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My Thanksgiving Cacti in full flow.
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Life in Ambridge
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Nothing to do with the current story-line but rather cute
ArcherphileNovember 21, 2022 at 11:38 AM
ReplyDeleteWe had our first woodburner fire last night and it was lovely. Also very satisfying that the radiators were cold, thus indicating that the oil-fired boiler was off!
We heard in the Chancellors Autumn Statement that there would be help (£100, I think) for households reliant on oil for heating.
But I have no idea if we qualify or how, or who, to apply to. Have emailed our MP for information but nothing forthcoming yet.
Anyone else know,?
DELETE
Cheshire CheeseNovember 21, 2022 at 12:19 PM
We've been away visiting family this weekend. Currently on a horrible rainy journey up the M6.
REPLYDELETE
SarniaNovember 21, 2022 at 12:33 PM
Thanks, Esscee, (Nov14th 7.07)
My handbags are now neatly stowed in a tasteful habitat wicker basket which actually goes rather well with the sitting room decor
REPLYDELETE
ArcherphileNovember 21, 2022 at 12:49 PM
Oh, this is a real pain!
I am now having to ‘sign in with Google’ every time I want to leave a comment on either blog.
Which means I always have to have my phone with me because of the two-stage sign!
Progress??
REPLYDELETE
Lady RNovember 21, 2022 at 1:04 PM
AP you haven’t actioned the latest IOS update? I am leaving it alone at the moment as it states a
I think the flowers will be over by Xmas but it is giving me a lot of satisfaction at the moment
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful cactus KP, I have never seen one that colour before, it is outstanding.
ReplyDeleteHad a laugh yesterday. Big Sis + hubbie flew out to Dusseldorf early yesterday morning, for a winter break and enjoy the Christmas Markets. What was the 1st thing they did - find an Irish bar, so hubbie could watch the England match! I wouldn't have been that tolerant nor understanding.
ReplyDeleteLove the cactus picture, which so reminds me of some I have had in the past.
I must try and find one for this Christmas and I always treat myself to an amyrilus bulb to grow.
Interesting bulbs in the garden - newly planted tulips (in a tub) and mininature iris's, are now appearing above the soil. This seems far too early.
Went this morning to my favourite farm shop across the border, where my best buys were home grown potatoes and a freshly cut sprout tree/stalk for 99p, which was still wet. Can't get fresher than that.
Also the drive was beautiful, with the fantastic and vibrant autumn colours in the weak sun-shine.
It was a joy to behold 🍁🍁
To add:- this place has a butchers counter, who are local pork farmers. Got some gorgeous lean Belly of Pork, to make a recipe which my late Mum taught me how to do, so ecomical yet so tasty.
DeleteYes, Miriam, my grape hyacinths have also made an appearance. Planting bulbs is always a long, drawn-out process because I find the bending so exhausting. I'm afraid the crocuses and the last of the Tete a Tete only went out last week, so I'll just have to hope it wasn't too late. I lost quite a few last year, being unable to go out due to bronchitis. Fingers crossed this year.
ReplyDeleteI have irises and alliums still to go, but they are going to live in the greenhouse, so should be unaffected by weather.
Esscee, that was a brilliant idea. Pics have also pleased the sil, who I now know cannot resist a wicker basket!
I also planted a lot of new crocii and tète-a-tète bulbs, way back in October.I bet there will be no difference between yours and mine, when they flower.
DeleteAmaryllis and gladioli were the mil's favourite flowers. I'm afraid I still find them intimidating: hefty, tall and redintheface, just like her. I fear I may never be reconciled!
ReplyDeleteI love gladioli and have some lovely ones in my garden, giving height + colour at the back of a flower border.
DeleteIsn't it strange though, how flowers etc. relate to personal experiences and feelings of many kinds.
Perhaps others have similar tales to tell, as to plants and why they love or hate them.
For quite a few years after her death we used to visit the grave of my Scottish Nanny and Dad always took a bunch of gladioli. They are spectacular flowers but not my favourite. I can’t abide scented lilies as I find the smell overpowering and of course you need to remove the pesky brown things which contain the pollen or they stain everything. I think my favs are freesias which have a lovely scent. I also love bluebells and snowdrops which herald better weather to come! Primroses and daffs too!
ReplyDeleteRed pelargoniums remind me of happy summers spent in France. I like tulips because of their simple shape and variety of colours. Snowdrops always cheer me up as they herald the end of winter. Also love a carpet of bluebells in the spring.
ReplyDeleteJust noticed there is a Charles Paris mystery on Radio 4 (not 4Extra) today at 11.30. It is episode 3 of the series so need to catch up on first two parts. Not sure if this is. New story or repeats, more dedicated listeners will be able to tell
ReplyDeleteSorry for the late response Esscee but I meant to say that a peccary leather handbag was ,I assume the cheapest leather bag one could buy.
ReplyDeleteI may be wrong of course..
The peccary is a kind of pig and where the hairs came out of the skin there are tiny holes so the leather isn't smooth but it is tough.
Re wicker hampers.......
I love them.
I have several in the bedroom the largest contains the sheets .: another one contains the pillow cases: another letters : another cards I can't throw away
My handbags are in wicker baskets without lids in .a wardrobe
Am I the only one who loves containers with lids?
I prefer them to be rectangular but can be tin, cardboard or wood
or of course wicker
ReplyDeleteYour not alone LJ - sorting my ‘stuff’ today I’ve moved around many baskets, boxes with lids both square, rectangular and round, and my wicker containers of different sizes containing my needlework knitting and fabrics are too many to count.
DeleteHad a lovely evening out tonight, first for months
ReplyDeleteA classical concert at the Anvil - the famous violinist Maxim Vengarov playing Prokofiev violin concerto, sandwiched between the lovely Karelia Suite by Sibelius and Romeo and Juliet by Tchaikovsky. 🎶🎶
Sadly, many empty seats and average age of audience around 70. I suppose we are the only group that can afford concert tickets these days.
Good to hear Archerphile 🤗 🎻
DeleteDoes anyone else enjoy Foyle's War?
ReplyDeleteI really like Michael Kitchen .
It has been on ITV3 each night at 10pm recently so I have watched it the following evenings on Catch-up but the adverts they show are so awful.
There are these smiling ageing people being tipped out of their comfy chairs or helped on a mobility scooter whilst a smiling "Carer" stands watching but the worst thing is the voice of the person who is telling the viewer about these amazing aids.
Some/ most / possibly all adverts are really cringeworthy
Yes, and then there's the chap who leaps up off his stairlift seat with such alacrity that there's clearly no problem with his mobility.
DeleteYes I like Foyles War. Been watching old episodes on Iplayer recently.
DeleteAgree about the advertisements and the voices are as you say LJ, cringe worthy !
Found ‘ Don’t Look Now ‘ on IPlayer last night.
Wonderful to watch it again.
Yes Lanjan we recently watched all series of Foyles War a rewatch for Mr R and a first for me!
DeleteWe watched on itv Hub with no ads on any programmes - unless watching live of course and worth the few pounds per month for us to do this .
Someone recently wrote on line (tongue in cheek) I do wish the programmes would not interrupt the ads 🤣
Apart from going to concerts, I often switch into channel 82 (Freeview) and watch Talking Pictures TV. I love the old films starring the likes of Alistair Sim and Kenneth Moor, the old TV series like Gideons Way and especially Public Eye with Alfred Burke playing Frank Marker. Many if these were filmed in Eton, Windsor and Slough, my childhood home haunts and it’s lovely to see them all again, even in black and white!
DeleteAh interesting Archerphile will make a mental note of 82 freeview, thanks 🤗
Delete* JIGSAW LOVERS *
ReplyDeleteI am not one for "Black Friday" deals as such, but I came across one yesterday, which I thought I would pass on as it might be of interest to some.
Hobbeycraft have 1000piece jigsaws at half price, with free delivery for orders over £25 (approx 4 jigsaws). Most for home delivery are Ravensburger, Gibson and Eurographic makes.
I found 4 very easily, including one called Life in Lockdown, which looks like a fun, tongue-in-cheek, reminder of those awful times.
To add. I started a jigsaw today, the first time since I adopted my cat, Bonnie, 4 months ago now. She just sat + watched whilst I was sorting pieces out, as no idea what it was all about.
DeleteThis won't last for long though, as she is just a curious + a very mischievious cat so I am expecting her to join in soon! 🙀
Bless her 🐈⬛ ❤️🧩
DeleteShe's a pure delight, but so very different from any cat I've had before, due to her "wacky" character. Perhaps this is why we are so well matched...😂
DeleteThat's a nice site Miriam. I have already ordered the Christmas jigsaw presents from the Yorkshire jigsaw company, but there are a lot of other interesting things on the Hobbeycraft site. A nice place to browse.
DeleteI so enjoyed a TV programme last night - Inside The Tower of London - showing the Platinum Jubilee Day way back in June. It was glorious. Sadly next weeks one, will be the total opposite.
ReplyDeleteI was intrigued about the many beefeaters etc. seeing where they lived in The Tower and what went on.
Did any-one else see it?
No, not the programme, but I have been to the Tower on several occasions and the guards there are really expert at showing you every thing and telling all the stories about the place.
DeleteI shall have to see if I can find the Tower television programme.
DeleteI haven’t been to the Tower since the River of Poppies which was magnificent.
But I have been on many occasions during my life.
As a child I often visited my cousins who lived there, as my uncle, their father was a Yoeman of The Guard, a Beefeater.
At that time the importance for me was their dog, an Airedale.
Later, many decades later I worshiped in the chapel in the White Tower.
No eggs in Sainsburys yesterday! Thank goodness our little village shop gets them from a local farmer (used to be us, years ago) and daughter’s hens can spare us a few.
ReplyDeleteThe reasons given by supermarkets (bird flu, mainly) are simply not true
It’s because supermarkets won’t pay farmers a fair price for the eggs, considering how much the cost of producing them has risen this year.
Apart from the Co-oP who have pledged to meet producers increased cost and therefore guarantee stocks.
Also because many chicken farmers have been forced to close down due to the meanness of the big shops. Sainsburys apparently now importing Italian eggs but do we know what their production conditions are?
You are right Archerfile, the supermarkets were warned a while ago that there would be shortages if they refused to pay a realistic price. We get ours from our veg box farmer, he gets them from a producer down the road from his farm.
DeleteI can live without eggs, surprisingly...it just means I can't bake cakes, but that's OK as I can't be then be tempted. I equally enjoy tomatoes, baked beans or advocado on toast instead of eggs, with my bacon.
DeleteHas anyone else noticed that toilet rolls are getting smaller and don’t last as long as they did? We usually have Andrex and the last batch was noticeably smaller and also of poor quality much like the budget rolls we sometimes tried in the past!
ReplyDeleteRegarding eggs, we have supermarket orders delivered ever since covid and when ordering online I have found most are out of stock. It is interesting that this may be down to supermarkets not giving a fair price for them. The same has been true of milk in the past. The trouble is that farmers then need to find other outlets and having invested in facilities for high production the need is for bulk buying. An awful dilemma and the only way out may be to cut down on the number of birds and thus lose income, What a trap to be in! Supermarkets have a lot to answer for.
Ev are you talking multipack toilet rolls they appear to contain the rolls that you describe I have gone back to packs of 4 big fat rolls currently “Regina”
DeleteEggs M&S eggs are sourced from known farms and farmers not sure as to current in store availability though but they have always been tasty 🤗
I also buy so called "budget big rolls". These are not cheap + cheerful, far from it, as are of a really high quality. A pack of 4 big double rolls, is so economical in comparison to the market leading brands.
DeleteYes we do buy multipacks. Will try Regina! Katy gets them from Amazon and generally have been ok but suddenly have degenerated as above!
DeleteBut where else can you shop? Individual retailers are too expensive - our local butcher was charging £3 for a pork chop. He went out of business.
ReplyDeleteCome to think of it, the last loaf I bought from the local baker was twice the price of Sainsbury's and not nearly as nice. Didn't keep as well, either, which is important if you live alone and only shop once a week. I have a sliced loaf in the freezer, but it's very much a last resort - emergency rations only.
ReplyDeleteAn artisan baker has moved on from the weekly market to open a shop 4 days a week coinciding with my move here.
ReplyDeleteI love bread !
My weekly sour dough loaf is worth every penny of the £4.50 it costs.
Miriam you can make beautiful cakes with out the need for eggs.
ReplyDeleteSania Bread is one commodity that freezes well.
I now batch bake my bread and apart from the wonderful smell when it comes out of the oven there is no difference.
My bread making has now been perfected, thanks to your tips and advice. It works out so much cheaper and is so very tasty.
DeleteI don't mind not baking cakes, as I can always do flapjacks, like Jill 🤭
Mine will be eaten, not thrown.
Came across a 1kg bag of oats for 70p the other day. It is surprising what can be found on the bottom shelf in a supermarket!
DeleteSorry, cowgirl, I just can't bear the taste and texture of bread that's been in the freezer. I don't like precooked frozen meals either - they don't seem to taste of anything.
ReplyDeleteI batch cook and freeze portions. These taste just as good as when first prepared, but then it might depend on what is frozen. I only freeze the main meat portion eg mince, casseroles of many different types, chilli, spag. bol etc. All the veg. pasta, rice, pots etc. are always cooked fresh to go with it.
DeleteIt also depends on the ingredients, as I ways add a lot of extras when cooking. These can be, herbs, spices, tomatoes, worcestershire sauce, wine/cider, and whatever else I fancy chucking into the pot at that time.This might be why, things still taste as good as when frozen..don't know though.
DeleteLady R
ReplyDeleteYour comment on the Archers thread !
I never watched Last Tango when first broadcast but have watched - binged ! - the complete series earlier this year.
I am about to watch it all over again.
Can Sally Wainwright put a foot wrong do you think ?
Well I had a phone call medication review tho morning current meds discussed and then the cholesterol as talked about recently at an NHS review from when I started on BP tablet it was decided not to start both at once so now the time has come. Blood Test first so I phoned after lunch and here I am within the hour!! Pick up prescription when all clear given after blood test. I am reeling from the quickness of everything since my NHS review invitation particularly as a local village practice has closed meaning another 1000 patients here and at Mr R practice too. Wish could be the same for all ❤️
ReplyDeleteLady R - I am very tempted to move to Alton so we can get registered with your GP!
DeleteWhat a different story from my current situation with blood tests etc. I am currently having to take my own blood pressure 3 Times a day and send the results to the surgery via an email. But I was horrified to see how high it is! I very obviously need a change of medication and hope it will get sorted out on Wednesday when the GP phones to do the review. But it has all taken so long and is quite worrying.
Has anyone watched The English ?
ReplyDeleteI’ve watched all the episodes and would not dismiss it.
Some very strong characters and probably lovely scenery on a larger screen than my IPad - filmed in Spain - But ! I found the time frame jumbling backwards and forwards very confusing.
I would be interested in other opinions.
We are recording it Mrs P but haven't started watching yet. I'm not keen on dramas that go back and forth in time but we shall see.
DeleteMrs P I am watching it twice! I was raised up on TV programmes, back in the 1950, so I love the Wild West.
DeleteOne afternoon when I had nothing to do I watched the whole six programmes on my computer. It was fascinating but I didn't have much memory of the characters, what with my stroke and old age! So when they appeared in just one episode on a weekly basis I watched them with Jon, just one a week. It makes much better sense now. It's a lovely story.
We've been without water for most of today. I was about to have a moan about it this afternoon and then thought about what all those people in Ukraine are going through and counted my blessings.
ReplyDeleteA strange question.
ReplyDeleteHas any-one noticed, like me, that the electric power now seems less in the main hours of 4-7 pm?
I ask this, as my lights seem a lot dimmer and the veg takes a lot longer to cook on the electric hob.
Last night, I ate half cooked pots, cauli + sprouts, even though were cooked/timed as normal.
Tonight, the 3 bulbed standing light in the lounge, is nowhere near as bright as it usually is.
To add, many hours after this initial post, at 9.00pm everything suddenly got bright again, including the street lamps outside. It was so gloomy for hours.
DeleteIf it is a power saving exercise, to help prevent "blackouts" then I cannot complain...
Generally heavy usage during those hours being a drain on the resources, Miriam?
DeleteLan Jan - Haven't yet begun Foyle's War. I have an interest there as my friend was in an instalment filmed at Chatham Docks! These murder mysteries keep me going during the day!
ReplyDeleteSometimes we don't have me funeral plans and cremations at the moment for the adverts though!
Those particular ads make me see red Spicy and have been complained about for years to no avail of course 😡
DeleteWhenever there is a major sporting event on the TV schedules go awry. This is a nightmare for those of us who like to record programmes and watch them at a later date, this has the advantage that we can skip through the adverts. I try to keep on top of things but don't always manage. It's really frustrating to get half way through a series to find that I've recorded a sport event instead of the drama episode, especially if it's many months later and no longer on catch up.
ReplyDeleteIt must be frustrating for the Strictly contestants who have one day less to rehearse this week.
That was a Victoria Wood sketch CC, thinking one has recorded a favourite programme only to find half of it turns out to be a football match 😂🤣
DeleteOn our recording device you can opt to record a whole series & I think it then opens with any changes, I tend to leave it to Mr Nuts as I can normally catch up on something I want to watch within a few days while I’m exercising, which is the main time for watching whatever junk I’m into, in the evenings I watch whatever Mr Nuts prefers with varying degrees of engagement
DeleteFootball on both BBC 1 and2 this evening.
ReplyDeleteThe World Cup only takes place every four years and so I don't think we should get too bothered when a programme we particularly like is cancelled.
ReplyDeleteI have got the football on at the moment without the commentary .
It meant that I could 'phone Salisbury's (and be answered immediately )to complain that their idea of substitution is to replace a box of 40 pouches of cat food with one of 12!
Why not 3 or 4 boxes?
This is the second time this has happened.
I have now been issued with a voucher which has to be used before January.
Not missing anything in particular, just noted.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSorry again.
DeleteTried to delete post.
I meant post not poat
Was watching England score their third goal
I am watching the England v Wales match. It is the only football match I have seen/will see this year because football doesn’t interest me at all and I find this blanket coverage very annoying
ReplyDelete(Why can’t it all be consigned to one channel, leaving normal programmes alone - this goes for Wimbledon too!)
But having both Welsh and English sides to my family I feel obliged to watch and being a fierce Wales Rugby supporter I feel I should support them in football as well.
Sadly, they have just lost, but I was very pleased for Rashford and his 2 goals because he is an all-round splendid young man.
I'm not objecting to the sport being on TV Lanjan, I appreciate that a lot of people enjoy watching it. In this day and age they should be able to do it in such a way as not to disrupt other people's viewing of regular programmes or series. There are many other sport that cause this sort of disruption not just football.
ReplyDelete....and a lot more frequently than every four years!
ReplyDeleteHowever, real happiness is the two sets of black, Saxon spear top railings which arrived this morning ready for my new front fence in January. Goodbye decrepit, sagging, 50 yr old larchlap!
It's also the load of Japanese stepping stones due tomorrow or Thursday, for the woodland path past the summer house to the greenhouse. Lovely!
If only they would get on with re-wiring the house - the first estimate was pre-covid.
It's lovely to hear you getting so much pleasure from your garden Sarnia.
DeleteThank you, CC. I must admit that along with the pleasure and sense of achievement often goes a sense of being weighed down by the enormity of it all, especially the essential work to the house, which goes on and on not happening.
DeleteHave posted my latest on the wrong blog and then my apology posted twice! I promise I haven’t been drinking, well maybe a glass of wine with my meal and then a small Cointreau to reward myself for doing the washing up! 😉🍷🍸
ReplyDelete🤣😂 sounds good to me Ev.
DeleteIf I tried your approach Ev I'd be plastered - washing up breeds in this shoe at a rate totally out of proportion to the current number of inhabitants.
DeleteIt sounds like you have them well trained OWiaS if you actually have the dirty dishes available to wash. My dishes vanish into the garden, the field, upstairs, and don't reappear. When my daughter was younger, and before she had a car, she would roll out of bed at the last minute, grab a cup of tea and run off down the lane leaving the cup in the hedge at whatever point she finished drinking it, and then forget to retrieve it on the way home. My brother on occasion would appear holding a mug he had found amongst the hay bales in the shed.
DeleteI finally got my annual prescription review with the GP (albeit one I have never spoken to before) this morning. I had recorded my extremely high blood pressure readings and sent them to the surgery a few days ago by email, as requested, but she had not been given them. We therefore had to go through my whole medical history to put her in the picture.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime I had begun to wonder if the BP meter was accurate as it is quite old. One reading was 220/180!!! So I hurriedly bought a new meter and had taken two readings which were much more normal, thank goodness. So now I have to do another week of twice daily readings and send them to the surgery. Only this time I am going to do the 15 mile round trip and hand them in personally to ensure the Dr actually gets to see them. Then I might just get my new prescription revue!
Having heard the transcript of the conversation between the Queen’s lady in waiting and the charity lady who was repeatedly asked where she came from, I can’t help feeling some sympathy for the 83 year old lady. Her questions were continually sidetracked almost trapping her into making seemingly racist remarks. It would have been easy to say that her parents came to UK in the 1950’s and the family origins were in whatever part of Africa. It reminded me of meeting two young ladies of Asian origin in India. I asked where they came from and in a broad Scottish accent they said “Glasgow! “ I didn’t pursue it any farther and I think our lady shouldn’t have done so I don’t condone what she said but obviously the lady of colour had a bit of a chip on her shoulder so six of one half a dozen of the other!
ReplyDeleteI am having my kitchen gutted and redone in January and we are decamping, dogs and all, for the first week when it gets knocked out! Fortunately we have a utility room so a sink and microwave will be available during the second week as the new kitchen is installed! It will be a big upheaval but worth it in the end!😊
I think Lady Hussey went completely over the top in her questioning of the charity lady. Having seen a transcript of the conversation, she pursued her questions again and again and it should have been obvious, to a more sensitive person, that the charity lady did not want to give a full run down of her whole family history. She had been born and always lived in Britain.
DeleteLady Hussey was not satisfied until she finally exclaimed « Ah, now we have it, your are from the Caribbean ». I am very glad she has resigned her position. I am quite sure our late Queen would not have interrogated a guest like that!
I do agree, Archerfile but my point was that a more positive answer initially would have stopped the interrogation. Lady Hussey was wrong though to go into such depth. Sometimes further information is volunteered which is fine but she should have stopped at Hackney! I think if you are uncomfortable with a conversation bring it to an end rather than take umbrage.
DeleteI could go on arguing about the insensitivity of the questioner, and why it would have been difficult for the charity lady to shut down the questioning but I am just glad the Palace acted quickly and decisively over this.
DeleteWilliam (the lady’s godson) and Catherine have just started their tour of the USA and could do without this publicity. Also, Megan’s Netflix film is due to be released next week when she is expected to talk about racism and her experiences with theRoyal family. Never mind the book by Harry due out in January.
An incident like this could not have happened at a worse time.
Absolutely Archerphile more power now to Megan’s claim. So unfortunate this has happened especially as William & Kate are in America right now. Thank goodness our Queen passed when she did.
DeleteI find it strange when people aren't proud of their roots. I made the mistake when a student of asking another student where she came from, thinking I might get some interesting insights into another culture ( there were students who had come from abroad for education) She said "Liverpool" and luckily I had been on a coach trip there and was able to start talking about the place with her, but her ancestry remained a mystery.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Janice, my Dad came from Glasgow and Mum from Crawley Heath in the Black Country. My younger brother found that in both cases the families went back for many generations. If it had proved that any had come from abroad I would have been very happy with that. I feel that African roots are grand and they should be proud of that!
DeleteCradley Heath!
DeleteI don't see why pride in her roots should have been an issue. She was asked where she came from and the answer was Hackney. Straightforward enough, what's not to understand?
DeleteI find this lady's overbearing, colonial attitude astonishing - it's as if she'd just woken after 100 years and to th
Oops, pressed publish by mistake.
Delete....asleep for 100 years and can't adjust to what she finds.
I mentioned last week about a programme called Inside the Tower of London. There is another episode tomorrow night, Thursday Dec. 1st. on channel 5 at 8.00pm.
ReplyDeleteThis one will be so different from last weeks joyous Jubilee one, as it relates to the passing of our late Queen and the affects and happenings, at this sad time.
Just thought I would mention this, in case in might be of interest to some.
Off to watch the programme about Dumfries House and how it was bought, saved and restored.
I agree100% with what you wrote earlier Ev regarding the Lady Hussey situation.
ReplyDeleteI turned off radio 4 this morning because they were interviewing the woman of colour .
Why go on about it?
Lady R is an old lady trying to show an interest and unfortunately went too far.
Recently I had a ride in anUber taxi and noticed that the driver kept looking at the SatNav.
I asked him where he was from and he said "The Sudan."
When I said Imeant which part of London he laughed and replied "West Drayton"
I treated myself to an Uber last week when I had to go to Londonfor a dental appointment.
The journey took a hour and Ihad a lovely conversation with the driver.
I honestly can't remember what colour he was.
I only remember he came from near Southend .
Sorry but things have now gone too far
I love accents and often ask people where they come from but I realise I must watch my step in future in case I am brandished as "Racist"
Perhaps it feels different when you're on the receiving end, LanJan. My late husband could never understand why what he considered banter felt like bullying to other people.
ReplyDeleteRacism is a structural part of British Colonial history which continues to permeate many of out societal systems. One could argue that we in the uk are unconsciously racist, history has dictated our perception of other peoples. Lady H is an example of those hierarchical links to the past and how they have become embedded in our thinking.
ReplyDeleteIt’s this perception of the ‘other’ that builds on paranoia and sometimes fear that the ‘other will disturb our own perception of our historical vision of ourselves. Often this has culminated into seeing ‘other’ as inferior.or taking over our culture.
Colonialism has left the legacy of slavery and the displacement of many of their country and cultural heritage.
Viewing others as inferior led to the nazification of Germany and the Holocaust.
These perception haven’t gone away, racism still has an ugly head.
The thing is that anything anyone says nowadays can be twisted into it being racist to someone. People are offended by the slightest thing.
ReplyDeleteWe can’t change what has happened in the past, just learn from it. I object to these woke folk who vandalise statues etc.
Didn’t understand your post Stasia, too highbrow for me.
Poor old lass, fancy getting the sack at her age.
Lady H was not being racist. (Sorry Lady R I didn't mean you in my last post I did mean Lady H )
ReplyDeleteI don't consider that I am racist but I feel as I said earlier that things have gone too far.
I was not at the event but I do not for one moment think that Lady H was being racist.
She was just trying to be friendly.and as I said earlier ,apparently went too far.
I hope she enjoys her overdue retirement.
I have new neighbours.
The young woman is obviously Asian though her husband is not .
She told me that she was born in this Country but her parents were not.
I asked her whereabouts they came from and she told me quite happily.
Was I being racist?
A neighbour who has become a friend(she makes me Indian food which is great) was born in this Country .
In the past she was happy to tell me her parents background and how they came to be in this Country .
She has obviously never accused me of being racist
Like PtbY I I blame the woke Society who bend over backwards so as not to offend people of colour
(Incidentally ,why is that expression acceptable but "coloured" isn't.?)
I can be as blunt as the next person.
DeleteI don’t know what the job description of a LiW entails, have never had one myself.
My perception is that it is a position handed out by the nobility for the nobility. If the job is simply to meet and greet dignitaries, which I understand she has undertaken for many years, then she’s had a lot of experience of communicating with lots of different people.
She should have realised from the non verbal responses of the three present that she was,
A. Flogging a dead horse
B, consequently digging a hole for herself.
Perhaps she’d have been more useful as an assistant collecting the flowers from those willing to be obsequious twits.
If being Woke means fighting social injustice, inequalities, misogyny, racism etc.Then include me.
Then I wouldn’t go around flinging words unless I understood their origin and historical implications on behaviour.
What is woke?
ReplyDeleteIs it like in the summer when as the rest of my kind, I go the colour of an old fisherman and complete strangers keep telling me off because they assume I've been lying in the sun all day?
ReplyDeleteI have a mixed race great niece + nephew, who like their father, are all UK born + bred, and have lovely Hindu names.
ReplyDeleteSo as such, I hate any form of racism, but I do think that sometimes things said, are misinterprated.
PS Have done my civic duty, as have voted in the Parlamentary Bye-election, taking place today.
I feel that the Lady H episode should have known better. She presumably has seen sufficient meet & greet to know how to behave, I remember my mother gently chastising my late grandmother for talking in a similar way about 30 years ago. My mother would now have been a few years older than Lady H, so LadyH cannot be excused on account of her age. That said I feel the charity worker in question was being a tad over sensitive and could have responded differently at the time, her choice of words seemed slightly hyperbolic to me, but she did say in her interview that she had been taken aback by Lady H moving her hair to read her name badge and I know that I wouldn’t like someone invading my space like that. Without being there it is hard to judge.
ReplyDeleteSarnia, those people that tell you off are probably like me who go the colour of lobster & are just really jealous😖
Possibly so, but I find it intrusive and extremely annoying. I don't understand why they feel free to mention it, especially the year when the Mediterranean tan was acquired plodding up and down the road on crutches post-op. After the first few I answer in French.
DeleteOoh LANJAN you described me to a tea 🤣🤣🤣
ReplyDeleteTee of course, but then I am an old lady 😂 (not really!)
ReplyDeleteThank you to Mrs P?? (Haven't checked back to see if I am correct) for suggesting putting handbags into a basket.
ReplyDeleteI went shopping on Tuesday and went to my favourite Charity shop -furniture and household goods -no clothes and saw a nest of three lovely rectangular wicker baskets .
They were obviously new and had just been reduced by £10 to £15
I couldn't resist so am using the middle one for my handbags.
What a worry deciding what to do with the other two .!
LanJan
DeleteNo twasnt me that suggested handbags in baskets, BUT………. it did give me food for thought regarding my own baskets, of which there are many.
That was a good find tho’ three for £15. = a fiver each.
Just found the new ( and I believe the final Doc Marten on ITVX ) and watched ‘Jolene’ as the new head of the school.
Just scrolled back.
DeleteIt is Sarnia who has her handbags in a wicker basket.
Mine were in a basket in the bedroom but now are on show in my new find .
Thank you Sarnia.
Yes, I do now, LanJan, but the credit for the original idea belongs to Esscee on a previous blog, thread, or whatever the correct term should be
ReplyDeleteA final (?) comment on the Lady Hussey affair. I read that an eminent lawyer (think he was the Public Prosecutor in the North for many years). Mr Nazil Afzar, was also quizzed by Lady H on his arrival at Buckingham Palace, about his country of origin.
ReplyDeleteI shall say no more
Now all the best people store their handbag collections in wicker baskets. I sit and gaze at mine. It is aesthetically pleasing as well as useful.
ReplyDeleteFinal final?? comment re Lady H. Marlene Headley/ Ngozi Fulani turns up in African ethnic dress at Buckingham Palace and expects not to get asked where she came from ?!! Seems to me like a set up.
ReplyDeleteI note their charity is set up to help Caribbean and African women which excludes white,Asian women or other ethnic groups! Just an observation!
DeleteOh, Janice, can there be noone born in Hackney who is entitled to wear the tartan? I once met a Scottish piper in full regalia, from Montreal! Identity can be very complex.
DeleteStill think it's a set up Sarnia. It isn't the first time she has accused the royal family of racism.
DeleteCould be.
DeleteSo, just to get this right Janice. You are saying that this lady deliberately dressed up in National costume to provoke a racist incident at Buckingham Palace, just as Megan and Harry are doing something a bit similar in the States?
DeleteI just don’t believe it is all a plot against the Royal family!
I may have got your post wrong, if so, please forgive me.
I might not have put it quite like that but in essence no you didn't get me wrong. I think it is called race baiting. Look her up, find other things she has said, look at her tweets. She previously tweeted that Charles and Camilla had committed domestic violence re Meghan Markle, and yet she still turned up ( uninvited by the Palace but under the umbrella of another charity) knowing that Camilla was hosting the event. To turn up to an event when you had previously insulted the hostess is crass bad manners. We will have to agree to disagree on that one.
DeleteIt did seem somewhat of coincidence Janice considering what was due to be happening this week across the pond 🤔
DeleteI gather there are other similar organisations run by women of specific ethnicity.
ReplyDeleteI’ve seen everything now! Katy has presented the dogs with an advent calendar each with treats in every day! Buddy’s are ostrich flavoured and Dudley has turkey flavoured. On Christmas Day they get a whole packe t of gravy bones! My advent calendar has a different flavour gin in every day. Today I had rhubarb! Hers has a packet of crisps every day! So we are all happy!
ReplyDeleteI’m saying no more about Lady H!
What fantastic advent calendars all round Ev 🎄
DeleteI am about to listen to Any Questions on radio 4.
ReplyDeleteI suspect that all might not be as it seemed with reference to Lady H .
✔✔✔
DeleteI have a wine advent calendar and a scented tea light one. My daughter has a tea one & a chocolate truffle calendar. I think I enjoy the buildup more than the day. We generally keep Xmas day quite low key, just MrNuts, myself & our two daughters, (although we have my daughters girlfriend and one of their friends this year) I am one of 4 siblings but we all prefer our own hearth so family gatherings happen either before or after.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Janice .
ReplyDeleteI am convinced it was a set up .
How would anyone remember word for word what was said?
My final word on it.
I fancy your Advent Calendar ,Ev.
Mine is from Arran.
They make scented candles ,soaps etc.
Lovely
Yesterday it was soap and today was shower gel.
Archerfile I have put a reply at 10.46pm. We will have to agree to disagree. 🤗
ReplyDeleteJanice, thank you for the additional information. I admit I have never looked up anything about this woman, never had the need to. And I dont ‘tweet’ so cannot see what she has said there. From what you say, it seems that she may have been out to cause embarrassment or a controversy but even so, I still think the questioning went on too long ……if we can believe her report. I don’t know if there is any indépendant witness to the conversation.
DeleteSo I am prepared to amend my opinion in the light of your knowledge of this woman and will keep an eye on any future events she is involved in. Perhaps she is just a trouble maker after all!
However, Harry and Megan are a different case altogether and seem determined to cause embarrassment for their family.
What is English national dress?
ReplyDeleteThat's thought provoking Sarnia. Is there one? I like costume dramas and wonder if something from an earlier age might be appropriate. The Scots and Welsh have theirs. Our Cornish one has more recently become the black and gold tartan kilt, derived I think originally from fisherwomens plaid shawls but not worn much. In the Hidalgo Mexican Cornish and Yorke Peninsula Austalian Cornish festivals the costume worn is based on the old fashioned miners attire, and women wear the bal maidens gook bonnet. The Mexicans apparently make a very good Cornish pasty.
DeleteI wonder if the English national meal would be a roast beef dinner or fish and chips.
I just wondered. I've heard and read so much recently about English identity becoming submerged that I began to wonder how it is defined. I am not aware of a national costume; the traditional songs are no longer generally known and Morris dancing seems to be widely considered quaint but somehow a bit weird.
ReplyDeleteThe only two items I can think of that represent England are a flag and a football team .
Please show me how I'm wrong.
Empty rubber boats off the coast of Dover? : (
DeleteJanice this as mainly for you .....
ReplyDeleteI was so infuriated about Any Questions that I attempted to get onto Any Answers.
It takes ages to get answered but I wasn't selected.
That is fine but there was nobody who had the point of view that Lady H was not being racist.
All I wanted to say was that the Palace was a bit hasty ,that William should have said nothing until he knew the facts and that it was surprising that the woman in question was able to say word for word what was apparently said.
I
I don't know if true or not but it has been said she took a tape recorder in with her.
DeleteGood for you for trying. Time will tell.
I've just read the transcript (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63810468 - apparently recounted by Ms Fulani, no mention of a tape recorder.)
DeleteAt first Ms Fulani assumes she's asking 'What organisation are you from? - Sistah Space and then 'We're based in Hackney'.
So then it's 'No, what part of Africa are you from?'
Her answer? 'I don't know, they didn't leave any records.' - ie: it's several generations ago, and they probably didn't leave willingly. Surely the diplomatic response now is to recognise that the person does not wish to go into a long explanation of their family history and move on.
But no, the probing continues. Despite a clear assertation that Ms Fulani is British born and bred, Lady H says, 'Oh I can see I am going to have a challenge getting you to say where you're from'. Eventually she concludes, 'Oh, I knew we'd get there in the end, you're Caribbean!'
Summary, 'You're not white, you don't really belong here. Your future grandchildren may be third generation British born and bred, but they won't be white, they still won't really belong, and they will still be asked, 'Where are you really from?''
I think in Ms Fulani's situation I too would have felt bullied by this conversation.
A storm in a teacup? Not if you face similar conversations every day of your life.
And how many other people have been subjected to a similar grilling from Lady H but felt powerless to speak up?
I'm reminded of an old Punch cartoon: a very 'proper' and very white elderly English lady addressing a suitably diffident Asian lady in a sari, 'My family too are immigrants. *We* came over with William the Conqueror'.
Thank you, OWiaS, I have also read it. As I have said, it's the entitlement born of a sense of superiority that is so appalling. 'You are clearly not like me, therefore you must justify yourself', and she does get it all the time.
DeleteI'm struggling to imagine how I would feel if, as the CEO representing a registered charity at an official function, a complete stranger felt entitled to come up and start fiddling with my hair.
ReplyDeleteMuch the same way as when strangers feel entitled to chide me because my skin is not the same shade as theirs.
It's the sense of entitlement that gets up my nose.
( Just adding something different for a moment in case Parsley still reads the blog. Myself and daughter went to a Christmas concert performed by the Washaway Gallery choir this afternoon in a lovely old house, with carols from the 1800's, many being old Cornish tunes, and Christmas type readings, some very funny (e.g. The 12 days of Christmas alternatively known as the Everlasting Turkey). There were three accompanying musicians with clarinet, violin and, the one I thought Parsley might be interested in as she plays cello, the bass viol. I know the cello is of the violin family and the bass viol the viola family, but I found it fascinating that she was playing it in the underhand way that gallery choir musicians would have played it in the 1700's and 1800's. A real treat to listen to. )
ReplyDeleteJust been looking at Vermeer's music paintings of the 1600's because he has several with the " viola da gamba" / bass viol in them. I find it fascinating that the different ages can be linked by things like this. I had never seen one before and think it was an old one but what with the mince pies and punch I didn't get a chance to chat with the owner. Will stop rabbiting on now but I like old things and old customs.
DeleteFascinating, Janice. Thank you
DeleteEngland is the biggest and most diverse country of the four in UK. Regionally there are customs like the ‘obby ‘os in Cornwall and Well dressing in Derbyshire. We should be proud of the flag but it was high jacked by the extreme right and has become a symbol of them. It does appear on St George’s day at at big football tournaments but sadly that’s it! No national costume that I know of and even Morris dancing is thought to come from Moorish dancing which is why they sometimes blacken their faces. I am Scottish by birth and parentage, my Dad, but having been brought up in England, I for one am proud of her!
ReplyDeleteTesting
ReplyDeleteThe lack of a National Costume, lack of much celebration on St George’s Day and general lack of interest in being ‘English’ is one of the reasons I have always, since childhood, envied the Welsh and Scottish. (Also the fact that the St George’s flag has been hijacked by the far right which would make me reluctant to fly it)
ReplyDeleteThe Welsh and Scots are so proud of their countries, celebrate their saints days, fly their flags enthusiastically and wear their lovely national costumes with pride.
I would love to have been born in either of those countries, strongly support Wales in rugby, am proud of having half Wesh grandchildren and even started learning Welsh at one point.
I understand the Scots wanting indépendance and would happily have lived in either country.
Not quite sure what that says about me, perhaps it’s a feeling, considering my personal history, of not really belonging anywhere.
I had the feeling of not belonging as well with my parents coming from different parts of UK so grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins were in those parts too. No calling in on Granny on the way home from school! Although I spent nearly 20 years in Crewe it was never in my heart and I couldn’t wait to leave. My two brothers though both stayed there, younger brother having a short time in Manchester and then returning. Since then I travelled around with the Navy and lived in many places and now finally settled on the island. Agree about the lack of celebration on St George’s day. Many English people don’t even know when it is! Somehow there is no heart in England and .I’m not sure why.
DeleteArcherphile over 20 years ago when I was going to Australia to watch the Test Match I bought a large England flag ,and some red ribbon and started to sew the word " Lancashire" across it.
ReplyDeleteI didn't finish it before I went but on another occasion I lent it to someone who was travelling aboard to watch England.
It finally ended up with the son of one of the Lancashire players who was spending our winter playing for a team in Australia.
His mother recently sent me a photo of the flag which is unrecognisable as there are lots of signatures written on it.
I must admit when I was doing all that sewing I wished I supported Kent!
Not long ago ai had to say what nationalityI was.
I really can't remember why.
When I said "English" I was told I couldn't say that .
It had to be British.
That annoyed me . I assumed I had answered correctly but no..
I had apparently to say White British.
Sarnia ,please watch Nana Akua on U tube speaking about the incident to which you refer.
ReplyDeleteAs you might gather she is "a woman of colour" ..
She was excellent.
Couldn't understand a word she said, but she sounded very aggressive.
ReplyDeleteI was chuckling listening to Nana Akua. I thought she nailed it.
ReplyDeleteI’ve watched Nana Akua too on you tube. Totally agreed with her. What I can’t understand is why this Fulani woman was dressed as she was and used an African name, her name is Marlene Headley. Strikes me she provoked the whole thing, is blatantly anti royal and didn’t give a fig about that poor old lady who has now had to resign her post.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree!!!!!
DeleteI watched this a few days ago.
ReplyDeleteAgreed with everything she said.
Why Sarnia couldn’t understand her I don’t know.
She has a robust delivery with a London/South East accent.
I’m waiting to hear what transpires from MH / NF discussion with the Palace authorities.
DeleteShe speaks too fast.
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/BDWB3_45yPg
ReplyDeleteI’ve even watched this Nigel Farage clip and agree with him!
Interesting dividing lines being drawn here.
ReplyDeleteIt was good to see another lady of colour with a criticism of what transpired at the reception. I think charities who help those who suffer domestic abuse should be open to all no matter what the colour of their skin. To limit help to one or two ethnic groups is racist in itself. As Nana said, if the charity was only for white women there would be an outcry. Ostensibly a case of racist views, there are more holes in Marlene’s account than in a colander! I could go on but I won’t!!
ReplyDeleteWhatever the rights or wrongs of whatever occurred Lady H is not a poor old lady. She is rich aristocracy with an inbred sense of entitlement.
ReplyDeleteBecause we were poor and living below the breadline we had to go cap in hand to women like her for money for things like false teeth, only to be interrogated to the nth degree to make sure we were deserving enough. People of her social class are schooled in humiliation.
You triggered a memory in me Sarnia. Many many moons ago I was given the task of accompanying a single parent to a debtors court. She had got behind with her utility bills and was too frightened to face court by herself. The court was full of other people in the same position so everything was very public, everyone heard of each others debts, and a news reporter was present. Several others were questioned about their debts before our turn came, and what stunned me ( young naive new to the job social worker) was the attitude of the magistrate, hectoring, humiliating, and bullying people and in front of everyone else. I just sat there thinking : well mate I bet you had a very well paid job, are now on an excellent pension and you haven't a clue what it's like to not have two pennies to rub together. My client didn't get roasted but only because I was speaking on her behalf, and it was generally assumed that our department could wave a magic wand and sort things out.
DeleteThat was a long time ago and I hope things are better nowadays.
That was interesting, Janice. We were grilled in front of the cocktail party guests.
DeleteI would like to think that the attitude might be dying out with Lady H's generation, but all the more reason to be careful not to put her in that position.
Incidentally, there is at least one actor who has chosen to adopt a recently discovered tribal name on the grounds that his inherited English family surname was that of his ancestors' slave owner, which strikes me as a perfectly valid reason.
Kwame Kwei-Armah, born Ian Roberts. Ancestors originally from Ghana, but he is not and neither are his immediate forbears.
DeleteApparently Lady H's job at these events is to speak to some of the seemingly "more interesting guests" to get an idea of their interests etc .
ReplyDeleteShe would then pass the information to the Queen so that she would have something to talk about.
We cannot assume that because Lady H is probably very well off that she is going to act like Lady Bountiful.Neither can we assume that all people of a certain class act in the same way.
I bow to you superior wisdom.
ReplyDeleteNothing to do with being wise,Sarnia.
ReplyDeleteNobody would ever accuse me of being that!
Have just spent a morning in the garden .
It is bright and sunny where I live ,
The icing on the cake was that I am still picking-a very few- autumn raspberries.
……and I have just been out into the very cold garden and picked a small bunch of dahlias, still flowering in December along with loads of hardy fuchsias! Don’t think they’ll last til after the weekend though as frost is forecast. What a strange year it has been.
DeleteAfter several cold + frosty nights, my garden has suddenly wilted and is now very sad looking.
DeleteLots of even more cold nights to come, along with a warning of ice which is to last for about 36hours.
At least no snow is forecast.
Miriam, that is so sad. I seem to remember you saying that your garden is north -facing, so perhaps it's not possible for you to plant winter -flowering shrubs.
DeleteToday is very cold, but sunny with a cloudless sky and I still have a residual carpet of leaves, orange from the flowering cherry and yellow forsythia. The nandina and star jasmine leaves are just beginning to turn to their winter shade of brilliant red, the skimmias are in flower and for the first time since I planted it three years ago, the viburnum tinus is smothered in tight bouquets of tiny pink and white flowers. The fence by the pond is a mass of dainty little clematis jingle bells. I have three new winter -flowering clematis waiting in the greenhouse, one of which is a scaled red and white one called freckles.
The mimosa buds are swelling, ready to burst in January and the wintersweet is not far behind. At least for today I feel I can cope with winter, although of course, that may not last but I'm e joying it while I've got it!
The clematis called freckles is NOT scaled, it's SPECKLED!
DeleteSarnia, you are so right, in that my back garden is true north facing, so is getting the worst of the cold weather.
DeleteHowever the frount is South facing, so the gets the winter sun, as does my lounge. As such my winter hanging basket, my window box, and border are doing well, with winter pansies giving some wonderful colour and displays..Such a delight to see.
My daughter in NZ has wonderful bowls of huge blue pansies on her verandah, but they don't like my garden - it's just too wet. The ones in the hanging pots destined for the willow trellisstill under cover
ReplyDeleteOops, pressed the wrong thing. ....destined for the willow trellis are still under cover and looking quite healthy, but the two pots out in the garden are going all spotty as usual. I mixed a lot of grit with the compost.
ReplyDeleteYou must have a lovely view from your lounge, Miriam.
First frost this morning, Miriam. No going in the garden for me today!
ReplyDeleteThat’s it! Very heavy frost here this morning and everything in the garden is now black and droopy!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness I got my Olive tree, Canna Lilies and Coprosma collection into the greenhouse last night.
My first canna lily survived last winter outdoors. As I now have two they're staying put for the time being as there's not enough room in my teeny tiny greenhouse.
DeleteMy canna and calla lilies, always survive in the garden over the winter. These have been in-situ for many years now.
DeleteMy back lawn and hedges, which didn't get any sun today, stayed white with heavy frost as did not melt. It is to be worse tonight!
We planted the olive tree next to the summer house in 2012. Little Olive is now at least 10ft tall.
DeleteA few years ago we went to see “Two Gentlemen from Verona” at the Globe. There was a shaggy dog in it a bit like Greengrass’s dog in Heartbeat. He behaved impeccably, took all his cues on time and at the end he had the loudest burst of applause!
ReplyDeleteJust come back from going to the post office in the nearest large village and was told that anything using second class postage not with them by Monday won't get there by Christmas because of the strikes and the backlog. So I had better start writing cards at the rate of knots as I bought a lot of second class stamps a couple of weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've heard that. Tricky, as I don't live anywhere near a post office.
ReplyDeleteWe have a post office a couple of minutes walk away from us. I went in on Tuesday to buy my Christmas stamps only to be told that they had run out of second class ones and only had a few first class, they were also low on the ordinary stamps. Finally got my cards posted today!
ReplyDeleteThe powers that be tell us that no one lives more than a mile from a post office. Well, apart from the fact that that's really 2 miles to walk, one each way, you should see the gradient on mine!
ReplyDeleteThey must be joking. Our nearest one is 7 miles away.
DeleteIn case it helps anyone else: I am using up my big collection of special picture stamps for Christmas cards, whether they are first or second class. We won’t be able to use these lovely stamps with picture of birds, scenery, insects or whatever on them, after the end of January when we can only use the horrid new ones with QR codes on them.
ReplyDeleteI know you will be able to take them to a Post Office (if you can find one) to swop them for the new sort, but I would rather use them on cards for friends.
I have often bought these special stamps and as they only say 1st or 2nd on them, they can be used a long time after prices have gone up, which is a considerable saving.
I believe the cut off date for present stamps has been extended to July but it hasn’t been well publicised. I came across it by chance embedded in BBC news and the post lady yesterday said it was so. We only have a PO here on Wednesday mornings which is better than nothing! I spent a lot of yesterday completing my cards to post today. Our local postbox only collects at 9 am weekdays and 7 am Saturdays so unless we get up very early we really need to think two days ahead! They will go from the box tomorrow but RM is on strike on Sunday so they’ll sit somewhere until Monday! There will be a huge pile of mail left hanging around.
DeleteMy persistent cough is very much better as the practice nurse in the end linked it to producing too much acid. She prescribed Omneprezole which cuts down acid. It has had an extraordinary effect on my appetite and I am enjoying my food again having put lack of appetite and aversion to finishing meals down to my age. A pub lunch today wit h the TG went down very well!😊
Yes, we are in the same position Ev. The village PO closed some years ago, then the one in the next village closed, so I now have to drive into Basingstoke and use the ‘Main’ PO which has been re-located to the back of WH Smith’s…..with queues out of the door!
DeleteCouldn’t be more inconvenient.
Re Omeprazole - I also take this drug, so a word of warning. If you are going to spend much time out of doors in the sun, try to cover up if you can. The effect of the sun on the skin can cause a very irritating rash. I suffered last year on my arms, and couldn’t understand what had caused it until the pharmacist told me it can be a side effect if this particular drug. Probably more likely in the summer that at this time of year!
Thanks for that Archerfile. I tend to keep out of the sun for the most part but forget myself when gardening and dog walking! Will be aware though!
DeleteArcherfile before using up your special stamps you might like to look them up on Ebay. Stamp collectors will pay for the more unusual ones.
ReplyDeleteMust admit I hadn’t thought of EBay.. But I used to be an avid stamp collector and have a specially designed Royal Mail Collection box of all the Special Stamp collection packs and first day covers that were issued during the Millennium year. And several Albums of spécial issues in the years before then. I have been meaning to get them valued but it is such a hassle having to take them up to London. So I might take up,your suggestion and see what happens.
DeleteI woke up this morning to frost and a very strange red/orange glow, as the sun came up.
ReplyDeleteIt then snowed heavily for nearly 2 hours. Suddenly all the children appeared, had a massive snowball fight and did "snow angels", in the middle of the road. It was delightful to watch them having so much fun, as it is so rare to get snow here. Big Sis in N.Wales, just 20 miles away had nothing.
Later I had a knock on the door to find one of the boys from next door, with a home-made cinnamon Christmas Cookie!
It was delicious and a lovely gesture...
A lovely gesture indeed Miriam. It's been snowing on and off all day over here in the east of the county and very cold!
DeleteCC Thought of you, as if I get snow, then your "side" of the county, always has it much worse.
DeleteSnow has only partially melted and is now freezing solid. My cul-de-sac is like an ice rink, as covered in withheet ice.
Managed to get the plants that remain un planted under cover yesterday afternoon in preparation for the possibility of snow.
DeleteVery light covering in the garden but upon pulling the curtains the views of the surrounding hills showed considerable fall during the night.
Able to drive slowly and carefully up to North Hill and Lady loved her walk.
At least two to three inches deep but able to walk reasonably well as plenty of dog walkers on the usual paths.
The sky with cloud formations and a steel grey sea and the sun above trying to break through the gaps in the cloud was utterly magical.
The banks of hills surrounding seemed completely white for twenty miles or so.
It is so magical, isn't it Mrs P. with the differing light and vistas to see and just enjoy...I love it all.
DeleteNew thread started if anyone hasn’t spotted yet.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Delete