Life outside Ambridge
Tree up, decorated & not quite straight!
Life in Ambridge
Following todays news
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Life in Ambridge
Starter kit for Ed & Emma
Life in Ambridge
Nothing to do with the current story-line but rather cute
Lady RDecember 19, 2023 at 6:45 PM
ReplyDeleteCould be Sarnia. Very quiet here today maybe like us it’s been a few days of people popping in which is nice but tiring when it all happens at once. Also our nighttime’s are interrupted by visits to the toilet. Mr R especially yet in the daytime not so and of course I am then on the alert so do same 🤣 Therefore an afternoon nod is appreciated and missed a few since last Thursday- poor old soul!!
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Sarnia December 19, 2023 at 9:08 PM
Nobody popping in here, Lady R. In local terms I live on the wrong side of the river; people who live on the church side (west) tend not to have any reason to cross the bridge, so I'm off the beaten track for dropping in.
Poor you, I remember what it was like to be on call all night, every night. Hopefully Lord R can still remember where the facilities are, which, alas, Mr S could not!
Thinking of you.
Lady RDecember 20, 2023 at 10:56 AM
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kindness Sarnia. Mr R is thankfully at least 95% ok with memory as of now (but I have experienced elements of your situation in the past with my mum) and can appreciate the very draining situation you had to cope with and that is why it is so lovely to hear of the better days you are having now with your beautiful garden etc to enjoy and continue to plan for 🌺🌼🌸
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Sarnia December 20, 2023 at 11:55 AM
Oh, Lady R, that comment was intended as a gesture of solidarity with the constant strain under which you have to live your life, and your poor husband, for whom every day must be such a struggle. How like your generous spirit to turn it round to sympathy for me.
Please accept it as a tiny shred of comfort for yourself.
Lady RDecember 20, 2023 at 2:19 PM
ReplyDelete🙏🏼 done! 🥰
DELETE
MiriamDecember 20, 2023 at 4:08 PM
I have been watching a big building development being constructed not far from me. It is 5 blocks each 9 storeys high and will be 155 retirement apartments. It is by a very busy roundabout with many busy roads and there is nowhere green + leafy to walk to.
Still it will suit some.
It looks so un-appealing and a true eyesore.
Lady RDecember 20, 2023 at 4:47 PM
ReplyDeleteI know Miriam this is happening a lot 😟
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Cheshire CheeseDecember 20, 2023 at 5:25 PM
Same here Miriam.
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MiriamDecember 20, 2023 at 5:52 PM
Supermarket shop this morning for the last time 'till next week. It was great and my plan to go to the farm shop tomorrow was suddenly changed.
Veg. was so fresh, new in and very reasonable price wise.
...and no I didn't buy sprouts!
I still don't know when I will put the Christmas tree + Dec's up, even if at all that is...😀 🤷♀️
Like Miriam I am hoping I don’t need to go to the shops this side of Christmas, I’ll probably need to pop out but only locally. Next few days I plan on being domesticated, daughter wants to make sushi & sweets (fudge, coconut ice, peppermint creams & marzipan fruits) Not having any guests this year means I’m more relaxed about cleaning, although laundry still needs doing☹️
ReplyDeleteI met up with younger daughter on Monday, half way between us both. She took a day off work. The plan was to walk dogs together, now that Lady has been to a behaviourist and is improving in her reactivity towards other dogs. ( it’s still a work in progress )
ReplyDeleteWe met at a Blue Diamond garden centre then off for our walk at Brent Knoll.
The path was steep and at least three inches deep in wet mud.
It really should not have been attempted.
I went down jarring right wrist, front of both shoulders, front of hips and both ankles.
Nothing broken and wasn’t particularly shaken.
The day continued with me feeling almost panicked in the enormous space with lights and people and trying to find signage to the lavatories and finally discovering that I had left my card in the lavatories.
My card had been handed in - there are still mostly honest people in this world ! - and home.
Since when every joint in my body has been hurting.
Nothing broken but clearly very jolted up.
Oh, and the toaster has broken - only bought a few months ago - and I’ve run out of bread.
I really don’t want to drive to the end of the Lizard on Saturday !
WINTER SOLSTICE
ReplyDeleteThe seasons greetings to each and every one
Hallelujah!!!
ReplyDeletePoor Mrs P. There's such a thing as too intrepid, you know.
ReplyDeleteAren't there websites you can contact that will send people to arrive, smiling, on your doorstep within minutes with that forgotten loaf of bread? They do it for milk and nappies, I've seen it on TV.
I'm so sorry to hear about your woes MrsP. Glad that no bones are broken and hope that you feel better soon 🤞
ReplyDeleteMrsP, i hope you feel better soon. Do you have a small shop or petrol station locally where you can get bread? Or could you make some soda bread, which is my backup position.
ReplyDeleteSarnia, I’m not sure how serious your comment regarding delivery services was, where I live it’s a case of computer says no!
Deadly serious, KP. There's an ad with an excessively gormless mother and daughter in ridiculous meltdown at breakfast time because there is not only no miw' in the fridge but they're ou' a bu''a as well. Reach for the mobile and all is saw'ed in minutes.
ReplyDeleteThe articulate, middle-class family with the disgustingly smelly baby have mysteriously omitted to buy any nappies, with the same outcome.
For some odd reason that ad seems to have disappeared.
So sorry to hear of your fall Mrs P and the consequences. As Sarnia said, no point in attempting the most difficult tasks, like climbing a steep muddy path, try to settle for something easier, even if the view is not so pretty.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are fully recovered in time for Christmas and will have a lovely, pain-free day.
Oh Mrs. P.. very sorry to hear about your day out, experience over expectation, we hope for the best and have to accept what we get. Are you still planning to go to Cornwall on Saturday, or could you delay it and go for New Year?
ReplyDeleteSarnia, re ferries to the Channel Islands....
ReplyDeleteI love ferries, even Condor, but will not attempt a winter crossing again anytime soon. The crossing over was more than 3 hours delayed because of extra freight being loaded, that was no issue for me because I was warm, fed, happy. My journey back was cancelled 3 times, twice for weather, once for 'technical problems'. I was not so happy to have to pay for three extra nights accomodation, amended coach tickets etc, not to mention my house being viewed and my daughter /baby grand-daughter arriving home to a cold, empty house. I tried to fly off the island but lots of people had the same idea, so no seats available at all...
I very stupidly declined the 'acts of God' clause in my travel insurance, I didn't think rain counted (!), but Condor will hopefully pay out for the outward delay and the tech cancellation. The worst thing was having to check sailing updates all the time, they weren't very good at updating me, but pleasant enough when I phoned them. It can be difficult (and expensive) being 'green' ish...
The devastion left by Storm Babette was horrible, whole avenues of trees down, lots of closed roads, people evacuated, very sad to see.
DeleteI must admit to having been concerned. It's nothing unusual to make a dreadful crossing be unable to access the harbour due to high winds and then have to endure the whole nightmare in reverse.
ReplyDeleteBlue Islands evacuated their whole fleet to Liverpool airport for the storm, couldn't return until midday the following day because of repairs needed to the runway. Having already flown down from Liverpool they then worked late into the night to fit in a whole day's timetable. I hope no-one complained about the delays!
I was so excited a short while ago.
ReplyDeleteI was chatting on the 'phone as the sun was going down and on looking out, I saw a Rainbow Cloud. It didn't last long but the person I was talking to, had no idea what I was wittering on about and why.
It was lovely to have witnessed this.
To add, the winds have now dropped and again I have been lucky.
DeleteNowhere near as bad as predicted.
You were lucky indeed Miriam. There have been some beautiful skies recently including the rare Mother of Pearl Clouds which are really pretty.
DeleteDon't forget the All Creatures Christmas episode tonight.
ReplyDelete✔️ 😊 we are going to watch the episode itself first and then the making of it programme afterwards. I think they should have scheduled in reverse one does not want to watch the programme seeing in one’s eye all the action of the cameras and modern day dressed crew.
DeleteI’ve just seen a number of photographs of the rainbow clouds that Miriam saw.
ReplyDeleteThey are on the BBC News Thread.
Apparently they were evident throughout the midlands and further north.
This morning I saw a 'photo on a local newsite of a rainbow cloud, taken just 6 miles away. It was almost identical to what I saw..
DeleteI am sitting down awaiting a visit from my step granddaughter and thought I would check up to see what is happening to you all.
ReplyDeleteFirstly,Lady R I am so sorry to hear how difficult life is for you at the moment .I only had a short time looking after John when he became I'll but I know how exhausted I felt.
My thoughts are with all of you who are struggling with various medical problems.
Lady R ,I see you mentioned me in one of your comments .That is kind of you.
To be honest I really felt I had nothing to add to any of the conversations .
There seem to be a lot about Strictly which I don't watch and as I have said before ,cooking doesn't interest me at all.
Loved "All Creatures Great and Small " and also the programme before it about the series.
There is a programme on BBC Sounds Radio4 which I am enjoying at the moment which is called "Life Changing " by Sian Williams .I listen to that when I make my greetings cards .
I have been having a great time doing what John used to call"playing" .
It involves tidying cupboards and drawers and rearranging furniture and throwing out stuff I won't ever use .I find it very cathartic.Tomorrow I plan to make a start on the garage.
No rush to finish it though.
I am fortunate in that although my family do not live nearby I have friends with whom I can meet regularly so I have never been lonely so far!
As Lady R mentioned I watch the Liverpool matches on TV as well as any England cricket matches
.
Best wishes to you all.
Hope you have a very happy Christmas and an enjoyable and healthy 2024.
I watched the cross-over programme before and enjoyed it. What surprised me was, how different the cast appeared when not dressed as in the series.
DeleteI was glad it gave nothing away, as I still have to watch the entire series ending with The Christmas Special.
This is my New Year binge treat!
Good to hear from you LanJan and a comfortable Christmas to you.
DeleteI heard that you were having smoked salmon which inspired me to get some for myself for when I return from Cornwall, if I go.
And thanks to all the commiserations received after my fall.
I have recovered but for the last couple of days I’ve been getting nauseous headaches and fear that I might have some mild bug or other.
I’m still unsure about going to Cornwall, although friend Simon has insisted that he will take me down and return for me on Wednesday.
Simon was a long distance delivery driver in his younger years so does not consider a trip to Cornwall and back on the same day as anything other than a doddle.
Went to the beach with Lady earlier. The wind has caused sand storms and the waves were crashing in. Walking with the wind behind wasn’t too bad, but returning into the wind was dreadful. Sand in mouth and eyes, and it’s caught in the very fine drift of hairs that now covers my head.
A. HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL
An hour+ making sushi with my daughter has certainly increased my respect for the sushi guys in Waitrose.
ReplyDeleteYesterdays confectionary all put in boxes to stop MrNuts eating it all before Xmas.
I've already opened my Christmas chocs and enjoying them. I bought "Heroes" this year but I am limiting myself!
DeleteHe’s not being deprived, we’ve already got through one of the two panettone I bought, we always have some chocks on the go & I made mince pies & cheese straws today. He certainly won’t starve 😋
DeleteI am watching the early series of Downton Abbey for the first time.
ReplyDeleteSpanish 'Flu has hit, and how this reminds me of the Covid pandemic. This was an unknown virus at that time, which also went on for about 2 years with similar consequences.
How lucky we are with modern vaccines to help and still needed.
Lovely to hear from Lanjan again. I hope you have a really lovely Christmas, doing just what you enjoy best. And the same to Mrs P, Spicy, Lord and Lady R, KP, Miriam and everyone who enjoys and contributes to these blogs.
ReplyDeleteWe did the last of our food shopping today and were amazed to find big bags of carrots, parsnips and sprouts all at just 19p per bag and no sign of a shortage ,in Sainsburys. A big help to those on a budget this year. Although we shall all be at our daughters for Christmas Day, I shall be cooking our Turkey and Xmas pud on Boxing Day for us and our French family ……with lots and lots of help!
So I just want to wish everyone a very happy holiday and thank you all for your friendship and good advice over the past year. Happy Christmas Everyone! 🎄🎄🎄
We're on our way to oldest daughter for our family Christmas. Just wanted to wish everyone all the best for the festive season.
ReplyDeleteJust popping in to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas, and hoping the world becomes a more peaceful place in 2024.
ReplyDeletePtbY you were quite right. The bosch washing machine is fantastic and nice and quiet. My kitchen is now not looking like a bombsite just in time for Christmas and I was very pleased with how the builder blended the old units with the new.
I am late sending my cards and only made my puddings two days before and had them steaming most of the day yesterday on the rayburn; partly because of the work being done but also because we have just been to London for a few days. A college friend of Mabel's from the Philippines has recently married a British man from Cambridgeshire and they were having their honeymoon in London and she wanted to be able to meet up with her friend. Also it was my daughter's birthday and her brother paid for tickets to the Harry Potter studios as her present. It was decorated for Christmas and even had fake snow falling down outside. We packed a lot in. The London lights were amazing, and if any of you live nearby the ice sculptures on display at Winter Wonderland were incredible, a sort of telling of Norse myths in ice. Mabel went round a lot quicker than the rest of us as she found it too cold, but she enjoyed eating out especially in Chinatown as there were restaurants serving Asian food.
Similarly to Archerfile I want to say thank you for the companionship and empathy shown on this blog, and a special thank you to KPnuts for running the site. 🎄☃️🎉
Season's greetings to you all, from Sarnia and the Island family!
ReplyDelete🛫🛫🛫🛫🛫
I’d like to join Janice and Sarnia in wishing fellow bloggers a happy and peaceful Christmas, and a rewarding and productive year ahead. Thank you al for your insights and companionship.
ReplyDeleteLanjan 👏🏻 so lovely to hear from you! Wishing you a relaxed and happy holiday period doing what you wish to do as and when you feel like doing it….thank you too for your thoughts of us both. Mr R is doing ok right now and we are just taking it easy and enjoying a quiet time together now that the popping by has died down. We are staying home as it has now become very difficult mobility wise to visit the friends that we normally do ( toilet facilities for instance where equipment such as high seat and frame is needed) means no wood burner or completely home cooked and much home grown food and me in the kitchen - dam 😱🤣
ReplyDelete🎄to each and everyone of you that contributes here I wish you and all your loved ones a very happy Christmas & New Year 🙏🏼 and I too would like KP to know what a wonderful job she is doing in keeping us together and able therefore to be able to share our highs and lows. It is the only blog I contribute to and would be lost without it so KP thank you!
‼️Covid is certainly on the up and within the injected we have friends (and now just heard our neighbours) who have succumbed for the first time right on Christmas too so family celebrations at best delayed. Fortunately we have only been in contact by phone for awhile for one reason and another mostly hospitals for Mr R and then Mr W next door!
I hope you all have a warm and peaceful Christmas, and a very happy 2024.
ReplyDeleteHave a Wonderful Christmas everyone, however you will be spending it🎄❤️
ReplyDeletePeace + Goodwill to every-one.
I am on my own this year, but this doesn't worry me at all. I had a brilliant + hectic family Christmas last year, so this year is the opposite.
DeleteI have a turkey breast steak in the freezer to be cooked in someway (not decided how yet) along with R.Pots, cranberry sauce, gravy, veg. etc followed by an individual Christmas Pudding - homemade from the remains of the big one I made, way back in November.
No idea when the Big One will be used, but it will keep well! 😃
PS Not on my own per se.as 🐈⬛ will be around.
DeleteOf course Miriam must not forget puss. I’m sure I will be popping in here during the day possibly to nick some of your roast pots 🤣
DeleteJanice….so glad to hear you are pleased with your Bosch washer. I found a new program this morning. Mixed load, 40 degrees , highest spin, reduced time …..48 mins for the wash. Everything came out clean. Much better than the standard 3hr wash. Must be saving loads in leccy!
ReplyDeleteSat watching the obligatory its a wonderful life film. Absolute favourite, wouldn’t be Christmas without it.
Wishing everyone a merry Christmas and hope 2024 is a good year for everyone. 🎄🍾🎉😊🥂
Whoops. Forgot. What I came on to say was that I’ve just read that the actor who played Roy in the Archers has died. Such a shame. He was one of my faves.
ReplyDeleteWe have been discussing this sad news on the Archers blog, PtbY You’ll find more comments there
DeleteOoh no I did not know this how very sad 😔
DeleteI have now read this report - Ian Pepperell was only 53yrs and such a fine looking man apparently it was the result of a long illness may he now RIP. A sad loss for his loved ones.
Such a shame, and right before Christmas too. Very hard for his family. I always hoped that he and Kirsty might have paired up but that will never happen now.
ReplyDeleteMe too Janice. As such a young character I wonder if they will recast in time or just have Roy move on to another job to be nearer his now much older dad!
DeleteThank you for this news which I had not heard today due to travelling and talking with companion who kindly delivered me to my C’mas destination in Cornwall a very old and very cold extremely large house. ( too large to include heating unless guests incumbent )
ReplyDeleteHow very sad and so young, and loss of another favourite character.
I wish all friends seasonal greetings and many thanks for the sharing of thoughts over the last year. Like Lady R this is the only blog that I subscribe to so am thankful for the friendships here.
Off on the chain link King Harry ferry tomorrow to collect bread specially ordered for Christmas.
Oh Mrs P not a cold house I could not bear it 😨 small and toasty warm for me but then I am a wimp!! Collecting bread on Christmas morning? Sounds yummy though.
DeleteEnjoy your family time and please stay upright and arrive back home in one piece.
How long was your journey?
Will be having a peaceful year this year. Rob and Kelly (youngest son and dil) will be arriving for breakfast (7.30 , I don't think. More like 9.00 !) Opening presents then as there are dozens. As we have some from Australia and some from Germany for us four.
ReplyDeleteThen Rob and Kelly will go to her parents for dinner, leaving Jon and I for dinner. Jon is having chicken as he feels turkey would be too much and last about five meals! I am making today a Broccolli and Parmesan Torte ready for tomorrow. It is a dish I received from one of my sister's many years ago and I love it. However it is quite complicated so I don't make it often!
I have had Covid even though I had the jab ! Cough and snivelling but mainly couldn't get my legs to work ! Walking from sitting room to kitchen caused me to sit down and have a rest. But much better now.
Today I am just icing Christmas cake, making my Christnas dinner for tomorrow, delivering cards to neighbours and hoovering the sitting room. Then I'll sit down and probably watch TV !
Happy Christmas to all and a peaceful 2024, we hope. ❤️💕❤️
Lovely to hear from you spicy. Enjoy a relaxing Christmas.
DeleteJust MrPtbY and myself this year. I’ve got a frozen venison joint from Lidl….just put in the oven. Most taxing thing will be the roast spuds. Made bread sauce weeks ago and put in freezer.
Merry Christmas. 🥂
I might be on my own tomorrow, but I found out today that there will be a family festive meal on Thursday.
ReplyDeleteIt's being described as a mid Christmas + NewYear Fun catch up, along with crackers, hats + games! No doubt like Brookfield, Charades will appear somewhere!
I’ve been happily busy doing holiday things with m elder daughter. Normally her anxiety/depression gets bad in December, we’ve tried daylight lamps etc to no avail, but this year she’s been really upbeat, singing along to to carols and helping me in the kitchen, which has been really special to me.
ReplyDeleteI hope everyone enjoys their festivities however they spend them. I’m wondering whether I can sneak in a sample of the vintage port I have just decanted or should I wait for the English sparkling wine that is currently in the fridge?
Merry Christmas everyone 🍾🥂🎄
And to you, along with a massive "Thank-you" for keeping this site going.
DeleteI for one appreciate so this.🎄🎅
Thank you Miriam, you have reminded me that I failed to thank KPNUTS
Deletefor looking after us all year.!
So THANK YOU KP
Merry Christmas Everybody!!!!
ReplyDeleteSeasons Greetings to all and thanks to KP.
ReplyDeleteHello Miriam and Happy Christmas morn to you 🥰
ReplyDeleteNo doubt you are busy preparing your “feast”.Will puss participate in any of your spoils 🐈⬛🎄
Thought of you when “Carols from Kings” was on tv yesterday. (Our latest binge is watching “As time goes by” from the very first series there are 9 altogether we just love it)!
Time for you to enjoy “All creatures great and small”now? You have a treat in store ⭐️🫏🐄🐈⬛🦮
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHello Stasia. Happy Christmas.🎄🎉
DeleteI'm not sure that Stasia celebrates Christmas, Janice
DeleteOr Happy Yuletide, Happy Solstice, Happy Midwinter festival, Coming of the light (Light ?), take your pick Stasia. I think it is part of human nature to have and to celebrate festivals so Happy whatever and hope that in 2024 all your home grown vegies are prizewinners.
DeleteI hope everyone had a really lovely Christmas Day, wherever and whatever you were doing.
ReplyDeleteWe certainly did and my daughter and son in law pulled out all the stops feeding 11 of us, including a superb evening buffet as well as the traditional Turkey lunch.
Today it’s my turn to cook a Turkey, , which I shall prepare as the rest of the gang go out for a Boxing Day walk.
It’s taken a while to come to terms with the fact that I am no longer the family matriarch at Christmas, providing the meal and everything for our wider family. After 50 odd years I have, mentally, handed over to my daughter to be Mother Christmas! Time for a rest. 😌
Well done for making the transition ARCHERPHILE - I’ve never been in that position to need to do so, but I can imagine what it would mean to have to do so.
DeleteInteresting to see that Stasia still follows us !
And lovely to see Burnham Beeches here too!
DeleteYes, I noticed a message from her very recently and was pleased to see that she seemed still to be with us.
DeleteHello again BB
Hopefully you are all still enjoying your Christmas and Boxing Day.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed mine - in so many ways.
It was doing what I wanted to do when I wanted to, and I loved it. There were lots of video calls, messages etc. from family, so at no time did I feel I was on my own.
I ate well....
I woke up this morning to an awful but short message from OZ.
Yesterday I saw such wonderful 'photos and videos of my family OZ Christmas, which was made as traditional a UK one as possible, except it was chicken not turkey. It was eaten on thier covered "verandah/terrace" in 32C heat, but had Christmas hats, Christmas tablecloth and so on, along with brilliant coloured parrots 🦜
This morning it was just a quick message as they had been at the centre of an awful storm, now classed as a mini-cyclone, and have been without electricity for 24hours now.
They are all safe as is their property, but it is🫰they still are, as all communications are still not working.
The Guardian had an article about this, this morning and the 'photos shown are only about 20miles from where niece and family lives.
So sorry for your Oz family Miriam.
DeleteAustralia is really being hit badly by global warming.
I join Mrs P in sending thoughts Miriam.
DeleteThank you Janice, I thought it only proper to reply. I do visit here sometimes, every few months but tend to lurk as I have little or no knowledge about the topics discussed. Now as for veg, I’m still growing on the allotment and the next task is potato planting, got to buy the seeds first.
ReplyDeleteI am an atheist but do celebrate Christmas, it’s an opportunity to give to others. Of course it’s nice to also receive. I did celebrate Hanukkah with my sister and her family, totally secular, any excuse to eat good food and drink fine wines.
The one thing I would love to be able to do here is post imagines, pictures, cards etc. emojis are very limited.
I would like to wish you all a good new year.
Stasia just join in with any sort of topic you like, as I for one would love anything...
DeleteI am already intrigued about what + when you plant on your allotment...
Hello Stasia,
DeleteA happy new year to you.
I’m intrigued by your potato seeds.
I’ve only ever known about ‘ chitting ‘ potato’s - can’t quite remember exactly what I had to do with it but remember it so clearly that I feel I must have been involved in some way. Perhaps I had to help grade in sizes.
I have never wanted anything to do with allotments having been so involved as a child, but of course I will be forever grateful to have been fed continuously with fresh vegetables throughout my childhood.
As Miriam has suggested you will always be welcome to join in on any subject including your allotment.
I have started sorting out a jigsaw this afternoon, but didn't get very far. It was very "gloomy" but I just didn't want to put any lights on!
ReplyDeleteTomorrow is my "Family, Festive + Fun Day". It is a late Christmas Day + early New Year get-together event.
There will be 5 adults and two youngsters plus a dog and I believe it is going to be a R.Pork meal with all the trimmings.
I have been offered a bed to sleep over, which I have so accepted!
The hot tub will be available, not for me though but the kids will love it.
I’m back home this evening after my few days in Cornwall.
ReplyDeleteFriend Simon, who took me there and then came and brought me home, has apparently been thinking of suggesting that he takes me down every six weeks or so to spend a few days with my daughter. A lovely and generous idea, but I am anxious about not driving long distances now and again and as a result becoming fearful of doing so. I do want to keep driving for as long as possible into my very senior years. And also to remain competent of course. I do not wish to lose my confidence even if I do need to reign in my intrepid spirit. ( as hinted at by Sarnia ! )
It wasn’t a quiet Christmas - son in laws constant shouting does not induce an atmosphere of peace, but some home truths were exchanged leaving each of us with thoughts to be reflected upon.
On the return journey it was evident that younger daughter and family would be passing us on there way to their few days there, so texts were shared and we were able to meet up in a car park and exchange hugs all round. It also gave the opportunity of the dogs to meet again. All over and done with in ten minutes, but good to see my now grown up grandchildren. With both girls now at different universities and grandson in the sixth form and trouble with dogs, it’s become rare to see them.
I felt the same as you this year about passing on the baton for hosting Christmas Archerfile. We did have a lovely time at our daughter's, lots of delicious food and good fun with the family. Giving the job of making the jokes for the crackers to our grandson was interesting given what the humour of 10 year old boys is like! Mine was very apt though.
ReplyDeleteQ: Who is the coolest person in the hospital?
A: The hip operation surgeon.
We had a difficult journey home yesterday due to bad weather and delays because of heavy traffic and only 6 of 16 toilets in working order at the services! I was glad to be home.
For the next few days we will be catching up with the Christmas programmes that we recorded as we didn't watch any TV while we were away.
My sister in law drove down from north Wales to have dinner at an hotel with us and all the family while they are here. She had a horrendous journey too. It should have taken an easy 4 hours - it took her 6 and a half and she couldn’t even get onto the M4 at Swindon as it was totally blocked. But we did enjoy the meal and she was amazed at how much her nephews and niece had grown!
DeleteAnd today our television just stopped working in the middle of the news. Curry’s won’t mend it, they said contact Sony. Sony won’t mend it, they said contact a repairer in Basingstoke. They seem to be closed for the holiday, so we are stumped.
DeleteWhat I don’t know is if all the programmes I had set to record for us to watch later will be there or not. And I did especially want to see the Agatha Chrisite play on BBC. ☹️
Have you checked all that you can AP? If run via aerial is is still in situ with all the strong winds about? If wi-fi /box have you switched off unplugged everything and restarted? All these items can be so temperamental I know from experience 😡
DeleteGoogle says retailer responsible to replace or repair tv the choice is theirs! How old is your tv?John Lewis for instance guarantee for 5 years but if newly purchased a replacement must be actioned I’m pretty sure. Much listening to LBC Consumer Hour - solicitor run!
Presumably the Agatha Christie play will be on iPlayer if necessary.
DeleteWasn’t impressed with Agatha Christie drama. You could tell it was on the bbc….. wokeness galore. Seem to remember last Christmas’s Agatha Christie offering was the same.
DeleteMr going out this aft to go to a footy match tonight. I am going to watch “Sweet Charity” film. Haven’t seen it since I was a teenager. Then I might watch Cyrano. Have a totally lazy day. Dogs walked so they can lounge for the rest of the day too.
May even go mad and open a bottle of wine.
Sat and watched brief encounter the other evening! Enjoyed it but oh the old acting is diabolical.
I do enjoy murder and mysteries but felt let down by Agatha Christie's drama. The story is not one of her best. Honestly, why don't writers and producers actually write their own stories and not mangle with classics, and literature of previous centuries.
DeleteI did watch the first episode but recorded the second. Perhaps will watch the rest of the series or not?
Christmas Day - my son did arrive at 7.30am! Both work nights so they are used to strange sleeping hours. Jon cooked breakfast (full English) then Christmas presents. I spoke with my daughter and one grandson in Victoria and then about half an hour later my son in Germany. Happy day all around!
'spoke with me and his family there in Frankfurt.'
DeleteIt good to hear you sounding chipper Spicey.
DeleteI do hope you are bast the worst on this awful journey of health you’ve been through and are now able to move on to some extent.
I wish you a good New Year
I watched a Sidney Lumet 1974 version of Orient Express.
DeleteI watched for the cast, all my contemporaries when we were young.
Albert Finny, Michael York Jacqueline Bisset, Vanessa Redgrave, and Wendy Hillier and Rachel Reid too. As well as Lauren Bacall.
I didn’t enjoy it much but was fascinated by the cast.
I like the film but I can’t stand Albert Finney as Poirot. Peter Ustinov is the best film Poirot.
DeleteI didn’t like the film much and I agree that Albert Finney was pretty dire.
DeleteI have a soft spot for that film, I remember seeing it at the cinema as a family outing, and it it a stunning cast. I saw a stage version of it at Chichester (summer 2022, possibly 21, the years slip by) with the actor who played Rob Titchenor as the nasty chap who got stabbed.
DeleteTalking about murder mysteries, I think this years Agatha C was very slow. They are done much better on the radio, I think. However, I did enjoy 'Magpie Murders' (BBC IPlayer) which was clever and stylish, also 'Annika', also IPlayer with Nicola Walker. This was also on the radio first but transferred to t.v. very well.
ReplyDeleteHappy, healthy and peaceful New Year to all.
I really enjoyed Magpie Murders and I believe, but not at all sure, that another similar series will appear sometime soon.
DeleteI also listen to Annika when I want a short 15min listen, as have all series downloaded.
I have already subscribed to sone new series on R4ex starting next week.
First I need to the now complete series which are ready + waiting.
Miriam, if you enjoyed Annika on the radio, you might like the t.v. series, written by the same author, but slightly tweeked, e.g set in Scotland but still with a Scandi theme.
DeleteSadly the fun + festive planned family day, did not go completely to plan.
ReplyDeleteAs per usual it was caused by my niece's partner, and not for the 1st time! They were late in arriving as they had been out to look at a new car, which he bought + insisted on picking it up that evening.
Big Sister cooked a big + fantastic R.Pork dinner with 4 different veg., Yorkshire puds, made 2 puddings and all was delicious.
She was so upset, as her daughter + grandkids were only there for 2.5hours, and she had no quality time with them.
I stayed over, which was lovely and as she was so upset (as was I), wine was consumed!
Some people are just born selfish and frequently spoil events for others.
DeleteSuch a shame !
Families can be awkward. I hope your sister feels appreciated by the rest of the family.
DeleteSadly some of my other comments just wouldn't publish, not that this matters, as I was just being vocal!
DeleteSo sorry to hear that your happy day was spoilt Miriam, after all the hard work that your sister put in.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWatched witness for the prosecution this aft off bbc iPlayer. 2016 adaptation. Was very good. Much better than this Christmas’s effort.
ReplyDeleteAnother comment of mine has gone into the ether!
ReplyDeleteOh well, it was like the BBC show - Pointless!!
Happy New Year everyone. Just going to bed now. Don't often drink but daughter brought home a bottle of cherry liqueur. They look after a very large old house in the middle of nowhere for the Grant Brewery family who have it as a holiday home. Some of the family are here for the New Year and brought in bottles of their cherry liqueur for all the staff, so we toasted the New Year with it. Very nice stuff.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year everyone 🎆 🥂🍾🎈
ReplyDeleteA Happy, Healthy & Safe New Year to everyone too!!
ReplyDeleteHAPPY NEW YEAR to all Archers friends
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you to all for support and friendship throughout 2023
Wishing you all a happy new year and let’s hope this next year is a healthier one for us all.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to everyone.
ReplyDeleteBack home after a lovely evening with friends in Kent. Just put the New Year’s Day concert from Vienna, always a jolly listen.
We always watch that too KP. But must say I didn’t much like the conductor this year, he seemed very lazy, just twitching a finger now and then! But I adore the Radetsky March at the end. So much so that I have it as the ringtone on my phone!
Delete2024. Happy New Year All. 🥰
ReplyDeleteA very delayed Happy New Year to everyone. I sincerely hope we are all going to be healthier and happier in 2024 and that there will be an outbreak of Peace through the world.
ReplyDeleteDelay caused by the death of our Son in Law’s Mother in Caerphilly on Friday night. She had been increasingly ill with dementia in a care home and S.i.L had to keep rushing down there every time there was a crisis. In a way it’s a relief she has gone as she had no idea where she was or who any of her visitors were. An empty shell of her former self. What a wicked disease Alzheimers is.
Other delay caused by breakdown of our TV. Only 5 years and 2 months old, so just out of guarantee! It was irreparable as the screen had packed up, so we had to buy a new one and it’s taken hours to set up and learn how to operate. Worst instruction manual I have ever seen, on 3 sheets of flimsy crumpled paper, no diagrams or illustrations so have had to go online to get proper instructions. I think I have sorted it now.
Family have returned to France and they spent new Years Eve in Paris, watching fireworks at the Arc de Triumph, before heading home toToulouse tomorrow. Goodness, I miss them so much already!
I understand about missing family Archerfile, we're missing ours as life gets back to normal.
DeleteDetailed Instruction manuals seem to be increasingly going on line these days, I suppose it's inevitable to cut down on costs. I hope that you'll be able to catch up on your TV viewing soon.
Belated “Happy New Year” wishes to all bloggers and looker inners 😊
ReplyDeleteAP how brave to set up your new tv, for us it would have been a delivery and installation job Although when we used a firestick I popped that on and I’ve also actioned a couple of BT requirements partly with assistance from one of my neighbours grandsons though on that occasion! A shame about your tv at only 5yrs old ours is 7 now and is viewed constantly with Mr R being physically incapacitated it is a Panasonic Smart tv - not so smart as all TVs are sold as one then before you can turn around some of the functions disappear without a by your leave and it’s oh you need different this that and the other attached now as tech has changed - yet again!!, 😡
My TV is now 13yrs old, and it still works brilliantly. I do have an internet linked-up TV box which does my recordings and where I can view the various apps. but this is not used regularly.
DeleteI dread to think what will happen when I need to replace my set-up.
It's a case of - if it ain't broke then don't fix it - for me at the moment.
I am sitting quietly writing a shopping list, as tomorrow is my first supermarket shop for almost 2 weeks. I am surprisingly still well stocked up, but so need fresh veg. and dairy products.
ReplyDeleteI am surprised just how well my veg. has not only kept, but has lasted, though the pots. are now starting to sprout shoots!!
I was lucky when I did the pre- Christmas shop, as to how fresh the produce I bought was, and how it has lasted so well..
Time for more now.
Got back from Wales this afternoon on what seems to have been the only railway line in the country unaffected by flooding. Cardiff Central was in chaos. River Avon is dangerously high and I fear for the properties along the banks.
ReplyDeleteThe exceptionally high winds we had been experiencing seem to have followed me. On arrival I had difficulty crossing the road to the taxis, and when I opened the car door the wind blew it out of my hand; for a minute I thought it was going to be blown off the car!
Lovely, peaceful weekend doing nothing very much except BE with them and be looked after.
Nice to be home, though and I appreciate it all the more for having been away from it.
Sitting with my evening cappuccino and gazing at my beautiful fireplace.
Apart from nearly getting blown away Sarnia it all sounds just lovely ⭐️
DeleteGlad to hear that you got back safe and sound Sarnia. It sounds like you had a lovely break.
DeleteWhat a journey home Sarnia, but what a lovely time you've had with loved ones.
DeleteCertainly have. Today the gardener came and we edged a second bed in the woodland walk with wooden log-effect. There's one more left, but it's not planted; there's a leylandii and a holly tree, both with their trunks stripped and crowns rounded with flat tops, so quite formal, but underneath is more or less wild, with ferns, a couple of huge hardy geraniums - whatever will agree to grow there, really. I've already edged part of it with an old tree branch from somewhere and this morning we decided it was better suited the wild woodland look rather than the more organised edging, so we'll do the rest the same. That's a relief because the log edging is £12 for two lengths from Argos
DeleteThere are flood alerts all around where I live. I drove past the big river today, and it was very full.
ReplyDeleteAt least I won't be affected, but my lawns are like quagmires.
Strangely I have not had any high winds.
At least things seem to be changing as colder weather now seems to be starting.
PS Bargain of the day in supermarket this morning was, all the fancy Christmas doublethick creams, were 1p, but who wants these now!
To add I wasn't tempted by neither the big displays of Valentine cards, nor the section with Easter Chocolate Bunnies..🤣
DeleteI have been very lucky - the line I travelled on yesterday is now blocked by fallen trees.
ReplyDeleteIsn't the aftermath still awful...My big Sis in N.Wales has a nearby major road closed by flooding, but at least was able to get to another supermarket for necessary provisions.
DeleteA niece of mine has messaged our family group, as the actor Hugh Boneville was in her office today.
ReplyDeleteShe was starstruck, as I would have been.
Has anyone been watching the series of plays on ITV about the scandal of the Post Office prosecuting sub postmasters over computer errors?
ReplyDeleteWe are interested because one of the postmistresses badly affected was fairly near us at North Warnborough. She was made bankrupt, lost her home and faced prison all because the Post Office wouldnt admit that their new computerised accounts system was faulty.
The roles are brilliantly played by Toby Jones ( one of my favourites) andJulie Hesmondhalge. I think the series is doing a lot to inform the public just how appallingly the Post Office acted and, hopefully, will insure that all the hundreds of innocent sub-postmasters are fully compensated.
The cases have been going on for so long that some of them have very sadly died before getting justice.
We’ve been watching it, excellent series. I remember when the story first came to light on Radio 4, I found it hard to believe that it wasn’t fiction. MrNuts is involved with cyber-security & has been horrified by some of it.
DeleteI’ve been following this story over many many years with a BBC journalist on R4.
DeleteI’ve watched all 4 of the episodes on ITV now and intend to watch the documentary of the making of the programme this evening.
It is and has been for over twenty years an absolute scandal perpetrated by a UK Government owned business upon hard working, diligent and honest postmasters and mistresses.
I don’t personally know any of them, but have been thinking of the one postmaster and his wife who looked after my mother in the collection of her pension for many years. They were a lovely couple and in later years were my local PO too.
I would like to see both Rishi Sunak and Kier Starmer personally take up cudgels in this matter and own up about the clear dishonesty that the PO was perpetuating for so long.
We haven't watched the TV series yet but have listened to the podcasts about it on BBC sounds. All the convictions should be quashed, the victims compensated properly and the perpetrators of this gross injustice brought to account.
ReplyDeleteAnd that Vennells woman should have her CBE withdrawn.
ReplyDeleteAgree 100% AP
ReplyDeleteAgree AP we binged watched the 4 programmes such a terrible ordeal for all the innocent people involved. Our friends have lived in the village of South Warnborough for many many years so that particular post mistress known to them. We did not realise she was to be featured so prominently and found the details of her case (and of course all others) most distressing.
ReplyDeleteAgain I have recorded thisvbut not yet watched, but I do know the story and how it affected so many, who lost their homes and livelihoods as were made bankrupt.
ReplyDeleteSusan + the Ambridge PO did well..🤫
Floods are still so prominent and awful for so many, and now it looks like ❄️ is to take over.
ReplyDeleteI read an article today about farmers who predict that they will lose at least £15000, as the rains + floods so the wheat, barley etc. planted for 2024 has been washed away..
I wonder if this ever will be mentioned in TA + Ambridge.
Hhmmmm!
DeleteI think Blogger is censoring some of our posts.
ReplyDeleteMy post at 10.22 yesterday concerning the former head of the post office , actually had another sentence. It was about how a certain person should feel ashamed enough to return the honour.
However every time I tried to publish it I was told they was a problem with publishing.
I tried 4 times, then removed the 2nd sentence and it published straight away!
Perhaps Blogger detected something they didn’t like in my wording?
Does anyone else think this has happened to them?
I gave up the other day, as so many posts wouldn't publish due to an "publushing error", even on re-writing and re-phrasing them.
DeleteDoes this only occur when posts refer to the Post Office debacle?
ReplyDelete...not in my case, as my unposted comments were just general ones.
DeleteIn my case, it was just the PO scandal one that was affected.
DeleteARCHERPHILE - The post on 5th 10.22 am with the name of the person did publish. As did my response which did not include that name.
DeleteRandom rather than deliberate then, would you say?
ReplyDeleteI think so Sarnia, yes.
DeleteProbably Blogger glitches, as you say. I was being sensitive because Facebook is known to remove posts and even close pages that include words or phrases they don’t approve of.
DeleteI tried to open a Facebook account yesterday. At the point at which they were supposed to send me a 6 figure password I could only find a 5 figure one, so entered that.
ReplyDeleteIn exchange I received a message to the effect that my account had been closed due to unacceptable content and I have 180 days to appeal their decision.
But I haven't succeeded in opening it yet... ...
On looking out at 5.00am this morning (loo trip 😅) the outlook was white, not snow but a very heavy frost and for the 2nd night.
ReplyDeleteI find it so strange that after weeks of storms and the horrendous flooding, it is now so cold and icy.
My back lawn is still water logged, but is now frozen solid as the frost/ice did not thaw today, as no sin on it.
My main job tomorrow is to drive to the nearest PO, as I need to send the birthday pressie to the youngest in my family, who will be 4yrs on 12th.
Just a meaningless post, but thought to keep in touch.
I’ve just signed the petition to rescind the cbe of that woman. Finished watching the programs today. Unbelievable what those poor people went through….and still are.
ReplyDeleteI wasn’t aware that there was a petition, thanks for mentioning it PtbY.
DeleteI will look it up and sign myself.
Those programmes have really raised the profile.
Despite many MPs advocating in the House for the compensation to be hurried up, it’s taken the drama and the public response to get a minister to speak up, as has been the case today I understand.
I signed the petition on 38 degrees. There was a P.O. former employee on World at One R4 today, very interesting.
DeleteI have signed too, glad to find there was something I could do to to register my disapproval of that woman being honoured. (Would like to have done the same for Miss Truss’s resignation list!)
DeleteI found my fair-haired pilot. He died in a horrific accident when he tried to land a cargo plane which had been incorrectly loaded. The movement of the flaps and weight of the landing gear caused the cargo to migrate to the back. The aircraft stood on its tail and then plunged to earth from 300 ft at 80 mph. At 17.02 he embarked on what he thought was going to be an
ReplyDeleteordinary landing and at 17.06 he was dead.
This morning's worship leader, who has supported me through this with great understanding, agreed to dedicate the service as a secret memorial, with prayers of committal. He tied it into the theme of Epiphany, journeys and 'light-bulb moments' quite brilliantly.
It was truly joyful and afterwards he said to me, "We did it, didn't we?", to which I replied, "Yes, we did."
That must have been shocking Sarnia. A grim reminder of how transient life is.
DeleteSarnia. What an upset this must have been to you.
DeleteThe accident happened on Jan 12th 1999, so 25 years ago on Friday. No wonder his appearances in July didn't all make sense.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was far more recent, but still upsetting to find this out.
DeleteYes, we were surprised to find it was so long ago, but time would have no meaning for the poor chap. However, we've finally set him free and it was a joyful occasion for the two of us who knew. Thank you, Miriam. My mind is strangely clear now he's gone.
DeleteRegarding the Post Office scandal, apart from signing the petition I've emailed my MP about it. I imagine his inbox is inundated and I will get the usual copy and paste reply. Mr CC also discovered that any member of the public can email the Cabinet Office to request that someone have their honour withdrawn, which he has done in the case of Paula Vennells.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI deleted my post as I realised just how off topic it was, as to the current chat.
DeleteAll I will post is:-
Keep safe and warm and stay healthy All. 🥰
That was very thoughtful of you, Miriam.
DeleteI know when to step back and stay quiet.
DeleteI’ve discovered this evening that one of the post offices affected, and the postmistress’s life ruined was in the village that my daughter lives in.
DeleteI think it must have happened before they moved there though.
R.I.P. JPR.
ReplyDeleteMy all time rugby hero, John Peter Rhys Williams, magical Welsh Full Back, has died at the too early age of 74. It was JPR who turned me on to rugby back in the 60/70s and created a Wales fan out of an English woman! Have supported Wales ever since, but there has been nothing that could beat those amazing teams of the 70s 🏉
So return the CBE petition has born fruit! The power of a TV programme eh! Should not have been necessary though - the current Government reaction should have been such 20yrs ago 😡🤯
DeleteHave posted this under the wrong post. No disrespect intended to JJR Williams 🕯️
DeleteI agree that 74 seems young. It seems to me that sportsmen rarely seem to get beyond their early 80’s, often less. That said I saw that there was an interview with Harvey Smith in a recent Horse & Hound, who is 85. (I always preferred David Broom back in my horse mad 1970’s childhood who is a mere 83)
ReplyDeleteThose were the days that Mr CC and I were in a riding club and we went to see Harvey Smith and David Broom competing on several occasions. Harvey Smith gave a talk at one of our riding club dinners once but I wasn't a fan of him and, like you KP, preferred David Broom.
DeleteJust gone one o’clock and Paula Vennels has announced her decision to hand back her CBE
ReplyDeleteWell done those million people who signed the position..
People Power Public Pressure
I just heard that too Mrs P. Well done everyone for pricking her conscience. Pity it took a petition to do it.
DeleteHere, here. Don’t think it’s enough though.
DeleteTo keep to the current chat, I have just read an on-line article from the writer of the Mr Bates+ The PO series, which took a few years to research + write, so to portray it correctly.
ReplyDeleteThis person just wanted to show what happened as a trye and realistic drama, but is astounded as to the reaction and sibsequent consequences.
Apologies for typos.
DeleteGive home the medal instead 👏🏻 I’m sure the drama will win awards!
DeleteI’ve caught your bug Miriam - him of course 😂
DeleteI’ve just read Paula Vennels profile on Wikipedia.
ReplyDeleteIt gets worse…..
She appears to have ‘resigned’ /been kicked out, of so many high flying positions since stepping back from the PO, it seems clear to me that she has appeared to be ‘ ‘ bad blood’ by a number of institutions, possibly even the Church.
It’s an eye opening read.
Although there may have been some malicious editing, Wikipedia is not always reliable. That said I am glad she has returned her honour and I do agree her behaviour has been deplorable. A very off kilter moral compass for someone who purports to be Christian.
DeleteI hope MIRIAM is aware that Clair in the community is back tonight.
ReplyDeleteI have all the series downloaded, and still love them.
DeleteThanks for this..🤗
Archerphile - I too was upset when hearing about JPR on the morning news at 6am! I was very sad - He was my pin up!
ReplyDeleteMy sister got me his first book at Waterstones and he signed it !
Jon says that I have a soft spot for all '15' since then!
Too many heroes from my youth and early married years have gone !
You are quite right Spicy. More and more well known people from my childhood and early adulthood seem to be dying recently. JPR was only 74, I hadn’t realised he was younger than me, back in the day!
DeleteI have been, and still am enjoying so many radio broadcasts. I have just finished the "Woman in White" which was new to me and so enjoyed it. I have no idea how this was missed by me previously, in it's many forms.
ReplyDeleteDoes any-one else enjoy radio dramas and thriller/detective series, as much as I do?
I used to enjoy the afternoon ply on R4 Miriam but have not listened for many years now. I simply found the content either bizarre or threatening and very much not to my taste. But I do miss it.
DeleteMiriam…. That’s all I listen to.
DeleteMy faves are Paul temple and whimsey. Can’t beat a poirot or a miss marple
My tastes also, but I have found some wonderful R4 dramas which have so enthralled me..some strange yet others so enjoyable.
DeleteI enjoyed "They Did it with Mirrors" with the late, great, June Whitfield.
Inspector West is now on my radio radar!
Had a little bit of good news today …..granddaughter Rosie who graduated from Warwick University last summer, has just heard that her degree has been upgraded to a First!
ReplyDeleteThe lecturers had been on strike for months and refused to mark students dissertations, so they were only awarded Seconds. Now they have finally agreed to mark those dissertations and Rosie was awarded the First she should have had last summer.
In what other situation would people pay around £30,000 for a service and not get what they have worked so hard for - we think it is reprehensible that thousands of students did not get their work marked and are still waiting for final results. However Rosie is very happy now enjoying her teacher training at Warwick.
Well done Rosie. I hope that she continues to enjoy her teaching. Our schoolchildren desrve good teachers.
DeleteThat’s very encouraging news AP - good to hear that in some areas of the educational field reparations are being made.
DeleteAP What wonderful news. You must be so proud in all aspects, and Rosie is doing what she now wants and will so make a difference.
DeleteI so 👏👏👏 her.
Adding my congratulations too Archerphile a very proud moment for you all ⭐️👏🏻⭐️👏🏻
DeleteCheshire Cheese…..how’s the hip?
ReplyDeleteHip's fine thanks PtbY. How's yours doing?
DeleteMines doing fine. Life changing op. 🚶🏼♀️🏃♀️
DeleteThis is only of interest for other radio listeners. I enjoyed Poison Farm - a Murder Unmasked. It kept me enthralled earlier today, whilst I was changing bed, cleaning bedroom plus my bathroom. It was great to be distracted from these chores...
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI have just come across some new episodes of "This Thing in Darkness" on Sounds. Well they are new to me...so am looking forwards to listening.
DeleteHow lovely that the days are starting to lengthen again.
ReplyDeleteI so prefer natural daylight than artificial lighting in the afternoons.
It is such a relief, despite the cold ❄️
I'm glad the light is coming back too. I have 2 camellia bushes beginning to flower and another in full flower. I am not sure whether the frost and ice we had has done them any good though. A friend who moved to Finland back in the summer has her garden covered in deep snow which can last from November to March, it is dark by 3pm, and the temperature at present is minus 28, and her daily exercise is shovelling snow off the garden path to the road. Rather her than me, but she has lived there before and knew what to expect. She says houses are built to withstand the cold, and people dress in very warm clothing when they go out.
ReplyDelete