radiogandy

THE LAST POST

2009-09-03T17:40:00.002+01:00

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Graham's funeral took place today and our family were overwhelmed by the number of people who attended, the personal tributes and the flowers. I will make a contribution in Graham's name to charity.

In spite of his ill-health Graham loved life and HIS life in particular: family, his recent visit to Ashbourne, garden birds and flowers, cooking, photography, art, Radio 4, poetry, the Telegraph crossword.

But his greatest passion was his blog. However ill he felt, he usually managed a post and so loved the responses he got and the discussions that ensured. And, of course, his Webuser forums provided him with endless pleasure.

It was a privilege to have been his wife.

Goodbye Graham. May you rest in peace. Yvonne x

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

2009-08-29T10:39:00.002+01:00

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Graham's funeral will take place at 1.15 p.m. on Thursday, 3rd September 2009, at Mansfield Crematorium and afterwards at the Sandhills Tavern, Underwood (map provided).

Graham loved flowers and all floral tributes welcome. Enquiries to Eastwood and District Funeral Services - 01773-713484.

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I have been much comforted by all the blog comments and the cards I have received. Our family knew Graham was a giant amongst men but didn't realise that other people did as well. Thank you.

OBITUARY

2009-08-25T15:23:00.002+01:00

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GRAHAM THOMAS MARSDEN, B.A., L.R.P.S. : 28.10.35 - 25.8.09

My dear Graham died this morning at the City Hospital, Nottingham. He did not recover from his emergency operation,

He was dearly loved and loving and all the family are devastated. We know his many friends will share our grief.

Graham in hospital for few days

2009-08-24T10:56:00.002+01:00

Graham was taken into hospital last night - NHS at its best: xrays, ECGs, blood tests and loads of medical staff. Will know more after scan but the diagnosis seems positive'

I'll give him your regards and best wishes. Yvonne

The old soldier is still poorly.

2009-08-22T17:39:00.002+01:00

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No blog again. Still problems and I've not yet learned how to do the pictures. Perhaps better tomorrow.

Yvonne.

No blog post today

2009-08-20T18:15:00.002+01:00

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Graham is unwell and there will be no blog post today. He'll respond to your emails and comments when he feels better. Please do not add comments to this post. Yvonne.

Blood Test - Lawns mowed - Carol Ann Duffy

2009-08-19T17:54:00.005+01:00

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The day started with my INR blood-test (the level is 5.1 - it should be 3) and then we went shopping. In Lidl, Y had a severe twinge of sciatica. Although it has happened elsewhere, it often seems to strike in Lidl. Poor girl - she had to hold onto the freezer cabinets for support.

Then we did Morrisons and then home. Although Y was still suffering she felt her planned swim at the Hayley Centre would do more good than harm, and so it proved. I insisted on offering transport both ways.

This dramatic fungi on a tree-stump near the barriers looked worth a photograph. We don't intend to try it ourselves but if edible, one could offer a meal to a large number of people.

Perhaps Bob could help us with identity and also culinary value.

Whilst at Ann and Roy's on Saturday Roy lent us this book of Carol Ann Duffy. Although described as children's poetry there is plenty in there to delight adults too. I'm on my second read through and Y is also enjoying it. She says that although not a poetry fan she loves this. Particularly the two poems about Elvis. I am glad Carol Ann is now the Poet Laureate. She is a premier league poet and fully deserves the honour.

Her thoughts flow with a beautiful lyrical rhythm. And what a well-stocked mind !

I don't know how our WoW people fared today. The weather has been good if they did eventually decide on Calver. A lovely spot with several excellent possible walks. No doubt I shall hear in due course and receive some pictures.

Appropriately, following our Haworth Trip to the Bronte Parsonage, Radio 7 are serialising Wuthering Heights and Heathcliffe is equipped with a delightful Yorkshire accent. Well he would be wouldn't he? Incidentally some of the costumes to be used in the new TV production were on display at the Museum.

My responses to your previous comments

Bob .... Someone told me that Nyger seed and Thistle seed were in fact the same thing.

All these grocery connections.

jbw .... Wowee ! Clever Grandma.

Yvonne ..... You were very brave today to go swimming ! I'm so glad it worked out.

Jill ..... I was glad that, in the end, we rendered your comment 'compliant with the rules'. I didn't want to miss out on an interesting comment but on the other hand ......

Buses are becoming more user friendly, albeit slowly. You would love our trams.

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Quotation time .......

"An opinion should be the result of thought, not a substitute for it."

Jef Mallett

"Sleep tight - Hope to catch you tomorrow"

Karen day - Y 'hair' and then 'nails' at Sherwood

2009-08-18T16:17:00.006+01:00

Steven sent these pictures from their holiday in Scotland and, for space reasons, I've collaged them together. He also sent some lovely people pictures not for publishing because Y doesn't like the idea of worldwide access to them, particularly the children.

Although the above two snaps depict rather forbidding weather they have had some sun too and sound very much as if they are enjoying themselves which is the main thing. The children are at a super age to amuse themselves, and, with Millicent, no-one will be bored.

I'm so pleased to be able to publish the picture on the left - to demonstrate the return of the Goldfinches.

The level of thistle seed in their feeder had not been going down very much but, over the last couple of days they have made up for lost time.

The Great Tits are more active but are such frenzied feeders (mostly peanuts) its hard to get a decent sharp photograph. I shall keep trying however and when I succeed mug-shots will appear herein.

This morning Karen arrived just before 9.30am and Y's Hair appointment wasn't till 10.45am so we didn't rush out. Its nice to see her for an hour anyway - we learn lots about 'how the other half lives' not Karen, who is quite normal but some of her neighbours and their friends. She sometimes does cleaning jobs for her landlord and she agreed to clean up one of his houses. The tenants had done a 'midnight flit' after having been growing cannabis in the loft.

I took Y down to Eastwood for her 'hair' and then onwards to Sherwood for her 'nails'. I didn't wait for her but came back via Mapperley Top and Newstead. I discovered the road from the A60 to Papplewick and Linby was closed for repairs so my attempt to avoid the holdup near the City Hospital didn't actually save any time. The scenery was prettier though. Y bussed it into Nottingham and then to Brinsley.

In the absence of Reg, WoW tomorrow is being masterminded by Roy. I can't manage it due to a conflicting blood-test but the group intend to go to Calver which is always nice. I've left a message on Helen C's answer-phone.

My responses to your previous comments

Bob ..... Re the Green Man and Black's Head Royal Hotel at Ashbourne. During my time local people simply called it The Green Man.

Re: My 'wheels' versus 'my shooting stick'. I must admit to feeling more tired, and my legs and back ache more. But I am convinced it is the right thing to do. There's no doubt that some people react to you differently if you appear 'disabled' and I don't like to be treated as a deaf idiot. We will see how we go !

Yvonne .... I sincerely hope that the Hayley Pool isn't overcrowded tomorrow. If I'm to drop you off it would perhaps make sense for me to hang around for 5 minutes to see is you want to come straight back. If you don't appear I'll assume that all is well.

I agree about Mrs Cleese, and also the carnivorous pitcher plant named after David Attenborough. The linked page explains and I thought we should have it on record.

Jill ..... I managed to circumvent having deleted your comment. Thank goodness ! I would have felt awful.

Re: Howell & Marsden. The firm was a Grocers but they also had a wholesale liquor licence. The firm owned 3 pubs in the town itself and several more in surrounding villages. These they supplied with the booze. My Dad had a nervous breakdown in 1949 and, as I was only 14yrs old there was little I could do. The family all insisted that the business and the freehold to the premises, including the pubs, be sold off so they could get at the money. It was a tragedy.

The only public transport I use regularly is the tram to Nottingham. These are beautifully designed. No steps.

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Quotation time ......

"The smaller the mind the great the conceit"

Aesop

"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow"

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Monday recovery day - Y in Galley

2009-08-17T18:15:00.009+01:00

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First things first. An editorial correction. In the 'collage' of our Haworth trip I wrote that the top right corner thereof was Y. It wasn't. It was some other lady with whom I have no connection.

The picture on the right is the picture I intended to use. This lady IS without any doubt Y. I hope she will accept the apologies of the editor.

Today we have enjoyed a completely quiet recovery day. Y walked round to the little shop for milk (so handy!) and bread (a Luke Evans 'Bobby's foot') which we used to eat all the time but then like so many people we were lured into Supermarket Bakeries. I must confess that I am still in my 'parjies' (is that appropriate dormouse apparel Jill ?). Y has masterminded meals, lots of tea and a good time has been had by all. I feel refreshed enough to tackle the North of Scotland should the need arise.

Our National Trust outing to Sudbury Hall was another triumph for Jean. Everything went according to plan and, as usual, the sun shone. We broke our outward journey with an hour's stay in Ahbourne and I was able to point out our ex- family businesses, then named Howell & Marsden. and the picture shows the two shops which were in use at the same time. Although blocked off now, there were steps and an alleyway in between the shops giving access to the Stable Yard and the Offices.

As you can see we were directly opposite the Green Man & Black's Head Royal Hotel. I guess the name has given some civil-libbers a twinge or two. The snap was taken from just outside a Costa Coffee shop which was handy. Y found it, bless her ! She knows I really like Costa Coffee. A good flavour and reliable.

A surprise for me was how many businesses are still trading under the names I remember. Hulmes the Fishmonger, Peach the Butcher, Spencer's the Café and so on.

After Ashbourne it took under half an hour to reach Sudbury Hall which I personally found a dour and forbidding place. Another odd thing was that the gardens were devoid of flowers. This added to the atmosphere of gloom.

The Museum of Childhood was more attractive but, as Y noted, it is difficult to work out the intended audience. Most of the children I saw were bored as their parents painstakingly tried to interest them in items. Going up the chimney and getting a blackened face seemed universally popular.

None of this however spoiled our overall enjoyment of the day. It was lovely being with our Nat.Trst chums and lots of laughs were enjoyed.

An interesting feature was James May's Plasticine Garden. James May is a Top Gear presenter and his 'garden' which had been at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show was of great interest.

It was a lively, creative idea and for me it was a welcome bit of colour and I liked it. Wendy for instance hated it and some were undecided.

Until I read the notice at the side I didn't realise that this bust, of William Harbutt. an Art Teacher who invented plasticine in 1887, was itself made out of plasticine. A brilliant piece of work and if James May sculpted this too he deserves more respect as an Artist, let alone as a Top Gear presenter.

My responses to your previous comments

Bob ..... You may be right that the rear seats of coaches cause travel sickness but neither of us suffered it. I think that the 'rear seats of cars' have been known to result in 'morning sickness' !

Jill ..... Thanks for your praise for 'staying the course'. Provided I am not alone my policy now is to try and get about using my shooting-stick. As they all do, it makes a seat if I am desperate to sit down.

I have reasoned that, from stick > to lightweight wheels > to heavyweight wheels with seat, was a downward curve which sooner or later would lead to a full-blown wheelchair. I wanted to break into and arrest this downward trend if at all possible. Being 'done-for' is a small price to pay.

No more gallivanting in the near future and I think today has been a dormouse day.

Reg .... Thanks for the update on Maureen's hip and the Consultant's views. I bet it is hard to know whether to be pleased or disappointed that an op isn't recommended. It seemed like a good solution I guess. But, if you have trust in the consultant you have to go along with what is recommended.

Y will be delighted to read about the pool and your solitary possession of it. I feel sure she will fit a session in this week.

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Quotation time ......

"Why is this thus? What is the reason for this thusness ?"

Artemus Ward

Definitely an 'hour in the pub with' candidate.

Saturday - Ann & Roy's Golden Wedding do - 70F Windy

2009-08-15T20:05:00.007+01:00

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A relaxing morning after our Haworth trip yesterday.

The collage on the left illustrates it. As usual with such places it was 'no photography' in the Bronte Parsonage Museum so the collage comprises The Church, Y at the top of the Hovis lad's delivery hill, some Church stained glass, and the cobbled path down from The Parsonage. I put the cobbled path in sepia because it suited the period and the subject.

Y and I both like 'stained glass' in all its forms, from ancient to modern and, when you get used to it, it isn't too difficult to get exposures right. Even with the Fuji compact which I used exclusively yesterday.

The coach trip, with Lavenders, worked fine. To begin with we were just two back from the driver but knee room was a major problem. We asked, and discovered that the back seat was free, so we moved to it. Brilliant ! In future we aim to book it in the first place. Plenty of room - I sat in the centre seat with my legs down the aisle and Y sat in the window with all the clutter in between us. We broke our journey outwards with an hour in Halifax. We found what looked to be (from the outside) an old pub. It was awful ! An example of the sort of pub where you wipe your feet on leaving, not when going in. The gents had the worst urine smell I've ever encountered and Y reported a similar story about the lady's. When she touched the toilet seat it fell to pieces.

Around 2pm this afternoon we went over to Ann & Roy's at Nuthall to help them celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Good luck to them. We had nice chats to lots of people and, although I was mostly in the one chair in the conservatory I 'circulated' as best I could.

Poor Maureen - she is in deep trouble with her hip. Particularly pain-wise. Nothing seems to give her lasting relief, not even a pain-killer injection directly into it. She is to see a consultant at Heanor tomorrow and all we can do is hope. You could see from her face how much she is suffering.

Y enjoyed her bit of 'social' as she always does. Great nibbles, great occasion, and most enjoyable.

When we arrived home it had been my intention to have a lie-down because I felt done-for. But, I found so many little jobs to do, I didn't manage it till gone 7pm. One job was tidying up this rose which lives in a tub. The plant has earlier produced a long-lasting first bloom of flowers and I thought that this 'second' deserved some judicious light pruning, snipping off of dead leaves and a general sort out round the base of the plant. Then I took it's photo and gave it a good water.

My responses to your previous comments

Peter B.... Thank you for your good wishes for the trip. As you will see above we had a first rate time. The coach driver dropped us at the top of the hill and I managed the remaining short cobbled rise slowly but OK. I was tired out when we finished though.

Bob .... I don't know what it is about Buddleias and Bees and Butterflies. Originally I thought it was something to do with that exotic purply/red of the common or garden variety. But this plant of Derek & Betty's is a 'not very striking yellow' - so it can't be that.

Re: Haworth. It was generally accepted that the 'waterfall' wasn't worth the walk.

Re: stocking up. It might be interesting to do a tour of kitchen shelves and cupboards, garage shelves, and freezer - to see how long (with a reasonable diet) one could withstand siege. Milk isn't essential anyway - is it?

Thanks for the pictures of Moon Pig. What a lovely name for a 'staffie'. Lucky Dan & Em ! I know how envious you must be.

Jill .... Yet another collage today. I made the bottom right corner picture sepia partly with you in mind. It suits the snap anyway.

I think the last reason you suggest about the vanishing caterpillars will be the correct one. They never just vanish but they will all reach the 'chrysalis' phase at the same time.

Of course 'eggs' are a must ! Silly of me to omit them.

Yvonne ...... I know your mother could only cook egg & chips, but it has given you a life time's appreciation of the dish. And I certainly don't mind because its one of my favourites too.

Re: Ann and Roy's 'do'. I think everyone who went will agree that it was an excellent occasion. Simple, straightforward, and nice !

I assume 'Ray' is a typo for 'Reg'. Anyway, I think you ought to resume your Hayley swimming. You don't want to leave it so long that you set up a mental barrier.

jbw .... Although not officially a 'comment' thank you for your e-mail sending me the 'orchid' pictures. The modern variety is mostly Phaleanopsis and, as the linked site will tell you, their care is relatively straightforward. To have one in continuous flower for over a year though must be something of a rarity.

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Tomorrow is a Mansfield Centre for The National Trust coach trip to Sudbury Hall which should be good. Comparatively speaking it is quite close, which will take any pressure off the actual journey. Let us hope that we are lucky again with the weather. But Jean, the organiser, is usually so lucky and the sun invariably shines. We are picking her up at 8.30am and look forward to a day with all our chums. Unfortunately, Peter and Joan can't make it.

We are hoping to see them one day next week anyway - because Peter would like another hour 'hands on' learning on his PC. We would like that too because Joan and Y always find something to talk about !

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Quotation time ....

"A good pun may be admitted among the smaller excellencies of lively conversation. "

James Boswell

In view of the Sudbury Hall trip, I don't intend to publish a blog-post tomorrow. So, see you all being well, on Monday. Sleep tight, take care etc...etc...

Routine Shopping - some PC jobs - Tel Crossword etc.

2009-08-13T17:41:00.006+01:00

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We got going early-ish and it seemed strange with Y not going to BJ. But they go to Scotland on holiday today.

Shopping routinely at Lidl then Morrisons and enjoyed both. I had a Magwitch spasm in Lidl but it soon passed. I had put two jacket potatoes in the oven, on the timer set for 1pm. Don't jacket potatoes smell good when they are baking in a hot oven? I just prepared a little salad garnish to accompany them. I little butter pushed in when I split them and then some grated cheddar cheese. Fit for a King etc.,. Anyway, anything to do with potatoes and Y is there. For pudding we had some sorbet which was most pleasant. I do like a sweet pudding these days - I used to be cheese & biscuits orientated, but no more. Perhaps it's the dreaded second childhood......

Just over Derek & Betty's fence is a Buddleia which is attracting bees and butterflies. I got some steps because the fence is high, but the only butterflies seemed to be tortoiseshells and a cabbage white. On our Echinaciea I saw this comma butterfly who looked as if he had come off second best in some dispute. He/she had lost almost half a wing. Could still fly though - he must have felt like Biggles limping home on a wing and a prayer.

Tomorrow we are going on a day-trip, by coach, to The Parsonage at Haworth (home of the Brontés) and we are both looking forward to it very much. Not a National Trust Trip for a change. The coach leaves Eastwood around 8.30am and we can park at the side of The Sun Inn for the day.

I don't expect we will be back till late evening so tomorow will have to be a blog-free day I'm afraid. I've downloaded a couple of hours of podcasts onto my MP3 player - so, if the weather is awful, and the coach-trip tedious, I have something to listen to.

Last night I kept looking out of my bedroom window but didn't see a single perseid. Let alone a shower. And not a word on the radio/telly/press today ! As I say "they've lost interest".

My responses to your previous comments

Bob .... Your tomatoes certainly do seem to be rather shy ! And I know you have told me that Red Alert is usually earlier than Gardeners Delight. Ah well ! Nature cannot be forced into anything. They will be even more delicious when they do ripen.

As you say your Climber/Rambler will grow again with renewed zest for life.

Jill ..... Of course the sheep knitted cosy has got to be Sheila ! Is the Australian Merino tightly curled, like old lady's hairdos or is it smoother than that ?

Sorry you are still busless and breadless. Let them eat cake .... etc.. We always think that if you have got milk and potatoes you can survive.

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Quotation time .....

"It is not clear that intelligence has any long-term survival value."

Stephen Hawking

Hasn't he done well to be awarded the US Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama ? The Medal is the US's highest civilian award.

"Sleep tight - and tomorrow night too - might catch you on Saturday"

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David & family visit - 69F and 9mph NW wind

2009-08-12T18:20:00.008+01:00

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I thought you might like to see an uptodate picture of our outdoor tomatoes. They are against the south-facing side wall of the garage. I think this absorbs heat during the day and realeases it steadily during the night. Whatever, they are doing well and taste delicious.

David and Helen and Sky and Brooke visited us this morning (instead of tomorrow when they are doing something with John). We had a great time. David helped me a lot with my new gadget, and I think now it is just a matter of practice and getting used to it. He showed me how to surf the internet, and also how to access my blog, and my gmail inbox.

Helen was pleased to see how well our tomatoes are doing (she grew the plants for me) and apparently the variety, Gardeners Delight, is Brooke's favourite. At home she had 6 yesterday ! The variety is renowned for producing big trusses, quite early, with excellently flavoured fruit.

Both Y and I read both school reports and both girls are doing very well indeed !

Talking of school matters I am delighted to able to report that Debra's appeal was successful and both Ruby and Elli will now go the the same school. Great result because going to a new town, and a new school it is nice to have your sister there too. So Debra, that completely unstaged bursting into tears didn't do any harm at all !

As I have previously discussed it I thought you might like to see a picture of our 'magic' Matalan teapot.

You probably don't need me to talk you through the 'collage' but I will. The top picture shows the cosy and the teapot side by side. The bottom picture shows the teapot with the cosy in situ.

I'm not exagerating if I tell you that tea an hour old is perfectly acceptable AND HOT ! Obviously it is better if you top the pot up having once poured a couple of mugs.

I have discovered a site for a good read. It is called Arts and Letters Daily and the front page is a series of introductory paragraphs to some serious reading. Ok - it caters for the 'egghead' and 'poetry lover'. Anybody who has sometimes enjoyed Granta will be at home here.

My responses to your previous comments

Bob .... Warfarin is indeed an ugly beast but without it my blood would revert to a normal persons 'thickness' and I would have either a stroke or a heart attack.

Then, if it gets too thin, I suffer internal bleeding. The latter of course is why they use it to kill rats.

Hence their scrupulous control of my dosage; sometimes changing it by as little as a ½ tablet a week. Followed of course by the frequent blood-tests until the level becomes stable again.

I sympathise with your wild fluctuations in BP ! I suppose I've got to have something that is OK - and my BP is it. Y is the BP sufferer.

Thanks for updating the Sports Desk. This please click is a link to a report of the Stags v Luton match to which you refer

The 'Ollerton of Yesteryear' also sounds good. These local history items are so important. The link is to their web-site.

Jill ..... How interesting that African Violets don't necessarily run true to colour, in leaf cuttings ! Seeds of some plants are notorious for producing siblings of a different type altogther. But I had always assumed that a cutting from a parent plant would come true to type i.e. dahlias, and chrysanths etc.of specific named varieties. There is another hour or two's research during a sleepless night !

As you know I don't watch that much television. But both of us are completely taken with the quality of Jimmy McGovern's writing. I agree that it can be downright depressing but, in a way, I am pleased he doesn't opt for a populist and artificially cheerful ending. Makes it more believable I think.

I can only sympathise with you being letterless and busless. An enforced walk of a mile is something you certainly didn't need. Wouldn't a taxi have been the answer? ..... Have a doormouse day, until the aches and pains recede.

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Quotation time .....

"History, real solemn history, I cannot be interested in.... I read it a little as a duty; but it tells me nothing that does not either vex or weary me. The quarrels of popes and kings, with wars and pestilences in every page; the men all so good for nothing, and hardly any women at all - it is very tiresome."

Jane Austen - bless her !

Pleasant day - 73F (hottest) - Y down Nottingham

2009-08-11T21:05:00.005+01:00

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My day started with a blood-test at 9.05am. p.s. the Clinic has just rung and my warfarin level is all over the place again. Adjustments to dosage and further tests in quick succession unfortunately.

And starting with David and family coming over on Thursday, we have a busy weekend ahead.

Nevertheless - A lovely day. According to the Weather Centre we have a 10mph NW wind. But we haven't; it is quite still. And the weather centre is at Watnall a mere few miles away.

I took Y down to Nottingham because she was meeting Joan and they went to The Castle for The Paul Sandby Exhibition. They both enthused about it. As I needed to go to Carphone Warehouse (lets hope for the final time) with a few remaining questions about my LG Renoir KC910 which incidentally is a mobile phone like a Blackberry enabling me to surf the internet on it and send e-mails.

When I got home Karen was still here and, as the weather was so nice, she decided that, after cleaning she would mow the lawns. She did, and they look great - see Picture 1. I wish I had a quarter of her energy.

Joan sent me some more scented leaf Geraniums cuttings to try to root. I've put them in sherry glasses in the tray on the kitchen window sill where our African Violets live.

They obviously like it there because they are doing so well at the moment. Although African Violets only need v.sparse watering they seem to enjoy the moist atmosphere close to the taps and the sink. The flowers you see are a third flowering. Occasionally, with a scalpel, I prune the plants of leaves when they become overcrowded. I know it is possible to produce new plants from leaf-cuttings and I feel I want to have a go.

My responses to your previous comments

Jill... These modern orchids really are a joy. Their flowering period is so lengthy. I put the stem (that I accidentally snapped off) in a small glass of water. Only today did it wilt and have to be binned.

Anenome japonica seems to have a will of its own when it comes to flower colour. You are right that they almost seem capable of changing pink/white/back again. Tracy has a pink and doesn't seem able to get a white to prosper. Ours are mostly white, although this year we have a pink near the rear garden trellis.

With regard to a collective name for a 'flock' of Painted Lady butterflies. Could I suggest a 'Bootsmakeupcounter' of ..... ?

Y has enjoyed the Irish Police ..programme. I was at a conference some years ago in Dublin with The Garda and their General Secretary took a real shine to Y.

Bob.... See above re Japanese Anenome. Sandra could be right. But from our experience I would say that the 'reversion' was from pink to white rather than vice versa.

'The Street' was good again. He seems to be deal with disturbing subjects in a sensitive way.

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

"To die for an idea is unquestionably noble. But how much nobler it would be if men died for ideas that were true !"

H. L. Mencken

"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow"

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At home day - best weather 6am-7am - then rainy

2009-08-10T17:19:00.006+01:00

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Today we enjoyed a quiet 'at home' day and managed lots of reading, crossword puzzle, computer jobs etc. And I must mention some Radio. A programme called Under The Red Duster on Radio 4. It's a history of the Merchant Navy presented by John Prescott - and he is doing it very well indeed.

The weather first thing was lovely - sunny and still, but by 7am it had started to deteriorate to windy, rainy and cold which has mostly persisted. Y walked round to the newsagents to pay the papers and buy some milk but apart from that we have simply stayed in.

For lunch I cooked some Venetian Sausages (from our Dobbies at Chesterfield trip) and initially I was worried because whilst under the grill they exuded this bright orange gunge. Lots of it. When fully cooked however we were most pleased with them. A good flavour; not over spiced and a nice texture. I served them with green beans, mashed potatoes, courgettes and a mushroom. Into the mashed potato I folded some chopped chives (Y managed two jobs together - we had chives growing in between two patio slabs so she pulled them out and I chopped them). For pudding Y did my favourite red fruit compote, with greek yoghurt.

Picture 1 is something I've been wanting to try for a day or two. A snap of this Orchid with my 50mm lens at f1.8, to achieve the very restricted depth-of-field. Like it or loathe it - thats the effect I was trying for.

Picture 2 is odd in a different way. David brought Y this Kalanchoe plant on Mothering Sunday and it had flower spikes covered in separate flowers. Although the flowers died off the plant didn't, so I pruned it and tended it.

The plant has rewarded me with a second flowering. But this time the flowers are single blooms !

Isn't nature strange ? So unpredictable.

I've just spoken to Helen about the Crabbing Championships and none of our people won anything but everybody had a great time. Helen said the atmosphere was terrific. 1,200 people registered and took part. And I'm sure the crabs found it tolerable because they were all thrown back, replete with food and none the worse for their experience.

Sky still isn't 100% but better, although she still has a nasty nocturnal cough. All being well they are coming over to see us on Thursday. That will be super. Hear all the news, and see the pictures.

I still haven't got my LG Renoir KC910 actually working yet. But I have found a web-site and a forum ! So, it is only a matter of time.

My responses to your previous comments

Jill .... Glad you enjoyed the asters; they get better each day. There are only a few plants but they look so cheery I wish we'd got a bed full. When they are approaching their prime I'll blog another snap.

How clever of you (and Martin) to recognise what butterfly will be forthcoming from which caterpillar.

Shame the stocks have to be sacrificed though. I love stocks and think the scent so typically English.

Long live Amazon. Such a slick organisation. The Govt ought to headhunt some of their IT people and pay them what it takes to have a go at the NHS.

Bob .... Sorry about confusing my right hand with my left hand again. It wasn't a deliberate 'tester' honest.

I'll always be happy to publish Sports Desk items about The Stags. It's the least I can do to support our local team.

As this caterpillar thread has aroused interest - if you would like to research the Cinnabar moth I would be delighted to publish a picture. Cinnabar sounds really exotic dunnit?

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Quotation time ......

"Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar"

Bradley Millar

"A bit early - but sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"

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Super Sunday - Canal Walk - Visitors - 75F

2009-08-09T18:01:00.007+01:00

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We got off to a good start - it was such a lovely morning and we decided on a walk along the Cromford/Nottingham Canal from just before the Langley Mill basin and towards Nottingham. The walk is only a couple of miles away and always pleasant. I took my wheels and although I didn't think I'd make our full circular walk, I did - thanks to frequent 'sits-down'. Took some snaps and the bottom right of the collage is my best effort to capture an example of the large brown dragonflies which were zooming about. Top right of the collage must be a primitive water-lily. I don't think I've seen one in bloom before.

We like to walk down the canal bank and then return via a path through the fields which brings you back to your starting point. Perhaps I shouldn't have tackled the whole walk because I'm suffering a bit now - but it was worth it. I hope the collage shows what a brilliant morning it was. Everyone we met wanted to exchange nice things about the morning. Youths on motorbikes were a bit of a spoiler. They congregate in a farmers field about 100 yards away which would be fine if they stayed there. But, being youths, they have to emerge onto the towpath and the bridges - disrupting people's walks and irritating the anglers.

Difficult to say much because I was a teenager with a motorbike who had great difficulty waiting for the legal age to ride it. My parents didn't know because we kept them behind a shed at a pals house and took every chance we could to fire them up and belt round an adjoining field. In any case it was an AJS 350cc and, as a learner, one was only allowed up to 250cc.

And I always think, these are lads with a bit of spirit who would join the Forces and fight for us, should the occasion arise.

When we returned we decided on the Birds Eye 'fish in a bag' which one oven-bakes from frozen for 25 minutes. Jill has recommended them, and the lady in Morrisons who we like, said "They fly off the shelves - as soon as they come in they've gone". Anyway, the cooking method works - beautifully cooked, full of flavour, and no lingering fish smell in the kitchen.

We were pleased about the latter point because just after lunch Tracy who was in Hucknall she would like to call in. Always nice to see Tracy. And then Peter Green arrived for half an hour. Peter and Joan have returned from holiday (good weather, no transport problems, nice things to do). He had just been to a local Baptist Church where today was the last service due to closure. Then he was going on to another Baptist Church where he was to take the Service. Peter, among his many other roles, is an Ordained Lay Minister. Tracy couldn't believe he is eighty and said all the right things. He looked so smart and is an example to us slobs.

Y has just done my tea - an open smoked German ham sandwich, with three of our own tomatoes. Delicious !

Had a nice chat with David this morning. They have moved to the White Beach Caravan Club Site near Southwold to be handy for Walberswick where the British Open Crabbing Championships take place today. They needed to register at 2pm and the rules are simple. Who lands the single heaviest crab, on a single line, in a 9o minutes period ? David has printed them all T shirts with an appropriate wording and has promised a photo of them all four, wearing same. Knowing Sky's competitive propensities, and with family support, who knows ?

After that they are driving back to Long Eaton and I shall look forward to hearing from them. We have still got those excellent School Reports to enjoy.

My responses to your previous comments

jbw ..... Derby Morrisons seems abit far for us, for a bottle of milk !

Bob .... We also like Mansfield Sainsburys and often pop in, if we are in Mansfield for some other reason. This happens quite often.

Thanks for the pictures and it gives me pleasure to publish this Sports Desk snap of Field Mill. For the benefit of non-local people Field Mill is the historic home ground of Mansfield Town FC, who have always been known as The Stags.

When you say you awoke with 'horse and headache' I can only assume you mean 'hoarse' otherwise I'm reminded of a scene from The GodFather.

Yvonne .... You are right about the 'blue' in the Aster. It should be possible to get the artichoke correct - but I've more or less finished messing-about with it. Like 'the press, I've lost interest' and moved on.

It was a little thoughtless of Vic to begin in the footpath with a hedge-trimmer at 8.10am. Only partly redeemed by his offer to do ours too. If you go and look its hard to see what he has actually cut. I think it may eventually be a job for Alex. It isn't the cutting, its the taking away the cut-off bits, of which there would be many.

Amazon take some beating. Apart from the rock-bottom price the whole operation is so slick. E-mails confirming each stage and a very quick delivery time.

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Quotati0n time ...............

"Some mornings it just doesn't seem worth it to gnaw through the leather straps."

Emo Phillips

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Its quite a while since I ended with one of Y's favourites - the train

Quiet day - Y to Nottingham for lunch - 71F - No Wind

2009-08-08T21:51:00.005+01:00

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Sorry to open with yet another artichoke picture but there were lots of hoverflies and I wanted to capture one hovering.

These all seem to be settled and feeding.

The weather has been first class and Y enjoyed her trip to Nottingham to meet Sylvia for lunch. It worked out well and, although Y had booked a particular favourite table, there proved to have been no real need. When they arrived the place was empty. Their meals were good and Sylvia was in good form. She also thinks the Market Square is great, with The Beach, so I think the 'for' votes outnumber the 'against' votes. At least in our small circle.

I've done a few small jobs but mainly 'messed about', did the Crossword, listened to some radio, read the Telegraph and caught up with magazines.

In the garden the Asters are just coming out. We both like them. The colours and double-daisy type flowers are so cheerful.

My responses to your previous comments

jbw .... Re the knives.....As you say - "Well used" not sure about the vicious.

Bob .... Of course you must point out that the ham knife is fourth from the right.

I'm surprised that you are still buying tomatoes - even from Lidl.

Jill ..... I think I'm going to stop messing about with artichoke pictures and admit defeat over the 'blue'.

I'm quite keen on my kitchen knives and can usually find just the right one for whatever job. You are right about the handle of the big carving knife - I guess it is deer horn or very similar.

Morrisons do vary from store to store. Our nearest, in Eastwood is quite good but our favourite is a few miles away in Bulwell - their stuff just seems to have the edge and, being a bigger shop, there is more choice.

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No quotation tonight.

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"

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Everything occured in order, and to time - 72F - Little wind

2009-08-07T19:25:00.006+01:00

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I dashed out early to do the shopping, leaving Y to see to the bed-man (if he arrived) and I was back home around 9.30am. He arrived around 11.30am and in spite of my yesterday's grumpiness he proved most affable, polite and helpful. My bed is now 4½ inches higher and much easier to get up from. I no longer need to hook a walking stick round the loo door-handle to pull myself up.

Picture 1 is a collage of the artichokes - the first on my D80, under-exposed by 3 stops and then brightened and the second on Reg's D300 as a Raw file. There is, in reality, a hint of magenta in the blue. (Brian S dislikes magenta almost as much as I dislike blurred water). Reg's version of the artichoke is certainly the more realistic. As we discussed at WoW on Wednesday Adobe's 'shadows/highlights control' produces a most unrealistic looking snap.

Picture 2 is my collection of old carbon-steel knives, all of which when sharpened in the traditional manner with a 'steel', take a very sharp edge.

Perhaps the sharpest of all is the white-handled ham knife third from the right. I can produce a slice about playing card thickness.

As a general purpose kitchen knife though, my vote goes to third in from the left. You can see that, over the years, the act of sharpening has produced this crescent shape from what no doubt started life as a straight-edge. William Morris said you should only have things in your house which are both beautiful as well as useful.

I put my knives in that category because I use them all.

My new mobile phone is still beating me though. I am supposed to dial 333 and then key in my new mobile number. When I get to stage 2, the phone 'ends' the call. Back to Carphone Warehouse I'm afraid. Never mind - it will get done - eventually !

The weather seems likely to improve. A pleasant evening now - warm and no wind. Hope it is like it for Peter & Joan in Northumberland. Debra rang to tell us about her appeal yesterday to get Ruby into the same Broadstairs School as Elli. Both are good schools but it would be best for them to be together when you consider their age and that it will be strange environment and new people. The interview seemed to go well Debra said, but it will be a relief if the outcome is satisfactory.

I'm glad you all enjoyed yesterday's Nottingham snaps. There was a great atmosphere in The Beach and if I've managed to get that across I'm more than happy.

My responses to your previous comments

Yvonne .... Thanks for mentioning the Aldi teapot with its 'built-in' cosy. The 'cosy' is a solid plastic hat, lined with thermal insulating material. The pot is amazingly efficient and an hour-old mug of tea is more than acceptable. Still hot and, as if by magic, not stewed. We have occasionally seen them in Lakeland at about 3 times the price.

Congratulations on your 'googling' away at the Nottingham to Broadstairs journey. Six months ago you would have been grumpy had it even been suggested !

Enjoy Petit Paris tomorrow and I hope you have a good chin-wag with Sylvia. It will be interesting to know what she has made of the Desperate Romantics - if she's watched it at all that is. Also, remember to ask if she watched the Open University 40th Birthday programme ? She was after all, an A student.

Bob .... Matalan check-outs. The queue of 20 would probably be serving perhaps 6 check-outs. That's the way they do it and we never have to wait long. Can't think what it is about the interior which puts you in a tizz. It's never claustrophobic or noisy, and the aisles are wide.

Jill .... You are right in thinking The Beach is free. One has to pay to go on the rides though.

The painting of the old man with the magnifying glass is older than me. I grew up with it and still love it.

Glad your first experience with Morrisons was at least tolerable.

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Quotation time .....

"No man is exempt from saying silly things; the mischief is to say them deliberately."

Michel de Montaigne

"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow - all being well"

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Y at BJ - Me busy - Nottingham trip - 75F at warmest

2009-08-06T20:33:00.005+01:00

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This morning I took Y to Angel Row for onward transmission to Burton Joyce. I wanted to visit Jacobs to sort out my faulty Fujiflm A100 ( the lens doesn't retract properly) but, as I hadn't a receipt to show that I bought it on 28th April 09 they proved unhelpful.

Y has now unearthed from her own laptop an e-mail from Fuji acknowledging the purchase and offering a warranty. Perhaps that will do.

Also, I wanted to visit Carphone Warehouse to buy a Blackberry/iPhone type mobile phone which is better for surfing the internet and sending pictures with e-mails. I eventually decided on the Renoir KC910 8GB which ticked all the boxes.

It was nice to be in Nottingham this morning. Part of The Square has been filled with sand and transformed into The Beach. There is of course the usual choir of 'nay-sayers' but Y and I think it great fun - if this morning is anything to go by.

It was busy, busy, with Mums and Dad's playing in the sand and building sand-castles and Grans and Grandads sitting in proper old-fashioned deck chairs. By the way, for photographers, if you like the barbeque flames (bottom right corner of the collage) I got them just right by spot-metering a flame.

Y also had a busy day over at Burton Joyce. She played all the games and even managed a chat with Steven - she always likes that. When she arrived home she was tired, but happy tired.

I had a call from the disability aids people and the bed-raising equipment will be delivered tomorrow, between 9am and 5pm. The person on the 'phone insisted on calling me Graham, without being invited to do so, and, as far as I remember we have never been introduced. So impertinent. But, more importantly, she refused to give me a more specific time. I suppose Y will have to stay in and I'll go and do the shopping.

My responses to your previous comments

jbw .... My knowledge-box about steel will soon be overflowing. Trouble is, in a month's time, I shall probably have forgotten half of it. Never mind, the remaining half will, I am sure, prove invaluable.

One day, in the near future, I shall photograph my collection of Victorian and early 20th Century carbon-steel knives which I feel sure will interest you.

Reg ..... Please see Yvonne's comment further down.

Bob .... I don't think the pictures reproduced in the link actually did them justice. They were mostly printed big and square (18" by 18" at least) and on a sort of watercolour matte paper. The look, in the flesh, was generally great, and very little jarred in the way you describe.

I do actually like pound shops. Never been in Primark. But I will spring to the defence of Matalan. My Zantos T shirts and shirts have proved attractive and hard-wearing. And one of my favourite of all saucepans (a big copper-bottomed job with a glass lid and short side handles) came from Matalan at least 10 years ago.

Jill ..... Sabatier is another excellent steel knife. French this time. And I'm sorry yours suffered a broken blade. I think you were probably misinformed about the current state of production though. I'm sure they are still made.

Glad you enjoyed the Masters of Vision pictures and the Charlie Waite cottage is indeed a beautiful thing.

You certainly deserve an A+ for 'Application' re the 'Transport for London' summons. They no doubt, as a matter of policy, make it as difficult as they dare. But please stick at it gal. We are behind you. Perhaps worth making enquiries but there used to be people called process-servers who were court-officers with just that precise job to do.

There is a whole legal history of acceptable methods of 'serving' - one I remember is nailing it to the outer door etc.

Helen C .... You don't sound too 'agonised' about your tooth extraction. Don't worry about the gap - it will probably give you a slightly dissolute look. You really need one of those long 1920s ebony cigarette holders, empty of course, to pop in the gap.

You will both enjoy the Southwell Exhibition when you finally get there.

Yvonne .... I'm sure in my own mind that Hayley will settle down. They are in a bit of a cleft stick I suppose. They need to attract more patrons but, if they succeed, the pool is overcrowded.

I agree with you that Reg did well to fix the car rattle. I was certainly an irritation. It seemed that, by a process of elimination he identified the central, high on the rear door rear light as the culprit and then, in true engineer fashion, he whacked it hard and, lo and behold, the rattle vanished. He suggests that an additional refinement would be to wedge some draught-proofing tape, or some strips of rubber, between the plastic and the glass.

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Quotation time .....

"A bore is a man who deprives you of solitude without providing you with company."

Gian Vincenzo Gravina

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"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"

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WoW at Southwell Minster - 70F - No wind

2009-08-05T20:31:00.006+01:00

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"Is there anybody there, said the traveller, knocking at the moonlit door"

I managed WoW this morning and thoroughly enjoyed it as usual. The venue decided upon was Southwell Minster due to a first class Photography Exhibition therein. Entitled Masters of Vision there were top landscape photographers led by Charlie Waite and others, all of excellent calibre.

The link will take you to their website and enough pictures to give you a good flavour.

Of course, we all did some nit-picking, but we are entitled to do that. All in all though, an excellent exhibition and I'm pleased we went.

In Picture 1, Bill, Brian and Reg are trying to figure out how to leave.

A great pity Helen C wasn't with us. There were a couple of Iceland snaps she would have loved - much more so than having a tooth extracted, which is what ruled her out. I'm sure she and Julien will fit it in though - I think it is on throughout August.

After Southwell we adjourned to The Bird in Hand at Blidworth, one of our favourites. Lovely view, never too busy, excellent chip-butties and a nice round table which housed all seven of us while we talked our usual ..........

After that it was back to Reg's to drop people off but we interrupted our journey so that Reg could have a go at the 'blue' of the artichokes with his new Nikon D300.

He has already e-mailed me the result, and I think it is certainly an improvement. Not dramatic though. I suppose it must just be a difficult blue.

My responses to your previous comments

Pete B .... Bacon certainly seems to be the 'pulling' stuff for crabs. Y mentions it later.

jbw .... Thanks for the info about Solingen.

Re Kitchen knives. My favourites, and I have several, are Victorian non-stainless steel. They need careful looking after, but when sharpened on my 'steel' they take an edge like no other. I don't like modern stainless steel kitchen knives or bread knives which rely on a serrated edge and act like a fine-toothed saw rather than a knife.

Jill. .... Glad you enjoyed Pete B's daughter's crab picture.

Your daughter's Japenese knives sound too lethal for me. I bet they are sharp though.

I didn't take your WoW-ing advice I'm afraid. I decided on 'stick' rather than 'wheels' - but I walked too far. I shall recover.

Bob .... You make a fair point about this generation of students being to young to recognise Betjeman. But one of them was reading English. And, like you, I recognise very few of today's celebrities.

Yvonne ... I suppose once one crabber succeed with raw bacon, the rest would follow. But you are right - how did someone latch onto the idea in the first place ?

To ring the Hayley Leisure Centre before going is an excellent idea. I'm sure that, for whatever reason, August is proving busy and it will soon be back to how you like it i.e. nice and quiet.

I also agree about the proposed use of the old Woolworth's site. Hard to believe that one £1 shop will be able to fill it though. Perhaps there will be a sort of franchise system, with several different but similar businesses therein.

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No quotation tonight - too tired to sort one out !

"Sleep tight and I'll catch you tomorrow"

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Karen Day - 66F - Full Moon - Aldi

2009-08-04T17:35:00.004+01:00

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At long last here is Pete B's daughters 'crabing' picture which is to do with when he took them crabbing on the River Dart. Or, I think, more accurately to watch people crabbing.

If I've got it wrong I'm sure he will pop in and put me right. And I only managed to 'open' the picture due to the good offices of JBW.

We made another early start, mainly to get out of Karen's way. She can play her music loud and zoom around with Henry the Hoover without having to bother about us old fogeys.

Aldi instead of Lidl was the big decision. We hadn't been for some time but, before Lidl, it was our favourite shop. Still much to commend it. I couldn't resist this set of three kitchen knives of Solingen Steel. Solingen has a worldwide reputation for the manufacture of fine steel.

On this occasion I followed Y's dictum and binned three kitchen knives when we returned home. Some time ago, I had only wanted one, a little paring knife, but Morrisons insisted on selling me a pack of three - made in China - all the same - all useless. They simply wouldn't keep a sharpened edge. These latest three are first class. I must devise a storage system so I don't take the end of a finger off.

In the £1 Shop next to Aldi it was interesting to see they are selling lots of ex Woolworth's items - seems a sensible solution to me because there must have been millions of £'s worth of stock floating around.

We seem to have returned to intermittent rain, a blustery wind, and not very warm. Unfortunate really, because Peter and Joan G start their holiday today. Mind - it might be different up in Northumberland - I've just googled it and although warm, 21°C there is a 9mph wind and mostly cloudy.

I've spoken to Reg and, all being well I shall join the WoW pack tomorrow. I won't be able to walk far but they will park me somewhere interesting - and I can certainly manage the pub at lunchtime.

My reponses to your previous comments

I must work out a different sentence to introduce this section. 'Responses' has overtones of High Anglican Choral Evensong I think.

jbw ..... Many thanks for your input re the 'crabing picture'. Today it the file opened without demur. Yesterday I was getting all sorts of error messages etc.

Your advice re 'gardening in small doses' is sound. But I disagree about 'can't have a day off when one is retired'. I seem to manage it regularly and as Jill (previous comment) says, she has her 'dormouse days' when she retires to her bed and only surfaces occasionally.

Bob .... The 'blue' of the artichokes is troublesome. I think I'll try to hold my old Casio together long enough for a snap, and see what that camera makes of it. I don't seem to remember it this innacurate in previous years.

Brian S .... Great to have a comment from you ! and you good wishes healthwise are much appreciated. With you 100% about The Street. Each episode deals with an important current issue. And, as you say, the acting is excellent.

All being well I shall be WoW-ing tomorrow.

Yvonne ...... As you know I share your concern about 'what shall we read when we've read all this?" I was very young and in the small Library in Ashbourne when the thought first struck me. But I soon realised that wasn't the entire world's supply of books.

Jill .... Great to hear that Ro came through with flying colours.

Re .. University Challenge. Like you I was suprised no-one recognised Betjeman sitting there with an old BBC microphone. Easpecially as one of the contestants is reading English !

Good for you with the birdsong recognition. I don't think we got any of them right. I was waiting for a wren because for a tiny bird they make such a loud noise. But they didn't have one.

A 73yr old chap found a talking frog in his garden so he picked it up. The frog said, "If you kiss me I will turn into a voluptuous 25yr old princess". The old boy put the frog in his top pocket. "Didn't you hear what I said?" said the frog "If you kiss me I shall turn into a voluptuous princess" "I heard you" said the old guy "but at my age I'd rather have a talking frog".

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Quotation slot ......

"Popularity is neither fame nor greatness"

William Hazlitt

Monday trip out - lunch - garden jobs - 68F - Light wind

2009-08-03T17:59:00.008+01:00

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We got going quite early this morning because we'd both had a better night's sleep and the weather looked promising.

Peter G had said that Dobbies Garden Centre near Chesterfield was worth a look. And so it proved. Well stocked and I found my Goldfinches a bag of their beloved thistle seed. They have been turning their beaks up at 'canary seed with thistle seed in it' which I bought in Pauls for a £1 per bag.

The whole place has a nice 'feel' to it but Oh Boy ! the prices. Picture 2 is included to give you some idea. WoWee, what a bargain, two potted fuschias for £20 eh ? How about that ?

The food hall was v.good and well stocked with high quality and interesting things. A bit reminiscent of Chatsworth. I bought some links of 'interesting' sausages. Thai sausages, some from Toulouse, and some Venetian links of a rich orange colour, and by the sniff, liberal on the garlic and tomato. A report back can be expected.

Anyway we had a pleasant lunch there. The restaurant is light and airy and although busy we found a corner table with a bench back OK. Y had a cooked lunch, centre-ing round chicken-curry while I settled for a Panini. I only ate half and wrapped the remainder in a paper napkin to bring home for my tea. Just eating it now in fact.

Picture 1 demonstrates the Artichoke plant almost in full swing. Barry Marlow, at the club, prizes his as a delicacy but we prefer to enjoy the flowers and eventually the dried out seed heads. I'm far from satisfied with the 'blue' though and am thinking of asking Reg to pop over with his new camera to see how it deals with the problem. I can change the hue in Photoshop, but none of the options I'm presented with on the slider accurately captures it. Neither my D80 nor the little Fuji A100 are better than the other. By the way - the A100 could distort barrels for England !

Y suffered some aches & pains again and needed a 'lie-down' when we got home. I certainly wasn't going to argue. When adequately rested I dealt with our food purchases, topped up the bird-feeders and fed and watered the Courgette plant and the Tomatoes. There will be at least one tomato ready for the table tomorrow and a couple of courgettes.

In idle moments we completed the Telegraph Crossword. A good team effort. A couple of clues were anagrams which Y had solved without spotting that they were anagrams. Is that a gift ? I always used to consider Monday's an easy one anyway - I think they didn't like to stretch you too much after a weekend off.

My responses to your previous comments

Pete B ..... Thanks for your good wishes and I am pleased to be so much better. Y is good too but increasingly subject to aches & pains. In her head she fells 52 but her body keeps telling her she will be 73 next. She does wonders though.

I sincerely hope that things work out so that you can retire at a reasonable age. The Good Lord didn't design us to be working in our 70s.

I really like the story about your daughters and the River Dart and it would have been lovely to be able to open the picture. Unfortunately the link in the comment didn't work and, whatever cunning wrinkles I employed I couldn't open it anyway/anywhere. Madeline discovered some days ago that you can't post links in comments-boxes and resorted to e-mailing me a Norton Hotfix I needed. I think you will have to do the same with the picture.

But please do it. Because I think other readers would like to see it too.

Bob .... The newspaper wasn't a surrogate table cloth. It was there to stand the steamer top on and I hadn't got round to moving it.

As you know - I also am a prominent member of Hoarders Anonymous. I found some bicycle clips the other day - well you never know do you .......

Pleased about your credit card. It is a fact that 99% of people are honest and will hand in anything they find.

Jill ..... Y isn't keen on gravy, and I'm trying to eat without it mainly because of its fattening effects. However, and you never know do you - if ever I have the pleasure of cooking a meal for you I shall prepare the requisite gravy pond ! And it will be good gravy too - you will need a round of bread & butter to mop it up with.

We hope that Ro's checks prove satisfactory. And it is so good when sons and things mastermind transport arangements isn't it ?

I think Y has given up on the notion of converting me into a tidy person. I do try - honest.

I'm loving all the coverage of Tennyson's Bicentenary, particularly on the radio. What a tortured soul he was. The classic serial reading of Maud was excellent, all 3 times I've listened to it. And I'm now giving his Ulysses the same treatment. The poet Sean O'Brien is reading it very well indeed. The Poetry Archive, which the link takes you to, is well worth having on your computer - mostly thanks to Andrew Motion - it is a well stocked resource. Even, by the way, an early wax cylinder recording of Tennyson himself reading The Charge of The Light Brigade.

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Quotation slot .................

"Do you realize if it weren't for Edison we'd be watching TV by candlelight?"

Al Boliska

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"

Almost better - say 80% - Y still 'beavering' away - 67F

2009-08-02T16:52:00.010+01:00

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Bob sent me this collage of flies/bees and it is so cheerful I thought I'd 'blog' it. There seem lots of different winged creatures around at the moment - some glossy, some matte, some hairy some bald.

I suspect the bottom-left one is a hoverfly but, as it's already landed it is difficult to say.

He also sent me a collage of his wounds sustained during the stair-fall but they definitely weren't cheerful so the picture remains unblogged.

The weather here remains changeable - as it is all over the country I think. BJ folks are back and Hannah has kept Grandma informed. LE people are still away. I had a nice chat with David on the phone yesterday evening.

They are soon to move a Caravan Club site in Suffolk and, in readiness for The World Crabbing Championships, they have printed T shirts with that legend thereon. The championship is an annual event and sounds great fun. Definitely their sort of thing !

Yvonne had a bad night's sleep and mine was about average. I've still got aches/pains and slight feelings of nausea but nothing to confine me to bed.

For Sunday lunch I cooked Lamb Chops, with New Potatoes, Carrots and Courgettes out of the garden. I also made genuine Mint Sauce ( with our own fresh mint). Made with white balsamic vinegar and a little sugar, in a pestle & mortar because, made with malt vinegar, all one can often taste is the vinegar instead of the mint.

Picture 2 illustrates and I'm not boasting about the smallness of my portion (on the left) but, if I had more, it would make me ill. For pudding Y did Fruit Compote and Greek Yoghurt - one of my 'in' puddings at the moment.

Y is still working very hard and seems to have been ever since we returned from holiday. It's hard to believe how much washing we generate. I think she has more or less finished cupboards and drawers in the kitchen now - God only knows what she will start on next.

And OK - we've got twelve jugs ! To me it isn't a problem but Y would love a completely clutter-free life. I can picture her in Japan with no furniture and me sitting on a carpet on the floor. But then, she wouldn't be too happy about the carpet.

My responses to your previous comments

Bob ..... I think the chemical used to artificially ripen bananas is ethylene so perhaps it is that which ripens other fruit too.

Does your choice in the matter of appointments affect just the appointment itself? If so, and you specify say 1pm they will still probably feel free to collect you at 8am. I shall be amazed if it works out in a way satisfactory to the patient.

Jill ... I think these days devoted to recuperation are an excellent idea. As you report, one always feels the benefit. My feelings go out to the people in the future who will be made to remain working till they are maybe 70 plus !

The orchid stem had become bent by growing too close to my bathroom window and the pressure against the glass had bent it. I just felt that a tiny little bit of pressure would bend it back again. Ah well ! Had Y been around she would undoubtedly have told me not to be so b..... stupid.

Nice idea - to be able to un-ripen bananas. But I think not.

My guess is that you will enjoy Morrisons. I know you will report back.

Yvonne ...... Your replacement approach to household items/clothing/ is, of course, well know to me after all these years. But I suspect that you always secretly envied Imelda Marcos with her 3,000 pairs of shoes !

As you say, our Lib Dem people were disappointed, and Jason worked so hard. A relief though to finish up with a Tory rather than the BNP. Lets just hope that the main parties realise how discontented people are.

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Quotation time .....

"The English winter - ending in July,
To recommence in August"

Lord Byron

On the mend - 60F - heavy rain - awful

2009-08-01T16:05:00.007+01:00

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Firstly - I am much better today. I slept, a bit, more 0r less sitting up in bed with my hot pad in the small of my back. Food wise, I had food but have returned to Lactofree stuff and very little produce from the cow. This seems to have dealt with my upset stomach.

I seem to have what, when we were children, used to be called 'bilious bouts'. My recovery is such that I managed almost an hour in the garden first thing this morning, de-twitching a square metre or so just outside the big front window. I planted in the space a beautiful pink Phlox we got in Lidl. A fine well rooted plant and a delightful aroma. I haven't previously noted Phlox for scent.

My thanks to Y for occupying the RG editor's chair because I just didn't feel well enough. She has been very very busy clearing out the kitchen - cupboards, shelves, drawers and things. Vegetable storage, and she even found time to fit a new shower curtain. Not an easy job because she isn't very tall.

Picture 1 shows the result of my efforts to straighten an Orchid stem. I should have known better. Anyway, a good lesson learnt and I shan't try it again.

Picture 2 will be of interest to WoW-ers, particularly those who don't receive the Country Images, North Edition, August issue.

The article is about The Cliff Inn at Crich, a regular chip-cob place when we are in the area.

Whilst abed, apart from lots of kip, I've caught up on lots of radio. What a boon bbc iPlayer is. Together with their website I feel I get my licence fee's worth from those alone, not to mention the occasional hour of telly.

My responses to your previous comments

Bob .... Re ripening tomatoes. An old gardener's ruse used to be to hang a ripe tomato among the unripe trusses. Apparently it gives off some chemical which encourages ripening.

Sorry to hear about your Hospital appointment. The system is hopeless anyway and to be given a choice of time is, I agree, just window dressing. Anyway, all I can do is hope for the best for you.

Of course it isn't compulsory to open links. But, when the answer to your comment is contained in the link, it seems a bit discourteous not to have read it and then ask the question anyway. Perhaps the answer would be, if you don't want to read the links, to leave such paragraphs uncommented on .

Jill .... I certainly agree with your points about 'full disclosures'. I suppose we should count ourselves lucky that we have, more or less, a free press. But they run a story and then lose interest in it and we hear no more - certainly not a conclusion,

The M & S tomato plant does sound like an attractive bargain. But if neither of you like that type of tomato it would have been daft to buy it.

I love all sorts of jelly, but your black-currant with black pitted cherries sounds great. Our source of Mandarin Oranges is Lidl, of course, and I have spotted in their Greek section, sour black cherries. Not yet tried them but intend to.

Although it is now only 5.40pm, I aim to go back to bed - I don't want to 'push my luck'.

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Quotation slot .....

"Most conversations are simply monologues delivered in the presence of witnesses."

Margaret Millar

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow - God willing"

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No blog today

2009-07-31T18:20:00.005+01:00

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Graham is unwell so there will be no full blog today.

He knows you'll all wish him well but no comments please as he would have to address them on his return.

Yvonne.

Better Day - Some rain some Sun - 61F

2009-07-30T20:09:00.008+01:00

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I think we have a couple of tomatoes 'on the turn'. Please scrutinise carefully the bottom truss of the second plant from the left. It is only the 30th July and I didn't expect them to be ripening till mid August in their outside location - even if it is a sunny spot.

I saw the Doctor this morning and she didn't seem terribly worried about my rate of weight loss. My 'kidney function' is too low on a scale where I can't even remember the acronym let alone what the letters stand for. Normal is 80, they worry if it falls below 60 and they really worry if it gets down to 30. Mine is 49, up from 45 last week, but I am to have it tested again. My 'normal' aches and pains continue, as does my sickness. But she is a sensible lady and is willing to leave things a fortnight before recommending hospital checks. I hate hospitals.

After Doctors we shopped. Lidl and Morrisons and Y didn't have a Lidl back-twinge. The I cooked a chilli for lunch which was a success. For pudding we had a Y speciality Orange jelly and our favourite Greek Yoghurt.

Picture 2 is the view out of my office window, a few minutes ago. We feel honoured by a sunny evening.

I also managed to top up the bird feeders. How awful if the goldfinches went off in a huff ?

Rick Stein appealled to me for this evening, but it's an hour and I decided to watch it another day on iPlayer. Strange to have Y at home today but Burton Joyce people are on holiday. The meet-up between David's lot and Steve's worked, We know because both texted a picture of the children. I've been trying to work out how to download them onto the computer, but I haven't managed it yet. I used to be able to transfer the snaps but I've now forgotten how.

My replies to your comments

Jill .... We don't seem to have had a good drying day for ages. If the clothes dried once the onset of torrential rain has been so sudden they easily got soaked again.

I'm really sorry your Saga holiday has been cancelled. And we sympathise with Ro. He enjoys his Country & Western so. We sympathise with you too, but you know what I mean !

Bob .... Yes. I do realise the record-shot aspect of Paul Sandby's watercolours. Like Turner's water-colour notebooks. And the WoW group people are also well up to appreciating them.

I don't really need to 'confirm' that Wiener Schnitzel is veal in crumb. Yesterday, the link to the Wiener Schnitzel wikipedia page was to the same page and described it perfectly. I guess you omitted to open the link. It isn't a big read and the words about 'veal coated in breadcrumb' are on the third line down.

Perhaps it's just not worth doing links.

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Quotation slot ..............

"By far the most dangerous foe we have to fight is apathy - indifference from whatever cause, not from a lack of knowledge, but from carelessness, from absorption in other pursuits, from a contempt bred of self-satisfaction"

William Osler

WoW at Nottingham Castle - weather awful - no let-up from the rain

2009-07-29T19:51:00.006+01:00

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It was simply good to be out with my WoW chums again. It seemed ages and ages. Five of us met at Reg's and decided to visit Nottingham Castle.

Our luck was in, because there's the Bicentenary Paul Sandby exhibition on until October.

Nottingham is indeed fortunate for the curator to have put together such an exhibition. HM The Queen has lent works, as have Yale, The British Museum et al ranging from etchings, line-drawings, water-colour sketch books and the odd full scale oil.

Although not photography as such, the chaps loved it and were taken with the detail and the overall range of the bloke's achievements. In some works he really came alive. Y knows the Exhibition is on and it won't pain me at all to pay a sceond visit. As a watercolourist herself Reg's Maureen will love it - so I think Reg will be visiting again.

As always with the Castle, the staff were superb, and by prior arrangement (thanks to Y and Helen) I was allowed to drive right up to the castle itself and park in a disabled bay. Picture 1 is of the middle gate, on the way back down the drive and I hope it suggests the sort of weather we enjoyed throughout !

After the exhibition we chip-cobbed at The Nelson and Railway at Kimberley. Excellent as always, and reasonably priced.

If you open the link you will see a similar snap in the middle of the second row. However, the one on the left is an original, courtesy of Helen who was closer to the hatch illustrated. For the blog I'm not at all precious as to who actually clicks the shutter.

For our evening meal I cooked some Ikea meat balls, and mixed veg and for pudding Y had done an orange jelly and ice-cream. Gorgeous ! While we ate we watched the Scandalous Adventures of Lord Byron and different from Jill, we thought it was OK. Not a brilliant piece of work but watchable and the scenery was good. Personally I preferred it to the Desperate Romantics about the PRB which really is flailing about abit and apparently losing 500,000 viewers a week. Rafe Spall who plays Holman Hunt seems only to have one facial expression. And the Dante Gabriel Rosetti character is beginning to irritate me a lot.

My responses to your previous comments

Bob ..... Re weight-loss. I don't like the sound of ..."Perhaps a bit of lead...?" it seems rather too final to me.

You seem to be making a steady 'stairfall' recovery. We are looking forward to the 'full colour' leg bump.

The curry sounds great !

Jill .... As above - I think you are perhaps a little excessive in your criticism of Everett's job on Lord Byron and, as I say above, the scenery was nice.

Your lunch at daughter's pub sounds good too. I know people are agin veal, but whilst serving Queen and Country in Germany I did enjoy Wiener Schnitzel. I've tried to cook it over here and failed miserably. The proper job has a certain 'crispness'.

...................................

Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow

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Tuesday - Karen - Fat Clinic - Blood Test

2009-07-28T18:32:00.006+01:00

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We started the day by 'getting from under Karen's feet' i.e. we went to Ikea for breakfast. I had a child's portion of two hash-browns and baked beans. Y had a more normal 'middle' breakfast - plus free coffee. One of the reasons for going (to collect Peter G's Ikea card) proved unnecessary because it had already been sent to him via snail-mail.

After that, and a couple of jobs in Eastwood, I went to my Obesity Clinic (I used fat-clinic in the title line for space reasons) and the practice-nurse told me that the 5 kgms I had lost in the month was perhaps a little too much. She made a note for the Doctor who I am due to see on Thursday anyway for the result of my kidney-function blood test. It's all getting too complicated.

I told her I was wearing my lightweight underpants, but she wasn't really impressed.

Picture 1 is of Derek & Betty's new five-barred gate, fitted this morning by Alex. Sepia seemed to suit the subject. Alex had Reuben with him, fast asleep in the passenger seat. Y nipped out to see him and was surprised to see a sturdy 4yr old. It doesn't seem 5 minutes since he was born. Alex had taken him to the scrapyard with him and the cranes had impressed him. I bet 'going to the scrapyard with Daddy' will be a treasured moment.

I couldn't resist 'googling' to discover the history of the five-barred gate but it is going to need more time and effort than I have available this evening. What we really need is for 'nifty-googler Rob' to have a go at it.

Picture 2 is of the recently blooming Echinacea, or purple cone-flower. I know they have medicinal properties but I don't know if you are supposed to brew them, chew them, or grind them up ? And is it the flowers or the roots which are efficacious ? I suppose you could 'suck it and see'.

The sharpness of the front flower and the gradual blurring-away of the rest is deliberate - with my 50mm lens at f2.

We bought Y a new Fujifilm compact, also to serve as a replacement family compact for the old Casio which has become almost impossible to hold together long enough to take a snap.

But I really can't function without a viewfinder ! Even on a dull day, the LCD screen isn't bright enough for me to compose a picture. I'll have another 'go' with the old Casio - perhaps stronger rubber bands round it ?

We both enjoyed The Street last night, by Jimmy McGovern. As before, a well written play, well cast, well directed and well acted. The clumsy stitch-straps across the soldier's horrendous facial injury were probably over-done for effect. They just wouldn't have sent him out looking like that.

Nevertheless - a powerful, thought-provoking story which went some way to making more possible to comprehend what 'our boys' are undergoing in Afghanistan. I hope some politicians watched it. I am indebted to Y for drawing the series to my attention in the first place.

This afternoon on Radio 4 I heard an excellent episode of A Good Read, introduced as always by Kate Mosse. The programme featured poet John Hegley and singer Imelda May. A high spot for me was a piece about 'The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Matsuo Basho' which would have pleased Rob, with its emphasis on Haiku. Written in the 17th Century of course - but what's wrong with that ?

My responses to your comments

Jill ...... I agree with you about the noise in these 'hell-holes'. It is unique. The noise of happy children playing in an outdoor playground is also unique - but pleasant !

I think you should watch The Street Episode 3 on iPlayer - and we will do likewise with Byron - so a critique would be valuable.

The Bramleys do sound early. But Bob will know - they have a tree.

Bob .... My taking the 'p' out of Pompidou was quite unintentional I assure you. Mind you, I spotted the error during my editing preview - and decided to leave it uncorrected, just for fun !

I hope your fall down the stairs hasn't left you with any serious problems. You sound perky enough ! However, at our sort of age (and I know you are a few years older) these falls are a major problem. You could have easily broken a large limb and finished up in hospital again.

Yvonne ..... As you know, my admiration for your AquaSplash activities is second to none. Volunteering to be the 'nominated adult' in the first place was a major undertaking. But I know from your telling me about it, that you enjoyed it all immensely.

All those slides and chutes and splashes !

You are right about the LibDem sign. Neither of us expected it to survive the first night. But it did, and 5/6 more too ?

I'm looking forward to 'Desperate Romantics' again this evening. The link is to the programme's actual website - and good fun it looks too.

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Quotation time .......

"Like a god going thro' his world there stands One mountain, for a moment in the dusk, Whole brotherhoods of cedars on its brow "

Robert Browning

Personally I rate his wife Elizabeth Barrett Browning the better poet. especially the sonnets.

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Return to bad weather - 67F - 6mph West Wind

2009-07-27T17:03:00.006+01:00

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The purpose of our visit to Palmers Green was to attend Ruby's AquaSplash birthday party which was held in the Leisure World complex shown. For grownups, Tracy warned me, inside was like hell on earth. Unbearably hot - enough to make one feel queasy and noisy enough to do damage to your ear drums.

But the kids loved it and Y was designated as the adult to go in the pool - there had to be at least one apparently. She went down slides and chutes etc., - some of the blue coloured external tubes shown in the snap are water chutes leading down to the pool. Pictorially, I love the garishness and the feeling of vigorous life, and those external tubes make you think of The Pomidou Centre.

Tracy thought it would not be a good idea for me to actually go in to the AquaSplash bit. so the closest I came was to walk into the building and peep through a large window. I managed to wave to people.

Then she took me just over the road to the MacDonalds where I installed myself with my laptop and my Vodafone dongle came into play yet again. Excellent 3MB broadband signal - later a nice MacDonalds lady told me that they are a WiFi hotspot which is available to customers free.

I listened to my radio and, in fact, quite happily did the sort of thing I usually do. At intervals I saw people. Elli and Ruby came separately to see me. and check if I was OK !

We eventually returned to Palmers Green and I took them out for evening meal to the Rimini Italian Restaurant and everyone enjoyed their food. Although the menu was very small print Andy found 'calves liver and onions' for me which wasn't too rich. Only the girls could find room for pudding. Elli chose ice-cream which people had a spoonful of here and there.

I was very comfortable in my room and managed to install myself satisfactorily. Just next door to the bathroom, which was good. In the morning Tracy brought me a muf of tea which was most welcome. She certainly looked after me extremely well.

Andy cooked two gorgeous meals. Bubble & Squeek for Breakfast, with a poached egg and some bacon. Then for lunch he did an equally sumptious Fish Pie. And everyone was happy for me to only have very small portions.

Tracy drove us home, and although there were lots of 50mph areas on the Motorway, we made good time and arrived around 6pm. We both slept well and when I weighed-in prior to my shower this morning I was delighted to find that I hadn't gained anything. We have had a quiet day today and although Y was a bit off-colour first thing she relied by mid-morning. I managed to do a few gardening jobs too.

We really have been lucky with weather this year. Each time it has been fine at the place we have visited and awful back here in Nottingham/Mansfield. Since we returned we have had the torrential squalls again.

My responses to your comments

Yvonne ..... I bow to your accurate memory of the outdoor-shower incident. I know you regretted not joining me - perhaps a chance will occur this autumn !

Madeline ..... Thanks for your good wishes ! As you will see above - we did indeed have a good weekend.

Bob ..... The bottle-bags are designed in pleasant cheerful designs and have draw-strings at the top. They are intended for use when you give someone a bottle of wine rather than to transport it around in.

Jill ..... Your spag/bol at a nudist beach café incident raised a smile. Where do you carry a tissue to wipe it off with ?

I haven't been watching New Tricks so I can't comment. But I think Y still enjoys it.

This evening we intend to watch the third episode of The Street. Having read the link I'm not sure if I'm looking forward to it or not.

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Quotation slot ......

"Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of stupidity."

Frank Leahy

And if I hear anyone mutter "physician heal thyself'" I shall be down the line to them - ed

67F - 10mph W Wind - Odd Rainfall and squally

2009-07-24T18:03:00.008+01:00

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Picture 1 is a scrn.prnt to demonstrate that Madeline's solution worked brilliantly, and I now have my Norton 'safeweb symbols' happily in place (the little green ticks - if there are problems with a site you get a red cross etc.). Thanks Madeline ! I feel much more confident opening unknown sites when I know they have been checked over for viruses and other malware. This is definitely an area of computing where 'prevention is better than cure'.

We nipped out to Morrisons this morning to buy some decent wine to take with us tomorrow, and also to Paul's bestbuy shop in Eastwood for some bottle-bags. His are great, and 35p as against 99p or similar elsewhere. And they aren't cheap & nasty either - or perhaps they are but not to our downmarket tastes.

Picture 2 shows my 'successful' attempt to collect Basil seed. I say 'successful' because an earlier attempt ended abruptly when Karen tidied up and washed the plate. My fault entirely because I hadn't explained what I was doing. If you look at the enlargement you will see the little black seeds which will form the basis of next year's basil population. Anyway, it is more satisfying using home-produced seed rather than buying someone else's from a seed-catalogue.

A strange experience with the weather this morning. Y went to the Hayley Centre about 10.15am for a swim. It wasn't a good experience because of the large amount of people milling vigorously about in the pool, to the discomfort of casual gentle swimmers. There is some sort of trial-period offer on for a month and this might be the cause. Also the Jacuzzi was knackered. About half an hour later Y rang to say could I pick her up due to the torrential rain ? ..... There hadn't been a drop here, some 1½ mile away. As I drove down the road towards the Centre there was almost a definite line across the road surface - dry one side and wet the other.

John e-mailed me to say that granddaughter Laura and her fella Joe were back safe and sound from their adventures. They had now gone up to Newcastle, where Joe is doing a PhD, to find somewhere to live, and also jobs. Good to have them back.

We are away at Debra's for the weekend. Chauffeur TJ - picking us up at 7.30am.

My responses to your comments

Jill .... Glad that you too are back to normal and I'm glad you enjoyed your 'knitting workshop' so much.

Glad also that you are enjoying the 'collages'. The flower in the bottom left corner of yesterday's is a 'frond/flower spike?' of the cotinus (smoke bush).

The picture on the right shows it more in context.

Poor Y also suffers when furniture is such that her feet don't reach the floor. I'm sure the things Nicola intends to provide for me will prove a success. In any case I'm not really bad at the moment - the unsteadiness on my feet is a bigger worry. Although I have now lost over 2 stone it would be a major problem if I fell over. This is yet another reason why the present gusty/gale force winds unsettle me.

Madeline .... Please see above re Norton's safeweb symbols. A very sincere 'thank you'. I didn't mention an additional plus - The symbols are operative even when I have the Norton toolbar 'unchecked' and even when I use an alternative Search Engine.

Yvonne .... re outdoors showers. I have at the back of my mind that I once did it, under some leaky guttering. Wherever we were living I know we weren't overlooked. Could have been here ? Or have I imagined all that ?

Bob .... Thank you for your e-mail explaining the pseudonym. Certainly as a 'one off' I don't intend to be picky.

Interesting that your period of watching the PreRaphaelites has now stretched from 15 minutes to half an hour.

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Quotation slot .....

"Thou fill’st from the wingèd chalice of the soul

Thy lamp, O Memory, fire-wingèd to its goal."

Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Have a nice weekend folks - there won't be a blog-post tomorrow

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Routine Thursday - Y at BJ - Me messing-about - 67F and 5mph W Wind

2009-07-23T17:33:00.006+01:00

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Having done a collage of flowers out in the front garden yesterday it seemed to naturally follow that I turn my attention to the rear garden today. And there they are. I suppose we could have a 'name that flower' competition, but then again .......

I took Y to the 9.38am tram and then went to the doctor's for 10.10am - she had had a cancellation and saw me at 10am. Dr Chamberlain, another young lady doctor who I hadn't seen before. I was quite happy with her and she put my mind at rest about certain things. She took yet another blood test and I am to see her a week today for the result.

After the doctor's I went shopping to Lidl and Morrisons - it takes the pressure off tomorrow. I know we are going to Debra's and don't want to leave a fridge full of commodities we shan't use.

Picture 2 is a photoshop drawing of The Pantiles.

For those of us who can't draw these sort of programmes create for oneself the illusion that one can - if you see what I mean.

I shall probably print it as a 10 x 8 print, just to see what it looks like.

The weather is really weird isn't it ? Here today there's been sunny spells, but all the time that niggly wind - and now it is raining again, quite heavily. So much for the bit of gardening I had promised myself this evening. And I don't know if there is anything we can watch together on the telly.

My responses to your comments

Madeline ..... Thank you very much indeed for your input. The Norton Safeweb symbols are simply Norton's equivalent to McAfee's siteadvisor symbols. Green tick for 'site clear' etc ...... Allegedly updated more often than McAfee though.

I haven't yet got round to working through your suggested 'workaround' but it all seems to make sense and I'll have a go either this evening, or in the dead of the night. By the way, I don't think one can do 'links' in the comments box.

During today there has been a 'Firefox update' to build 3.0.12 so. if that goes onto the laptop too (I'm on the PC at the moment) it may have solved the problem anyway.

I shall report back.

Thanks for the kind comments about the blog !

Bob ...... I thought Epoisses would appeal to you. It really is worth making a special trip to Sainsburys - although I don't know where your nearest is. Perhaps on one of your Newark or Retford sorties !

No problem with flies - I feel the aroma would knock-em out rather than attract them.

The bed-height isn't really a Karen type problem. There are these special cuplike devices braced across for safety. I already have some on an easy chair, and they work well.

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Quotation slot ......

"There is nothing more dreadful than imagination without taste"

Johan Wolfgang von Goethe

"Sleep tight everybody - I'll try and catch you tomorrow - prior to a break over the weekend"

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Busy Wednesday - OT - PC - Garden - 61F - Southerly Wind

2009-07-22T21:43:00.006+01:00

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We bought this cheese on our Monday visit to Sainsburys. All I can say is WoW ! and nothing to do with walking. Unless the delightful smell is too much for ladies of a sensitive disposition and causes them to walk briskly away from the box.

The cheese is Epoisses an apellation controlé etc., and will appeal to lovers of strong attractive cheeses. On the box it says it is runny and it is. First day I kept it at room temperature and I could have poured it on my breakfast toast. Second night I kept it in the fridge which maintained the cheese in a more manageable state i.e. spreadable. The flavour did not seem to have been impaired. The best 'new' cheese I've sampled for many years.

About 25 years ago I was at a conference in Bruges, in a good hotel, and after dinner I had an excellent cheese of a similar stamp. Y was with me, and the following morning bless her ! she went into town and bought me a box to bring home. Subsequently we had no difficulty locating our luggage on the carousel !

Our day started with a visit from the Occupation Therapist, Nicola, who is going to sort out my problems with rising from bed. She agrees that 'hooking my stick round the toilet door-handle and pulling myself upright' is not the best strategy. I am to have some things fitted under the bed legs to raise it 4½ inches exactly. She measured me, and the bed precisely.

She also wants me to have a new frame to fit round the loo because she didn't like the rusty state of the existing one. Nicola was the sort of person who inspires confidence - and attractive with it !

Then the MegaTech computer lad arrived to do the annual health check, to which I am entitled under my warranty. No problems with my PC and he also explained my Norton 'safeweb symbol' problem on the laptop. Simple really - Norton 360 and Firefox 3.5.1 are not compatible.

So - either uninstall Firefox latest version in favour of an earlier build - or live without the 'safeweb symbols'. I favour the latter. However, if Madeline, or Ray, or some other WebUser forum person knows of a workaround and is reading this - please e-mail me, or add a 'comment'.

This afternoon I managed a few minutes in the front garden. I hadn't got my watch - so I was amazed when I came back in the house and Y told me I had been 'at it' from 5pm to 6.40pm. I only tidied the 'ringaround' under the tree and then hoed it smart.

Picture 2 is a collage of some of flowers in the front garden which I took when I had finished. Just a record-shot to show what's out - nothing purports to be arty.

I spoke to Helen on the phone to find out which Caravan Site they are actually booked in it from this weekend on. It is The Wareham Forest Touring Camp and from the website it looks superb. Two swimming pools no less ! Here's hoping they are lucky weatherwise.

Tomorrow I'm due to see the Doctor at 10.10am prior to which I shall have dropped Y at Phoenix Park for the 9.38am Tram, the start of her Burton Joyce day. Then there are things I need from Aldi and Lidl, after which my day is free.

My responses to your comments

Bob .... I agree that 'transvestite' doesn't matter either way - ha ha! But the voice can be a distraction.

I agree about The Snooty Fox food. Whenever I've been with you the standard has always pleased me and I can remember some very good meals. I think I once had 'liver and onions' and jolly good it was too. All that fuss about the loos - we all remember outside ones where the urinal was just a wall with a gulley at the bottom of it.

Congrats on your level of knowledge about Macbeth. If I had to select a Shakespeare 'specialist subject' it would be The Sonnets. Although I did neither for GSE.

Hope Jill's trip went well and, when she next comments, she will perhaps give us an update on Barbara.

Yvonne ..... I agree with your 'romp' assessment of the Desperate Romantics. The Telegraph didn't like it at all did they ? Mind you, as we both know, for us that can be a plus point.

If you aren't looking for historical accuracy I thought the programme was good. The hour passed quickly and that is as good a measure as anything.

I particularly liked their use of the David Bowie 'Heroes' track as a background for their joyous marches down the street.

I agree with you about Ro's great nephew being a handsome little chap. He certainly loved the yellow duck.

Interesting info about the 'whitening of the skin' chap and Michael Jackson. Google tells me the condition is called hypopigmentation and the site I have linked you to explains.

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I've decided to end tonight with a photograph sent me by JBW

Perhaps we need something similar for Britain - It isn't racist, in fact the precise opposite
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Typical Tuesday - 61F - 10mph SSE wind - Jobs

2009-07-21T16:24:00.005+01:00

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I'm not obsessed with the front garden but, a comment alleged that my photography 'blew it up'.

Had I wished to make it look bigger I would have photographed it thus. Had I wished to 'blow it up' I would have used a well known horticultural explosive like Nitro-glycerine.

Y managed yesterday, as she notes in her comment, in the sun, to dead-head the roses and other things and you can certainly see an immediate improvement. From tatty to dapper at once. I think she has the 'twinges' to show for it though. Y now understands my Magwitch analogy - the pain does hit you that suddenly.

Our day has been fairly typical for Tuesday, which is a Karen day. My first appointment was with my blood-lady Sheila and she was delighted with the holiday postcards I took in. Her surgery doesn't have an outside window and she brightens it by encouraging her patients to send or take postcards. It is also nice for people, whilst sitting there wincing, to look how widely travelled are one's fellow patients.

Then we had several calls in Eastwood, Y's 'hair', The Library, and the Bank. We called in at Paul's for some large rubber bands but to no avail. However, later in the day, Y obtained some just-right ones from W.H.Smith's. I need broad ones to hold my collapsible sticks together - thin ones don't last five minutes. After that I took Y over to Sherwood for her Nails service.

Picture 2 features 'Dragon fruit' which we hadn't previously sampled. I can't recommend it. Not a trace of redeeming sweetness - at best bland and tasteless, for all it's exciting looks.

I still haven't fixed my Norton problem. Another go tomorrow.

This evening we aim to watch a drama/documentary 'Desperate Romantics' based on The PreRaphaelite Brotherhood. How true to history it will be ? and how much just an excuse for another costume drama is anyone's guess. The trouble is that, unlike Cranford for instance, there wasn't a well-written novel to hang it on. The programme well need plenty of 'water on its wheel' to pass muster because I know a fair bit about the PRB and Y knows even more.

My responses to your comments

Yvonne .... Well done with University Challenge ! My only recollection, from passing through the room, was the lady team captain with the male voice. Not a tenor either, more a baritone. Not that these things matter but they do draw attention rather.....

You are right about the moon-landing conspiracy theory ! Load of ....... ! Mike H has sent me this recently published photo that shows the lower half of the lunar module in situ. The bit which was left behind when Armstrong and Aldrin blasted back up off the surface.

Jill .......... You certainly were busy and anyway, you don't have to comment. It isn't like handing in homework. It is just that we all enjoy your comments so much.

In the garden I only manage to do the fiddly bits. Y does the real graft. But she does enjoy 'cutting-back' and moving things about. With these twinges though I try to persuade her to only do tiny little stints - if it gets too much for us we can always have Alex for a day or two !

The garage-door frame badly needs painting but, I mentioned it to Karen yesterday and she said "I'll do that for you - I love painting & decorating" .... So there you go.

Hope you have a good time in Sussex - and I hope that soon your hot water becomes more reliable.

Re Carrie's conspiracy theories and The Moon. Please see my note above to Y. I know it isn't conclusive evidence but ......

Bob ..... Glad The Snooty Fox has re-opened. I always enjoyed our visits to it but as you will see ( if you open the link that is) the 'reviewers' had a wide range of opinions.

"Through a glass darkly" is indeed 1 Corinthians 13. Perhaps you are getting confused with "The dark lady" of Shakespeare's sonnets ?

Thanks for the advice to address the Russian Soldier in the terms ‘привет, привет, привет. Что мы получили здесь тогда?’. That is what I was going to say to him anyway.

....................................

Quotation time ......

"Cabbage: A familiar kitchen-garden vegetable about as large and as wise as a man's head."

Ambrose Bierce

"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow"

'

Joan's for Coffee - Sainsbury's - 65F - Cold Wind

2009-07-20T18:58:00.009+01:00

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We got going early - 7am ish - when Jason (Y's Lib Dem person) arrived to erect a sign in the front garden. I was just opening the curtains in the big room and felt I ought to speak. He seems a very nice and competent young person.

It made sense to continue with the early theme and we called in at Joan's for Coffee prior to Arnold Sainsburys. We needed Vegemite and know we can get it there. Then home for Scampi and Chips with Mushy Peas, followed by a Y-made Fruit Salad with Greek Yogurt. Delicious meal.

This afternoon Karen arrived to mow because rain is forecast again tomorrow, and immediately the garden looked so much better. She does a tidy job, bless her!

I've spent hours tussling with a computer problem. On the Dell laptop I have Norton 360 Security programme and a feature is 'safeweb' symbols when you google for something. Like MacAfee Siteadvisor it checks out sites, for malware before you open them. Well, mine has gone wrong. I shall fix it however, it just needs the correct buttons to be clicked.

Tomorrow we have 'Blood test', Y's hair, and then over to Sherwood for Y's Nails service. But she wants me just to drop her there after which she intends to bus it into town. I shall drive home and mess-about trying to fix mi' Norton. Additionally there are a couple of garden jobs I would like to pull in.

This evening we aim to watch the Jimmy McGovern play "The Street" at 9pm on BBC 1. We watched the first episode of this series while we were away in Kent and I considered it v.good. Well written, directed, and acted.

My responses to your valued comments

Bob ..... All on your own this evening ! Blog-wise, I mean. I have no idea of your domestic arrangements.

You are never really incoherent. Obscure maybe but not incoherent.

Interesting about 'atom bombs' . We used to have to do 'Civil Defence Training'. Once I asked a senior bod, "As a Police Inspector, what should my attitude be to the Russian Soldier with the rifle when I emerge from my bomb-proof bunker?"

It seemed there was no clear-cut policy on this !

You make a fair point about Rye Bread going stale. But I don't have a need of Rye bread-crumbs very often.

Y says, re Arlene Phillips, that, as a Cabinet Minister she would expect Harriet Harman to have more onerous duties to attend to.

Maybe Jill will be along later --- if not, that's it I guess.

..........................

Quotation slot .....

"Barring that natural expression of villainy which we all have, the man looked honest enough"

Mark Twain

Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow - God willing

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Simply Sunday - 55F - still now but blustery - watched The Open

2009-07-19T21:41:00.005+01:00

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We have reached the time of dramatic sunsets over the garage. Surprisingly you can see quite a lot of clear sky because most of the day seems to have been heavy squally rain. I had a chat with Helen on the phone this morning - David had taken Sky to the Sailing Club to check out competitive events for her. Brooke had opted for staying at home with Mum to do quietly creative things with the Doll's House. My granddaughters personalities are quite different - but no problem with that, in fact its probably best that way.

I talked to David this evening and they go on holiday this coming weekend to a Wareham Caravan Site and, while they are down south, they are hoping to meet up with Steve and Lisa and group. Can't do a link to the actual site because I'm not sure which one it is. Tracy is taking us to London to see Debra and family because the people they are staying with are to be away and it makes an overnight stay possible for us. More detail later.

The Orchid on the left gives me great pleasure to publish because this a re-flowering from a last year's plant. I know Reg and Maureen have achieved this previously but I haven't.

I followed orchid-culture advice and cut the flowering stems back and put the plant in a cold spot which stimulates the production of new flower spikes. And it has worked. There are two more healthy plants on my toilet window-sill which look equally promising.

We watched The Open together and enjoyed it immensely. The light was favourable for good pictures and our new TV does a tidy job. Apart from the golf itself the scenery and the presentation were delightful. Stewart Cink and Tom Watson tied in first place and a playoff was necessary. For nostalgia, people hoped Tom might pull it off, at 59yrs, but it wasn't to be and Stewart proved a worthy winner. Golf appeals on the telly because everyone, players, crowd, officials etc., are invariably polite and sportsmanlike to each other which reflects so well on the sport.

My responses to your previous replies

Bob .... No apologies needed for incoherence. I didn't notice anyway.

The Iron-rich water had a slightly metallic taste, but way away from being 'foul'. It was quite pleasant in fact. Perhaps the origin of Ironbru ?

'Gunnera' is indeed a plant species. I accept though that it reminds one of the unspeakable diseases one was warned about as a recruit during National Service. The rash is quite different I understand !

I haven't seen the Halford's TV advert, so I can't comment.

Jill ..... Thank you for your praise for The Pantiles picture. The light made all the difference.

Sorry to hear of Ro's continued leg-pain problem. As you memorably said "Getting old isn't for wimps".

Your gran's recipe using left over stale bread sounded great. We never seem to get 'stale' bread these days, it goes mouldy before 'stale'.

Yvonne .... Re Bluewater and similar. I agree in general terms. But you succeeded, on a blisteringly hot afternoon, to track down an ice-cold non-alcoholic lager and a gin & tonic. Even though the bill was a tenner ? I suppose such places have a 'place' in extremis.

Isn't your Lidl sciatica strange ? (Honestly folks - we go into Lidl and 2 minutes later Y has a pain in her back and down her leg - editor)

If anyone else would like to join the 'Reinstate Arlene Phillips' campaign to which you refer, that is a live link to it.

Pete B .... I agree with your view that the RNLI should receive some govt. funding especially when you consider some of the things they do support.

Hope you enjoy your holiday, and the break. I can only wish for you the sort of weather we had. Also hope the Football Academy works well.

.................................

No quote tonight - feeling a little tired and queasy.

Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow.

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Normal sort of Saturday - Chilly - 63F - 8mph Westerly

2009-07-18T19:29:00.005+01:00

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Picture 1 is another of The Pantiles at Royal Tunbridge Wells - now there's posh for you.

Isn't it where 'disgusted' who used to write letters to The Telegraph lived? It is a nice place though, but again, we were lucky with the weather. I didn't mention it yesterday but I tried a glass of the famous iron-rich spa water served by the lady shown in the link, or a lookalike. I thought the iron would be good for my back - Y couldn't be tempted though. Although some similar snaps have featured in the collages, I wanted you to see these a little bigger.

Since we returned Y has been so busy washing and ironing, I think her back will undoubtedly suffer. I managed a little gardening - tomatoes, weeding herb-bed, feeding and watering our courgette from which we enjoyed the first 'crop' today. Although small, picking them will allow the others room to expand. Very tasty they were too.

Some computer jobs and dealing with pictures have occupied my afternoon. I have deleted maybe seven in every ten - such is the joy of digital. It isn't good policy to delete any while in the camera - you can't see them well enough. But on a big screen - well !!

Picture 2 is the carp pond at Chartwell. I liked the swirls of fish and water, and those enormous guneras on the left. Very photogenic but best not handled too much - a rash ensues.

At one stage today the weather seemed promising, a little sun - but now the strong gusty wind is back and I have donned my smoking jacket for warmth.

My responses to your previous comments

Yvonne ..... I think we are in agreement about the holiday. Great ! And I'm glad your 'Battle of Britain' simulation was so good. I guessed it would be your sort of thing.

I can't see the attraction of Shopping Malls like Bluewater. You might just as well go down Nottingham, all the shops are there. And those 'milling-about' crowds of people.

Jill ..... The big shopping place near here is Meadow Hall, nr Sheffield and, although much smaller, but nearer is McArthy Glen. I suppose they have their place. In fact I must confess to a soft-spot for McCarthy Glen which, as such places go, is pleasant enough.

The swimming pool at the Hilton was well up to R's requirements and was deep enough at the deep-end for me at 5'10½" to be out of my depth. And, as you saw from the snap, quite comfortably large. And at the side of it a full equipped gym, with those apparent instruments of torture. He would probably have enjoyed the gym too? Certainly the Jacuzi.

Re collages - in the first one, top right corner, the pretty bridge was at Bluewater ! Sorry !

In the second one, your guess is correct = The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells.

Bob ..... I think Kitchen Shops always have a certain attraction, for we culinary dabblers.

My digestion is iffy at the moment, and I do suffer from bile. Y suggests I discuss 'gallstones' with the GP.

I didn't intend a double admonition re the Order of Mercy. I spoke to Peter earlier today. He has a photograph of his medal, and as soon as I have it to hand, publication will follow.

Glad you sorted your 'cargo trousers'. I never did find the receipt anyway.

Sandra is so lucky to have a wren as tame as that. Our wren is extremely timid and camera-shy.

....................................

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

While away I bought a selection of Thomas Hardy. I prefer him as a poet rather than as a novellist. This little extract sums up my feelings when I start to feel tired.

"Only a man harrowing clods
In a slow silent walk

With an old horse that stumbles and nods

Half asleep as they stalk."

Thomas Hardy

Sleep tight - hope to catch you tomorrow.

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Friday - Great holiday - Lucky with Weather

2009-07-17T18:38:00.008+01:00

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I thought a couple of 'collages' would be the best way to transmit the most information in the smallest space. The contents of the above picture more or less explain themselves. The bottom row are all from the Royal Dockyards at Chatham where we had a brilliant day. In the bottom right corner you can see the 'slip cover' which is applying for World Heritage status in its own right. Historic ships such as The Victory had their timbers laid there, and there they stayed until the wood had seasoned.

We spent some time also in the Royal Lifeboat Museum which Pete B would have enjoyed.

Our journey down was uneventful and the 'Tim Draper Holiday' system worked flawlessly. Our taxi arrived on time, our seats were comfortable. Our driver was Claire and our courier was Neil, both of whom we've had the pleasure of travelling with before.

The Hilton Hotel at Maidstone well justifies its 4 star rating and, if you open the link, the slide-show gives an accurate visual summary of the place. One couldn't fault the food, although I have decided that, for me, with my present fragile digestion, the simpler dishes on the menu suit me best. One breakfast time we witnessed an amazing event. A middle-aged lady (not of our party) literally had everything. Fruit juice, cereal, porridge, large (and I do mean large) fried breakfast followed by substantial continental breakfast with croissant, cooked meats and cheese, followed by more fruit juice, and then toast, then another croissant .... We gave up at this stage .......

We both slept very well. The swimming pool was good, although Y used it more than I did. I just went in the once and managed 4 strokes of dog-paddle. But I was surprised at my bouyancy - I just seemed to 'float' ha ha!

Later in our holiday came Chartwell and Royal Tunbridge Wells and, on the last day, The Imperial War Museum at RAF Duxford.

Chartwell of course, was Sir Winston Churchill's home and we had an interesting visit. Then came The Pantiles at Royal Tunbridge Wells which again we both loved.

The 'different shops' commended it to us. In so many town-centre shopping places one always gets M & S, Waterstones, John Lewis, and Next etc., - not so here. We found a lovely kitchen shop called Mottrams where I found some small glasses with handles, for tea with lemon but no milk etc.

On the last day, during the return journey, we visited the Imperial War Museum at Duxford and managed to spend several hours there.

Claire and Neil's decision to change first day/last day was inspired. The Bluewater shopping complex (first day) held little attraction for us whereas the War Museum (last day) could have occupied us for more than one day. We were lucky with the weather - bright sun, little cloud, and little or no wind (just enough to waft the wind-sock away from its pole) and there was so much to see. Y managed a trip in this Spitfire versus Messerschmitt 109
simulator.

I'll leave her to tell you about it in her 'comment'.

My responses to your previous comments

Bob ..... Admittedly I did not announce our forthcoming holiday in upper case. but I did say we were going away. Anyway - we are back now and it has been a most enjoyable experience.

Not the sort of holiday which lays one low for a fortnight thereafter.

I understand your '2nd post' remark now. The blog-clock seems to start the moment I put pen-to-paper and, if close to midnight, it is easy to be confused as to the actual day. It is possible to go into HTML to change the time but it is too much faff.

Pleased for your sake that the weather allowed you to avoid Alex's 19th shennanigins. Glad you enjoyed the 'snap' though, even if you over-did it. At the moment very small portions suit me. Not only is it better for my digestion but my weight continues to fall satisfactorily.

Pete B ..... Glad you enjoyed the Mark Twain bit (Tom Sawyer). I think the 'fence-painting' passage is justifiably famous and if it led you back to the novel I feel really chuffed !

The RNLI museum as mentioned above, was extremely interesting and I have more pictures to send you in due course. You are actually our only 'seafarer'. Having said that, Y has a rambling chum Dick Playfair, who served on the Arctic Convoys during the war. He is too old now for active rambling but they exchange letters around Xmas time.

Hope your joint exercise, with the helicopter, was a success. I haven't managed to scrounge enough time yet to visit your site and find out for myself.

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Quotation slot ...........

"Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for thats the stuff life is made of."

Benjamin Franklin

Brave man ! Some would say 'foolhardy' !

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Getting ready for hols - 70F - 2mph SE wind

2009-07-11T20:05:00.005+01:00

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The weather has been mostly cloudy but with occasional sunny bits. Fortunately no rain.

On the footie-field has been a kids day with everything from a Bouncy Castle to small football matches, roundabouts and performers doing turns. You could tell they were having a good time by the unmistakable noise of kids at play.

Alex has finished Derek & Betty's picket fence and very beautiful it looks too. He is so careful with alignment and design. I asked Derek if it was to be painted because, following on from my flat-pack mastery, I could see myself in a Tom Sawyer role! ..... Go on - open the link - it's a beautiful piece of prose !

But the fence is not to be painted; the wood has been treated and is guaranteed for 25yrs - although it may darken a little with age. The light wasn't good enough to do it justice so a better effort may follow. Such a pity about that awful green Virgin media box spoiling the look of the whole thing.

While I was at the front gate I photographed some more Clematis Vulgaris but again the light didn't allow me to capture the blue 100% accurately. The colour that you see, lacks the necessary richness of hue.

I'm so pleased that my INR level is 2.9 (i.e. almost perfect) and I don't need to be tested again till the 21st July, so we can relax while on holiday. This morning we nipped out for essentials and it is good to know there is a UHT version of Lactofree. I tried the Lactofree cheese, toasted on toast (Debra's recommendation) but it didn't appeal to me.

Joan was supposed to going on her hot-air Balloon flight this evening but it was cancelled. Apparently they only fly in clear, cloudless skies. When it is re-arranged I am looking forward to taking some photographs.

My responses to your comments

Bob .... I don't understand your rather delphic 'Second post?'

Re the Casio photo. No ! There was no false modesty. I thought the snap unsharp, messy and ill-defined. Only thing going for it was that it did the job of showing what the 'viewer' looks like. You are right in a way about its Roleiflex nature and it is also equipped with a x2 diopter. It enables me to get the camera level with a flower without bending down too far or adopting a position of prayer (christian or muslim) and my efforts so far are satisfactory.

I am surprised at your ignorance of Tim Berners-Lee and www - did you think it all just happened then, spontaneously ?

Jill .... We all learn something of value every day. Or should do. Until we atrophy and begin our final decline. Anyway I bet there's hundreds of things you know that I don't. Its the way of the world.

I remember when I erected our Billy that you commented that you had one. Most impressive that Ro will still tackle a flat-pack if necessary. You are quite right that it is things with drawers, especially when they have wheels and runners - I had to enlist the help of my glamourous assistant to pronounce about wheel positions at the opposite end to me. We got there though.

You have without doubt reached the correct decision with your tree stumps. If you wanted to, you can paint them with stuff that rots the wood away, even though I think it takes some time to work. But does it really matter ? As you say you can always stick a tub or a trough on top - or even make them a wildlife feature - don't put on the poison but encourage moss and lichens and even put a few logs thereon and create a haven for creepy crawlies. If you open the link you can read about the RSPB's approach to log-piles.

I am to be allowed my Asus Eee notebook. But mainly for dealing with my photographs. Mind you, with my Vodafone dongle, I could be on the internet in a jiffy ! I don't intend to though - wouldn't be fair to Y.

Anonymous Peter G ..... Thanks for the holiday good wishes.

When we return we shall look forward to hearing about your new Order of Mercy Award. I googled from what you have told me and I just hope against hope that the link I have provided is about the correct thing. If it isn't I shall correct my error as soon as I can.

Sincerest congratulations seem in order. You do such a lot of good work, which so few know anything about.

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Quotation time .......

"Come hither from the furrow and be merry:
Make holiday; your rye-straw hats put on
And these fresh nymphs encounter every one
In country footing."

Shakespeare - The Tempest 1V.i

"Sleep tight - enjoy your holiday from reading Radiogandy - I will be back towards the end of next week"

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

2009-07-10T20:42:00.007+01:00

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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

2009-07-10T00:56:00.008+01:00

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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

2009-07-07T19:43:00.010+01:00

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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.

....................................

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"

.

Quite cool - 55F - thunder & lightning tomorrow

2009-07-06T19:48:00.006+01:00

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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.

.................................

Quotation time .........

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

Samuel Johnson

"Sleep tight - hope to catch you tomorrow"

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

2009-07-05T21:09:00.007+01:00

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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.

...................................

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

2009-07-04T20:19:00.006+01:00

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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

Quick blog - computer problems - is it the heat ?

2009-07-03T22:08:00.003+01:00

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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

2009-07-02T15:50:00.007+01:00

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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.

...............................

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

.....................................

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

2009-07-01T20:31:00.006+01:00

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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 !

..............................................

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

2009-06-30T18:37:00.004+01:00

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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

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

2009-06-29T20:09:00.004+01:00

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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

2009-06-28T19:28:00.007+01:00

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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

2009-06-27T22:02:00.005+01:00

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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

2009-06-26T19:29:00.006+01:00

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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

2009-06-25T17:28:00.012+01:00

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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

2009-06-23T17:19:00.007+01:00

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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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Monday 22nd - 72F (phew!) - No wind

2009-06-22T18:44:00.009+01:00

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Picture 1 is of my Father's Day cards and although there isn't one from John he did ring, all the way from Lyons and it was great to hear him.

The cards were all 'thoughtful' because, as Tracy reports, it is nigh impossible to obtain cards which are neither twee, nor rubbish. I guess I must be a difficult father to please !

I was pleased they all succeeded as well as they did.

Our trip to Burton Joyce for the Barbeque was good and we were lucky the weather held. Y doesn't like 'children pictures' on the blog but they all looked great.

Hannah is rapidly becoming a very nice-looking young lady - why can't they just stop as little girls I wonder?

The garden looked good - which is mostly due to Alex's ministrations.

Unfortunately my tummy played-up again and I had to go indoors for a sit-down. I'm beginning to think quantity is as responsible as any particular foodstuff.

However, for lunch today, I cooked. My portion was one sausage, 1½ small potatoes, 2 broccoli florets, and 4 small chestnut mushrooms. No gravy. For pudding I had a small portion of mandarin orange flan which Hannah had made, with two spoonsful of Greek Yoghurt. And I kept it all down - even though I needed a rest.

In response to a query, Helen C forwarded a full and explanatory email from one of her choir colleagues. She thinks he is trying to persuade her to go from 'vegetarian' to full 'vegan' but there was loads of interesting material . And live links to sources, which is handy.

On the left is a picture of Lactofree from Morrisons - (Debra's recommendation).

Although still cow's milk, the enzyme which causes digestion problems has been filtered out. I can't tell the difference from ordinary semi-skimmed milk - honestly ! - and it certainly seems the answer.

According to the packet, the same firm produce yoghurts, cheeses and creams. The world is my oyster !

Mainly though, for me, the answer seems minuscule portions of things. Obesity Clinic - here I come again ! A Mies van de Rohe "less is more" approach to diet !

For tea today I had a slice of bread & butter (well - Bertolli olive-oil spread) and a dish of fresh fruit salad which Y had made. Delicious it is too. I could breakfast, lunch, and dine on it, which she says is a good because the recipe yielded a medium-sized pyrex full.

The tennis has started. Wimbledon fortnight has always been a highlight for Yvonne and she used to plan her holidays around it. Unfortunately our 15yr old star Laura Robson lost her match but put up a very creditable performance. We shall hear more of her in the future.

A good feature of our Virgin media is around 9 matches being broadcast simultaneously and the click of a button takes you from one to the other. Anything to avoid the 'grunting'. Apparently a referee can now warn a player under a 'match hindrance' rule. Lets just hope it happens because for many people. certainly Y and I, it renders a match unwatchable.

This morning I took Y to the Hayley Leisure Centre and got her officially registered. We have neglected to do it for several days. She learnt lots of things she can do - classes etc., some of which sounded interesting even though her main reason for joining is the recreational and fitness inducing swimming. You never know - she might start pumping iron, and sessions on the rowing machines, kick-boxing ????? ..... where will it end?

Alex has spent a full day in our garden today and has shifted an incredible amount of work. Several years' worth if I'd have tried to do it. Not that I could have done all of it anyway. Some was far to heavy

My responses to your previous comments

Bob .... You make an excellent point about freezing cooked chickpeas instead of the hummus itself. I have already bought the chickpeas but forgot the Tahini. Anyway I need really to look in my handwritten kitchen book for the proper recipe !

The main reason is that I found Morrison's own version far too bland. It needed another 4 cloves of garlic...... At least !

The other point is that, apparently, cooked chickpeas are a good 'staple' in other dishes too.

Jill .... Very witty about 'can't wait to get to 80'. Personally I think I'll just let it arrive. I'm not in a rush.

Yvonne .... Thanks for the 'blog-holder' comment.

As you suggest, within the next couple of days I must introduce you to the intricacies of my 'blogger-dashboard' and then you could act as a fully qualified deputy-editor.

You've gained so much confidence and expertise since acquiring you own laptop haven't you. By the way, at BJ, Hannah said she would like to come over again for a sleep-over and show you even more 'tricks of the trade'.

Tilly .... We did indeed enjoy our barbeque. And for pudding at lunchtime today, we had your orange flan. Super - very happy to have it again. We had greek yoghurt with ours instead of cream. But you need to be a greek yoghurt fan because it conveys a lovely sharp flavour.

Sorry !!! The parasol- squishing was entirely my fault ! Should have looked where I was going.

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Quotation slot .....

"No diet will remove all the fat from your body because the brain is entirely fat. Without a brain, you might look good, but all you could do is run for public office"

George Bernard Shaw

I've linked you to his Nobel Laureate page. He deserved it.

and finally - one of Ray's - in his spaceship

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Good trip to Long Eaton Carnival - the weather held

2009-06-20T17:32:00.005+01:00

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We arrived at Long Eaton just after 10.30am and sat outside David/Helen's to watch The Carnival go by. A good long procession with lots of floats. I've not shown many with kids on because parents can worry.

I was disappointed to see the Carnival led by Policemen in a van ! In my day we used to have an Officer at the front (on foot) 'pulling' and one at the back 'pushing'. Times change.

The floats were good - people work so hard. It was interesting to see no fewer than three DeLoreans ! Shame the concept didn't take off because the vehicles certainly had style. The elderly Barton's Coach was a joy. It actually looked luxurious with the antimacassars over the headrests. The regd.no. RVO 668L tells exactly how old it is and I hope someone will work it out for us.

After the Carnival had passed we had lunch. David had made some super stuffed Jacket potatoes and salad, followed by fruit tart. I'm sticking to my dairy-free approach and I feel OK. Still not 100% but getting there. My Father's Day prezzie is a hanging basket of petunias. They look good and when we got home I found a place for them to hang over by the garage. Pictures will inevitably follow.

Picture 2 is yesterday evening's sky at around this time i.e. 6pm-ish. Tonight's isn't so dramatic.

If you have a spare minute or so The Cloud Appreciation Society is worth a visit.

Apparently there's a new cloud formation around called 'Asperatus' and, if you open the link, you will be able to see some.

Personally I am more than a little suspicious, knowing what can be done in image manipulation programmes like Photoshop.

Maybe I shouldn't be such an old cynic but they just don't 'look right' to me. Views please !

Picture 2 in the series (see link) seems to owe more to Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' than to a record-shot of cloud formations.

Tracy has just arrived - she wants to be here in the morning for Father's Day, and John rang from somewhere north of Lyons. He says the weather is just starting to 'go off' abit and they are heading north, intending to sail back to UK on July 2nd. It will be good to see them when they get here. What a trip they've had !

My responses to your comments

Bob ..... I take your point about homemade/Tesco hummus. 'Bought' is certainly more convenient because I seem to remember that, when making it, I finished up with about a bucketful - and I only use a dessertspoonful on a piece of toast. Can you freeze it ? I can't remember.

It would be fun to make it again though !

Whether horses 'pull' with their collars or 'push' seems a classic case of Newtonian Physics. "To each action there is an equal and opposite reaction ....." and all that Jazz.

I seem to have known your chickens had names. But perhaps so did the Fox. And I certainly knew your chickens were egg producers because I have sampled the delights ..... Please accept our condolences.....

Whilst disliking scallops I am a keen roe-eater. The soft variety rather than the hard. I like them peppered and lightly fried in butter, with a dash of olive oil to stop it burning.

Jill .... You are right about the garden. It is full of joy at the moment. Once I get started I don't want to come in. But Y tries to keep me sensible about it.

When I was seconded to The Home Office (Police Federation and Discipline) my Region included Norfolk and Suffolk and Cambridge. I used to hold the regional meeting at North Walsham, and eat at Mundesley or Bacton (where the Oil Installation is).

Pleased you saw your 80yr old friend. 80 seems to be 'where it's at' at the moment. Our National Trust Friend Peter is 80 and last time they came over he wanted to get the mower out and do our lawns. And Yes ! he was serious. He's marvellous - but I had better spare his blushes because he is now a regular blog reader. He just wants a quick tutorial so he can start leaving ascerbic comments.

Quotation time ......

"A lawn is nature under totalitarian rule"

Michael Pollan

Normal Friday - 60F - 9mph NWesterly - Blood Test

2009-06-19T19:42:00.009+01:00

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Awake early this morning but not due to pain, just due to having had enough sleep. The centre picture in the above collage was the trellis and roses at around 6am. Lovely light - well worth getting up for. I waited for Y to get up and shared breakfast. Tried milk in my tea again, not a wise decision but I won't bore you with the details. I've consulted with Helen C and obtained several useful tips. I had forgotten how high in protein chick-peas are and I have remembered how I used to make Hummus with them plus Tahini and garlic. Helen also says eggs are a good standby.

Suffice to say that, during shopping we bought Soya milk. Weird stuff - it looks rather like Dulux Magnolia. But I've had several mugs of tea with it in and kept them down without a problem....... I had an INR blood test at 11am and the clinic have already rang to say my level is 2.8 which is good. No warfarin dosage change but I'm to be retested on Tuesday 23rd.

Also this afternoon I managed some time in the garden. My tomato plants, and the bird feeders needed attention. As I dealt with the bird-feeders the birds were impatient for me to 'be off' and as soon as I went about 10 yards away Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Great Tits, and Blue Tits immediately descended. No Sparrows or the Robin though. They won't be far away.

I made a start on the WoW>Picasa Web Albums job and have done the Bempton Cliffs trip - I shall do the Ashford in the Water outing tomorrow. If I get time, because we are off to Long Eaton a.m. for the Carnival followed by lunch.

The snap on the left is The Walnut Tree Shades Pub in Norwich which we mentioned. I've linked you to a page where other people have said what they think about the place. It seems the live music is v.good.

My responses to your previously crafted comments

Bob ..... I think it must be your perception of the Wells Quay which is remiss.

Wells was on our itinerary when we used to stay at Mundesley in the 70s and Frarys Fishmongers was certainly there then. No matter.

Re foodstuffs. I have also consulted Helen C and picked up some valuable tips particularly on protein-source alternatives to meat and dairy produce. Don't know if you remember but I have a good recipe for hummus which I used to make for the Nottingham Writers lads. The one the link shows, is Jamie Oliver, but almost identical to my own. Fortunately Y and I both love hummus.

I yield my position on their's.

Jill ..... Please see above re their's. Don't know what I was thinking of ! You are all correct.

Re : The Shire Horses. Pleased to hear that you set a good example to that lily-livered youth.

When I referred to hanging on to the horse's halter I meant, of course, his collar. On a heavy horse the collar is an enormous piece of leather worked art to which all the pulling equipment is attached.

Usually Yvonne is also concerned about 'shellfish' i.e. mussels, whelks etc., but she seems OK with crab, lobster, and crayfish tails. She had a bad experience in Egypt ! Apart from the 'camel' already mentioned.

Yvonne ..... Lovely story about the Milkman's Horse and I can understand your concern that he might nibble your toes. Our milk also was delivered by pony and trap with two big churns and two long-handled ladles (one full pint and one half-pint). The milkman was in fact Archie Stubb's mother. His parents/grand-parents owned the farm up near Bradley Wood which I will have pointed out to you.

As you say - a busy weekend. But with benefit of frequent 'kips' I shall be fine.

Roy ..... Thanks for your support over the Seafood Stall on the Quay at Wells.

You are quite right about the Deli ..... opposite and maybe 30 yards further down the road. A fascinating place. We also bought some Olive Oil based salad-dressing with Shallot and Orange. We tried a dash last night and enjoyed it. A little goes a long way.

Brancaster Staithe we remember with affection for probably the best strawberries we have ever tasted.

Like you, I can't understand the acclaim for Scallops. I too consider them tastless but worst of all so chewy as to be almost impossible to masticate into a swallowable consistency. Are you perhaps supposed to swallow them whole like oysters ?

I've tried them twice - to be sure I wasn't mistaken first time. And that will do for me and scallops.

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Quotation slot .......

"I never believed in Santa Claus because I knew no white dude would come into my neighborhood after dark."

Dick Gregory

We haven't closed with Grandma for a week or two - so here goes

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Y at BJ - Me quiet and messing about - 60F - Windy

2009-06-18T14:47:00.008+01:00

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Y has gone over to Burton Joyce as usual having managed a little rest yesterday. I stress 'a little' because whenever I saw her she was either using the washing-machine, tumble-drier, or ironing-board. Household equipment with which I seldom experiment.

Having been a long-term uniform wearer though, I can put a tidy crease into a pair of trousers - if necessary, but so seldom these days.

The snap on the left from Wells-next-the-Sea will please Norfolk Coast fans because this firm have been trading here as long as I can remember. And we certainly enjoyed our dishes of freshly dressed crab. He also had a small amount of freshly gathered samphire and I wish I had brought home a small amount to use with our salad today. But I fear it would have gone soggy and limp.

This morning I thought I was fully recovered even though still on the anti-biotics. In consequence I risked milk in my tea. Bad decision because the feelings of sickness immediately returned. I shall stick to my green-tea with lemon and black coffee for the time being. Is that CoffeeMate stuff diary free I wonder ? Must read the box carefully.

Having mentioned the Heavy Horses in their field I attach the above collage of two snaps from the bedroom window. Jill said she liked the idea, so here they are.

I note from my EXIF data a timing of 5.03am which accounts for the attractive lighting. As a boy (about 5yrs old) I was allowed to sit on the back of a super Shire Horse pulling a haycart, and holding onto the top of his halter tightly. The horse seemed enormous and I was so high in the air. Elf & Safety would probably prosecute the farmer these days but, there you are, I remember it vividly nearly 70yrs later.

The picture on the right is a collage of the front/rear of the packet of Smoked Maldon Sea Salt. I tasted a few grains this morning and it is certainly a subtle and interesting flavour. I'm preparing a salad for our evening meal which will be a good opportunity to try it out.

If my problem with dairy produce and meat continue I must consult Helen C and Bob's Sandra who are both experienced in the field. Missing out cheese long term would be the biggest problem. I feel that, with regard to meat, I am going off it steadily anyway.

I have heard nothing from my fellow WoW-ers and don't even know where they went on Wednesday. I'm sure I shall though in due course. If they haven't read the blog they probably don't even know I'm back. This evening I'll probably ring Reg....

My responses to your previous comments

Yvonne .... I wouldn't have rated the Walnut Tree Shades as the worst pub. My feet didn't stick to the floor for one thing, and there was no lipstick on the glasses.

And what about that IRA pub near Waterloo Station where the hubbub of conversation died when we walked in ?

I maintain my position over the greengrocers' apostrophe. My aim was to discuss 'their' Carnival and to say we would visit their's rather than our own. A moot point I think. Other opinions would be welcomed.

David ..... We too are looking forward to coming over to see your Long Eaton Carnival. I love the countdown timer at the bottom of the web-page. At the time of writing I have just 1 day - 20 hours - 11 minutes - and 27 seconds to wait.

It will be great to see you all and have a little lunch with you.

jbw ..... I can recall the house you mention and I agree with your assessment of its architecture. Unfortunately I didn't take a snap or I could have blogged it.

Jill ..... Just to clear up the point about the hotel food. It was very good indeed.

After the first morning I decided to leave the fry-up alone and have a more continental start to the day. Although the actual food was super the waitering was sloppy. You'd ask for toast and nothing would happen. Then you'd ask again and two lots would arrive. But minor irritants only. Some of the starters and puddings were exceptionally good, especially those based on sorbets.

I didn't complain to the Farm Shop because I can't quite be sure about the pork pie. And re-reading what I have just written about going off the 'fry-ups' I wonder if my tummy started to be iffy earlier.

We didn't like the singer in the purple tent either. I found neither her voice, nor the rest of her, at all attractive.

Bob ..... Please see above re food.

You are right about the weight-loss - I lost nearly 3 lbs. Not an attractive way to do it though.

Really sorry to hear about your chickens. Usually there is no doubt if it is a fox, due to the feather debris left behind.

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Quotation time ......

"The English country gentleman galloping after a fox - the unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable"

Oscar Wilde

Back home, back to normal - 60F - heavy rain

2009-06-17T15:01:00.003+01:00

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We seem to have been away ages but in fact just under a week. The Mansfield Centre of The National Trust's long weekend in Norfolk was a great success. The organiser, Jean, had done a super job and, as usual arranged for us to have excellent weather.

Our itinerary included so much of interest I think it best not to list them all. But we included stately homes and gardens plus the seaside.

Picture 1 is of Sandringham the Queen's country retreat and everything was in lovely condition. I spent more time in the gardens than the house.

Our seaside day was at Wells-Next-The-Sea where again the weather favoured us. We enjoyed fresh crab and Y discovered a delicatessen which deserves mention. A fascinating find and although I just went to look, inevitably I bought things. One notable purchase was Maldon Sea Salt (smoked). I use the ordinary all the time but I'm interested to encounter the smoked version. I shall report back.

Our room was exceptionally good with a magnificent view from our bay window. Looking right you could see the sea and looking front and left were lovely meadows, village houses, and a Shire Horse Rescue Station. In the mornings you could see the heavy horses in their fields.

We never had time in our busy schedule to fit in a visit to them. Perhaps next time.

On the return journey Jean's control over the weather only held out as far as our last visited place, Norwich where we had several hours. Some people visited the Castle, some the Cathedral, some, including us, just had a good mooch about. Just 20 minutes after we left Norwich the skies opened.

We stopped in a Farm Shop/Restaurant at Holbeach where I inadvisedly ate a pork pie. I think it had recently been defrosted - it was suspiciously cold to the touch. But, fortunately after dropping off Jean and Wendy, I just managed to get home before I was violently ill. Sickness, diarrhea and violent and uncontrollable twitching - at my request Y sent for the Doctor who was out making visits and called in. She prescribed anti-biotics and things for the sickness. By today I was well enough to go for my blood-test and I know my INR level will have gone haywire again. I was so ill I didn't take my Warfarin on Monday and the tablets prescribed will affect it anyway. I await the results with interest.

My replies to your previous comments

Jill .... Your keyboard is fine. Apparently the 'wireless' ones which transmit a signal to the PC leave enough space for cybercriminals to intercept and download account numbers etc.

Glad Ro's results were OK.

The bridge at Ashford in the Water is, without doubt, of the pack-horse persuasion.

Yvonne .... It seems well-dressings no longer are limited to religious themes and are simply works-of-art in their own right..

Bob .... I'm pleased your trouble is diagnosed as Achilles rather than DVT which is more serious. Colin Fletcher has DVT trouble and it has made him quite poorly.

There may be some mistake. Your Ashford-under-Water sounds post deluge. Our WoW trip was to Ashford-in-the-Water.

jbw ... I know Tissington very well, being an Ashbourne lad. My father's firm owned the village pub there.

Rob .... Thanks for your good wishes for Norfolk - all of which were fulfilled. We met a local in Norwich who directed us to The Walnut Tree Shades pub down an alley. Every word was intelligible - our objective was a quiet pub without juke-box and this was spot on.

Y may well say more in her comment.

Thanks for The Haiku from the Sports Desk. It is undoubtedly a gift you have there. Just wish for your sake there was some money in it.

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The fun-fare is arriving bit by bit on the Football Field opposite, prior to The Carnival on Saturday. But we are going over to Long Eaton to enjoy their's. Previously we have sat out on David and Helen's forecourt and watched it go by. Here's hoping the weather allows us to do so again.

Quotation time .....

"No man needs a vacation so much as the person who has just had one"

Elbert Hubbard

Some TV to watch tonight Y tells me, a programme about the Pre-Raphs on BBC 4 and a whole hour about The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition on BBC 2 at 7pm. Yvonne and I have always loved the Summer Exhibition and it must be about time for us to pay another visit.

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I don't believe I've shown you The Ducks yet

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Running late - sorry! - 58F - NW wind again.

2009-06-11T20:12:00.005+01:00

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I'm running late. Half way through packing. The 2 hrs I spent bedding-out in the garden this afternoon were tiring, but worth it. The plants wouldn't have been in a good state if I'd left them till our return. Derek and Betty returned just before 6pm and we were able to hand over their plants in good order. Derek has now taken over looking after ours.

So, basically please excuse my lack of responses to your comments. All will be tidied up when I next publish - sometime early next week.

Pictures 1 and 2 are from WoW on Wednesday. The Cricket Pavilion and Cromford Station both 'took my eye'.

The weather looks promising and we shall have a good time with our Mansfield National Trust chums in Norfolk. Please click here to see where we are staying.

A WoW of a WoW day - Bit of rain - but some sun too

2009-06-10T18:31:00.004+01:00

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Setting-off from here instead of Reg's seemed strange but we got underway quite early. Only four of us went - Roger, Brian, Mike and myself so we all travelled in the Yaris. And very well she did too, forging ahead up steep Derbyshire hills with 4 big blokes aboard, plus gear and my 'wheels' all without a whimper of complaint.

Ashford-in-the-Water, nr Bakewell was our chosen location and proved to be somewhat of a undiscovered gem.

I can't quite remember whether the instigator was Brian or Roger but, unbeknown to either the well-dressings were on. If you open the last link you will see photos of all the wells. I didn't take those. But I did take the one on the right which in our opinion was the best.

No photograph could do it Justice. It glowed, and, when you consider that the pictures are all worked with flower petals and other vegetative material, all you can do is stand back and be amazed !

There was so much to photograph even though at this particular time the light wasn't ideal. The chaps disappeared on their walk and I did the wells, the Church, some charming cottages etc. Then I downloaded them to my Asus note-book, and e-mailed Y a picture even though I knew she wasn't at home. She went to Burton Joyce today instead of tomorrow. Tomorrow she is off into Nottingham to meet Joan for lunch at The Bell.

My confusion over the dates wasn't helped when Joan Green rang to wish us all the best on our Norfolk trip starting on Friday, which she had thought was tomorrow. I won't go on..... One of you will ask me who the Prime Minister is ! I just know it will happen ! In any case, it's easy - it's Margaret Thatcher, anyfule know that.

On the way back I got a snap of the most idyllic village Cricket pitch I have seen for years. Probably I'll use it tomorrow but I am trying to limit myself to two photographs per day.

A security warning - The word from the streets is that, if you use a wireless keyboard you should revert to a 'wired' one. If you open the link and read the article you will see there is some risk of cybercriminals intercepting sensitive information between keyboard and PC.

I've never trusted or used Internet banking anyway. But I suppose there is always credit-cards etc., when buying online.

My responses to your previous comments

jbw .... I thought you must have gone into your 'tower', removed the hard disc and installed it in another machine or something. Thanks for clearing the point up.

My only criticism of Norton used to be that it was slow and clunky, and slowed everything else down with it. This certainly isn't the case anymore. It goes about it's business more briskly than AVG. In the field of Internet Security Eset Nod 32 is also well spoken of on WebUser forums and my chums on there are usually reliable.

Bob .... Thanks for you congrats. on the bird pics. Does 'chasing the Wren' have drug connotations like 'chasing the Dragon' ?

Norton 360 does have those links for us oldie bike-fans. I think Norton did a 350, although I suspect their smallest was a 500cc. AJS did a 350, because I owned one.

My pet AVG gripe was it's tendency to flash a small window about the size of a mobile phone in the middle of my screen accompanied by an irritating 'ping'. This window was blank except for the AVG logo in the top left hand corner. I never did discover what it was supposed to do, and now I've uninstalled the programme, I don't suppose I ever will. Am I bovvered? Do I look bovvered?

Dried plantain and saltfish ! Now that does sound exotic ! And fascinating !

Talking of recipes, my David speaks highly of the Videojug website. The site features 'how-to videos' about all manner of subjects. When we return from our Norfolk Nat Trust jaunt I aim to have a good play with it. I've linked you to the Food & Drink section but, as you will see, there are others...... I like the look of the Creative and Culture section for a start.

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Quotation time ..... Exotic made me think .....

"I love being in my garden. I don't plant a lot of exotic flora, but I do spend a lot of time outside doing manual labour. "

Jacqueline Bisset

I've always thought Jacqueline Bisset herself quite an exotic girl who has been in some v.good films. The IMDb site I've linked you to, includes other links to trailers and I thought, if you were bored .......

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Blood test - Karen day - Still cool and windy

2009-06-09T20:16:00.005+01:00

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My blood test was before 9am and I was back home by 8.50am - Sheila the phlebotomist is so quick and reliable, and, it being 3 weeks since she had seen me she immediately said she could see I had lost some weight and it suited me. Well .....

Then Karen arrived and Y and I went to Jacksdale Garden Centre for some plants mainly for the ringaround bed in the front lawn. Oo0-er, if you open the link you will find a decent website. Obviously most pubs can't do it but garden-centres can.

We did a little shopping (good time to go - very quiet and unhurried and plenty of parking spaces). By the time we got back Alec had arrived to do some heavy jobs in the garden.

This afternoon I finished off de-weeding the ringaround and planted most of our newly acquired plants. They were in good order and nicely rooted. It's going to be a hotchpotch of little groups of geraniums, asters, petunias, lobelia and french marigolds. With Alec working in one part of the front garden and me working in another, the robin was 'spoilt for choice'. Wherever the most recently turned soil was, he was there. The photo on the left was the best I could manage. (a) he didn't like the camera and (b) brown birds don't show up well against brown soil.

I'm enjoying my little forays into the garden. Y is concerned lest I overdo it (as I do most things) but it IS good exercise, and from my kneeling mat I can't fall down very far. By-the-way I forgot to tell you but yesterday, the Dentist was very pleased with Y's teeth. "You really do look after your teeth don't you?" was his judgement as he told her no remedial wotk was necessary.

Although more guarded than the Robin about my presence Mrs. Blackbird decided the pickings were too good and plentiful to ignore.

The snap on the right demonstrates even more the problems of brown birds against brown backgrounds. Never mind - just a record shot anyway.

Y is also suffering aches & pains, and back-ache and we both needed a lie-down. But, due to Alec being here we decided one of us should stop up. Y took the first watch and then after an hour, I toook the second. It's abit much when you have to have naps in shifts !

Alec has promised us another day's work next week, probably Wednesday or Thursday by which time we shall have returned from our Norfolk break with Mansfield National Trust. We are really looking forward to it but unfortunately Peter and Joan aren't going.

WoW tomorrow. In Reg's absence, people are to meet here at the usual time. No decisions yet as to venue. Hope the weather is friendly.

My responses to your previous comments

Bob ..... AVG is OK but it kept flashing messages at me ! My new Norton (effectively free!) beavers away quietly in the background and also offers me secure online storage space.

My first experience with headphones was a crystal-set I managed to build from a kit and I was allowed to have it in my boyhood bedroom. You see I was a radio fanatic even then ! Then you are right, I did have to use them during my National Service.

Jill .... I think we are all getting more accustomed to the new crossword compilers at The Telegraph. The way they flag anagrams, and sound-likes etc., is subtly different. Today I think there's a 'sound-like' flagged as 'noisily' which I thought quite clever.

What a shame your friend can't take an interest in the garden birds. Now they really do sound exotic. Parakeets and a Green Woodpecker. Brinsley wouldn't be ready for that.

By-the-way, rose varieties with multi-bloomed stems are usually called 'floribunda'.

Pete B .... A pleasure to plug your site. Unfortunately Reg is still on holiday but he is a 'red arrows' fan and in fact all aircraft. He is also a keen aero-modeller. Wow-ee, another link there well worth opening.

Rob ..... Nice to see you. I agree with your points overall and your concerns about the County Council in particular. Tracy says how helpful Labour have always been to her and her Arts Administration department. I wouldn't expect much from the Tories in that respect. She now has 140 people working for her and really fears cutbacks.

Y spoke to Margaret this morning and some interesting news about 'Lachs'. With The Panthers Coach's approval he is being 'poached' by Manchester. The Panther's coach feels the experience there will be very good for his career. Also he is having part-time release so he can go to Manchester University at the same time. Margaret of course refers to him as Robert and is very pleased for him, and proud of him too.

Its early days but I like the look of Norton 360.

I accept that compared with Tesco my earphones were pricey. But 'hey ! why not push the boat out ?

I agree - The Haiku certainly creaks abit.

jbw .... I'm mystified as to how you managed to uninstall Norton when you couldn't boot-up your computer.

I agree McAfee is good. And their SiteAdvisor is useful so long as not taken as gospel. Some of the sites they accord green, amber, or red ticks to, haven't been checked by them for a year or more.

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Quotation time .....

"The haiku lets meaning float; the aphorism pins it down"

Mason Cooley

Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow - and, just for Rob -

I think it was one of his in the first place !
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A pleasant relaxing day - 57F - 7mph NEasterly

2009-06-08T18:37:00.004+01:00

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Picture 1 is the old -fashioned Shrub Rose. We have no idea of a name but she does well each year.

Even though its been an easy-going sort of day we seem to have done lots. After breakfast and a good go at the Crossword (finished mid-afternoon) I managed an hour in the garden - my herb bed is more or less complete and the main task now is clearing out some very overgrown vinca minor.

Y decided to go swimming so I took her to the Hayley Leisure Centre and she walked back via the Headstocks.

She managed 10 lengths and has told you herself about the annoying Aqua Club old women who can't swim and just stand there occupying water-space !

For lunch I did a Quorn mince-substitute Spag.Bol which was OK - certainly not more and Y did jelly and greek yoghurt plus a little compote for pudding which redeemed the meal. This afternoon Y was at the Dentists and I did some computer jobs. The main one was uninstalling AVG (I've never liked it and it expired today anyway) then I installed Norton 360 which seems fine. I got 3 licences when it came with my new Dell laptop. Gone are the days when Norton was slow and clunky and slowed everything else to a crawl. This version suffers from none of that.

Picture 2 is of a sparrow on the nut-feeder. A common-or-garden House Sparrow I think, unless anyone knows better.

The weather has been so variable again. You look at the sky and think that it is going to pour, then 10 minutes later you are in bright sun.

While Y was actually in the Dentists I went to the Computer shop and bought some new earphones to fit my Sanyo DAB Radio/MP3 player. The were quite cheap, £4, but as my listeneing is restricted to the spoken word there was little point in posh expensive ones.

My responses to you previous comments

Jill ..... I bet your 'donner & blitzen' at 7am was quite scary. I'm not sure if the weather really is unusual or whether it sometimes is like this in June.

Re the Kalanchoe - I think I decided that, having done so well, it deserved the reward of the gravel in the saucer. Probably it is good for plants. acting as a slow release source of moisture but I'm not convinced it's essential.

Sorry to hear about the rain damage to your Albertine rose. I'm hazarding a guess that it will be a 'white' and, as a generalisation they don't seem to like wet weather at all. We had 'Iceberg' once but gave up on it for the same reason.

Bob .... I get over the foot-washing problem by sitting on the bathroom box and giving them the once-over with a flannel. JC never seems to be around when you need him !

Re 'infuser' names. I don't like 'mashball' at all. Sounds too much like something to do with Robocop.

Yvonne .... How philistine to describe Waiting for Godot as a load of rubbish. It is great play and, as you know, I rate Beckett.

jbw .... Thank you for your sweet comment about Millicent and big-school !

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Quotation time .......

"Education is a method whereby one acquires a higher grade of prejudices"

Laurence J Peter

Sleep tight - I'll catch you tomorrow

Torrential Rain - Heating On - 47F - 6mph NE wind

2009-06-07T17:25:00.008+01:00

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Whoops ! I think yesterday's blog-post should have read 'Quiet Saturday etc.etc..'

Fancy getting my days mixed up. Some social worker will be asking me the name of the Prime Minister next ! ..... I'm surprised one of my regular commenters didn't mention it though.

Picture 1 is from David's Caravan Holiday at the Peterborough site and weren't they lucky to have such lovely weather. (I love that strong diagonal D.)

Today has been awful here but Y spoke to Debra who was enjoying a warm sunny day.

That's England I suppose. But I wouldn't want to swap it.

There was a lull in the weather around 9.45am and I managed a little while in the garden. After clearing some more of the 'herb bed' I transplanted a sage plant which had become potbound in it's pot.

I split it into 3 and gave each one some space and I'm expecting them to prosper. Our fearless Robin came to within a few inches of my kneeling mat and managed to find beaks-full of grubs where I couldn't see any. He/she would go back to the nest and then come back for more.

Picture 2 is a Kalanchöe which David and Helen brought Y on Mothering Sunday (22nd March) - the photograph was taken yesterday. Hasn't it done well ! Between us we have given it care though - dead-heading and keeping it trim.

I think 'succulents' do perhaps have a longer flowering life-span than other houseplants. Except of course for the current varieties of Orchid.

We've had a pretty standard Sunday. Leisurely start with the weekend supplements, out shopping to Lidl. We were going to do Morrisons as well but in the end we gave it a miss. It wasn't worth getting soaked for.

Over lunch we watched (Y wasn't keen but she was happy for me to watch it) an excellent programme on Arena (thanks to iPlayer) about T.S.Elliott. It certainly held my interest and, unless reminded, one forgets how important he has been to 20th/21st Century Poetry. He must have been a helluva' fella because in whatever job he did he was destined for the top. A top level banker for Lloyds. An excellent publisher/editor of Faber & Faber. Seamus Heaney was an important part of the programme and I always find him a joy to watch, and listen to too.

This afternoon I did some photographic printing. Possible now after Brian's good offices.

Picture 3 is also from David. As he says - the blog tries to cater for all interests. This must be part of the Nene Valley Railway which has a station as part of the Ferry Meadows Caravan Club site. Or a level crossing near it.

Talking of catering for all interests as Pete B says in his comment, the TT races are in full swing, except of course for the bad weather delays.

Please click here for a full update and some great pictures. I love the sidecar snaps Pete.

And bear in mind Pete is not really a 'bike' fan so his coverage on his site is by way of a public service to us blog-readers. I love the way bloggers side step the media, and editors - they really are 'power to the people' organs.

My replies to your previous comments

Jill .... I suppose it must be a 'tea infuser'. I was hoping it would be called something more exotic. Perhaps someone could invent a more flamboyant name.

We too are great 'English Breakfast' fans. Usually Mr. Twinings. It's base is Assam and, as you will see from the link it is described as full-bodied and a fine accompaniment to breakfast.

I think the behaviour of bus passengers is inevitably a product of area. And without wishing to sound snobbish I think Chiswick probably has the edge over Eastwood and Arnold.

Bob .... We also were relieved that the BNP councillor lost her seat in our ward. So did Labour. The Tories won it. I just hope they don't start boggering up our local services because we think the Labour Council have been pretty good...... But Labour Councillors have lost their seats all over the country through no fault of their own,

Bright idea using your tea-infuser for herbs. I'm certainly going to borrow that one.

Yvonne ..... You make a fair point about tea-bags. I think that, like so many things, they have improved greatly in recent years. Definitely not 'dust' anymore.

Pete B ..... Thanks very much for the 'word from the streets' about the TT races.

As you will see above I have included a link to your site.

David .... Thanks very much for an excellent story about JD in his Night-Club management days.

For the benefit of other readers - JD is a friend of David's from School Days. Unfortunately now he is an M.S. sufferer but struggles on gamely. He is also a talented artist.

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Quotation time .....

"For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver. "

Martin Luthe r