Life outside Ambridge
An old picture of Cobbs Department Store, in Sydenham local to where I grew up
Life in Ambridge
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Lif in Ambridge
Archer Family tree up to 2000, (pre Helen, Pip & Tom’s off-spring)
Life in Ambridge
Nothing to do with the current story-line but rather cute
Lanjan.January 3, 2023 at 2:45 PM
ReplyDeleteI wish a healthy New Year to everyone ..
Re previous comments.
I used to like shopping in George Henry Lee's *(now John Lewis) in Liverpool .
* mentioned in "Blood Brothers"
There was a Lewis's in Liverpool but that was more down market.
Remember C and A's?
Wonderful shop.
My beautiful expensive £14 wedding dress (first) came from there.
As for Woolworth's there was still Woolworth's in South Africa when we last went out there but the clothes were actually M and S.
Talking of that store.I remember my mother when in her 80s complaining that they only sold clothes for old women which were not suitable.
I think she meant (as Archerphile wrote earlier )that the clothes were-and still are - mostly made from man made fibre .
However their jeans -boot leg- in my opinion are second to none and are made from natural fibre.
The best place I find for clothes made fromnatural fibres is TKMaxx although I have managed to get some pure wool trousers from Boden
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Lanjan.January 3, 2023 at 2:50 PM
The mention of Woolworth's earlier reminded me that I worked there over Cgristmas one year when I had left school.
I was on a counter they called "abber"
- haberdashery )
I remember selling Christmas cake frills.
They were 7d each and people used to get 2or 3 (why.) so it didn't ta je me long to remember that 2cost one and two pence and three cost one and nine.
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EvJanuary 3, 2023 at 7:16 PM
I had a Saturday job in Woolies and had a few stints on the sweetie counter. People would ask for several different sweets which you had to weigh, price and add up the various amounts in your head before ringing i
head before ringing it up on the till. It’s a good job we were taught to add up in those days. It was pre decimal too and so even more complicated! One day I was in the stock room and will never forget how dusty it was!
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MiriamJanuary 3, 2023 at 6:51 PM
What an afternoon I have just had.
A panto. called Rock 'n Roll Robin Hood. It was brilliant with a group of 11 in total there, to celebrate my Big Sis 70th birthday. So much fun was had - and what was really so nice - it was the first time all had met up, post pandemic and it just felt normal again.
It has been a long time, since I have felt that feeling of pure camarederie again.
2023 is now onwards + upwards, as my covid anxiety has now gone.
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MiriamJanuary 3, 2023 at 7:01 PM
PS - To any who watches Corrie - Alex (who helps out with Roy in the cafè), was sitting nearby.
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EvJanuary 3, 2023 at 7:19 PM
ReplyDeleteEvJanuary 3, 2023 at 7:19 PM
We went to a pantomime in Plymouth years ago and Frankie Howard was sat in the row in front of us. He looked really miserable for most of the time and was embarrassed when his presence was pointed out to the audience from someone on stage!
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Proud to be Yorkshire.January 3, 2023 at 10:35 PM
Re shopping. There is a M&Co in a nearby town to me. I quite like their clothes. Bit hit and miss. Some seasons there’s loads I like and then other times there’s nothing. I’ve got to admit I do like Sainsbury’s for clothes and I tend to get tops and jumpers off our local market.
I love TKMaxx as a department store. I don’t look at much of their clothes, tops and jackets mostly, but I love all the household stuff and the huge bottles of shampoo and liquid soap. Oh and dog poo bags!! I’ve bought 3 faux fur large blankets from there this winter. They are brilliant. So soft. We both sit huddled under them on the sofa with a dog in between.
I finally succumbed to the dreaded lurgy on New Year’s Eve. Not covid but the cold everyone seems to be getting. I’m fed up of blowing my nose and Mr PtbY complaining that I make too much noise when I do it!!
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ArcherphileJanuary 3, 2023 at 10:48 PM
Oh, how unkind PtbY!
Hope you are feeling better soon.
I have friends in Cornwall, Liverpool and Dundee who are all suffering with this wretched cold. They all say it’s the worst they have ever had. It seems to be pretty universal!
Cheshire CheeseJanuary 4, 2023 at 1:01 PM
ReplyDeleteI've had to cancel my dental hygienist appointment tomorrow because I got a cold sore with this wretched cold. Next available appointment 20th February, although I am on the cancellation list.
Cold sores can be spread during treatment, not to mention it would be uncomfortable having your mouth touched. So it’s a nuisance but sensible to reschedule
DeleteAbsolutely KP, just wish it hadn't happened at a time when I've got so much else on.
DeleteWhere are you, Soz, long time no speak. Are you well?
ReplyDeleteI vaguely remember- I think - that Soz posted saying she had been having trouble logging on, then disappeared again.
ReplyDeleteI miss her too !
KP - I was at school nearby. Kilmorie Forest Hill, then a final year in Sydenham.
ReplyDeleteI lived at the top of Sydenham Hill, near Dulwich Woods & went to Sydenham High School, juniors section only, I transferred to JAGS in Dulwich for senior. I don’t remember a school called Kilmorie, there was Elliot Bank which was fairly modern.
DeleteWhat I best remember about Cobbs was the kiddy ride they had, I preferred the toy shop over the road, I think it was called “Hawkins”
Oh, dear - no longer any life outside Ambridge then.
ReplyDeleteThere is Sarnia, mine is just incredibly boring and not worth writing about.
ReplyDeleteExcept to say that I am sick and tired of hearing more ‘revelations’ from The Spare and just wish he would have the self-control and decency to shut up. 🤨
With you there AP, are all the headlines necessary? I am sure more important things are happening.
DeleteToday will be rather dull domesticity, & taking down the Christmas decorations, our tree this year is excessively spiky so I will need gloves. I’ll also need to light candles tonight to compensate for the loss of lights, it always looks so bare when the decorations come down☹️
I am going to pretend that we belong to the Orthodox church and, having missed Christmas and New Year's Eve in isolation, go by the old Julian calendar which has Christmas day on the 7th and the 12 days continuing until the 19th. So the decorations and lights will stay up for the time being, at least until after Sunday when brother in law and friend up the road have come for their delayed dinner. This afternoon I shall be making another pudding.
DeleteI don't know how others felt after covid but I am still resting in the mornings and feeling washed out even though the positive line was virtually unseeable on the fourteenth day.
Totally sick of the spare and his useless spare wife. Wish they would both spare off and shut up.
ReplyDeleteI’ve woken up feeling totally well again. Downside is the mountain of ironing that I’ll have to do today and I’ve no excuse not to now. ☹️ Unless…..I can wangle a trip out somewhere with husband and put it off till tomoz!!
🤔 Now where do I fancy going……..
Too much information, Harry, please spare us any more details. Clearly the word 'undignified' means nothing to him.
DeleteTotally agree re “The Spare” 😱
DeleteI’m sick of him too. He is deluded!
DeleteCrisply ironed sheets and clothes feel wonderful but to be honest I can't remember the last time I ironed something, pillowcases maybe if someone is coming to stay but otherwise just a tug or two when things are hanging up damp on the line. I was watching the Wooster and Jeeves series on my tablet when isolating and the omnibus book version has now arrived through the post, and I have been thinking how lovely it must have been to have a valet to do all the boring things like ironing.
ReplyDeleteOh, I thought your lives always sound so much more interesting than mine.
ReplyDeleteAs a matter of fact, I have a bit of an ongoing soap opera of my own: continuing drama set in a British Gas call centre somewhere in India. Every attempt to resolve the situation results in more complications, which I then have to try and resolve ...at least on TA the difference between resolution and cliffhanger is fairly obvious.
Trust
ReplyDeleteWhen I arrived home from my Christmas with daughter and SIL in Cornwall I realised that I had left a bag behind. It contained a lot of banking ‘stuff’ and cash as well as my address book and other paraphernalia.
After a day or so worrying how to retrieve it without returning to Cornwall and researching courier companies I asked a friend if they would put out a message on his FB account.
I belong to a number of FB groups but do not use personal FB.
Friend put out a request on several local FB pages and received about fifty responses. One from a family in Cornwall expecting to come to Minehead Butlins in the next week and another from a woman who lives in Taunton and works most weeks in Minehead currently in Cornwall just a few miles from my daughters home, and would be returning to her home in Taunton after the NY BH.
After checking profiles and by texts and telephone conversations I was prepared to trust this person, although my daughter had strong reservations and doubts, but did as I requested and packed the bag in a box and wrapped and sellotaped it, and
my son in law who handed the parcel over said they seemed a nice couple.
On Wednesday I drove to an agreed car park in Taunton, and received my parcel and in return with thanks gave this kind person a bottle of wine and a potted orchid.
I shall continue to live in a world where I believe trust can be applied along with applying sensible precautions.
That is a very encouraging story Mrs P. There certainly are decent people around and it’s good to hear about them
DeleteMrs P thank you for posting the above. It is really good to read such a positive piece, as you imply most people in this world are decent and we should remember that.
ReplyDeleteApparently his old friends in the UK are wondering who on earth he is listening to and why they don't tell him to shut up. I think we can guess the answer to that!
ReplyDeleteKilling people even bad ones is not something to talk about. Harry seems to see himself as a victim attacked by others including his own brother but I wonder how much provocation he gives out! Not innocent that one! I feel sorry for Archie and Lilibet as they will have no relationship with grandparents, aunties, uncles or cousins. I wonder whether they will end up as Whingers too!
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for the children because of the effect of what their parents are doing is going to have on them, they are going to read all that when they are older. They are at risk of being as damaged as their father says he is because of what happened to him in childhood.
DeleteRe Prince Harry.
ReplyDeleteHe is one very unhappy not very bright weak man .?
Why does he need more money?
His great grandmother, grandfather ,grandmother and mother left him more than enough surely .
On the other hand with 16 bathrooms it must cost a lot in cleaning materials.
👍 as to the bathroom situation just imagine 🧻🧻🧻🧻🧻🧻🧻🧻 X 2 🤣😱🤣
DeleteRe Prince Harry
ReplyDeleteI think he has shot himself in the foot (so to speak) with his revelations about his time in Afghanistan. He is complaining that the govt. withdrew his personal protection and that now he has to pay for it himself. Then he publishes how many Taliban he killed and only regarded them as chess pieces on a board and lays himself and his family open to revenge attacks by terrorists! Stupid, entitled, bitter and jealous man.
OK, he lost his mother tragically young, but so have many people and it doesn’t turn them into whinging adults. I am afraid I have lost all patience with both of them….and the BBC and British press for continuing to pander to their self-promotion at the expense of the Royal family.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
DeleteHear hear. 👏👏
DeleteSince watching the film leaked by Wikileaks years ago of the American soldiers in a helicopter shooting down civilians in their search for an enemy and treating it like a video game I can well believe Harry and service people in the front line are taught to not regard the enemy as people but as chess pieces to be removed. I don't think any normal person could kill another unless having been taught some kind of detachment technique.
ReplyDeleteI think it is good that the general public are made to face what kind of things are done both on our behalf, and for the benefit of weapons manufacturers.
So I think Harry being honest about how he coped with killing is good for enlightening the general public who prefer to avoid thinking about these things, but yes, he is liable to have made himself and his family a target.
I can’t agree, Janice. We are all about defence and if we had not gone to war with Germany Hitler would have been able to take over our country not to mention the others he had taken over and which were liberated as the war resolved all that. I was engaged in weaponry training feeling it was so necessary to protect our interests. Yes, aggressors would be killed or rather those poor souls drawn into their madness. We were never taught to regard them as chess pieces and I think this is Harry’s personal take on it as shown by the reaction of senior army officers to his words.
DeleteI agree Ev. In fact a senior military person (sorry can’t remember name) disputed that soldiers were taught to regard the enemy as chess pieces on a board to be eliminated.
DeleteAnd a retired Colonel has said he should be ashamed of himself to publish how many he has killed. Soldiers are reluctant to talk about such things and in doing so he has broken an unwritten code. Modern soldiers and are not prone to carving ‘strikes’ on their gun buts.
Janice…,if it came down to kill or be killed I am sure I could kill someone.
ReplyDeleteWhen we came home, years ago when my son was about 7, to our house having been burgled the rage I felt was enough for me to grab a kitchen knife and go upstairs looking for them.
At one time as a young woman I was dating an ex Israeli soldier.
ReplyDeleteIn a conversation with my father, a military man, told me very firmly that “ you should never ask a soldier if he has ever killed anyone “.
I have never done so.
I understood my father’s words to mean that the question of killing an enemy was never to be raised.
Harry has broken a sacrosanct rule amongst the military.
In answer to PTBY - in your answer to Janice, I think you have illustrated - ‘ the red mist ‘ as described by Harry in another context -, the detachment required to kill another.
ReplyDeleteWhether detachment is taught by the military or not, I do believe that many human beings are capable of such detachment in certain situations.
My only comment as to the current topic, is so simple.
ReplyDeleteThis is - I went to record a new Midsommer Murder episode supposedly on tomorrow night (Sun 8th), to find a change in the TV schedule. There is now an hour long interview being shown, with "you know who"!
I am disgusted at this, but then it is peak TV time, so it is being done to try to gain a massive viewing audience.
I, for one, won't be watching.
All I will add - what a weak person he now appears, being so manipulated by his partner. That's my own interpretation.
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DeleteI was going to record that episode Miriam, very frustrating.
DeleteI think many of us share your feelings and your description Miriam
DeleteMessing with Midsomer Murders fans, Harry? Be afraid. Be very afraid.
ReplyDelete😂😂😂!
DeleteChanging the subject for now! I lost my mobile on Thursday and spent a day in anguish as I had lost a previous one about 2 years ago. I searched everywhere and we had a zoom session in the afternoon but after a wile couldn’t concentrate so searched some more. In the evening we had booked at a good local pub for a meal. I enjoyed it but could have enjoyed more if the loss hadn’t been at the back of my mind. We went to bed but couldn’t get to apsleep so started another search. The last time I could remember having it was after a walk with the boys in the utility room. There is a sofa in there and
ReplyDeleteI looked under the cushions and for some reason put my hand under the webbing into the depths of the sofa and to my great relief it was there! Must have slipped under while I was tending to the muddy boys! What a relief as they cost over £400 which can ill afford in the month when my kitchen is being refurbished! The next day had another root around in the depths and found a spoon, a pen, a comb, a remote and last but not least, the phone I had lost three years ago! Now I have a spare but will not be putting phone down on the settee in future! The message is check your sofa and chairs as you never know what you might find! 😉😊
Not sure when I lost the previous phone so have contradicted myself in above. It was a good while ago though as we still had Gypsy at the time. In both cases had thought I had lost them out of the house but there you are had been sitting on the first one all that time!!
DeleteAmazing that you found your old phone as well as the current one Ev.
DeleteYes it is! Couldn’t believe it!
DeleteI am almost sure my Christmas card list address book has somehow been thrown out with the Christmas wrapping paper.
ReplyDeleteI have hunted high and low for the past fortnight and I can't find it.
St Anthony usually comes to the rescue when I offer him a Charity donation but even he can't help if it has got into the paper recycling bin .
The maddening thing was that the book "lived" in the box where I keep the Christmas cards and Christmas card list but I wanted to phone someone and brought the address book into the sitting room .I have the email addresses and phone numbers of most friends but the ones I only write to once a year I can't remember.
Not worth worrying about it now though .
Look down the sofa!😊 Hope you find it. I have frequently convinced myself things have been thrown away in error but they never have resurfaced that way. I bet it is in the sitting room somewhere. St Anthony did not help me initially but am convinced he or God told me to put my hand underneath the webbing. Maybe I had to suffer for a day to press home the need for more care! If you can move the sofa have a look underneath it.
DeleteThat reminds me of my missing bottles of shampoo turning up two years later in an unexplored region of my briefcase.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I pretend I'm looking for something else to trick the missing item into revealing itself. That has been known to work!
No Midsomer Murders! I've stocked up on truffle oil, had my trebuchet serviced and sharpened the blades in my ploughshare. There shall be retribution. If only I could find my pitchfork...
ReplyDeleteI take it you are off to find Harry 🤣
DeleteI think after the initial flurry over this book it will die a death and we will see it turning up in charity shops or at cut price in bookshops. I seem to remember that’s what happened to the Diana book which revealed all! Think by Andrew Morton. I have read the Americans are becoming disenchanted with the pair of them and they may end up down the creek without a paddle!
DeleteI feel he has rather overplayed his hand. Some of the extracts I've seen border on pathetic.
ReplyDeleteHappy 🎂 41st Birthday from me at least Kate - Harry knew it was today of course!
ReplyDeleteAre you referring to William’s Kate, i.e. Princess of Wales?
DeleteIf so, I wouldn’t be at all surprised.
Heard that in todays interview on US breakfast television, he has a right go at Camilla. Don’t think the King will be too pleased about that!
Sounds to me as if he's completely lost the plot.
DeleteI was 9 years old when my father died. I also only cried once, when a family friend broke the news, because I didn't know he was dying. Once I had been returned to my mother tears were not an option.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I promise not to write a book about it.
Oh Sarnia!
DeleteI was confused that Harry said he felt guilty about not crying. He might be sad retrospectively & feel anger that he wasn’t encouraged to express his emotions, but if he’s feeling guilty then the therapy isn’t working!!
DeleteI think it's actually Harry who's confused.
DeleteYes William’s Kate AP. Everything H & M have released has been around Royal events. First The Duke of Edinburgh illness, then The Queens death and now Kate’s birthday and lead into The Coronation! Blimey Harry don’t you think Covid, a war and your Grandmother passing enough doom and gloom for us now you want to wreck a joyous occasion too.
ReplyDeleteBut everything is about him, isn't it? You haven't got the message yet, have you Lady R. Never mind, I gather there is a second volume in the offing, so there is still time.
Delete😱 to that Sarnia. Although it won’t matter to me I have not seen any of the interviews etc that H & M have done. Obviously I have seen clips on the news and listened to much public discussion regarding them on LBC.
DeleteI gather that the viewing public preferred Call the Midwife and Happy Valley to the sob story. Having been deprived of Midsomer Murders I watched Dig for Britain (her hair is pink now, but I think I prefer it orange) followed by Twelfth Night, a production which I found enjoyable, if slightly confusing.
ReplyDeleteWas that the programme with Professor Alice Roberts?
DeleteI went off her ages ago because she always insisted on introducing herself as PROFESSOR Alice Roberts, just like Floella Benjamin who was recently on Countdown as a guest presenter. She insisted on saying ‘Hello, I’m BARONESS Floella Benjamin’ every day and it really grated.
Why do these people try to ‘big themselves up’ as the saying goes. We know what they are famous for or are experts on and we don’t need reminding of their titles.
Does that mean Lady R now has to change her name 🤣?
DeleteHa!
DeleteIn that case suggestions please! 😂
DeleteCan you give me some idea of your areas of expertise?
DeleteOh dear that’s a tough one Sarnia.
DeleteI’m not a practical person at all but have always loved anything people based and helping out. Right now it is Mr R’s turn but over the years especially after I took early retirement I became involved with family, friends and neighbours and a volunteer for a NHS home visiting Service and a day a week at a Day Centre for Dementia. Then started a group up at my mums care home of about a dozen interested other relatives to just chat, laugh (and lunch) between ourselves. We have all been in contact now for 17yrs, but I do not have any of the many skills you bloggers have gardening, cooking, making things and most so well travelled (not much for you to work with 🙄)
As explained before the “Lady” comes from us having a very very practical couple in every way for close friends and who over time I have jokingly called my Staff - but as the lady upstairs I am a very kind and thoughtful employer 🤣 when first used to sign in to SCD blog in 2014 never envisaged it becoming a thing on here. I recall LJ at onetime not wanting me to break the illusion …..
Just guessing, but my limited experience of archeology has been Very Important Men with loud voices being in charge and only discussing the dig with the male underlings in the trenches. The women on their knees were mostly seen and not heard, and certainly assumed not to have any knowledge worth considering. Although she had a peripheral role in Time Team as a PhD student, it's possible that she's had quite a hard ride on the way up to get where she is a d still feels the need to emphasise it.
ReplyDeleteMay I just say that, despite the hype etc. of the book Spare being published, the tv interviews, the netflix setup, the so-called true reporting about all this and it's related topics - I stand in admiration for the lack of comments from his relations.
ReplyDeleteHis father King Charles III, his brother the Prince of Wales, and other senior royals, are still doing what they should be, and are not responding to anything in any way.
Sadly I fear that H. has burnt his bridges now, in so many ways.
Me too, Miriam, and the longer the dignified silence, the more frenzied the hole-digging will become.
Delete...but to what depths and can they actually go lower.
DeleteI hope that I have interpretated your comment correctly 😆
Oh, you have, you have Miriam. The longer the RF remain silent the lower he will have to stoop to present himself as a victim and the more ridiculous he will look.
DeleteWhen there was no comment after the docuseries, H & M commented on the lack of apology from the Royal family. It seems to me they , H & M, should apologise on bended knee! The lack of response was obviously very disappointing! I think it shows great dignity on the part of all the family.
Delete👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
DeleteI don’t have a problem with either Alice Roberts or Floella Benjamin using their titles. They are allowed to be proud &/or excited to have reached their positions, and there are still too few women in these roles in my view. I was less impressed by Alan Sugar insisting on being addressed as Sir Alan & now Lord Sugar (double standards on my part but hey!) and Baroness Brady is a bit of a tongue twister.
ReplyDeleteI am with you on this point. Some have truelly earnt their titles due to hard graft and work, yet others have not. What I object strongly to, are particularly the sports persons given awards, kighthoods etc..
DeleteNot really double standards, KP. Alan Sugar was already a legend in his own mind, without needing a title to explain his importance.
ReplyDeleteFloella Benjamin said on TV recently that her gave her heart to the children.
ReplyDeleteFor goodness sake she was being paid a great deal of money to present a TV Show.
Has Val Singleton been made a Dame?
I don't agree with her getting one either but would prefer it to FB.
They always say things like"For services to Drama and Charity."
Our MP was knighted for services to Charity.-a homeless Charity.
When I tried to contact him about the Charity I was told by someone else he was a Patron which meant he attended Dinners but wasn't otherwise involved.
I would give no gongs to anyone who has made a lot of money out of what was their job like actors ,sports people etc unless they had done something really special like Kevin Sinfield and Ian Botham have.
Here, here LanJan. I’m afraid it does annoy me when people insist on their titles being used especially for something as unimportant as presenting a game show.
DeleteIf they are giving a speech or presenting a paper at a symposium or important meeting about their particular speciality, fair enough.
Incidentally Baroness Benjamin on Countdown, was a terrible name-dropper too. Full of stories about the Queen chatting to her at lunch, or getting invitations from the Prime Minister or they day she met so and so. It smacked of showing off and was an inappropriate place to do so.
By the way, does anyone know what happened to Carenza Lewis of Time Team? She was one of the stars of the show for me and very knowledgable. I believe she is a great Archers fan and was connected with the last Academic Archers Conference.
Carenza Lewis is alive and well and very much involved in the reincarnation of Time Team on You Tube. It's now membership-run organisation (I haven't got round to joining yet, but am considering).
DeleteThey have fantastic equipment and cavities provided by sponsorship so that the work they can do has go e up several notches. Most of the old names are there, like Alice Roberts with careers advanced by 20 years. I'm afraid even Stewart Ainsworth is now a prof.
They may well be producing fantastic cavities, but the word I was searching for was 'facilities'.
DeleteThanks for that info Sarnia. I didn’t know about Time Team being on YouTube. Wonder if Mick Aston is still there with his super jumpers! Though I think I may heave heard some time ago that he had died?
DeleteGlad to hear Carenza is still an enthusiastic presenter , and I think your use of ‘Cavities’ was very apt.!
Yes, I'm afraid Mick Aston died some years ago. The new equipment includes a 'Mickmobile' and one of the technicians has a knitted Mick Aston on his desk - presumably the work of one of the devoted knitters if the famous stripey jumpers.
DeletePS The cavities were my phone's contribution.
DeleteHello, KPnuts. Read your post above about your old school, JAGS. It is my old school, too and you're the first person I've come across in all these years who also went there, though I suppose that's hardly surprising as I now live in New Zealand. Some good memories of my time there but also some not so good, as I was a scholarship girl and that sometimes didn't go down so well. It was a long time ago and I expect things are very different now. I certainly received an excellent education even if I didn't always appreciate that at the time.
ReplyDeleteHi EnZed. I am not sure how your age compares to mine but there may have been some overlap of teaching staff, the longest serving teachers when I was there were Miss Yates, french, & Dr Peach, biology, both slightly scary but excellent teachers. I agree that education is generally more appreciated in retrospect.
DeleteI remember Dr Peach. Also Miss Hackett (English), Mrs Grisbrook (History, I think), Miss Griffiths (Latin - she used to throw chalk and the board rubber at us). Miss Lieper was headmistress. And I mustn't foget Mr Daniels (one of the sciences). He was the only male during my tenure and all the girls swooned over him. I wasted my time there, managed to scrape 3 O Levels and left as soon as my father would allow. I was there from late 50s to mid 60s. What JAGS did teach me was how to learn and I'm still putting that into practise.
DeleteMiss Griffith was still there in my day & still throwing chalk! Miss Hackett wasn’t there, but I recognise the name, I think my sisters were taught by a Miss Hackett at Sydenham High so possibly she moved. The head mistress was Miss Prissian in my time, I think the school was slightly in the doldrums at that time ( I certainly didn’t polish the school’s reputation) but these days it seems to be going from strength to strength.
DeleteKP: if it's any help timewise NZ, well Auckland anyway, is 13 hours ahead at present.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile ,I remember when Jeni Murray -(or is that Andy Murray's mum.?- I mean the one who spells her first name oddly and was on Woman's Hour ) was on Celebrity University Challenge.
ReplyDeleteShe introduced herself as Dame Jenni ,Jenny or Jeni Murrey or Murray.
Didn' t like her on WH but since she left it has got even worse.
Don't listen now.
Dear me, no, LanJan, Andy Murray's mum is called Judy, and looks to be one tough lady.
ReplyDeleteLady R, I have only just found your CV, following on from Miriam's mischievous suggestion and posted at my request. Having studied your extensive list of good works in the community it seems to me that you are exemplary in carrying out your duties as 'Lady of the Manor'.
ReplyDeleteI therefore have no hesitation in confirming your title of 'Lady R.', which is clearly well-deserved.
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DeleteI thought you would agree, Miriam. You seemed to be concerned on her behalf, so I thought I should something about it!
ReplyDeleteThat is one well deserved title, and long may it remain. 😀
DeleteThank you Sarnia & Miriam for your kind words 🫢
DeleteIf anyone likes a good radio listen ,- I can reccomend the Lord Peter Wimsey - Busman's Holiday. This was new to me and thoroughly enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI am am also listening to :-
a) My Turn to make Tea - Monica Dickens (weekly episodes)
b) And Other Stories - Katherine Mansfield. A compilation of short stories.
c) not forgetting a repeat of Cabin Pressure - which is so fun.
I agree about the Peter Wimsey serial Miriam. The last one of Dorothy L Sayers Peter Wimsey stories. I have all the Wimsey books, some of which I have read several times.
DeleteIan Carmichael makes the perfect Wimsey, as he did in the televised series.
My favourite book is The Nine Tailors, concerning bell-ringers and set in East Anglia. It is a very intriguing mystery. I recommend it.
I see you'd even deny fictional detectives their titles now AP 😉
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DeleteOh, how remiss of me!! Purely due to laziness in typing I assure you! But I think I am familiar enough with dear Peter to be allowed a little familiarity! 😉
DeletePerhaps he does not share Lady R's ethic of duty to the community!
ReplyDeleteSecond attempt, as first supposedly published comment, has gone into the ether
ReplyDeleteThere is a wonderful photo of a independant book sellers window, seen on the BBC news site I think it was. In it, the book "Spare" is alternated with the novel "How to Kill Your Family".
This amused me with my sense of humour.
PS That novel has been read on R4/R4ex and was a good listen.
What's this, Harry, sisters-in-law who don't get on? Wow, that is news - whoever would have thought it!
ReplyDeleteIt thought it was just fun, and very tongue-in-cheek, by that book shop. Oh well 🤷♀️😵
DeleteI saw that too, Miriam and also thought it was funny as well as summing up the whole book. All that stuff about sisters-in-law not getting on, bridesmaids' dresses that didn't fit upsetting the bride and being scarred for life because his father didn't hug him.
DeleteI had a sister who used to whinge about everything in much the same way. She made some unwise life choices and the unfortunate results were always someone else's fault, especially mine.
The common factor here is that she was her mother's favourite because they were very alike.
It's a horrible day and there's nobody about! I've injected a cheap thrill into my day by planning to buy something exciting for my bathroom from Argos tomorrow (not).
ReplyDeleteDismal here too Sarnia! A bathroom treat do tell 🙆♀️
DeleteIt would sound too silly.
ReplyDeleteI bet it's not...
DeleteSome of it is.
DeleteA toy bath duck? We have one. Can pretend to be young again.
DeleteDo you ever come down to Southampton?
ReplyDeleteWeather not to bad here. I managed to pot up 36 pelargonium cuttings today. I'm currently working my way through a list of jobs that I need to get done before I go into hospital for my second hip replacement in a couple of weeks. Not looking forward to that but needs must.
ReplyDeleteSympathy, CC, but as you say, needs must. What I've always resented about the, quite unreasonably, is that it's yet another year gone out of an ever-decreasing life span until fully functional again. All my good wishes.
ReplyDeleteHarrumph. I am feeling mightily frustrated. The teacher at my art class is looking at organising a trip to Amsterdam to see the upcoming Vermeer exhibition, which really appeals, I mentioned it to MrNuts who fancies the idea so we decide to make it a slightly longer mini-break. I go on the Eurostar website, and choose a package, I go through all the steps, enter my credit card details & the code from my mobile, then up comes a message saying the hotel isn’t available ***!!!? I am not impressed. Of course customer support closed so I guess I will have a long wait on the phone tomorrow trying to find out if my card has been charged. Surely they should check room availability BEFORE they let the customer pay GGGRRRRRRR
ReplyDeleteYou do right to rant KP how infuriating 😡 do keep us posted with how tomorrow
ReplyDeletegoes 🤞🏼 for you.
I hope it's not some kind of scam.
ReplyDeleteI am pleased to report that when I phoned customer support I got through to a human being reasonably quickly, and reassured that my card would not be charged, she was able to bring up my attempted booking and confirm that. I did offer the feedback that if their website can’t confirm room availability before the card payment starts ( which MrNut assures me they should be able to do & this is his field of work) then at least the message should be modified to reassure the customer that the booking has been aborted and their card will not be charged. I have now rebooked for a nice looking hotel , a London stopover the night before & started making plans for the previous day. So much happier 😁
DeleteThis will be a lovely break, KP! A canal cruise is a good way of seeing the city. We love Amsterdam and would like to go back.
DeleteBooks:
ReplyDeleteI know many of you did not like Richard Osman’s first book about the Thursday Murder Club.
I was given the second book of the series, The Man who Died Twice, for Christmas and I am thoroughly enjoying it. The story is completely off beat and unlikely but also funny and very warm in places.
I think it is much better written than the first one and you get to know more about the four inhabitants of the retirement village - one of the ladies turns out to be an ex MI5 agent which leads to this particular story. Some of the things that happen are quite fantastical but the scenes with one of the character with his small grandson really made me smile with recognition.
I recommend it but somehow am not sure how others here would feel about it.
A third book in the series has been published but still only in hardback - I’ll wait for the paperback!
I've read all three Archerfile. I was one of those not impressed with the first one but thought that the second and third were much better.
DeletePleased you agree with my thoughts CC. I found the second one much easier to read and looked forward to each chapter. Perhaps RO is a developing author.
DeleteI am keen to read the crime books by Richard Coles too and see how they compare. I have been unable to order the first one (Death after Evensong, or some such) and would love to hear if anyone else has read it yet.
Just bought it for my Kindle, Murder Before Evensong. The sequel, A Death in the Parish, is available to pre order.
DeleteLove to hear what you think of it.
DeleteAnother deeply dreary day weather wise in my corner of Hampshire. Hopefully the shops will be quiet when I go into town. Going to see a production of ‘The Lavender Hill Mob” at Chichester this evening which should be fun.
ReplyDeleteHere too KP. So much rain lately, the roof on our garden shed has caved in under an huge puddle and drenched all the tools, lawn mower and other equipment. Rescue job for us this afternoon!
DeleteAnd all the food I put out for the birds is floating around on the bird table and the poor robins are bravely paddling through the rain to get at it!
🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️
I went into Petersfield this morning, loads of puddles & potholes.
DeleteMost of our bird food is is hanging with a mesh flat surface for the robins. The moorhen that has taken up residence enjoys paddling in the shallow bird bath in the absence of a proper pond
AP and CC, thank you for the explanation.
ReplyDeleteMy life has consisted of different sections in different places with different people, all of which tend to be kept in separate boxes. Within the family, aunts and uncles died or left before I was born, siblings, who were mostly old enough to be my parents, got married and moved out when I was very young, and my children have moved away. Even the clergy I work with are constantly changing. There has never been much in the way of continuity in my life, so it wouldn't occur to me to look for it.
PS: in the past the constant changes that occurred have been the result of other people's decisions. Now that I'm in a position to make my own choices I'm gradually surrounding myself with things I actually want. Although not without its frustrations I'm rather enjoying myself.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the life of single living, which so suits me. This is that I can do want I want, when I want to but still have fun.
DeleteGranted - it's not that easy, at all.
DeleteEmbrace in the best way possible to suit you. 🥰
Trying not to sound disloyal to my dear Mr A, but sometimes I long to be on my own to make my own decisions and be able to satisfy my own wants and dreams…..without having. to consider someone else.
DeleteIf I were to be be own now, I wouldn’t stay here in England for one moment. I’d be off to France toute suite! I have investigated all the new rules for taking up residence there since Brexit and though there is a lot of paperwork and typical French bureaucracy to face it would be worth it.
This is an entirely different topic of conversation, if I may just but in..
ReplyDeleteMy little Sister has a birthday on Tuesday. We don't really do pressies but just like to mark the occaision in some simple way.
My "gift" this year is a fresh M+S Fruit Hamper to be deliveted on the day. It looks quite varied and good value for money as to the contents.
I only mention this as an idea for others, who struggle with doing similar.
What a lovely idea. I hope it can all be enjoyed while it is still fresh.
ReplyDeleteIt is guaranteed for a minimum of 5 days, so to me that means much longer.
DeleteThat is a super idea Miriam and will be very much appreciated.
DeleteWe did something similar at Christmas buy ordering a cheese hamper from the Welsh Cheese company for friends. They have masses of different ones and you can choose exactly which cheeses, chutneys, crackers etc you want to include.
We've told our girls that we don't want any more "stuff" for presents. For Christmas they set up a family grove in Scotland where 6 trees were planted, one for each of the grandchildren. This can be added to in the future so adding to the planet rather than taking from it which suited us perfectly.
DeleteThat's a lovely idea. My older cousin from Hampshire had a tree planted in the New Forest and was able to scatter her husband's ashes under it.
DeleteI love the idea of a “Family Grove” CC, I agree on the not wanting any more stuff, this year MrNuts present to me was an Ancestry DNA test & a charity donation to the Radio 4 Christmas appeal, he got clothes to replace worn out items. I’ve always been a fan of edible gifts as well.
DeleteMessage for - SARNIA
ReplyDeleteDid you hear the piece about playing the organ on The World at One today ?
Sorry, no. I'd just got in from work and I crave silence!
ReplyDeleteAs there was nobody about all day I'll entertain Lady R by putting her out of her misery.
ReplyDeleteTrivia alert:
It was the tiniest, most discreet loo brush and holder you've ever laid eyes on and a Habitat 'designer' chrome loo roll stand on a marbled base. (It's amazing what you can get at Argos these days!) The double mirrored wall cabinet has arrived and will be assembled by my brother-in-law when they visit next week. I'm afraid Mr S's purely functional MDF shelves will have to go as I can no longer reach the contents without standing in the bath. I've also got my beady eye on those poor, weary time-expired avocado tiles - one way or a other they are going to finish up a very pale silver grey. I've found the most gorgeous fern stencil which will be applied to a feature wall beside the bath. Eventually.
WELL at this rate I shall have to consider handing over my title Sarnia 😉
DeleteI was most delighted when logging on to find not only a post but “The post of the day”
So thank you for that. I am now the first post of a new day so between us we should be able to jump start the blog 😂
(KP - how did your evening trip to Chichester go on Saturday?)
Thank you for asking Lady R, It’s a long time since I’d watched the original film so I was able to go in with relatively few preconceptions, it was fun, I’ve always had a soft spot for Miles Jupp and Chichester makes me feel young as audience tends to be mature, although less so than in the past.
ReplyDeleteI trust everyone is staying warm as the temperature drops.
Yes, it certainly has dropped this morning KP, frost and sparkly trees everywhere. Pretty to look at but not nice for driving.
ReplyDeleteI too am very fond of Miles Jupp. First noticed him when looking after youngest grandchild and watching Balamory in which he had a part. Then he was an excellent presenter of The News Quiz, which, in my opinion, has gone right downhill since he left!
Also very much enjoyed his radio sitcom, ‘In and Out of the Kitchen’ which he both wrote and starred in. A very multi-talented chap and pleased to hear he is appearing on stage in a theatre production. Very happy to hear you enjoyed it.
That's so interesting, KP and AP and I enjoyed reading both your posts. It points up what a houseandgardenbore I have become, but in truth there is very little else.
ReplyDeleteOh no Sarnia! Definitely not a garden bore! I have loved reading about all your improvements and ideas, they are very inspiring. Just wish it was possible to post bigger photos on this site.
ReplyDeleteSo now, apologies, but I am going to have a little rant, which might not be approved of, or agreed with:
Teachers going on strike. My daughter and eldest grandson are teaching in a fairly tough Secondary school. When the unionised teachers go on strike they know that they will be expected to take up the slack in order to keep the school open. Much bigger classes, more classes covering for missing staff, more supervision duties etc etc, increasing their workloads considerably. If they and other non-union colleagues do not cooperate the school will have to close and the kids, many of whom are very ‘difficult’ will be on the streets and not getting the help and education they so badly need.
My other point is the effect on children. They have already suffered great disruption to their education through Covid lockdowns. Many have never caught up and are still struggling. So how is another period of school disruption going to help them?
Youngest grandson is taking GCSE’s this summer. The last thing he and his compatriots need is another period of learning at home, work going unmarked etc, they already went through that in 2020-2021 it is simply not fair to children to deny them their education for even a day. 😡
I heartedly agree with you about teachers' strike Archerphile! I joined a union which didn't have strikes when I was teaching (early 90's but not sure whether they have been taken over!)
DeleteI have a pupil who comes to me on Sundays and he is quite a challenge. Not because he is 'special needs' but because, like so many other pupils up and down the country, he has missed more than a year of his education!!!
His teachers have warned that they may have to go to a sixth-form or college to take another year of education to take English, Maths etc.
It really is too bad. Many of the teachers were at home, and they were paid, but I ask myself 'What were they doing then?' I have run lessons on - line, by the way, so I am experienced in that form of teaching. Rant over!!
As a former teacher, mostly in deprived areas, (long ago now) who voted with her feet I prefer not to be drawn into the discussion, AP. However, I've often wondered if you and Mr AP ever tackled that bald circle in your lawn.
ReplyDeleteOh Sarnia, if only! It the one job of reconstruction after the storms that still needs doing and a great bone of contention between Mr A and I,
DeleteIt’s still there, a big rough, bare (but now very weedy) semicircle, right in the eyeline from the house. I want to smooth it over, kill the weeds with glyphosate if I can get any, cover with weed-proof membrane, then edge with rope-topped edging bricks and fill with gravel.
Whereupon I shall put a Lutyens style bench facing the house and our blue pots of Agapanthus. It would give us a view of the garden we have never had before.
But I think the only way it is going to get done is if I find a landscape gardener to come and do the work. For some strange reason, considering he rebuilt our pergola, Mr A is very reluctant to do anything about it.
I seem to remember you mentioning a sundial to go in the middle, too. I have such a clear picture of your plans! It's going to be a lot of heavy work, so if Mr AP isn't sounding too keen I can't say I blame him.
DeleteYou could try 'Design and Dig It. It's a bit of a long shot as he lives in Marchwood and he might consider you too far away. However, I'm sure I've heard him mention working in Portsmouth, plus he prefers worki g with people who care for their gardens, which you clearly do.
Whoever you decide to contact, try attaching one or two pics of the area in question, with a resume of what you have in mind.
Good luck!
I’d forgotten about the sundial! Thank you for reminding me. It just has to be moved from another part of the Garden.
DeleteThat’s it! It’s happening this summer! Mr A or not!
Oh dear, am I leading you astray?
DeleteHas any-one else had snow, as I have. There were snow flurries late afternoon yesterday, enough to turn roads, pavements + cars white. This froze and this morning there was a lot more, but it only lasted until early afternoon.
ReplyDeleteSnow flurries again now and snow is forecast overnight yet again.
It is freexing, so keep warm everyone.
No snow here on the edge of Exmoor yet Miriam but water in various containers has a frozen top. Bright and strong sunshine for much of both yesterday and today.
DeleteJust very heavy frost here, which has not melted all day. Temp is 2C
DeleteI am surprised to see the white stuff, as it usually quite rare here, and there is a warning for snow + ice.
DeleteIt is normally the county side where Esscee is, which gets it.
I saw a news headline somewhere proclaiming snow in Winchester.
ReplyDeleteA short while ago, I mentioned ordering a M+S Fruit selection for sister's birthday. This arrived today, on the correct day. She was thrilled with it and sent me a photo - far better than envisaged.
ReplyDeleteI would recommend this, as an alternative idea and also very good value at £20 + delivery.
No comments today again Lady R.
ReplyDeleteTrying to think of an interesting topic but my mind is almost comatose with being shut indoors for so long.
Talked about my Richard Osman book. Talked about the teachers strike. Talked about the garden.
What’s left?
Oh, I know…. Haas anyone started watching the latest series of Winter Watch?
I am finding it so repetitive, going back to the same place every series, watching the same animals.
Chris Packham (whom I normally admire) larking about with Michaela Strachan as if they are presenting a children’s programme. Same, same, same. A new venue might make it more interesting.
Mr R is watching AP and I dip in and out. Mr R has made similar comments. I guess it keeps the cost down if in one main location as so much is involved. Funnily enough the lockdown programmes were quite impressive all trials taken into account, particularly the mindfulness segment. Is that still part of the programme?
DeleteNot a lot to say Archerfile, I'm busy getting jobs done before going in for my hip replacement next week. I'm currently reading Richard Cole's book, will let you know what I think about it when I've finished. I agree about the venue for Winterwatch.
ReplyDeleteAnother day with some bright sunshine but very cold nevertheless.
DeleteAgain no snow here but can see the tops of the Welsh hills very white with snow.
Have been to see ‘ A man called Otto ‘ this afternoon and it was very enjoyable.
I did read the book ‘ A man called OVO ‘ and saw the previous film some years ago.
This was the American version with a very good Tom Hanks.
Thought provoking on the subject of happiness and humanity.
CC - hope everything goes well for your hip replacement. Have you had all the preparatory visits, learnt to use crutches and how to cope with everything when you get home?
ReplyDeleteMy hospital was marvellous, having a mock up kitchen and bathroom so you could practice doing all the things that require bending without disturbing the new hip. They also had a car (well, half a car) so you could learn how to get in and out of it in preparation for the journey home after the op. They also supplied me with various helpful items such as a raised toilet seat, a gadget for helping to put tights on and a ‘picker-upper’ for reaching things, which I still use today.
Yes I'm all prepared Archerfile thank you. I had my other one done 5yrs ago, about the same time that you had yours done I think, so I've already got all the equipment.
DeleteOh, that’s good CC. At least you know exactly what to expect and are fully prepared.
DeleteI didn’t realise you had the other one done already. Sorry to sound like I was teaching a grandmother to suck eggs! (Where does that strange expression come from?? 😄)
Yes, I still use my grabber for all sorts of things. I'd had it for years before I discovered quite by accident that it also has a magnet on the bottom. I wish I'd known that from the beginning.
ReplyDeleteMrs P….good to know you enjoyed the film. I quite fancy going to see it.
ReplyDeleteI’m in the middle of decorating our computer room. It was lemon yellow and bright lime green!!!! Awkward that I can’t get the furniture out so I’m having to do one wall at a time in foraging……pale beige! Lol. I hear the beige and brown are the in colours this year, grey getting the elbow. Who knew, I’ve been trendy for years with my love of “ coffee and cream” colours.
Just wish I could bring up some enthusiasm for painting the ceiling.
Have you read the book PtbY ?
DeleteI think there were some tweaks in this film to allow for Hollywood requirements I suppose.
Yet another change from my local NHS ‘ outlet ‘
My surgery here has a dedicated time slot, an hour morning and afternoon to request prescriptions.
I telephoned this morning and received the automated reply about the time slot and went through to the request line to be greeted with another automated message telling me that repeat prescriptions were no longer accepted by phone, and further, to please redial to speak to reception.
This I did ( it took four attempts until I could get through) and was told that since last week no further prescription requests would be taken over the phone.
I should now ….. 1. Send an email request
2. Use the NHS app….. plus two other avenues that I didn’t even understand.
3. Take my request to the surgery ( which in my case is in Dunster, three miles away )
The receptionist then took my email address and agreed to send me a link.
I’ve now requested my prescription.
In my previous home we had reached the point of patients no longer being allowed to have a prescription slip at all. All to be done electronically.
I despair !
No I haven’t read the book but I do like Tom Hanks.
DeleteYour description of your drs is the same as ours. We’ve had designated time for repeat prescriptions for the last couple of years. Our drs have had a whole new system put in this last October and now instead of using patient access app we have to use the nhs app. The previous app was much better. You could see when your prescription had been approved. This nhs app is not half as good. I will admit to liking ordering online. I usually find out I need something ordering as I go to bed so can order then instead of forgetting by the morning.
Just another way of making us do their jobs though.
Every few weeks I get yet another letter about making an appointment for a free lung check. It would save such a lot of paper if I could get through to someone when I ring up!
DeleteIf I could, I would explain that a telephone lung check would be as useful as the tick-box exercise that passed for an asthma review these days, and a visit to either of the available surgeries either involves four buses and a whole day out, or nearly £30 return in taxi fares.
But I can't, so the letters just keep on coming
Gardentalk
ReplyDeleteI haven't been down the garden for some time, either too wet or too cold. This morning I had to let someone in to measure up the nextdoor fence as the neighbours were out. Until now all I've done is lament the frost damage to various favourite plants and grieve the loss of my beautiful echiums. However, today I was rewarded with the sight of huge fat buds on my deep red hellebore, the colour of rich, ruby wine.
The mimosa is in flower and there are also signs of life on the wisteria, honeysuckle and clematis. In the greenhouse the Irish and camassia bulbs are stirring and the three young winter-flowering clematis are quietly flourishing.
There's obviously more hardship yet to come for them, but still all is clearly not lost!
My phone seems to think I'm harbouring Irish bulbs! I wonder what they would produce?
ReplyDeleteI wondered if you had Irish Bells Sarnia.
DeleteI bought a camassia in flower some years ago, but it struggled without achieving a flower again because ihad it in a pot at the NE facing front of my cottage. Eventually I gave it to a neighbour who does get sun in her garden.
My actual garden also got sun, but I had to climb a hill and be some way away from the house to experience it.
I envy you your Mimosa.
No, Mrs P, they are irises. My phone stuck an 'h' on the end just because it can. The mimosa is only in its second winter and we weren't sure if it would be strong enough yet to survive the frost at the bottom of the garden. We left it in its pot and Nigel brought it up and pushed it right in under the branches of the old oleander. The flowers are tiny still, but peep out prettily from beneath the shelter of the older tree.
ReplyDeleteI'm raising the blue camassias and purple alliums in pots. When the tulips and camassias in the woodland meadow come up we'll plant them out in the gaps. Then as they die off the summer meadow plants appear in amongst. It sort of works, but it's very much at the experimental stage yet.
As you get to know this new garden you'll be able to do so much more with it. I envy you the magnolia!
By the way, AP, if you're serious about your new garden feature, you'll need to sort out an estimate NOW. If you leave it until the summer they'll all be booked up until Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThat reminds me to look into new gates + fencing. Now is perhaps the time to sort it out. I will be using a local firm, just half a mile away, who have done a lot in my area. I have watched the work and then seen the results.
DeleteWoke up at midnight for a loo visit, and on looking out it was snowing heavily. For the third morning in a row, I woke up to a white world.
ReplyDeleteIt still hasn't all melted and snow is still on my car.
After doing the bin trundling excercise a short while ago, I scrunched down the garden through snow + ice to have a look.
Last September I planted something like 50-60 new bulbs of varying sorts, but none are showing any signs of appearing. I rather think that they have all rotted after so much rain last autumn. I am particularly disappointed that I have lost 10 mini iris's, which were cerise pink in colour rather than the normal blue.
The only good thing is that my snowdrops seem to have multiplied even more, so I will get a good display.
That's really upsetting, Miriam, were they actually in the garden? As a novice gardener still finding my way I am ever mindful of the Great Monty's advice that Iris bulbs don't mind the cold but hate getting wet, which is why mine are in the greenhouse - I'm too nervous about planting them out.
ReplyDeleteI am warned that my wrought iron gates won't last much longer, which is fair enough, as they were already there when we came in 1971. I'll use the same people who made the railings. It seems odd to me that wrought iron gates should be cheaper than wooden ones. When I was in the process of deciding what fencing to have, the price of the wooden double gates was frightening.
PS I envy you the snowdrops. Garden says 'No!'
ReplyDeleteAs I put some squirrel food out this aft I did a survey of our back border. Bulbs coming up all along it. Something to look forward to at long last. Roll on spring.
ReplyDeleteI did a Lidl shop this aft. Glad I did cos half an hour after getting home it started to snow. I don’t care though now I’ve got some grub in and don’t have to go anywhere. It can snow as much as it wants.
Plenty of snow here too.
ReplyDeleteIt was quite mild here today, though when i opened my back gate to come into my garden I felt a strong wind that was not evident at the front.
ReplyDeleteI am using the garden and side gate since yesterday to get Lady out, as my neighbour upstairs has told me that her dog Louie has kennel cough.
Saw the first snowdrops today, just a small bundle peeping through very damp ground which has clearly been flooded in the last few days.
PtbY, why do you feed squirrels ?
Surely they will take advantage and eat your bulbs.
We have 3 squirrels that run along our back fence. We don’t get any birds other than ruddy cooing wood pigeons. So have given up trying to attract birds and provide entertainment via feeding the squirrels instead. They won’t eat my bulbs cos they have 300 million ruddy beech nuts off the two enormous trees just over the fence behind us.
DeleteLucky you! We don't get snowdrops round here - wrong kind of soil I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the R4 drama on Wednesday - Eat and Run.
ReplyDeleteOn the surface it was a fun listen, but it highlighted something which is happening more + more these days, as often read about on local news sites.
Re Lady R’s comment:; in reply to mine of yesterday at 4.43, concerning Winter Watch
ReplyDeleteYes , we thought the Lockdown Watch programmes were beautiful,, especially the peaceful moments of just music and beautiful scenery,
I think what made those programmes were so special was that it was just Chris Packham and his step-daughter Megan presenting them from their own doorstep, as it were.
Michaela Strachan was unable to travel from her home in South Africa. Since she has been back they have gone back into ‘Really Wild’ mode, the children’s programme they presented together many years ago. The pictures are still beautiful, if repetitive but it is the constant juvenile behaviour and giggling and joke making which seems so out of place in a wildlife programme.
I much prefer Iolo Williams prestation style - knowledgable, enthusiastic but above all calm!
I agree about Iolo Williams, we watch other
DeleteSorry pressed post by accident. To continue- other programmes of his.
DeleteMr R has deep respect for Iolo and watches any programme he heads or appears in. Recently we watched the programme by him showing clips from when he started and he looked as if he were his own son he was so young 🤗
DeleteNew thread opened
ReplyDelete