Nice lunch - Long tailed tits - Cold West wind

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The lead picture is a collage of two of Peter and Joan's Long Tailed Tits which visit every day at regular hours. One of which coincided with our visit for coffee. They favour this shrub just outside P and J's back window and are tame enough to ignore you even though you are maybe no further than 6 to 8 feet away. Although the one on the left is the prettier picture, the one behind the fat-ball is sharper.

Apparently we just missed the Bullfinch or I would have had even more for my collection. The 'girls' (Dorothy and Joan, sisters and both in their 80s) came too. They are both great; marbles firmly in position and excellent company.

The long standing plan was to all meet at Peter's and then go for lunch at the Woodend Pub at Huthwaite which Peter spoke highly of. The link is the best one I could find but, as is so often the case, no picture. So just as well I stopped in the car park and took my own.

Carvery meals can vary but I have no hesitation in recommending this one. Decently cooked meats, succulent and fresh, and the vegetables too were v.good. Without any criticism intended of the meal I left some of mine uneaten. 'Obesity-Clinic' advice is, when you are full, stop eating. So I did. I shall learn by experience to take less meat and put less veg on my plate, and then I can follow our generation's injunction about clearing ones plate. I know Bob wasn't brought up under this rule but I think most of us were.

While in the pub we experienced the gamut of an English March Day. Dull and gloomy, full sun beating on the back of Dorothy's neck, rain, and those semi-hailstones that are like lentil sized white polystyrene. Plus of course, the wind. Then back to dull and gloomy.

n.b. Apologies Helen C. I intended to check out the vegetarian options - but I forgot !

Everyone realised I am going through a bad patch and were sympathetic but they are such good friends I didn't have to don a brave face. We were due to entertain Joan and Chris, and Derek and Betty to a slow-cooked beef-casserole tomorrow. But Y, bless her, seeing how I am, rang round and explained about the pain-killers and my blood INR level and had no difficulties postponing the occasion. They too are good friends of long-standing. Y knows I would have struggled through it rather than let her down, but sometimes she displays angel-like qualities.

This morning I noticed on the kitchen window-sill that the Basil cutting has put out a tentative little root. Exactly seven days since we were over at Long Eaton and I promised to root a Basil for her. Good old reliable Minette (the variety) but I know other Basils root with equal facility.

I spoke to Reg about Picasa WebAlbums and then went for a kip. Since I got up I've printed some pictures for Yvonne, from her recent London trip. She likes up-to-date ones for her room.

My responses to your previous comments

Yvonne .... I fully accept what you say about your photography but over the years you have taken some crackers.

Much better than some of the NEMPF Exhibition pictures of Thursday night. The consensus was that although there were some outstandingly good images there were too many that weren't. In fact there were too many, full stop. The programme would have gained by being edited by at least a third. A terribly 'dated' approach to photography and they desperately need some new blood with new ideas. thats enough photography. editor.

I fully share Rob's position. <- A typo correction there. I had written Rob's 'postion'. And I'm not sure if he even has one.

Jill ..... In spite of the criticisms above, I actually enjoyed Thursday evening. Lots of good 'chat'.

Re the cod loin - although we successfully grilled salmon fillets a few days ago, I decided to steam the cod. It needed around 20 minutes and I managed to transfer them from steamer to plate in whole pieces. The result was good and the flakes separated nicely but were cooked through.

Thanks for the peach tree in blossom. Excellent series of pictures.

Bob .... Y is pleased her 'hazy church picture' found favour. And Yes ! The Casio, complete with rubber bands to hold the batteries in.

Your 'non-expert' opinion of the NEMPF Exhibition was precisely shared by the 'experts'. And your epithet 'Why bother ?' is particularly well placed.

I wasn't trying to purloin the puffball source of some vegetarian food. I knew I had heard it and it was obviously you.

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Here is today's offering from The Mutliple Sclerosis Squiffy Website

Quotation time ..... semi-continuing the 'thread' about processing conversations.....

"If I look confused it is because I am thinking."

Sam Goldwyn

Rather than to Wikipedia or anything the link behind his name will take you to a Youtube Trailer of his film 'Angel Face' With Jean Simmons being particularly evil.

"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow"


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