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Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
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*** FROM PREVIOUS BLOG ***
ReplyDeleteparsley - 16March 18, 2021 at 8:48 AM
GG, currently we have a nationwide curfew 6pm - 6am, weekend lockdown for certain areas Inc. Dunkerque, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes coastline & Pas de Calais dépt. Castex is due to make his weekly announcements at 6pm, almost certainly weekend lockdown coming for Paris, Île de France & Hauts de France région.
parsley - 16March 18, 2021 at 9:00 AM
We remain v vigilant, even here in the back of beyond... heard this week that an ex-colleague is suffering quite badly from the S African variant, he picked it up away in Brive, he lives 20mins away.
Archerphile - March 18, 2021 at 9:09 AM
Looks as though some of us might have a delay in getting jabbed.
I am wondering if it will affect people due for second doses and how long the gap between. Vaccinations cam be.
We had the Pfizer vaccine, which I don’t think is affected by Ursula von der Leyen’s ban on exports to Britain (how dare she?!) , but those waiting for their second OAZ may have a longer wait.
Cheshire Cheese - March 18, 2021 at 9:51 AM
I thought it was the Pfizer ones made in Belgium that Ursula Von Der Leyen was going to prevent the export of.
Archerphile - March 18, 2021 at 10:01 AM
Not entirely sure CC. Apparently there is a delay in getting OAZ vaccines from India too.
Lady R - March 18, 2021 at 12:12 PM
Dr Sarah Jarvis said this morning that those with a second appointment would be honoured so if that is the case that makes it ok for me on April 23rd with AZ. However yourselves (and in particular Mr R and 4 other older friends all Pfizer) did not get dates but I hope they do get their second jabs before me as the older ones should be first as before imo.
We will see.....
Lady R - March 18, 2021 at 12:15 PM
Archerphile did you read that “The Hampshire Court Hotel” completed 50,000 jabs recently ⭐️ and Matt Hancock did a special thank you as all set up and run by the A31 group practices and some Basingstoke ones as well I would think?
Janice - March 18, 2021 at 10:45 AM
Cheshire Cheese I liked your memory of your mum making chips. My job when little was to pat them dry with the tea towel. Nowadays I do the quick and easy thing and use oven chips.
Getting lost with your doll's pram must have been very frightening, for you and your poor parents. I had a disaster with my doll's pram once. Our village was tiny so no chance of getting lost, but it has a little very narrow circular lane at its centre. For some unknown reason I decided to carry dolly home and left the pushchair by the hedge on a corner. Soon after the bread delivery man appeared at the door carrying my squashed pram. He had run it over. He was a nice man and I can still remember how sorry he was.
Oh Ho! Is that CC in the photo above. What a pretty little girl. Good choice Gary.
ReplyDeleteCheshire Cheese - thanks!
ReplyDeleteI had completely forgotten about my dad making chips EXACTLY as your mum did.
Chips..... I learned the same procedure from my mother in law at her restaurant.
DeleteLady R- yes we are wondering about our second Pfizer jabs as we weren’t given an appointment at the time of the first ones.
ReplyDeleteBut I think I heard on TV this morning that stocks of Pfizer will be reserved for second jabs rather than given to new patients as their first one.
And I was delighted that Boris himself praised the GP Groups in Hampshire for getting so many vaccinations done so quickly. We are very lucky.
Definitely not me in the photo Archerfile, my hair was very curly!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet picture at the top Gary.
ReplyDeleteHow funny CC that you preferred to stay at the police station and stroke the dog! Your mum must have been so relieved.
Love the photo. The blonde little girl, is an image of me, as a youngster at about the same age.
ReplyDeleteNow, for some reason, I am a curly top - with fast changing hair colour to silver (not grey 😉).
Typical. I changed my CH programme, a few days ago back to the summer schedule.
ReplyDeleteNow it has gone colder again!
I had just settled down to watch The Repair Shop, to find a Covid up-date.
ReplyDeleteThis is very important and necessary re the vaccines, which I appreciate. But why not just do a condensed version, a bit later on....before the 6.00pm news, so only Pointless is affected, which has already been put onto BBC2.
Although very relevant, I do have to ask why is this now the major BBC1 viewing, at this time?
Many will still be working - be it in a home office, on a kitchen table, or under the stairs!
Mum's, if also not still working, will be looking after kids, not long home from school, and preparing a family evening meal.
So who is the targent audience?
I will look at the BBC news app later, or perhaps watch the evening news, to learn what the main abd vital points are.
DeleteMiriam, don't forget that there are millions of people who are furloughed and are NOT working from home!
DeleteI am posting this here, rather than the other page, which I have just read and enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteI am very familier with the Mystery Plays.
My nearest town Chester, does these every 5 years. The next cycle is due in 2023, so will hopefully avoid this current situation.
I have been to Omeramangau (sorry as to spelling), but purely as a tourist. It was a year of no production. I was still fascinated seeing the theatre + stage, where it takes place, over many hours.
I hadn't realised that then, but doubt that this is still the same now, any-one with tickets, had to stay in the village for 3 nights.
This is like the opera in Verona, a wonderful event but with no comfort!
PS Don't forget to do the Census this weekend, so avoiding the £1000 fine 😆
ReplyDeleteThe results this year, will be very interesting and meaningful, as all are in the UK are in lockdown of varying degrees.
It will give a true situation.
I will do mine tomorrow, as things will not change in 2 days!
Our census is postponed til next year.
DeleteAnd Miriam, you'll be amused to hear that it has been so warm and sunny up here in Glasgow that I have actually got sunburn! Been out on my bike again and last night we sat in the garden til midnight. Feeling very chipper today!
I heard that Edinburgh had a temperature of 19C today, which is amazing!
DeleteToo chilly to garden down here today, disappointingly.
We measured 22C yesterday!
DeletePhew! Wot a scorcher!
DeleteThe child wielding the scissors is reminiscent of my younger daughter, who used to remove chunks of her older sister’s hair, but using her hands, ouch!, she’s now a barber and rather more accomplished.
ReplyDeleteOh dear Covid becoming rife again in Europe! Must continue monitoring lockdown here very carefully indeed and hopefully keep travel abroad tight even later in the year.
ReplyDeleteParsley into full lockdown from tonight? Please keep us in touch with all that is happening there.
Will you now get your “cancelled” jabs?
It's like - 2 steps forward, 1 step back - at the moment.
DeleteI am not sure I how will feel, if + when, normality finally returns.
I think I will embrace it in one way, but also be still very wary, in another way.
I, for one, will still be happy to wear a mask, in certain situations, but not with family..
I am still hopeful for a massive meal with all, and a fun day together.
Besides, I still have a full-size Christmas Pud.made in Nov.2020, to be eaten!
Ooh I can just smell that pudding Miriam 😉
DeleteWales should be playing France, in the RU 6 Nations Championship tomorrow, but will they all be safe?
ReplyDeleteForgot to say - in Paris
DeleteIs sport really worth it?
Scary I’d say and as going into lockdown tonight will be cancelled surely 🤔
DeleteAah. The Repair Shop.
ReplyDeleteThe experts are so brilliant, but why do I often end up with, slightly damp eyes?
Ditto Miriam this show just gets more and more amazing 👏🏻
DeleteI have looked through my latest holiday brochures, which ended up on the doormat, this week..
ReplyDeleteI am so tempted with my heart, but then my head takes over!
I will wait, before doing anything rash.
As I have said previously, I would love to travel and see family in Norfolk, Suffolk Essex, Leeds, before going farther afield.
Not forgetting family close by, who I can see on a daily visit, with perhaps a "sleep over" ..
DeleteWe had kept "rolling over" a booking for Tinkerbelle in the Cairngorms, and are blooming delighted that the last dates we picked were for April 26th, which is the very day that you are allowed to start staying at self-catering accommodation in Scotland. Cannot wait.
DeleteAnother day of very warm sunshine up here, got loads of things done in the garden. Emptied the greenhouse and power-washed it down, got tons of seeds planted and did some weeding. Also dug over and seeded a brand new wildflower bed! Busy, busy, busy....
ReplyDeleteMe too Gary. It was sunny here today & not so cold. So I completely renovated our alpine bed & rockery, chucking out all the old overgrown leggy stuff & planting new sedums, aubretia, lavender, dianthus and house leeks. A top dressing with tiny gravel and it all looks lovely now.
DeleteBut the best bit was opening our compost bin & finding it full of beautiful dark crumbly compost, almost good enough to eat! (Well, it looks a bit like Christmas Cake, crumbled up). Mr A dug it all into a new bed where we shall, hopefully, be growing lots of dahlias this year. A very satisfying afternoon!
Well it’s been damp and dull in the midlands - no sun at all. I envy you your compost AP. It sounds delicious. I’m sowing some borage and comfrey seeds in shady places hoping to make some fertiliser from the leaves next year. I love dahlias but grow them in pots now because of the slugs. I keep meaning to treat the soil with nematodes first and plant them in the border - I think they grow taller and stronger in the ground.
ReplyDeleteThe slugs have a field day on our dahlias each year. Doesn't seem to bother them; they still put on a beautiful show later in the season.
Delete(The plants that is. Mind you, the slugs might also be accomplished thespians for all I know.)
🪴🐛😂
DeleteI spent yesterday morning in the garden and what a tonic it was.
ReplyDeleteI still have the bags of well rotted manure we dug up from a large mound at a local stables last autumn but I won't be going there any more so will make do with adding comfrey to the compost heap.
Soz,I am sure you know that nettles make an excellent fertiliser too .
ReplyDeleteI love all your gardening news!
DeleteLanjan yes I had heard about nettles and I don’t know why I haven’t used them - I have an abundant supply!
DeleteSomeone I know puts lots of nettles in a rain barrel and uses the water as a liquid feed for her plants.
DeleteGlad you were able to get out into the garden Lanjan.
I like Richard Osman's House of Games as you know and yesterday learnt an interesting fact. One of the questions was:
ReplyDeleteWhich UK tourist attraction had the most paying visitors in 2017?
I was surprised by the answer and wonder if any of you know. On the programme it was a multiple choice question but I will leave you without any hints and will give the answer in a couple of days in case any of you want to have a think!
My immediate response is Tower of London.
DeleteIn summer when you can't drive through the village without running over tourists it feels like it should be Castle Island but I doubt very much it is!
DeleteBarnard Castle
DeleteYes I watched that too Hilary and was surprised but realised that it would be the correct answer because as far as I knew none of the participants came from that area of the Country so would not have given that as their false answer)
ReplyDelete(None watchers won't know what I mean by that)
One blogger will be delighted.!
Re your last sentence, Lanjan, that's why I posted it!
Delete😀Hilary
DeleteIt had to be outside London.
ReplyDeleteWell, now I'm confused. Having no idea, I ggogled the question. According to Discover England's list, it's definitely in London. Unless someone's stolen it and no-one has noticed
Delete; )
Sorry I meant excluding London.
DeleteAt Christmas, the Radio Times was offering two quiz books for two tokens from the magazine, plus £2.99 for postage.
ReplyDeleteThey arrived yesterday, ( delayed because I had forgotten to put expiry day on my credit card details!!)
One was The Only Connect Quiz book, the other Richard Osman’s House of Games book.
I have been skimming through them. All of the questions from the first few series of House of Games are there, so I shall be seeing how many I can answer.
The Only Connect book has all the walls, missing vowels rounds as well as the connections rounds and explanation of lateral thinking needed to solve the puzzles.
Just wish we had had these books last year to help while away Lockdown!
Only Connect and House of Games are my two favourite programmes, Archerphile!
DeleteFor those of you who like cryptic crosswords, there is an interesting article on the BBC website today entitled "Cryptic Crosswords: a British obsession" (or similar).
ReplyDeleteI will look it up. I could never quite understand why my lovely mum in law liked them so much.
DeleteThere are so many nice things that have been recommended on this blog. I particularly like the Repair shop.
My daughter has got me watching the Snowpiercer with her on catch up, and I find it totally terrifying. She can't understand it as I like murder mysteries (Midsomer Murders, Death in Paradise, and Agatha Christie type things), but I think the difference is that the mysteries are like a puzzle you have to solve and are so improbable they don't seem real whereas a Snowpiercer type scenario could be a real possibility. I find it heartening that in this pandemic so many people have helped others.
OWIAS ( ignore everyone else as this might, or might not considering how I was floundering in the Atlantic and missing Waterloo, be a spoiler).
ReplyDeleteIn having a read back I have only just found your comment of 17th March so:
Mansion House, Manor House, Swiss Cottage ( a nice holiday home perhaps), Boston Manor (ditto), Crystal Palace ( well why can't I be a princess with crystal shoes living in a crystal palace?), Baron's Court ( especially if he was kind and handsome😉) and maybe Plaistow (a place to play in!)
I'm rereading the blog while waiting for the courier to collect my test for the Imperial College study. I was one of the random people approached to take part. I recall some of you did it or similar earlier. I had my tonsils out as a child so could only rub along the throat - difficult to do without gagging!
DeleteJanice, answers come out on Monday, I'll reply then : )
DeleteWe're not in full lockdown, over in the SW of the country, it's mainly most of the NE, including Paris & île de France. Cue mad rush yesterday by Parisians try to make a getaway.
ReplyDeleteThe curfew is being put back to 7pm.
Re vaccinations, just waiting for the call! Shouldn't be too long 🤞🤞
Let's hope it's soon.
DeleteGG.
ReplyDeleteI am so envious of you, but in a very nice way.
The Tinkerbell booking will actually happen at long last. I am pleaed for you both.
Sunshine - as it is still fairly cold, gloomy with me - can you send me some?
PS GG I am not calling you Sunshine, I was just refering to that orb in the sky 😂
DeleteI am a believer in fate.
ReplyDeleteIn Nov.2019, a niece + Hubbie, moved from London into an Essex village.
She gave birth to their first daughter in January, just as Covid was hitting the head-lines.
I have seen today, some lovely photos of them all, walking around their village location and appreciating their country living.
They were lucky, as if things had been delayed, then these photos would be a family in a London suburb.
As said - fate took a hand.
That's nice, Miriam.
DeleteLanJan.
ReplyDeleteI thought of you the other day, regarding a post you made on March 14th 2020.
This was along the lines of:-
How awful the Premiership League has been postponed.
As a result, the bottle of Arran Malt Whiskey (a Mothering Sunday pressie) was about to be opened, along with marzipan fruits, plus a big bag of broken biscuits! The Lenten Fast was about not to happen.
I am still confused, where the bag of broken biscuits came from!
LJ - I hope you are doing well.
I only posted these memories from you, as thought it might bring a different memory.
I hope I did right.
DeleteI do get things wrongs often, so if this is one of those times, I am sorry 😣
Miriam, you are right about my not giving up anything for Lent last year.
ReplyDeleteAt the time I remember thinking that I would postpone my Lent until things got back on track .!
Broken biscuits?
Brilliant value from Iceland.
Most are not broken and there are chocolate ones too.
Delighted though that the Premiership football matches resumed last year
I haven't given up anything this year either but there may still be time
Whilst I am impressed about your noting something that happened a year ago I am surprised tgat you haven't mentioned something that was posted earlier today!
I did my Census today.
ReplyDeleteSo much for saying it would only take 10 mins, it was more like 20 mins. This was done by some-one, in the easiest situation, that is a retired, single homeowner, with no other residents.
Still, it has been submitted.
Strangely, I can't remember the 2011 census. This must have been done as a paper version, but I can't recall it.
DeleteWhat I didn't like was putting so many personal details, on-line..
DeleteI know it is meant to be a 100% secure site, but Hackers are so skillful, these days. It just worries me.
I remember, a few years ago, getting an e-mail from my bank (supposedly), that my mortgage application had been approved.
Panic set in, but was sorted and proven fraudulant. It was not nice at the time.
Hence, why I am wary.
Also did our Census today Miriam I found it much quicker than a paper version. However our details were probably much simpler especially under education. I had to smile as I had none to list but when it came to listing work was able to enter yes I had managed staff and was an M&S Supervisor/store relief manager holding the licence. I doubt this could happen these days!
DeleteThe one I found hardest to answer was to put into hours time supporting Mr R as you don’t really think of it in such terms which I sent in the feedback form.
Miriam
ReplyDeletePlease read earlier posts!
I now know the answer! I thought it might be Yorkshire but you’ve given it away Lanjan😊Hope you are still 100% on the underground quiz.
DeleteI nearly always read back.
DeleteThis time, on reading back twice now, I am not sure what I have missed!
Please enlighten me..
I am intrigued, as to what I have done wrong, yet again.. 😣
DeleteI will learn eventually..but when??
You have done nothing wrong ,Miriam but there is a clue in something someone has written just after 10 am this morning which will lead you to learn something (or maybe it is something you already knew ) which you will be pleased about!
ReplyDeleteBlame the Old Woman.
She has got us interested in quizzes.
Yes Soz ,I am still on 100% !
A bad night, as my electric power is very poor, for some reason.
ReplyDeleteIt took twice as long to cook my evening meal, in a much lower light and TV is not working properly.
That's me - the radio is my entertainment tonight, plus what I have subscribed to and need to catch up with - eg The Alex Affair. I am still a few episodes behind.
All other nearby houses, street lights etc. also seem a bit darker..
This is via 'phone which is fully charged.
Delete🐓🐓🐓🇨🇵🇨🇵🇨🇵
ReplyDeleteThat was AMAZING!
DeleteBonkers!!
DeleteUm? Have I missed something here?
DeleteAh, rugby. No wonder I was in the dark!
DeleteWell, plan B was certainly more entertaining than plan A...
DeleteGood to see the French win. Good game!
DeleteSorry Parsley, can’t agree! As an almost lifelong supporter of Welsh Rugby (my hero: J.P.R.Williams) I was devastated that they just missed out on the 6 Nations Grand Slam
Deleteand of course, so we’re my Son-in- Law and Welsh/English grandsons.
But, good game, good game, as Bruce Forsyth used to say!
🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴
Just catching up with today's posts.
ReplyDeleteFlummoxed by quite a few, but when I read the one about the tourist attraction I thought - Chester Zoo.
Don't know why, a sheer guess, but LanJans hint to Miriam might be confirmation.
Help!
ReplyDeleteCan someone tell this 75 year old, lifelong cook and Cordon Bleu course attendee, how to make a decent Toad in the Hole, or even Yorkshire pudding, come to that?
I tried again, for the umpteenth time last night.
Again, I ended up with 6 good quality sausages sitting in a solid stodgy, un-risen batter which needed steak knives to cut through!
I have an electric fan oven but used top & bottom heating in case the fan was the problem.
I actually got out my old cookbook and followed the recipe to the letter.
I used a metal pan, had the oven at 220C, waited until the fat was smoking before pouring the batter in but it didn’t instantly sizzle and just sat there for 40 minutes, sulking and refusing to rise!
Any hints or tips would be greatly appreciated, especially by Mr A.
All I can think of is to make the batter and let it stand but not in the fridge. Keep at room temperature. As you said it is important to make sure the fat is very hot and that there isn’t too much of it. When making Yorkshire’s I just put a small knob of fat in each section of the muffin tins. Lately though I have found it easier to buy them especially with the gluten free which can be tricky! I had a bit of success with them and they rose beautifully but the base was a bit chewy! The recipe used part cornflour and this may help with your problem.
DeleteMy mum used to make cracking YP and sponges she was a fantastic “beater” and got loads of air into both and the taste was yummy. I used to make them but not for a long time now 🤣
DeleteI did let the batter stand but in the fridge so that might be the problem’.
DeleteI used a small
Knob of lard on the tin in case using oil was the problem.
What I’d really like is someone to come and make Toad in the Hole in MY kitchen using MY oven and equipment!. Then I might find out where I’m going wrong!
Could it be the batch of flour? Otherwise transport Miriam!
DeleteDon’t think so Soz, this has happened all my cooking life!
DeleteI find half milk /half water works for me. My friend makes Yorkshires by using a cup method - i.e. 1 teacup full of flour, the same cup full of milk, then filled again with eggs. It can seem like a lot of eggs, but they turn out huge and delicious. My daughter uses this method now for Toad in the Hole, she said it never fails.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds interesting Mistral, I’ll definitely try it and report back.
DeleteLovely, hope it works :)
DeleteTake comfort Archerphile, I can't do batters either.
ReplyDeleteI don't even try sponges, cos I know they would fail.
Well that’s very comforting Mrs P. I can do pancakes OK, if I have to, but not anything that is supposed to rise!
DeleteI’m not good at cakes. Katy used to call them Mum’s cow pats! I’m a wiz with pastry though!
DeleteSorry can't help Archerfile, we only ever make a batter on Shrove Tuesday for pancakes.
ReplyDeleteOn the front cover of this week's New Scientist it says "How to think yourself younger". I wish I'd read the article before I did all the gardening that I've done over the last couple of days, I'm certainly feeling my age!
ReplyDeleteTesting 😡
ReplyDeleteWell. I've completed the census form. Found it straightforward although it probably took more than 10 minutes - forgot to time it. Happily, the questions I didn't want to answer were voluntary anyway. I consider my sexuality/gender identity to be nobody's business but mine!
ReplyDeleteHere I am again - I hope! Archerphile Google “should I keep my YP batter in the fridge before cooking” answer to that question and others all there. Flip 2-3 mins at the end of cooking to dry out bottoms for crunch etc. 🤞🏼 now.
ReplyDeleteHurrah 👏🏻
ReplyDelete🤷♀️ Trying again Lanjan I was pleased to read you had your spirits lifted by spending time in your garden recently. Does next doors 🐈 still come daily to sit on your bench with you and your puss?
ReplyDelete(Hope the necessary affairs you need to sort are progressing smoothly)
I have tried toad in the hole numerous times. The pudding rises round the edges but remains a soggy lump in the middle. My other problem is trying to persuade it to leave the tin!!!! Not managed yet!!!
ReplyDeleteDon’t tell any other Yorkshire person, I’ll be excommunicated!!!!
I can't help with batters, be they for Yorkshires or Pancakes, as it impossible to make these, for just one person.
ReplyDeleteI cheat these days, as buy frozen YP batters, which are in individual foil containers (from some one whose names begin with Aun×× Bxxxxx). One of these can be cooked from frozen, and is enough for me, not quite the same,but still tasty. This is frozen raw batter, to then be cooked.
I always remember that YP batter, which is just eggs, milk and flour, had to be refrigerated for as long as possible, even overnight.
I hate toad-in-the hole now, much as I love YP + sausages - but not together. This probabley comes down to, this was a very staple meal as a child, and I just no longer enjoy it. My taste only.
I still love sausages, and always use good meaty ones, such as Cumberland. These are turned into many different types of casseroles, pasta sauces, plus in a herby, cider sauce, then served with rice, pasta or a baked potatoe.
Miriam, I don’t think you need to worry about advertising on here, if you mean Aunt Bessie, feel free to say so.
DeleteI use her individual YPs too, because of being useless at them !
As for sausages, my favourites are Toulouse (not unsurprisingly,) which I use to make a sort of Cassoulet, as had when visiting family in France.
They are very garlicky, so better in a casserole than just grilled. I do them with thick pieces of smoked bacon, onions and butterbeans or or other white beans in a rich sauce, put in casserole, cooked for 45 mins. 10 mins before serving I remove the lid and put hunks of baguette with cheese on top, left until the cheese melts and edges of bread crisp up.
Then I try to convince myself we are back down in Toulouse or Carcassonne at some little street cafe with the family!
That sounds delicious.
DeleteI am a massive fan of beans + garlic!
I often put garlic/herb/butter pieces of a baguette, on top of a stew, spag.bol or chilli.
Just NO cheese for me 😭
Butterbeans are my favourite in a sausage casserole.
DeleteI have just found the YP used.
ReplyDeleteIt is:-
4oz plain flour
4 eggs (not sure what size now, but medium or large)
1/2 pint full fat milk.
Mix the eggs slowly into the flour, then add the milk gradually, to get a smooth batter. Give it a bit of a slow whisk, until bubbles appear on top, then refrigirate for as long as possible.
Heat oil, fat in a pan in oven at Gas mark 7, until smoking.
If making Toad in Hole, add sausages at this time, toss just to brown.
Add in the batter (after a quick gentle stir) and good for 25mins. Turn gas down to No.5 for 10-15 mins, to crisp up the bottom.
This is obviously an old recipe, and not sure if it will work the same, in our modern fan ovens.
It seems that turning the heat down towards the end of cooking, will help prevent a "soggy bottom".
Not sure if this will help, or not.
Typo...meant cook for 25mins, not good.
DeleteNow that is interesting, both you and Mistral are suggesting using more eggs than I do, and my Yorkshire puddings are always a bit hit and miss. I will try more eggs next time and see what happens.
DeleteAs to my electric problem, last night, there was a large power cut in an area, just 6 miles away as the crow flies. All the surrounding areas, suffered a lack of power supply - which obviously affected me, surprisingly.
ReplyDeleteThis seems to be ongoing, but not as bad, so far.
The TV problem was, that I have two ampliers to boost my digital ariel signal, one on the ariel itself, the other, inside, powered by the electricity supply. As the power was low, this didn't give the boost needed, so bad TV reception.
DeleteI enjoyed my radio programmes though..
Cheshire Cheese - butterbeans in a casserole of beef or venison, with red wine, stock, mushriooms, herbs, with orange rind + juice- is just delicious.
ReplyDeleteI add beans to everything.
My favourite is a Sainsbury's own brand one - mixed pulses in water. It is a good mix and bulks meat up, so very economical.
Venison from Lyme Park - I hope you can get this again, later on this year.
DeleteI buy my venison from a lovely butchers in Chester Market, when in season.
Hopefully, after my 2nd vaccine in May, I will go into Chester again and feel confident to do so, using the Park + Ride bus. This would be for the 1st time since 2019!
DeleteWell, like Ev I make a very good short crust pastry, and I do excellent pancakes.
DeleteI do put pulses and beans in my casserole but would never have the chutzpah to call them a cassoulet.
Something surprising and good has happened to me today.
I just want to share that it's happened but cannot say what it is for fear of jinxing the results.
I don't want to be mysterious but if the thoughts battering my head at the moment transpire into something very useful it would be wonderful.
And thank you all for being there and enabling me to tell.
🤞for you Mrs P
DeleteI hope it's what I think it could be, but whatever it is I too am keeping my fingers crossed for you.
DeleteMiriam you may have left the blog by now for today , but if not .........
ReplyDeleteFirst Hilary and then Mrs P mentioned CHESTER ZOO.
Admittedly Hilary didn't actually mention it by name but I gave a clue as did she.
Please read other people's comments .
Again I seem to being put down and picked on.
DeleteI do read others comments, which I so very enjoy.
I have not renewed my Chester Zoo membership yet.
This is due to Lockdown and how things will be, when it opens again. This will also coincide with the schoo May half-term and summer holidays, I can wait, rather than be in a still socially distanced place with limits. I will renew my membership, when I know I will get the full benefit.
As such I have given a massive donation, 10x more than my yearly membership fee.
As much as I yearn to visit again, I want to do this My Way.. and I can be patient.
Miriam, I’m really worried that you feel picked on. I think everyone is excited that Chester Zoo may be the most visited attraction according to a poll and just want to share that with you. You shouldn’t feel you are a victim all the time
DeleteExactly,Ev.
DeleteI believe that Hilary mentioned it as I did because we thought it would please you.
How on earth you can feel put down and picked on beats me.
Quite honestly I have more things to concern me at the moment than whether you are upset by the mention of something we thought you would be pleased about.
I won't waste my time in future .
Sorry Ev,
DeleteIt was to Miriam to whom I was directing the bulk of my post .
Reading it back I see I didn't mention that.
Indeed you have, LanJan and I am surprised but very pleased that you still find time to post your thoughts here.
DeleteHopefully, corresponding with your Archersfan friends is being of some comfort at the moment.
Unfortunately, one of our number is extremely thin skinned and constantly seems to feel she is being picked on.
It’s not at all true but can be very irritating and frustrating for the rest of us.
But please don’t let it put you off from keeping in touch and joining in the general conversation.
I’m sure we all value your contributions and are thinking of you at moment when you must have so many other matters to occupy you.
My first sentence above was agreeing that you have so many more things to be concerned about Lanjan, in case it didn’t read right!
DeleteTo be fair, the start of the conversation was rather cryptic. Hilary asked, 'Which UK tourist attraction had the most paying visitors in 2017?'
DeleteNow, unless Miriam read this and immediately guessed 'Chester Zoo', how would she have known the comment was addressed to her? The answer could have been 'Winchester Cathedral', which would have pleased me, or 'Edinburgh Castle', which might have pleased Gary.
Yes, the answer was finally given, and I expect Miriam is pleased. But until then, the thread was a trifle confusing (unless you resort to google for the answers, like a certain Old Woman did ...).
I'm really enjoying 'The secret life of the Zoo' (ie, Chester Zoo), More 4, Freeview channel 18, every evening at 5.55pm. I've never been interested in zoos, mostly because on the whole I'm not that keen on animals and I haven't I had access to one , but watching this programme I can be fascinated without having to endure the smell!
ReplyDeleteFunny. You should mention the smell of animals Sarnia..... I'm laughing as I write this...
ReplyDeleteBecause when walking Lady this early evening ( and it was a fantastic still yet very clear evening, could see the Malvern hills so clearly ) she found a whippet she was keen to involve in play, he didn't want to but we walked with him and his mum and she and I shared chat about animals, and their smell, and how much we loved the smell of our animals. Me quoting my daughter' your dogs stink Mum ' - me ' yes, they stink of DOG'
Sarnia, on the whole, animal lovers prefer the smell of animals to humans.
However I take your point about the delights of watching the animals at the zoo without the smell if you find it distasteful.
I'm really sorry that it's been necessary yet again to point out to Miriam that posts written specifically for her benefit to show that she is included, and that others on here are thinking of her and sympathising with her, have again pierced her very thin skin and been misinterpreted yet again.
Get over yourself Miriam !
I’m sorry but Miriam appears to be an attention seeker playing one of life’s victims to me.
ReplyDeleteIf you do read back Miriam, please just post normally like the rest of us.
Don’t get a huff on, you bring these comments on yourself.
I’m putting my head firmly above the parapet here and what I say may well be unpopular and thought to be unkind, could even have me drummed out of the blogs, but:
DeleteI am getting fed up with constantly having to be careful about what I post in case it offends or upsets Miriam. This tendency to keep apologising for her views and take umbrage about so many different things is becoming very wearing and, quite frankly, is putting me off continuing with these blogs, as are the dozens of little short posts about nothing in particular, which seem to be written simply for something to say.
I appreciate that as a person living on her own, lockdown has been particularly difficult and that she uses this blog as a means of ‘talking’ to virtual friends. I have tried to be understanding and friendly but my patience is pushed to the limit.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this, and the last two or three posts cause Miriam to declare she is being picked on and is leaving again. But as has happened before, after a little reflection she will probably return, hopefully less inclined to read things into posts that are not there and stop thinking we are all against her.
Apologies to Gary for being so open and critical with this post. I realise what I have written is not nice but I couldn’t go on any longer with the status quo when so many of our members have much more to cope with than these little mis-perceived slights.
If you, or anyone else feels I should leave the blogs I will do so without complaint.
If you Gary, or anyone else feels I should leave I will do so
Our dogs have to go to the groomer every 6 - 8 weeks so get the full shampoo treatment. The boys don’t like smelling good but we like to have a good sniff then! Gypsy needs a bath every week mainly to keep her skin comfortable but being an elderly dog she does emit a lived in odour sometimes! I like their smell but not particularly when they’re wet!
ReplyDeleteI don't know any of you personally. I only know what you choose to reveal on this blog.
ReplyDeleteI don't your mental health history, I don't know if you have ASD or are neuro-typical, I don't know how you were all treated as children, I don't know if you had an older sibling who always did better than you, I don't know if you've always been put down by others, I don't know how lonely it is to spend most of a year without another person's company.
I do know how it feels not to fit in to a group, how not to be confident of saying the right things, how to fear my contributions will not be appreciated or interesting to others, how to worry and fret about some minor slip-up.
Sometimes people say things on here that irritate or annoy me. Generally I bite my tongue and remind myself that things said in writing can sound differently from things said in person, and that responses I might make to an individual are not helpful to say on a public forum.
Yes, Miriam, you apologise too much. You frequently feel the need to remind us that your comments are just your own opinions and may not be shared by the rest of the forum. *We all just share our own opinions which may not be shared by others*. Your opinions are as valuable as everybody else's and need no apology.
But if I kept being picked up for saying the wrong thing or not saying the right thing, and if I had no-one on hand to dust me down and help me get things back in proportion, I suspect I would get apologetic and timid too.
So, may I suggest that Miriam, you *please* stop apologising (DON'T feel you need to apologise to this post!). Before you write anything, remind yourself 'My opinions are valid, my opinions are interesting.'
And may the rest of us remember to cut each other some slack. Blog etiquette is not written in stone, and if someone doesn't respond in the way you expect, just ask yourself if it *really* matters.
Our life-boat is precious. Let's not squabble or someone might get knocked overboard.
I was going to make a comment but you have put what I wanted to say so much better than I would have done OWIAS.
DeleteOf course you must not leave the blog,Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteSome people just don't think before they write things .
Some people are not interested in other folk but just want to talk about themselves
I have decided to ignore those comments now.
Last night ,just before I wrote my piece and I was quietly watching television ,I had a phone call from the sister of a friend who told me that the period between the death of a person and the funeral was very bad and that of course I wasn't used to living alone!
Several people have asked me if I am going to move to be nearer my younger son.
Some people just don't think.
You are definitely not in that category Archerphile.
I have found most of the comments on the blog to be very kind and helpful .
They are helping to keep me going.
Iam now looking forward to answering the old woman's final quiz questions.
I want to keep my 100% accuracy score intact!
And I am sure you will Lanjan!
DeleteArcherphile and Lanjan - Please don't leave the blog! I heartedly agree with you.
ReplyDeleteI agreed with OWIAS, and so have just sped through those who don't live up to my standards! The take down is that some mention made be made of cakes etc which I have not been made aware of, but that's the rub.
PtbY - I wholeheartedly agree with you.
So for the great postings in the great company of the The Archers and whatever the postings create, be it gardening, recipes etc I am forever in debt to you!
(Please excuse postings and misspellings. I have taken 25 minutes to write this and I may not have had the effort to re-read this!)
By the way I have had six bouquets of flowers and 28 get well cards so am at least popular!
Wow, Spicy! 6 bouquets and 28 cards! How lovely! You certainly are a popular lady! And if you count our virtual messages on this blog it comes to even more! 💐
DeletePlus, continual good wishes from all of us here. If I had your email or home address you would have had a huge bouquet, a cornucopia of fruit and a handmade card from me too.
DeleteAs it is you have my love and concern, so please carry on getting better each day.
Spicy, may your popularity continue as it has always done with your family and friends and all of us.
DeleteI just glanced at the comments and they seem to be there to reassure Miriam, again.
ReplyDeleteI will read the rest now.
I'm now agitated and upset as I sometimes avoid the blog for reasons only known to myself and would not seek attention to be reassured.
DeleteI look forward to the quiz results.
Archerphile, Lanjan and Spicy, please continue and the same goes for you Miriam.
Virtual hug to Basia.
DeleteI hope your agitation has calmed now.
I am really looking forward to the answers this week as I am wondering if my reading of Des Res was completely up the creek.
ReplyDeleteBe gentle with yourself Lanjan. Sometimes adrenalin keeps you going until the funeral, and then it hits you afterwards.
My lovely daughter in law from the Philippines doesn't always "get" the nuances of the English language, she takes the words literally, and it has occurred to me several times in the past that maybe Miriam can't always pick up on the intended meaning.
Oops ! Just realised it is now 11.15 and I was supposed to be collecting a friend at 11 from the garage where she had to leave her car!
DeleteTesting
ReplyDeleteSo the tourist attraction with the most paying visitors in 2017 was Chester Zoo! It had 1,900,000 ( one million nine hundred thousand!!) visitors! I must google to find out how that compares to Stonehenge, The Tower of London, etc.
ReplyDeleteStonehenge: 1,000,000
DeleteTower of London: 2,000,000
Eiffel Tower: 7,000,000
True, La Tour Eiffel is certainly outside London!
DeleteI added the Eiffel Tower just out of interest but the question referred to the UK.well done Mrs P!
DeleteWell, my paving is finished and C is cutting the curved edges to the planting beds. I have a small forest in pots waiting to be planted later in the week, 'spouting lion' is due to arrive this afternoon - and yet.........while having breakfast on the terrace I was watching a little cat playing in the wilderness that is the garden of the rented house next door (through a hole in the neglected fence) and found myself grieving for my own, rather larger wilderness now blotted out with all these expensive contrivances I've had put in place. I know this will pass once the new, 'manageable' wilderness is in place, but still... ...
ReplyDeleteToo much thinking! Go and get on with that washing.
DeleteI’m sure you will be happy with the final result, Sarnia. If you’re like me every time you make a change you wonder what HE would think about it! I was out in the garden yesterday and there were a few white feathers around so maybe he does approve! I’m not sure what he would think of my rainbow walls indoors or that I now have 3 little dogs! The main thing is I am happy with everything and you will be too once it’s all finished!
DeleteOh, I know what HE would think of it - I just don't go there! I'm more bothered about how much of the real world underneath has been obliterated for my human requirements - but as you say, I'll get over it , probably before it's finished.
DeleteSarnia, just sit back and enjoy, any qualms you may have, remember, nature always wins.
DeleteChester Zoo is one of our my favourite places. I was taken there as a child, took my own children and the grandchildren always want to go when they visit (goodness knows when that will be again). It has been interesting to see how it has evolved over the decades as we have got wiser to the welfare of the animals and the loss of diversity on the planet.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoy watching The Secret Life of the Zoo, it was the antics of the orangutans on that programme that made choose them when I joined the zoo's animal adoption scheme.
Whenever I hear of orangutans I always think of the Librarian aat the Unseen University.
DeleteJust don't call him a monkey!
OWiaS, I'm afraid you've lost me.
DeleteSarnia, it is a reference to the wonderful Discworld featured in many novels by the late, great Terry Pratchett.
DeleteThe librarian is an orangutan. (I could be wrong, but I think he was previously a wizard, transformed by an experiment that went wrong - OWiaS, please correct me if I am wrong).
Yes indeed Zoetrope. I think it might have been possible to turn him back to being a wizard, but he found that long arms and being able to climb easily up to the top shelves was very useful for a librarian.
DeleteOWAIS thank you for your well thought and balanced post. I hope everyone reads it thinks about what you have written.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right to say that we don’t know what really goes on in others lives or how they have got to this point.
This blog is generally a friendly and kind place and I hope it continues as such.
Tickets please!
ReplyDelete25. Four-cornered philosopher = Russell Square
26. Des res (2 possibilities) = Manor House & Mansion House 1 point each, but see next post
27. Seasonal messenger = Angel
Keep left:
28. Canonical tree
29. The doll is able
30. Babar and Babara
Two of my favourites this week : )
Only 2 1/3 weeks to go. (Thanks to Janice I've added a clue. I shall see if I can find another 2 so we can stick to 3 a week.)
How did you all do? Still on 100% LanJan?
I missed one lot due to peak-time chaos, so didn't realise you'd posted them until I saw the answers, but I'm still 100% otherwise. Last three - what a giggle!
Delete26. Des res (2 possibilities) = Manor House & Mansion House
ReplyDeleteJanice also suggested
Swiss Cottage ( a nice holiday home perhaps),
Boston Manor (ditto),
Crystal Palace ( well why can't I be a princess with crystal shoes living in a crystal palace?),
((Because the shoes fall off at midnight. Besides, they cause bunions.))
Baron's Court ( especially if he was kind and handsome😉)
and maybe Plaistow (a place to play in!)
Swiss Cottage is disqualified because it has already appeared - at number 9.
The others are all very clever so I'll give you a bonus point, Janice.
I can see I shall have to refine the clue before I next use the quiz.
I hearby propose Janice to come up with the next quiz when this one ends 😊
Yaaay a bonus point, and as our points score is dismal we need it!
DeleteOh blast, I got none, so 19/27. Well, I'll tell you what I came up with: Hyde Park Corner (it has four), Sloane Square and Heron Quays. Still, I enjoyed the ride.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you Owias, I'm much calmer now and will try to do better next time.
DeleteYes,Old Woman I am still on 100% and I have got number 30 which I think is a brilliant clue.
ReplyDeleteWell done Lanjan!
DeleteI have 27 and 30 may be...
Just got 29 too.
ReplyDeleteMay have 28 but am not too sure .
The episode of the Secret Life of The Zoo, when the oranguatans (a mother + offspring) escaped from their new enclosure, was so funny.
ReplyDeleteThey played with gloves, a fire blanket, an extinguisher or similar. Sadly this enclosure was destroyed by that very unfortunate fire, so went back to the previous habitat. Sadly, due to covid restrictions with limited numbers plus social distancing, the wait to see them was about 40 mins. I was not prepared to do this.
They are now back in their new location.
After a surgery visit, a few weeks ago, I then went then a drive. I passed the zoo on a main road, and glanced over.
I pulled into a side road, parked and walked back.
Standing on the pavement on a main road, I could see a few oranguatans playing up high, helped by the fact that the gates into a maintenance area, were open, which is where I stood + watched, but didn't cross the line.
I do my weekly shop on a Tuesday morning.
ReplyDeleteAs such, knowing what is in the freezer and 'fridge, I have loosely done a weekly meal plan, and so written my shopping list, accordingly.
I do this as it suits me, and just hate waste, so try to prevent this.
I have just realised that, the clocks change this weekend. Also Easter is then a week later.
ReplyDeleteIt is so sad that another Easter Weekend, will be spent again, in a lockdown situation, so no family meet ups.
But we can survive this, be it in whatever way, we choose to do so.
I am starting to feel very alone and isolated, but this feeling will soon pass, of that I am sure.
My Pusscat, is now an elderly one, so sleeps nearly all day long. She does pounce onto me, on me waking up for "cuddles + hugs".
DeleteAt least she is still with me, and my home would not be the same, without her prescence.
I am sure puss 🐈 cat is a great comfort Miriam I can recall that just stroking that silky fur and hearing a purr was so relaxing. May yours make a very old age, I had one until she was 21yrs.
DeleteLanjan does your neighbours cat still call by and sit on your bench with you each day?
Tommorow is the anniversary of the start of the first natonsal Lockdown
ReplyDeleteAt that time I felt releaved, but a year on, things are still not much better.
Yes, we have vaccines, which seem to be effective at the moment but will this continue with the many variants?
There is still social distancing, not being able to meet and hug family members, wearing masks and having to still stay at home.
At least, there is progress, but not as I expected.
At least, I am still here and be able to give my thoughts.
There are many, who can no longer do this, and my thoughts are with their families.
It still seems surreal at times doesn’t it Miriam and not knowing when a new normal can commence can be disheartening. My 95 yr old relative who liked to pop into town once or twice a week says she is alive but not living. She has her garden but doing that is very weather dependent for her now and although she is by nature a tough child of her generation she finds it does give her some very down days.
DeleteStill no doubt like the song “We shall overcome”🤗
It has certainly been a weird year, horrible for many.
ReplyDeleteAt least the days are now longer than the nights although I always resent the clocks going forward and stealing some of my lie-in.
Miriam have your neighbours settled in now. I trust they are quieter than their predecessors.
I agree about losing the hour KP 😴 😂
DeleteThank you OWIAS for more clues. I got 25 and 27 right but for 26 I guessed Earls Court or Barons Court. Now to work on 28 and 29. I think I have 30.
ReplyDeleteLady R,Sasha cat still comes for her bonding sessions on the bonding bench.
ReplyDeletePercy now dashes there too and Poppy waddles slowly for her session.
When Mr LJ was in hospital Poppy slept in the bedroom waking me up at about 6:30am each day by tapping me softly.
She now has decided to sit on the settee instead ,most of the time.
She used to take herself off into the hall or another room where she could be alone.
Percy who used to ignore me ,now wants to sit on my knee all the time.
He is there now.
Percy was petrified of Sasha so Poppy would chase Sasha away for him
(He thanked Poppy by tapping her with his paw.)
Now both cats allow her to come into the house.
Each one of them is a great comfort.
Animals sense things.
My step daughter's dog followed her everywhere on the day Mr LJ died.
She even went into the bathroom when she had a shower ,a thing she had never done before
Lanjan you are absolutely right about animal intuition and I am so pleased to hear that Percy, Poppy and Sasha have all joined forces to ensure you are surrounded by their love and support and similarly your step - daughter by her dog. Thank you for such a fulsome reply. As you already know you are in all our thoughts.
DeleteLJ 💕
DeleteOWiAS, earlier post seems to have disappeared 🙄
ReplyDeleteGot all 3, also came up with Ruislip Manor, along with Mansion House, Baron's Court, etc etc
Onwards!
Got all 3 of the stations last week and this, with the aid of a list of stations though. Is that classed as cheating?
ReplyDelete