Fine Friday - 63F - Sunny spells - 3mph NW wind

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Just the one picture today, taken on the old Casio. Poor old thing, it is about falling apart, literally. I had to put in new batteries and then hold the camera tightly together to enable this snap. It has been reliant on strong rubbers bands for some time, to make it usable, but that ruse doesn't work anymore. So, if the picture falls short of the usual standard on this blog I apologise.

The purpose is to illustrate the angled viewer which I purchased from my Hong Kong e-bay person Miss Wongrm. As before the original transaction was slick and the item arrived 8 days later - nicely packaged and in good condition. Most important of all, it works ! For those of us with bending problems it enables flower pictures for instance which wouldn't previously have been possible.

I have tried to put the garden in order for while we are away and have fed things that need feeding. Derek coming in daily to water indoors and he is also going to look after our outdoor tomato plants and things. I planted the new herb Savory which Nat Trst Colin had sent me a cutting of. The cutting came via Jean and she had wrapped the rooted end in a wet tissue and it looked very healthy. Fine white root hairs and a green and white growing tip.

I've sorted out most outstanding computer jobs and I still have tomorrow if other things crop up. I must download some podcasts onto my MP3 player to listen to whilst away.

Y went down town to meet Joan B for afternoon tea at some classy place near Byard Lane. Although they didn't have it, the official afternoon tea was over £15 per person - rather expensive in my opinion. However they enjoyed themselves and bumped into Tracy.

My responses to your comments

Bob ..... A pleasant meeting indeed at Wetherspoons - and such good value. They seem to be able to keep their beer prices down and it makes one wonder why others can't. ergo Reg's e-mail report from WoW of the prices in tourist Peak District.

Tackle some flatpack furniture! The challenge would do you good.

Yvonne ..... Your suggestion of Tim Berners-Lee as your second choice for the Trafalgar Square plinth is inspired. Although a Knighthood was accorded, other recognition must surely come. Order of Merit or even Companion of Honour when suitable vacancies occur.

I have made his name a link to the excellent BBC potted biography.

Jill ..... Tim Berners-Lee is a fairly self-effacing sort of chap. Although he could have patented WWW and thereby been in the Bill Gates class for millionaires, he chose not too, feeling as a scientist that he would contribute the idea for the benefit of all mankind. The last phrase isn't overblown at all because the contribution the Internet has made to life on the planet is immense.

Re Ikea flat-pack assembly. We have already used this service - when we bought our present dining table and six chairs. And it took the two experts over 2 hours - had I done it, I would by now probably been on chair 3. But I did a Billy bookcase and I thought the chest-of-drawers within my range. Which it was - just !

Nice of you to give such a complimentary reason for Millicent's 'no body' stance.

Shame your irony was lost on the waste people. Shame about the blackbird though. If we had had three rats Y would be close to being 'sectioned' by now.

Anonymous Peter G ...... How my cufflink arrived under the rear seat is a mystery. I think I must have taken a jacket off and the cufflink had become entangled in the sleeve. When I took my shirt off at bedtime I discovered it was minus one cufflink. Neither of us thought to go and look in the car. As you say though - it is great to have it back.

I think you are quite right about the availability of drinks at Thaymar - it was just a matter of asking. Y's point I think was that we shouldn't have needed to ask. But the Thaymar lady was very busy and under a little stress, with all those people.

My chest-of-drawers does look good and, I think, with its acquisition, I am supposed to become a tidier person. Perhaps ! I'll certainly try.

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Quotation time .....

"The very rats Instinctively had quit it."

William Shakespeare

All being well there should be a blog-post tomorrow.

But if I get bogged-down with packing .................


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Tardy blog-post - definitely cooler - 53F - No wind

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At last I've got round to doing my blog.

I publish the picture of my Ikea chest-of-drawers almost as the mug-shot of an offender, because that is where my time has gone and leading to my being flat-packered.

Y's praise, whilst welcome, was a little premature. The outer shell was no problem. But the drawers had wheels running in runners and were hard (for me that is) to assemble. Anyway the task is now completed.

I managed to make it to The Widow Frost in Mansfield to meet Bob for lunch. We both opted for the 'veggie-burger/salad/chips - plus drink' option which seemed reasonable at £4.69p. Mine came with a Becks Alcoholfree and Bob had a pint of bitter. We had a good chat and some laughs although I had to leave fairly early, to return to my chest-of-drawers.

Y did her usual Burton Joyce run but it tires her a little these days. It is a 3½ hr round trip, and she has her routine tasks whilst there. When Millicent starts proper School in September Y thinks she will make alternative BJ visiting arrangements. She has been going since Hannah was born - 12yrs ago and she has loved it.

Millicent was kind enough to ask Y to bring me the picture on the left. As you can see, it is a portrait. Millicent says she 'can't do bodies' hence my long legs leading straight down from the neck. Its all there - the sun (with rays) a blue sky above my head, some grass to stand on, and a tree with a very narrow trunk but with plenty of red berries. It is some time since I had a new grand-child picture for my wall and I shall treasure it.

Our National Trust trip to Thaymar IceCream was a success and it is good to support and find out about local environmentally friendly enterprises. The lady proprietor who founded the firm 20 yrs ago was good to listen to. Minor problems were due to her being under-staffed and over-stretched. The buffet was of excellent quality but a pot of tea with it would have been nice. At our table for instance, as with the others, Joan G had to ask for water.

Another good thing happened today.

I searched the car thoroughly for a 'pin' which Bill S has lost. Something under a rear seat gleamed and I thought he was in luck.

The lucky person however was me. The item was my 'lost' Police College cuff-link which I can't remember if I told you about or not.

A difficult subject to photograph. On camera flash made a right pig's ear of it. The best result was on 800ISO and photographed under-exposed under my desk light. I then corrected the 'white-balance' in photoshop.

My responses to your comments

Bob .... It is a Witch-Hazel and the nut-shaped things are quite hard like cobnuts. Just that it hasn't had them before.

Glad we were able to semi-sort out your phone's abilities. 'Text' reminders should be just what you need.

Yvonne ..... Please see above re chest-of-drawers.

We shall just have to disagree about the 4th Plinth.

Jill ..... TK-Maxx sounds well worth a visit. I've just googled to find that we have 2 in Nottingham and 1 in Mansfield so I shall have to go and see for myself.

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Quotation time .....................

"I detest life-insurance agents; they always argue that I shall some day die, which is not so."

Stephen Leacock

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"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow (really will)"



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Weird weather - heavy rain/sunshine - 59F now

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Another part of the old Clematis - it traverses almost all the front wall.

However, the purpose of the snap is to show the Witch Hazel which for the first time ever has some cobnuts set.

I suppose that, being of the 'hazel' family, it is entitled to nuts - its just that I have never encountered it before.

Our morning started with my more -or-less routine blood test taken by Sheila with not a trace of bruising. She was amused at my last weeks bruising at the hands of the 'expert'. Then we visited the Disability Aids place for a replacement collapsible walking stick and, after that, to Ikea for free coffee. Whilst there we bought a three-drawer chest of drawers for my bedroom - the present system of pull out boxes being unsatisfactory. Naturally the item is a flat-pack so I shall have the pleasure of erecting it tomorrow. Our Ikea 'family card' led to a reduction in price from £44 to £34. One simply has to ask for a card and we were pleased we took ours with us. I think Y keeps it in her handbag anyway.

Y collected new Ikea catalogues for family and friends - a new edition, only released 1st July 09. As I think I must have mentioned before I love mooching round Ikea. I consider their 'design' to be excellent and up-to-date and there is nothing stuffy to be encountered anywhere.

After Ikea we came home and Karen was still here. The house looked neat and tidy and smelt fresh. She likes doing our house she says, because she can 'see a difference' when finished. I'm not sure if that is a compliment or not ?

For lunch I cooked Sausage, Mashed Potato (with Swede) Carrots, Courgettes and our Cauliflower (just cut) from Derek. He had soaked it in salty water, for Y's benefit, so she didn't encounter any unsuspected protein ! For pudding we had Y's fruit salad, prepared yesterday. Delicious !

The, after a kip, I planted an outstanding Dahlia - it just wasn't fit yesterday. Today I managed to dodge the showers. I fed everything I could think of and then started my pictures.

Picture 2 shows the recently germinated Coriander. I know Bob does the same, but I don't waste money on seed-catalogue seed - I just use a few pinches of cooking coriander seed. It always seems to work as well and at least you know you are growing a recognised culinary variety. If, in an enlargement, you can read the plant labels you will be able to see that the planting date was 29th June 09. Just over a week ago !

Buying a replacement collapsible walking-stick had the frequently occurring miracle of causing the lost one to turn up.

On coming home some days ago I had collapsed the stick and put it, carefully, on top of a bedside cabinet which lives in the garage, and over which I store my 'wheels'. Messing about with the 'wheels' namely tying the front and rear legs together with a piece of string to stop them flopping about had resulted in the stick being pushed over the back of the bedside cabinet, where it rested, out of sight, until today.

Ah well ! Two sticks is better than none !

Alex is creating a new front fence for Derek and Betty which involves serious looking hardwood gate-posts and although he is nowhere near finished, you can tell its going to be a super job. Poor chap, trying to worked inbetween the torrents. I think in the end he gave up and decided to work while saturated. Incidentally - he brought us another half-dozen eggs - leading to our tea of scrambled eggs on toast. Truly scrumptious - that yellow - and the richness of the flavour. Are we not lucky bunnies ?

My responses to your much valued comments

Bob ...... Love the Kestrel Haiku. But, honestly, I can recognise a Kestrel, and a Sparrowhawk, mostly. It could have been some sort of Harrier I suppose. Nowhere near big enough for a Buzzard. I must return to Narrow Lane, armed with binoculars, and Nikon with long telephoto on board. If you remember I had a Sparrowhawk in the garden and blogged a picture thereof.

See blog-post 10th August 2008 - I had thought it to be a Buzzard but knowledgeable grand-children soon put me right.

I know what you mean about prefering a Bullfinch to the Black-currants but, personally, I find them a little chewy.

See e-mails re mobile phone v voice recorder and other matters.

Yvonne .... The smoked haddock was good but I'm game to try some of these 'in the bag' things. Eventually the smell clears from the kitchen but it is abit tedious.

Thanks for the added info re the chest of drawers. I had forgotten all about the 'heavy' bit. You and I could have managed I suppose. with great difficulty, plus the danger of falling over.

Jill .... Having a Matalan is valuable because the range of products is much wider than Primark. I once bought a really high quality copper-bottomed large saucepan there and it has become one of my favourite tools.

Please see above re fish in 'bags'. I am already convinced and we'll give them a whirl a.s.a.p. And I am sure you are right about the price. I think our piece of haddock, which we shared, was £2.78 without any tasty sauce etc.

Looking forward to the 'knitter' on the plinth on July 13th. Here is a link to Gormley's site for the exercise. Y thinks the idea 'silly' but I disagree and consider it an important piece of living-history archive. What better 'record' of life over a hundred days in 2009. How valuable for future historians. Think of checking it over in 100 years time for a record of how we dressed, what Trafalgar Square looked like, what we did etc.,? And I am so pleased some of your 'knitting' people had the foresight to go for it.

So pleased to hear your Duck arrived, in good condition, and rarin' for an outin'. And I don't want to find that you have allowed him to share your bath.

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Quotation time .......

"We confess our little faults to persuade people that we have no large ones."

François de La Rochefoucauld

For the 'ç' I am indebted to Alt Gr .....................

- And the man himself -



I think he passes the 'spend an hour in the pub' test


"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow - but could be early or late because we are National Trusting at Thaymar Icecream near Retford in the evening"




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Quite cool - 55F - thunder & lightning tomorrow

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Our solitary yucca spike (in the front garden that is) usually there are three. The purple/blue clematis, just starting to flower on the hedge to the left, is very old and vigorous and we sometimes feel the plant is the progenitor of many.

We made a early start and went over to Bulwell Morrisons. Larger than out nearest branch. we successfully tracked down the Lactofree hard cheese. Not tried it yet but it looks and
feels like a medium cheddar. Looking forward to it - Debra says it's excellent on toast. I will report back.

Also we popped into Matalan and bought various bits & bobs - in my case T shirts which are first class. I have some from there I must have been wearing well over 5 years. Today's were 2 for £5.

Then we drove home via Narrow Lane at Watnall and were lucky enough to see what looked like a Sparrowhawk hunting. Miles would have been a handy companion for positive i.d. and needless to say we were without binoculars. For lunch we had smoked haddock with poached egg and finished off the green beans. Now tea time and Y is busy making a fruit salad - its going to have red-currants in it too - can't wait but it won't be ready till tomorrow. A night in the fridge, marinading, adds magic.

Picture 2 shows the progress of our outdoor tomato plants. Quite a few fruit have set and are growing along steadily.

My responses to your comments

Bob .... Sandra's 'rice and veg' with cheese sauce sounds good. We have a cauli next door, waiting to be harvested - and knowing Derek, it won't be tatty. He continues to keep us in freshly cut lettuce.

Is a Duck-can a similar bird to the Tou-can ?

Jill .... Thanks for the e-mailed photos. Obviously Bob sorted you out with Picasa and Google-mail. They worked well and, as you might have expected, I loved the Banksie. Y persuaded Santa to bring me a hard copy of his recent book.

The tennis was good ! I find it difficult to believe the quality of the 'serves' (130mph plus) and how anyone ever returns one, is an even further mystery to me.

Long may your 'luddite-ism' continue !

Your evening meal sounds promising. We must try more 'cook in the bag' fish. The problem with other methods is that the kitchen smells of fish for hours.


Anonymous Peter G ..... Some misunderstanding ? The 'collage' of bus ride pictures 'Retford to Ollerton' was Bob's not mine. Whatever, he will be delighted you enjoyed them.

A 'Federer' is a perfectly good name for a large black flowerpot - why not?

You will find something to fill the Wimbledon gap. Perhaps a good greenhouse potter, or sit in your summer-house and think worthy thoughts.

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Quotation time .........

"When desperate ills demand a speedy cure,
Distrust is cowardice, and prudence folly."

Samuel Johnson

"Sleep tight - hope to catch you tomorrow"

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Great Wimbledon final - 65F - Sunny but some rain.

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David sent me some very happy pictures of them sailing at Swarkestone Sailing Club.

The snap on the left shows David and the girls . The photographer therefore (from the other boat) must have been Helen. Hope with sailing and taking photographs at the same time no-one drops a camera in the water !

I've deliberately smudged the girls faces for 'security reasons'.

Apparently they have both the big boat (shown) and the Topper on the water at the same time.

This evening Sky e-mailed me some more pictures of her sailing the 'Topper' single-handed. The website 'linked' tells you all about it. It really sounds fun.

The small picture on the right shows her in action. I love the Westie terrier in the foreground.

I had a nice Sunday morning chat with David this morning and he told me that, during the heat-wave, the 'no swimming' rule at the Sailing Club has been sensibly interpreted and 'water confidence' measures have been permitted. i.e falling in for a few minutes is permissible.

Whilst in Morrisons this morning I noted they were selling off the black plastic buckets used for displaying flowers. This year they are in packs of 8 for 99p which is most reasonable for 'sturdier than normal plant pots'. I simply drill a few holes in the base of each. I bought a pack of 8 for Helen and when I rang to tell her she was pleased, not having noticed them for sale. She is keen on her garden.

Third picture today is a collage of pictures from the top-deck of Bob's bus from Retford to Ollerton yesterday.

I was in some confusion as to whether the pictures were taken at bustops or from the top of the bus. (pedants of the world unite!)

Extremely useful though, and so information laden. Collages are an excellent medium for conveying a maximum amount of information in the smallest space. I now much prefer them to panoramas.

For lunch I did a stir-fry, followed by the end of the gooseberries and apple, with some of our recently picked raspberries stirred in. July is such a fruitful month.

After lunch, the afternoon was mainly given over to the Men's Final at Wimbledon. Federer was a worthy winner and although Roddick played hard and was clearly dissappointed to lose, the result was, in our opinion, a just one. It was great to see there, as spectators, some of the old greats - Bjorn Borg, Nastasé, Pete Sampras, Rod Laver to mention but a few.

So - Federer won for me a £1. Must have a good think tonight what to spend it on ?

My responses to your previous comments

Bob .... The cowboys are good. From our recollection each seemed a unique piece. Although similar, there was something different about each one.

The question remains though. Where are they ??

I must remember your 'counter richness' tip. The trouble is I find most red cabbage too chewy. Beetroot will be preferable.

William's method of communication was the 'telling-bone'. Any fule know that.

Jill ..... Maybe the 'cotinus' snap was over-done. The setting sun illuminating the foliage looked more attractive in reality than comes across in the picture.

I'm afraid computers/little blue books find me in a state of transition. Physically writing things down is better for me than notes on computers - mostly. I knew a Social Psycholgist once who told me it was known as the Tsigane? effect. i.e. once you've written something down you tend to remember it better anyway. I think when you get older its also a matter of channel-capacity. A hand-written note frees up space in your brain for more important things, like crossword clues.

Re swine-flu. Apparently we have a case in Eastwood. Our gardener Alex was due to go to the house to do some gardening but the sufferer very responsibly warned him not to go.

Re Alt Gr key. You can make tea anytime but you never know when you might need a 'c' cedilla, or an umlaut in a hurry.

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Quotation time ..... (I saw an electrician's van recently which invited one to make contact with the driver and ask for a free quotation. I thought of stopping him and asking something about 'trees'. But, on balance, I decided against it).

"My favourite thing about the internet is that you get to go into the private world of real creeps without having to smell them"

Penn Jilette

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow - god willing"



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Saturday at home - lotsa jobs - 74F - humid

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A picture of the 'smoke bush' (cotinus) doing its thing yesterday evening as the sun went down.

Cotinus is a useful cultivar, without any vices (which we have discovered) - it isn't invasive, isn't prone to diseases or attractive to unpleasant insects etc. and certainly looks good at this time of year.

This morning, as Y notes in her 'comment' we did bits on her laptop but I don't deserve the peons of praise. Mainly how to access my blogger-dashboard so she can do a blog-post for Radiogandy if I'm laid low.

My computer-knowledge has been gained from Ray (Ourstanley) and the others on WebUser forums and occasionally buying a book about a specific subject like 'Blogging'. I also read WU magazine and keep an alphabetically indexed blue note-book in which I jot things I might need to know. I admit that one does need a desire to do these things to start with, and, if you find the whole subject a turn-off it isn't going to be a pursuit for you.

Picture 2 also is specifically for Yvonne. In 2005 we were away on a coach holiday either with one of the commercial firms or with Mansfield National Trust. We stopped at a service-station, I think on one of the motorways and in the central courtyard were these hand-carved, life sized cowboys. They are very attractive bits of art but neither of us has ever been able to remember where they are.

Help please someone ?

This is the trouble with such a lot of gadding about.

As well as helping Y out I have also finally done some photographs for Connie (Mans.Nat.Trst). Last years long weekend and this years long weekend, plus a committee dinner at The Hardwick Inn. Each presented its own problems. All were in over-bright sun at midday and one of the group ones, standing in front of a coach should really be a panorama because I couldn't pose all fifty of them in three rows rather than two.

For lunch I cooked a corned-beef hash. The meal was a success and tasty but I found it a little 'rich'. This diet of mine ! I'm fine with the Goats Milk cheeses, and Roquefort which is sheeps milk. With the cows milk cheeses, I shall stick to Emmental, and just eat the holes.

This evening I managed a little time in the garden and then, suddenly around 6.30pm there was almost a cloud burst. The chap who goes by in a pony & trap with his Jack Russell at his side got drenched. This is the trouble with these open-topped vehicles !

Picture 3 is our courgette plant which had been suffering with fruit damping off. It has responded well to two stiff doses of tomorite, which Bill suggested last Wednesday.

Not having previously encountered problems, I hadn't realised what an appetite they have. The plant had never really got going which I felt bad about because it was a gift from Long Eaton Helen.

My responses to your previous comments

Bob .... I think we all agree about Rob's collage. And his explanation of the event's content was most welcome.

Your 'low volume plus subtitles' approach to the grunters sounds a good idea, but Y doesn't fancy it. Anyway, the ladies final apparently was grunt free and a good match to boot. Could it be that, playing ones sister in the final rules out gamesmanship ?

Yvonne ..... Personally I enjoyed wrapping the duck in bubble-wrap and brown paper. It was kind of you to start it on its journey to Chiswick by taking it to the Post Office.

I anticipate the Mens Final, Roddick v Federer, being a class match. Seeing how strong Roddick was against Murray I wouldn't like to bet on the result. However, knowing you favour Roddick I'll bet you a straight £1 that Federer wins.

Jill ..... Where I learnt that e plus Alt Gr produces é I can't remember. But it is in my little blue book. Personally I knew of no other function for the Alt Gr key. I couldn't resist 'googling' it though and this page gives you a load of other cedillas etc., you can use it for.

As Y says, I suspect its a man thing. Having said that 'Madeline' on WUforums who has occasionally graced these pages, is all lady and her computer knowledge is a match for any fella !

I think your intention of ringing your bin people to enquire which bin you should put a dead rat in is hilarious. Please do it !


Rob ..... Thanks for the 'further and better particulars' of the 'son et lumiere'. Nowt to do wi' William Tell then? ..... Shame !

Thanks for the update to The Sport Desk. Any more snippets about Lachs will be duly published.

Peter G ..... I know you haven't asctually left a comment but this is just to re-assure you that your comment about 'bed-gardening' was read and enjoyed by everyone. I think Jill responded specifically and asked, if you devised a method, she would like details of it.

Things should be better now I'm doing my blog-post at a more reasonable time. People's comments were all over the place weren't they. And the fault was the blog-meister's.

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Quotation time .......

"Punctuality is the politeness of Kings"

Louis XV111 of France

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Quick blog - computer problems - is it the heat ?

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We are indebted to Rob for today's lead picture. A collage of "the son et lumiere at Blois Chateau" from their recent holiday. Rob wanted to ensure the picture captured the atmosphere and it certainly does, particularly when clicked on and viewed at full screen size. In the centre frame, I do believe, is William Tell - I trust the music was fitting !

It is a relief to have a picture at all. After a stint in the garden, when the day's torrential rain gave way to a lovely sunny evening, I decided on a very brief blog-post due to tired-ness. But I couldn't get on the internet. Loads of peculiar error messages. I feared the problem could be the new Firefox 3.5 but Internet Explorer couldn't get me on the net either. In the end we had to shut the whole system down, TV included, and reboot.

We've been quite busy. Y went swimming. Then we did a little shopping. And of course - not forgetting the Tennis. Murray put up a gallant performance but was deservedly beaten by Roddick who still has that 'class'.

My responses to your comments - I hope I've caught them all

Yvonne ..... Well done again with the swimming. Nice story about Millicent and 'mummy duck'

Re: Grunters - interesting to note the vacant seats in the 'grunter's' Court.


jbw ...... I know your local authority is different from ours. Our 'bin' system sounds comparatively simple. General waste, including food residues, in black lidded bin. Collected fortnighly on a Tuesday. Recycle stuff (handy check list provided) in green lidded bin collected fortnighly on Tuesday when it isn't the black-lidded bin. Garden waste - Wednesdays fortnightly. Glass - monthly.



Bob .... I've decided to settle for brown/yellow moth.

To get an é acute - depress the Alt Gr key on your keyboard whilst typing the e. The Alt Gr is often on the bottom row next to the space bar.

Jill .... I really do sympathise with your waste collections system. Can you read for a Degree in it?

Your torrential rain reached us during the night and this morning. Fine now. I fancy it was dark a little earlier. Remembering the 20 minutes a day dictum.

I will pay attention to your e-mailed problems with 'google' and 'Picasa' tomorrow morning. Also I've acquired packaging for your little yellow duck and she will be en route tomorrow.

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No time for quote - sleep tight - and I'll catch you tomorrow



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BJ day for Y - Me messing about - Max 90F - little wind

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I took this around 4.30am, with flash, and thought that, as it was so distinctive, identification would be simple. Not so. I can't find anything remotely similar in my Collins.

Suggestions will be welcomed.

I'm beginning to think it doesn't really matter very much whether one knows the variety or not. It is a brown moth and I suppose that's good enough.

By 5.30am I was up-and-about and the light was gorgeous for photography. The rambling rose shown below is determined to climb the rowan tree. And why not ! ..... I continued working 'earlies' and went shopping before taking Y to the tram. My theory was that, after I had delivered her, I could just 'slump' and avoid the worst of the heat.

Alex has been here all day and has worked through it - he must have lost pounds - but he has shifted an incredible amount of jobs. The conifer hedge at the rear, clearing out the gutters, rotovating ..... to mention but a few.

During my shopping jaunt I bought a large pair of mole-grips, as being about the only tool which would grab the ring-nut holding the hot-water tap in place - underneath the wash-hand basin in Y's bathroom. My assumption proved correct and I was able to finish off that job.


While I was in B&Q I bought one of the little yellow duck watering cans for Jill.

See picture on the right. Either this evening, or tomorrow, I'll make a parcel of it and send it on its way to Chiswick.

We are having jacket potatoes and salad for our main meal and, while in the kitchen I dealt with the 3lbs of goosberries and have stewed them with some bramley apple. They are cooling now, and they taste good.

My responses to your comments

jbw .... Yours is the only comment so far John. I guess I am publishing a little early.

Couldn't agree more about Longfellow !

Jill ...... Good job I didn't publish then but 'saved' - I knew you would be along.

Re the bruising. Quite funny really considering the blood test was taken by the self-proclaimed expert. Anyway - she is such a nice girl I forgive her. It's worse today, but no picture - I don't want to have to impose a 9pm watershed.

Your waste-collection system, or lack of it, sounds horrendous. We shall all have to become Jack Russell owners.

Bob ..... There are certainly less insects than hithertofore. Last night I sat with the light on and my bedroom window open. In the 40s and 50s my room would have been alive with moths etc., but not so now. Just the solitary visitor photographed.

I'm afraid I don't see the point of humane traps. When you release the critters they simply return to where they wanted to be all along.

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Quotation time .......

"By the shores of Gitche Gumee By the shining Big-
Sea- Water Downward through the evening twilight
In the days that are forgotten"

Longfellow

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An early blog like this will free up our evening. We both want to watch the Hockney programme on iplayer. That's a link folks. Save you finding it yourself if you want to watch it.

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"

WoW-ing at Colwick - very hot - 88F - little SSE breeze

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We met at Reg's at the usual time and eventually decided to visit Colwick Country Park where Denis captured the mandarin duck.

The chaps parked me near the Colwick Park Hotel which has just re-opened after extensive refurbishment. Helen had heard that some medieval wattle-and-daub work had been found and retained.

I was selected for the role of being cheeky enough to go in and ask probing questions. Needless to say, no-one knew anything about wattle and daub but they were really pleasant and helpful, and I was invited to have a mooch around and take as many photos as I liked. I collected a glossy and nicely produced brochure.

All in all, a good place to go and Y tells me that Tracy uses it for work-related entertaining.


The sun was blisteringly hot but the chaps enjoyed their walk and I enjoyed messing about in the immediate area. There was a completely wild, and wide, strip between the main roadway and the Race-Track and I managed quite a few wild-flower snaps for subsequent identification.

Also I saw some unusual butterflies but I wasn't fast enough.

At lunch time we stopped for chip-butties but, the weather wasn't right for them, and only 2 people ventured. The others has something lighter or, in Bill's case, nothing to eat at all. I think the pub was The Nag's Head but, in the absence of a website with a photograph it is difficult to be sure. Reg can't remember for sure either, so it isn't just me. It's this heat frazzling our brains.

You perhaps remember me telling you about the nurse-practitioner's authoritative advice about avoiding 'bruising' whilst taking blood samples ?

The picture on the left tells the story and needs no comment from me .........

Anyway - I have received the results back and my level is 2.6 (this is good) and they didn't want me to have another test till 14th July. We are on holiday then but, after consulting the anti-coagulant clinic, I'm going in on the 7th July, where I just so happened to have already booked an appointment !

Y has had a good Wimbledon day. Unfortunately her stroky-hair chap Djokovic was knocked out. And Andy Roddick beat Hewitt in a very good match which she thoroughly enjoyed.

Earlier today Derek brought round a bag of 3lbs of gooseberries. And talk about good neighbours - they had been topped and tailed !

John is back. Great trip in the camper, and as soon as he has sorted himself out he will pop over and give us a full account. Really looking forward ......

My responses to your previous comments

Bob ..... Re 'blood tests'. I think my nurse's explanation can perhaps be taken with a pinch of salt etc....

The 'duck' watering cans seem to be popular. I suppose there is a natural affinity.

I seem to remember the Playhouse 'performance'. We seemed to do such a lot in those days. Judging competitions, doing readings etc....

Pete ..... Likewise me with Manamans Cloak Pete. I often visit but don't sign your guestbook unless I've got something really interesting to say. I managed to give you a plug on WebUser forums the other day in a thread about 'passions'.

Eventually I think the 'powers that be' will realise that people are turning away from the grunters-and-screechers matches. If it hits ticket sales it will be surprising how quickly silence is restored.

Jill .... And you shall have a duck watering can. I'm going to call in at B&Q tomorrow, after I've dropped Y at the tram and buy you one. Then I'll parcel it up and send it.

Re all those gooseberries. Friends and neighbours will be the recipients plus of course the freezer. See above re topping/tailing.

When we had an excess of raspberries I used to make raspberry fool which is very popular. Gooseberry fool is too !

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Quotation time .....

"That beautiful season the Summer!
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light;
and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood."

Longfellow

I remember as a boy being thrilled to bits with The Song of Hiawatha. The romance of it and those flowing repetitive cadences. I used to read it aloud to myself.

"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow"




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Karen day - Blood test - 80+F - slight breeze

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This is a picture from my 'most comfortable' chair.

Well - standing up from it actually, before some pedant quibbles.

In the very bottom right hand is the corner of the TV but often, if the tennis or the news is boring, I prefer just to look out of the window.

We began this morning with a routinely boring 'blood test' taken as a favour by my Obesity Clinic nurse as the regulars didn't have a slot. She told me interesting things about the bruising which sometimes occurs. Apparently, if the nurse manages just to go into the vein, rather than through it and the patient carries out the instruction to press hard on the cotton-wool swab, there should be no bruising. And today there isn't. It rarely happens to me but I know it does to some people. Apparently, if you don't press on hard enough the residue of blood seeps subcutaneously, giving the appearance of bruising.

After this we went to B&Q to buy a flange-nut because the one on the tap in Y's bathroom has disintegrated (plastic) and the hot water tap wobbles about in the air. I'll fix it tomorrow because I shall have to turn off the water.

While in B&Q Yvonne found this 'duck watering can' irresistible. It is for Millicent who likes to help her Mummy with the watering.

I tried to capture the water emerging from the duck's beak - this is my best effort and I hope it is visible.

Then we drove down to Nottingham so Y could book Pantomime tickets at The Playhouse which she did and got seats which suited. The Playhouse is just not possible for me due to the seating which is designed for able-bodied midgets. We sat outside for coffee and the place was quite busy with something to do with The Nottingham Festival 2009. Can't link you to it because I can't find anything. Perhaps it is only at the planning stage.

When we reached home Karen was just finishing and, as always, the house looked and smelled lovely and fresh.

My responses to your comments

Bob .... Thanks for the fungus identification. I felt sure you would know.

Your gooseberry crumble sounds good. Neighbour Betty just rang to say they have picked 40lbs of gooseberries from their bushes this evening - and did we want some ?? I must ask her if she needs a basil plant ?

Jill ..... You are quite right about my meal. The 'pudding' course was unnecessary. As the saying goes "Eye bigger than belly".

Wish you well with your search for a trolley. I recognise the problem with spilling. I used to be able to carry two mugs (or 3 pints of beer) without spilling a drop. Now delivering just one mug unspilt defeats me. As you so accurately said "This business of getting old isn't for wimps".

jbw ..... I'm sure Jill will find your 'House of Bath' online shop a satisfactory place to get a trolley from. Just to help, the above is a live link to it.

With regret I decided to delete your second comment, in accordance with the rules above the 'comments' box. I fear that, if I allowed it just once, it would open it up for people to return several times to the same blog-post. Sorry !


Yvonne ....... It is indeed a shame that the screeching grunters are wrecking Wimbledon for you.

And indeed that Murray's pained performance had a similar effect.

There was a fair bit of online comment about his complaints of sweating and being uncomfortable under the roof with the floodlights. According to the Wimbledon 'boss' they control the humidity very carefully and that, when the roof is in use, the Centre Court is in effect air-conditioned.

Please find above a picture of one yellow duck !

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Quotation slot .......

"Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability"

Sam Keen

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A 'mixed' day - very hot and humid - 81F - little wind

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A day of mixed fortunes, for me at least, fine during the morning and while Y was swimming I went shopping. I decided to check-out my dairy allergy and bought a 'creamy carbonara sauce' to accompany the second half of the fresh linguine. My eye was also taken by some fruit-on-custard and pastry tarts, for pudding.

At least I now know I'm not imagining it because immediately after lunch I was quite poorly - the sickness etc. and the churning stomach.

I dropped Y at the Hayley Leisure Centre at 10am for her morning swim. She did her 10 lengths and has decided that, rather than extend her distance, she will increase her speed. She followed it by 'steam rooom', 'jacuzzi' and 'coffee' and then walked home via The Headstocks.

While she walked off to the pool I sought and obtained permission at Reception to take a snap of their pond which is at the side of the old building and around 150 yards from the drive.

An excellent place for wildlife photography due to its privacy and lack of disturbance, I would think.

By the barriers on the drive is the stump of quite a large tree and the fungus shown was growing out of it very contentedly. Maybe Bob, or someone else can put a name to it.

After Y arrived after her walk home we went to Reuben Shaw's at Moorgreen to buy a few plants to populate the increasing number of empty spaces. The staff were as helpful and knowledgeable as ever.

My replies to your previous comments

Jill ..... Y feels the same as you about tents, and caravans. We who are nature's campers however, see it is a way of getting closer to nature and the pre-history days when life was more simple.

Re sheeps/cows/goats milk. Bob has fwd-ed a copy of an e-mail to you, where he goes into the subject in some depth. I can now only speak about the effects - please see above.

Bob ..... I can't quite work out whether or not your 'Arlene Phillips failing to impress' comment was as a result of hearing her on Desert Island Discs or not.

I never realised that Wensleydale was a sheep's milk cheese. I shall approach it with renewed interest. n Thanks for the info re Tesco and Goat's milk yoghurt.

Anonymous Peter Green ...... It would be nice to curl up in my herb-bed wouldn't it, with a cup of mint-tea perhaps and a chive sandwich.? Now 'twitch' in bed is not an unkown condition for me. Particularly when I can't get comfortable.

Our readers will be amused by your 'Love to you both' ending and will wonder which two. The largest numbers of readers I have had on a particular day was well over a hundred. My blogger.com stats system will tell me if I ask. Many people read it and never leave a comment which is absolutely fair enough. I love to get the comments and our regulars enjoy reading them and the sometime exchange of ideas, if a particular 'thread' is of interest.

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Quotation time ......

"There can be no other occupation like gardening in which, if you were to creep up behind someone at their work, you would find them smiling."

Mirabel Osler

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"




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Nice Sunday - plenty 'kips' - jobs done - 75F - no wind

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Although suffering computer problems David managed to send me this picture this morning.

The children had been promised that everyone would sleep outside in the tent (Brooke excited since Thursday) and they managed to erect the tent in the rear garden.

Only just by the looks of it. As I said to David on the phone it resembles a space-ship forced to make an emergency landing. Anyway - it all went well. Unfortunately it was a dull morning and they didn't wake to the rising sun and the dawn-chorus. By the way, I asked David about maths teaching and our Lidl girl's problem with 4 x 6 = 24. He said children are still taught 'times tables' but perhaps, if one's career aspirations lie in the supermarket check-out line of work ...........

This morning we did our favourite Sunday morning routine i.e. stay in bed and catch up on Saturday's papers. I listened to Desert Island Discs where the 'marooned' was Arlene Phillips (of Strictly come Dancing fame) and I was very impressed by her, both personally and career-wise. If the Sun story that she is to be replaced on 'Strictly' by Alesha Dixon, a former winner, I consider it an ill-judged move. Alesha is a nice, rather silly young girl singer who couldn't possible bring to the show Arlene's depth of knowledge about Dance...........

As I have recently mentioned Fruit Salad I thought I ought to publish Y's extremely good and always successful 'Carse of Gowrie' recipe. But, as Jill says and Delia always tells you - "use whatever you've got available ....."

However, courtesy of Peter Kay :-

"Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad."

For lunch we had pasta (linguine) with a basic, tomato-ey sauce which worked rather well. For afters 'fruit salad'. This evening Betty brought us a bowl of freshly picked garden strawberries. The tasted great ....... after my tea of Rocquefort and biscuits. Rocquefort, recommended by Debra is a sheep's milk cheese and it packs sufficient clout to make up for anyone missing cows milk hard cheeses. The link is to it's Wikipage. Therein the word 'crumbly' is used. I certainly would not have chosen that word because my sample was almost spready with more the texture of a well-matured Stilton. Most acceptable though and I shall have it again.


When the sun started to go down and be less over-powering I went out and did some garden jobs.

There's a bed just outside the back door where Y has done all the hard work of cutting back and clearing. All I had to do was use a hand fork and trowel to make sure most of the twitch was out and then I hoed and raked.

The bed is now ready for planting and we aim to visit a garden-centre tomorrow to buy a few suitable plants. I stress 'suitable' because in wet weather the bed becomes water-logged and can stay that way for weeks. This is why the Iris Sibirica, being basically a marsh plant, has been so happy there.

Y tells me she can 'possibly' find me a 'window' prior to lunch. After swimming and certainly before the tennis, which starts in the afternoon.


Re the picture above - I think this single poppy arrived to thank me for tidying up her living quarters in the herb bed.

I know I ought to dig out the mint, replant it in a bucket or something, to restrain it because, in a week or two it will be all over the place. Such an invasive plant but so essential in the garden of anyone who cooks abit.

My replies to your personally crafted 'comments' which are so welcome each day

Bob .... I am pleased you find Lactofree so acceptable. I honestly didn't realise it was for you ..... we naturally assumed it was for Sandra. Also you were lucky to find their cheeses - Eastwood Morrisons haven't managed to 'have it in' yet, likewise the cream.

In any case I seem to be OK with the 'greek yoghurt' we get in Lidl ( in the cartons which resemble large tubs of emulsion).

Thanks very much for the kind offer for us to 'drop in' during Laxton trip. In the end we decided to give it a miss and have a 'rest day'. Albeit with jobs. Y is 'ironing' at this moment.

Lucky you with your goosegogs. As you know, for me, the pain if picking outweighs the joy of eating. Some of our raspberries are ready and yesterday we casually chucked a net over a few. However, the birds had beaten us to it. The blackbirds are the wortst offenders. A permanent 'fruit cage' is the answer really. Perhaps in our new house ........

So pleased also that your camera turned up. My life wouldn't be the same without a camera.

Yvonne ...... With you 100% about the arrival in the comments columns of Peter G. Our readers will enjoy his ascerbic mode and his sense of humour.

I think you were a little harsh on Chris Evert. I know you didn't really like her but I considered her a sound and talented player. Pretty frocks don't win you 18 grand slam titles !

Your report of the finale of Robin Hood astounded me. No deathbed scene where he fires his final arrow to identify where to dig his grave, and surrounded at his deathbed by Little John and Will Scarlett. I was amazed when you told me the Will Scarlett hadn't even been in it !

Jill .... You are probably right about School's preference to teach citizenshp etc., instead of 'times tables' - David's reassurances notwithstanding.

We seldom encounter the 'change' problem in Supermarkets because we always pay by debit-card. In our more normal local shops, the shopkeepers seem pretty nimble. Kumar and Rachel rpund the corner are quite sharp, (well it is their own shop) and ditto Paul the £1 shop equivalent up in Eastwood.

It is quite remarkable how well John McEnroe has transmogrified from loud-mouthed player into dignified and well informed commentator. We really like to see him now and he adds much to the game.

As with Y and dead-heading. I have this mental image of you in a floral frock, spready straw sun-hat. secateurs, and a wooden trug going round the roses in the evenings when the sun is cooler. It must be a proper wooden-trug by the way, none of this horrible green plastic rubbish !

Differently from you though, we both like the hot weather and it doesn't trouble me at all. As I have already mentioned somewhere, Yvonne considered the Tropical Biome at The Eden Project just about right !

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Quotation spot ......

"The Harvard Law states: Under controlled conditions of light, temperature, humidity and nutrition, the organism will do as it damn well pleases"

Larry Wall

"A busy day tomorrow - but sleep tight - and hope to catch you come blog-time"




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Nice Saturday - 72F - no wind - Shopping

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Picture 1 is a collage showing my herb bed and the bit of garden I am currently working on - slowly. At my rate of progress I should be all the way round the garden by 3rd May 2016. But of course we hope not to be here by then and I shall have another little bed to care for painstakingly. The clematis has been cut-back sharply where it climbs the garage wall and the grey stain on the brickwork is where most of the plant used to be. A few days rain and the bricks will all look the same colour.

The second picture is of a delicate pink rose which climbs the trellis which is at a right-angle and behind me where I stood to photograph the herb bed.

It's name eludes me but it has the look of a David Austin variety. I know his roses seem expensive but they are healthy, robust and repay you with years of vigorous growth.

His website, in which I have linked you to his English Rose collection, is pleasant to browse around. We just need the scents and perhaps a barely audible background of summer evening birdsong.

This morning we went shopping to replace essentials (I do seem to use a lot of this Lactofree milk) but we witnessed a 'sign of the times' incident in Lidl.

The lady in front of us had bought a whole tray of tins of tomatoes, 4 across and 6 deep. This was a problem to the check out girl who is programmed to deal with single tins. "There are 24 tins" said the shopper helpfully. The sum 4 x 6 = 24 defeated the cashier and she had to tap each tin with her forefinger until she reached 24. Goodness gracious me ! I think times tables must be frowned upon by current educationalists. I must seek David's opinion.

Y has watched some tennis, but didn't want to watch the women screechers and grunters (see her comment). At tea-time I sat and watched some of the Murray v Troicki match and I could see that Murray wasn't really being extended.

Tomorrow afternoon, depending on the weather, the tennis, my state of health etc., we may go up to Laxton because they are having an open day which Stuart Rose told us about when he came to do his National Trust lecture. Google however is a little tight-lipped about it and I'd better check in the morning. We shall be very close to Bob's but don't aim to call in because the arrangements are so unsure and neither he nor we approve of unannounced, unplanned visits.

My responses to your comments

Bob ..... As you say, we must agree to differ over the issue of flower shades. Same with painting really I think - I love strong contrasty colours.

Jill ... We are in agreement over hot-weather food. Fish seems right. Beef stew or Lancashire hot-pot would make the stomach turn, in contemplation alone.

Y has explained about my Van/Band error. I wasn't actually there and subsequently misheard her report.

Weather not right for Glastonbury - it's supposed to be torrential rain and mud !

Yvonne ..... Can't disagree about the women's tennis in general. But I think you are wrong about the style of game. I recall that women often stuck to the baseline and it was the men who went in for the serve/volley type of play.

I certainly don't remember any of the ladies you mentioned, or Margaret Court, Steffi Graff etc., rushing up to the net very much. Perhaps Billie Jean King did - I can't remember clearly enough.

Rob ..... As you say - technology marches on. I'm sure your ferry driver knew his way. Or perhaps he relies on his Sat/Nav.

Even though too short I'm glad you enjoyed your holiday and a montage of snaps will be most welcome.

Peter G .... Message received and understood. Over.

Well done. I'm real proud of you.

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Quotation time .............

"But he that dares not grasp the thorn should never crave the rose"

Anne Bronte

"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow"




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A good day - nice meal - good company - 68F

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My e-bay acquired lens cap arrived from Hong Kong this morning and I've been very satisfied with the transaction. I completed the purchase on 19th June and here it was. Item including postage £3.39p as against the official Nikon replacement at £8.89p from a shop or by mail order. And the latter would have attracted additional shipping costs.

An added attraction to the one I have bought, is the thread-loop to attach the cap to your camera to obviate future loss. Miss Wongrm can be assured of my future custom should the need arise.

We've had a lovely day. I didn't sleep too well and was in the garden around 6.30am doing some little tidying-up jobs. Then around 9.30am we went over to Peter & Joan's prior to going out for Joan's Birthday, to The Woodend at Huthwaite. Peter and I managed some time with his PC and I was able to help with a few 'workarounds' which will make his computing-life easier and more satisfying. In my opinion, at 80, he does remarkably well but what is more, he is eager to learn.

He went and collected Jean and we eventually set-0ff in both cars because it made sense for us to come home directly rather than drive back into Mansfield. Moreover, it allowed Y some extra Wimbledon time this afternoon.


When we got home I fancied a 'kip' rather than tennis, after which I watered and it is nice to see the first flower on my petunia hanging-basket - father's day prezzie from Long Eaton. Please see picture on the right.

We have some lovely coloured petunias. There is one in the front which is purple and white striped and looks really jazzy. I'm sure a snap will eventually surface. Y and I both like brash flamboyant flower colours, dahlias, petunias, and things like that. It says much about our 'common' tastes.

For tea Y made scrambled egg on ciabatta toast, with the two remaining eggs from Alex. She got the consistency just right and the beautifully rich yellow colour shouted 'home reared eggs'. They tasted great too.

My responses to your previous comments

Bob ..... I accept my mistake over the venue of Sandra's smoking problem. It just sounded like the same sort of place.

Re the entertainment. I am still trying to find out better particulars. Basically it was two blokes making weak jokes and leading community singing of songs like 'My old man said follow the band'. But I now realise that I have probably been too critical because I heard this morning that several people had enjoyed it very much.

The intransigence you encountered in Newark Morrisons is only too common and, if anything, is on the increase.

If Diogenes will permit me my laptop I would be more than willing to share his barrel.

Roy .... Ludlow is one of our favourite Shropshire towns, apart from the supermarket now plonked in the middle. Friends of ours live near Craven Arms and whenever we go we seem to have good weather.

Give my best wishes to little Basil and tell him I have every confidence in his ability to transcend these minor hurdles.

Jill .... No doubt the photographs have exaggerated the size of the garden. Whilst large it falls well short of 'grounds'.

I am happy to withdraw my remarks about 'entertainment suitable for an old-folks home'. They were unnecessarily discriminatory. Of course people are entitled not to be treated as if they are unintelligent and have lower standards. Sorry !

The Woodend Pub meal was fine, especially so considering that it is basically a £3.50p carvery. I asked for the 'vegetarian option' and was served, quite speedily, with a brocolli and brie bake, with which I had a selection of the veg from the carvery hotplate. No criticisms at all. Joan felt that the stuffing balls, stored on the hotplate and under strong lights, had gone rather hard-cased. None of us had room for pudding.

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Quotation slot .......

"........... second childishness and mere oblivion, Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything"

Shakespeare - As you Like It

"Sleep tight - I'll catch you tomorrow"
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A day of rest - Y at BJ 'grannying' - 72F - NE wind at 10mph

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Rather than spend a lot of time doing a proper panorama of the front garden I decided on a simple 'collage' which conveys the same information. As you can see it's been a lovely sunny afternoon and the 10mph North Easterly wind doesn't spoil it. I managed to get out into the front garden to remove a 'weed' which was growing through a specimen 'Ballerina' rose. Technically I suspect it wasn't a weed - but it was growing in the wrong place which makes it a weed doesn't it?

I suppose that chronology requires me to mention first our Mansfield Centre National Trust Annual Dinner at The Hostess nr Warsop, yesterday evening. The snap on the left shows the entrance. Not a good picture because it was well after 9pm and I had to use ISO 800 which accounts for the graininess.

This is the place where I believe, some time ago, Bob's Sandra got into trouble for smoking a cigarette under the canopy entrance shown. Although outside the building there is now a notice prohibiting smoking there. Even though I'm not a smoker I feel that people who are, are pursued excessively.

Reg and Maureen called in at lunchtime to pick up a basil plant and we all agreed about 'smoking'. They aren't smokers either but no one could see any problem with the idea of a Smoking Room in licensed premises.

Anyway, about last night, the food was good and the company excellent. The after dinner entertainment though, was grim. It would have perhaps suited an old-folks home, provided the residents weren't too bright. I suppose it demonstrates people's perceptions of The National Trust. Because I was suffering a little I went and sat in the car for half-an-hour and Y told me it had been a wise decision. By the way, I have discovered that the driver's seat in the Yaris tilts back to nearly horizontal and, with a cushion, I could very happily have a 'kip' there. My life-style at the moment revolves round 'kips' so this is a useful discovery.

The last picture is by way of an experiment with my Nikon. The camera allows you to take multiple exposures to produce a single frame. The technology takes care of the exposures so as to balance them for brightness etc., and fun results are possible. This shot basically superimposes the rose I have mentioned i.e. Ballerina on top of The Rowan Tree carrying the bird feeders.

With careful forethought some interesting ideas can be experimented with. Perhaps as Steven sometimes says "I ought to get out more ..........."

My responses to your valued comments

Jill ..... I bow to your birding knowledge about the non-siskin. Roy agrees with you and he knows a lot about birds. If Bob has never seen one, his contribution is only of limited value.

The zone system was/is a method of allocating values to the blackness in photographs and was more relevent to black&white. Don't worry about it !

As you will see above, we did enjoy our annual dinner. Re the 'entertainment' - a belly dancer would have been a considerable improvement.

Bob ..... Only 'pulling your leg' below about the siskin.

The Sea Bass is from Lidl and is really good.

My experience in Morrisons this morning mirrors you own, re Lactofree. No cheeses, and no cream. When I succeed in finding either I will surely try them and report back.

Yvonne ..... As you say, Miles would have known straight-away that the little bird was a non-siskin. Millicent too I wouldn't be surprised.

If you had been asked to stand under Lib Dem colours for The Council 10 yrs ago I would have been urging you on. But I think now the commitment would be too much.

Glad you found the Lactofree acceptable.

Roy ..... Thanks for the info about the siskin/goldfinch identification.

I understand from Reg that you are off caravanning either today or tomorrow. Whichever it is, I sincerely hope you both have a good time and that the weather favours you.

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Quotation time ...........

"Most men are within a finger's breadth of being mad."

Diogenes The Cynic

Diogenes by John William Waterhouse, depicting his lamp, tub, and diet of onions.

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We have a fairly busy day tomorrow. We need to go shopping. At lunchtime we are going to The Woodend Pub at Huthwaite for Joan's birthday. We've been before and it is good.

"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow"


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Busy Tuesday - Blood, Hair and Nails - 78F - Light E Wind

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The first picture is a 'left-over' from Saturday. Just as we were leaving to go over to Burton Joyce this Dakota flew over as part of the Brinsley Carnival celebrations. I didn't have chance to change to a longer telephoto but was quite pleased with this result anyway.

On looking at the snap I notice that the fuselage door is open. Perhaps they were going to 'leaflet' us saying that the Government are rubbish.

First job this morning for me was a blood-test, and then I collected Y and we both went to have our hair cut. My barber Matt is a caravanner and very keen to hear all about North Norfolk which is one of his favourite areas. Then I took Yvonne over to Sherwood to have her 'nails' serviced. We decided I would leave her there and come back home, she to return on the bus - which all worked out fine.

It meant I could only manage one charity shop, Oxfam, but I found a lovely dog-eared edition of Ansell Adams' book called 'The Negative'. All about the 'zone-system', always worth brushing up on.

The picture on the right is one of Reg's 'Goldfinch' photos and "credit where it's due" - his is sharper than mine and well deserving of publication.

We've even got a catchlight in the critter's eye !

The weather has been great all day. Hot, very little wind, and fairly high pressure - so it feels good. Karen thought it too warm when she arrived this morning. It couldn't be too warm for Y - I remember her thinking the Tropical Biodome at The Eden Project was just about right.

Whilst in bird-picture mode we had a visit this morning from a Siskin. Please see left.

Bird habits vary so much between species. The tits and the finches seem busy and hurried feeders while this Siskin had all the time in the world. He sat there for around 10 minutes without doing anything, or making any attempt to feed.

Good news for photographers though.

I have decided against Wow-ing tomorrow. In the evening we have the National Trust Annual Dinner at The Hostess, Warsop and I need to conserve my energies for that. We have been before as a group and it always works quite well.

We plan to go over to Peter & Joan around 6pm and then collect Jean en route. Chairman Gary has arranged 'entertainment' rather than a 'speaker' so I have absolutely no idea what that will entail.

My responses to your previous comments

Bob ..... Although my diet may sound uninteresting, it isn't. This evening I cooked fresh Sea Bass, oven-baked, with fried slices of left-over salad potatoes from the fridge. Marcel Boulestin always used to recommend this. He advised "If you cook salad potatoes (the waxy kind) always cook too many and store the residue in the fridge". You can then always rustle-up a meal in minutes.

For pudding we again had Y's fruit-salad - even better today !


Jill ..... Thanks for your good wishes ! Although still rather fragile, I'm coping.

I'll scan Y's fruit-salad recipe. I think it is a Delia, with modifications !

Y is going to be just the same as you with Wimbledon. At the moment she is watching Murray whose opponent Kendrick is mounting a sturdy defence.

Rob .... Lovely to hear from you. I'll make Amboise in the Loire Valley a live link and then everyone can see where you are.

Glad it is hot and sunny and we'll look forward to more on your return.

Internet cafés are ropey. I take it your dongle doesn't work there. Or is it prohibitively expensive. I love my dongle - use it lots. It was great in Norfolk on holiday.

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Too tired to dig out a quotation. May catch you tomorrow - or may not, it depends



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