Karen Day - 66F - Full Moon - Aldi

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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

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Saturday at home - lotsa jobs - 74F - humid

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

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

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

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

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

Help please someone ?

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

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

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

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

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

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

My responses to your previous comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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Quotation time .......

"Punctuality is the politeness of Kings"

Louis XV111 of France

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Quick blog - computer problems - is it the heat ?

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

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

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

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

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

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


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



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

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

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

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

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

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



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A pleasant relaxing day - 57F - 7mph NEasterly

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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

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Gale-like gusts abated - E at 5mph - 15C - Peaceable Sunday

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John texted me yesterday evening to say they had now reached the Dordogne and were enjoying this delightful site for their camper-van.

Abutting the River Dordogne the site seems to merit John's description of 'blissful'.

And their weather seems good. As this website says, May is a good month to be there.

My morning entailed inching a little further up the Windows Vista learning-curve on my new Dell. But I'm getting there. Basically the system does the same job as XP but things look different. So far I'm sure, all the errors have been mine rather than the system or the laptop.

I arrived at Long Eaton shortly after 10am and it was great to see everyone. They all looked really well, no doubt due to all that fresh air, and chips, at Whitby. David showed me a slide-show of their pictures. Fortunately, this time, they remembered to take a camera. My eye was drawn magnetically to the Doll's House which, as Helen said, undergoes change on a regular basis. It's a lovely hobby - they make things for it, and acquire bits from fellow enthusiasts and is certainly full of interest.

We sat on the new patio for coffee and cakes and then the girls wanted me to see their latest Wii game, basically it's a 'Mario' and involves controlling vehicles tearing around at breakneck speed and collecting points. They both seemed very good at it - I would be absolutely hopeless. They were kind enough not to press me. Their other grandad, Helen's Dad, has been cajoled into 'having a go' and from the sound of it - he's pretty hopeless too.

I asked for an outside shot of the Doll's House because I liked the window-cleaner's barrow and ladders. All absolutely precise to the 12th scale. When I got home I decided on a kip and now feel rejuvenated. When I woke up it was tea-time so I made a pot of tea and had a slice of bread & butter with jam on it. We've discovered a delicious cherry jam at Lidl, called Marlene. What a nice name for a Jam !

My responses to your previously crafted comments

jbw ..... I'm a supporter of our old imperial measurements. I can just about visualise a speed based on travelling 15 miles in an hour. '2lbs' is also understandable to me - I think of 2 x bags of sugar. But how the hell can you visualise 450 of anything ?

Tim has a lively sense of humour - and more powder to his blunderbuss ! The Weather Centre at Watnall is innocent !

Jill .... I should have realised it was you and accepted your 'anonymous' comment rather than deleting it. Anyway - sorted now !

I think you can be sure that Y won't have been ballet dancing. She would though, if one of her little darlings needed her to.

You are quite right. Anyway - what's wrong with pyjamas, or dressing gowns al fresco ?

Thanks for the real-life contribution to The Sports Desk. Enthusiasts in any hobby are always a strange bunch. I think P. J. O'Rourke once said there was a definite whiff of either the lynch-mob or lemmings about them. Whatever the hobby !

Hope you and Y's meet-up works out tomorrow. It will be fun.

Yvonne .... How lovely to be receiving your comments - from Palmers Green !

I agree about the jaw-dropping nature of observing the young at their computers. Even Millicent at 4yrs.

Good fun to hear about your perfectionist approach to your Wisteria photos. Your camera is certainly equipped with an excellent lens, so we can't be doing with inferior results !

Bob ..... Weeding can so easily be put off, and put off, as you say. But, when you have actually knuckled down and done it, the result is rewarding.

I agree that 'vegetarians are mostly nicer'. Helen C being a case in point - Ha Ha!

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Quotation time ......

"Rogues are preferable to imbeciles because they sometimes take a rest"

Alexander Dumas

Alexandre Dumas, père, looks like an excellent candidate for our 'good hour in a pub' test. The photograph, mid 19th Century, would probably be a 'daguerrotype'. With that sharpness of the detail it certainly looks like it

Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow - new car day !

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Action-packed Tuesday - still a coldish wind

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Thought I'd better start with the Great Tit chicks, courtesy of Y, from Steve's Telly. Shame the nest-box camera isn't colour because you can just imagine those wide open yellow gapes. But gosh, the technology is wonderful enough anyway and who am I to knock Black & White ? Roy would probably say "It looks better anyway"

Nice photo Y and it records where the little family are now at.

This morning I had my regular blood test and then Brian came to sort out my printers. And what a difference he has made. We did a print on my old Epson (after he'd got it going) and then he adjusted the colours, minus a little magenta to rid the clouds of a pinky tinge, then adjustments to cyan and yellow to rid the greens of a blue-ey cast, and the difference is truly remarkable. And he decided that the problem with the HP was probably simply that the black cartridge had expired.

This afternoon I was at the obesity-clinic and I have regained over 2lbs. At least it reassured my 'advisor' that my weight-loss IS due to changing the amount I ate and not due to some underlying or worrying cause. So, back to more rigorous eating habits.

Picture 2 is part of the steel-band from yesterday and is again, courtesy of Y's new camera. The band was actually about 3 times this size and filled the rest of the stage to the left (the bit shown was about a third).

TJ had organised this item, see Y's comment. And all in all the event was a great success and Steven in his role as Chairman, did extremely well. But Oh Boy ! did he work hard. Well done.

I enjoyed my picture-judging contribution which, Steve assured me had "gone down a storm!" - (I think that is good?) and that everyone had much appreciated my hand-written comments on their entry cards. I only put comments on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in each category - not on all 50+.

Picture 3 is from David and family at Whitby. They have returned now but had a super time.

They caught crabs and enjoyed the Morris Dancers.

Their Caravan was based at Low Moor nr Sneaton and, from the look of the website, seems well up to normal Caravan Club standards. Which ARE high and well justify the annual subscription in my opinion.

As David says re Robin Hood's Bay/Whitby I would have speed-control difficulties going down the hill to the sea-front. He says nothing about the return journey.

This evening was the last National Trust Tuesday lectures of the winter season and was an excellent talk, with films and slides, by Stuart Rose about the Historic Village of Laxton which is still farmed on the medieval 'strip system'. Stuart is Trustee of the Visitor Centre, among other responsibilities which you will understand better if you open the link. Lovely website which is a credit to its author. He came with 'assistants' and I suspect that the lady operating the Microsoft Powerpoint programme was that person.

Laxton is only a few miles from Bob and I believe he knows Stuart Rose.

We saw Peter and Jean and Colin and Margaret, Wendy and and and -- too many to mention. There was a certain attraction to being able to sit and gossip without tearing up raffle tickets, counting money, making notes to thank the speaker and all of Y's previous multifarious jobs.

Tomorrow I'm hoping to WoW and, as usual we are meeting at Reg's just before 10am to decide on a 'place to go'.

My responses to your previously made comments

Helen C .... Trust me ! The Atrium picture will do well for you.

Re words ..... 'Lapidary' seems a fair swap for 'Eidetic' (in your e-mail)

Garages are strange things. Y always hopes that ours can remain tidy whereas I consider it a place in which to store things. I think Reg once said that you keep lengths of wood knowing you will need them one day. And then when you do, each piece is just 6 inches too short. Most young people think it reasonable to have £12,000 worth of car standing on the drive whilst the garage is full of £120 worth of junk.

Yvonne .... Thanks for your report on the Carnival. A great success indeed. And great credit to your boy.

Bob ..... Thanks for your Gar(b)age photo. Space limitations are the only reason it isn't 'blogged'.

Like you my knowledge of Rimbaud is limited. I suppose I must have read something of his, in an anthology or something. But nothing that hit me between the eyes. His wiki page describes him as a French libertine and a restless soul - so he might be worth a dib into.

Pete .... I think Y could set up a garage-tidying service ! But its the travel you know and I'm not sure I could release her just at the moment.

Thanks for the swing bridge picture. Again - pressures of space ......

Jill ..... Thats a good thing about 'Golden Slumbers' - it seems to have spawned a host of versions.

Re Yvonne and Garages...... I'm afraid she can't be spared at present. Far too much to do looking after me. I hope your planned 'meet' comes to pass while she is down your way. And I know she would really like to see Barbara again.

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It's nearly 11pm and I'm too tired to dig out a quotation


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Easter Saturday - Millicent's 4th - 49F 2mph E wind

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Shortly after 10am Y disappeared with Tracy to go to Millicent's 4th birthday thrash at Manor Farm at East Leake.

The Farm is full of fun things for children to do. Birds and animals to stroke, donkeys to ride, walls to climb - phew !

Picture 1 shows Y with a tame Owl called Misty. I had my doubts at first but was assured that the birds have all been rescued from bad conditions where they have been mistreated and starved and stuff. So I guess Manor Farm is better. Y says they all seemed happy enough.

Millicent is going through an "I love ponies phase" so, poor Steven, I guess it is just a matter of time.......

I was excused duty and left at home to mess-about, which I managed to do plenty of.

My Reg Cure problem is well in hand and I have sent the firm the 'Scrn Prts' they need to diagnose what's holding things up. I also spent several hours spring-cleaning My Pictures, moving old picture material to Ext Hard Disc, rationalising folders and things - all jobs which have needed to be done for some time.

Also sorted out Picasa WebAlbums re WoW material.

Photo 2 is by way of another photographic experiment. Y had thrown out a posh bottle of bath gunge with a spherical glass stopper and, as it was waiting to go into the appropriate re-cycling box, I noticed that the top was acting as a lens. So I had a play with it. More will follow.

David texted me to say they had arrived at Stanmore Hall Touring Site near Bridgnorth and they had settled in comfortably. The website looks most attractive and I'm sure they will have a great time.

When Y and TJ returned I cooked the promised lamb-chops, a rather delicate eschallot-sauce, pan-fried potatoes, carrots, fine beans and purple-sprouting. Much praised and even though I sez it as shouldn't ...... Some nice fancies for pudding and TJ found room for some stilton and fudges 'thins' for a final course.

My responses to your previous comments

JBW .... People do so enjoy their caravans and your friends pursuits seem harmless enough.

Re the 'smiley'. I keep my eyes open and wherever I see a promising looking 'icon' or 'animation' I simply right-click it and 'save as'. Then, when it is in My Pictures, I have a folder called 'current icons' in which I store them. The 'caravan' came originally from Rob I remember.

I also subscribe to a file-hosting site called Walagata. Please click and I store lots of different material from documents to icons and animations there. The idea of a file-hosting site is not only storage but anything you store there is given a URL (http etc..) which means I can post a link either on the blog, or in an e-mail etc.. Although the package I have with Walagata is a paid-for one there are several free ones around.

Bob ..... I suppose 'looking forward to forecasts' is the only option really.

Obviously you are right about the background to the freesias but it was only a record-shot, as usual.

Jill ..... Y and I both love freesias ! The scent is intriguing and quite unmistakable.

I'm sure the History of Guernseys would stand serious research. This site please click makes them sound most attractive. The oiled wool sounds just the thing for serious outdoor activity but, as you say, it must have been the very devil to knit.

Rob .... You will be most welcome to borrow the Weather Forecasting book ! It is, as I think I said, unputdownable ! Its emphasis is perhaps a little 'coastal' but all the explanations are fascinating. The first thing to do is to stand with your back to the surface wind and then, look up to see what the upper clouds are doing etc.. etc...

Thanks for your concern and, as you will derive from all the above, I am feeling much rested. Plenty naps. But the day-length is confusing me. I wake up at say 6.30 and the only clue whether it's morning or evening is pyjamas or underpants.

You are right about the 'still-lifes' and backgrounds. Simple carelessness Sir ! I'll do better next time.

Thanks for the update to the Sports Desk.

Helen C ..... We must use our sunrise/sunset gadgets to find the best time to photograph the Hucknall Miner. I'm so glad that you like it too. Great piece of work !

I'm sure that, with some careful planning, we can minimise the effetcs of the surrounding clutter.

Glad you liked the Shakespeare quote. It seemed germane.

I don't know if you saw this site please click when I posted details of it the other day. Although at first sight it looks like a simple rhyming dictionary it is in fact much much more. If you enter your word and then click the down arrow at the side of the 'find rhymes' box there is a drop-down menu of all other goodies. Including Shakespeare, And then, when it has found your word in Shakespeare, you click 'the play' at the right hand side and the whole scene unfolds before your very eyes.

Fancy 'knock, knock whos there?' being Shakespearean.

I can play with it for hours.

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Quotation time .......

"The midwife wonder'd and the women cried
O, Jesus bless us, he is born with teeth"

Shakespeare - King Henry V1 Part 111

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow - weather looks dodgy though"


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No real blog today.

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Happy Easter everyone !

I've had a really busy day. Over at BJ this morning for Millicent's fourth birthday, then Blood Test at 12.30pm, then computer jobs, sort out WebAlbums and WoW - Y stayed on at Burton Joyce

David and Sky and Brooke called in to bring us this lovely home-made Easter Cake. Helen was taking her Dad's car back.

Then Tracy brought Y back, and only now at 9.30pm have I had a window. But I am too tired to climb through it.

I shall respond to all your super comments tomorrow.

David and family set off tomorrow for their big Shropshire Holiday. Sleep tight !



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Tuesday Karen day - 55F SW at 8mph - Shopping

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Yesterday on our Codnor Reservoir walk we saw this Coot's nest. Obviously comfortable enough to sit in but not quite complete.

If we assume that Mrs Coot is sitting in the nest Mr Coot was bringing quite large reed leaves in his beak. These were graciously received by Mrs Coot who set them around her.

I wasn't lucky enough to snap the actual handing-over bit. Charming scene though.

Today we decided against a walk because of an 'obesity-clinic' appointment and we also decided against National Trust this evening. I'm waiting to see if the clinic change my warfarin dose and don't want to venture out unnecessarily. It is the first time for years when we haven't had to go.

The 'obesity-clinic' lady is very pleased with my progress. I have lost a further 2 kgs (4.40lbs) which she considers a good result. I have to go again in a fortnight but then it may be modified to monthly visits.

Picture 2 is the Ring doves in the Silver Birch tree and I'm not sure what to make of it. They are usually in pairs and I'm not sure Brinsley is ready for a dove 'Ménage à trois' just yet.

Virgin media problems continue, both TV and Broadband. Sometimes we have to shut-down and reboot several times a day

One of today's problems though was due, we think, to Karen being a little vigorous with the hoover at the back of the TV. In the absence of a picture, closer examination revealed a scart-lead detached. David has told us we really need a multi-jack scart lead to take stress away from the existing ones. We will get one on Friday. Tomorrow we are hoping to go to Clumber Park for our wedding-anniversary outing and a meal.

My responses to your previous comments

David ..... I 'googled' the Wineglass Dinghy and they don't look as nice as your Topper Buzz. In fact I thought that, in comparison to your boat, they look rather boring.

And I also looked briefly at the handicap system - but didn't pursue it.

Bob..... Hope all was well with your 'endoscopy' and they get to the bottom of it.

We intended to watch The Book Quiz over our mid-day meal. But please see above re Virgin problems.

Y had a good time googling Ashes series, and teams (players) names this morning. I think she is beginning to grasp the power of the internet.

I like your FA interest in soccer. Me too ! And No! I didn't rise to the dizzy rugby heights of Harlequins. My limit was playing for the Police (Notts) the RAF in Germany and here a County Trial (unsuccessful).

Jill ..... Celandines are no trouble to anybody and I can't understand the RHS's strictures. Creeping-Buttercup now IS a problem. We spent many hard hours eradicating it, or trying to, at our Derby Road house.

Reg has answered your mining queries so I won't go over the same ground.

Yvonne ..... Going over to Swarkestone to see David & Helen sailing, plus the girls would be very pleasant. We must mention it directly.

Reg ..... You make a very good point about the cost of tickets to first class Cricket in the 50s and before. My pocket-money wasn't large but I was able to go.

Being Derbyshire of course, Cliff Gladwin, Les Jackson and earlier Bill Copson were my schoolboy heroes. When the daily paper had been read I used to cut out the cricket results from the back page and paste them into an exercise book.

If Dennis comes on the blog we must tell him that, under the new rules, he will have to be Dennis now and not Incy Wincy.

Tilly .... Nice to have you back and hear your news Hannah. You are being very brave with regard to your teeth.

Glad you liked the 'headstocks' pictures. I seem to remember that you took a picture of Brinsley Headstocks for a competition and it did well. If it is easy for you to access it and you could e-mail it to me, I would be delighted to publish it on the blog.

It will be nice if you can meet up with the Long Eaton folks when you are in Dorset.

Pete .... Glad you liked the canal picture. I'm sure there will be more as the year progresses.

AnonymousHelen .... Kind of you to ring to explain the blogger.com-glitch. There seems to have been a lot of them just lately.

However, when you mentioned Julian in your last sentence, it was a sort of clue !

I agree with you about the nit-picking attitude to the 'listing' of the headstocks. I think we have all seen 'listed' buildings with quite modern windows in them for instance. Probably Bob knows much more about this than I do.

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Another cartoon form Squiffy's Multiple Scleroris website

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Quotation time .......

"There cannot be any more crises this week. My schedule is already full"

Henry Kissinger

and thanks again to Ray for this 'smiley' he knew the gears working would appeal


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Out for a walk - 52F - 3mph SW wind

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I’m doing this in ‘Word’ because we still have no internet connection via Virgin, although I can get online with my Vodafone device.

As Y so expressively puts it “It is good when a man can rely on his dongle”.

Virgin/NTL has been off since early afternoon yesterday and although most helpful the engineer this morning said there were ‘issues’ in the area but it should be back on by 6pm. We shall see.

It has been a pleasant day and mild, but a cool breeze. We decided on a walk (with wheels) and went to one of our favourites – the old railway track which goes past the old ‘headstocks’. Our lovely council (not being sarky because they are generally good) have done much work in tidying-up and cutting-back. They have even gone to the expense of having hedges properly layered.

Due to starting in 'Word' it seems that the font is going to be all over the place but should be readable. The problem in completing today's post in 'Word' is access to your comments and the insertion of pictures.

Picture 2, much enlarged and cropped, is I believe, a Comma butterfly but am willing to give way to anyone who knows better.

I've tried to draw attention to where the commas protrude from the rear wings.

My responses to your previous comments

Jill .... Thank you for your kind comment and I'm glad you would do the same with regard to the Fentanyl. I know Bob is a 'grit your teeth and suffer' person and so is Sandra, but I'm not although Y has tendencies that way. I shall try to remain as sharp as poss.

Your "Old Age is not for wimps" is brilliant and will be stored in the RG Book of Aphorisms.

I went into the front garden this afternoon to take a closer snap of the kerria for Bob and different from yours, ours doesn't look very well at all. The foliage doesn't look in good spirits. Perhaps they have a limited life-span and ours must be quite old. Re the apparent 'arrangement' by the way - it was just two bunches split into 3 vases. It wasn't intentional because the buds were closed on purchase.

Bob ..... I think either version of the Sisyphus story will do.

Thanks for your further contribution to The Sports Desk. I really wish I knew what you are talking about. I'm more at home with Sisyphus and 'marching men up to the top of the hill and then marching them down again'.

Reg ..... Indeed - when is a pie not a pie ? I agree with you and your friend. A pie should have a top, bottom and sides. Maybe 'cottage pie' is 'the exception which proves the rule'. friend.

Nice to hear the inside story behind the picture. And to see your balusters etc., actually in being.

JBW .... Your 'medication' sounds worse than any of us. As Jill astutley remarked "Old age is not for wimps".

My grandmother however, used to say "A bit of pain is good for you, it lets you know you are still alive".

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Quotation time ......

"Pain is as diverse as man.

One suffers as one can."

Victor Hugo.....

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Funny Friday - Fentanyl increase - 57F 2mph SW

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The view from the office window is beginning to look more summer-y I think. The tree in the top left corner is one of our favourites and is breaking leaf most attractively in the afternoon sun. To complete the idyll the birds are singing away lustily and I have a window open.

This morning I had an appointment with Dr. Barrett and she was complimentary on my progress in obesity-clinic terms.

Re my continued aches and pains she has prescribed another increase in my Fentanyl patches. They kill the pain but the morphine has a strong soporific effect. - we talked it through and she is very matter-of-fact. The choice is between "pain relief and feeling dozy" or "being sharp snd suffering". As a coward I am going for the first option. Unfortunately the increase will probably send my INR blood-level haywire again. Oh, the pleasures of getting old.

This blog will be short I'm afraid due to computer problems. I can't get onto the normal household broadband, and neither can Y on her laptop. But fortunately I have my dongle and I am speaking to you from it.

Picture 2 is our Kerria, the yellow flowered shrub centre frame. Not yet in full bloom. Bob's Sandra had recently been seeking an ID and I thought their picture looked more like it than anything else.

Jill ..... Re the hall-table narcissus. They were bought. I know it is silly but we are always reluctant to cut garden ones. They last so much longer in the garden and are happier there.

There is so much variety in the genus. I always think the multi-headed ones have a stronger scent.

As Y remarks, the Steak pie you describe is exactly the one we have. Just got a pastry lid, no sides and bottom. Lovely meal and we share one and have lots of vegetables.

Yvonne ..... I know that Ruby and Elli are always very concerned that you have made me a jelly. How sweet of them to keep you on your toes.

Helen C .... Even though there weren't many pictures at EPS, it sounds as if you had a good time. I certainly hope that one of yours was selected. Being published on a calender must be an accolade.

The Spaghetti tree April Fool's day hoax was in 1957. You are far too young to have seen the original and remember it.

Bob ..... If you see 'Funny Friday mark 2' you will know I'm in original title trouble. It isn't really a problem anyway.

Your 'Sisyphus' remark camus a surprise to me. A snap of the hall-table will be taken when the light is right. I'm not lugging it into another room. But I shan't forget.

I suppose you are lucky to havePeacocks over-wintering in the garage. But don't they make an awful noise in the mornings?

Talking of cartoons you won't be surprised to learn that Matt has been voted 'Cartoonist of the Year' - again ! ...... We Telegraphees are lucky to have him.

Rob ..... Oh dear ! Poor Rob ! Both Y and I have heard of this happening before. Doesn't make it any easier though. I know that eventually you will get it all back but nobody likes being co-opted into an involuntary savings-scheme.

I'm sure you will enjoy the Nimmo Brothers. I've linked to a Youtube clip of them. Obviously the YouTube embargo on Music hasn't yet come into play.

Thanks for Sports Desk update. You've crammed a lot of information into a small space there my boy.

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Quotation time - triggered by the narcissus discussion ....

"The flower in the vase still smiles, but no longer laughs"

Malcom de Chazal

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Good Monday - 52F - little wind - feels cold though

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These are nice to look at from Yvonne's Office, at the other end of the bungalow.

I was helping her with something this morning and took a snap.

The variety, I think, is either Jack Snipe, or Tête à Tête. As I've said before Y is very good with bulbs and at the moment the garden is a picture for lovers of daffs and narcissus. To estimate the number of different varieties at 30 plus, would not be an exaggeration.

Picture 2 is some narcissus in Y's woodland area and for a short time span each morning the sun shines between us and the neighbours and illuminates them.

We have both done a lot this morning and I'm afraid it is backaches-ville. I finished off sorting-out the printers. The HP one was difficult to uninstall but I finally managed it. And then re-installed it which took ages. Just glad I did it on the PC - on the laptops I would still be waiting !

I've also done good work with the WoW Picasa Web Albums. The pictures from Trent Bridge, Monsal Dale, and Cromford are now amalgamated into one Album. It will be simplicity itself in the future to add to it.

Carrying on the Mnenomic thread -

Y has contributed - "Does It Always Run Regularly Hourly or Every Afternoon .

Everybody at some time has suffered but few can spell it. So, there's a method.

My blood test was this morning and, so far, I haven't had a call from the clinic. This is a good sign. It means I shan't have to be admitted and it will be next Monday at least before another test.

The appearance of AnnonymousAnne on the blog is due to her posting a problem on WebUser forums about trouble she was having with the blog-comments system (now resolved fortunately). I suggested that, as a test piece she was welcome to leave a comment on Radiogandy, even if she only said 'boo'. So she did.

My responses to your previous comments

Rob ..... Lovely to have you back. We've missed your acerbic wit and the Sports Desk updates, although Bob has struggled manfully to fill in, and all within his irksome word-limit.

Mind you, I think my position was justified when I heard on Andrew Marr this morning, in a piece about 'oratory' that The Gettysburg Address was 229 words long. Just outside the limit I'm afraid - I would have to have rejected it !

I don't know if A. A. Milne was dyslexic. but I think Pooh Bear and Eyeore might have been.

Your liking of Thai food is noted. Do you do any Thai cooking? I have a small jar of Green Thai Curry paste, bought in a frivolous moment and now I don't know what to do with it. Just watch it fellas !

Thanks for the Panthers updates. We haven't seen Margaret, Lachs' grandma, for some weeks so we haven't any inside stories to share with you.

Jill ..... Yes, I meant extensive, thinking of the ex Eastern bloc countries like Slovenia etc. But I'm sure you are right that they are expensive too.

'Google images' found me the Mrs Bullfinch picture and I can't attribute it because we weren't told the author. The bird though, seems to be running true to form by wrecking somebody's fruit buds.

Until I saw the picture I couldn't really visualise 'taupe' but now I understand it. I am sure she does visit the garden and I must be sure to be camera-ready in the morning.

Bob..... Glad your fishpie was a wow ! Mine has a potato crust on top which goes lovely dappled brown and gold. I make it in a large oval earthenware crock which is attractive to dib into, with a large serving spoon. It's certainly fattening - butter in all sorts of places, cream, prawns - need I say more ?

Your expansion of my Europe definition was spot on. Except for Israel ? Explain please !

I hope you don't mind me sharing (I know it should be 'my' sharing, but please....) my handiwork with your portrait. I'm quite proud of it.

Yvonne ..... You DO look like a pixie when Alannah/John/Laura stoop down to give you a hug. I'm glad you didn't use 'gnome' - unfortunate connotations. Elf would have been OK though.

I agree - I'm sure Jill started you off on Precious Ramotse. Alexander McCall Smith has recently read some of his own stuff on radio, and very good it has been too. He sounds like an extremely nice chap.

AnnonymousAnne ...... Reg will be pleased you liked the look of his Tiger Bread. - Don't hesitate to visit us again. We have wide-ranging discussions from photography, though cookery and all the way to knitting.

I've tried to explain above how you arrived in the first place.

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I hope this cartoon isn't too sexist. It's from Squiffy's Multitple Sclerosis Website



"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow"

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And thanks Ray for this one, its a beaut !


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John's visit - 48F and no wind - still cold though

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John called over with Laura and Alannah. It was lovely to see them and I deliberately didn't take pictures. The girls are so beautiful and I suspect I would have embarrassed them. So I contented myself with this 'exit off-stage right' shot on my mobile.

It was great to hear all the news. Tomorrow Alannah is back at University and Laura and Joe set off on their 'trek' . Some places, like Russia, they have to be there on a particular date. But with Europe of course no restrictions apply. And Europe is so extensive nowadays isn't it? We all look forward to a bulletin, with pictures, when she feels appropriate.

Alannah is working hard at Uni. She is reading English Lit. and wow, what a reading list ! It sounds like a great course though and super for her. Y and I are envious !

Picture 2 is Reg and Maureen's home baked Tiger Bread.

All I can say is that the loaf looks very professional to me. Just like it looks in a Supermarket but I bet tens it tastes a lot better.

Another thing I mustn't forget is to thank Brian S re my Epson printer. I followed exactly the steps he suggested to resurrect it. Result - the printer now works perfectly and produces scans like it did when new. Thanks Brian !

Another restful day and although my 'weather page' tells me we have a 5mph SW wind, it is in fact quite still. Doesn't stop the cold though. Nice chat with David this morning. I was late ringing him. Although I remembered about the clocks I went back to sleep and my mobile reminder to ring him didn't work because my mobile was an hour slow. Caught up with their news too and they were going to a shadow-puppet show later in the day.

My responses to your previous comments

Bob ..... When the bullfinch re-appears I shall provide him with a google-map to Boughton. I didn't know they were partial to black-currants. When we lived at Mansfield we had a small (4 trees) orchard and the bullfinches were unpleasantly keen on the centres of apple-blossom. In the end I bought an old air-rifle - only to scare them off, obviously.

Re Cartoon pedantry. I didn't realise cartoon characters were supposed to have studied Fowler's English Usage. Dennis The Menace will have to re-enrol at Bash Street School. Anyway as Helen points out, 'of' was quite correct in the context.

Thanks for the Sports Desk update. David got up early to watch the Australian Grand Prix. And Sky got up with him. That's nice.

Yvonne..... As you know, I agree. I think Bob has failed to read it correctly and Helen is correct. And, as you imply, I thought that, in cartoons anything goes.

Jill .... I don't know whather Mrs Bullfinch was around or not. From your description I shall have a more careful look next time he appears. I'm sure one of my reference books has a picture of the female. And there's always google-images isn't there?

Glad your cod worked out. And No! our salmon was sauce-free. 'Obesity-clinic' for me and Y isn't at all keen on sauces, or even gravy.

I don't think the East Midlands has graduated to carvery meats in cuboid form yet. Our local carveries always seem to carve from an actual joint of meat. Surely if it's pressed into a cuboid shape it is probably re-formed meat ? - horror of horrors.

Helen C ..... As with Boughton - when the bullfinch returns I shall instruct him to fly a few hundred yards South West and look out for your place. A google-map shouldn't be necessary.

Re Chatsworth .... As you know my first quarrel with the new duke was moving Elisabeth Frink's magnificent War-Horse into the courtyard with that silly little chain round it. That and massive price- hikes !

Anyway. Hope you and Julian have had a good day and a walk. Nice that yesterday's wind stilled, even if only temporarily I am assured.

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Quotation time .....

"My spelling is Wobbly. It's good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places"

A. A. Milne

I have decided against a cartoon today lest it contain spelling or grammatical errors.

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Y at BJ - Pleasant Spring Day - 46F - E wind 6mph

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One of Reg's lovely Panoramas (4 shots in this one) and the subject is Monsal Head during yesterday's WoW. I chanced upon Duggie in Eastwood this morning and he told me they'd had a great day. Weather good, light good and pub good. What more could you wish for ? We really are lucky to live so close to such beautiful countryside.

I took Y to the tram en route for Burton Joyce and today's light wasn't bad so I decided to see if I could locate all the different varieties of daff which Y has planted and 'collage' them. She is very good with bulbs and can succeed with snowdrops where no-one else can. She swears by 'planting in the green' but last year planted snowdrop bulbs and they did will too. Grape hyacinths (muscari) flourish all over the place.

We both love daffs, and tulips and we have the latter to look forward to. Outside a front window is a miscellany border with some flamboyant reds and yellows all mixed up. Y feels they are a litle brash but I enjoy their vigour. A sort of Marxist/Lenninist bed.

I don't usually comment on current events or celebrities but I feel I must mention the death, after a minor ski-ing accident, of Natasha Richardson. One can only sympathise deeply with Vanessa Redgrave her mother.

To lose a child under such tragic circumstances must be about the worst thing that can happen. One would much prefer to die ones-self.

My responses to your previous comments

Pete ..... I think cardboard policemen are an excellent idea ! They don't need refreshment breaks, they don't get into marital difficulties but, most importantly, they don't qualify for large pensions. I bet canteen banter is a little flat though.

Jill .... Y's back-ache is much improved but she is talking of going in the garden tomorrow. If for pleasure I can only wish her well, for half an hour, but if because she feels she must - I have already got agreement from Karen to spend some hours each week doing routine stuff, in addition to the lawns.

Glad you feel the same about some aspects of TV News.

Keep attacking the claim forms ! ...... and the 'tent' quote is definitely LBJ.

Bob ...... Did you really have to stand in the bus all the way from Mansfield to Ollerton ? I think I would have emulated Jill and sat on the floor. Otherwise I would have been wrecked for a week. Anyway I would have found it physically impossible !

If you look at my photo of the veg. curry recipe you will see I have added a note to be careful not to overcook because the veg will go mushy. Mine never went into the oven at all, I oven topped it. Much more controlable. I'm surprised at the slow-cooker getting it wrong though.

Maybe my glitch wasn't googlemail's fault after all, Maybe it was my PC. but I thought not.

JBW..... Hazlitt was a man well to the forefront of his times. How marvellous though of your uncle to be able to recite an essay verbatim. Most impressive. Hazlitt's essay on The Monarchy formed the basis of my own views, and I've seen little cause to change them since.

Thank you very much for solving the "It simply come to pieces in my hand" phrase and I have taken the liberty of fwd-ing your e-mail to Reg.

It was a line in a Roger McGough poem in the Mersey Sound anthology.

• there is a mushroom cloud in the back garden
  i did i tried to bring in the cat
  but it simply came to pieces in my hand
  i did i tried to whitewash the windows
  but there weren't any
• "Mother the Wardrobe is Full of Infantrymen", from The Mersey Sound (1967)

Having looked at several links I realise they have changed the book's cover. And I can't find my original copy.

Thanks again.

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I don't think I need a quote this evening. When Roger McGough has provided one.

"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow"

The old barometer in the hall looks promising for the next few days.




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Super Sunday - The Curry worked well - down to 36F

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Bob's persistent googling produced this picture of a 'dudley'. I don't think the comments system allows one to 'post' pictures so I've put it in the main page.

Well done Bob. Now I see a picture I've obviously seen them hanging from miner's belts.

Although the picture doesn't show it, I seem to recall they were about 1½ inches deep.

Nice chat to David this morning and when Y is in London next weekend I am going over to Long Eaton for coffee on the Saturday morning.

The Veg. Curry lunch was a success. I knew the curry was OK when people 'mopped up' their plates with their Naam bread. The conversation flowed nicely and six is such a good number ! Helen had a good chance to talk over her photography with Rob and, as always, he was happy to listen and help. She will have her LRPS before you can say Lord Lichfield.

My responses to your previous comments

Bob ..... As above - congrats on tracing the 'dudley'. And as Rob comments, you have beaten 'nifty-googler' to the draw. Also, you are right that sometimes the wrong type are drawn to Police work.

As I commented to you in my e-mail, when I worked in the Police Careers Office I was much happier about candidates attracted by the 'Pay scales and the Pension' than those with a mission to catch criminals and do good.

Rob ..... Excellent links and thank you for them.

Re Ravilious. You are much kinder to 'ill-mannered yokels' than I am. To be fat, pompous, speak in an unintelligible dialect, and have really bad teeth, puts people in the 'unattractive box' as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks for the bulletin from The Sports Desk. At least I can understand what you say when you are speaking.

And thanks for your post lunch e-mail. Glad you both enjoyed it - we certainly did. You know of old how much Y loves a bit of 'social'. Even to the extent of travelling to France wedged in between smelly men in the back seat of a Vauxhall.

Jill ..... As you will have seen above the Veg. Curry worked well.

But your 'rosbif' option sounded good too. I don't know how they manage to produce hard but 'yellowing' Brussels sprouts. The don't take long to cook anyway. I must suspect 'microwaving from frozen' as the most likely method. The puddings sounded good.

If your weight, or absence of it, is causing you discomfort then you are obviously right to try and gain a bit. Have you always been thin ? Or has there been a traceable cause ?

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Quotation time ......

"Dialect words. Those terrible marks of the beast to the truly genteel"

Thomas Hardy

Off to watch Jeremy Paxman about The Victorians. See previous links.

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"


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