Life outside Ambridge
Somewhat blurry picture from 2018 Hurtigruten cruise
Life in Ambridge
An upcoming storyline methinks!
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JaniceFebruary 2, 2026 at 10:25 PM
ReplyDeleteI've had problems trying to change my picture too Archerfile. For no apparent reason some time back Google altered how things are done. I will have to enlist my son's help.
I wanted to change my picture to one of the Aurora that was visible right over our house and field and down to the cliffs and over the sea. Seeing the Aurora was one of the things on my bucket list but I thought I would need to go to Scandinavia to achieve it.
REPLYDELETE
AmbridgesMrsPFebruary 3, 2026 at 1:05 AM
I’ve never had a profile picture and don’t know how to achieve posting one so shall continue without one.
Janice, I am pleased you got to see the Aurora, they are magical. It always seems that when there are any astronomical events , comets, meteor showers or similar all we get is rain or cloud which is a shame as we very little light pollution where we are. Actually I shouldn’t grumble as we have seen some good stuff in the skies over the years I am just getting fed up with the rain.
ReplyDeleteI not seen the aurora either yet. All I've seen are the photos on my local community f/b group, the morning after the night before!
ReplyDeleteI posted a comment about my profile photo which has disappeared into the ether. I managed to download one from my PC.
ReplyDeleteWhat a coincidence, I was on the Hurtigruten ferry in November 2018, didn't see the Northern Lights, apart from a thin grey wispy trail for 5 mins, but the trip was amazing and a life highlight.
ReplyDeleteHoping to go to Svalbard in a year or two, also with Hurtigruten.
Wordle in 2😊
ReplyDeleteTook me 4 today!
ReplyDeleteMrs P how’s the car - are you able to use it yet?
I’m going to see Hamnet next week. We have a lovely privately run cinema in Melton Mowbray and you have to book in advance. I loved the book but I’m a little worried that the film will wallow in the grief which the book doesn’t. When I read it a couple of years ago, I found it a very satisfying read. Maggie O’Farrel’s ideas of what life might have been like for Shakespeare’s wife and family were plausible and helped explain those lengthy periods when Will was an absent father. The characters and the setting felt very real. Reviews I’ve read suggest you will need many boxes of tissues. What did you think of it Mrs P?
It was lovely to look at, beautiful gentle colouring and she was amazing, and deserves all the accolades poured upon her head.
DeleteI found his performance to be somewhat ‘absent’, but I’ve not read the book, and having read the reviews post seeing the film, I understood why I found his performance to be that way. He was a often an absent husband, ( of course I did know that ) and the performance mirrored the fact, that he was often ‘ absent’ whilst being there in person.
However …..I did not cry !
I’m not a sentimental person, very much a realist and well aware that in that time many many parents lost children.
In our society and in the first world we are not used to children dying, but in the not too distant past it was normal.
However, despite my being unsentimental I have no doubt that parents grieved then just as they do today.
Soz…… I wrote a heartfelt response to yours about your walking.
It became clear to me that I failed to ‘ publish ‘ for which I am sorry. Please accept that I feel greatly for you regarding your condition re walking.
The car is still sitting on the drive.
Yet to be insured or taxed.
My daughter asked if I was excited by my new car.
I don’t do excitement.
I’m not sure I ever did.
I’ve writing a list of tasks daily and only ever getting some of them completed, so the daily rollover gets longer as the days past.
I seem to have lost my winning ( and easy ) streak on Wordle. I’ve struggled almost every night for a week, although I did get cigar in three.
I am struggling almost daily with my breathing and finding even the slightest activity causing me to have to just stand - or sit - and rest.
Today I really struggled to take two B’day cards to the postbox combined with walking Lady. When I got home I discovered that my key was no longer in my pocket. I left Lady in the garden and retraced my steps assiduously searching for the key, without finding it.
And both journeys really challenging.
I had to get a locksmith in at great expense.
A life lesson, learned the hard way.
I'm sorry you are having such a struggle with your breathing. I expect you've asked your doctor about it.
DeleteTĥinking of myself with lists of things to do I'd consider it a success if I'd managed to knock off just a couple of them 😄
I’m very sorry about your breathing too Mrs P. It exactly what I suffer every day, not even being able to walk to the car at the end of the garden, or sweep the floor without stopping for breath. Sadly it is getting worse & I can do next to nothing around the house without a chair or stool nearby to rest on. So I do sympathise and realise how restrictive it can be. I am lucky enough to have a husband who is taking over more & more household tasks which makes me feel very guilty. I have just ordered a stool on wheels so I can sit in front of the cooker whilst cooking dinner & swivel to reach ingredients. Standing is becoming too painful for more than a couple of minutes.
DeleteI do realise that I’m not alone with this problem ARCHERPHILE and that it is often so much worse for others.
DeleteI feel for you, I really do.
If I understood what is wrong I think it would be more bearable.
Dr says everything has been done and is puzzled as to the cause.
I am unable to put it down to anything other than ‘ sluggish capillaries ‘ and was told that nothing can be done about that, but also am frequently worrying that there is some other underlying cause.
But also aware that it may simply be that I have to learn to live with it.
Not at all sure I want to !
We saw the northern lights on a cruise to the Arctic Circle a couple of years ago. But what we actually saw was just a misty cloud over the ship, no colours at all. Then looking at the photo a fellow passenger was taking, we saw the beautiful green and purple colours .
ReplyDeleteHe explained you need a special app on your camera or phone that is capable of discerning the colour as human lenses aren’t always sharp enough. We were very disappointed not to know this in advance & thought the cruise ship could have warned passengers what to do.
MrsP and Archerfile I'm sorry to hear about the health problems that you are having, it must be very frustrating for you both.
ReplyDeleteIt's a cold, wet and windy day here so I'm tackling my indoor to do list which never seems to get shorter!
Sorry to hear the walking problems some of you are having.
ReplyDeleteI used to enjoy walking but don’t any more.
I know I don't do enough but who wants to go for walks in this weather?
Mistral,I wondered if perhaps your mother might have attended the same school that I did..
I may have known her.
Please could you give me her maiden name?
Re Wordle ….
I only got it in 6 today.
However I did do Nerdle in 3 .
I find that so much more satisfying because often I have the last 4 letters in Wordle correctly placed but the first letter can be one of a number of choices.
I have actually had Wordle in 1 !
No skill there.
I have done it in 2 several times - again more by luck than anything else
I have a starting word containing. 3 vowels and a second word containing the other two vowels for line 2 if only one vowel appears in line 1 which I quite often use.
A friend has WORLD as her starting word which I found strange .
She has no second word for line 2 .
However she does equally as well as I do and quite often better so what do I know?
ReplyDeleteLow temperatures and varying temperatures do affect my breathing. I can’t really say I notice much benefit from my small blue inhaler but the brown ‘preventer ‘ one does seem to keep my chest clear from infections.
Personally I think if we could move to a warm, dry environment for the winter, our breathing problems would be less severe. Then it might be too hot to walk anyway.
Mrs P hide a spare key somewhere in your garden. I am very good at losing keys - even when sitting in a car. It has taken many squeezing through tiny windows etc to convince me that I need that hidden key.
ReplyDeleteMrs P. Have you thought about getting a key-safe?
ReplyDeleteTo answer you both above, there is a key safe belonging to this property.
ReplyDeleteI never had the code, although my daughter did, ( she was here before me on moving in day ) and I’ve never bothered with it, always assuming that it had a set of keys inside. A neighbour broke it open yesterday, not difficult, it’s pretty ancient, and there was inside one key that didn’t match the front door or my internal front door.
It is my intention to get a new key safe.
Secondly until about three weeks ago a spare back door key was kept hidden in the garden. It had been for the use of various carers and neighbours and dog walkers while I was disposed. I decided after Christmas that it no longer needed to be there and removed it.
Your kindly offered advice has already had decisions made, but thank you both..
Indisposed !
ReplyDeleteI had to read back to see what you had put 🫢 it just goes to show one often reads only what one expects the word to be 🤣
DeleteLanjan, my mum's maiden name was Gentle, which I think was lovely.
ReplyDeleteMrs.P. and Archerphile, sorry to hear about your health problems, sounds very depressing.
Re keysafes - good idea, but I got into a pickle with mine recently, I went out in daylight and returned in the dark, no torch or streetlights and I couldn't see the numbers at all. I went to the g.p surgery next door, and a receptionist came to help, lucky for me. That was AFTER I had my cataracts removed too...
It's not much fun when even very simple things are suddenly impossible.
In the summer I hid my key in my hanging basket
I always keep a small torch in my handbag, mainly so that if the electricity goes off at night, I can easily find it. My bag is always either by my bed or by my chair in the lounge, so I can just grab it quickly if needed. My 'phone is always in it as well, plus my glasses at night!
DeleteIf you have a smartphone there is a torch on that.
DeleteVery sensible Miriam😁 I keep meaning to buy a tiny torch but never remember until I need one!
ReplyDeleteAbout being sensible.
ReplyDeleteI’ve decided that it’s time for me to hang my key around my neck when I take the dog out.
Thus officially becoming an OLD LADY !
Pretend its a Time Turner from The Harry Potter series. In that magical time it was in the shape of an hourglass, but I think turning a key over could serve just as well to unlock earlier times. 😉
DeleteAlternatively thread a few pretty beads each side of the key and pretend it is a modern art necklace. Keys symbolise new opportinuities, protection, good luck and affection, so not such a bad thing to wear at all.
MrsP and the Lady who accompanies you is the young one?
DeleteIn France an old woman is called "old skin" which is horrible but true!
BASIA - Lady is the name of my dog.
DeleteMrsP - I know, so if you are the old one is she the young one - that was my question.
DeleteOh I see …. Sorry BASIA.
DeleteYes she is definitely the young one, but she is very mature now, coming up to nine years old ….. ( I think ! )
Due to covid I’ve become confused to how long I’ve had her.
What was the year we met at the Barbican folks ?
Any way, soon it is our anniversary. I collected her on February 19 th. That was also the day in 1966 that I got married.
My OZ niece has had her total thyroidectomy. She had 2 very large benign tumours on it which will now be tested along with the thyroid, just to make sure nothing else was lurking. She had it done in a university hospital 30miles away grom home, as they had a piece of specialist equipment which was needed. It was a long op. 4hours but successful. It seems her voice is OK as the voice box wasn't harmed, which was a possibility.
ReplyDeleteShe's not being put on thyroxine as we know it, but on a much newer and different type of drug, which I've no idea what it is. The main problem with this, is that it has to be kept in the fridge and the same brand must be given every time.
She's hoping to go home tomorrow, just 24hrs later!
That's good news Miriam.
DeleteVery pleased for her that it all went to plan and was /is successful Miriam.
DeleteNiece was home after 24hours. She has a clear dressing over op. incision so sent a photo of it. It's so neat + will heal well. Her med. is a type of levothyroxine one, but not sure what the difference is and this particular form of med. is only used in Australasia.
ReplyDeleteShe's not happy, as she and family often go off camping for 5 days at a time so don't have a 'fridge. These tabs have to be kept refrigerated 24/7 even when in use, which is going to be a major problem for her.
Well, she's fine and just needs to take care + recover now esp. as she starts a new job very soon. Luckily she can work from home with this job.
I'm glad all went well. You can get little battery fridges that might be worth looking up re the camping. I don't know how long the batteries last but it is possible to get spare backup batteries. I researched it when going away before christmas when told the after cataract op eye drops needed to be kept in a fridge. In the end I didn't because other people told me they had just kept theirs in a cool room.
DeleteGot Wordle in three in fifteen seconds
ReplyDeleteVery slow five for me😒
DeleteArcherphile re your post of Feb 5th I was so sorry to read of the decline in your breathing and I can totally understand your frustration - and concern for Mr A too , thanks goodness he is still able to give you the support you need for now but how is he? Have you decided to stay put as a move could be so draining for you both? Sending 🥰 to you both. I will post an update re my end during the next few days.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lady R. Yes I think we are staying put for the foreseeable future. To be honest, the search for a new place and the sheer hard work of organising a move, let alone the actual packing up, is beyond us now. Daughter has promised all the help we need but neither of us has the enthusiasm or energy. The only thing that would make a move vital now, is if Mr H could no longer drive for some reason - then it would be essential to be in a large village like Overton, with shops, the surgery/pharmacy, plus a good bus service to Winchester, Andover and Basingstoke.
DeleteI’ve had a better day today I’m pleased to say.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbour came with, me as I drove the car for the first time.
Went to a familiar place where I have to do a three point turn, then around residential streets with parking either side and with Linda’s encouragement that I was doing well, along the main road to a major roundabout and back through town with lots of traffic.
My nervousness soon disappeared.
Hope to get to a funeral tomorrow morning.
And later walking Lady, no apparent breathlessness today.
Well done Mrs P! No mean feat taking on a new and unfamiliar car at our time of life!
DeleteThanks AP.
DeleteGot Wordle in three again but took a few minutes tonight.
Has anyone else watched Lord of the Flies ?
Amazing performances from children.
MrsP - well done with with walking Lady and driving.
DeleteHope the funeral went smoothly, if you you decided to go.
I wasn't at the Barbican, so don't know, 2019?
You mention collecting Lady on the date of your marriage, there are many such coincidences and I always look out for them.
Yes, Iwas going to comment on Lord of the Flies on BBC1 last night.
DeleteI had never read the book but had a vague idea of boys cast away on a deserted island after a plane crash and learning to survive.
We thought it was wonderful and the cast of young actors - none of whom had acted before, was remarkable. Especially the little lad who played Piggy, he reminded me so much of my childhood. The scenery and wildlife was worthy of a David Attenborough film.
Definitely worth a BAFTA next year.
I’m pretty sure I did read the book but have almost no memory of it, though of course know the outline of the tale.
DeleteAnd yes I thought that the lad who played Piggy was amazing.
Agree BAFTAs next year.
I did make the funeral this morning, but after less than four hours sleep, and now feel absolutely wrecked, so back in bed.
I read the book a long time ago and have a memory of cruelty which fighting for survival would be.
DeleteI have disturbing memories of this, so didn't watch.
DeleteMistral,I am afraid I don’t remember anyone with the surname of Gentle.
ReplyDeleteAs you say it is a lovely surname.
Our school was comparatively small .
There was an intake of 105 pupils each year- 3 classes of 35.
There was only one fairly well known person who went to our school .
Her name was Lynda or Higginson but she married and became Lynda Lee Potter who was a well known columnist in The Daily Mail.
Of course the Boys’ Grammar School had Peter Maxwell Davies.
Wordle in three again and thirty seconds.
ReplyDeleteMy body not working too well, but my brain seems to be OK
Wordle 3
DeleteDoesn’t anybody else do Nerdle?
DeleteI much prefer it as there is not as much guess work and it is more logical.
I couldn’t do either though around midnight like Mrs P does.
Most impressed.
Not really impressive LanJan.
DeleteI’ve always been an owl, but for the last - almost thirty years now - my circadian rhythm has been upside down.
So because I don’t fall asleep until four or five in the morning, and wake at around eleven or midday, I don’t really come alive until about five pm.
So midnight is almost like early evening for me and my brain is alive.
Having said that it’s 9.15 in the morning now, and I’m in the process of dragging myself awake as I have to be at the hospital for an X-ray at 11.30.
I couldn’t do nerdle as I’m innumerate.
I have been doing Nerdle for nearly 4 years, I always do the same two information gathering equations & I have only once not got there in the six allowed tries, four is my average
DeleteThat is interesting to read ,KPNuts.
DeleteI usually do better with Nerdle than Wordle.
Mind you I did teach Mathematics.
I start with Wordle .
I use the same first word with 3 vowels and if there are no vowels or only one then I use the second word containing the other two.
My aim is to get a total of no more than 8 for Wordle and Nerdle combined.
My most common score for Wordle by far is 4 but over 64% are 3 or above with Nerdle.
Mind you there are only 10 digits but 26 letters of the alphabet..
I am not usually awake at this time but I wanted to say how sorry I am that some of you are having a rotten time healthwise at the moment..
ReplyDeleteHopefully things are getting better for you,Mrs P.
Archerphile I hope that your breathing is improving.
I remember years ago when you were wondering whether you should move but I understand that would be an awful upheaval for you to move out now.
I do hope that both of you feel a lot better soon.
ReplyDeleteRe Wordle.
A friend nearly always gets Wordle in fewer goes than I do and I think her first word is very strange
There is only one vowel and that is about the 3rd most commonly used.
She doesn’t have a second word.
How on earth does she do it?
I searched for a word that had the most commonly used letters used in a word with 5 letters.
My daughter in law uses a different word with which to start each day .
All I know is that my day begins with Wordle.
Just done it now and got it in four tonight. I don’t have a fixed word, use whatever word comes into my head but always with at least two vowels. Then second word covers the remaining vowels, with or without any correct letters in the first word.
DeleteI then analyse my correct letters and spread them out with X in place for missing letters.
So tonight my opening word got one vowel correct, second word got another correct vowel but both in the wrong positions.
My third attempt got my second correct letter in the correct position and the first vowel still floating, but now, due to understanding the construction of words I knew where to put it and combining my Xs along with the most likely final letter the pattern of the word spelt itself to me.
Correct in four !
Good luck tomorrow morning LJ
I popped in to see if Rosemary/Sarnia’s son had posted like he did once before, but sadly I think that’s not going to happen.
ReplyDeleteI was intrigued by your discussion of Wordle which I used to do before graduating to Quordle for my daily word game - that’s 4 Wordlles done simultaneously, easier than a sounds.
Now I do the Spellsbee daily word wheel instead, with the aid of the Hints. page accessed via the light bulb icon. It can be annoying, with the American spelling and dialect plus words that are more theoretical than used which is why I think their AI Assistant must be involve!
Oh dear, should be 'it sounds' and 'involved'. I am letting the side down with my less than meticulous typing!
DeleteYou may be interested in trying “Word Salad”, Maryellen. I downloaded it from the ApStore and have a go every day. You are given a grid of 16 squares filled with letters-and a topic which could be something like ‘Rivers’ or words starting with ‘wind’. You then have to find the required number of words by tracking from square to square. They tell you how many words there are and the numbers of letters in each .
DeleteI find it very satisfying to get all the words (not often!) but sometimes there is an Americanisation I am not familiar with.
Thanks for your recommendation, Archerphile. I hadn’t heard of Word Salad so will certainly give it a go and report progress. I love words and word games. My justification for spending so much time on them is that they are keeping my wits sharp, but I am beginning to. suspect that they are keeping my wits sharp for playing word games but not for remembering where I put my my keys!
DeleteCompletely different topic. Just interested to know if the roads are as bad elsewhere in the country as they are in Nottingham/Leicester area. The main road into our village has many potholes but 2 of them are getting huge. One must be 4x3 foot and a couple of feet deep; the other one 1x2 feet but still deep. Once you know they are there you treat them like permanent obstacles in the road and drive round them but for the unsuspecting they could ruin your car. I have never seen the roads in such a bad state and that includes A roads and some motorways.
ReplyDeleteGripe over.
From what I gather this pothole problem is countrywide and most if not all counties are finding it increasingly difficult to find the money to keep roads in good order.
DeleteSo, I suspect not exclusive to your area Soz.
Here too in Hampshire Soz. The lane down to our village is so bad we daren’t use it any longer, having already lost a tyre & damaged the wheel. We now have to go round the long way, via the A30. But even that main road is badly damaged, cracking up & with holes and huge standing puddles. Also, the wide green verges are in an awful state, covered in litter , and lots of bits of damaged vehicles, exhaust pipes etc, bits of rubber etc.Looks dreadful for our bedroom window or to any visitors to the area.
DeleteStarmer said in PMQ’s today that they are aware of the problems and have given £10m to councils to deal with the potholes. ‘it’s time they got on and used it’ he said!
DeleteThe roads are bad around here as well including our lane. Like Archerfile we are now choosing routes to avoid roads with bad potholes. Road closures due to roadworks are also a problem, I use my satnav for every journey now as it tells me where there are roadworks and closures and gives me alternative routes to avoid them.
DeleteHad to fix my suspension in the summer - I told the mechanic that I barely use the car, he said, 'well, it's Devon roads, isn't it?'
ReplyDeletePot holes on BBC television news tonight Soz
DeleteYup ! It’s a national problem.
I reported a pot hole (online) right near the entrance to my Close this week having hit it twice in the dark and rain when of course filled with water! Within a day they did at least come and stand a traffic cone in it, which is still there to date therefore a warning at least. As they have my details apparently I will be kept informed of eventual progress I shall believe that only when / if it happens!
ReplyDeleteIs anyone watching this year’s Apprentice? It has turned into the funniest show on television in our opinion. All the candidates are so hopeless and stereotypical that the whole show has become laughably ridiculous. Last nights cooking task was hopeless with several candidates saying they didn’t know how to boil an egg!. Mr A and I couldn’t stop laughing the whole way through which was quite refreshing after all the dreadful news of late.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch it as don't like Alan Sugar but I'm pleased that it's giving you something to laugh at Archerfile, we all need that these days!
DeleteI probably won't get a chance to listen to TA next week as our youngest daughter is visiting us with her 4 and 5yr olds, it's half term and her husband is away in Australia and New Zealand on tour with the Tattoo. She'll be working from home while we look after the little ones so we're going to be pretty busy! I'll have to catch up when I can.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a busy week ahead, but how lovely to have the grand kids with you. Enjoy your time together, make the most of it and just enjoy it all. They grow up so quickly.
DeleteI see this in the youngest in my family. She's now 6yrs and there is such a difference now, as to a year ago.
Enjoy your busy week CC
DeleteHave any of you played Rummikub?
ReplyDeleteIt is a really good board game which I haven’t played since John died.
Yesterday two friends who live in Buckinghamshire came to visit and in the afternoon I invited my neighbour to join the 3 of us in a game.
It was great fun.
Coincidentally a Yorkshire friend( not PTBY or Cowgirl )’phoned for a chat and she told me that the U3A have a rummikub group near to her.
I then of course checked out my area for one and there is one not far away in Teddington .
That meant I immediately joined the U3A .
Now when I learn how to play my recently acquired Ukulele I can join hopefully join the U3A ukulele band.
Not one to do anything by halves is our Lanjan is she!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have yet to start on the ukulele PTBY .
DeleteMight have a go this afternoon after listening to “Gone with the Wind” on radio 4.
Not setting foot outside as surprise, surprise it is raining heavily
I'm absolutely glued to the Winter Olympics and loving all that I'm watching.
ReplyDeleteI try to pick + choose what to watch and when, but it gets quite difficult at times!
There's only been two medals, but both gold. What I've really admired is that in both of the medal ceremonies when the national anthem was played, the winners took their hats off - so respectful.
DeleteTo add Another Gold tonight 🎖 and yes, yet again it was hats off for the 🇬🇧 raising with the National Anthem playing.
DeleteThat skeleton run looks terrifying; and in the pairs ice skating how the man can throw his partner so she does 3 twists in the air is incredible.
DeleteWouldn’t mind a go at the luge. Or the bobsleigh. I rather liked sledging as a kid. 😊
ReplyDeleteHope all well. Buddy the dog has been struggling with kidney disease and went to stage 4 final stage in July. Dudley the shih struggles without relying on another dog in the house so in December Peppy arrived from friends of the animals (who I know some of you donated to when mum died). I asked for a female dog about 4 or 5 and I got an 8 month old male chihuahua. Peppy has had a rough time with four previous homes, but is settling in well and he and Dudley adore each other. Buddy hates him with a vengeance, but it has improved his health and he has now moved back to stage 3 kidney disease. Mum would have adored Peppy I think he was more the dog she had in mind when she took on Gypsy - he is a velcro dog very loving and easy going. Anyway I signed the adoption papers for him last week. Business is going well and I also have an occasional evening job working in an escape room in Ryde now. Glad everyone is enjoying the winter olympics I have enjoyed the coverage on radio 4, especially reflections on the women on women's hour and how they are supportive and team orientated in their approach.
ReplyDeleteHow very good to hear from you DaughterofEV2
DeleteEv would be proud of you in taking on another dog to help the other two, and for keeping in touch with us.
Thank you.
Lovely to hear from you DOEv2. Glad all is going well and that Peppy is settling in. The 3 of them will keep you busy! Take care. 😊💐
DeleteDaughter of Ev lovely to hear about the dogs. Also I wondered if the escape room you mentioned was The Lost Crypt in the old church. My sister in law Janet helped plan and set it up a number of years ago. She is busy with her art work and the occasional exhibition, but I think still pops in there sometimes.
DeleteThank you for letting us know how you keep up the link with dogs started by you and Ev.
DeleteIt’s a small world Janice.
DeleteI once visited The Lost Crypt in Ryde, many years ago now.
I just popped in to have a nosey around out of curiosity.
Never did meet up with Ev at the Chocolate Cafe though.
Sadly missed is Ev, as are her measured posts.
Pancake Day! Anyone giving up anything for Lent? Instead of the usual give up chocolate or cake I gave up watching the news last year, and I might do the same again this year. I generally look at the news sitting in bed with a cup of tea before getting up, and nowadays it tends to be so dire it doesn't make for a good start for the day.
ReplyDeleteI think I remember Lanjan doing more positive things.
In answer to your question Janice…. No plans.
DeleteHowever I have recently taken to buying a packet of pancakes - yes I do know how easy it is to make them as my mum frequently did so - and having them as my go to comfort food.
Naughty but nice !
DaughterofEV2
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to hear from you. Peppy sounds a delight and just love the description "a velcro dog" which sums him up so well.
I have a velcro pusscat, but she can be far too velcro at times!
What I want to knowis- did you ever manage your spitfire flight?
If so I for one would love to hear all about it. If not, is it still something you want to do?
Glad things are going well for you and do pop in now + again. 😃
I should have written:-
DeleteDAUGHTER OF EV2.
Not yet Miram. I would quite like to do in in 2028 which would have been mum's birthday as she always said she would do it on her 80th birthday, but I still have more weight to lose. I have lost weight since leaving teaching, but it gets harder as you get older.
DeleteNo pancakes for me.
ReplyDeleteI refuse to buy ready made ones, but to make for one is impossible as how do you halve an egg without waste.
Wasting food is something I'm adamant not to do, esp. when there're so many people who can't afford to feed their family, both here and elsewhere.
I often put donations into the supermarket container for the local food bank, but it's never very much, usually a pack of pasta, a tin of tomatoes/beans/spaghetti hoops/peas/carrots/potatoes, a packet of cereal or similar. It's never very much but I always think that it might just help someone.
I'm sure it helps Miriam. At Christmas our local churches ask for Christmas boxes to go to the foodbank and we join in with that. It can be fun, getting the things like puddings and nice biscuits and the usual tinned stuff but then adding in little surprise treats as well. We try to make up a couple of boxes that will suit a family with children.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people giving a little each can make a lot. When I was earning more I donated more. I used the last teaching payrise and bought nappies, sanitary towels and other hygiene products and had the supermarket deliver it to the food bank. Now I don't have as much spare cash, but try and pop something in the box. I also use Lend with Care. You can make a £15 loan to a business in another country and they pay it back to you and then you lend it to someone else. Meaning you can give over and over again with the same money. They have a default rate of 1% and lending rather than giving has been proven to be more effective in terms of aid. I also have been with Buddy as a PAT dog to old folk homes. I do walk the wight every year in memory of mum and I have a couple of customers who are on a low income that I do a discount hair cut for. Mum always gave to charity no matter how tight things were and very much brought us all up to be kind. So although I don't give as much I hope what I do is still useful to my community and those further afield.
ReplyDeleteThank you for telling about Lend with Care.
DeleteI shall investigate.
(dog hair cut) Sadly one of those customer is likely to be finishing soon as I discovered swollen lymph glands on her dog and the dog has been diagnosed by the vet with lymphoma and 3-6 months to live. Customer is glad that I pointed it out and encouraged her to get to the vet.. but I felt awful.
ReplyDeleteDon't feel awful, it just shows how good you are and how caring. At least the owner knows and is probably very grateful so she can now give the dog the care + attention it'll need.
DeleteLovely to hear from you, DOEv2, I'm glad you pop in with news. Your new dog sounds fun, shame about Buddy, but maybe jealousy is keeping him going!
ReplyDeleteI would imagine that your customer was grateful that you alerted them to the dog's condition, it is always better to know and plan ahead for things, and enjoy the time left to do nice activities, but I imagine it must be difficult telling the owners.
I would rather know if it was my pet.
Talking about donations, I was in a small co-op when the people from the food bank came to collect the donations. There were only two packs of 4 loo rolls and 4 tins of baked beans. I went out soon after them and I heard one say to the other, "I don't know why we bother it's hardly worth our time"!
ReplyDeleteI was furious and I actually said something in a very polite way, to the effect that someone had paid for those goods out of the kindness of their hearts and those goods will be of great use to others. On that I turned on my heel and got in my car before they could reply. I felt better though
.
I've recently had some not too good news healthwise about 2 family members.
ReplyDeleteThe Good News First. My OZ niece who had the thyroidectomy just 12days ago, has started a new job this week with a charity (I think) whose aim is to help women starting up their own businesses. As such she has flown to Sydney and is now on a yoga retreat with her new work! She's doing so well.
The eldest niece's partner has just had an urgent referral for severe sleep apnoea and is waiting for a CPAP machine - I had to type that carefully 😉. TBH this will be almost certainly be down to his lifestyle, as he is very obese with jowls round his neck and he really likes his whiskey.
Bro-in-law who had the full pacemaker last year has a more worrying problem. He was getting very tired + was having breathing problems and on his latest hospital visit, a problem with a heart valve has been found. He's just waiting for more tests before a "repair" op which will be done by keyhole surgery and not open heart. He's on a no major activity, no golf, no exertion, way of life, which is doing Big Sis's head in. She was moaning to me the other day that she's had to cancel their golf holiday in Spain in April!! I didn't say a word...🤭
Your brother in laws problems sound just like mine Miriam.
DeleteI called the British Heart Foundation help line earlier this week and the person I spoke to listened very carefully to the full history of the last eighteen months.
She has given me a list of instructions to ask of my GP including referral back to the cardiac department, to look at precisely what seems to have been found with Miriam’s relative.
My follow up with GP is next Tuesday.
Today was a better day and I managed to get to a seated class, the first time I’ve managed to get there, then did a supermarket shop, and later took Lady to the dog cafe.
Tomorrow is our ‘ gotcha ‘ day.
And sixty years since I walked out of Kensington Registry Office a married woman.
Got Wordle in three with only greens and in thirty seconds
ReplyDeleteThanks to your idea of putting an X in an empty position ,Mrs P and thus being able to put any green letters in their correct position I also managed to get Wordle in 3 today.
Delete
DeleteDoE ,good luck with your dogs.
As you know,PTBY has dogs and I that although there is a great deal of work involved in looking after them ,they give a lot of joy to her and Mr PTBY too.
Dogs are FAMILY
DeleteYour welcome LanJan
Well that's a Birthday that won't be forgotten in a hurry!!!!
ReplyDeleteI know we don’t do politicals, but I just want to say how sorry I feel for King Charles after today’s news. He’s not been King for very long but his reign has already been difficult, first with his cancer diagnosis, and now the unprecedented arrest of his errant brother.
ReplyDeleteNot the type of reign he has long awaited and must have planned for. All my sympathies are with him and Queen Camilla.
Oh no! I gave up reading the news for Lent but think I am going to read it today now. Poor Pronce Charles.
DeleteWhat seems odd to me is that it was the government who appointed (ex) Prince Andrew as a British International Trade Envoy ( and that would also involve him in work with financiers) so why on earth wasn't the government advising and monitoring him in such a high level job. Work that was probably beyond his ability. I do think there are questions to be asked but not just of him.
DeleteYou are so right Janice.
DeleteQuestions questions questions and questions !
Not just a Government Appointment but sanctioned by The Queen at the time.
DeleteShe must be spinning in her grave !
My initial thought is that he who I won't name, will be one of many, but the tabloids are having a field day over this. Whatever I think about it all, it appears he's being made a media scapegoat due to his background.
DeleteTo add:- How did the press + media know to be outside the property as the police arrived?
DeleteJanice - I wouldn't bother reading, so what.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, we're supposed to abstain from the things we like for Lent. To shrive means to confess and cleanse your soul, not fill it with pancakes. I considered not reading this blog. Some time ago my sister and I stopped talking daily on the telephone and wrote emails instead, but she's my only contact and who knows for how long.
As for the person who shall remain nameless I've been asking people if they've heard of him, so far an 88-year-old neighbour ( I'm not interested in politics) and a 56-year-old estate agent, but a 13-year-old knows all about it (doesn't have an iphone) - they are all women.
As for AMW he may only be charged for disclosing trade secrets but not all the rest.
Ah but the pancakes are made and eaten the day before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (our vicar in the past literally sprinkled us with ashes), supposedly to use up things in the larder that might not be eaten again until Easter Saturday. Feasting before fasting.
DeleteIn the catholic tradition the priest makes a sign of the cross with the ashes on your forehead, so people come out looking smudged.
DeleteAlso - there is a fat Thursday, before Mardi Gras, so they have even longer to fill up.
I was in Ecuador one year on Ash Wednesday, outside the main cathedral of the small city Cuenca. As the congregation left it, they all had ash crosses on their foreheads. I was quietly moved seeing this.
DeleteI just hope that the daughters, Beatrice + Eugenie are left alone. They both had independent careers away and have made their own lives + families whilst still being members of the Royal Family.
ReplyDeleteI just hope the press don't hound them.
My shopping today was £2.50 on a box of eggs and five bananas - if need be, with some water I could survive on it for 5 days.
ReplyDeleteARCHERPHILE @11.34am I totally agree‼️ Health wise this could even see the end of King Charles reign such extra pressures he has had to endured since and during his Cancer diagnosis and treatment that alone would be more than enough to cope with but extra major family stress …….☹️
ReplyDeleteJanice ,I am with you about Andrew and being our envoy.
ReplyDeleteHe was hardly diplomatic .I am not surprised that he failed.
He was not trained to carry out responsibilities that an envoy would need to take.
His ex wife is as bad as he is.
As for his daughters ,they must have known what he is like for many years and they were not children when they went to meet Epstein.
They were happy to do very little and accept all the perks of being Royal.
I am afraid the late Queen seemed to be at fault for the way AMW was treated.
Apparently he was a really dreadfully naughty child .
Anyone reading an article in today’s Times by Hilary Rose would feel, I am sure ,that justice is at last being done.
Well done to King Charles .
I won’t live to see the United Kingdom become a Republic but I think it is heading that way ,sadly.
Agree with all your sentiments regarding AMW and Her Majesty.
DeleteShe had a blind spot about him !
And look where it has left him.
The look on his face as he cowered in the back of that car last evening, reminds me of the similar look on the faces of Helen Mirren and Bob Hoskins at the end of The Long Good Friday - I’m F..ck.d !
Oh how the mighty are fallen !
Not sure about us becoming a Republic tho’.
William will be a very good, but very different Sovereign I think.
It is unlikely to be in my lifetime,Mrs P. But I am not sure about William .
DeleteHe has a strong wife which is a good thing though.
One thing I have always been in favour of is that the monarch should retire at the age of 70 .at the latest.Poor Charles was over 70when he became king .
The Dutch and Danish Royal families have done that.
The Queen could have still done her bit .
I got 3 for Wordle.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one who does Nerdle ?
In the last 4 days I have had a 2, 2x3, and a 5 for wordle. I do Nerdle occasionally but prefer words to numbers.
DeleteThe worst thing about Wordle is that one can have 4 greens on lines one two or three but there are too many choices for the missing letter and sometimes there are obviously words with American spellings.
DeleteNerdle is more logical but then I was a maths teacher so prefer numbers to words.
I haven’t found anyone who does Nerdle but not Wordle though,Soz.
I have read the book called “Entitled” by Andrew Lounie which details the life of AMW since babyhood, marriage to Sarah Ferguson and throughout his life.
ReplyDeleteIt is equally fascinating and horrifying. His behaviour and entitled attitude from childhood, through school, in the Navy and since has been appalling. There is evidence from employees, officials, “friends” all giving details of his selfish, demanding and cruel treatment of other people.
We knew Sarah as she lived with her father Major Ron Fergusson at the farm in Dummer, literally just round the corner from us. Ron was president of our Cricket Club and we saw him frequently and heard about Sarah’s activities. He was not beyond bad behaviour himself. We were so disappointed that she turned into a character very much like Andrew. Spendthrift, lacking in any sense of decorum or decent behaviour and only interested in money and what it could buy. Relying on others to pay her bills and help her out of so many scrapes.
If anyone wants an insight to AMW, and ‘Fergie’ I recommend reading this book
There was an excellent article in the Times this week which was about his childhood.
ReplyDeleteSadly the Queen spoilt him too much but apparently when one of the servants punched him because of something he had done and the servant told the Queen and offered his resignation to her ,she declined his offer because she knew what her son was like..
I wonder how many servants he has now?
I've just something which "popped" up in my F/B feed and made me laugh!
ReplyDeleteIt was called "Teatime". It was the door of a prison cell with a tail coated, white gloved butler knocking on the door, whilst holding a silver tray with a China tea-pot, a China cup + saucer, plus a plate of cucumber sandwiches.
Sometimes AI comes up with a gem - which this certainly was. 😆
I love that so quintessential British humour.
DeleteOur daughter went back home with the children yesterday morning and I've been catching up with TA and the blog. We are now getting the house back to normal having spent most of Saturday afternoon sorting out the lounge which looked like an explosion in a Lego factory!
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely to spend time with the children but I did find looking after a 4 and a 5 yr old all day for several days in a row hard work. They really enjoyed exploring Biddulph Grange Garden where they had really made an effort to celebrate Chinese New Year which the children had learnt about in school and nursery.
It's sunny and windy here so there's lots of bedding out on the washing line.
Well done for getting through the mayhem CC, now enjoy some peace.
DeleteDid anyone get Wordle last night/today ?
ReplyDeleteI got the middle letter correct in one but then endless words with that one correct letter in the middle without ever getting near to the correct word.
Utter failure !
Me and Lanjan just discussing this. (Been moving her furniture about, skivvying )
DeleteI was the same as you but got it in 5. Clever bugger Janet got it in 3. I’m surprised she knew there was a word called guava.
She’s just off to fetch me my lunch.
Well done her then !
DeleteAnd well done you for helping out.
Will it be the Savoy Cocktails tomorrow then ?
It was savoy cocktails on Friday tea time lol.
DeleteWent to the courtauld before that to see the Seurat and the sea exhibition. Very good.
Wordle tonight quite interesting
ReplyDeleteOpening word = nothing
Second word = two yellows
Third word = four yellows and one green
Making fourth word very easy
Well I do not want to brag but I got Wordle in 2 !
ReplyDeleteTwo greens in line one rest purple.
Lucky guess line 2 .
Had most enjoyable time with PTBY .
Great company.
She certainly earned the very meagre lunch-.which she had requested !
I had recorded the Liverpool Match so was able to watch that in the evening .
Gosh ,we-were poor but managed to scramble a goal in the final minute.
Wordle in 2. Was under pressure cos husband had already done it in 2. I’m gloating now ready to tell him. 😊
ReplyDeleteIn case this might be of interest to any-one, I've just listened to a good hour long story called Haunted Hospital by Trevor Hoyle.
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't the sun go to university?
ReplyDeleteBecause it already had 27 million degrees. 😉
✔️😂🤣😅
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