the details! The pieces themselves were tiny and very thin card with the alphabet on the back (why?). Impossible to see details of very poor photograph.
As you say, Far Eastern tat. Complaint and demand for refund duly sent. First time I have ever had a poor jigsaw from eBay and shall make sure the box is pictured in future.
I didn’t know the Archers Academics was going online this year. Could somebody give me the link please? I really enjoyed watching some of the sessions, especially one in particular !
ReplyDeleteEnough of the heart symbol, Valentines Day (and grandson’s birthday) are over.
ReplyDeleteTime to look forward to Spring and daffodils!
👍🍓🥬🥦🥒🌶🍅🥔🥕🌹🌼🌷👩🌾(All the things I plan to grow this summer!)
DeleteArcherphile https://www.tickettailor.com/events/academicarchers/456161
ReplyDeleteI won't be joiniing in I'm afraid as I think the ticket price is too much for an online event. I have joined a couple of virtual tours of places but the prices have been much more modest.
I am as happy as a dog with two tails this morning due to an email I received. I think I have mentioned my main hobby (apart from Scouts and the cricket club) is Family History. It's something I do online, and not just to see if I am related to someone famous! Being totally in love with History I like to see where they lived and how they lived too.
Anyway I 'met' online through Ancestry.uk a distant cousin who is Canadian living in Toronto. My great grandfather and his great grandfather were brothers living in Dartford. We have corresponded for about ten years and he sent me a photo of my great grandfather which he had as his family collected photos of the family whilst in Canada. His father was in the RN and was posted, with his family, to Canada for some War work in 1940. Bruce was born two weeks after they landed. His mother must have been some lady as she already had five children, then crossing the Atlantic, heavily pregnant in 1940!
Note to self! Get to the point woman!!!!
Bruce stopped messaging and doing anything on his online family tree nearly two years ago. I sent messages and even emailed a seafarers' museum where he worked as a volunteer but nothing. This morning I got an email from him! He became seriously ill, lost the ability to walk and after months in hospital and now in a care home he is beginning to catch up. Unfortunately he says he 'lost' his computer and all his old documents and photos. Presumably 'family' either siblings or children (possibly estranged because he never mentions them) cleared his house out. I have offered all electronic files for him to work on his tree.
I was so happy. It's silly I know because I have never met the man but to think for the past two years that he'd probably died and then his name pops up in the inbox! Well I can't say how happy that made me!
Feet on the ground now! Almost all the snow has gone due to the rain which has returned! Warmer today and no need to immediately turn the heating back on...... yet!
No Cubs tonight as it's half term so a free evening. Son and his fiancee recovered well from Covid. Jon still healthy. So glad it's the one son interested in history, quizzes and sport who is looking after me (although I dearly love all my children equally of course!)
Now to do today's chores, mostly from the armchair... order bird food, book blood test... watch the cricket (Haha!), check seeds and bulbs for when I can get into the garden, hopefully next week.
Have a good day/week everyone.
Spicy
Keep on wagging your tails Spicy!
DeleteThe week long cold spell is coming to an end, when I only went out in the afternoon, in a down jacket, snow boots and with a hiking stick or two. I hope to take my shopping trolley out tomorrow, so I can buy more food.
ReplyDeleteMelting here too Basia, we will get a weeks worth of post today and tomorrow I shall be back out on my trike.
DeleteGood news Spicey. I wont be able to garden for a while yet, we need at least 2 weeks without rain as the ground is .
Yes indeed. I said to Jon who is taking his last annual leave for this year (March-Feb) next week) that he may be able to mow the lawns! 'Fat chance.' was his reply. 'It's much too wet!'
DeleteI'm hoping to be able to work on the pots and containers though. My garlic is, and has been all winter, growing nicely! Need to check on the winter sown sweat peas too.Hope they have survived. I didn't cover the Camellias either but two of them look healthy, from the sitting room window!
Basia I haven't even been out to even the patio because of the cold. If I get too cold I feel so ill so am careful to keep comfortably warm as much as possible. Can't believe I used to 'Winter Camp' only a few years ago!
Spiceycushion -
ReplyDeleteYour comment to self in your History post ..... do not apologise for failing to get to the point.
The journey is the tale.... will arrive at destination in due course.
"The Works " do very good 1000 piece jigsaws for £6:99
ReplyDeleteThanks for that recommendation LanJan.
DeleteUpdate on my naff jigsaw from eBay - just had email offering full refund and no need to return it. This one won’t be going to a charity shop but into the bin.
Result!
Spicy - thanks for link to Archers Academics. Didnt know you had to pay for online coverage - last year we were invited to make a donation. Will have a look but might have to think twice.
ReplyDeleteThis week's trains have arrived at their stations:
ReplyDelete10. Gives access to a home county = Surrey Quays (London Overground)
11. Othello’s entrance = Moorgate
12. This station is falling down = London Bridge
I hope you all enjoyed the clues.
Parsley, LanJan & Sarnia, have you kept up your 100% streak?
I think we had 4 bloggers chasing you on 8/9 so your lead is tight!
Gary, have you made up any ground this week?
The trains will next be stopping at:
13. Toolmaker
14. Get off the train and take the car
15. ‘Elementary, my dear Watson’
Have fun!
10/12 Owias you gave us a clue to look at the overground and though I worked at Canary Wharf (didn't last long!) I didn't get no10. 15 is easy, will have to look at the map for the other two.
DeleteYes !
DeleteEven I am able to get 15:
Agree Basia it's easy, but of course we might be wrong.
We didn't get 10. As Sherlock fans we have got 15 but not the other 2 yet.
DeleteWhat a Great Day Today.
ReplyDeleteThe sun has been shining and so much warmer, but it is still far too wet, to try and attack the garden.
I sorted my HMRC tax code for the upcoming year, out, which is due to changes made.
What a surprise this morning, when I found on my doormat, that letter, with the blue NHS logo on the envelope
Within 20mins of opening it, 2 jab appointments booked - the 1st on Saturday morning and the 2nd on May 13th.
It is just comforting to know, that it is now actually happening.
I am going to the mass hub, at Chester Racecourse. This is fine for me, as I know how to get there via side streets so avoiding very many major road works. Also it has a plenty of parking.
It helps to keep things feeling more positive.
🤗 👏🏻 🤗 👏🏻 Miriam so pleased for you.
DeleteThat's great news Miriam.
DeleteGot all last weeks.
ReplyDeleteGot all this weeks!!!
👍👏😁
DeleteHow I wish I could join in with the brilliant Underground Quiz.
ReplyDeleteI Haven't a Clue, but am enjoying, and in total admiration, just how knowledgeable others are.👍
All my answers are:-
DeleteMornigton Crescent.
Sorry OWiaS, garden transformation now in full swing. I hadn't appreciated how much would be down to me in terms of supervising technical details, co-ordinating delivery times and compiling plant lists, on top of managing budgets and juggling overspends arising from communication glitches. This gardener's work is absolutely superb, but he never writes anything down and his memory is like a sieve, so I have to be careful that I'm getting exactly what I want and not what he thought I'd asked for!
ReplyDeleteNo space left on the old 'hard-drive' for focussing on underground stations I'm afraid.
It sounds a wonderful project.
DeleteLike it, Miriam, (5.04) you soon picked that up!
ReplyDeleteMy garden Will happen, but not sure when. I need to sort so much out, but I am not doing this,until after Lockdown ends.
ReplyDeleteI haven't food for a while!
Tonights meal, is a casserole, slow cooking, Highland Beef (from freezer) with onions, mushrooms, butter beans, red wine, orange zest + juice,with beef stock and herbs.
To be served with mashed potatoes, cauli, carrots + green beans. Hope it is ready for 7.00pm!
Sounds great! Any pud? 🤣
DeleteOWiaS I didn’t get Surrey Quays - thought it might be Old Kent Road but that’s not on the underground. So 10/12. Must do better!
ReplyDeleteNope I didn't get Surrey keys either. Got Moorgate (having taught Othello several times!) and of course I used to sing all nursery rhymes to my children. I am working on this week's!
ReplyDeletePaul Merton to present Just a Minute, I like him, but have time to decide to listen or not.
ReplyDeleteI like Paul Merton too, but I'm not so sure he will be such a good chair.
DeleteI only got 12 last week so score now 9 out of 12. So far have two of this week’s both without looking at map! Working on the third!
ReplyDeleteI just don't have the right brain skills.
ReplyDeleteHave trawled the map and checked some possibilities... but zilch !
Congrats to those who can.
And PTbY - well !
It has been really good to get outside today. I’ve started pruning viticella clematis and roses. It’s fairly easy to see what you are doing while foliage has died down but I know it won’t be long before everything is growing again. It will be good if you can get into your garden again soon Spicy. My garlic I planted before Christmas is growing - it seemed funny to see the leaves pushing through the snow. I also planted some Solent wight and Tuscany bulbs in January but it was too wet in the ground so I’ve put them in modules ( as Carol Klein suggests). I bought the bulbs from the Garlic farm on the IOW. Do you know it Ev?
ReplyDeleteHappy gardening everyone.
Yes, I have been to the garlic farm. It is on a narrow bit of road in the middle of the island. They sell an assortment of garlic produce, expensive but very nice. Tonight we had our vegetarian meal which included island made halloumi which is frequently used by James Martin. Our island soft white is a dead ringer for French Brie but of course can’t be called that! There is a herd of Jersey cows who provide lovely creamy milk to make all manner of nice things!
DeleteWe had sun today which was quite warm and a big change from last week. Am hoping to get out in the garden. I have two troughs that Katy had made from wooden pellets and want to try strawberries in them. At present my strawberry bed doesn’t get enough sun and the fruit is not sweet enough. I have to fill them with compost and also top up the spaces left out in the new patio. Buddy has quite taken to it as a toilet!! He has expensive tastes!! I had a nice surprise today, flowers, chocolates and prosecco from M & S. Katy thought I needed cheering up as have been feeling tired and a bit low. I love her to bits!😊
Sorry to go back to my naff Chinese jigsaw, but I was just about to throw the thing into recycling when I stopped to read the side of the box. This is what is says:
ReplyDelete“Warning:
This product must not contact the fire source. Products of small parts do not put entrance in order to avoid eating, not for 36 months. The following children. please use care in the adult. Bo demolition package, please put away baby bag. Where children and children to prevent suffocation. This pack contains important words, please keep.
Made in China”
I haven’t stopped laughing at the attempted English. I sent a photo via WhatsApp to my son, who replied “ the only accurate words on the box are ‘made in China’ but they are not necessary as it’s obvious!
Oh Archerphile you have made my day.
Delete✔️✔️✔️Not so clever, these Chinese!! Chinese New Year is upon us. I was born in the year of the rat and Mike was an Ox. Apparently very compatible and we were married for over 40 years. In contrast in our culture, I am Taurus and he was Leo and never the Twain should meet! I prefer the Chinese version. Anyway, Kung Hai Fat Choi - Happy New Year! After over 2 years in HK, the only Chinese I know!
DeleteSlipping... 11 out of 12.😖😉!
ReplyDeleteI thought no. 10 was Kentish Town and I had no. 11 as Acton (Act One). Must work harder on the next three.
ReplyDeleteLove the Chinese ' no speak '
ReplyDeleteA good laugh at the end of the day.
Thank you Archerphile.
Oh No, no, no, no, no!
ReplyDeleteI have just read that the new host of Countdown is going to be.......Anne Robinson.
Can’t stand the woman, so rude and combative. We will probably stop watching one of our favourite programmes which has been the accompaniment of our afternoon cup of tea since it first started with Richard Whitely over 30 years ago.
And it needs a man as the host to complement the dual experts Susie Dent and Rachel Riley.
Sorry to be controversial but I don’t think an all-woman team is going to work.
I know it’s silly to make a fuss about aTV quiz, but we are both very unhappy about this decision.
I don't watch Countdown but agree with you about Ann Robinson, I'm not a fan.
Delete